• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2018

A recent topic of interest within ecology is ecosystem services that are importantly connected with biodiversity. Biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecological studies and has been the subject of many studies worldwide. However, studies on the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish were not undertaken in earnest until 2000, and the number of internationally available studies is therefore still limited. In this study, we used data from "The Survey and Evaluation of Aquatic Ecosystem Health (hereafter SEAEH)" within the framework of which whole water systems on the Korean peninsula are annually monitored to investigate and determine the current status of the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish, as well as to elucidate major factors impacting freshwater fish. A total of 130 species from 28 families were identified at around 953 sites in the SEAEH investigation of 2014. The species Zacco platypus (relative abundance: 28.2%) and Z. koreanus (19.3%) were identified as the most abundant species on the Korean peninsula, and besides these 20 endangered species, 51 endemic species and 4 exotic species were also collected. Highest (96 species) and lowest (72 species) diversity were identified in the Han River Watershed and the Yeongsan/Seomjin River Watershed, respectively. The mean endemic rate was 32.7%, which is higher than the previous rate determined in 1995. The exotic species Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus and Carassius cuvieri were found in the whole river system except north Yeongdong, whereas Oreochromis niloticus occurred only at three sites due to the cold water temperatures in winter. Totally, 28 species were found to be translocated to different water systems not connected with known original habitats, most translocations occurring in the Nakdong River and the Yeongdong region. Among the translocated species, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, and Erythroculter erythropterus were dominantly distributed in the mid- to lower reaches of Nakdong River where they may be harmful to the native fish assemblages due to their strong predation. The construction of weirs in connection with the "4 River Project" generated changes in fish assemblages before, during and after the project, resulting in altered habitat condition. Especially, a decrease in the number of endemic species and an increase in the abundance of lentic species were seen. Human-induced global warming will allow exotic species requiring high water temperatures to adapt to the environmental conditions of the Korean peninsula, which may enhance the diversity of native fishes and create changes in distribution. For the establishment of realistic and efficient management and protection strategies for Korean freshwater fish, SEAEH, which produces fundamental and quantitative data for Korean streams, is an important and necessary tool.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.100-101
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• 2012

The plasma damage free and room temperature processedthin film deposition technology is essential for realization of various next generation organic microelectronic devices such as flexible AMOLED display, flexible OLED lighting, and organic photovoltaic cells because characteristics of fragile organic materials in the plasma process and low glass transition temperatures (Tg) of polymer substrate. In case of directly deposition of metal oxide thin films (including transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS)) on the organic layers, plasma damages against to the organic materials is fatal. This damage is believed to be originated mainly from high energy energetic particles during the sputtering process such as negative oxygen ions, reflected neutrals by reflection of plasma background gas at the target surface, sputtered atoms, bulk plasma ions, and secondary electrons. To solve this problem, we developed the NBAS (Neutral Beam Assisted Sputtering) process as a plasma damage free and room temperature processed sputtering technology. As a result, electro-optical properties of NBAS processed ITO thin film showed resistivity of $4.0{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}m$ and high transmittance (>90% at 550 nm) with nano- crystalline structure at room temperature process. Furthermore, in the experiment result of directly deposition of TCO top anode on the inverted structure OLED cell, it is verified that NBAS TCO deposition process does not damages to the underlying organic layers. In case of deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) thin film on the plastic polymer substrate, the room temperature processed sputtering coating of high quality TCO thin film is required. During the sputtering process with higher density plasma, the energetic particles contribute self supplying of activation & crystallization energy without any additional heating and post-annealing and forminga high quality TCO thin film. However, negative oxygen ions which generated from sputteringtarget surface by electron attachment are accelerated to high energy by induced cathode self-bias. Thus the high energy negative oxygen ions can lead to critical physical bombardment damages to forming oxide thin film and this effect does not recover in room temperature process without post thermal annealing. To salve the inherent limitation of plasma sputtering, we have been developed the Magnetic Field Shielded Sputtering (MFSS) process as the high quality oxide thin film deposition process at room temperature. The MFSS process is effectively eliminate or suppress the negative oxygen ions bombardment damage by the plasma limiter which composed permanent magnet array. As a result, electro-optical properties of MFSS processed ITO thin film (resistivity $3.9{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$, transmittance 95% at 550 nm) have approachedthose of a high temperature DC magnetron sputtering (DMS) ITO thin film were. Also, AOS (a-IGZO) TFTs fabricated by MFSS process without higher temperature post annealing showed very comparable electrical performance with those by DMS process with $400^{\circ}C$ post annealing. They are important to note that the bombardment of a negative oxygen ion which is accelerated by dc self-bias during rf sputtering could degrade the electrical performance of ITO electrodes and a-IGZO TFTs. Finally, we found that reduction of damage from the high energy negative oxygen ions bombardment drives improvement of crystalline structure in the ITO thin film and suppression of the sub-gab states in a-IGZO semiconductor thin film. For realization of organic flexible electronic devices based on plastic substrates, gas barrier coatings are required to prevent the permeation of water and oxygen because organic materials are highly susceptible to water and oxygen. In particular, high efficiency flexible AMOLEDs needs an extremely low water vapor transition rate (WVTR) of $1{\times}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$. The key factor in high quality inorganic gas barrier formation for achieving the very low WVTR required (under ${\sim}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$) is the suppression of nano-sized defect sites and gas diffusion pathways among the grain boundaries. For formation of high quality single inorganic gas barrier layer, we developed high density nano-structured Al2O3 single gas barrier layer usinga NBAS process. The NBAS process can continuously change crystalline structures from an amorphous phase to a nano- crystalline phase with various grain sizes in a single inorganic thin film. As a result, the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film have improved order of magnitude compared with that of conventional $Al_2O_3$ layers made by the RF magnetron sputteringprocess under the same sputtering conditions; the WVTR of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film was about $5{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2/day$ by just single layer.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

Ions play important roles in various cellular processes including fertilization and differentiation. However, it is little known whether how ions are regulated during early embryonic development in mammalian animals. In this study, we examined changes in $Ca^{2+}\;and\;K^+$ concentrations in embryos and oviduct during mouse early embryonic development using patch clamp technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The intracellular calcium concentration in each stage embryos did not markedly change. At 56h afier hCG injection when 8-cell embryos could be Isolated from oviduct, $K^+$ concentration in oviduct increased by 26% compared with that at 14h after injection of hCG During early embryonic development, membrane potential was depolarized (from -38 mV to -16 mV), and $Ca^{2+}$ currents decreased, indicating that some $K^+$ channel might control membrane potential in oocytes. To record the changes in membrane potential induced by influx of $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse oocytes, we applied 5 mM $Ca^{2+}$ to the bath solution. The membrane potential transiently hyperpolarized and then recovered. In order to classify $K^+$ channels that cause hyperpolarization, we first applied TEA and apamin, general $K^+$ channel blockers, to the bath solution. Interestingly, the hyperpolarization of membrane potential still appeared in oocytes pretreated with TEA and apamin. This result suggest that the $K^+$ channel that induces hyperpolarization could belong to another $K^+$ channel such as two-pore domain $K^+(K_{2P})$channel that a.e insensitive to TEA and apamin. From these results, we suggest that the changes in $Ca^{2+}\;and\;K^+$ concentrations play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and reproduction as well as early embryonic development, and $K_{2P}$ channels could be involved in regulation of membrane potential in ovulated oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Daecheong Reservoir was made by the construction of a large dam (>15 m in height) on the middle to downstream of the Geum River and the discharge systems have the watergate-spillway (WS), a hydropower penstock (HPP), and two intake towers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the limnological anomalies of turbid water reduction, green algae phenomenon, and oligotrophic state in the lower part of reservoir dam site, and compared with hydro-meteorological factors. Field surveys were conducted in two stations of near dam and the outlet of HPP with one week intervals from January to December 2000. Rainfall was closely related to the fluctuations of inflow, outflow and water level. The rainfall pattern was depended on the storm of monsoon and typhoon, and the increase of discharge and turbidity responded more strongly to the intensity than the frequency. Water temperature and DO fluctuations within the reservoir water layer were influenced by meteorological and hydrological events, and these were mainly caused by water level fluctuation based on temperature stratification, density current and discharge types. The discharges of WS and HPP induced to the flow of water bodies and the outflows of turbid water and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. Especially, when hypoxic or low-oxygen condition was present in the bottom water, the discharge through HPP has contributed significantly to the outflow of phosphorus released from the sediment into the downstream of dam. In addition, HPP effluent which be continuously operated throughout the year, was the main factor that could change to a low trophic level in the downreservoir (lacustrine zone). And water-bloom (green-tide) occurring in the lower part of reservoir was the result that the water body of upreservoir being transported and diffused toward the downreseroir, when discharging through the WS. Finally, the hydropower effluent was included the importance and dynamics that could have a temporal and spatial impacts on the physical, chemical and biological factors of the reservoir ecosystem.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2017

As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize antiinflammatory nutraceuticals, the crude extracts from Atriplex gmelinii C. A. Mey. and their solvent-partitioned fractions were tested for their antiinflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. were fractioned according to polarity with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), n-butanol, and $H_2O$. Their antiinflammatory activities were investigated in LPS-induced inflammation in mouse macrophages by measuring nitric oxide (NO) generation and mRNA expression of inflammation mediators, namely, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and IL-6. As a result, we confirmed that the crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 as important inflammatory factors. The inhibition of NO production through the downregulation of important inflammatory factors such as iNOS, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 was found by treatment with all solvent-partitioned fractions. Among all tested fractions, 85% aq. MeOH showed the strongest antiinflammatory response. Based on the current results, A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. was suggested to possess natural antiinflammatory components, indicating that it could be used as a valuable source of antiinflammatory substances.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2005

Background : To evaluate the role of estrogen and progesterone in the carcinogenesis of NSCLC, IHC studies for the expression of the receptors of estrogen and progesterone have been performed with inconsistent results. Recently the TMA method has been developed and has become recognized as a useful and rapid method for extensively analysing molecular markers at the gene and protein level. We have investigated their expressions in the tissue from NSCLC using the microarray method. Methods : The TMA construction was made with 70 formalinfixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of NSCLC. After heat-induced epitope retrieval, IHC staining on primary tissues of NSCLC was performed with the monoclonal antibodies, ER1D5 and PR1A6. Results : Our sample of 70 consisted of 74% men and 26% women. Of the patients, 49% were current smokers, 27% were non-smokers and 24% were former smokers. By histologic classification, 34 patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 24 had adenocarcinoma, 9 had adenosquamous cell carcinoma, and 3 had other carcinomas. No cancer cells were immunostained with these monoclonal antibodies in any primary tissues of NSCLC. Conclusions : No expression of neither of the two receptors was found in any of the lung cancer tissues. This suggests that adequate genetic variants for IHC staining need to be developed for NSCLC.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2009

In field surveys using the dipole-dipole electrical resistivity method, we often encounter negative apparent resistivity. The term 'negative apparent resistivity' refers to apparent resistivity values with the opposite sign to surrounding data in a pseudosection. Because these negative apparent resistivity values have been regarded as measurement errors, we have discarded the negative apparent resistivity data. Some people have even used negative apparent resistivity data in an inversion process, by taking absolute values of the data. Our field experiments lead us to believe that the main cause for negative apparent resistivity is neither measurement errors nor the influence of self potentials. Furthermore, we also believe that it is not caused by the effects of induced polarization. One possible cause for negative apparent resistivity is the subsurface geological structure. In this study, we provide some numerical examples showing that negative apparent resistivity can arise from geological structures. In numerical examples, we simulate field data using a 3D numerical modelling algorithm, and then extract 2D sections. Our numerical experiments demonstrate that the negative apparent resistivity can be caused by geological structures modelled by U-shaped and crescent-shaped conductive models. Negative apparent resistivity usually occurs when potentials increase with distance from the current electrodes. By plotting the voltage-electrode position curves, we could confirm that when the voltage curves intersect each other, negative apparent resistivity appears. These numerical examples suggest that when we observe negative apparent resistivity in field surveys, we should consider the possibility that the negative apparent resistivity has been caused by geological structure.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to elucidate the factor of nitrogenase formation and to establish the nitrogen fixation system in mixed culture of cultured cells and rhizobia through tissue culture technique using three soybean varieties, Hwangkeum, Namcheon and D 68-0099 as host plants. The results obtained were as follows; The callus was induced in embryo and radicle, but not in hypocotyl. The most favorable callus induction was caused by the individual application of 2,4-D and NAA at the concentration of 2mg/1 and 4mg/1, respectively, but in case of treating both 2,4-D and kinetin, that was done at the concentration of 0.2mg(2,4-D)/0.05mg(kinetin)per liter. The growth of cultured cell was good at the concentration of 2.0mg(2,4-D)/1 and 0.2mg(2,4-D)/0.05mg(kinetin)per liter. When cultured cells were inoculated with R. japonicum 019 and 011, their growthes were considerably inhibited. The addition of single amino acid inhibited the growth of cultured cells. Hwangkeum was inhibited considerably by methionine and leucine. The inhibition of growth by single amino acid can be abolished by the addition of certain amino acids. The differentiation of adventitious root was good at the concentration of 2.0mg 2,4-D and 0.2mg 2,4-D/0.05mg kinetin per liter. Of three host plants tested with 25 R. japonicum strains, Hwangkeum had affinity for 10 strains, Namcheon for 7 strains and D68-0099 for none. The nitrogen fixing abilities of Hwangkeum and Namcheon caused by cultured cell-Rhizobium association were high in strain 019, 007, and in 007 mixed with 119, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.5_2
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• pp.1245-1257
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• 2021

GOCI-II, succeeding the mission of GOCI, was launched in February 2020 and has been in regular operation since October 2020. Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) processes and produces in real time Level-1B and 26 Level-2 outputs, which then are provided by Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA). We introduced current status of regular GOCI-II operation and showed future improvement. Basic GOCI-II products including chlorophyll-a, total suspended materials, and colored dissolved organic matter concentration, are induced by OC4 and YOC algorithms, which were described in detail. For the full disk (FD), imaging schedule was established considering solar zenith angle and sun glint during the in-orbital test, but improved by further considering satellite zenith angle. The number of slots satisfying the condition 'Best Ocean' significantly increased from 15 to 78. GOCI-II calibration requirements were presented based on that by European Space Agency (ESA) and candidate fixed locations for calibrating local observation area were. The quality management of FD uses research ships and overseas bases of KIOST, but it is necessary to establish an international calibration/validation network. These results are expected to enhance the understanding of users for output processing and help establish detailed plans for future quality management tasks.