• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2008

Retinal prosthesis is regarded as the most feasible method for the blind caused by retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age related macular degeneration (AMD). Recently Korean consortium launched for developing retinal prosthesis. One of the prerequisites for the success of retinal prosthesis is the optimization of the electrical stimuli applied through the prosthesis. Since electrical characteristics of degenerate retina are expected to differ from those of normal retina, we performed voltage stimulation experiment both in normal and degenerate retina to provide a guideline for the optimization of electrical stimulation for the upcoming prosthesis. After isolation of retina, retinal patch was attached with the ganglion cell side facing the surface of microelectrode arrays (MEA). $8{\times}8$ grid layout MEA (electrode diameter: $30{\mu}m$, electrode spacing: $200{\mu}m$, and impedance: $50k{\Omega}$ at 1 kHz) was used to record in-vitro retinal ganglion cell activity. Mono-polar electrical stimulation was applied through one of the 60 MEA channel, and the remaining channels were used for recording. The electrical stimulus was a constant voltage, charge-balanced biphasic, anodic-first square wave pulse without interphase delay, and 50 trains of pulse was applied with a period of 2 sec. Different electrical stimuli were applied. First, pulse amplitude was varied (voltage: $0.5{\sim}3.0V$). Second, pulse duration was varied $(100{\sim}1,200{\mu}s)$. Evoked responses were analyzed by PSTH from averaged data with 50 trials. Charge density was calculated with Ohm's and Coulomb's law. In normal retina, by varying the pulse amplitude from 0.5 to 3V with fixed duration of $500{\mu}s$, the threshold level for reliable ganglion cell response was found at 1.5V. The calculated threshold of charge density was $2.123mC/cm^2$. By varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1,200{\mu}s$ with fixed amplitude of 2V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$. The calculated threhold of charge density was $1.698mC/cm^2$. Even after the block of ON-pathway with L-(1)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), electrical stimulus evoked ganglion cell activities. In this APB-induced degenerate retina, by varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1200{\mu}s$ with fixed voltage of 2 V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$, which is the same with normal retina. More experiment with APB-induced degenerate retina is needed to make a clear comparison of threshold of charge density between normal and degenerate retina.

• Journal of the Speleological Society of Korea
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• no.63
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

The non-magnetic materials with non-conductive showing high structure dispersity were developed on the base of natural quartz and lava-scoria which was collected from Je-ju island in Korea, and treated by methane-chemical technology those were obtained novel properties of magnetization through the analyzing. Depending on the processing conditions and subsequent applications the materials produced by strong methane-chemical reaction (MCR) in alcohol solution showed concurrently magnetic, dielectric and electrical properties. The obtained magnetic-electrical powders classified by aggregate complex of their features as segnetomagnetics, containing a dielectric material as a carrying nucleus, particularly the quartz on that surface one or more layers of different compounds were synthesized having thickness up to 10～50 nm and showing magnetic, electrical and other properties. It was confirmed in magnetizing process that powders of quartz and lava-scoria produced by MCR were better oil adsorbent as of oleophilic and floating matter on water surface although their specific gravities are comparably more than 1 in quartz or less than unity, as that of water, in lava-scoira. Therefore, it will be Possible and very useful to remove low density and light gravity oil spillage in difficult recovery from sea and inland water contamination spread on water surface, by marine accident and ship sinking accident occurring frequently in recent years, by way of magnetic adsorbent conveyer system in continuous, if it could be built up the mass Production system of water-floating magnetizable oleophilic adsorbent materials with use of iow cost and good Qualify lava-scoria spread on volcano district in Je-ju island. And, there will also be urgent advent of necessity with strong possibility to develop useful applications of various magnetic functional materials include oleophilic adsorbent for removal of sea oil-contaminants and maritime pollutants, and other kinds of various utilities in industrial applications and practical uses of novel functional materials in the fields of environments and health care applications with in deep expectation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.339-345
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• 2013

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of central signaling molecules that respond to numerous stimuli and are known to participate in processes of cell survival and death. However, it is not clear on data for cell-type specific activation of MAPKs in the progression of gastric ulcer. In the present study, we assessed how MAPKs localized at various cell types during the progression of gastric ulcer induced by ibuprofen. Gastric ulcer was induced by the repeated treatment of 200 mg/kg ibuprofen with 8 hrs interval in a day. Animals were sacrificed at 24 hrs, 48 hrs, and 72 hrs after oral treatment of ibuprofen and gastric tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical and immunoblotting evaluation. Immunoreactivity of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) was mainly expressed at the proliferating zone of gastric mucosa in control rats. But, these signals for p-ERK were highly shifted from cells of proliferating zone to parietal cells of the basal regions 24 hrs after treatment of ibuprofen. p-ERK signal was strongly expressed in epithelial cells adjacent to ulcer margin and new capillary and infiltrated inflammatory cells within granulation tissue of the ulcer base above 48 hrs after treatment of ibuprofen. While, phospho-c-Jun $NH_2$ terminal kinase (p-JNK) was mainly localized to the nuclei of the surface epithelial cells and the glandular epithelial cells in early gastric injury. Also, p-JNK was often observed as a scattered pattern in different regions of gastric mucosa with early gastric injury. Gradually, signal of p-JNK was strongly stained in infiltrated inflammatory cells and fibroblasts within severe ulcer base. Phospho-p38 (p-p38) MAPK was observed as scattered pattern within connective tissues of gastric mucosa. Especially, p-p38 MAPK showed strong signal in infiltrated macrophages within ulcer base. These results show that each MAPK has a specific role in various cell types during the progression of gastric ulcer.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.509-518
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bonding of compomer to deciduous dentin which is known to have been developed to improve the weak properties of glass ionomer cement and composite resin. 120 sound primary molars were used for the shear bond strength test and another 24 for the scanning electron microscopic evaluation. Each material was ailed into polyethylene mold attached to exposed dentinal surface($3{\times}4mm$ in diameter) of sample blocks. Shearbond strength was measured using Universal testing machine and data were analyzed statistically with Oneway-ANOVA and Scheffe test. Scanning electron microscopic observation was performed in order to evaluate the pattern of distribution and penetration of resin tags and hybrid layer. Compomer groups(II-V) showed significantly higher bond strength values than glass ionomer group(I)(p<.05). Etching-compomer groups(III, V) showed the significantly higher bond strength than non-etching compomer groups(II, IV)(p<.05), but slightly lower values than composite resin group(VI) with no statistically significant difference(p>.05). No significantly different bond strength was found between compomer groups of different bonding system(p>.05). Scanning electron micrographs showed more irregular distribution of short and thin resin tags in non-etching compomer groups(II, IV) whereas the more regular and intimate distribution of long and thick tags in etching compomer groups(III, V) and composite resin group(VI). The evaluation of hybrid layer also showed more regular formation of thicker layer in etching compomer groups(III, V). Based on the results of present study, the use of compomer as an esthetic restorative material for primary molars might be justified.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Mycorrhiza refers to the association between a plant and a fungus colonizing the cortical tissue of the plant's roots during periods of active plant growth. The benefits afforded by plants from mycorrhizal symbioses can be characterized either agronomically, based on increased growth and yield, or ecologically, based on improved fitness (i.e., reproductive ability). In either case, the benefit accrues primarily because mycorrhizal fungi form a critical linkage between plant roots and the soil. The soilborne or extramatrical hyphae take up nutrients from the soil solution and transport them to the root. This mycorrhizae-mediated mechanism increases the effective absorptive surface area of the plant. There are seven major types of mycorrhizae along with mycoheterotrophy: endomycorrhizae (arbuscular mycorrhizae, AM), ectomycorrhizae (EM), ectendomycorrhizae, monotropoid, arbutoid, orchid, and ericoid. Endomycorrhizal fungi form arbuscules or highly branched structures within root cortical cells, giving rise to arbuscular mycorrhiza, which may produce extensive extramatrical hyphae and significantly increase phosphorus inflow rates in the plants they colonize. Ectomycorrhizal fungi may produce large quantities of hyphae on the root and in the soil; these hyphae play a role in absorption and translocation of inorganic nutrients and water, and also release nutrients from litter layers by producing enzymes involved in mineralization of organic matters. Over 4,000 fungal species, primarily belonging to Basidiomycotina and to a lesser extent Ascomycotina, are able to form ectomycorrhizae. Many of these fungi produce various mushrooms on the forest floor that are traded at a high price. In this paper, we discuss the benefits, nutrient cycles, and artificial cultivation of mycorrhizae in Korea.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.179-190
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• 2004

Precambrian metamorphic rocks of Yeongyang-Uljin area, which is located in the eastern part of Sobaegsan Massif, Korea, are composed of Pyeonghae, Giseong, Wonnam Formations and Hada leuco granite gneisses. These show a zonal distribution of WNW-ESE trend, and are intruded by Mesozoic igneous rocks and are unconformably overlain by Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. This study clarifies the deformation history of Precambrian metamorphic rocks after the formation of gneissosity or schistosity on the basis of the geometric and kinematic features and the forming sequence of multi-deformed rock structures, and suggests that the geological structures of this area experienced at least four phases of deformation i.e. ductile shear deformation, one deformation before that, at least two deformations after that. (1) The first phase of deformation formed regional foliations and WNW-trending isoclinal folds with subhorizontal axes and steep axial planes dipping to the north. (2) The second phase of deformation occurred by dextral ductile shear deformation of top-to-the east movement, forming stretching lineations of E-W trend, S-C mylonitic structure foliations, and Z-shaped asymmetric folds. (3) The third phase deformation formed I-W trending open- or kink-type recumbent folds with subhorizontal axes and gently dipping axial planes. (4) The fourth phase deformation took place under compression of NNW-SSE direction, forming ENE-WSW trending symmetric open upright folds and asymmetric conjugate kink folds with subhorizontal axes, and conjugate faults thrusting to the both NNW and SSE with drag folds related to it. These four phases of deformation are closely connected with the orientation of regional foliation in the Yeongyang-Uljin area. 1st deformation produced regional foliation striking WNW and steeply dipping to the north, 2nd deformation locally change the strike of regional foliation into N-S direction, and 3rd and 4th deformations locally change dip-angle and dip-direction of regional foliation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.166-184
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• 1979

In order to prevent the water loss in the irrigation canal constructed on the sandy gravel layer or on the other highly permeable ground layer, lining has been practiced. Many studies have been done so far on the lining method to prevent the water loss in the irrigation canal and recently studies on the lining with plastic film or polyethylene film were also reported. However, the plastic film or polyethylene film has low strength and is liable to break, and water loss from pin hole caused by contacting with sand or gravel is highly predicted. This study was then conducted to find proper lining and buring method in canal construction of polypropylene mat after coated with vinyl, as one way to overcome the shortcoming frequently observed when plastic or usual polyehtylene film were used. Eventhough rather longer periods of experiments are needed to attain reliable and accurate results on the variation of durability, the durability of asphalt coated area, or on the damage due to freeze after burial or exposure of polypropylene mat, the experiemental results obtained during one year of period are summarized as follows: 1. The curvature at the area between canal bottom and side slope had increased stability and saved consruction cost. The relationship among the variation of curvature, the reduction of polypropylene mat and the reduced amount of soil cutting at each side slope was presented in Fig. 7 through 9. 2. The depth of covering material to protect polypropylene mat was desired to be over 30cm, considering the water depth, side slope, canal cleaning practices, traffic, or back pressure of irrigation period. 3. In order to increase the canal stability and to prevent slope erosion, sandy soil was required, to be placed under ground, and coarse gravel should cover the surface area of canal. 4. The studies on the stability of side slope in the canal should consider the passive area on the bottom and the slope should be about 1 to 2, considering the slope stability, allowable velocity and tractive force. 5. When compared with earth lining, the lining with polypropylene mat coated with vinyl was responsible to save 28% and 37% of canal lining cost, when the soil carrying distances were 500 and 700m. respectively. 6. The water interception was almost completely attained when the polypropylene mat coated with vinyl was used for lining. But further studies were assumed to be necessary for the use of asphalt since the strength of polypropylene mat connected with asphalt will vary with duration.