• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-125
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• 1998

Dispersion, migration and enrichment of environmental toxic elements from the Samkwang Au-Ag mine area were investigated based upon major, minor and rare earth element geochemistry. The Samkwang mine area composed mainly of Precambrian granitic gneiss. The mine had been mined for gold and silver, but closed in 1996. According to the X-ray powder diffraction, mineral composition of stream sediments and soils were partly variable mineralogy, which are composed of quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, amphibole, muscovite, biotite and chlorite, respectively. Major element variations of the host granitic gneiss, stream sediments and soils of mining and non-mining drainage, indicate that those compositions are decrese $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, $TiO_2$, $P_2O_5$ and LOI with increasing $SiO_2$ respectively. Average compositional ranges (ppm) of minor and/or environmental toxic elements within those samples are revealed as As=<2-4500, Cd=<1-24, Cu=6-117, Sb=1-29, Pb=17-1377 and Zn=32-938, which are extremely high concentrations of sediments from the mining drainage (As=2006, Cd=l1, Cu=71, Pb=587 and Zn=481 ppm, respectively) than concentrations of the other samples and host granitic gneiss. Major elements (average enrichment index=6.53) in all samples are mostly enriched, excepting $SiO_2$, $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$, normalized by composition of host granitic gneiss. Rare earth element (average enrichment index=2.34) are enriched with the sediments from the mining drainage. Minor and/or environmental toxic elements within all samples on the basis of host rock were strongly enriched of all elements (especially As, Br, Cu, Pb and Zn), excepting Ba, Cr, Rb and Sr. Average enrichment index of trace elements in all samples is 15.55 (sediments of mining drainage=37.33). Potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) of the samples revealed that average enrichment index is 46.10 (sediments of mining drainage=80.20, sediments of nonmining drainage=5.35, sediments of confluent drainage=20.22, subsurface soils of mining drainage=7.97 and subsurface soils of non-mining drainage=4.15). Sediments and soils of highly concentrated toxic elements are contained some pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena and goethite.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.346-353
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• 1999

For the non-destructive multi-elemental analysis of environmental and biological materials, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied for the determination of toxic and trace elements in a set of three Algae samples provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The analytical quality control was evaluated by comparing the analytical results of two standard reference materials of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Oyster Tissue (SRM 1566a) and Citrus Leaves (SRM 1572). According to given analytical procedure, the concentration of 15-25 elements including spiked elements such as As, Cd, Cr and Hg in Algae samples were determined. To identify and validate these results, a data intercomparison program using more than 35 analytical methods in 150 laboratories was carried out and the estimated statistical data are summarized. Result of INAA is favorable, therefore, it is illustrated that can be applied for routine analysis of essential and toxic elements in algae samples as well as analytical quality assurance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.701-720
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• 1998

Research advances in dental implantology have led to the development of several different types of materials and it is anticipated that continued research will lead to advanced dental implant materials. Currently used pure titanium has relatively low hardness and strength which may limit its ability to resist functional loads as a dental implant. Ti-6Al-4V also has potential problems such as corrosion resistance. osseointegration properties and neurologic disorder due to aluminium and vanadium, known as highly toxic elements, contained in Ti-6Al-4V. Newly developed titanium based alloys(Ti-20Zr-3Nb-3Ta-0.2Pd-1In, Ti-20Zr-3Nb-3Ta-0.2Pd) which do not contain toxic metallic components were designed by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) with alloy design techniques using Zr, Nb, Ta, Pd, and In which are known as non-toxic elements. Biocompatibility and osseointegration properties of these newly designed alloys were evaluated after implantation in rabbit femur for 3 months. The conclusions were as follows : 1. Mechanical properties of the new designed Ti based alloys(Ti-20Zr-3Nb-3Ta-0.2Pd-1In, Ti-20Zr-3Nb-3Ta-0.2Pd) demonstrated close hardness and tensile strength values to Ti-6Al-4V. 2. New desinged experimental alloys showed stable corrosion resistance similar to the pure Ti but better than Ti-6Al-4V. However, the corrosion rate was higher for the new alloys. 3. Cell culture test showed that the new alloys have similar cell response compared with pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V with no cell adverse reaction. 4. New designed alloys showed similar bone-metal contact ratio and osseointegration properties compared to pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V after 3 months implantation in rabbit femur. 5. Four different surface treatments of the metals did not show any statistical difference of the cell growth and bone-metal contact ratio.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.5_3
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• pp.979-989
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• 2022

We examined changes in the shell valve movements (SVMs) of Mytilus edulis and Crassostrea gigas using a Hall element sensor to investigate the early detection of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum. No increase or decrease was observed in SVMs caused by the non-toxic algae Isochrysis galbana in both M. edulis and C. gigas. However, when M. edulis and C. gigas were exposed to A. pacificum, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, the average SVMs for 12 hours before and after exposure increased from 1.25 times/hr to 2.13 times/hr and 2.23 times/hr to 8.91 times/hr, respectively. After exposure to A. pacificum, the SVMs of M. edulis increased rapidly within 1 hour and then decreased gradually. However, C. gigas showed high SVMs until 4 hours after exposure. SVMs of C. gigas appeared to be more sensitive to toxic dinoflagellate than those of M. edulis. Therefore, these results are expected to be used as basic data for the establishment of a biological monitoring system for early detection of the toxic dinoflagellate A. pacificum.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-92
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• 2009

Pure Ti as well as Ti-6Al-4V alloy exhibit excellent properties for dental implant applications. However, for a better biocompatibility it seems important to avoid in the composition the presence of V due to the toxic effects of V ion release. Thus Al and V free and composed of non-toxic element such as Nb, Zr alloys as biomaterials have been developed. Especially, Zr contains to same family in periodic table as Ti. The addition of Zr to Ti alloy has an excellent mechanical properties, good corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. In this study, the electrochemical characteristics of Ti-Zr alloys for biomaterials have been investigated using by electrochemical methods. Methods: Ti-Zr(10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) alloys were prepared by arc melting and homogenized for 24 hr at $1000^{\circ}C$ in argon atmosphere. Phase constitutions and microstructure of the specimens were characterized by XRD, OM and SEM. The corrosion properties of the specimens were examined through potentiodynamic test (potential range of -1500 ~ 2000 mV), potentiostatic test (const. potential of 300 mV) in artificial saliva solution by potentiostat (EG&G Co, PARSTAT 2273. USA).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 1982

Radiography is one of the important tool adopted in daily dental practice and medical diagnosis. To visualize soft tissuechange various contrast media has Been introduced. Any cavity or space can be easily determined by increasing the X-ray absorption of the cavity using the radiopaque contrast media which widely employed in medical radiography to show much of the digestive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal system. The essential part of any radiopaque medium is a heavy element that can absoarb most of the X-ray beam. The element must be noninjurious and easily eliminated. Both aqueous and oil suspensions of iodine containing compounds' are available to the dental profession, for example Lipiodol and Dionosil. The study was designed to determine toxic effect of Lipiodol to the vital pulp and to confirm visualization ioprovement in pulp canal. 1. Thin mixture of Calcium hydroxide and Lipiodol was applied to 19 deep vital cavities for 24 hours. Only one case complained slight pain for short time. 2. Cotton pellet over-saturated in Lipiodol was inserted in coronal chamber of which 6 were non vital and 5 were vital. The transference of Lipiodol was not noticed in every case after 24 hours. 5 cases with vital pulp tissue in the canals showed no clinical symptome. 3. Extracted 20 teeth were routinely prepared for endodontic treatment and applied Lipiodol in conjunction with cotton fiber as deep as midportion of the roots. After 24, hours the medicament reached to nearly the end of apex, but there were no evidence of penetration in dentine layer and migrate into ramified canal.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2013

The concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere can directly reflect the environmental pollution. The atmospheric pollution in some Cameroonian cities is increasing with the industrial development and urbanization. Air pollution is inherently complex, containing PM of varied size and composition. This PM exists as a dynamic cloud interacting with sunlight and is modified by the meteorology. The reflectometer and the EDXRF spectrometry are applied to determine the concentration of some specific elements at four sites in the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$. The particular aim of the present work is to put in place data base on air pollution in urban area and elaborate regulations on the emissions issued to industrial and vehicle activities. This study provides an overview of the concentration of black carbon and some specific elements in the air, which have impacts on human health. The measurement was done by distinguishing the size of particle. So that, the particle with aerodynamic diameter between $2.5-10{\mu}m$ (so-called coarse particle) and aerodynamic diameter < $2.5{\mu}m$ (so-called fine particle) were considered to obtain more information about levels of the inhalable fraction of the location. The results obtained in four locations of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$ show that the black carbon concentration is very considerable, the element sulfur is a major pollutant and the concentration of fine particle is very greater. The results obtained of fine and coarse filters range from $5-17{\mu}g/m^3$ and $10-18{\mu}g/m^3$ for the black carbon. S, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Hg are the specific findings of this work. The pollutants with a greater concentration are S, Pb, and Zn. These later seem to be non-uniformly, non-regular in some location and high compared to other countries. This work allows us to make a potential relation between pollutants and emission sources. In this framework, some suggestions have been proposed to reduce emissions for an improvement of the air quality in the environment and thus, the one of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.396-402
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• 2009

Tantalum nitrides ($Ta_3N_5$) have been developed to substitute the Cd based pigments for non-toxic red pigment. Various doping elements were doped to reduce the amount of high price Tantalum element used and preserve the red color tonality. Doping elements were added in the synthesizing process of precursor of amorphous tantalum oxides and then Tantalum nitrides doped with various elements were obtained by ammonolysis process. The average particle size of final nitrides with secondary phases was larger than the nitride without the secondary phases. Also secondary phases reduced the red color tonality of final products. On the other hand, final nitrides without secondary phase had orthorhombic crystal system and presented good red color. In other words, in the case of nitrides without secondary phases, doping elements made a solid solution of tantalum nitride. In this context, doping process controlled the ionic state of nitrides and the amount of oxygen/nitrogen in final nitrides affected the color tonality.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2004

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element in biological process, however inadequate Zn status in general population have been recognized. To update the knowledge for Zn-cadmium (Cd) interaction, we studied the intestinal uptake and transport, and the expression of metal transporter proteins (divalent metal transporter 1, DMT1 ; metal transporter protein 1, MTP1 ; zinc transporter 1, ZnTl ; metallothionein 1 , MT1) in duodenum after Cd exposure using Zn deficient animal model. Rats were led Zn deficient (ZnD, 0.5-1.0 mgZn/kg) or Zn supplemented (ZnS, 50mg Zn/kg) diet for 4 weeks, and followed single administration of $^{109}$ CdCl$_2$orally. The body Zn flatus and tissue Cd concentration were determined at 24 hrs after Cd administration. Total body burden of Cd and Cd absorption index (AI, %) were estimated based on the tissue Cd analyzed. DMT1, MTP1, ZnTl and MT1 mRNA were analyzed by using RT-PCR method. Feeding of Zn deficient diet for 4 weeks produced a reduced body weight gain and a depletion of body Zn. Tissue Cd concentration, body burden of Cd and Cd absorption index were higher in the ZnD diet fed rats than the ZnS diet red rats. Especially, Cd concentration in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and the colon of FeD diet fed rats were higher markedly than in the FeS diet group. The expression levels of DMT1, MTP1 and ZnT1 mRNA in FeD diet fed rats were similar to the FeS diet. The level of MT1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the FeD than the FeS diet fed rats. Taken together, theses results indicate that Zn deficiency in diet induce an increased intestinal absorption and tissue retention of Cd, and down -regulate the MT1 expression in the intestine which might be play a part of role in Cd absorption and transport in mammalian. These findings suggest that deficiency of essential metal could be enhanced the toxicity of toxic, non-esstial metals through the metal-metal interaction.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2010

The molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates have demonstrated their genetic diversity and evolution. A total of 137 strains of MRSA clinical isolates was collected from Korean healthcare facility in 2007. The MRSA clinical isolates were analyzed by molecular typings (SCCmec element and agr locus typing), virule nce factor gene detections {(Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), enterotoxin, exfoliative toxin and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)}. The MRSA clinical isolates were classified as SCCmec type II-agr type 1 (2 strains), type II-agr type 2 (79 strains), type III-agr type 1 (24 strains), type III-agr type 2 (2 strains), type IV-agr type 1 (27 strains), type IV-agr type 2 (2 strains), and non-typable (1 strain, agr type 3). Based on SCCmec types, SCCmec type II (95.1%) and III (88.5%) indicated higher multidrug resistance rate than SCCmec type IV (10.3%) (P<0.001). The most common enterotoxin genes were seg (83.8%), sei (83.1%), and sec (80.2%). The tst gene was present in 86 out of 137 (62.8%) MRSA isolates. All MRSA isolates were negative for PVL and exfoliative toxin genes. The combinations of toxin genes were observed in particular SCCmec types; 97.6% of SCCmec type II strains carried sec, seg, sei and tst genes, 73.0% of SCCmec type III strains carried sea gene, and 89.7% of SCCmec type IV strains carried sec, seg and sei genes. Each of the SCCmec types of MRSA isolates had distinct AFLP profile. In conclusion, SCCmec type II, agr type 1 and 2 have demonstrated to be the most common types in Korea, and the results indicated that the virulence factors are closely associated with their molecular types (SCCmec and agr types).