• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2010

To improve the antifouling characteristics of polypropylene hollow fiber microporous membranes in a submerged membrane-bioreactor for wastewater treatment, the surface-modification was conducted by Ar plasma treatment. Surface hydrophilicity was assessed by water contact angle measurements. The advancing and receding water contact angles reduced after the surface modification, and hysteresis between the advancing and receding water contact angles was enlarged after Ar plasma treatment due to the increased surface roughness after surface plasma treatment. After continuous operation in a submerged membrane-bioreactor for about 55 h, the flux recovery after water cleaning and the flux ratio after fouling were improved by 20.0 and 143.0%, while the reduction of flux was reduced by 28.6% for the surface modified membrane after 1 min Ar plasma treatment, compared to those of the unmodified membrane. Morphological observations showed that the mean membrane pore size after Ar plasma treatment reduced as a result of the deposition of the etched species; after it was used in the submerged membrane-bioreactor, the further decline of the mean membrane pore size was caused by the deposition of foulants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy confirmed that proteins and polysaccharide-like substances were the main foulants in the precipitate.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.281-287
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• 2005

Titanium aluminium nitride((TiAl)N) film is anticipated as an advanced coating film with wear resistance used for drills, bites etc. and with corrosion resistance at a high temperature. In this study, (TiAl)N thin films were deposited both at room temperature and at elevated substrate temperatures of 573 to 773 K by using a two-facing-targets type DC sputtering system in a mixture Ar and $N_2$ gases. Atomic compositions of the binary Ti-Al alloy target is Al-rich (25Ti-75Al (atm%)). Process parameters such as precursor volume %, substrate temperature and Ar/$N_2$ gas ratio were optimized. The crystallization processes and phase transformations of (TiAl)N thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The microhardness of (TiAl)N thin films were measured by a dynamic hardness tester. The films obtained with Ar/$N_2$ gas ratio of 1:3 and at 673 K substrate temperature showed the highest microhardness of $H_v$ 810. The crystallized and phase transformations of (TiAl)N thin films were $Ti_2AlN+AlN{\rightarrow}TiN+AlN$ for Ar/$N_2$ gas ratio of 1:3, $Ti_2AlN+AlN{\rightarrow}TiN+AlN{\rightarrow}Ti_2AlN+TiN+AlN$ for Ar/$N_2$ gas ratio of 1:1 and $TiN+AlN{\rightarrow}Ti_2AlN+TiN+AlN{\rightarrow}Ti_2AlN+AlN{\rightarrow}Ti_2AlN+TiN+AlN$ for Ar/$N_2$ gas ratio of 3:1. The above results are discussed in terms of crystallized phases and microhardness.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2014

The effect of the combined argon (Ar) gas packaging treatment on the browning of fresh-cut potatoes was studied. Fresh-cut potatoes were prepared for the following six groups: dipping distilled water for 1 minute and air packaging (Cont); dipping in distilled water for 1 minute and argon gas packaging (AR); dipping in 1% ascorbic acid for 1 minute and air packaging (AA); dipping in 1% ascorbic acid for 1 minute and argon gas packaging (AAR); blanching at $35^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes and air packaging (BL); and blanching at $35^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes and argon gas packaging (BAR). The potatoes were washed, peeled, and sliced ($1.5{\times}1.5{\times}1.5$ cm) before treatment. The samples were packed with a 0.04-mm-thick OPP film and were stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. During the storage, the $O_2$ concentration decreased in Cont but increased in the AR, AA, AAR, BL, and BAR groups. The $CO_2$ concentration increased during storage. The AR, AAR, and BAR groups showed high $L^*$ and low $a^*$, $b^*$ values (browning index). The growth of the total aerobic bacteria was also inhibited in the AR group. During storage, the PPO activity gradually increased, and the AR group showed lower PPO activity. The AA and AAR groups showed high DPPH radical scavenging activity. It was demonstrated that the argon gas packaging is effective in the quality maintenance of fresh-cut potatoes.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.135-139
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to investigate the difference among 3-years-used polyolefin films which were J-l, J-2 and J-2 having differences in film thickness, infrared absorption and ultraviolet penetration from Jan. 16, 2006. And 1-year-used polyethylene film K-1 used from Jan. 16, 2009, for covering film of greenhouse for oriental melon cultivation. J-2, J-3 and J-1 films were better for keeping heat in order, and J-2 film was the best in plant growth at early stage. The first blooming and harvesting days in J-2 film were earlier 15 days than those in K-1 film. Chromaticity and soluble solid of harvested fruit in J-2, J-3 and J-1 films were higher than whose in K-1 film. Marketable yields in J-2, J-3 and J-1 films were higher in order.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.49-53
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• 2001

Vortical etching experiments of ($SrBi_2Ta_2O_9$)/Si thin films have been performed by using the inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-ME) apparatus. The purposes of these experiments are to get the effective area of vertical surface. Because this technology is very important to get good qualities of ferroelectric gate structure, capacitor and the minimum parasitic effects related to the excellent performances of the FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) device. The reacting gases were Ar and $Cl_2$gases, and various $Ar/C1_2$flow ratios were used. The etching experiments were carried out at various RF powers such as 700, 700, 500W and at various DC powers such as 200, 150, 100, 50W, respectively. The maximum etch rate of $SrBi_2Ta_2O_9$/Si thin films was 1050 A/min at the $Ar/C1_2$ gas ratio of 20/16, RF power of 700 W and DC power of 200 W. From the SEM (scanning electron microscopy) image of the SBT thin films, the wall angle was as good as about $82^{\circ}$.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2004

Background: In this study, we investigated the risk factors for the development or progression of aortic regurgitation(AR) in patients with type I ventricular septal defect (VSD) to determine the optimal surgical timing and strategy. Material and Method: Three-hundred and ten patients with type I VSD with or without AR were included. The mean of age was 73.7$\pm$114.7 (1-737) months. One hundred and eighty six patients (60%) had no AR, 83 (27%) had mild AR, 25 (8%) had moderate AR and 16 (5%) had severe AR. Aortic valve was repaired in 5 patients and replaced in 11 patients with closure of VSD in the first operation. Four patients required redo aortic valve repair and 11 patients required redo aortic valve replacement. Age at operation, association with aortic valve prolapse, Qp/Qs, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, VSD size and systolic pulmonary artery to aortic pressure ratio(s[PAP/AP］) were included as risk factors analysis for the development of AR. The long-term result of aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement were compared. Result: Older age at operation, association with aortic valve prolapse, high Qp/Qs, and s[PAP/AP] were identified as risk factors for the development of AR (p<0.05, Table 2). The older the patient at the time of operation, the higher the severity of preoperative AR and the incidence of postoperative AR (p<0.05, Table 1, Fig. 1). For the older patients at operation, aortic valve repair had higher occurrence of AR compared to those who had aortic valve replacement (p<0.05, Fig. 2). Conclusion: From the result of this study, we can concluded that early primary repair is recommended to decrease the progression of AR. Aortic valve repair is not always a satisfactory option to correct the aortic valve pathology, which may suggest that aortic valve replacement should be considered when indicated.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

We can achieve the principle of parsimony and efficiency if homogeneity for panel time series model is satisfied. We suggest a Rao test statistic and a Wald test statistic for the test of homogeneity for panel AR(1) and derived the limit distribution. We performed a simulation to examine statistics with the same chisquare distribution when number of the individual is small and in common with large. We also simulated to compare the empirical power of the statistics in a small panel. In application, we fit panel AR(1) model using regional monthly economical active population data and test homogeneity for panel AR(1). It is satisfied homogeneity, so it could be fitted AR(1) using the sample mean at the time point. We also compare the power of prediction between each individual and pooled model.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.419-424
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• 2021

Cold-induced norepinephrine activates β3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR) to stimulate the kinase cascade and cAMP-response element-binding protein, leading to the induction of thermogenic gene expression including uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). Here, we showed that stimulation of the β3-AR by its agonists isoproterenol and CL316,243 in adipocytes increased the expression of Ucp1 and Heme Oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), the principal Nrf2 target gene, suggesting the functional interaction of Nrf2 with β3-AR signaling. The activation of Nrf2 by tert-butylhydroquinone and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by glucose oxidase induced both Ucp1 and Hmox1 expression. The increased expression of Ucp1 and Hmox1 was significantly reduced in the presence of a Nrf2 chemical inhibitor or in Nrf2-deleted (knockout) adipocytes. Furthermore, Nrf2 directly activated the Ucp1 promoter, and this required DNA regions located at -3.7 and -2.0 kb of the transcription start site. The CL316,243-induced Ucp1 expression in adipocytes and oxygen consumption in obese mice were partly compromised in the absence of Nrf2 expression. These data provide additional insight into the role of Nrf2 in β3-AR-mediated Ucp1 expression and energy expenditure, further highlighting the utility of Nrf2-mediated thermogenic stimulation as a therapeutic approach to diet-induced obesity.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 1996

The Ar/Ar-$H_2$ plasma method was applied to reduce oxides and refine metals of V, Ta and B. In addition, the high temperature chemical reaction in Ar plasma and of the refining reaction in the Ar-(20%)$H_2$ plasma were analyzed. The crude V of 96wt% purity was obtained at the ratio of $C/V_{2}O_{5}=4.50$ by the Ar plasma reduction grade and the maximum reduction was obtained at $C/V_{2}O_{5}=4.50$ due to the $O_{2}$ loss from the thermal decomposition of vanadium oxide. In the Ar-(20%)$H_2$ plasma refining, the metallic V of 99.2wt% was produced at the ratio of $C/V_{2}O_{5}=4.40$. It was considered that a main refining reaction resulted from the chemical reaction between the residual carbon and residual oxygen. The metallic Ta of 99.8wt% was obtained at the ratio of $C/Ta_{2}O_{5}=5.10$ in a Ar plasma reduction and the Oz loss from the thermal decomposition of tantalum pentoxide did not take place. The deoxidation reaction was more significant than the decarburization reaction in the Ar-(20%)$H_2$ plasma refining and the metallic Ta of 99.9wt% was produced within the range of $C/Ta_{2}O_{5}$ ratio of 4.50 to 5.10. The Vickers hardness of Ta in the above mentioned range was about 220Hv due to the decrease in a residual oxygen by the deoxidation reaction. On the other hand, C is no suitable agent for the reduction of $B_{2}O_{3}$ by the Ar and Ar-$H_2$ plasma. But Fe-B-Si alloy was produced with the reduction of $B_{2}O_{3}$ in the melt when Fe, C, $B_{2}O_{3}$, and ferroboron mixtures were melted by the high frequency induction melting.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.93-113
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• 2008

This study presents petrochemistry and $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of subsurface volcanic rock cores from twenty(20) boreholes in the eastern lowland (altitude loom below) of Jeju Island, Handeong-Jongdal-Udo-Susan-Samdal-Hacheon areas, and discusses topography and volcanism in the area. The subsurface volcanic rock cores are mainly basalts in composition with minor tholeiitic andesites and basaltic trachyandesites. Sequences of intercalated tholeiitic, transitional and alkalic lavas suggest that tholeiitic and transitional to alkalic lavas must have erupted contemporaneously. Especially, occurrences of trachybasalts and basaltic trachyandesites at the bases in the area imply that the volcanism in the area was initiated with slightly differentiated alkaline magma activity. The $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of the subsurface volcanic rock cores range from $526{\pm}23ka\;to\;38{\pm}4Ka$. The lava-forming Hawaiian volcanic activities of the eastern lowland can be divided into five sequences on the basis of sediment distribution, whole rock geochemistry and $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of the subsurface volcanic rock cores; stage I-U$(550{\sim}400Ka)$, stage II$(400{\sim}300Ka)$ and stage III$(300{\sim}200Ka)$ during syn-depositional stage of Seoguipo Formation, and stage IV$(200{\sim}100Ka)$ and stage V(younger than 100Ka) during post-depositional stage. In the eastern lowland of Jeju Island, compositional variations and local occurrences of the subsurface volcanic rocks as well as existences of various intercalated sediment layers (including hydrovolcanogenic clasts) suggest that the volcanism must have continued for long time intermittently and that the land has been progressively glowed from inland to coast by volcanic activities and sedimentation. It reveals that the subsurface volcanic rocks in the eastern lowland of Jeju Island must have erupted during relatively younger than 200Ka of stages IV and V. The results of this study are partly in contrast with those of previous studies. This study stresses the need that previous reported volcanic activities in Jeju Island based on K-Ar ages of volcanic rocks should be carefully reviewed, and that stratigraphic correlation from boreholes should be conducted by quantitative criteria combined with petrography and petrochemstry as well as radiometric studies of volcanic rock cores.