• Title/Summary/Keyword: phase-contrast

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Changes of Electroencephalography & Cognitive Function in Subjects with White Matter Degeneration (대뇌 백질 변성을 보인 환자에서의 뇌파와 인지기능의 변화)

  • Kwon, Do-Hyoung;Yu, Sung-Dong;Lee, Ae-Young
    • Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.21-27
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    • 2002
  • Background : Spatial analysis of EEG is a phenomenal assessment and not so informative for phase space and dynamic aspect of EEG data. In contrast, nonlinear EEG analysis attempts to characterize the dynamics of neural networks in the brain. We have analyzed the features of EEG nonlinearly in subjects with white matter change on brain MRI and compared the results with cognitive function in each. Methods : Digital EEG data were taken for 30 seconds in 9 subjects with white matter degeneration and in 5 healthy normal controls without white matter change on MRI. Then we analyzed them nonlinearly to calculate the correlation dimension(D2) using the MATLAB software. The cognitive function was assessed by 3MS(modified mini-mental state examination). The severity of white matter change was assessed by Scheltens scale. Results : The mean D2 value of normal control was greater than that of white matter degeneration group. The D2s of some channels were correlative with 3MS and degree of white matter degeneration significantly. Conclusions : nonlinear analysis of EEG can be used as one of adjuvant functional studies for prediction of cognitive impairment in subjects with white matter degeneration and subcortical white matter change can be influential on cognitive function and correlation dimension of EEG.

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Steroidal Saponins from Paris polyphylla Induce Apoptotic Cell Death and Autophagy in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

  • He, Hao;Sun, Yan-Ping;Zheng, Lei;Yue, Zheng-Gang
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.1169-1173
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    • 2015
  • Background: Paris polyphylla (Chinese name: Chonglou) had been traditionally used for a long time and shown anti-cancer action. Based on the previous study that paris polyphylla steroidal saponins (PPSS) induced cytotoxic effect in human lung cancer A549 cells, this study was designed to further illustrate the mechanisms underlying. Materials and Methods: The mechanisms involved in PPSS-induced A549 cell death were investigated by phase contrast microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: PPSS decreased the proportion of viable A549 cells, and exposure of A549 cells to PPSS led to both apoptosis and autophagy. Apoptosis was due to activations of caspase-8, caspase-3, as well as cleavage of PARP, and autophagy was confirmed by up-regulation of Beclin 1 and the conversion from LC3 I to LC3 II. Conclusions: PPSS was able to induce lung cancer A549 cell apoptosis and autophagy in vitro, the results underlining the possibility that PPSS would be a potential candidate for intervention against lung cancer.

Properties of the Blends of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-$\alpha$-Olefins Copolymers

  • Park Soochul;Yim Chaiseok;Lee Byung H.;Choe Soonja
    • Macromolecular Research
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.243-252
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    • 2005
  • The effect of the vinyl acetate (VA) content on the thermal, viscoelastic, rheological, morphological and mechanical behaviors in various blends of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/ethylene-$\alpha$-olefin copolymers was investigated using 28, 22 and $15 mol\%$ of VA in EVA. In the DSC melting and crystallization thermograms of all of the EVA systems blended with ethylene-$\alpha$-olefin copolymers, discrete peaks were observed which were related to the constituents. In the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, the storage modulus increased with increasing content of ethylene-$\alpha$-olefin copolymers. In addition, the transition regions relating to the tan bpeaks varied with the VA content. The crossover point between G' and G" varied depending on the VA contents, and shear-thinning was more prominent in the EVA/EtBC system. In the SEM investigation, a discrete phase morphology was observed in both the EVA/EtBC and EVA/EtOC blends, but the contrast improved with decreasing VA content. However, the tensile strength and modulus improved, but the elongation at break reduced with decreasing VA content, implying that the ethylene-$\alpha$-olefin copolymers play the role of reinforcing materials. Thus, the EVA and ethylene-$\alpha$-olefin components in the copolymers are immiscible in the molten and solid states, but are nevertheless mechanically compatible.

Ultrasonic Images Enhancement of the SS Reference Specimen and the Reference Calibration Block for NPPs by the Combining Bases of Support for Spatial Frequency (공간주파수대역에서 기저대역 확장을 통한 원전 대비시험편과 대비 보정 시험편의 초음파 영상 개선)

  • Park, Chi-Seung;Kim, Seon-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Materials Research
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    • v.13 no.10
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    • pp.651-657
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    • 2003
  • Ultrasonic microscope has been used to detect the defects on surface or inner solid. Conventionally, it has used at a single operating frequency. The resolution and quality of the measured images are determined by a characteristic of the transducer of the ultrasonic microscope. The conventional ultrasonic microscope has been used envelope detector to detect the amplitude of reflected signal, but the changes in amplitude is not sensitive enough for specimen with microstructure that in phase. In this paper, we have studied multi-frequency depth resolution enhancement with ultrasonic reflection microscope for the reflectors of a stainless steel reference specimen and a reference calibration block to be used as the material in nuclear power plants for ISI, PSI. Increased depth resolution can be obtained by taking two, three-dimensional images at more that one frequency and numerically combining the results. As results of the experiment, we could get enhanced images with the rate of contrast in proportion and high quality signal distribution for the image to the changing rate of depth for the reflectors of the two kinds of specimens.

Insulating Behavior of Sintered AlN Ceramics Prepared by High-Energy Bead Milling of AlN Powder (AlN 분말의 고에너지 밀링에 따른 소결체의 절연 특성)

  • Ryu, Sung-Soo;Lee, Sung-Min
    • Journal of Powder Materials
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.444-449
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    • 2017
  • Aluminum nitride (AlN) powder specimens are treated by high-energy bead milling and then sintered at various temperatures. Depending on the solvent and milling time, the oxygen content in the AlN powder varies significantly. When isopropyl alcohol is used, the oxygen content increases with the milling time. In contrast, hexane is very effective at suppressing the oxygen content increase in the AlN powder, although severe particle sedimentation after the milling process is observed in the AlN slurry. With an increase in the milling time, the primary particle size remains nearly constant, but the particle agglomeration is reduced. After spark plasma sintering at $1400^{\circ}C$, the second crystalline phase changes to compounds containing more $Al_2O_3$ when the AlN raw material with an increased milling time is used. When the sintering temperature is decreased from $1750^{\circ}C$ to $1400^{\circ}C$, the DC resistivity increases by approximately two orders of magnitude, which implies that controlling the sintering temperature is a very effective way to improve the DC resistivity of AlN ceramics.

Characterization and Identification of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis SR6 and SR8

  • Kim, Il-Gi;Lee, Jae-Wook;Suh, Suk-Chul;Rhim, Seong-Lyul
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.772-776
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    • 2004
  • Physiological and molecular characteristics of Bacillus thuringiensis SR6 and SR8 were investigated, and phase contrast and electron microscopies revealed that a large rhomboidal crystal protein was present in the sporulating cells. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses showed that B. thuringiensis SR8 produced 70 kDa protein much more than other proteins, and that the 70 kDa protein could bind to the antibody of B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis-crystal toxin protein, indicating that the crystal 70 kDa protein has an immunological homology with B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis-crystal toxin protein. The DNA fragment of B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis-toxin gene was detected in B. thuringiensis SR6 and SR8 by using PCR amplification analysis. Furthermore, the insect bioassay showed the insecticidal activity against Colorado potato beetle larvae. Based on the physiological and molecular similarities to B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, it is suggested that the B. thuringiensis SR6 and SR8 may be mutants of the B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis strain overexpressing the crystal of 70 kDa toxin protein.

Hemocyte Types in Adult Grasshpper, Euprepocnemis shirakii Bolivar (메뚜기 (Euprepocnemis shirakii) 성충의 혈구유형)

  • Chang, Byung-Soo;Han, Sung-Sik;Yoe, Sung-Moon
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.93-104
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    • 1994
  • Six types of hemocytes were identified in adult grasshopper, Euprepocnemis shirakii Bolivar. The morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of these cells were characterized by phase contrast, scanning and transmission electron microscope. The prohemocytes are small and spherical cells with large nucleus. The plasmatocytes are spindle shaped or polymorphic cells which show numerous cytoplasmic processes on the cell surface and they have lysosomes and vesicles that may be involved in phagocytic function. Especially, multivesicular bodies are observed in the polymorphic cells. The granulocytes I are spherical shaped cells. They are characterized by a number of electron dense granules measuring $0.2-0.3{\mu}m$ in average diameter and marginal band of microtubules which are always in close proximity to the cell membrane. The granulocytes II are oval or spindle-shaped cells. They contain large electron dense granules measuring $0.5-0.8{\mu}m$ in average diameter. Their cytoplasm is filled with numerous granules. The spherulocytes contain large amounts of spherules that most of their cytoplasm. Spherules filled with fine granules or flocculent materials. The oenocytoids are large spherical cells with few cytoplasmic organelles. Their cytoplasm contains peculiar aspect of motochondria and numerous polyrobosome.

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Exposure Assessment to Asbestos and Diesel Engine Exhaust Particulate Matter in Urban Bus Garage (버스 정비 작업자에 대한 석면 및 디젤 엔진 배출물질 노출 평가)

  • Lee, Naroo;Yi, Gwangyong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.219-224
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    • 2016
  • Objectives: Lung cancer occurred with worker working in an urban bus garage. A survey was conducted to investigate whether lung cancer had causal relationship with work. Exposure to asbestos and diesel engine exhaust were suspected. Methods: Airborne asbestos was sampled on membrane filter and analyzed using phase-contrast microscopy. Airborne diesel exhaust was sampled using quartz filter and analyzed with thermal-optical analyzer. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons was sampled using PTFE filter and XAD-2 tube and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass selective detector. Results: Airborne asbestos concentration was under 0.01 fiber/cc. Worker who warmed up an engine of urban bus for 2 hours was exposed to elemental carbon concentration, $15.5{\mu}g/m^3$. Only naphtalene among polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons was detected. Conclusions: It was difficult to conclude about worker exposure to asbestos because working hour related asbestos was too short. In reviewing papers, the exposure to asbestos over 0.01 fiber/cc during exchange brake lining was found. It was identified that worker's occupational exposure to diesel exhaust based on elemental carbon was higher than the other occupational exposure to diesel exhaust.

Development of Program for Predicting GBD to Improve Canning Process Capability for Catalytic Converter (촉매변환기의 캐닝 공정능력 향상을 위한 GBD 예측 프로그램의 개발)

  • Lee, Young Dae;Chu, Seok Jae
    • Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.419-427
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    • 2013
  • The catalytic converters for automobile exhaust systems are manufactured by inserting a mat-wrapped substrate into a stainless steel can. A residual pressure that is too high will initiate a fracture in the substrate. In contrast, a residual pressure that is too low will fail to hold the substrate in the acceleration or deceleration phase. Both the process capability and mat pressure on the substrate are predicted while considering the effect of the statistical variation in the dimensions of the parts. The validity of the solutions is then confirmed. A program using EXCEL combines a finite element analysis and process capability analysis in one program.

Epitaxial growth of oxide films using miscut substrates (Miscut된 기판을 이용할 산화물 박막의 에피 성장)

  • Bu Sang Don
    • Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.145-149
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    • 2004
  • We have grown piezoelectric oxide films by RF magnetron sputtering using miscut substrates. Films were Brown on(001) $SrTiO_3$ substrates with miscut angles from 0 to 8 degrees toward the (100) direction. Films on high miscut substrates (>$4^{\circ}$) showed almost the pure perovskite phase in x-ray diffraction and were nearly stoichiometric. In contrast, films on exact (001) $SrTiO_3$ contained a high volume fraction of pyrochlore phases. A film on an $8^{\circ}$ miscut substrate exhibits a polarization hysteresis loop with a remnent polarization of 20$\mu$C/$\textrm{cm}^2$ at room temperature.