• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2007.05a
• /
• pp.120-122
• /
• 2007

All living organisms use numerous signal-transduction pathways to sense and respond to their environments and thereby survive and proliferate in a range of biological niches. Molecular dissection of these signalling networks has increased our understanding of these communication processes and provides a platform for therapeutic intervention when these pathways malfunction in disease states, including infection. Owing to the expanding availability of sequenced genomes, a wealth of genetic and molecular tools and the conservation of signalling networks, members of the fungal kingdom serve as excellent model systems for more complex, multicellular organisms. Here, we employed Cryptococcus neoformans as a model system to understand how fungal-signalling circuits operate at the molecular level to sense and respond to a plethora of environmental stresses, including osmoticshock, UV, high temperature, oxidative stress and toxic drugs/metabolites. The stress-activated p38/Hog1 MAPK pathway is structurally conserved in many organisms as diverse as yeast and mammals, but its regulation is uniquely specialized in a majority of clinical Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A and D strains to control differentiation and virulence factor regulation. C. neoformans Hog1 MAPK is controlled by Pbs2 MAPK kinase (MAPKK). The Pbs2-Hog1 MAPK cascade is controlled by the fungal "two-component" system that is composed of a response regulator, Ssk1, and multiple sensor kinases, including two-component.like (Tco) 1 and Tco2. Tco1 and Tco2 play shared and distinct roles in stress responses and drug sensitivity through the Hog1 MAPK system. Furthermore, each sensor kinase mediates unique cellular functions for virulence and morphological differentiation. We also identified and characterized the Ssk2 MAPKKK upstream of the MAPKK Pbs2 and the MAPK Hog1 in C. neoformans. The SSK2 gene was identified as a potential component responsible for differential Hog1 regulation between the serotype D sibling f1 strains B3501 and B3502 through comparative analysis of their meiotic map with the meiotic segregation of Hog1-dependent sensitivity to the fungicide fludioxonil. Ssk2 is the only polymorphic component in the Hog1 MAPK module, including two coding sequence changes between the SSK2 alleles in B3501 and B3502 strains. To further support this finding, the SSK2 allele exchange completely swapped Hog1-related phenotypes between B3501 and B3502 strains. In the serotype A strain H99, disruption of the SSK2 gene dramatically enhanced capsule biosynthesis and mating efficiency, similar to pbs2 and hog1 mutations. Furthermore, ssk2, pbs2, and hog1 mutants are all hypersensitive to a variety of stresses and completely resistant to fludioxonil. Taken together, these findings indicate that Ssk2 is the critical interface protein connecting the two-component system and the Pbs2-Hog1 pathway in C. neoformans.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2002

Amorphous $TiO_2$ thin films were deposited on glass substrates by ion beam sputtering in which the ratio of $O_2$/Ar gas used as discharged gas was varied from 0 to 2. After optical and microstructure properties and chemical composition of thin films was analyzed, antireflection coating layers were fabricated with $SiO_2$/$TiO_2$ multi-layers. Thin films deposition was performed at room temperature and ion beam voltage and ion current density for sputtering of target were fixed at 1.2 kV and 200 $\mu\textrm{A}/\textrm{cm}^2$, respectively. Refractive indexs of the deposited $TiO_2$films were 2.40-2.45 at a wavelength of 633 nm. $TiO_2$films had high transmission and stoichiometry when ratio of $O_2$/Ar was 1. Rms roughness of deposited $TiO_2$ film was below 7 $\AA$. In excessive $O_2$ environments, however Rms roughness increased over 50 $\AA$. Transmittance decreased by scattering of rough surface. Reflectance of $SiO_2$/$TiO_2$multi-layers was below 1% in visible light.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.665-679
• /
• 2015

Yearly mean temperature in the 29 lakes surveyed ranges from 12.6 (Suncheon) to 13.9℃ (Mokpo), the lowest in −2.7℃ (January) and the highest in 25.9℃ (July). Monthly mean the amount of rainfall recorded the highest of 336.7 mm in August and the lowest with 4.9 mm in January. A total of 424 species of phytoplankton were identified. They were 157 Chlorophyceae, 161 Bacillariophyceae, 39 Cyanophyceae, and 67 other algal taxa. The phytoplankton diversity were low in stream type reservoirs such as Guemho, Youngsan and Youngam. The population density of phytoplankton ranged from 19 to 53,161 cells/ml. Annual mean of total zooplankton abundance in 45 sites was 369±827 ind./L (n=180). Rotifers were the most common taxa and their relative abundance was high (65~77%). The benthic microinvertebrate fauna of 10 reservoirs of Jeonnam province were 71 species of 61 genera of 44 families of 16 orders of 7 classes of 4 phyla. Aquatic insects of Phylum Arthropoda were 50 species of 44 genera of 28 families of 6 orders. The number of individuals was 6,132. Diptera was highiest (41.3%), and Ephemeroptera (31.0%), Trichoptera (17.5%), Anellida (3.8%), Mollusca (3.3%), Crustacea (0.4%). Large hydrophytes were identified 32 taxa, 2 varieties 30 species 26 genera and 20 families. Especially, Jijung and Juam lakes require management such as physical remove of this ecosystem disturbance field plants. Fishes were identified total 44 taxa, such as 25 Cyprinidae (56.8%), 8 Cobitidae (17.0%), 3 Gobiidae (6.4%), 2 Bagridae (4.3%), 2 Osmeridae (4.3%), 2 Odontobutidae (4.3%), 2 Centrachidae (4.3%), 1 Siluridae (2.1%), and 1 Centropomidae (2.1%). A pale chub was dominant species (18.9%).

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.134-138
• /
• 1997

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of phosphorus deficiency on nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis of nitrogen fixing soybean plant under $CO_2$ enrichment condition. The soybean plants(Glycine max [L.] Merr.) inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum MN 110 were grown with P-stressed(0.05 mM-P) and control(1 mM-P) treatment under control$(400\;{\mu}l/L\;CO_2)$ and enrichment$(800\;{\mu}l/L\;CO_2)$ enviromental condition in the phytotron equipped with high density lamp$(1000\;{\mu}Em^{-2}S^{-1})$ and $28/22^{\circ}C$ temperature cycle for 35 days after transplanting(DAT). At 35 DAT, phosphorus deficiency decreased total dry mass by 64% in $CO_2$ enrichment condition, and 51% in control $CO_2$ condition. Total leaf area was reduced significantly by phosphorus deficiency in control and enriched $CO_2$ condition but specific leaf weight was increased by P deficiency. Phosphorus deficiency significantly reduced photosynthetic rate(carbon exchange rate) and internal $CO_2$ concentration in leaf in both $CO_2$ treatments, but the degree of stress was more severe under $CO_2$ enrichment condition than under control $CO_2$ environmental condition. In phosphorus sufficient plants, $CO_2$ enrichment increased nodule fresh weight and total nitrogenase activity(acetylene reduction) of nodule by 30% and 41% respectively, but specific nitrogenase activity of nodule and nodule fresh weight was not affected by $CO_2$ enrichment in phosphorus deficient plant at 35 DAT. Total nitrogen concentrations in stem, root and nodule tissue were significantly higher in phosphorus sufficient plant grown under $CO_2$ enrichment, but nitrogen concentration in leaf was reduced by 30% under $CO_2$ enrichment. These results indicate that increasing $CO_2$ concentration does not affect plant growth under phosphorus deficient condition and phosphorus stress might inhibit carbohydrate utilization in whole plant and that $CO_2$ enrichment could not increase nodule formation and functioning under phosphorus deficient conditions and phosphorus has more important roles in nodule growth and functioning under $CO_2$ enrichment environments than under ambient condition.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.472-478
• /
• 2021

Background: The Legionella case detection and notification rate have increased in public artificial water environments where people visit, including large buildings, public baths, and hospitals. Objectives: In this study, the distribution of Legionella and its epidemiologic characteristics were analyzed in the water systems of public facilities in Chungcheongnam-do Province in South Korea. Methods: Culture and PCR analysis were performed on 2,991 environmental water system samples collected from 2017 to 2019, and associations with year, facilities, seasons, and temperature of water system were statistically analyzed by using R-Studio for Windows. Descriptive data was compared using chi-square tests and independent t-tests. Results: The detection rate of Legionella increased from 3.1% in 2017 to 10.3% in 2019, appearing most frequently in the order of public baths, large-scale buildings, hospitals, and apartments. It was detected mainly in summer from June to August, over 1.0×10³ CFU/L on average in 133 cases (66.5%). Lots of germs were detected in bathtub water, cooling tower water, and warm water (p<0.001), and it was detected at higher rates in the cities where multipurpose facilities were concentrated than in rural areas (p=0.018). Conclusions: This study suggests that continuous monitoring and control are required for Legionella in the water system environment of high risk facilities. Moreover, these results will be helpful to prepare efficient management plans to prevent the Legionellosis that occurs in Chungcheongnam-do Province.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2019

Recently, the demand of labels for product management is increasing, as the automation system becomes more common. the development of functional labels which can be used in various environments has been rapidly proceeded. In the case of a printed circuit board, barcode labels with thermal and chemical stability are generally used due to a high temperature process around $300^{\circ}C$ and chemical cleaning in the manufacturing process. However, the yellowing phenomenon of labels that can lower the resolution of printed barcode image still needs to be prevented. In this study, we prepared a composite coating layer using a silica inorganic binder and a titanium dioxide white pigment, and developed a functional labels with thermal and chemical stability. The silica inorganic binder prepared by sol-gel process was confirmed to show excellent adhesion and abrasion resistance with the polyimide film. The white coating layer could be formed on the polyimide film with mixing the silica inorganic binder and titanium dioxide white pigment. The prepared coating layer showed excellent whiteness and glossiness above $400^{\circ}C$. The excellent chemical stability of the coating layer was also confirmed by the chemical treatment with acidic (pH 1.6) and basic (pH 13.6) cleaners.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2022

In this study, glassy carbon coating was performed on the graphite using a phenolic resin and a curing agent was mixed with ethylene glycol as an additive to form the uniform surface. The phenolic resin was dried and cured under the environments of hot air, then converted into a glassy carbon layer by pyrolysis at 500~1,500℃. FTIR, XRD, SEM analysis, and density/porosity/contact angle measurement were performed for characterization of glassy carbon. The pyrolysis temperature for high-quality glassy carbon was optimized to be about 1,000℃. As the content of the additive increased, the effect of reducing surface defects on the coated surface, reduction of porosity, increase of contact angle, and increase of density were investigated in this study. The method of forming a glassy carbon coating layer through an additive is expected to be applicable to graphite coating and other fields.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2022

The perovskite solar cell is an active part of research in renewable energy fields such as solar energy, wind, hydroelectric power, marine energy, bioenergy, and hydrogen energy to replace fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, which will gradually disappear as power demand increases due to the increase in use of the Internet of Things and Virtual environments due to the 4th industrial revolution. The perovskite solar cell is a solar cell device using an organic-inorganic hybrid material having a perovskite structure, and has advantages of replacing existing silicon solar cells with high efficiency, low cost solutions, and low temperature processes. In order to optimize the light absorption layer thin film predicted by the existing empirical method, reliability must be verified through device characteristics evaluation. However, since it costs a lot to evaluate the characteristics of the light-absorbing layer thin film device, the number of tests is limited. In order to solve this problem, the development and applicability of a clear and valid model using machine learning or artificial intelligence model as an auxiliary means for optimizing the light absorption layer thin film are considered infinite. In this study, to estimate the light absorption layer thin-film optimization of perovskite solar cells, the regression models of the support vector machine's linear kernel, R.B.F kernel, polynomial kernel, and sigmoid kernel were compared to verify the accuracy difference for each kernel function.

• Journal of Naturopathy
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2021

Background: Many anionic phytoncides exist in the forest. Purpose: This study aimed to measure and investigate the number of negative ions in aerosol composition in Samdasu Forest, Jeju. Methods: We counted the number of negative ions in the aerosol with an anion meter at 17 points in the Samdasu forest area. Results: The average number of negative ions measured at 17 points in the aerosol of the Samdasu forest area was 719.7 ions/cm³, the temperature was 25.2℃, the humidity was 80.9%, the altitude was 503 m, and the wind speed was 0.6 m/sec. When looking at the content of anion number in the air quality in order, the highest place was waterfall-entrance-course R-course B- pine forest- course exit> exit wetland. The highest altitude of the collection point was in the order of pine forest-course R-course exit-waterfall-course B- exit wetland-entrance. The elevation difference in elevation was statistically significant. There was no correlation between altitude and anion content. It could be seen that the air quality fluctuates from time to time. Conclusions: A large amount of anionic phytoncide was contained in the air quality in Samdasu Forest in the over results. Therefore, Samdasu Forest is a helpful area as a place to visiting. The visit to the Jeju region, which has a high content of anionic phytoncide, has provided essential information that it has beneficial conditions for health management.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2022

The Gasado Au-Ag deposit is located within the south-western margin of the Hanam-Jindo basin. The geology of the Gasado is composed of the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks and acidic or intermediate igneous rocks. Within the deposit area, there are a number of hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins, formed by narrow open space filling along subparallel fractures in the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rock. Vein mineralization at the Gasado is characterized by several textural varieties such as chalcedony, drusy, comb, bladed, crustiform and colloform. The textures have been used as exploring indicators of the epithermal deposit. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz veins; stage II, barren carbonate veins) considering major tectonic fracturing event. Stage I, at which the precipitation of Au-Ag bearing minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite and pyrrhotite with minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite and electrum; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor argentite; late, marked by argentite and native silver. Au-Ag-bearing mineralization at the Gasado deposit occurred under the condition between initial high temperatures (≥290℃) and later lower temperatures (≤130℃). Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur (≈10^-10.1 to ≤10^-18.5atm) by evolution of the Gasado hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Gasado deposit may represents an epithermal gold-silver deposit which was formed near paleo-surface.