• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2013

Sterilization of Neurospora crassa has been investigated in this research by using a surface air plasma with dielectric barrier discharged (DBD) structure under atmospheric pressure. The sinusoidal alternating current has been used in this experiment with discharge voltage of 1.4~2.3 kV. The phase difference between the voltage and current signals are found to be almost 80 degree due to the capacitive property of dielectric barrier. Temperature on the biomaterials has been minimized by radiating the heat with the air cooling system. It is noted that the substrate temperature remains under 37 degree for plasma exposure time of 10 minutes with operation of cooler system. It is found that the ozone, $O_3$, has been measured to be about 25~30 ppm within 1 cm region and to be about 5 ppm at the 150 cm downstream region away from the suface plasma. It is also noted that the nitric oxide, NO, and nitric dioxide, $NO_2$, are not nearly detected. Germination rate and mitochodrial activity of Neurospora crassa immersed in the deionized water have been found to be drastically decreased as the plasma treatment time and its electrical power are increased in this experiment. Here, the mitochondrial activity has been analyzed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethy lthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. However, sterilization of Neurospora crassa immersed in the Vogel's minimal media has been found to be low by plasma treatment, which is caused by surrounding background solution. This research shows the sterilization possibility of Neurospora crassa by using the noncontated surface DBD plasma, which is different from the plasma jet. This is mainly attibuted to the reactive species generated by the surface plasma, since they play a major role for inhibition of micobes such as Neurospora crassa.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1993

In the present study, three representative hydrothermal clay deposits, named the Seongsan, Ogmaesan and Haenam deposits, were selected for oxygen and hydrogen isotope studies. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of quartz, sericite, alunite and kaolin minerals from Seongsan, Ogmaesan, Haenam deposits and surrounded rocks of clay deposits have been measured. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of quartz, kaolin, sericite and alunite in the Seongsan mine are +8.4 to +11.1‰, +3.6 to 5.4‰, +4.8 to +5.8‰ and + 3.0 to +6.6‰, respectively. In the Ogmaesan mine, the ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of quartz, kaolin, sericite and alunite are +8.0 to +13.6‰, +2.8 to +6.7‰, +4.8 to +8.4‰ and +0.9 to +2.4‰, respectively. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the Haenam mine range from +7.9 to +10.1‰ for quartz and from +4.5 to +6.5‰ for sericite. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the whole-rocks range from + 3.0 to + 7.8‰ for the granitic rocks. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the whole-rocks range from + 3.2 to + 10.7‰ for the volcanic rocks. The 8D values of kaolin, sericite and alunite in the Seongsan mine are -78 to -86‰, -71 to -90‰ and -43 to -77‰, respectively. In the Ogmaesan mine, the ${\delta}D$ values of kaolin, sericite and alunite are -73 to -80‰, -74 to -88‰ and -57 to -98‰, respectively. The ${\delta}D$ values of the Haenam mine range from -76 to -85‰ for sericite. The ${\delta}D$ values of the whole-rocks range from -77 to -105‰ for the granitic rocks. The ${\delta}D$ values of the wholerocks range from -76 to -100‰ for the volcanic rocks. The main result obtained oxygen and hydrogen isotope data can lead to the following interpretations on the origin of hydrothermal fluids in the clay deposits: Through the oxygen isotopic study, the formation temperature of the clay deposits was estimated from the coexisting minerals such as quartz-kaolin minerals and -sericite. Formation temperature of the acidic alteration zone is 165 to $280^{\circ}C$ in the Seongsan deposits, 175 to $250^{\circ}C$ in the Ogmaesan deposits and 250 to $350^{\circ}C$ in the Haenam deposits. Three clay deposits has been formed by magmatic water mixed with meteoric water. Furthermore, from this isotopic data, it is clarified that kaolin minerals and alunite are hypogene in origin, and has been formed by oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in the steam-heated environment, and that alunite has been produced in the spectacular solfataric alteration observed at the surface of some present-day hydrothermal systems. Oxidation of the $H_2S$ is thought to be generated when the vapor phase generated by boiling of the deep-seated water under the water table.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 1986

To diagnose the typhoid fever rapidly and accurately in clinically suspected patients, the levels of IgG subclass antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). With symptom, blood culture and agglutination test, tested persons were categorized into 6 groups as typhoid fever, FUO, paratyphi A or B, other bacterial infctions, cancers, and control. ELISA was performed on the polyvinyl chloride plates coated with killed whole cell($10^8\;cell/ml$) of S. typhi 0901W by poly-L-lysine applied as binding substance (and polyvinyl chloride as solid phase). The distribution of the level of IgG subclass antibodies in each group was analyzed and compared with other groups. The results obtained were summarized as follow: 1. The optimal dilution of the sera from patients with typhoid fever was 1:160, and those of the sheep anti-human IgG subclass and the peroxidase conjugated rabbit anti-sheep IgG were 1:4000 and 1:5000, respectively. 2. The absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the sera of typhoid fever patients were as follows; a) IgG1 value is $0.439{\pm}0.110$ b) IgG2 value is $0.416{\pm}0.165$ c) IgG3 value is $0.449{\pm}0.145$ d) IgG4 value is $0.525{\pm}0.154$ IgG subclass levels in the sera of typhoid patients were much higher than in control group and patient with paratyphi A or B as well as other infectious diseases. The sensitivity and the specificity in differential diagnosis of typhoid fever and other febrile diseases were 92% and 79% in the assay of IgG1 respectively, whereas those in the assay of IgG2 were 97% and 72%, respectively (above absorbance 0.3). 3. The absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the serial sera of typhiod fever patients tend to decrease to the level of absorbance 0.3 in 10 months from the onset of illness. 4. The order of absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the serum of each group were typhoid fever, paratyphi A or B, other infectious diseases, control and cancer. 5. For the serodiagnosis of typhoid fever against other febrile diseases, the sensitivity and the specificity in the assay of IgG2 activity were 76% and 93% in absorbance 0.4, respectively. 6. In the distribution of the level of each IgG subclass in the sera of FUO patients which were suspected of typhoid fever, the positive rate was ranged from 36% to 82%. This suggest that more than 50% of FUO patients are caused by S. typhi.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.31-39
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• 2009

This study has found that there is a reverse phase with interdecadal variation in temporal variations of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis frequency (TCGF) between Northwest sector and Southeast sector, based on climatological mean tropical cyclone genesis location over the western North Pacific. The TCGF in the Northwest sector has been increased since the mid 1980s (1986-2005), while TCGF in the Southeast sector was higher until the early 1970s (1951-1970). The analysis of a difference between 1986-2005 and 1951-1970 showed results as follows: i) Through the analysis of vertical wind shear (VWS) and sea surface temperature (SST), less VWS and higher SST in the former (latter) period was located in the Northwest (Southeast) sector. ii) In the analysis of TC passage frequency (TCPF), TCs occurred in the Northwest sector frequently passed from east sea of the Philippines, through East China Sea, to Korea and Japan in the latter period, while TCs in the former period frequently has a lot of influences on South China Sea (SCS). In the case of TCs occurred in the Southeast sector, TCs in the west (east), based on $150^{\circ}E$ had a high passage frequency in the latter (former) period. In particular, TCs during the latter period frequently moved toward from the east sea of the Philippines to SCS and southern China. iii) This difference of TCPF between the two periods was characterized by 500 hPa anomalous pressure pattern. Particularly, anomalous cyclonic circulation strengthened over the East Asian continent caused anomalous southerlies along the East Asian coast line from the east sea of the Philippines to be predominate. These anomalous winds served as steering flows that TC can easily move toward same regions.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Recently many studies have reported that total and bioavailable androgens reduced in male and female athletes and that physical exercise reduces the body weight and increases the reproductive abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, anovulation, inadequate luteal phase, and delayed puberty in women by the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis . In addition, high mileage endurance 겨nning, psychological stress, and military endurance training in men also reduce the secretion of reproductive hormones. To investigate the efffcts of physical endurance exercise on the secretion of reproductive hormones in men, androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis were measured in serum by the conventional radioimmunoassays after long-term (more than3 months), short-term (1 week), and acute (1${sim}$2 hours) physical exercises. Androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis such as total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A) decreased after thesestrenuous endurance trainings, whereas ACTH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfetes (DHEAS) increased. Conadotropins (LH and FSH) were not idluenced by the physical exercises. Based upon the present results, we assume that the decrease in adrenal and testicular androgens by physical endurance exercises might be associated with the reproductive abnormalities in athletes by unknown factor(s) in addition to the HPG axis disturbance.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.138-159
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• 1996

There has been a tendency for Geomorphology and Climatology to be dominant in Physical Geography for 50 years in Korea. Physical Geography is concerned with the study of the totality of natural environment through the integrated approaches. But, an overall direction or a certain paradigm could not be found, because major sub-divisions of Physical Geography have been studied individually and the subjects and the approaches in studying Physical Geography are enormously diverse. A consensus of opinion could not also exist in deciding what kind of the sub-divisions should be included in the physical geography in general and how those should be summarized. Furthermore it would be considered imprudent to survey the studies of Physical Geography besides those of Geomorphology and Climatology due to the small number of researchers. Assuming that the rest of Physical Geographical studies with the exception of Geomorphological and Climatological studies are the Physical Geography in general, the studies of Physical Geogrpahy in general are summarized and several aspects are drown out as follows. First the descliption of all possible factors of natural environments was the pattern of early studies of Physical Geography and the tendency is maintained in the various kinds of research and project reports. Recently Physical Geographers have published several introductory textbooks or research monographs. In those books, however, the integrated approaches to Physical Geography were not suggested and the relationship between man and nature are dealt with in the elementary level. Second, the authentic soil studies of Physical Geographers are insignificant, because the studies of soil in Physical Geography have been mostly considered as the subsidiary means of Geomorphology Summarizing the studies of Soil Gegraphy by physical geographers and other Pedologists, the subjects are classified as soil-forming processes, soil erosions, soil in the tidal flat and reclaimed land, and soil pollution. Physical Geographers have focused upon the soil-forming processes in order to elucidate the geomorphic processes and the past climatic environment. The results of other subjects are trifling. Thirdy Byogeygrayhers and the results of studies are extremely of small number and the studies of Biogeography in Korea lines in the starting point. But, Biogeography could be a more unifying theme for the Physical-human Geography interface, and it would be expected to play an active part in the field of environmental conservation and resource management. Forth, the studies of Hydrogeography (Geographical Hydrology) in Korea have run through the studies of water balance and the morphometric studies such as the drainage network analysis and the relations of various kinds of morphometric elements in river. Recently, the hydrological model have introduced and developed to predict the flow of sediment, discharge, and ground water. The growth of groundwater studies is worthy of close attention. Finally, the studies on environmental problems was no mole than the general description about environmental destruction, resource development, environmental conservation, etc. until 1970s. The ecological perspectives on the relationship between man and nature were suggested in some studies of natural hazard. The new environmentalism having been introduced since 1980s. Human geographers have lead the studies of Environmental Perception. Environmental Ethics, Environmental Sociology, environmental policy. The Physical geographers have stay out of phase with the climate of the time and concentrate upon the publication of introductory textbooks. Recently, several studies on the human interference and modification of natural environments have been made an attempt in the fields of Geomorphology and climatology. Summarizing the studies of Physical Geography for 50 years in Korea, the integrated approaches inherent in Physical Geography disappeared little by little and the majol sub-divisions of Physical Ceography have develop in connection with the nearby earth sciences such as Geology, Meteorology, Pedology, Biology, Hydrology, etc been rediscovered by non-geographers under the guise of environmental science. It is expected that Physical Geography would revive as the dominant subject to cope with environmental problems, rearming with the innate integrated approaches.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect that various concentration and application time of hydrogen peroxide had on tooth whitening and physical properties. The hydroxyapatite (HA) discs of $12mm({\Phi}){\times}1.2mm(t)$ in dimensions were made by compression $(100kg/cm^2)$ and sintering (at $1350^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours) All specimens were polished sequentially with '240 through '2000 emery paper and one side of each specimen was polished finally with $0.3{\mu}m$ alumina paste. The discs were placed in sterile whole stimulated saliva overnight at $37^{\circ}C$ in order to form an in vitro pellicle layer. Then the discs were rinsed with distilled water and soaked into staining broth at $37^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. These stained specimens were bleached with hydrogen peroxide according to the change of concentration $(3{\sim}30%)$ and application time ($3{\sim}10$ days). The specimens were analyzed with a spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface roughness tester, microhardness tester and biaxial flexural strength. The results of present study can be summarized as follows : 1. The bleaching effect was increased with the increased concentration and the extended application time of hydrogen peroxide. 2. The surface roughness was significantly increased from the specimen bleached with 15% hydrogen peroxide for 10 days and with 30% for 7 and 10 days respectively (p<0.05). 3. The changes of crystal phase observed by XRD between before and after bleaching weren't shown of any difference, but microporous structure of surface observed by SEM was shown of increase with the increased concentration and the extended application. 4. The biaxial flexural strength was significantly decreased from bleaching of specimen with 30% hydrogen peroxide for 7 and 10 days respectively (p<0.05) 5. Microhardness was significantly decreased from bleaching with 15% hydrogen peroxide for 10 days and with 30% for 3, 7 and 10 days respectively (p<0.05). Although the tooth bleaching effect was greater when the high concentration was applied, further in vivo experiment will be needed to prove it's safety.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.121-131
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• 2009

In recent years, microtremor array observations have been used for estimation of shear-wave velocity structures. One of the methods is the conventional spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method, which requires simultaneous recording at least with three or four sensors. Modified SPAC methods such as 2sSPAC, and linear array methods, allow estimating shear-wave structures by using only two sensors, but suffer from instability of the spatial autocorrelation coefficient for frequency ranges higher than 1.0 Hz. Based on microtremor measurements from four different size triangular arrays and four same-size triangular and linear arrays, we have demonstrated the stability of SPAC coefficient for the frequency range from 2 to 4 or 5 Hz. The phase velocities, obtained by fitting the SPAC coefficients to the Bessel function, are also consistent up to the frequency 5 Hz. All data were processed by the SPAC method, with the exception of the spatial averaging for the linear array cases. The arrays were deployed sequentially at different times, near a site having existing Parallel Seismic (PS) borehole logging data. We also used the imaginary part of the SPAC coefficients as a data-quality indicator. Based on perturbations of the autocorrelation spectrum (and in some cases on visual examination of the record waveforms) we divided data into so-called 'reliable' and 'unreliable' categories. We then calculated the imaginary part of the SPAC spectrum for 'reliable', 'unreliable', and complete (i.e. 'reliable' and 'unreliable' datasets combined) datasets for each array, and compared the results. In the case of insufficient azimuthal distribution of the stations (the linear array) the imaginary curve shows some instability and can therefore be regarded as an indicator of insufficient spatial averaging. However, in the case of low coherency of the wavefield the imaginary curve does not show any significant instability.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1581-1590
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• 2009

Hizikia fusiforme is a kind of brown edible seaweed that mainly grows in the temperate seaside areas of the northwest pacific, including Korea, Japan and China, and has been widely used as a health food for hundreds of years. Recently, H. fusiforme has been known to exert pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticoagulant activities. However, the molecular mechanisms of H. fusiforme in malignant cells have not been clearly elucidated yet. In this study, the effects of ethyl alcohol extract of H. fusiforme (EAHF) on the anti-proliferative effects of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were investigated. EAHF treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent growth inhibition by including apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells and G1 phase arrest in MCF-7 cells, which could be proved by MTT assay, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the increase in apoptosis induced by EAHF treatment correlated with up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression. EAHF treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and a concomitant inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, $\beta$-catenin, phospholipase-${\gamma}1$ protein and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of H. fusiforme.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2013

Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.