• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.439-446
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• 2017

Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) is a kind of anodization, in which a very high voltage or current is applied to a metal substrate in various electrolytes, allowing distinctly thick thickness of the oxide film with outstanding film properties, such as a good corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and excellent adhesion to a substrate. Herein, we tried to find the optimal pretreatment conditions among commercially available solutions in order to produce PEO anodizing at relatively low voltage. We characterized the surface morphologies of the sample by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and investigated color parameters of the pretreated surface of Ti by spectrophotometer.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.46-54
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• 2015

In this study, an applicability of thermal pretreatment for primary and secondary sludge, which are generated in a sewage treatment plant, was evaluated. The efficiency and charateristics was investigated with each sludge after pretreatment under the condition of $100{\sim}220^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. As the result, it was found that $SCOD_{Cr}$, $NH_4{^+}$, VFAs concentrations increased as the pre-treatment temperature increased. For COD solubilization, it was also highly dependent on an increase of temperature resulting in acceleration on hydrolysis and acid fermentation. In the BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) experiment, for the primary sludge, it showed the higher biogas production rate at a temperature of $220^{\circ}C$, however, the effect was insignificant (5.6%). Whereas, for the secondary sludge, the increase on biogass production rate was 38.8% ($180^{\circ}C$) and this means that the secondary sludge is more suitable for an applicability of thermal pretreatment.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.435-438
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• 2004

MOCVD is one of the major deposition techniques for Cu thin films and Ta-Si-N is one of promising barrier metal candidates for Cu with high thermal stability. Effects of hydrogen plasma pretreatment of the underlying Ta-Si-N film surface on the Cu nucleation in Cu MOCVD were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron emission spectrometry analyses. Cu nucleation in MOCVD is enhanced as the rf-power and the plasma exposure time are increased in the hydrogen plasma pretreatment. The optimal plasma treatment process condition is the rf-power of 40 Wand the plasma exposure time of 2 min. The hydrogen gas flow rate in the hydrogen plasma pretreatment process does not affect Cu nucleation much. The mechanism through which Cu nucleation is enhanced by the hydrogen plasma pretreatment of the Ta-Si-N film surface is that the nitrogen and oxygen atoms at the Ta-Si-N film surface are effectively removed by the plasma treatment. Consequently the chemical composition was changed from Ta-Si-N(O) into Ta-Si at the Ta-Si-N film surface, which is favorable for Cu nucleation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.88-89
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• 2013

A variety of influenza A viruses from animal hosts are continuously prevalent throughout the world which cause human epidemics resulting millions of human infections and enormous industrial and economic damages. Thus, early diagnosis of such pathogen is of paramount importance for biomedical examination and public healthcare screening. To approach this issue, here we propose a fully integrated Rotary genetic analysis system, called Rotary Genetic Analyzer, for on-site detection of influenza A viruses with high speed. The Rotary Genetic Analyzer is made up of four parts including a disposable microchip, a servo motor for precise and high rate spinning of the chip, thermal blocks for temperature control, and a miniaturized optical fluorescence detector as shown Fig. 1. A thermal block made from duralumin is integrated with a film heater at the bottom and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) in the middle. For the efficient performance of RT-PCR, three thermal blocks are placed on the Rotary stage and the temperature of each block is corresponded to the thermal cycling, namely $95^{\circ}C$ (denature), $58^{\circ}C$ (annealing), and $72^{\circ}C$ (extension). Rotary RT-PCR was performed to amplify the target gene which was monitored by an optical fluorescent detector above the extension block. A disposable microdevice (10 cm diameter) consists of a solid-phase extraction based sample pretreatment unit, bead chamber, and 4 ${\mu}L$ of the PCR chamber as shown Fig. 2. The microchip is fabricated using a patterned polycarbonate (PC) sheet with 1 mm thickness and a PC film with 130 ${\mu}m$ thickness, which layers are thermally bonded at $138^{\circ}C$ using acetone vapour. Silicatreated microglass beads with 150~212 ${\mu}L$ diameter are introduced into the sample pretreatment chambers and held in place by weir structure for construction of solid-phase extraction system. Fig. 3 shows strobed images of sequential loading of three samples. Three samples were loaded into the reservoir simultaneously (Fig. 3A), then the influenza A H3N2 viral RNA sample was loaded at 5000 RPM for 10 sec (Fig. 3B). Washing buffer was followed at 5000 RPM for 5 min (Fig. 3C), and angular frequency was decreased to 100 RPM for siphon priming of PCR cocktail to the channel as shown in Figure 3D. Finally the PCR cocktail was loaded to the bead chamber at 2000 RPM for 10 sec, and then RPM was increased up to 5000 RPM for 1 min to obtain the as much as PCR cocktail containing the RNA template (Fig. 3E). In this system, the wastes from RNA samples and washing buffer were transported to the waste chamber, which is fully filled to the chamber with precise optimization. Then, the PCR cocktail was able to transport to the PCR chamber. Fig. 3F shows the final image of the sample pretreatment. PCR cocktail containing RNA template is successfully isolated from waste. To detect the influenza A H3N2 virus, the purified RNA with PCR cocktail in the PCR chamber was amplified by using performed the RNA capture on the proposed microdevice. The fluorescence images were described in Figure 4A at the 0, 40 cycles. The fluorescence signal (40 cycle) was drastically increased confirming the influenza A H3N2 virus. The real-time profiles were successfully obtained using the optical fluorescence detector as shown in Figure 4B. The Rotary PCR and off-chip PCR were compared with same amount of influenza A H3N2 virus. The Ct value of Rotary PCR was smaller than the off-chip PCR without contamination. The whole process of the sample pretreatment and RT-PCR could be accomplished in 30 min on the fully integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system. We have demonstrated a fully integrated and portable Rotary Genetic Analyzer for detection of the gene expression of influenza A virus, which has 'Sample-in-answer-out' capability including sample pretreatment, rotary amplification, and optical detection. Target gene amplification was real-time monitored using the integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.282-286
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• 2013

The seaweed, Gelidium amansii, was fermented to produce bioethanol. Optimal pretreatment condition was determined as 94 mM $H_2SO_4$ and 8% (w/v) seaweed slurry at $121^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. The mono sugars of 40.4 g/L with 67% of conversion from total carbohydrate of 60.6 g/L with 80 g dw/L G. amansii slurry were obtained by thermal acid hydrolysis pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification. G. amansii hydrolysate was used as the substrate for ethanol production by Kluyveromyces marxianus KCTC 7150 and Candida tropicalis KCTC 7212 using 5L fermentor. The ethanol productions by K. marxianus KCTC 7150 and C. tropicalis KCTC 7212 were 17.8 g/L with $Y_{EtOH}$ of 0.48 at 120 h and 19.3 g/L with $Y_{EtOH}$ of 0.50 at 120 h, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.927-933
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• 2007

Waste activated sludge (WAS) was thermally pretreated to enhance hydrolysis and ultimately methane yield. Batch and semi-continuous anaerobic digestion were conducted to evaluate the performance of methane fermentation of the hydrolyzed sludge and to investigate the kinetics of sludge fermentation. Thermal pretreatment remarkably enhanced digestion performances particularly the methane fermentation with three times more methane production than before the pretreatment. Gas production and kinetic parameters in the semi-continuous anaerobic digestion were estimated using Chen Hashimoto model. The model simulation fitted well the experimental results and the model was shown to be suitable for evaluating the effects of disintegration of WAS in anaerobic digestion. Three parameters ($B_o$, K, and ${\mu}_m$) determined by model simulation were $0.0807L-CH_4/g-VS$, 0.453 and $0.154d^{-1}$ for control sludge, and $0.253L-CH_4/g-VS$, 0.835 and $0.218d^{-1}$ for thermally pretreated sludge, respectively.

• Electrical & Electronic Materials
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.1034-1040
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• 1997

A solar cell conversion effiency was degraded by grain boundary effect in polycrystalline silicon. Grain boundaries acted as potential barriers as well as recombination centers for the photo-generated carriers. To reduce these effects of the grain boundaries we investigated various influencing factors such as emitter thickness thermal treatment preferential chemical etching of grain boundaries grid design contact metal and top metallization along boundaries. Pretreatment in $N_2$atmosphere and gettering by POCl$_3$and Al were performed to obtain multicrystalline silicon of the reduced defect density. Structural electrical and optical properties of slar cells were characterized before and after each fabrication process. Improved conversion efficiencies of solar cell were obtained by a combination of pretreatment above 90$0^{\circ}C$ emitter layer of 0.43${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ Al diffusion in to grain boundaries on rear side fine grid finger top Yb metal and buried contact metallization along grain boundaries.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2007

Squid viscera oil was investigated by pretreatment method for enhancing the commercial value. Transeterification was performed to reduce rancidity of the oil, off-flavor was removed by using activated carbon adsorption. Analysis using ATD (Automatic Thermal Desorber) and GC/MG shows the efficacy of off-flavor removement. The rates of Transesterification employing inorganic catalyst and biocatalyst were tested, respectively. With stepwise addition of ethanol, the most efficiency of the reaction was achieved by inorganic catalyst. The efficiency of the reaction was estimated by acid value corresponding to rancidity of reaction product.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.265-270
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• 2006

This paper reports an improved headspace gas chromatographic method for the determination of carboxyl group content in wood fibers. Pretreatment of wood fibers was applied using dilute HCl to convert carboxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups and then using deionized water to wash fiber samples thoroughly. The samples were finally air dried. Sodium bicarbonate solution was used to react with carboxylic acid groups of the pretreated fibers in a closed testing vial to release carbon dioxide. The content of carboxyl groups in fibers was accurately quantified by determining the amount of carbon dioxide released by a headspace gas chromatograph equipped with a thermal conductivity detector. The modified process for fiber sample pretreatment increased the reliability and accuracy in measuring carboxylic acid groups. The present method is simple, accurate.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 2009

Lipoxygenase (LO) metabolites are generated in inflamed tissues. However, it is unclear whether the inhibition of the LO activity regulates the expression of c-Fos protein, a pain marker in the spinal cord. Here we used a carrageenan-induced inflammation model to examine the role of LO in the development of c-Fos expression. Intradermally injected carrageenan caused elevated number of cells exhibiting Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the spinal dorsal horn, and decreased the thermal and mechanical threshold in Hargreaves and von Frey tests. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, that generates the LO substrate, prior to the carrageenan injection significantly reduced the number of Fos-(+) cells. A general LO inhibitor NDGA, a 5-LO inhibitor AA-861 and a 12-LO inhibitor baicalein also exhibited the similar effects. Moreover, the LO inhibitors suppressed carrageenan-induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesic behaviors, which inidcates that the changes in Fos expression correlates with those in the nociceptive behaviors in the inflamed rats. LO products are endogenous TRPV1 activators and pretreatment with BCTC, a TRPV1 antagonist inhibited the thermal but not the mechanical hypersensitivity. Overall, our results from the Fos-LI and behavior tests suggest that LO products released from inflamed tissues contribute to nociception during carrageenan-induced inflammation, indicating that the LO pathway is a possible target for modulating inflammatory pain.