• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2022

Tetanus is a potentially fatal public health illness resulted from the neurotoxins generated by Clostridium tetani. C. tetani is not easily culturable and culturing the relevant bacteria from infected wounds has rarely been useful in diagnosis; PCR-based assays can only be conducted at highly sophisticated laboratories. Therefore, a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay (Exo-RPA) was constructed to identify the fragments of the neurotoxin gene of C. tetani. Primers and the exo probe targeting the conserved region were designed, and the resulting amplicons could be detected in less than 20 min, with a detection limit of 20 copies/reaction. The RPA assay displayed good selectivity, and there were no cross-reactions with other infectious bacteria common in penetrating wounds. Tests of target-spiked serum and pus extract revealed that RPA is robust to interfering factors and has great potential for further development for biological sample analysis. This method has been confirmed to be reliable for discriminating between toxic and nontoxic C. tetani strains. The RPA assay dramatically improves the diagnostic efficacy with simplified device architecture and is a promising alternative to real-time PCR for tetanus detection.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• 제31권11호
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• pp.619-625
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• 2021

Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) based thin-film solar cells have attracted growing attention because of their earth-abundant and non-toxic elements. However, because of their large open-circuit voltage (V_oc)-deficit, CZTSSe solar cells exhibit poor device performance compared to well-established Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ (CIGS) and CdTe based solar cells. One of the main causes of this large V_oc-deficit is poor absorber properties for example, high band tailing properties, defects, secondary phases, carrier recombination, etc. In particular, the fabrication of absorbers using physical methods results in poor surface morphology, such as pin-holes and voids. To overcome this problem and form large and homogeneous CZTSSe grains, CZTSSe based absorber layers are prepared by a sputtering technique with different RTA conditions. The temperature is varied from 510 ℃ to 540 ℃ during the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process. Further, CZTSSe thin films are examined with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, IPCE, Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy techniques. The present work shows that Cu-based secondary phase formation can be suppressed in the CZTSSe absorber layer at an optimum RTA condition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.197-208
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review focusing on acupuncture points information applied in experimental studies using electroacupuncture for stroke. Methods : First, we set the research question of this study to identify which acupuncture points were studied for various symptoms of post-stroke sequelae in clinical and animal experiments. For this purpose, among the records searched through EMBASE, experimental studies including acupuncture points used in electroacupuncture treatment for stroke were selected as inclusion criteria for this study. The acupoints information used in each experiment was extracted from the included studies according to the type of study design and symptoms of stroke sequelae, and quantitative analysis was performed. Results : A total of 973 studies using acupuncture treatment, of which 429 papers including electroacupuncture were analyzed. Most of the animal experiments were conducted on general conditions instead of specific symptoms of stroke, and in clinical studies, electroacupuncture studies were conducted on symptoms such as hemiplegia and spasticity, cognitive and mental problems, dysphagia, shoulder problems, and depression that occur after stroke. Acupuncture points such as GV20, ST36, LI11, and LI4 were mainly used regardless of stroke symptoms. Except for these acupuncture points, GV26, GV14, GV16, and GV24 were frequently used in animal experiments, and TE5, LI15, LI10, and LR3 were widely used in clinical studies. Conclusions : Although this study extracted and analyzed only the frequent acupuncture points in the electroacupuncture study for stroke. However, in the future, it is necessary to be able to secure the evidence for acupuncture treatment elements through comparative studies between different acupuncture points or other elements constituting electroacupuncture.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권10호
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• pp.3841-3848
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• 2022

The effect of modifiers on the optical features and radiation defying ability of the Eu³⁺ ions doped multi constituent glasses was examined. XRD has established the amorphous nature of the specimen. The presence of various functional/fundamental groups in the present glasses was analyzed through FTIR spectra. The physical, structural and elastic traits of the glasses were explored. The variation in the structural compactness of the glass structure according to the incorporated modifier was enlightened to describe their suitability for a better shielding media. For the examined glasses, the metallization criterion value varied in the range 0.613-0.692, indicating the non-metallic character of the glasses with possible nonlinear optical applications. The computed elastic moduli expose the Li-containing glass (BTLi:Eu) to be tightly packed and rigid, which is a requirement for a better shielding channel. Furthermore, the optical bandgap and the Urbach energy values are calculated based on the optical absorption spectra. The evaluated bonding parameters revealed the nature of the fabricated glasses covalent. In addition, we investigated the radiation attenuation attributes of the prepared Eu³⁺ ions doped multi constituent glasses using Phy-X software. We determined the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) and reported the influence of the five oxides Li₂O₃, CaO, BaO, SrO, and ZnO on the LAC values. The LAC varied between 0.433 and 0.549 cm^-1 at 0.284 MeV. The 39B₂O₃-25TeO₂-15Li₂O₃-10Na₂O-10K₂O-1Eu₂O₃ glass has a much smaller LAC than the other glasses.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권9호
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• pp.3440-3447
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• 2022

The accuracy of the photoatomic cross-section data is of great importance in the field of radiation protection, particularly in the characterization of radiation shielding materials. With the release of the latest and probably the most accurate photoatomic data library, EPDL2017, the need to re-evaluate all the existing and already established mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) of all radiation shielding materials arises. The MACs of several polymers, alloy-based, glasses, and building materials used in a nuclear medicine facility were investigated using the EPDL2017 library embedded in EpiXS software and were compared to MACs available in the literature. The relative differences between MAC_EpiXS and MACXCOM were negligible, ranging from 0.02% to 0.36% for most materials. However, for material like a glass comprising of elements Te and La evaluated near their corresponding K-edge energies, the relative differences in MACs increased up to 1.46%. On the other hand, a comparison with MACs calculated based on EPDL97 (a predecessor of EPDL2017) revealed as much as a 6.61% difference. Also, it would seem that the changes in MACs were more evident in the materials composed of high atomic number elements evaluated at x-ray energies compared to materials composed of low atomic number elements evaluated at gamma-ray energies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.2000-2010
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• 2021

Mechanical moduli, such as Young's modulus (E), Bulks modulus (B), Shear modulus (S), longitudinal modulus (L), Poisson's ratio (σ) and micro Hardness (H) were theoretically calculated for (100-x)TeO₂+x MgO glasses, where x = 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45 mol%, based on the Makishima-Mackenzie model. The estimated results showed that the mechanical moduli and the microhardness of the glasses were improved with the increase of the MgO contents in the TM glasses, while Poisson's ratio decreased with the increase in MgO content. Moreover, the radiation shielding capacity was evaluated for the studied TM glasses. Thus, the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), transmission factor (TF) and half-value thickness (𝚫_0.5) were simulated for gamma photon energies between 0.344 and 1.406 MeV. The simulated results showed that glass TM10 with 10 mol % MgO possess the highest LAC and varied in the range between 0.259 and 0.711 cm^-1, while TM45 glass with 45 mol % MgO possess the lowest LAC and vary in the range between 0.223 and 0.587 cm^-1 at gamma photon energies between 0.344 and 1.406 MeV. Furthermore, the BXCOM program was applied to calculate the effective atomic number (Z_eff), equivalent atomic number (Z_eq) and buildup factors (EBF and EABF) of the glasses. The effective removal cross-section for the fast neutrons (ERCSFN, ∑_R) was also calculated theoretically. The received data depicts that the lowest ∑_R was achieved for TM10 glasses, where ∑_R = 0.0193 cm² g^-1, while TM45 possesses the highest ERCSFN where ∑_R = 0.0215 cm² g^-1.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.455-467
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• 2021

Macrofungi are valuable resources as novel drug candidates, new biomaterials, and edible materials. Recently, genetic approaches pertaining to macrofungi have been continuously growing for their identification, molecular breeding, and genetic engineering. However, purification and amplification of fungal DNA is challenging because of the rigid cell wall and presence of PCR inhibitory metabolites. Here, we established a direct PCR method to provide a rapid and efficient method for PCR-grade macrofungal DNA preparation applicable to both conventional PCR and real-time PCR. We first optimized the procedure of lysis and PCR using the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, one of the most widely consumed macrofungal species. Lysates prepared by neutralizing with (NH₄)₂SO₄ after heating the mycelia in a mixture of TE buffer and KOH at 65℃ for 10 min showed successful amplification in both conventional and real-time PCR. Moreover, the addition of bovine serum albumin to the PCR mixture enhanced the amplification in conventional PCR. Using this method, we successfully amplified not only internal transcribed spacer fragments but also low-copy genes ranging in length from 500 to 3,000 bp. Next, we applied this method to 62 different species (54 genera) of macrofungi, including edible mushrooms, such as Pleurotus ostreatus, and medicinal mushrooms such as Cordyceps militaris. It was found that our method is widely applicable to both ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. We expect that our method will contribute to accelerating PCR-based approaches, such as molecular identification, DNA marker typing, gene cloning, and transformant screening, in macrofungal studies.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.69-81
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• 2022

The method of measuring and classifying the energy category of neutrons directly using raw data acquired through a CZT detector is not satisfactory, in terms of accuracy and efficiency, because of its poor energy resolution and low measurement efficiency. Moreover, this method of measuring and analyzing the characteristics of low-energy or low-activity gamma-ray sources might be not accurate and efficient in the case of neutrons because of various factors, such as the noise of the CZT detector itself and the influence of environmental radiation. We have therefore developed an efficient method of analyzing radiation characteristics using a neutron and gamma-ray analysis algorithm for the rapid and clear identification of the type, energy, and radioactivity of gamma-ray sources as well as the detection and classification of the energy category (fast or thermal neutrons) of neutron sources, employing raw data acquired through a CZT detector. The neutron analysis algorithm is based on the fact that in the energy-spectrum channel of 558.6 keV emitted in the nuclear reaction ¹¹³Cd + ¹n → ¹¹⁴Cd + in the CZT detector, there is a notable difference in detection information between a CZT detector without a PE modulator and a CZT detector with a PE modulator, but there is no significant difference between the two detectors in other energy-spectrum channels. In addition, the gamma-ray analysis algorithm uses the difference in the detection information of the CZT detector between the unique characteristic energy-spectrum channel of a gamma-ray source and other channels. This efficient method of analyzing radiation characteristics is expected to be useful for the rapid radiation detection and accurate information collection on radiation sources, which are required to minimize radiation damage and manage accidents in national disaster situations, such as large-scale radioactivity leak accidents at nuclear power plants or nuclear material handling facilities.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.23-45
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• 2023

Tuvalu is a small reef islands country in the Pacific Ocean. Its coastal regions are very much dynamic due to the profound effects of tropical cyclones and sea level rise (SLR). However, research works on coastline dynamics of Tuvalu mainly cover its capital, Funafuti. Therefore, this review summarizes the extent of long-term coastal changes in different islets of Funafuti and on overall Tuvalu. In Funafuti, highly accreting areas are Te Afualiku, Fuafatu, Motugie, and Amatuku, and highly eroding areas are Fuagea and Tefala with the fully disappeared islet of Vasafua after 2005. However, in spite of different causes and supposition of scientists on disappearing these lands the accretion is more dominant than erosion which resulted in 7.3% net increase of land areas of Tuvalu over 117 years till 2015. Severe tropical cyclones mainly caused accretion of land areas by forming coral rubble rampart formation and further reworks and erosion to small sandy islands whereas frequent low-energy cyclones mainly caused erosion. Though, till now severe erosion of coastal areas are not evident by global SLR, islets of Funafuti experienced remarkable shoreline increase as formation of 30-40 m wide rubble rampart formation along 19 km in 1971 by tropical cyclone Bebe and net increase of area of 3.45 ha by tropical cyclone Pam in 2015. In spite of such overall accretion of coastal areas several scientists suspect drowning of its areas in future because of high SLR (~5.1±0.7 mm/year) at Funafuti which supposedly will not work as a breakwater anymore. Thus, protection measures should be taken to prevent coastline erosion as well as land reclamation activities should be done following the global examples.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2017

Objective : The Sinseon-yukza-hwan (SSY), a Korean medicinal formula which includes Radix Rehmanniae Preparata and other medicinal herbs, has long been used for treatment of alopecia and gray hair through oral administration. This study is designed to enhance the utilization of natural materials in hair and scalp-related cosmetics. Possibility of SSY as an antioxidant was examined from its 50% ethanol extract. Methods : The antioxidative capacities were evaluated by determining total phenolic and flavonoid contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Results : Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of SSY were 25.53 mg TE, tannic acid equivalent/g and 18.90 mg RE, rutin equivalent/g, respectively, which correlated strongly its antioxidative activity. The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities of SSY at $0.1mg/m{\ell}{\sim}5mg/ml$ were ranged from 20% to 85% and 10% to 58%, respectively. Also the hydroxyl radical scavenger activity and reducing power increased in SSY-treated group, which were significantly lower in SSY-compared to BHA-treated group. But the highest reducing power was shown as 79% from SSY-treated group, which was higher value than 65% from BHA-treatment. These results showed that SSY extract effectively inhibited the generation of free radicals in the all assay system with dose-dependent manners. Conclusions : Thus, the present study provide preclinical data to support the expanded application of SSY, which could be potential candidates for natural antioxidants.