• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.326-337
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• 2014

The use of solar energy generation is steadily increasing, and photovoltaic modules are connected in series to generate higher voltage and power. However, solar panels are exposed to high-voltage stress (up to several hundreds of volts) between grounded module frames and the solar cells. Frequent high-voltage stress causes a power-drop in the modules, and this kind of degradation is called potential induced degradation (PID). Due to PID, a significant loss of power and performance has been reported in recent years. Many groups have suggested how to prevent or reduce PID, and have tried to determine the origin and mechanism of PID. Even so, the mechanism of PID is still unclear. This paper is focused on understanding the PID of crystalline-silicon solar cells and modules. A background for PID, as well as overviews of research on factors accelerating PID, mechanisms involving sodium ions, PID test methods, and possible solutions to the problem of PID, are covered in this paper.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2002

Natural silk is formed by two proteins : the crystalline fibroin (inside the silk thread) and amorphous sericin (as a tube outside the thread). The degumming process is used to eliminate the external sericin prior to dyeing ; generally it makes use of soaps at about pH 10. Sericin is the protein constituent that "gums"together the fibroin filaments of cocoon silk. It constitutes about 25% of the weight of the cocoon, is soluble in hot water and "gels" on cooling. The removal of sericin from raw silk, known as degumming, is a simple but important process usually employing hot dilute soap or alkaline solution and occasionally dilute acids or enzymic methods. During degumming, alkali is taken up by the sericin and the free acid from the soap is formed ; this may be deposited on the fiber, reducing the rate of degumming and protecting it from hydrolysis. Alkali is often added to maintain or restore the pH of the baths, but it is rarely used alone, since it leaves the silk rather harsh in handle. If complete sericin removal is required as for printing, sodium carbonate may be added. If the pH of the bath exceeds 11, the fibroin is attacked. Recently, According to the development of electrolysis, we can be obtained the electrolytic reduction water(above pH 11.5) and electrolytic oxidation water (below pH 3). The aim of this work was to study a degumming process using electrolytic water and a possibility of sericin recovery. The new degumming process used electrolytic water operates at $95^\circ{C}$ for 2hr. without any reagents. The wastewater of this process are formed by a solution of sericin in water. This conditions suggest the study of a possible recovery of this protein (sericin) which has an amino acid composition suitable for many used in cosmetics, textile finishing agents, animal feeding, etc. The degumming process using electrolytic water is available to reduce treatment costs and pollute and at the same time to recover sericin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to assess hospital foodservice quality and to identify causes of quality problems and improvement strategies. Based on the review of literature, hospital foodservice quality was defined and the Hospital Foodservice Quality model was presented. The study was conducted in two steps. In Step 1, nutritional standards specified on diet manuals and nutrients of planned menus, served meals, and consumed meals for regular, diabetic, and low-sodium diets were assessed in three general hospitals. Quality problems were found in all three hospitals since patients consumed less than their nutritional requirements. Considering the effects of four gaps in the Hospital Foodservice Quality model, Gaps 3 and 4 were selected as critical control points (CCPs) for hospital foodservice quality management. In Step 2, the causes of the gaps and improvement strategies at CCPs were labeled as "quality hazards" and "corrective actions", respectively and were identified using a case study. At Gap 3, inaccurate forecasting and a lack of control during production were identified as quality hazards and corrective actions proposed were establishing an accurate forecasting system, improving standardized recipes, emphasizing the use of standardized recipes, and conducting employee training. At Gap 4, quality hazards were menus of low preferences, inconsistency of menu quality, a lack of menu variety, improper food temperatures, and patients' lack of understanding of their nutritional requirements. To reduce Gap 4, the dietary departments should conduct patient surveys on menu preferences on a regular basis, develop new menus, especially for therapeutic diets, maintain food temperatures during distribution, provide more choices, conduct meal rounds, and provide nutrition education and counseling. The Hospital Foodservice Quality Model was a useful tool for identifying causes of the foodservice quality problems and improvement strategies from a holistic point of view.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.760-765
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• 2013

PID (potential induced degradation) of PV module is the degradation of module due to the high potential difference between the front surface of solar cells and ground when PV modules operate under high humidity and temperature conditions. PID is generally derived from the positive sodium ions in front glass that are accumulated on P-type solar cells. Therefore, some papers for the electrical characteristic of only front components as glass, EVA sheet, solar cell under PID generation condition were revealed. In this paper, we analyzed the different outputs of module with PID by considering the all parts of module including the back side elements such as glass, back sheet. Mini modules with one solar cell were fabricated with the various parts on front and back sided of module. To generate PID of module in a short time, the all modules were applied.1,000 V in $85^{\circ}C$, 85% RH. The outputs, dark IV curves and EL images of all modules before and after experiments were also measured to confirm the main components of module for PID generation. From the measured results, the outputs of all modules with front glass were remarkably reduced and the performances of modules with back and front glass were greatly deteriorated. We suggest that the obtained data could be used to reduce the PID phenomenon of diverse modules such as conventional module and BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic) module.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.417-423
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• 2018

Extracellular interleukin 1 alpha (IL-$1{\alpha}$) released from keratinocytes is one of the endpoints for in vitro assessments of skin irritancy. Although cells dying via primary skin irritation undergo apoptosis as well as necrosis, IL-$1{\alpha}$ is not released in apoptotic cells. On the other hand, active secretion has been identified in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), which was discovered to be a common, upregulated, differentially-expressed gene in a microarray analysis performed with keratinocytes treated using cytotoxic doses of chemicals. This study examined whether and how IL-1ra, particularly extracellularly released IL-1ra, was involved in chemically-induced keratinocyte cytotoxicity and skin irritation. Primary cultured normal adult skin keratinocytes were treated with cytotoxic doses of chemicals (hydroquinone, retinoic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, or urshiol) with or without recombinant IL-1ra treatment. Mouse skin was administered irritant concentrations of hydroquinone or retinoic acid. IL-1ra (mRNA and/or intracellular/extracellularly released protein) levels increased in the chemically treated cultured keratinocytes with IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNAs and in the chemically exposed epidermis of the mouse skin. Recombinant IL-1ra treatment significantly reduced the chemically-induced apoptotic death and intracellular/extracellularly released IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in keratinocytes. Collectively, extracellular IL-1ra released from keratinocytes could be a compensatory mechanism to reduce the chemically-induced keratinocyte apoptosis by antagonism to IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, suggesting potential applications to predict skin irritation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.85-94
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• 2020

Since the salinity of irrigation water is a critical constraint to the production of certain vegetable crops, salinity was considered as one of the most important factors of irrigation water. The purpose of this study were to monitor and assess the effects of saline irrigation water on strawberry and red radish growth in protected cultivation. One control and three treatments, which were differentiated according to the level of salinity in irrigated water, were employed for each vegetable to assess the effects of the irrigation with saline water. Monitoring has shown that using irrigation water with salinity above a certain level causes excessive accumulation of sodium (Na⁺) in both strawberry and red radish. Increased Na+ content was analyzed to be able to decrease the sugar content in strawberry. In addition, the salinity higher than the threshold level of irrigation water was found to reduce the growth and yield of strawberry and red radish. This study could contribute to suggest criteria for safe use of saline water in protected cultivation, although long-term monitoring is needed to get more representative results.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.310-315
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• 2010

The amount of salt intake of Korean people is 11.4 grams per a day, which is 2.3 times of the recommended daily salt intake by WHO - 5 grams of salt a day. The relationship between high salt consumption and increased risk of high blood pressure, observed not only in hypertensive but also in normotensive patients. High salt intake is also associated with an increased risk of heart attack, cerebral ischemia and osteoporosis. Therefore, this research is for developing a salt taste sensor to reduce sodium consumption and improve meal habits for the perception of a more bland taste of most foods. When the sensor was put into food sample, current intensity achieved with distribution cables. Current intensity was correlate with a simple equivalent of salt taste stimulus intensity. The salt taste sensor consists of salinity & temperature measuring probe, signal processing circuit and LCD display & LED warning light. When salinity is going over a set point, LCD displayer indicate salt taste on LCD panel by percent value (%), and at the same time, blue LED light change to red LED light. So we could know the grade of salt taste in soup before meals conveniently and objectively. The results show that operating range of 10 to $80^{\circ}C$ and accuracy of ${\pm}0.1%$ were achieved with an analysis time of about 2 or 3 sec. Moderate reductions in salt intake can help to avert adult diseases and lead a healthy life.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 1989

For improvement of photobiological hydrogen production, Rhodopseudomonas El5-1, a photo-synthetic becterium capable of producing n high yield of hydrogen, was immobilized and conditions for hydrogen production by immobilized cells were examined. The optimum concentration for the combined matrix was obtained when sodium alginate was used at final concentration of 4%. The immobilized cells may reduce the inhibitory effects of nitrogen or oxygen. To minimize the diffusion resistance of the nutrients in alginate gel, the bend size less than 2 mm in diameter was desirable. The immobilized cells were also able to utilize n wide range of organic substrates for the production of hydrogen. The hydrogen producing activity of the immobilized cells was maintained for 20 days without loss of activity during semi-continuous operation of the reactor by feeding of new medium periodically and continuous production of hydrogen could be successfully performed for 30 days.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2008

Objective: Postoperative delirium (POD) is characterized by an acute change in cognitive function and can result in longer hospital stays, higher morbidity rates, and more frequent discharges to long-term care facilities. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors of POD in 224 patients older than 70 years of age, who had undergone a neurosurgical operation in the last two years. Methods: Data related to preoperative factors (male gender, >70 years, previous dementia or delirium, alcohol abuse, serum levels of sodium, potassium and glucose, and co-morbidities), perioperative factors (type of surgery and anesthesia, and duration of surgery) and postoperative data (length of stay in recovery room, severity of pain and use of opioid analgesics) were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed. Results: POD appeared in 48 patients (21.4%) by postoperative day 3. When we excluded 26 patients with previous dementia or delirium, 17 spontaneously recovered by postoperative day 14, while 5 patients recovered by postoperative 2 months with medication, among 22 patients with newly developed POD. The univariate risk factors for POD included previously dementic or delirious patients, abnormal preoperative serum glucose level, pre-existent diabetes, the use of local anesthesia for the operation, longer operation time (>3.2 hr) or recovery room stay (>90 mini, and severe pain (VAS>6.8) requiring opioid treatment (p<0.05). Backward regression analysis revealed that previously dementic patients with diabetes, the operation being performed under local anesthesia, and severe postoperative pain treated with opioids were independent risk factors for POD. Conclusion: Our study shows that control of blood glucose levels and management of pain during local anesthesia and in the immediate postoperative period can reduce unexpected POD and help preventing unexpected medicolegal problems and economic burdens.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.734-740
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea catechins on the antioxidative defense enzyme activity of kidney in diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighting 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ-induced diabetic groups; catechin free diet(DM-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet(DM-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(DM-0.5C group). Diabetes was induced by intravenous of 55mg/Kg body weight of STZ in sodium citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Rats were sacrified at the 6th day of diabetic states. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in kidney was decreased by 25% and 20% in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups compared with normal group, DM-0.5C group was not significantly different when compared with normal group. Glutathione peroxidase(GSHpx) activity in kidney was were no significant differences the diabetic groups compared to normal group. Xanthin oxidase(XOD) activity was increased by 110% and 63% in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups compared with normal group, DM-0.5C group was not significantly different when compared with normal group. The contents of superoxide radical(O$_2$)in kindney were 116% and 33%, respectively, higher in DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups than normal group. DM-0.5C group and normal groups were similar levels in their superoxide radical contents of kidneys. Levels of TBARS(thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) in kidney were increased by 62% in DM-0C group, when compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.5C group were similar to that of normal groups. These results indicate that free radical generation system was weakened and free radical scavenger system was enhance in kidney of STZ-induced diabetics rats by dietary catechin. Thereby it may reduce renal disorders such as oxidative damage and aging of tissue.