• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2002

Our previous studies investigated that narrow field of view (FOV : 50˚) and slow navigation speed decreased the frequency of occurrence and severity of cybersickness during immersion in the virtual reality (VR). It would cause a significant reduction of cybersickness if it were provided cybersickness alleviating virtual environment (CAVE) using biofeedback method whenever subject underwent physiological agitation. For verifying the hypothesis, we constructed a real-time cybersickness detection and feedback system with artificial neural network whose inputs are electrophysiological parameters of blood pulse volume, skin conductance, eye blink, skin temperature, heart period, and EEG. The system temporary provided narrow FOV and decreased speed of navigation as feedback outputs whenever physiological measures signal the occurrence of cybersickness. We examined the frequency and severity of cybersickness from simulator sickness questionnaires and self-report in 36 subjects. All subjects experienced VR two times in CAVE and non-CAVE condition at one-month intervals. The frequency and severity of cybersickness were significantly reduced in CAVE than non-CAVE condition. Virtual environment of narrow FOV and slow navigation provided by electrophysiological features based artificial neural network caused a significant reduction of cybersickness symptoms. These results showed that efficiency of a cybersickness detection system we developed was relatively high and subjects expressed more comfortable in the virtual navigation environment.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 1994

The suitable electric stimulation is essential for activation and fusion of oocytes before or after nuclear transplantation The present study was undertaken to determine the optirnal condition for the parthenogenetic activation of in vitro rnatured(IVM) bovine oocytes by electric stimulation. Different direct current(DC) electric voltage of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kV/cm and pulse duration of 30, 60 and 120 $\mu$sec were applied to the JVM nocytes in 0.3 M mannitol solution containing each 100 $\mu$M CaCl$_2$ and MgCl$_2$. IVM occytes at 24, 28 and 32 hours Post-maturation(hpm) were also electrically stimulated at 1.5 kV /cm, for 60 $\mu$ sec. The stimulated nocytes were then co-cultured in TCM-199 solution containing 10% fetal calf serum with bovine oviductal epithelial cells for 7~9 days in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator at 39$^{\circ}C$ ~ Their activation and in vitro development to morula and blastocyst were assessed under an inverted microscope. The higher activation rates 62.8 and 63.4% and in vitro de- velopment rates to morula and blastocyst 5.1 and 10.9% were shown in the oocytes stimulated at the voltage of 1.0 and 1.5 kV/cm than 2.0 kV/cm, respectively. No signifi- cantly(P<0.05) different activation rate was shown in JVM oocytes stimulated for 30, 60 and 120 $\mu$sec, but developmental rates to morula and blastocyst was significantly(P<0.05) higher in the oocytes stimulated for 30 $\mu$sec(6~3%) and 60 $\mu$sec(10~0%) than 120 $\mu$sec(0~ 0%). The aged oocytes at 28 and 30 hpm showed significantly(P<0.05) higher activation rates(72~7 and 79.7%) than the oocytes at 24 hpm(50~9%)~ Also, their developmental rates to morula and blastocyst were significantly(P<0.05) higher in the nocytes at 28(14.3%) and 32 hpm(15.9%) than 24 hpm(3.6%). From these results, it can be suggested that the optimal electric stimulation for IVM bovine occytes is a DC voltage between 1.0 and 1.5 kV/cm, pulse duration of 30 or 60 $\mu$sec, and the optimal age of IVM oocytes for electric activation is at 32 hpm.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.105-111
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• 2015

In late December 2013, the Ebola virus emerged from West Africa. The outbreak started in Guinea and rapidly spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Initially, the virus is spread to the human population after contact with infected wildlife and then spread person-to-person through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, sweat, urine, semen, and breast milk. The Ebola virus infects endothelial cells, mononuclear phagocytes and hepatocytes. It causes massive damage to internal tissues and organs, such as blood vessels and the liver, and ultimately death. Most tests for the virus RNA rely on a technology called reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While this method is highly sensitive, it is also expensive, requiring skilled scientists, and delicate power supplies. The strip analytical technique (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA) detects antigens or antibodies to the Ebola virus. This test is cheap and does not require electricity or refrigeration. Despite ongoing efforts directed at experimental treatments and vaccine development, current medical work on the Ebola viral disease is largely limited to supportive therapy. Thus, rapid and reliable diagnoses of the Ebola virus are critically important for patient management, infections, prevention, and control measures.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2007

HCV is a single-stranded RNA virus and more than 1 million new cases are reported annually worldwide. The six major HCV genotypes and numerous subtypes vary in their geographic distribution. It is thought that genetic heterogeneity of HCV may account for some of the differences in disease outcome and response to treatment observed in HCV infected persons. In this study, we determined HCV genotypes among chronic Korean HCV patients and evaluated direct sequence PCR protocols developed. For the study, 232 chronic HCV patient sera were used. HCV RNA was extracted and two pairs of consensus PCR primers were selected in 5'UTR region for amplification of HCV RNA. Amplification products obtained from the HCV positive cases were subjected to automatic sequencing. Sequences were compared with those in GenBank by using the BLAST program. From this study, five HCV genotypes, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a were found. HCV genotypes 4, 5 and 6 were not determined. HCV genotype 1b (53.9%, 125/232) and 2a (35.8%, 83/232) were most frequently found. This group was followed by 2b (3.9%, 9/232), 3a (3.4%, 8/232) and 2c (3.0%, 7/232). The data presented here suggest a complex distribution of HCV types and they were well correlated with other reports on Koreans and will be helpful for type-specific follow-up of Korean HCV patients. This study showed that 5'UTR direct sequence analysis is a sensitive and rapid method to identify HCV genotypes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.591-596
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• 2006

Topology and molecular ordering of NPD(4,4'-bis-[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]biphenyl) thin films deposited under magnetic field with post-deposition annealing were investigated. NPD was deposited onto ITO glass substrates via thermal evaporation process in vacuum. It is of great importance for highly oriented organic/metal films to have improved device performances such as higher current density and luminance efficiency. AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analyses were used to characterize the topology and structure of oriented NPD films. The multi-source meter was used to observe the current-voltage characteristics of the ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide) / NPD (4,4'bis[N-(1-napthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl) / Al (Aluminum) device. While NPD thin films deposited under magnetic field were not molecularly well aligned according to the XRD results, the films after post-deposition annealing at $130^{\circ}C$ were well-oriented. AFM images show that NPD thin films deposited under magnetic field had a smoother surface than those deposited without magnetic field. The current-voltage performance of NPD thin films was improved due to the enhanced electron mobility in the well-aligned NPD films.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.644-647
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• 2006

The indium zinc oxide (IZO) thin films were deposited using a radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering method. Among the various processing variables, $O_{2}$ concentration and annealing temperature after deposition were selected and the optical, electrical, and structural properties of IZO thin films were investigated. As the $O_{2}$ concentration increased, the deposition rate of IZO thin films decreased, the resistivity increased and the transmittance slightly increased. According to atomic force microscopy analysis, the IZO films deposited at pure Ar showed rough surface and those deposited with $O_{2}$ addition exhibited relatively smooth surface. The IZO thin films deposited at pure Ar were annealed at 250, 350, and $450^{\circ}C$, respectively. The IZO thin film deposited at pure Ar showed the lowest transmittance and resistivity and resistivity greatly increased at the annealing temperature exceeding $250^{\circ}C$. The higher annealing temperature IZO films were annealed at, the smoother surface the films showed. The x-ray diffraction revealed that IZO films annealed at higher temperature had better crystalline structures.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1041-1047
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• 1997

The influence of $\omega$-phenylalkylammonium salt on the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS has been examined using the electric conductivity method. CMC of SDS exhibited the tendency to decrease with the length of alkyl group of additives. The effect of temperature on CMC of SDS in additive solutions has been observed in the range of $18^{\circ}C-50^{\circ}C$. The free energy(${\Delta}G_m^{\circ}$) for the micellization of SDS is negative and the entropy(${\Delta}S_m^{\circ}$) is a large positive value. The enthalpy(ΔHm0is positive in low temperature($18^{\circ}C$) and negative in high temperature($>25^{\circ}C$). In the prensence of organic additives, the micellization of SDS was considered as a spontaneous process and to involve a phase transition. The values of ΔGm0has shown the tendency to increase but the values of ${\Delta}S_m^{\circ}$ and ${\Delta}H_m^{\circ}$ to decrease with the length of alklyl group of additive salts. The changes in ${\Delta}\kappa$(difference of specific conductivity) with increasing mole ratio of additives in the mixed solutions indicated the formation of mixed micelles between SDS and additives. The effect of the length of alkyl chain on the micellization of SDS demonstrated the penetration of organic additives into the palisade layer of the SDS micelle.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2007

It is essential that second order nonlinear optical materials have low optical propagation losses in the wavelengths of second harmonic generation for practical applications in waveguides. Three dipolar chromophores substituted with nitro, cyano, and alkyl sulfone as an electron withdrawing group were prepared. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the cyano and alkylsulfone chromophores showed a blue-shift compared to the nitro chromophore. The introduction of oxadiazole segment in the chromophore structure led to similar spectral shift. The blue-shift can produce low optical loses at second harmonics. The chromophores were successfully attached to a polyimide, yielding side chain polymers. The nonlinear optical property of the prepared optical polymers was determined by measuring electro-optic coefficient at 1.55 mm. The polymers exhibited high glass transition temperature of over $185^{\circ}C$ and thermal stability to $300^{\circ}C$ through differential scanning calorimeter analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by abnormalities of the enzyme Heparan N-sulfatase that is required for degradation of heparan sulfate. The patient in this study was a 5 year-old boy who presented with macrocephaly and developmental delay. Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycan was increased (26 g/moL creatinine, reference range: <7 g/moL creatinine) and a distinct band of heparan sulfate was shown in electrophoresis. Heparan N-sulfatase activity was significantly decreased in skin fibroblasts (0.2 pmoL/min/mg protein, reference range: 9-64 pmoL/min/mg protein). PCR and direct sequencing analysis of the SGSH gene showed compound heterozygous mutations: c.1040C>T (p.S347F) and c.703G>A (p.D235N). This is the first report for a Korean patient with MPS IIIA who was confirmed by biochemical investigation and molecular genetic analyses.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2012

Porous carbon nanofibers were prepared as a gas sensor electrode to study the $CO_2$ sensing property based on effects of porosity and introduced amine functional groups. Electrospun fibers were obtained by using electrospinning method with polyacrylonitrile precursor and they were treated by the thermal treatment and chemical activation. Amine functional groups were introduced by the liquid state treatment using diethylenetriamine. The specific surface area increased up to $2000m^2/g$ by the chemical activation. The Introduced amine functional group was identified using FT-IR spectroscopy. $CO_2$ gas sensing property was improved as four folds via introduced amine functional groups on the activated carbon nanofiber. In conclusion, the gas sensing property was improved based on the developed porosity by the chemical activation and the chemical attraction of $CO_2$ gas by introduced functional groups.