• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.5-6
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• 2002

The new spectrometer for X-ray Induced Electron Emission Spectroscopy (XIEES) .has been recently developed in KRISS in collaboration with PTI (Russia). The spectrometer allows to perform research using the XAFS, SXAFS, XANES techniques (D.C.Koningsberger and R.Prins, 1988) as well as the number of techniques from XIEES field(L.A.Bakaleinikov et all, 1992). The experiments may be carried out with registration of transmitted through the sample x-rays (to investigate bulk samples) or/and total electron yield (TEY) from the sample surface that gives the high (down to several atomic mono-layers in soft x-ray region) near surface sensitivity. The combination of these methods together give the possibility to obtain a quantitative information on elemental composition, chemical state, atomic structure for powder samples and solids, including non-crystalline materials (the long range order is not required). The optical design of spectrometer is made according to Johannesson true focusing schematics and presented on the Fig.1. Five stepping motors are used to maintain the focusing condition during the photon energy scan (crystal angle, crystal position along rail, sample goniometer rail angle, sample goniometer position along rail and sample goniometer angle relatively of rail). All movements can be done independently and simultaneously that speeds up the setting of photon energy and allows the using of crystals with different Rowland radil. At present six curved crystals with different d-values and one flat synthetic multilayer are installed on revolver-type monochromator. This arrangement allows the wide range of x-rays from 100 eV up to 25 keV to be obtained. Another 4 stepping motors set exit slit width, sample angle, channeltron position and x-ray detector position. The differential pumping allows to unite vacuum chambers of spectrometer and x-ray generator avoiding the absorption of soft x-rays on Be foil of a window and in atmosphere. Another feature of vacuum system is separation of walls of vacuum chamber (which are deformed by the atmospheric pressure) from optical elements of spectrometer. This warrantees that the optical elements are precisely positioned. The detecting system of the spectrometer consists of two proportional counters, one scintillating detector and one channeltron detector. First proportional counter can be used as I/sub 0/-detector in transmission mode or by measuring the fluorescence from exit slit edge. The last installation can be used to measure the reference data (that is necessary in XANES measurements), in this case the reference sample is installed on slit knife edge. The second proportional counter measures the intensity of x-rays transmitted through the sample. The scintillating detector is used in the same way but on the air for the hard x-rays and for alignment purposes. Total electron yield from the sample is measured by channeltron. The spectrometer is fully controlled by special software that gives the high flexibility and reliability in carrying out of the experiments. Fig.2 and fig.3 present the typical XAFS spectra measured with spectrometer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

Objectives : It is well known that Sibjotang (Shizaotang), traditional herbal medicine formula, regulates the body fluid blood pressure homeostasis. This study is to investigate whether Sibjotang improves diabetic renal dysfunction in type II diabetes mellitus animal model, db/db mice. Methods : The animals model were divided into three groups at the age of 8 weeks; control group (C57BLKS/J-db/m mice), diabetic group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice], and Sibjotang group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice + Sibjotang 100 mg/kg/day]. During 8 weeks of treatment, blood glucose and urinary albumin excretion were checked in metabolic chamber at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, respectively. Results : Body weight and food intake of diabetic group were significantly higher than control group after 8 weeks administration. However, there were not significant different between the diabetic group and Sibjotang group. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly decreased in the Sibjotang group than the diabetic group. In addition, supplementation with Sibjotang significantly lowered levels of blood glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), suggesting reduced insulin resistance. The ratio of mesangial matrix/glomerular area was markedly larger in diabetic group than control group, whereas Sibjotang significantly reduced this expansion. Moreover, immunohistological study revealed that Sibjotang attenuated the increase of transforming growth $factor(TGF)-{\beta}$ expression in kidney. Conclusion : Sibjotang ameliorates diabetes-associated renal injury through the improvement of the blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting the $TGF-{\beta}1$ expression. Therefore, Sibjotang may be a new therapeutic formula for the treatment of diabetic-associated renal dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2016

Investigation of in-situ ground in cold region is difficult due to low accessibility and environmental factors. In this study, correlation between dynamic cone resistance and shear strength is suggested to estimate the strength of frozen soils by using instrumented dynamic cone penetrometer. Tests were conducted in freezing chamber after preparing sand-silt mixture with 2.3% water content. Vertical stresses of 5 kPa and 10 kPa were applied during freezing, shearing, and penetration phase to compare the dynamic cone resistance and shear strength. The dynamic cone resistance, additionally, is calculated to minimize the effect of energy loss during hammer impact. Experimental results show that as the shear strength increases, the dynamic cone penetration index (DCPI) decreases nonlinearly, while the dynamic cone resistance increases linearly. This study provides the useful correlation to evaluate strength properties of the frozen soils from the dynamic cone penetration and direct shear tests.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.748-766
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• 2021

The Iksan Ssangneung (twin tombs), a pair of tombs comprising the Daewangneung (large royal tomb) and the Sowangneung (small royal tomb), were constructed in the typical style of stone tunnel and chamber tombs in the Baekje Kingdom during the Sabi period (538 to 660 AD) of ancient Korea. Soil layers exposed during excavation of Sowangneung in a trench east of the tomb are: the bottommost layer, the ground level layer, the Panchuk (rammed earth) layer of the Baekje, the layer created by a grave robbery, and soil recovered during the Japanese colonial period. Soil samples were obtained by segmenting an easy stratigraphic horizon into sub categorized soil layers, and their material properties were analyzed; they are composed mainly of sandy loam based on the particle size distributions. In the site foundation, loamy sand is packed in the bottommost layer, and sandy loam with high sand and silty sand fills most of the overlying layer. The central and topmost portion of the Baekje layer is composed of loam with high clay content. All soil layers show geochemical behaviors similar to those of the bottommost layer. X-ray diffraction analysis verified kaolinite in all layers, also observed in soil layers displaying high crystallinity. Kaolinite and halloysite were identified by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we conclude that the Baekje layer of the Sowangneung is composed of sandy loam containing kaolin procured from near the site. An impermeable middle to upper layer was created using viscous loam. The top of the tomb was closed tightly.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.19-28
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• 2022

Cavities behind concrete walls can adversely affect the stability of structures. Thus study aims to detect cavities behind concrete structures using a microphone in a laboratory model test. A small-scale concrete wall is constructed in a chamber, which is composed of a reinforced concrete plate and dry soil. A plastic bowl is then placed between the plate and soil to simulate a cavity behind the concrete structure. Leaky surface acoustic waves are generated by impacting the concrete plate using a hammer and are measured using a microphone. The measured signals are analyzed using natural frequencies, and cavity-free sections are evaluated. The test results show that the first natural frequency decreases at the cavity section due to the flexural vibration behavior of the plate. In addition, the amplitude corresponding to the first natural frequency decreases as the measurement location becomes farther from the cavity center and significantly decreases at the measurement locations near the rebars. This study demonstrates that a microphone may be useful to detect cavities behind concrete walls.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.157-169
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• 2023

Gracilaria Verrucosa (GV), a seaweed used in traditional Korean medicine, was studied for its effects on MI-induced heart failure in rats. MI is caused by a blocked coronary artery, leading to severe cardiac dysfunction. The study used a rat model to assess cardiac changes over time and evaluate the impact of GV on heart failure. Ischemia was induced through LAD ligation surgery, and the extent of ischemic area was measured as a prognostic factor. GV extract administration significantly improved cardiac morphology and reduced cardiac weight compared to the MI group. GV treatment also improved cardiac function, as evidenced by positive effects on chamber dilation during MI-induced heart failure. Parameters such as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured. The MI group showed decreased EF and FS compared to the sham group, while these parameters improved in the GV group. GV treatment also reduced levels of LDH, CPK, and CK-MB in the serum, indicating reduced myocardial damage. Histological analysis revealed that GV treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, with reduced collagen deposition in the myocardium. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed suppressed expression of TGF-β1 and collagen 1, involved in fibrosis. In conclusion, GV showed potential in improving cardiac function in a rat model of MI-induced heart failure. It alleviated myocardial damage, attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and suppressed fibrotic markers. Further studies are needed to explore its clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms in cardiac diseases beyond animal models.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.33-42
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• 2007

The assessment of shear wave velocity($V_s$) in soft soils is extremely difficult due to the soil disturbances during sampling and field access. After a ring type field $V_s$ probe(FVP) has been developed, it has been applied at the southern coastal area of the Korean peninsular. This study presents the upgraded FVP "blade type FVP", which minimizes soil disturbance during penetration. Design concerns of the blade type FVP include the tip shape, soil disturbance, transducers, protection of the cables, and the electromagnetic coupling between transducers and cables. The cross-talking between cables is removed by grouping and extra grounding of the cables. The shear wave velocity of the FVP is simply calculated by using the travel distance and the first arrival time. The large calibration chamber tests are carried out to investigate the disturbance effect due to the penetration of FVP blade and the validity of the shear waves measured by the FVP. The blade type FVP is tested in soils up to 30m in depth. The shear wave velocity is measured every 10cm. This study suggests that the upgraded blade type FVP may be an effective device for measuring the shear wave velocity with minimized soil disturbance in the field.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2008

The disturbance zone and measured values are affected by the size of the penetrometer. The local value may be measured by the smaller penetrometer. An ultra small Micro-Cone penetrometer (5mm in outer diameter) is designed and manufactured to characterize soil properties with minimum disturbance during penetration tests. The tip resistance is measured by using stain gauges attached near the Micro-Cone. In addition, the friction sleeve is adopted to effectively remove the skin friction from the tip resistance. Design concern includes the installation of stain gauges, circuits, penetration systems, penetration rate, sampling rate, operating temperature, and calibration. Application tests show that the clay interface, and the soil layers consisting of clay and sand are clearly detected by the Micro-Cone. Furthermore, the cone tip resistances measured by the Micro-Cone and the miniature cone (16mm in outer diameter) are similar. Note the resolution is much higher in the Micro-Cone. This study shows that the Micro-Cone may effectively detect the soil interface with high resolution, and with minimum disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2022

To investigate the tolerance limit and critical thermal maximum (CTM), behavioral responses of wild goldeye rockfish Sebastes thompsoni according to exposure to high water temperature were observed using a continuous behavior tracking system. As a result, behavioral index (BI) of S. thompsoni in each temperature (20.0, 25.0, and 30.0℃) showed a significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with the value measured in a stable condition of 15.0℃. The activity level of S. thompsoni exposed to 25.0℃ decreased sharply after 20 hours. Their rest time at the bottom of experiment chamber increased, and their normal swimming and metabolic activities were disturbed. In addition, at a high water temperature of 30.0℃, S. thompsoni reached the limit of resistance and showed a sub-lethal reaction of swimming behavior, with energy consumption in the body increased and all test organisms died. In conclusion, the eco-physiological response of S. thompsoni to water temperature varied greatly depending on the fluctuation range of the exposed temperature and the exposure time. In addition, the tolerance limit of S. thompsoni to high water temperature was predicted to be 25.0-30.0℃. The maximum critical thermal that had a great influence on the survival of this species was found to be around 30.0℃.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimates of total direct $CH_4$ emissions from croplands on a country scale are important for global budgets of anthropogenic sources of $CH_4$ emissions and for the development of effective mitigation strategies. Methane production resulted by the anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds where $CO_2$ acts as inorganic electron acceptor. This process could be affected by the addition of rice straw, water management and rice variety itself. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rice (Oryza sativa L. Japonica type, var Samkwangbyeo) was cultivated in four plots: (1) Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) ($N-P_2O_5-K_2O$:90-45-57 kg/ha); (2) NPK plus 3 Mg/ha rice straw (RS3); (3) NPK plus 5 Mg/ha rice straw (RS5); (4) NPK plus 7 Mg/ha rice straw (RS7) for 3 years (2010-2012) and the rice straw incorporated in fall (Nov.) in Gyeonggi-do Hwaseong-si. Gas samples were collected using the closed static chamber which were installed in each treated plot of $152.9m^2$. According to application of 3, 5, 7 Mg/ha of rice straw, methane emission increased by 46, 101, 190%, respectively, compared to that of the NPK plot. CONCLUSION(S): We obtained a quantitative relationship between $CH_4$ emission and the amount of rice straw applied from rice fields which could be described by polynomial regression of order 2. The emission scaling factor estimated by the relationship were in the range of IPCC GPG (2000).