• 한국가시화정보학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.15-19
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• 2015

We developed a high-throughput microscopy (HTM) method which enabled us to replace a conventional phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method that has been used as a standard analytical method for airborne asbestos. We could obtain the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers under detection limit by automated image processing and analysis using HTM method. Here we propose an improved image processing algorithm with variable parameters to enhance the accuracy of the HTM analysis. Since the variable parameters that compensate the difference of the brightness are applied to the individual images in our new image processing method, it is possible to enhance the accuracy of the automatic image analysis method for sample slides with low asbestos concentration that caused errors in binary image processing. We demonstrated that enumeration of fibers by improved image processing algorithm remarkably enhanced the accuracy of HTM analysis in comparison with PCM. The improved HTM method can be a potential alternative to conventional PCM.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.509-516
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• 2010

This study was investigated the characteristics of indoor air concentration of fiber particles in 30 public facilities and 245 schools by PCM (phase contrast microscopy). Also SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscope / energy dispersive using X-ray analysis) was used to obtain physicochemical information of asbestos fiber and to classify asbestos and non-asbestos of fiber particles. The airborne concentrations of fiber particles were $0.0009\pm0.0009$ counts/mL in public facilities and $0.0012\pm0.0006$ counts/mL in schools by PCM. All the samples were satisfied with the IAQ (indoor air quality) level of 0.01 counts/mL. In classification of 4 type shapes, over 80% of the fiber particles were identified as single fiber type. And this study analysed airborne fiber particles in 4 sites for identifying asbestos of by SEM/EDX. The asbestos fibers in most samples could not be found.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.305-315
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of smoking on adult periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy. The study population consisted of 40 patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis. Smokers(n=20) were defined as individuals smoking at least twenty cigarettes per day at the time of the initial examination. The non-smoking group(n=20) consisted of individuals who were not smoking at the initial examination. The average age was 42.4 years for the smoking and non-smoking group. Examination regarding plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth and contrast phase microscope were performed. Evaluation were made at the first, the second and the fourth weeks after periodontal non-surgical therapy. The results were as follows: 1. Clinical indices including plaque index, gingival index, and pocket depth were decreased in both smoking and non-smoking group at the first, the second, and the fourth weeks. Especially, clinical indices of non-smokers were more significantly decreased than those of smokers. 2. Non-motile rods were increased and motile rods were reduced at the fourth week. spirochetes were reduced significantly in the non-smoking group at the fourth week. These results suggest that smoking play a minor role in adult periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제4권1호
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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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권3호
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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.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제13권3호
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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.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제13권10호
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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.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제24권6호
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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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제14권4호
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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.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제24권2호
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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.