• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.599-603
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• 2010

Troglitazone is an anti-diabetic agent that improves hyperglycemia by reducing peripheral insulin resistance in type II diabetic patients. Troglitazone has been shown to cause growth inhibition of various normal and cancerous cells. However, the molecular mechanism by which troglitazone affects the growth of these cancer cells remains unclear. Here, we report that troglitazone treatment of Hep 3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition. Analysis of cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry showed that the number of apoptotic cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to troglitazone treatment. cDNA microarray analysis showed a number of differentially expressed genes in response to troglitazone. Among the upregulated genes, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)-responsive RTP801 was induced in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed HIF-1 accumulation by immnocytochemistry after troglitazone treatment. These results strongly suggest that RTP801 might be involved in troglitazone-induced apoptosis in Hep 3B cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.342.1-342.1
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• 2014

The electrical, optical and structural properties of Ti doped $In_2O_3$ (TIO) ohmic contacts to p-type GaN were investigated using linear facing target sputtering (LFTS) system. Sheet resistance and resistivity of TIO films are decreased with increasing rapid thermal annealing (RTA) temperature. Although the $400^{\circ}C$ and $500^{\circ}C$ annealed samples showed rectifying behavior, the $600^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$ annealed samples showed linear I-V characteristics indicative of the formation of an ohmic contact between TIO and p-GaN. The annealing of the contact at $700^{\circ}C$ resulted in the lowest specific contact resistivity of $9.5{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}cm^2$. Based on XPS depth profiling and synchrotron X-ray scattering analysis, we suggested a possible mechanism to explain the annealing dependence of the properties of TIO layer on rapid thermal annealing temperature.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.445.1-445.1
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• 2014

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been widely investigated as a next-generation solar cell because of their simple structure and low manufacturing cost. The $TiO_2$ film with thickness of $8{\sim}10{\mu}m$, which consists of nanoparticles, acts as both a scaffold with a high surface-to-volume ratio for the dye loading and a pathway to remove the electrons. However, charge carriers have to move across many particle boundaries by a hopping mechanism. So, one dimensional nanostructures such as nanotubes, nanorods and nanowires should improve charge carrier transportation by providing a facile direct electron pathway and lowering the diffusion resistance. However, the efficiencies of DSSCs using one dimensional nanostructures are less than the $TiO_2$ nanoparticle-based DSSCs. In this work, the patterned $TiO_2$ film with thickness of $3{\mu}m$ was deposited using photolithography process to decrease of electron pathway and increase of surface area and transmittance of $TiO_2$ films. Properties of the patterned $TiO_2$ films were investigated by various analysis method such as X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometer.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2016

The inhibition ability of N,N-bis(2,4-dihydroxyhydroxybenzaldehyde)-1,3-Propandiimine (DHBP) as a schiff base against the corrosion of API-5L-X65 steel in 1 M HCl solution was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization and scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical impedance studies indicated that DHBP inhibited corrosion by blocking the active corrosion sites. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing inhibitor concentrations. EIS data was analysed to equivalent circuit model and showed that the charge transfer resistance of steel increased with increasing inhibitor concentration whilst the double layer capacitance decreased. The adsorption of this compound obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Gibbs free energy of adsorption was calculated and indicated that adsorption occurred through physical and spontaneous process. The corrosion inhibition mechanism was studied by potential of zero charge. Polarization studies indicated that DHBP retards both the cathodic and anodic reactions through adsorption on steel surface. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the steel surface with and without inhibitor.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.547-554
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• 2012

Chromium is generated from several industrial processes. It occurs in different oxidation states, but Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are the most common ones. Cr(VI) is a toxic, soluble environmental contaminant. Some bacteria are able to reduce hexavalent chromium to the insoluble and less toxic Cr(III), and thus chromate bioremediation is of considerable interest. An indigenous chromium-reducing bacterial strain, Rb-2, isolated from a tannery water sample, was identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The influence of factors like temperature of incubation, initial concentration of Cr, mobility of bacteria, and different carbon sources were studied to test the ability of the bacterium to reduce Cr(VI) under variable environmental conditions. The ability of the bacterial strain to reduce hexavalent chromium in artificial and industrial sewage water was evaluated. It was observed that the mechanism of resistance to metal was not due to the change in the permeability barrier of the cell membrane, and the enzyme activity was found to be inductive. Intracellular reduction of Cr(VI) was proven by reductase assay using cell-free extract. Scanning electron microscopy revealed chromium precipitates on bacterial cell surfaces, and transmission electron microscopy showed the outer as well as inner distribution of Cr(VI). This bacterial strain can be useful for Cr(VI) detoxification under a wide range of environmental conditions.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.256-262
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• 2017

Molten zinc plating is a process in which zinc is thinly coated over a metallic or non-metallic surface. It is used in various industrial fields for corrosion resistance and decoration. During the process, a steel sheet is passed through a roll that rotates inside the molten zinc liquid in the temperature range of $460^{\circ}C$ to $680^{\circ}C$, and the plating liquid flows into the roll causing abrasion and erosion of the roll surface. This problem is known to accelerate the replacement cycle of the roll and cause considerable economic loss owing to production line stoppage. Here, we propose a mechanism that operates at high temperature and pressure with a labyrinth type seal design to resolve this problem. We theoretically investigate the flow of the plating solution inside the seal and compute the minimum rotation speed required to prevent the plating solution from entering the seal chamber. In addition, we calculate the thermal deformation of the seal during operation and display thermally deformed dimensions at high temperatures. To verify the theoretical results, we perform experiments using pilot test equipment working in the actual plating environment. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical results. We expect our results to contribute towards the extension of the roll's life span and thereby reduce the economic losses.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 1988

Recently the automization of wood manufacturing and the development of CNC machine tools becomes the center of interest. Cutting mechanism, tool wear and the roughness of machined surface have been studied. In the studies about wood for special uses, concrete data of cutting is desired. While Pinus densiflora is characterized that heartwood develops as age increases, Chunyang District has the characteristic of strength, red color, relatively regular chap and high heartwood - percentage. But there is no data about cutting this wood, Chunyang District. In this study face milling by sintered carbide tool was excuted to Chunyang District. Cutting force, Surface roughness and states were investigated with regard to cutting speed. Example results were as follows; 1) Mean cutting resistance against lateral component force and longitudinal component force decreased rapidly up to cutting speed of 155 m/min, and remains constant above this speed. 2) The surface roughness of cutting surface lowered as cutting speed increased, regardless of fiber formation. Radial rougness of fiber is larger than lineal surface roughness. 3) Increase in Cutting speed made machining mark restrained. Down-milling showed larger marks than up-milling.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.16 no.4 s.97
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• pp.148-154
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• 1999

This study was carried out to verify grinding performance of dental diamond bur and investigate the possibility of AE application in dentistry field. Workpieces were made of acryl and bovine respectively for the experiments in this study. Grinding test was conducted to get the data of grinding resistance and specific grinding energy of four different types of diamond bur by using tool dynamometer. AE signal was acquired to verify grinding process in the AE measuring system. Tool wear was observed to find parameters about grinding characteristics of diamond bur by means of SEM picture. It was found that the wear of dental diamond bur could be detected with polishing of grinding material, removal of adhesive parts, wear of particles neighboring cutting nose, loss of material and elevation of temperature. The wear of B, C, D type diamond bur is due to wear and fracture of grain size. Abnormal state can be found through the behavior of AE signal in the grinding working. As a result, it is expected that forecast of abnormal state is possible using AE equipments under real time process.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.47-50
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• 2006

SCM415 alloy was implanted with nitrogen ions using plasma source ion implantation (PSII), at a dose range of $1{\times}10^{17}\;to\;6{\times}10^{17}\;N^+cm^{-2}$ Auger electron spectrometry (AES) was used to investigate the depth profile of the implanted layer. Friction and wear tests were carried out on a block-on-ring wear tester. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the micro-morphology of the worn surface. The results revealed that after being implanted with nitrogen ions, the frictional coefficient of the surface layer decreased, and the wear resistance increased with the nitrogen dose. The tribological mechanism was mainly adhesive, and the adhesive wear tended to become weaker oxidative wear with the increase in the nitrogen dose. The effects were mainly attributed to the formation of a hard nitride precipitate and a supersaturated solid solution of nitrogen in the surface layer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.158-158
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• 1998

The non-mevalonate pathway is a newly discovered isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway in some bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and plants. Because isoprenoid metabolites (ubiquinone, menaquinone, undecaprenol) are essential for bacterial growth, this pathway may represent a novel target for antibacterial agents. Antibiotics with a unique mechanism of action are needed to combat the risk of antibiotic resistance that is a current worldwide problem. In order to study this pathway as viable target, it was necessary to verify use of the pathway in our model system, the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Incubation experiments with [6,6-$^2$H$_2$]-D-glucose and [l-$^2$H$_3$]-deoxy-D-xylulose were conducted to provide labeled menaquinone-7 (MK -7), the most abundant isoprenoid in B. subtilis. $^2$H-NMR analysis of the MK-7 revealed labeling patterns that strongly support utilization of the non-mevalonate pathway. Another approach to study the pathway is by structure activity relationships of proposed inhibitors of the pathway. Fosmidomycin is a phosphonic acid with antibacterial activity known to inhibit isoprenoid biosynthesis in susceptible bacteria and may act by inhibiting the non-mevalonate pathway. Fosmidomycin and an N-methyl analog were synthesized and tested for antibacterial activity. Fosmidomycin was active against Escherichia coli and B. subtilis, while N-formyl-N-methyl-3-amino-propylphosphonic acid was inactive.