• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.581-588
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• 2018

In this article, electrochemical investigation of the transfer reaction of ionizable cefotiam (CTM), an antibiotic molecule across a polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane (water/1,2-DCE) interface was studied. Ion partition diagram providing the preferred charged form of CTM in either water or 1,2-DCE phase was established via the voltammetric evaluation of the transfer process of differently charged CTM species depending upon the pH variation of aqueous solutions. Thermodynamic information including the formal transfer potential and formal Gibbs transfer energy values in addition to important pharmacokinetics including partition coefficients of ionizable CTM were also evaluated. In particular, the current associated with the transfer of CTM present at pH 3.0 aqueous solution proportionally increased with respect to the CTM concentration which was further used for developing CTM sensitive ion sensor. In order to improve the portability and convenient usage, a single microhole interface fabricated in a supportive polyethylene terephthalate film was used of which hole was filled with a polyvinylchloride-2-nitrophenyloctylether (PVC-NPOE) gel replacing 1,2-DCE, a toxic organic solvent. A dynamic range of $1-10{\mu}M$ CTM was obtained.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.9-18
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• 2004

The IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Function(DCF) protocol provides a contention-based distribution channel access mechanism for stations to share the wireless medium. However, the performance of the DCF drops dramatically in terms of throughput, delay and delay jitter as the number of active stations becomes large. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective scheme, called DCF/VG(Distributed Coordination Function with Virtual Group), for improving the performance of the IEEE 802.11 DCF mechanism. In this scheme, each station independently decides the virtual group cycle using the information provided by the carrier sensing mechanism. The virtual group cycle consists of one or more virtual groups and a virtual group includes an idle period and a busy period. Each station operates in only one out of several virtual groups of the virtual group cycle and does not operate in the others. In other words, each station decreases its backoff counter and tries to transmit a packet only in its virtual group like the IEEE 802.11 DCF. Performance of the proposed scheme is investigated by numerical analysis and simulation. Numerical and simulation results show that the proposed scheme is very effective and has high throughput and low delay and jitter under a wide range of contention level.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

In this paper, we propose a signal readout system with small area and low power consumption for CNT sensor arrays. The proposed system consists of signal readout circuitry, a digital controller, and UART I/O. The key components of the signal readout circuitry are 64 transimpedance amplifiers (TIA) and SAR-ADC with 11-bit resolution. The TIA adopts an active input current mirror (AICM) for voltage biasing and current amplification of a sensor. The proposed architecture can reduce area and power without sampling rate degradation because the 64 TIAs share a variable gain amplifier (VGA) which needs large area and high power due to resistive feedback. In addition, the SAR-ADC is designed for low power with modified algorithm where the operation of the lower bits can be skipped according to an input voltage level. The operation of ADC is controlled by a digital controller based on UART protocol. The data of ADC can be monitored on a computer terminal. The signal readout circuitry was designed with 0.13${\mu}m$ CMOS technology. It occupies the area of 0.173 $mm^2$ and consumes 77.06${\mu}W$ at the conversion rate of 640 samples/s. According to measurement, the linearity error is under 5.3% in the input sensing current range of 10nA - 10${\mu}A$. The UART I/O and the digital controller were designed with 0.18${\mu}m$ CMOS technology and their area is 0.251 $mm^2$.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2007

P2X receptors are membrane-bound ion channels that conduct $Na^+,\;K^+$, and $Ca^{2+}$ in response to ATP and its analogs. There are seven subunits identified so far ($P2X_1-P2X_7$). $P2X_2$ receptors are known to be expressed in a wide range of organs including brains and adrenal grands. PC12 cells are originated from adrenal grand and differentiated by nerve growth factor or pituitary adenylate cyclase activating poly peptide (PACAP). Previous studies indicate that $P2X_2$ receptor activation in PC12 cells couples to $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ release of catecholamine and ATP. It is known that acidic pH potentiates ATP currents at $P2X_2$ receptors. This leads to a hypothesis that $P2X_2$ receptors may play an important role in PC12 cell differentiation, one of the characteristics of which is neurite outgrowth, induced by the hormones under lower pH. In the present study, we isolated several clones which potentiate neurite outgrowth by PACAP in acidic pH (6.8), but not in alkaline pH (7.6). RT-PCR and electrophysiology data indicate that these clones express only functional $P2X_2$ receptors in the absence or presence of PACAP for 3 days. Potentiation of neurite outgrowth resulted from PACAP (100 nM) in acidic pH is inhibited by the two P2X receptor antagonists, suramin and PPADS ($100\;{\mu}M)$ each), and exogenous exprerssion of ATP-binding mutant $P2X_2$ receptor subunit ($P2X_2[K69A]$). However, acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are not involved in PACAP-induced neurite outgrowth potentiation in lower pH since treatments of an inhibitor of ASICs, amyloride ($10\;{\mu}M$), did not give any effects to neurite extension. The vesicular proton pump ($H^+-ATPase$) inhibitor, bafilomycin (100 nM), reduced neurite extension indicating that ATP release resulted from $P2X_2$ receptor activation in PC12 cells is needed for neurite outgrowth. These were confirmed by activation of mitogen activated protein kinases, such as ERKs and p38. These results suggest roles of ATP and $P2X_2$ receptors in hormone-induced cell differentiation or neuronal synaptogenesis in local acidic environments.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.224-231
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• 2016

The usefulness of Gel Bolus phantom was investigated by comparing the temperature distribution characteristic of the agar phantom produced to investigate the dose distribution characteristic of radiofrequency hyperthermia device with that of the Gel Bolus phantom under conditions similar to those of an agar phantom that can continuously carry out temperature measurement. The temperatures of the agar phantom and the Gel Bolus phantom were raised to $36.5{\pm}3^{\circ}C$ and a temperature sensing was inserted at depths of 5, 10, and 15 cm from the phantom central axis. The temperature increase rate and the coefficient of determination were analyzed while applying output powers of 100 W and 150 W, respectively, at intervals of 1 min for 60 min under conditions where the indoor temperature was in the range $24.5{\sim}27.5^{\circ}C$, humidity was 35~40%, internal cooling temperature of the electrode was $20^{\circ}C$, size of the upper electrode was 250 mm, and the size of the lower electrode was 250 mm. The coefficients of determination of 150 W output power at the depth point of 5 cm from the central axis of the phantom were analyzed to be 0.9946 and 0.9926 in the agar and Gel Bolus phantoms, respectively; moreover, the temperature change equation of the agar and Gel Bolus phantoms with time can be expressed as follows in the state the phantom temperature is raised to $36^{\circ}C:Y(G)$ is equation of Gel Bolus phantoms (in 5 cm depth) applying output power of 150 W. Y(G)=0.157X+36. It can be seen that if the temperature is measured in this case, the Gel Bolus phantom value can be converted to the measured value of the agar phantom. As a result of comparing the temperature distribution characteristics of the agar phantom of a human-body-equivalent material with those of the Gel Bolus phantom that can be continuously used, the usefulness of Gel Bolus phantom was exhibited.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2010

The coverage ability is one of essential techniques for the Robotic Vacuum Cleaner (RVC). Most of the RVCs rely on random or regular pattern movement to cover a target space due to the technical difficulties to implement localization and map and constraints of hardwares such as controller and sensors. In this paper, we consider two main issues which are low computational load and using sensors with very limited sensing capabilities. First, in our approach, computing procedures to build map and detect the RVC's position are minimized by simplifying data obtained from sensors. To reduce computational load, it needs simply presenting an environment with objects of various shapes. Another isuue mentioned above is regarded as one of the most important problems in our approach, because we consider that many RVCs use low-cost sensor systems such as an infrared sensor or ultrasonic sensor with limited capabilities in limited range, detection uncertainty, measurement noise, etc. Methods presented in this paper are able to apply to general RVCs equipped with these sensors. By both simulation and real experiment, we evaluate our method and verify that the proposed method guarantees a complete coverage.

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

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.337-350
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• 2010

This study conducted sedimentological and geophysical surveys for 3 years (2006-2008) in southern Gyeonggi Bay, Korea to elucidate temporal changes in subaqueous dune morphology on a sand ridge trending northeast to southwest that has been excavated by marine sand mining. The sand ridge (~20 m in height, ~2 km in width and 3~4 km in length) has a steep slope on the NW side and a gentle slope on the SE side, creating an asymmetric profile. Large (10~100 m in length) and very large (>100 m in length) dunes occurring on the SE side of the ridge show a northeastward asymmetrical shape, whereas dunes on the NW side destroyed by marine sand mining display a southwestward asymmetry. The comparison between Flemming (1988)'s correlation and the height-length correlation of this study indicates that tidal current and availability of sand sediment are major controlling factors to the development and maintenance of dunes. Depth and sedimentary characteristics (grain size) are not likely to be major controlling factors, but indirectly influence dune growth by hydrological and sedimentary processes. The length and the height of dunes decrease toward the southeastern trough away from the crest of the ridge. These features result from the decrease of tidal current and sediment availability. The length and the height of dunes on the southeast side decrease gradually over time. This is a result of the interaction between tidal current and the decrease in sediment availability due to sediment extraction by marine sand mining. Marine sand mining has destroyed the dunes directly, causing irregular shapes of shorter length and lower height. The coarse fraction of suspended sediments is transported and deposited very close to the sand pit. By contrast, relatively fine sediments are transported by the tidal current and deposited over a wide range by the settling-lag effect, resulting in a decrease of sediment grain size in the area where suspended sediments are deposited. In addition, marine sand mining, decreases the height of dunes. Therefore, morphological and sedimentological characteristics of dunes around the sand pits will be significantly changed by future sand mining activities.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.84-92
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• 2002

A $32{\times}32$ pixels foveated (linear-polar) structure retina chip with the function of local-light adaptation for edge detection has been designed and fabricated using CMOS technology. Human retina can detect a wide range of light intensity. In this study, we use the biologically-inspired visual signal processing mechanism that consists of photoreceptors, horizontal cells, and bipolar cells in order to implement the function of edge detection in the retina chip. For a local-light adaptive function, the size of receptive field is changed locally according to the input light intensity. The spatial distribution of sensing pixels in the foveated retina chip has the advantages of selective reduction of image data and good resolution in central part to carry out the elaborate image processing with still enough resolution in the outer parts. The designed chip has been fabricated using standard $0.6\;{\mu}m$ double-poly triple-metal CMOS technology and optimized using HSPICE simulator.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2003

To observe the effect of excitation coil pitch on the micro fluxgate magnetic sensor, two sensors are fabricated using multi layer board process and the pitch distance of excitation coil are $260\;{\mu}m$ and $520\;{\mu}m$, respectively. The fluxgate sensor consists of five PCB stack layers including one layer of magnetic core and four layers of excitation and pick-up coils. The center layer as magnetic core is made of a Co-based amorphous magnetic ribbon with extremely high DC permeability of ${\sim}100,000$ and has a rectangular-ring shape to minimize the magnetic flux leakage. Four outer layers as excitation and pick-up coils have a planar solenoid structure and are made of copper foil. In case of the fluxgate sensor having the excitation coil pitch of $260\;{\mu}m$, excellent linear response over the range of $-100\;{\mu}T$ to $+100\;{\mu}T$ is obtained with sensitivity of 780 V/T at excitation sine wave of $3V_{p_p}$ and 360 kHz. The chip size of the fabricated sensing element is $7.3\;{\times}\;5.7\;mm^2$. The very low power consumption of ${\sim}8\;mW$ is measured. This magnetic sensor is very useful for various applications such as: portable navigation systems, telematics, VR game and so on.