• Title/Summary/Keyword: SEM analysis

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Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry of Intertidal Flat Sediment, Muan, Chonnam, Korea (전남 무안 갯벌 퇴적물에 관한 광물학적 및 생지화학적 연구)

  • Park, Byung-No;Lee, Je-Hyun;Oh, Jong-Min;Lee, Seuug-Hee;Han, Ji-Hee;Kim, Yu-Mi;Seo, Hyun-Hee;Roh, Yul
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.20 no.1 s.51
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    • pp.47-60
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    • 2007
  • While sedimentological researches on Western coastal tidal flats of Korea have been much pelformed previously, mineralogical and biogeochemical studies are beginning to be studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteritics of the inter-tidal flat sediments and to explore phase transformation of iron(oxyhydr)oxides and biomineralization by metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments from Muan, Jeollanam-do, Korea. Inter-tidal flat sediment samples were collected in Chungkye-myun and Haeje-myun, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Particle size analyses were performed using the pipette method and sedimentation method. The separates including sand, silt and clay fractions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffiaction (XRD). After enriching the metal-.educing bacteria from the into,-tidal flat sediments, the bacteria were used to study phase transformation of the synthesized iron (oxyhydr)oxides and iron biomineralization using lactate or glucose as the electron donors and Fe(III)-containing iron oxides as the electron accepters. Mineralogical studies showed that the sediments of tidal flats in Chung]rye-myun and Haeje-myun consist of quartz, plagioclase, microcline, biotite, kaolinite and illite. Biogeochemical researches showed that the metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments reduced reddish brown akaganeite and mineralized nanometer-sized black magnetite. The bacteria also reduced the reddish brown ferrihydrite into black amorphous phases and reduced the yellowish goethite into greenish with formation of nm-sized phases. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III) reduction may play one of important roles in iron and carbon biogeochemistry as well as iron biomineralization in subsurface environments.

Identification of Sorption Characteristics of Cesium for the Improved Coal Mine Drainage Treated Sludge (CMDS) by the Addition of Na and S (석탄광산배수처리슬러지에 Na와 S를 첨가하여 개량한 흡착제의 세슘 흡착 특성 규명)

  • Soyoung Jeon;Danu Kim;Jeonghyeon Byeon;Daehyun Shin;Minjune Yang;Minhee Lee
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.56 no.2
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    • pp.125-138
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    • 2023
  • Most of previous cesium (Cs) sorbents have limitations on the treatment in the large-scale water system having low Cs concentration and high ion strength. In this study, the new Cs sorbent that is eco-friendly and has a high Cs removal efficiency was developed by improving the coal mine drainage treated sludge (hereafter 'CMDS') with the addition of Na and S. The sludge produced through the treatment process for the mine drainage originating from the abandoned coal mine was used as the primary material for developing the new Cs sorbent because of its high Ca and Fe contents. The CMDS was improved by adding Na and S during the heat treatment process (hereafter 'Na-S-CMDS' for the developed sorbent in this study). Laboratory experiments and the sorption model studies were performed to evaluate the Cs sorption capacity and to understand the Cs sorption mechanisms of the Na-S-CMDS. The physicochemical and mineralogical properties of the Na-S-CMDS were also investigated through various analyses, such as XRF, XRD, SEM/EDS, XPS, etc. From results of batch sorption experiments, the Na-S-CMDS showed the fast sorption rate (in equilibrium within few hours) and the very high Cs removal efficiency (> 90.0%) even at the low Cs concentration in solution (< 0.5 mg/L). The experimental results were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting the mostly monolayer coverage sorption of the Cs on the Na-S-CMDS. The Cs sorption kinetic model studies supported that the Cs sorption tendency of the Na-S-CMDS was similar to the pseudo-second-order model curve and more complicated chemical sorption process could occur rather than the simple physical adsorption. Results of XRF and XRD analyses for the Na-S-CMDS after the Cs sorption showed that the Na content clearly decreased in the Na-S-CMDS and the erdite (NaFeS2·2(H2O)) was disappeared, suggesting that the active ion exchange between Na+ and Cs+ occurred on the Na-S-CMDS during the Cs sorption process. From results of the XPS analysis, the strong interaction between Cs and S in Na-S-CMDS was investigated and the high Cs sorption capacity was resulted from the binding between Cs and S (or S-complex). Results from this study supported that the Na-S-CMDS has an outstanding potential to remove the Cs from radioactive contaminated water systems such as seawater and groundwater, which have high ion strength but low Cs concentration.

A Study on the Conservation State and Plans for Stone Cultural Properties in the Unjusa Temple, Korea (운주사 석조문화재의 보존상태와 보존방안에 대한 연구)

  • Sa-Duk, Kim;Chan-Hee, Lee;Seok-Won, Choi;Eun-Jeong, Shin
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.37
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    • pp.285-307
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    • 2004
  • Synthesize and examine petrological characteristic and geochemical characteristic by weathering formation of rock and progress of weathering laying stress on stone cultural properties of Unjusa temple of Chonnam Hwasun county site in this research. Examine closely weathering element that influence mechanical, chemical, mineralogical and physical weathering of rocks that accomplish stone cultural properties and these do quantification, wish to utilize by a basic knowledge for conservation scientific research of stone cultural properties by these result. Enforced component analysis of rock and mineralogical survey about 18 samples (pyroclastic tuff; 7, ash tuff; 4, granite ; 4, granitic gneiss; 3) all to search petrological characteristic and geochemical characteristic by weathering of Unjusa temple precinct stone cultural properties and recorded deterioration degree about each stone cultural properties observing naked eye. Major rock that constitution Unjusa temple one great geological features has strike of N30-40W and dip of 10-20NE being pyroclastic tuff. This pyroclastic tuff is ranging very extensively laying center on Unjusa temple and stone cultural properties of precinct is modeled by this pyroclastic tuff. Stone cultural propertieses of present Unjusa temple precinct are accomplishing structural imbalance with serious crack, and because weathering of rock with serious biological pollution is gone fairly, rubble break away and weathering and deterioration phenomenon such as fall off of a particle of mineral are appearing extremely. Also, a piece of iron and cement mortar of stone cultural properties everywhere are forming precipitate of reddish brown and light gray being oxidized. About these stone cultural properties, most stone cultural propertieses show SD(severe damage) to MD(moderate damage) as result that record Deterioration degree. X-ray diffraction analysis result samples of each rock are consisted of mineral of quartz, orthoclase,plagioclase, calcite, magnetite etc. Quartz and feldspar alterated extremely in a microscopic analysis, and biotite that show crystalline form of anhedral shows state that become chloritization that is secondary weathering mineral being weathered. Also, see that show iron precipitate of reddish brown to crack zone of tuff everywhere preview rock that weathering is gone deep. Tuffs that accomplish stone cultural properties of study area is illustrated to field of Subalkaline and Peraluminous, $SiO_2$(wt.%) extent of samples pyroclastic tuff 70.08-73.69, ash tuff extent of 70.26-78.42 show. In calculate Chemical Index of Alteration(CIA) and Weathering Potential Index(WPI) about major elements extent of CIA pyroclastic tuff 55.05-60.75, ash tuff 52.10-58.70, granite 49.49-51.06 granitic gneiss shows value of 53.25-67.14 and these have high value gneiss and tuffs. WPI previews that is see as thing which is illustrated being approximated in 0 lines and 0 lines low samples of tuffs and gneiss is receiving esaily weathering process as appear in CIA. As clay mineral of smectite, zeolite that is secondary weathering produce of rock as result that pick powdering of rock and clothing material of stone cultural properties observed by scanning electron micrographs (SEM). And roots of lichen and spore of hyphae that is weathering element are observed together. This rock deep organism being coating to add mechanical weathering process of stone cultural properties do, and is assumed that change the clay mineral is gone fairly in stone cultural properties with these. As the weathering of rocks is under a serious condition, the damage by the natural environment such as rain, wind, trees and the ground is accelerated. As a counter-measure, the first necessary thing is to build the ground environment about protecting water invasion by making the drainage and checking the surrounding environment. The second thing are building hardening and extirpation process that strengthens the rock, dealing biologically by reducing lichens, and sticking crevice part restoration using synthetic resin. Moreover, it is assumed to be desirable to build the protection facility that can block wind, sunlight, and rain which are the cause of the weathering, and that goes well with the surrounding environment.

The Determination of Trust in Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships in China (중국 프랜차이즈 시스템에서의 본부와 가맹점간 신뢰의 영향요인)

  • Shin, Geon-Cheol;Ma, Yaokun
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.65-88
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    • 2008
  • Since the implementation of economic reforms in 1978, the Chinese economy grows rapidly at an average annul growth rate of 9% over the post two decades. Franchising has been widely recognized as an important source of entrepreneurial activity. Trust is important in that it facilitates relational exchanges by permits partners to transcend short-run inequities or risks to concentrate on long-term profits or gains. In the relationship between the franchisors and franchisees, trust has been described as an important source of competitive advantage. However, little research has been done on the factors affecting trust in Chinese franchisor-franchisee relationships. The purpose of this study is to investigate what factors affect the trust in the franchise system in China, and to provide guidelines and insights to franchisors which enter Chinese market. In this study, according to Morgan and Hunt (1994), trust is defined as the extending when one party has confidence in an exchange partner's reliability and integrity. We offered a conceptual model of the empirical study. The model shows that the factors affecting the trust include franchisor's supports, communication, satisfaction with previous outcome and conflict. We also suggested the franchisor's supports and communication like to enhance the franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome, and the franchisor's supports, communication and he franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome tend to decrease conflict. Before the formal study, a pretest involving exploratory interviews with owners from three franchisees was conducted to make sure the questionnaire was relevant and clear to the respondents. The data were collected using trained interviewers to carry out personal interviews with the aid of an unidentified, muti-page, structured questionnaire. The respondents comprised of owners, managers, and owner managers of franchisee-owned food service franchises located in Beijing, China. Even though a total of 256 potential franchises were initially contacted, the finally usable sample consisted of 125 respondents. As expected, the sampling method was successful in soliciting respondents with waried personal and firm characteristics. Self-administrated questionnaires were used for all measures. And established scales were used to measure the latent constructs in this study. The measures tapped the franchisees' perceptions of the relationship with the referent franchisor. Five-point Likert-type scales ranging from "strongly disagree" (=1) to "strongly agree" (=7) were used throughout the constructs (trust, eight items; support, five items; communication, four items; satisfaction, six items; conflict, three items). The reliability measurements traditionally employed, such as the Cronbach's alpha, were used. All the reliabilities were greater than.80. The proposed measurement model was estimated using SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 5.0 analysis package. We conducted A series of exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability. The results indicate reasonable overall fits between the model and the observed data. The overall fit of measurement model were $X^2$= 159.699, p=0.004, d.f. = 116, GFI =.879, NFI =.898, CFI =.969, IFI =.970, TLI =.959, RMR =.058. The results demonstrated that the data reasonably fitted the model. We also examined construct reliability and reliability and average variance extracted (AVE). The construct reliability of each construct was greater than.80 and the AVE of each construct was greater than.50. According to the analysis of Structure Equation Modeling (SEM), the results of path model indicated an adequate fit of the model: $X^2$= 142.126, p = 0.044, d.f. = 115, GFI =.892, NFI =.909, CFI =.981, IFI =.981, TLI =.974, RMR =.057. As hypothesized, the results showed that it is strategically important to establish trust in a franchise system, and the franchisor's supports, communication and satisfaction with previous outcome tend to reinforce franchisee's trust. The results also showed trust seems to decrease as the experience of conflict episodes increases. And we also noticed that franchisor's supports and communication tend to enhance the franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome, and communication tend to decrease conflict. If the trust between the franchisor and franchisee can be established in a franchise system, franchising offers many benefits and reduces many costs. To manage a mutual trust of relationship with their franchisees, franchisor's should provide support effectively to their franchisees. Effective assistant services have direct effect on franchisees' satisfaction with previous outcome and trust in franchisor. Especially, franchise sales process, orientation, and training in the start-up period are key elements for success of the franchise system. Franchisor's support is an accumulated separate satisfaction evaluation with different kind of service provided by the franchisor. And providing support definitely can improve the trustworthy image of the franchisor. In the franchise system, conflicts of interests and exertions of different power sources are very common. The experience of conflict episodes seems to negatively relate to trust. Therefore, it is important to reduce the negative side of the relationship conflicts. Communication actually plays a broader role in reducing conflict and establish mutual trust in franchisor-franchisee relationship. And effective communication between franchisors and franchisees can improve franchisees' satisfaction toward the franchise system. As the diversification of Chinese markets, both franchisors and franchisees must keep the relevant, timely, and reliable communication. And it is very important to improve the quality of communication. Satisfaction with precious outcomes seems to positively relate to trust. Franchisors and franchisees that are highly satisfied with the previous outcomes that flow from their relationship will perceive their partner as advancing their goal achievement. Therefore, it is necessary for both franchisor and their franchisees to make the welfare of partner with effort. Little literature has focused on what factors affect the trust between franchisors and their franchisees in China. This study developed the hypotheses regarding the factors affecting trust in the transaction relationship. The results of data analysis supported the hypotheses strongly. There are certain limitations in this study. First, we may point out that some other factors missed in this study could be significantly important. Second, the context of this study, food service industry, limits its potential generalizability for all franchise systems. More studies in different categories of franchise system are needed to broaden its generalizability. Third, the model was tested empirically in a sample in Beijing, more empirical tests of the proposed model in other Chinese areas are needed. Finally, the analysis in this study was solely based on the perception of franchisees and the opinions of franchisors were not included.

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Ion Transmittance of Anodic Alumina for Ion Beam Nano-patterning (이온빔 나노 패터닝을 위한 양극산화 알루미나의 이온빔 투과)

  • Shin S. W.;Lee J-H;Lee S. G.;Lee J.;Whang C. N.;Choi I-H;Lee K. H.;Jeung W. Y.;Moon H.-C.;Kim T. G.;Song J. H.
    • Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.97-102
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    • 2006
  • Anodic alumina with self-organized and ordered nano hole arrays can be a good candidate of an irradiation mask to modify the properties of nano-scale region. In order to try using porous anodic alumina as a mask for ion-beam patterning, ion beam transmittance of anodic alumina was tested. 4 Um thick self-standing AAO templates anodized from Al bulk foil with two different aspect ratio, 200:1 and 100:1, were aligned about incident ion beam with finely controllable goniometer. At the best alignment, the transmittance of the AAO with aspect ratio of 200:1 and 100:1 were $10^{-8}\;and\;10^{-4}$, respectively. However transmittance of the thin film AAO with low aspect ratio, 5:1, were remarkably improved to 0.67. The ion beam transmittance of self-standing porous alumina with a thickness larger than $4{\mu}m$ is extremely low owing to high aspect ratio of nano hole and charging effect, even at a precise beam alignment to the direction of nano hole. $SiO_2$ nano dot array was formed by ion irradiation into thin film AAO on $SiO_2$ film. This was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy that the $SiO_2$ nano dot array is similar to AAO hole array.

A Study of Coloration of Topaz(I): Mineralogical and Chemical Study on the Topaz Selected from Some Localities of the World (토파즈의 人工着色 處理를 위한 硏究(I) : 世界 主要 産地別 토파즈의 鑛物學的 및 化學的 特性)

  • Han, Yi-Kyeong;Park, Maeng-Eon;Jang, Yong-Nam
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.109-121
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    • 1992
  • For the purpose of mineralogical and chemical study on the topazes from various localities of world(Brzail, China, India, Nigeria and Sri Lanka), electron microprobe analysis(EPMA), neutron activation analysis(NAA), X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, etch test, scanning electron microscopy, refractive index, specific gravity, fluid inclusion were performed. The chemical composition in topaz was discussed along with its physical and structural properties. Variations in the unit-cell dimension and physical properties of topaz were found to have a close relations in the unit-cell dimension and physical properties of topaz were found to have a close relationship with extent of substitution of $OH^-\;for\;F^-$. According to neutron activation analyses, the trace elements had no effects on the physical properties of topaz. Raman spectra showed that the peaks of topaz were different in intensity from one locality to another. Etching defects in topaz includes negative crystal defect o point-bottom pit(India, Nigeria) and net work defect of curl-bottom pit(Brazil, China). Fluid inclusions in topaz may be classiffied into liquid $CO_2$-bearing inclusion, gaseous inclusion, halite, sylvite-bearing inclusion and liquid inclusion. The results of this study can be useful to devising artificial coloring methods for topaz with different mineralogical compositions.

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Analysis of the Characteristics of the Seismic source and the Wave Propagation Parameters in the region of the Southeastern Korean Peninsula (한반도 남동부 지진의 지각매질 특성 및 지진원 특성 변수 연구)

  • Kim, Jun-Kyoung;Kang, Ik-Bum
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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    • v.2 no.1 s.4
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    • pp.135-141
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    • 2002
  • Both non-linear damping values of the deep and shallow crustal materials and seismic source parameters are found from the observed near-field seismic ground motions at the South-eastern Korean Peninsula. The non-linear numerical algorithm applied in this study is Levenberg-Marquadet method. All the 25 sets of horizontal ground motions (east-west and north-south components at each seismic station) from 3 events (micro to macro scale) were used for the analysis of damping values and source parameters. The non-linear damping values of the deep and shallow crustal materials were found to be more similar to those of the region of the Western United States. The seismic source parameters found from this study also showed that the resultant stress drop values are relatively low compared to those of the Western United Sates. Consequently, comparisons of the various seismic parameters from this study and those of the United States Seismo-tectonic data suggest that the seismo-tectonic characteristics of the South eastern Korean Peninsula is more similar to those of the Western U.S.

Research of Diffusion Bonding of Tungsten/Copper and Their Properties under High Heat Flux

  • Li, Jun;Yang, Jianfeng
    • Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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    • 2011.05a
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    • pp.14-14
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    • 2011
  • W (tungsten)-alloys will be the most promising plasma facing armor materials in highly loaded plasma interactive components of the next step fusion reactors due to its high melting point, high sputtering resistance and low deuterium/tritium retention. The bonding technology of tungsten to Cu alloy was one of the key issues. In this paper, W/CuCrZr diffusion bonding has been performed successfully by inserting pure metal interlay. The joint microstructure, interfacial elements migration and phase composition were analyzed by SEM, EDS, XRD, and the joint shear strength and micro-hardness were investigated. The mock-ups were fabricated successfully with diffusion bonding and the cladding technology respectively, and the high heat flux test and thermal fatigue test were carried out under actively cooling condition. When Ni foil was used for the bonding of tungsten to CuCrZr, two reaction layers, Ni4W and Ni(W) layer, appeared between the tungsten and Ni interlayer with the optimized condition. Even though Ni4W is hard and brittle, and the strength of the joint was oppositely increased (217 MPa) due primarily to extremely small thicknesses (2~3 ${\mu}m$). When Ti foil was selected as the interlayer, the Ti foil diffused quickly with Cu and was transformed into liquid phase at $1,000^{\circ}C$. Almost all of the liquid was extruded out of the interface zone under bonding pressure, and an extremely thin residual layer (1~2 ${\mu}m$) of the liquid phase was retained between the tungsten and CuCrZr, which shear strength exceeded 160 MPa. When Ni/Ti/Ni multiple interlayers were used for bonding of tungsten to CuCrZr, a large number of intermetallic compound ($Ni_4W/NiTi_2/NiTi/Ni_3T$) were formed for the interdiffusion among W, Ni and Ti. Therefore, the shear strength of the joint was low and just about 85 MPa. The residual stresses in the clad samples with flat, arc, rectangle and trapezoid interface were estimated by Finite Element Analysis. The simulation results show that the flat clad sample was subjected maximum residual stress at the edge of the interface, which could be cracked at the edge and propagated along the interface. As for the rectangle and trapezoid interface, the residual stresses of the interface were lower than that of the flat interface, and the interface of the arc clad sample have lowest residual stress and all of the residual stress with arc interface were divided into different grooved zones, so the probabilities of cracking and propagation were lower than other interfaces. The residual stresses of the mock-ups under high heat flux of 10 $MW/m^2$ were estimated by Finite Element Analysis. The tungsten of the flat interfaces was subjected to tensile stresses (positive $S_x$), and the CuCrZr was subjected to compressive stresses (negative $S_x$). If the interface have a little microcrack, the tungsten of joint was more liable to propagate than the CuCrZr due to the brittle of the tungsten. However, when the flat interface was substituted by arc interfaces, the periodical residual stresses in the joining region were either released or formed a stress field prohibiting the growth or nucleation of the interfacial cracks. Thermal fatigue tests were performed on the mock-ups of flat and arc interface under the heat flux of 10 $MW/m^2$ with the cooling water velocity of 10 m/s. After thermal cycle experiments, a large number of microcracks appeared at the tungsten substrate due to large radial tensile stress on the flat mock-up. The defects would largely affect the heat transfer capability and the structure reliability of the mock-up. As for the arc mock-up, even though some microcracks were found at the interface of the regions, all microcracks with arc interface were divided into different arc-grooved zones, so the propagation of microcracks is difficult.

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Taxonomic Characteristics of Korean-native Anacardiaceae (한국산(韓國産) 옻나무과(科)의 분류학적(分類學的) 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Sam Sik;Chung, Jae Min
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.84 no.2
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    • pp.151-165
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    • 1995
  • This study was conducted to establish a systematized taxonomic problems of through the leaf morphological characters and leaf venation patterns, and stomatal cell patterns and cell characteristics of abaxial and adaxial surface of the leaflets by SEM, of 6 native species in Korea and 2 foreign species of the Genus Rhus in the Family Anacardiaceae. The results obtained from this study are summarized as followings: 1. Morphological study measured 32 characters of leaves from herbarium specimen and field-collected samples for each species. The results of cluster analysis based on the Euclidean distance showed that the species could be classified into 3 groups: R. sylvestris. R. typhina, R. succedanea: R. trichocarpa. R. chinensis. R. verniciflua: and R. ambigua. R. radicans subsp. orientale, Analysis of principal components showed 5 groups: The major factors in the first principal component group was length of petiole of the terminal leaflets, that in the second group angle of left side in the terminal leaflet bash, that in the third group area ratio between first and terminal leaflets, that in the forth group angle ratio between right and left side in the terminal leaflet base, and that in the fifth group was angle of main and secondary vein at midrib of terminal leaflet. Cumulative contribution by the first, second and third principal component group was explained with 82.6%, a large percent of all information. 2. The leaf venation pattern investigated using soft X-ray photography revealed clado-and reticulo-camptodromous types according to branching angle of the secondary vein. And three groups by the developing degree of secondary vein were R. trichocarpa, R. ambigua. R. chinensis, R. typhina; R. radicans subsp. onentale, R. succedanea, R. verniciflua: and R. sylvestris. Classification key for the Rhus of Korean-native Anacardiaceae was made by the venation pattern and devevoping degree of the secondary vein. 3. The stomatal cell patterns were greatly classified into paracytic and anomocytic types, specific among species according to stomatal and subsidiary cell patterns, and various differences among the species was determined. Microstructure of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces could be divided into synclinal and anticlinal cell wall patterns, and were specific-species. Stomatal cells of R. chinensis were surrounded with characterized villus-like cells.

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The Adoption and Diffusion of Semantic Web Technology Innovation: Qualitative Research Approach (시맨틱 웹 기술혁신의 채택과 확산: 질적연구접근법)

  • Joo, Jae-Hun
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.33-62
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    • 2009
  • Internet computing is a disruptive IT innovation. Semantic Web can be considered as an IT innovation because the Semantic Web technology possesses the potential to reduce information overload and enable semantic integration, using capabilities such as semantics and machine-processability. How should organizations adopt the Semantic Web? What factors affect the adoption and diffusion of Semantic Web innovation? Most studies on adoption and diffusion of innovation use empirical analysis as a quantitative research methodology in the post-implementation stage. There is criticism that the positivist requiring theoretical rigor can sacrifice relevance to practice. Rapid advances in technology require studies relevant to practice. In particular, it is realistically impossible to conduct quantitative approach for factors affecting adoption of the Semantic Web because the Semantic Web is in its infancy. However, in an early stage of introduction of the Semantic Web, it is necessary to give a model and some guidelines and for adoption and diffusion of the technology innovation to practitioners and researchers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to present a model of adoption and diffusion of the Semantic Web and to offer propositions as guidelines for successful adoption through a qualitative research method including multiple case studies and in-depth interviews. The researcher conducted interviews with 15 people based on face-to face and 2 interviews by telephone and e-mail to collect data to saturate the categories. Nine interviews including 2 telephone interviews were from nine user organizations adopting the technology innovation and the others were from three supply organizations. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The interviews were recorded on digital voice recorder memory and subsequently transcribed verbatim. 196 pages of transcripts were obtained from about 12 hours interviews. Triangulation of evidence was achieved by examining each organization website and various documents, such as brochures and white papers. The researcher read the transcripts several times and underlined core words, phrases, or sentences. Then, data analysis used the procedure of open coding, in which the researcher forms initial categories of information about the phenomenon being studied by segmenting information. QSR NVivo version 8.0 was used to categorize sentences including similar concepts. 47 categories derived from interview data were grouped into 21 categories from which six factors were named. Five factors affecting adoption of the Semantic Web were identified. The first factor is demand pull including requirements for improving search and integration services of the existing systems and for creating new services. Second, environmental conduciveness, reference models, uncertainty, technology maturity, potential business value, government sponsorship programs, promising prospects for technology demand, complexity and trialability affect the adoption of the Semantic Web from the perspective of technology push. Third, absorptive capacity is an important role of the adoption. Fourth, suppler's competence includes communication with and training for users, and absorptive capacity of supply organization. Fifth, over-expectance which results in the gap between user's expectation level and perceived benefits has a negative impact on the adoption of the Semantic Web. Finally, the factor including critical mass of ontology, budget. visible effects is identified as a determinant affecting routinization and infusion. The researcher suggested a model of adoption and diffusion of the Semantic Web, representing relationships between six factors and adoption/diffusion as dependent variables. Six propositions are derived from the adoption/diffusion model to offer some guidelines to practitioners and a research model to further studies. Proposition 1 : Demand pull has an influence on the adoption of the Semantic Web. Proposition 1-1 : The stronger the degree of requirements for improving existing services, the more successfully the Semantic Web is adopted. Proposition 1-2 : The stronger the degree of requirements for new services, the more successfully the Semantic Web is adopted. Proposition 2 : Technology push has an influence on the adoption of the Semantic Web. Proposition 2-1 : From the perceptive of user organizations, the technology push forces such as environmental conduciveness, reference models, potential business value, and government sponsorship programs have a positive impact on the adoption of the Semantic Web while uncertainty and lower technology maturity have a negative impact on its adoption. Proposition 2-2 : From the perceptive of suppliers, the technology push forces such as environmental conduciveness, reference models, potential business value, government sponsorship programs, and promising prospects for technology demand have a positive impact on the adoption of the Semantic Web while uncertainty, lower technology maturity, complexity and lower trialability have a negative impact on its adoption. Proposition 3 : The absorptive capacities such as organizational formal support systems, officer's or manager's competency analyzing technology characteristics, their passion or willingness, and top management support are positively associated with successful adoption of the Semantic Web innovation from the perceptive of user organizations. Proposition 4 : Supplier's competence has a positive impact on the absorptive capacities of user organizations and technology push forces. Proposition 5 : The greater the gap of expectation between users and suppliers, the later the Semantic Web is adopted. Proposition 6 : The post-adoption activities such as budget allocation, reaching critical mass, and sharing ontology to offer sustainable services are positively associated with successful routinization and infusion of the Semantic Web innovation from the perceptive of user organizations.