• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic devices, especially solar cells, because of their tunability of the optical band-gap controlled by adjusting the diameter of NQDs. PbS is a IV-VI semiconductor enabling infrared-absorption and it can be synthesized using solution process methods. A wide choice of the diameter of PbS NQDs is also a benefit to achieve the quantum confinement regime due to its large Bohr exciton radius (20 nm). To exploit these desirable properties, many research groups have intensively studied to apply for the photovoltaic devices. There are several essential requirements to fabricate the efficient NQDs-based solar cell. First of all, highly confined PbS QDs should be synthesized resulting in a narrow peak with a small full width-half maximum value at the first exciton transition observed in UV-Vis absorbance and photoluminescence spectra. In other words, the size-uniformity of NQDs ought to secure under 5%. Second, PbS NQDs should be assembled carefully in order to enhance the electronic coupling between adjacent NQDs by controlling the inter-QDs distance. Finally, appropriate structure for the photovoltaic device is the key issue to extract the photo-generated carriers from light-absorbing layer in solar cell. In this step, workfunction and Fermi energy difference could be precisely considered for Schottky and hetero junction device, respectively. In this presentation, we introduce the strategy to obtain high performance solar cell fabricated using PbS NQDs below the size of the Bohr radius. The PbS NQDs with various diameters were synthesized using methods established by Hines with a few modifications. PbS NQDs solids were assembled using layer-by-layer spin-coating method. Subsequent ligand-exchange was carried out using 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) to reduce inter-NQDs distance. Finally, Schottky junction solar cells were fabricated on ITO-coated glass and 150 nm-thick Al was deposited on the top of PbS NQDs solids as a top electrode using thermal evaporation technique. To evaluate the solar cell performance, current-voltage (I-V) measurement were performed under AM 1.5G solar spectrum at 1 sun intensity. As a result, we could achieve the power conversion efficiency of 3.33% at Schottky junction solar cell. This result indicates that high performance solar cell is successfully fabricated by optimizing the all steps as mentioned above in this work.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.380-388
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• 2017

Factors affecting spatial distribution of halophytes were analyzed in June 2012 at the Goraebul coastal dunes. In the Goraebul sand dune, distribution of halophytes was divided into three groups. The first group belonging to Elymus mollis, Carex kobomugi, Calystegia soldanella, Ixeris repens and Glehnia littoralis was distributed in the ridge of primary sand dune and dune slack. The second group belonging to Lathyrus japonicus and Zoysia macrostachya was distributed in the dune slack. The third group belonging to Pinus thunbergii, Vitex rotundifolia and Linaria japonicus was distributed in the pine forest of the secondary sand dune. E. mollis, C. kobomugi, C. soldanella, I. repens and G. littoralis was distributed in relatively unstable habitat of sand dunes due to the large amount of sand movement. V. rotundifolia was distributed in a relatively stable habitat. Factors that have the greatest influence on distribution of halophytes in the Goraebul sand dunes are distance from the seashore, topography, and the pine forest. The Goraebul sand dune is a relatively well-preserved area with minimal human intervention. Therefore, different distribution of physico-chemical factors by natural processes is essential to spatial distribution of halophytes than other sand dunes in Korea. Significant natural processes in the Goraebul sand dunes were advance and retreat of coastlines from waves, erosion and sedimentation of sand due to wind and waves, and dispersal of seawater.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.320-320
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• 2016

Nanocrystalline Carbon thin films have numerous applications in different areas such as mechanical, biotechnology and optoelectronic devices due to attractive properties like high excellent hardness, low friction coefficient, good chemical inertness, low surface roughness, non-toxic and biocompatibility. In this work, we studied the comparison of pure DC power and pulsed DC power in plasma sputtering process of carbon thin films synthesis. Using a close field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system, films were deposited on glass and Si wafer substrates by varying the power density and pulsed DC frequency variations. The plasma characteristics has been studied using the I-V discharge characteristics and optical emission spectroscopy. The films properties were studied using Raman spectroscopy, Hall effect measurement, contact angle measurement. Through the Raman results, ID/IG ratio was found to be increased by increasing either of DC power density and pulsed DC frequency. Film deposition rate, measured by Alpha step measurement, increased with increasing DC power density and decreased with pulsed DC frequency. The electrical resistivity results show that the resistivity increased with increasing DC power density and pulsed DC frequency. The film surface energy was estimated using the calculated values of contact angle of DI water and di-iodo-methane. Our results exhibit a tailoring of surface energies from 52.69 to $55.42mJ/m^2$ by controlling the plasma parameters.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

For more convenient electrode-electrolyte interface impedance analysis in biosensor, a stand-alone impedance measurement system is required. In our study, we developed a PC-based portable system to analyze impedance of the electrochemical cell using microprocessor. The devised system consists of signal generator, programmable amplifiers, A/D converter, low pass filter, potentiostat, I/V converter, microprocessor, and PC interface. As a microprocessor, PIC16F877 which has the processing speed of 5 MIPS was used. For data acquisition, the sampling rate at 40 k samples/sec, resolution of 12 bit is used. RS-232 with 115.2 kbps speed is used for the PC communication. The square wave was used as stimuli signal for impedance analysis and voltage-controlled current measurement method of three-electrode-method were adopted. Acquired voltage and current data are calculated to multifrequency impedance signal after Fourier transform. To evaluate the implemented system, we set up the dummy cell as equivalent circuit of which was composed of resistor, parallel circuit of capacitor and resistor connected in parallel and measured the impedance of the dummy cell; the result showed that there exist accuracy within 5 % errors and reproduction within 1 % errors compared to output of Hioki LCR tester and HP impedance analyzer as a standard product. These results imply that it is possible to analyze electrode-electrolyte interface impedance quantitatively in biosensor and to implement the more portable high speed impedance analysis system compared to existing systems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of yeast with bacteriocin and Lactobacillus cultures (mixture of Lactobacillus agilis BCRC 10436 and Lactobacillus reuteri BCRC 17476) supplements, alone or in combination, on broiler chicken performance. Methods: A total of 300, 1-d-old healthy broiler chickens were randomly divided into five treatment groups: i) basal diet (control), ii) basal diet+0.25% yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (YC), iii) basal diet+0.25% yeast with bacteriocin (BA), iv) basal diet+Lactobacillus cultures (LAB), and v) basal diet +0.25% yeast with bacteriocin+Lactobacillus cultures (BA+LAB). Growth performance, cecal microbiota, cecal fermentation products, and blood biochemistry parameters were determined when chickens were 21 and 35 d old. Results: The supplementation of YC, BA, and BA+LAB resulted in a significantly better feed conversion rate (FCR) than that of the control group during 1 to 21 d (p<0.05). The LAB supplementation had a significant effect on the presence of Lactobacillus in the ceca at 35 d. None of the supplements had an effect on relative numbers of L. agilis and L. reuter at 21 d, but the BA supplementation resulted in the decrease of both Lactobacillus strains at 35 d. The BA+LAB supplementation resulted in higher short chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the ceca, but LAB supplementation significantly decreased the SCFA at 35 d (p<0.05). All treatments tended to decrease ammonia concentration in the ceca at 21 d, especially in the LAB treatment group. The BA supplementation alone decreased the triacylglycerol (TG) concentration significantly at 21 d (p<0.05), but the synergistic effect of BA and LAB supplementation was required to reduce the TG concentration at 35 d. The YC supplementation tended to increase the plasma cholesterol at 21 d and 35 d. However, the BA supplementation significantly decreased the cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level at 35 d. In conclusion, the BA+LAB supplementation was beneficial to body weight gain and FCR of broiler chickens. Conclusion: The effect of BA and LAB supplementation may be a result of the growth of lactic acid bacteria enhancement and physiological characterization of bacteriocin, and it suggests that the BA and LAB supplementation level or Lactobacillus strain selection should be integrated in future supplementation designs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1422-1429
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• 2016

Kombucha is a slightly sour beverage fermented by symbiotic micro-organisms, including bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we examined the biological activities of citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by addition of citrus extract to original Kombucha (K). After fermentation for 10 days, radical scavenging activity examined by ABTS and DPPH assays increased by approximately 20% compared to that of K. Moreover, content of total phenolic compounds significantly increased by 60% compared to that of K. Cell proliferation assays utilizing MTT showed that CK treatment significantly inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells, T-24 and 5637, in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 4 and 7 mg/mL, respectively. Annexin V staining showed that CK treatment led to apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T-24 cells were more sensitive to CK treatment than 5637 cells, as 8 mg/mL of CK resulted in 97% apoptosis of T-24 cells. Western blotting showed that CK treatment led to up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, including caspases-3, -8, -9, and PARP, in bladder cells not in K-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK may be developed as a functional beverage.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.413-417
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine $\beta$-amylase gene expression and degradation of starch granules in the endosperm near scutellar epithelium of rice cultivars under the submerged soil at hypoxia 18$^{\circ}C$, which is practically important condition for farmers in temperate regions. In case of cv. Janghyangdo, accumulation of $\beta$-amylase mRNA was detected in the aleurone layer on the ninth day after seeding. However that of cv. Suwon 287 and Norm 6 were not detected in the aleurone layer in submerged soil(hypoxia) at 18$^{\circ}C$. $\beta$-amylase of cv. Janghyangdo was synthesized de novo in aleurone cells not in the scutellar epithelium. Degradation of starch granules in the endosperm near scutellar epithelium of c.v. Janghyangdo and Ginbozu, which have a strong $\beta$-amylase activity, was greater than that of cv. Suwon 287 and Norm 6 with no $\beta$-amylase activity in submerged soil(hypoxia) at 18$^{\circ}C$. This result may indicate that $\beta$-amylase gene expression and degradation of starch granules of germinating rice seed are related to the emergence of rice under the submerged soil condition at low temperature.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2001

Purpose : This study is to find out the Ginseng Radix extract on rats nephrotoxicity when the rates were induced by Cs A. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups and treated as follows: nothing was given to Sample A, Sample B was given normal saline after an I.V. injection of Cs A, and Sample C was given Ginseng Radix extract after a Cs A injection. The groups were observed for 14 days. After the prescription of the medicines, the following levels were tested: serum BUN, creatinine, total protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions. Results : 1. Changes in serum level. The levels of GPT, GOT, and BUN were significantly reduced in the experimental group when compared with those of the control group. The total protein level showed significant elevation when compared with those of the control group. The chloride level in the serum in the sample group was insignificantly reduced. The creatinine level was insignificantly increased. The Potassium level decreased, mildly. The Sodium and The Potassium levels in the serum in the sample group showed insignificantly lower levels than those of the control group. 2. Changes in the urine level. Urine specific gravity showed a significant increase, on the 14th day, in the experimental group when compared with that of the control group. The urinary ceatinine levels showed and insignificant increase, followed by an insignificant decrease. Conclusion : It can be inferred that Ginseng Radix may improve nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats when induced by Cyclosporin A.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 1992

Pharmacologic coronary vasodilation in conjunction with myocardial scintigraphy has become an accepted alternative to dynamic exercise testing for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Although dipyridamole has traditionally been used for this purpose, it causes frequent side effect, which at times can be life-threatening. Moreover, dipyridamole dose not elicit maximal coronary vasodilation in a substantial number of patients receiving the usual i.v. dose. Adenosine is an endogenously produced compound that has significant effects as a coronary vasodilator and rapid onset action and extremely short half-life (< 10 seconds). The diagnostic accuracy and safety profile of adenosine $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ myocardial scintigraphy were evaluated and comparison with exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ was performed. Twenty-eight subjects underwent $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging after adenosine infusion and exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging. Adenosine was infused intravenously at a dose of 0.14mg/kg/body weight per minute for 6 min and MIBI was injected at 3 minute. Adenosine caused an incerease in heart rate ($64{\pm}12$ at baseline versus $74{\pm}16$ beats/min at peak effect, p<0.001), a mild decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a slightly increase in PR interval(p; NS). Side effects were reported in 92% of patients and were mostly mild in nature and promptly resolved within 1 or 2 minutes of termination of adenosine infusion. Facial flushing (53%), chest pain (36%), mild dyspnea (39%), headache (21%), throat discomfort (21%) were frequent symptoms. ST segment depression (> 1 mm) and second degree AV block in electrocardiography occured in 11% of the patients, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity for individual coronary stenoses in 16 patients underwent coronary angiography were 88% and 95%, respectively. The agreement ratio of segmental perfusion between adenosine and exercise images was 92% (Kappa index=0.82). In conclusion, $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with intravenous adenosine is a feasible, safe and highly accurate noninvasive technique for the detection of coronary artery disease and results are at least comparable with those of exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ scintigraphy.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.407-429
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• 2012

There has been much debates on the geologic age of the sediments of the Domi Basin, since age results varied after research methods and fossil groups. This study carried out palynological analysis and seismic interpretation to establish a stratigraphy and environmental reconstruction mainly based on fossil dinoflagellates and Seismic data from the Domi-1 and Sora-1 wells. The dinocyst assemblages found enabled zonation of the well sediment sequence resulting in 4 ecozones. Index fossils among dinocysts and palynomorphic substances indicate geologic age of the well ranges from Eocene to Pleistocene, and paleoenvironment varies from freshwater to inner-neritic marine. The fossil association also suggests strong relationship to Japanese Tertiary basins in Kyushu area in terms of stratigraphy and basin developmental history.