• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.451-457
• /
• 2018

Luminescence properties of $NaCa(PO_3)_3$ doped with $Tb^{3+}$ ions are investigated by optical and laser excitation spectroscopy. The phosphors were prepared by solidstate reaction method The X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to analyze the crystal structure and the crystallinity of the samples. The excitation and emission spectra and decay curve of $NaCa(PO_3)_3:Tb^{3+}$(0.01 ~ 30mol%) were measured at room temperature. The f - d band of $Tb^{3+}$ is observed in the excitation spectra of $NaCa(PO_3)_3:Tb^{3+}$ in the wave length region 205 ~ 245 nm. Strong emission lines due to the $^5D_4{\rightarrow}^7F_J$ transition and weak emission lines due to the $^5D_4{\rightarrow}^7F_J$ transition are observed in the emission spectra of $NaCa(PO_3)_3:Tb^{3+}$. The energy transfer and cross relaxation between $Tb^{3+}$ ions are discussed in $NaCa(PO_3)_3:Tb^{3+}$ in the emission spectra and life time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
• /
• 1991.11a
• /
• pp.100-101
• /
• 1991

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2003.07b
• /
• pp.705-709
• /
• 2003

The microstructure and electrical properties of the $Pr_6O_{11}$-based ZnO varistor ceramics, which are composed of Zn-Pr-Co-Cr-Tb oxides, were investigated with $Tb_4O_7$ amount. The varistor ceramics exhibited very high densification based on increasing density in the range of $5.73{\sim}5.85g/cm^3$ as $Tb_4O_7$ amount is increased. The calculated nonlinear exponent( ${\alpha}$ ) in varistor ceramics without $Tb_4O_7$ was only 8.9, whereas the ${\alpha}$ value of the varistor ceramics with $Tb_4O_7$ was abruptly increased in the range of 18.6 to 42.0. In particular, the maximum value(42.0) of ${\alpha}$ was obtained by doping of 1.0 mol% $Tb_4O_7$. The measured leakage current($I_{\ell}$) in varistor ceramics without $Tb_4O_7$ was $40.1{\mu}A$, whereas the $I{\ell}$ value of the varistors with $Tb_4O_7$ was very abruptly decreased below $5{\mu}A$. It is estimated that $Tb_4O_7$ additives will is applied usefully in development of varistors possessing high performance.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.330-336
• /
• 2014

Thymosin beta4 (TB4) has multiple functions in cellular response in processes as diverse as embryonic organ development and the pathogeneses of disease, especially those associated with cardiac coronary vessels. However, the specific roles played by TB4 during heart valve development in vertebrates are largely unknown. Here, we identified a novel function of TB4 in endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in cardiac valve endocardial cushions in zebrafish. The expressions of thymosin family members in developing zebrafish embryos were determined by whole mount in situ hybridization. Of the thymosin family members only zTB4 was expressed in the developing heart region. Cardiac valve development at 48 h post fertilization was defected in zebrafish TB4 (zTB4) morpholino-injected embryos (morphants). In zTB4 morphants, abnormal linear heart tube development was observed. The expressions of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4, notch1b, and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) 2 genes were also markedly reduced in atrio-ventricular canal (AVC). Endocardial cells in the AVC region were stained with anti-Zn5 antibody reactive against Dm-grasp (an EMT marker) to observe EMT in developing cardiac valves in zTB4 morphants. EMT marker expression in valve endothelial cells was confirmed after transfection with TB4 siRNA in the presence of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) by RT-PCR and immunofluorescent assay. Zn5-positive endocardial AVC cells were not observed in zTB4 morphants, and knockdown of TB4 suppressed TGF-${\beta}$-induced EMT in ovine valve endothelial cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that TB4 plays a pivotal role in cardiac valve formation by increasing EMT.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.85 no.2
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2022

Background: One goal of the End tuberculosis (TB) Strategy is to see no TB-affected households experiencing catastrophic costs. Therefore, it is crucial for TB-elimination programs to identify catastrophic costs and their main drivers in order to establish appropriate health and social measures. This study aimed to measure the percent of catastrophic costs experienced by Egyptian TB patients and to identify its determinants. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 151 Egyptian TB patients recruited from two chest dispensaries from the Cairo governate from May 2019 to May 2020. We used a validated World Health Organization TB patient-cost tool to collect data on patients' demographic information, household income, and direct and indirect expense of seeking TB treatment. We considered catastrophic TB costs to be total costs exceeding 20% of the household's annual income. Results: Of the patients, 33% experienced catastrophic costs. The highest proportion of the total came in the pre-treatment stage. Being the main breadwinner, experiencing job loss, selling property, and the occurrence of early coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown were independent determinants of the incidence of catastrophic costs. Borrowing money and selling property were the most-often reported coping strategies adopted. Conclusion: Despite the availability of free TB care under the Egyptian National TB Program, nearly a third of the TB patients incurred catastrophic costs. Job loss and being the main breadwinner were among the significant predictors of catastrophic costs. Social protection mechanisms, including cash assistance and insurance coverage, are necessary to achieve the goal of the End TB Strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2022

A new two-fold interpenetrating two-dimensional (2D) Tb(III) metal-organic framework (MOF), [Tb(p-XBP4)_2.5(H₂O)₂]·W(CN)₈ (1), was prepared using a p-XBP4 (N,N'-p-phenylenedimethylenbis(pyridin-4-one)), Cs₃[W(CN)₈], and Tb(NO₃)₃·6H₂O. The single crystal X-ray diffraction indicated that Tb-MOF exhibits a unique two-fold interpenetrating 2-D framework. It was also characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and single and powder X-ray diffraction. To probe the molecular magnetic behavior, the magnetic properties of Tb-MOF were investigated by direct-current (DC) and alternating-current (AC) magnetic susceptibilities measurements and discussed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.86 no.3
• /
• pp.234-244
• /
• 2023

Background: Effective treatment of fluoroquinolone-resistant multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (FQr-MDR-TB) is difficult because of the limited number of available core anti-TB drugs and high rates of resistance to anti-TB drugs other than FQs. However, few studies have examined anti-TB drugs that are effective in treating patients with FQr-MDR-TB in a real-world setting. Methods: The impact of anti-TB drug use on treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary FQr-MDR-TB was retrospectively evaluated using a nationwide integrated TB database (Korean Tuberculosis and Post-Tuberculosis). Data from 2011 to 2017 were included. Results: The study population consisted of 1,082 patients with FQr-MDR-TB. The overall treatment outcomes were as follows: treatment success (69.7%), death (13.7%), lost to follow-up or not evaluated (12.8%), and treatment failure (3.9%). On a propensity-score-matched multivariate logistic regression analysis, the use of bedaquiline (BDQ), linezolid (LZD), levofloxacin (LFX), cycloserine (CS), ethambutol (EMB), pyrazinamide, kanamycin (KM), prothionamide (PTO), and para-aminosalicylic acid against susceptible strains increased the treatment success rate (vs. unfavorable outcomes). The use of LFX, CS, EMB, and PTO against susceptible strains decreased the mortality (vs. treatment success). Conclusion: A therapeutic regimen guided by drug-susceptibility testing can improve the treatment of patients with pulmonary FQr-MDR-TB. In addition to core anti-TB drugs, such as BDQ and LZD, treatment of susceptible strains with later-generation FQs and KM may be beneficial for FQr-MDR-TB patients with limited treatment options.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.158-166
• /
• 2011

In the present study, copper and nickel foams with an open-celled structure as trabecular-bone-mimicking phantoms were used to investigate the dependencies of group velocity and attenuation coefficient on structural properties such as trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in trabecular bone. The group velocity and attenuation coefficient of the copper and nickel foams were measured by a through-transmission method in water, using a pair of broadband, unfocused transducers with a diameter of 12.7 mm and a center frequency of 1.0 MHz. The separation of the Biot's fast and slow waves was consistently observed in the ultrasonic signals transmitted through the copper and nickel foams. The group velocities of the copper and nickel foams showed highly positive correlations with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp. The attenuation coefficient of the copper foam showed a highly negative correlation with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp, whereas that of the nickle foam showed a highly positive correlation with Tb.Th and Tb.Sp. These results advance our understanding of those previously reported by other researchers using trabecular bone samples or phantoms.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.432-445
• /
• 2018

For health care professionals(HCPs) who have relatively higher possibility of exposing tuberculosis(Tb), it is important for them to equip with proper levels of knowledge and prevention activities. In terms of establishment of Tb education model for junior HCPs, therefore, literature review was done alongside 129 junior HCPs and 14 HCPs were asked to answer questionnaires and telephone survey. The results are follows.; Firstly, six educational themes such as epidermiology of Tb, Tb transmission and patho-physiology, test and diagnosis, latent Tb, Tb treatment, and Tb prevention were identified, based on the literature review. Secondly, the junior HCPs showed lower levels of knowledge regarding epidermiology, transmission and patho-physiology and latent Tb, compared to the other themes. When education courses are planned, longer period of time should be given to the lower level of knowledge areas. Thirdly, the HCPs emphasized that definition and type of Tb should be well integrated into the education in particular epidermiology education. They also responded that hospital infection and infection cycle of Tb need to be addressed during educational session about transmission and patho-physiology. in addition, they said that specific and detailed contents about diagnosis and group examination should be carefully delivered during the education, along with diagnosis, test and application of personal protective devices during education of latent Tb. They also answered that patient education and adverse effect of Tb medication should be taught during Tb treatment session, as well as self activities of health promotion for junior HCPs and systematic TB education as key way of Tb prevention. As the findings were from limited numbers of respondents and contained the sampling bias, the result has to be carefully interpretated prior to generalization. Therefore, further survey with larger study population is required in terms of development of Tb education model.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 1998

ZnS and TB-doped ZnS (ZnS:Tb) thin films were grown by traveling wave reactor atomic layer epitaxy (AKE) and characterized using materials and surface analysis techniques. $ZnCl_2$, $H_2$S,and tris(2,26,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionato) terbium ($Tb(TMHD)_3$) were used as the precursors in the growth of ZnS:Tb films. The dependence of Cl content in ZnS films on growth temperature was investigated using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The Cl content decreased from approximately 9 at.% to 1 at. % as increasing the growth temperature from 400 to $500^{\circ}C$. The segregation of Cl in near surface region was also observed by depth profiling using Auger electron spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the ALE-grown ZnS and ZnS:Tb film during ALE process using $Tb(TMHD)_3$was also investigated. Approximately 1 at.% of O in ZnS:Tb(0.5 at.%) film which showed a good crystallinity of hexagonal 2H structure.