• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.67-74
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• 2023

The earth-abundant element-based Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells (TFSCs) have attracted greater attention in the photovoltaic (PV) community due to their rapid development in device power conversion efficiency (PCE) >13%. In the present work, we demonstrated the fine-tuning of the bandgap in the CZTSSe TFSCs by altering the sulfur (S) to the selenium (Se) chalcogenide ratio. To achieve this, the CZTSSe absorber layers are fabricated with different S/(S+Se) ratios from 0.02 to 0.08 of their weight percentage. Further compositional, morphological, and optoelectronic properties are studied using various characterization techniques. It is observed that the change in the S/(S+Se) ratios has minimal impact on the overall Cu/(Zn+Sn) composition ratio. In contrast, the S and Se content within the CZTSSe absorber layer gets altered with a change in the S/(S+Se) ratio. It also influences the overall absorber quality and gets worse at higher S/(S+Se). Furthermore, the device performance evaluated for similar CZTSSe TFSCs showed a linear increase and decrease in the open circuit voltage (V_oc) and short circuit current density (J_sc) of the device with an increasing S/(S+Se) ratio. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) measured also exhibited a linear blue shift in absorption edge, increasing the bandgap from 1.056 eV to 1.228 eV, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.117-133
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• 2022

In order to reflect traditional elements in modern design, designers should be able to creatively apply elements of traditional Chinese clothing. To understand this, a deep understanding of and insights into the traditional clothing culture are required. In this study, the characteristics of traditional Chinese women's clothing from the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties of China to the Qing Dynasty were analyzed by dividing them into silhouette, color, pattern, materials, and detail. The characteristics of the silhouette were classified into A, H, X, and O types, of which types A and H were the most common. As for the color characteristics, there are relatively many five cardinal colors, and for the contrast of colors complementary colors were mainly used. As the for pattern characteristics, real patterns, animal patterns, character patterns, geometric patterns, and mixed patterns were used. Four types of materials were mainly used: silk, hemp, cotton, and wool. The detail characteristics were also anlyzed by classifying them into collar, sleeve, neckband, and gusset. Based on the results of this analysis, a satisfaction survey was conducted on the design of modern Chinese women's clothing. The result of satisfaction with design elements showed that the images of vest and suit were most preferred, H and X silhouettes, and yellow and white were the most preferred. Geometric and plant patterns were preferred, as were silk and acetate materials. Based on the result of chi-square analysis of design element preferences according to the characteristics of the subject, there was no difference according to occupation, residential area, or income, and there were differences in silhouette, color, materials, and detail according to age.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) constitutes a hazardous blend of organic and inorganic particles that poses health risks. Inhalation of fine airborne PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) can lead to significant lung impairments. (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound sourced from Bergenia ligulata, boasts a range of attributes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardiovascular effects. However, knowledge about the therapeutic potential of AZC for patients with PM_2.5-induced lung injuries remains limited. Thus, in this study, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against lung damage caused by PM_2.5 exposure. AZC was administered to the mice 30 min after intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5. Various parameters, such as changes in lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, total protein/total cell ratio, lymphocyte counts, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), vascular permeability, and histology, were evaluated in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Data demonstrated that AZC mitigated lung damage, reduced W/D weight ratio, and curbed hyperpermeability induced by PM_2.5 exposure. Furthermore, AZC effectively lowered plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by PM_2.5 exposure. It reduced the total protein concentration in BALF and successfully alleviated PM_2.5-induced lymphocytosis. Additionally, AZC substantially diminished the expression levels of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin 1. In contrast, it elevated the protein phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Consequently, the anti-inflammatory attribute of AZC positions it as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating PM_2.5-induced lung injuries by modulating the TLR4-MyD88 and mTOR-autophagy pathways.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2021

To evaluate the protective effect of Codium fragile on fine dust (PM2.5)-induced cytotoxicity, we investigated its antioxidant activity and cell protective effect on PM2.5-exposed cells. The 40% ethanolic extract of C. fragile showed the highest total phenolic content, whereas the water extract of C. fragile showed the highest total polysaccharide content. The protective effect of the extracts on PM2.5-induced oxidative damage in nasal cavity (RPMI2650), lung (A549), brain (MC-IXC), hippocampus (HT-22), and microglia (BV-2) cells was evaluated by measuring the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and cell viability. The results showed that the 40% ethanolic extract more efficiently inhibited ROS production than the water extract. In contrast, PM2.5-exposed cells treated with the water extract showed higher viability than those treated with the 40% ethanolic extract.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.588-598
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• 2020

The seafloor geology of Ieodo, a submerged volcanic island, has been poorly understood, although this place has gained considerable attention for ocean and climate studies. The main purpose of the study is to understand and elucidate types, distribution patterns and provenance of the surficial sediments in and around the Ieodo area. For this purpose, 25 seafloor sediments were collected using a box-corer, these having been analyzed for grain sizes. XRD (X-ray Diffraction) analysis of fine-grained sediments was conducted for characterizing clay minerals. The peak of Ieodo exists in the northern region, while in the southern area, shore platforms occur. The extensive platform in the south results from severe erosion by strong waves. However, the northern peak still survived from differential weathering. Grain size analyses indicated that gravels and gravelly sands with skeletons and shells were distributed predominantly on the volcanic apron and shore platform. Muddy sediments were found along the Ieodo and the adjacent deeper seafloor. Based on the analysis of clay mineral composition, illites were the most abundant in fine muds, followed by chlorites and kaolinites. The ratio plots of clay minerals for the provenance discrimination suggested that the Ieodo muds were likely to be derived from the Yangtze River (Changjiang River). As a consequence, gravels and gravelly sands with bioclastics may be supplied from the Ieodo volcanic apron by erosion processes. Wave activities might play a major role in transportation and sedimentation. In contrast, fine muds were assumed to be derived from the inflow of the Yangtze River, particularly in summer. Deposition in the Ieodo area is, therefore, probably controlled by the inflow from the Changjiang Dilute Water and summer typhoons from the south.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.10 no.1_2
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• pp.77-86
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• 1980

The distribution of the secretory ducts, fine structures of the secretory epithelial cells, and the ingredients of the metaplasmic inclusions were studied at light and electron microscopical levels in seeds, stems, leaves, and roots of ginseng. The secretory ducts occurred in the hypocotyl of the embryo, in the cortex of the roots, and also both inside and outside of each vascular bundle in the stems and leaves. Especially, it is considered that the circular layers of the secretory ducts in roots may represent their ages. The epithelial cell has well developed nucleolus, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Sudanophyl and osmiophilic inclusions were found in the epithelial cytoplasm and duct lumen. But these inclusions were not observed when extracted with pyridin or alcohol. In contrast to the lumen with red color, the epithelial cells were blue in color as stained with nile blue, suggesting that the former inclusions are neutral lipid while the latter are acidic lipid. The electron density of the cell inclusions was quite high as fixed with osmium tetroxide, indicating that most of these secretory materials seem to be unsaturated lipid. Therefore, since ginseng secretory ducts are closely associated with the lipid metabolism, it should be called lipid canal or lipid duct.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.544-553
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• 2007

This study is focused on the cultivation of seedlings and cuttings of roundleaf chastetree(Vitex rotundifolia L. f.) according to the sorts of soil and fertilization methods. The results are summarized as follows: When roundleaf chastetree seedlings(aged 1-0) and cuttings(aged 1-0) were cultivated in three different kinds of soil- sand, granite soil, and yellow silt- without any fertilization, 70% of the seedlings survived in sand and granite soil, and 35% did in yellow silt; 90% of the cuttings survived in granite soil and 80% did in sand and yellow silt. The general growth of both seedlings and cuttings was good in granite soil, and sand but relatively inferior in yellow silt. Seedlings showed good stem growth while cuttings had fine root growth. In case of cultivation of seedlings with different kinds and quantities of fertilizer adjusted and with granite soil as basic soil, seedlings and cuttings survived in the experimental section where only the organic fertilizer was used as basic fertilization; in contrast, seedlings grown in the experimental section were all dead where both inorganic and liquefied fertilizer were used. Cuttings showed considerably higher survival rates than seedlings at the experimental fertilization section; particularly, the survival rate of cuttings was twice as much as that of seedlings at the experimental section with low fertilization. This study results revealed that cuttings are desirable than seedlings in general rootage, growth, adaptability to soil, and cuttings have lower demand for soil fertility in time of growing roundleaf chastetree saplings.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2016

The powder core, conventionally fabricated from iron particles coated with insulator, showed large eddy current loss under high frequency, because of small specific resistance. To overcome the eddy current loss, the increase in the specific resistance of powder cores was needed. In this study, copper oxide coating onto electrically conductive iron particles was performed using a planetary ball mill to increase the specific resistance. Coating factors were optimized by the Response surface methodology. The independent variables were the CuO mass fraction, mill revolution number, coating time, ball size, ball mass and sample mass. The response variable was the specific resistance. The optimization of six factors by the fractional factorial design indicated that CuO mass fraction, mill revolution number, and coating time were the key factors. The levels of these three factors were selected by the three-factors full factorial design and steepest ascent method. The steepest ascent method was used to approach the optimum range for maximum specific resistance. The Box-Behnken design was finally used to analyze the response surfaces of the screened factors for further optimization. The results of the Box-Behnken design showed that the CuO mass fraction and mill revolution number were the main factors affecting the efficiency of coating process. As the CuO mass fraction increased, the specific resistance increased. In contrast, the specific resistance increased with decreasing mill revolution number. The process optimization results revealed a high agreement between the experimental and the predicted data ($Adj-R^2=0.944$). The optimized CuO mass fraction, mill revolution number, and coating time were 0.4, 200 rpm, and 15 min, respectively. The measured value of the specific resistance of the coated pellet under the optimized conditions of the maximum specific resistance was $530k{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2000

This paper is related to color image segmentation scheme which makes it possible to achieve the excellent segmented results by block-based segmentation using Y/C bit-plane summation image. First, normalized chrominance summation image is obtained by normalizing the image which is summed up the absolutes of color-differential values between R, G, B images. Secondly, upper 2 bits of the luminance image and upper 6bits of and the normalized chrominance summation image are bitwise operated by the pixel to generate the Y/C bit-plane summation image. Next, the Y/C bit-plane summation image divided into predetermined block size, is classified into monotone blocks, texture blocks and edge blocks, and then each classified block is merged to the regions including one more blocks in the individual block type, and each region is selectively allocated to unique marker according to predetermined marker allocation rules. Finally, fine segmented results are obtained by applying the watershed algorithm to each pixel in the unmarked blocks. As shown in computer simulation, the main advantage of the proposed method is that it suppresses the over-segmentation in the texture regions and reduces computational load. Furthermore, it is able to apply global parameters to various images with different pixel distribution properties because they are nonsensitive for pixel distribution. Especially, the proposed method offers reasonable segmentation results in edge areas with lower contrast owing to the regional characteristics of the color components reflected in the Y/C bit-plane summation image.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.377-383
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• 2002

We have detected the murine zinc transporter, ZnT3, and zinc ions in the mouse choroid plexus by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and zinc selenium autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$), respectively. BALB/c mice served as experimental animals. Routine floating ABC immunocytochemical procedures were used for the ZnT3 immunocytochemistry, and the mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with sodium selenide (10 mg/kg) for the zinc selenium autometallography. The choroid plexus showed weak immunoreactivity (Ir) for ZnT3. At high magnification, ZnT3-Ir was seen to be located in the choroid epithelium and the connective tissue of the capillaries. At the EM level, a high electron density of ZnT3-immunoreactivity was restricted to vesicle membranes as well as microvilli in the apical membrane. In contrast, immunostaining of ZnT3 was completely absent in the basolateral plasma membrane and other cell organelles. After silver enhancement, fine $ZnSe^{AMG}$ grains were observed in both the epithelial and endothelial cells of the choroid plexus. Few $ZnSe^{AMG}$ grains present in the cell bodies of the choroid epithelial cells were located in multivesicular bodies. It is striking that very many $ZnSe^{AMG}$ grains were observed in the endothelial cells of the capillaries. These findings establish the choroid plexus as a non-neuronal pool of zinc ions in the brain, although the functional significance of this pool is not clear. The choroid epithelium, however, may play an important role in the transportation of zinc between the CSF and brain tissue.