• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2010

Ge is one of the attractive channel materials for the next generation high speed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) due to its higher carrier mobility than Si. But the absence of a chemically stable thermal oxide has been the main obstacle hindering the use of Ge channels in MOS devices. Especially, the fabrication of gate oxide on Ge with high quality interface is essential requirement. In this study, $HfO_xN_y$ thin films were prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition on Ge substrate. The nitrogen was incorporated in situ during PE-ALD by using the mixture of nitrogen and oxygen plasma as a reactant. The effects of nitrogen to oxygen gas ratio were studied focusing on the improvements on the electrical and interface properties. When the nitrogen to oxygen gas flow ratio was 1, we obtained good quality with 10% EOT reduction. Additional analysis techniques including X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were used for chemical and microstructural analysis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.12
• /
• pp.1393-1400
• /
• 2019

In the present study, we examined the effect of mitochondrial K⁺ channel opener diazoxide on the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling in endothelial cells exposed to high glucose (HG) media. Endothelial cells derived from human umbilical veins were exposed to HG media containing 30 mM glucose, and the degree of apoptotic cell death associated with activation of the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway was determined. Exposure to HG media was seen to enhance apoptotic cell death in a time-dependent manner. In these cells, activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9 was observed, and while caspase-3 and -9 inhibitors suppressed the HG-induced apoptotic cell death, a caspase-8 inhibitor did not. The HG-treated cells exhibited disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, formation of permeability transition pores, and cytosolic release of cytochrome c. Subsequently, diazoxide was seen to attenuate the HG-induced apoptotic cell death; caspase-9 activation was suppressed but caspase 8 was not. Diazoxide also suppressed the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, the formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, and the release of cytochrome c. These effects were significantly inhibited by 5-hydroxydecanoate, a selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K_ATP). The present results demonstrate that diazoxide exhibits a beneficial effect to ameliorate HG-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. Opening the K_ATP could help preserve the functional integrity of mitochondria and provide an underlying mechanism to suppress HG-triggered apoptotic signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.313-323
• /
• 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, and it corresponds highly with exercise intensity. Here, we induced AF in mice using acetylcholine (ACh)-CaCl₂ for 7 days and aimed to determine the appropriate exercise intensity (no, low, moderate, high) to protect against AF by running the mice at different intensities for 4 weeks before the AF induction by ACh-CaCl₂. We examined the AF-induced atrial remodeling using electrocardiogram, patch-clamp, and immunohistochemistry. After the AF induction, heart rate, % increase of heart rate, and heart weight/body weight ratio were significantly higher in all the four AF groups than in the normal control; highest in the high-ex AF and lowest in the low-ex (lower than the no-ex AF), which indicates that low-ex treated the AF. Consistent with these changes, G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K⁺ currents, which were induced by ACh, increased in an exercise intensity-dependent manner and were lower in the low-ex AF than the no-ex AF. The peak level of Ca²⁺ current (at 0 mV) increased also in an exercise intensity-dependent manner and the inactivation time constants were shorter in all AF groups except for the low-ex AF group, in which the time constant was similar to that of the control. Finally, action potential duration was shorter in all the four AF groups than in the normal control; shortest in the high-ex AF and longest in the low-ex AF. Taken together, we conclude that low-intensity exercise protects the heart from AF, whereas high-intensity exercise might exacerbate AF.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.11 no.10
• /
• pp.4865-4886
• /
• 2017

The user experience of practical indoor power line communication (PLC) applications is greatly affected by the system quality-of-service (QoS) criteria. With a general broadcast-and-multi-access (BMA) relay scheme, in this work we investigate the joint source and relay power optimization of the amplify-and-forward (AF) relay systems used under indoor broad-band PLC environments. To achieve both time diversity and spatial diversity from the relay-involved PLC channel, which is time-varying in nature, the source node has been configured to transmit an identical message twice in the first and second signalling phase, respectively. The QoS constrained power allocation problem is not convex, which makes the global optimal solution is computationally intractable. To solve this problem, an alternating optimization (AO) method has been adopted and decomposes this problem into three convex/quasi-convex sub-problems. Simulation results show the fast convergence and short delay of the proposed algorithm under realistic relay-involved PLC channels. Compared with the two-hop and broadcast-and-forward (BF) relay systems, the proposed general relay system meets the same QoS requirement with less network power assumption.

• Water for future
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.153-168
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this study is to develop an efficient model for the least cost design of multisite detention systems. The IDP (Incremental Dynamic Programming) model for optimal design is composed of two sub-models: hydrologic - hydraulic model and optimization model. The objective function of IDP is the sum of costs; acquisition cost of the land, construction cost of detention basin and pumping system. Model inputs include channel characteristics, hydrologic paramenters, design storm, and cost function. The model is applied to the Jung- Rang Cheon basin in Seoul, a watershed with detention basins in multiple branching channels. The application results show that the detention system can be designed reasonably for various conditions and the model can be applied to multi-site detention system design.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.759-764
• /
• 2004

This paper proposes a method that estimates MIMO channel characteristics analytically using a 3D ray tracing propagation model. We calculate the discrete spatial correlation between sub-channels by considering phase differences of paths, and using this, estimate the mean capacity upper bound of MIMO channel by Jensen's inequality. This analysis model is a deterministic model that do not approach stochastically through measurement nor approach statistically through Monte-Carlo simulations, so this model has high efficiency for time and cost. And based on the electromagnetic theory, this model may analyze quantitatively the parameters which can affect the channel capacity - antenna pattern, polarization mutual coupling, antenna structure and etc. This model may be used for the development of an optimal antenna structure for MIMO systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.714-727
• /
• 2015

This study investigated consumers' clothing expense, consumer innovativeness and perceived risk to the channel type they frequently purchase fashion products and compared the relationship between the variables. A survey of male and female college students was conducted and 367 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, two-way ANOVA, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and correlations. Female consumer clothing expenses were high compared to male consumers, and clothing expenses of consumers using department stores and independent banded stores were high compared to those using internet shopping malls. The sub-dimensions of consumer innovativeness were determined as adventure-oriented, unique-oriented, and change-oriented, and female consumers have characteristics more unique-oriented and change-oriented. In the case of female respondents, unique-oriented innovativeness was highest for department store customers, while the male customer of non-branded stores showed the highest unique-oriented innovativeness. Perceived risk indicated the highest score from the customers of internet shopping mall. Department stores were recognized as reliable by female department store customers. Clothing expenses and consumer innovativeness dimensions showed significantly positive correlations; in addition, the relation between clothing expense and perceived risks were significantly negative. Consumer innovativeness and perceived risks have positive relations.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2006.11a
• /
• pp.105-108
• /
• 2006

The fuel cell is one of the promising environment-friendly energy sources for the next generation. The fuel cell provides good energy efficiency above 40% without pollution or noise. Different fuel cell types are usually distinguished by the kind of electrolyte. Among these, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has advantages of high power density. low operating temperature, relatively quick start-up, and rapid response to varying loads. The bipolar plate is a major component of the PEM fuel cell stack, and it takes a large portion of stack volume, weight and cost. In this study, as alternative materials for bipolar plate of PEM fuel cells, graphite composites were fabricated by compression molding and by machining. Graphite particles mixed with epoxy resin were used as the main substance to provide electric conductivity. Flow channels were fabricated by compression molding with design of experiments (DOE) to evaluate moldability. The cost for compression molding of graphite-composite bipolar plate was compared with machining cost to make the same bipolar plate.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.221-227
• /
• 2015

In this study, Multi-Array Electrodes (MAE) and Programmable Multi-channel Electrical Stimulator (PMES) were implemented for firing Trigger Points (TPs) of the patient with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). MAE has 25 Ag/AgCl electrodes arranged in the form of array ($5{\times}5$) fabricated with flexible pad, which are applicable to be easy-attached to curved specific region of the human body. PMES consisted of 25 channels. Each channel was to generate various electric stimulus patterns (ESPs) by changing the mono-phasic or bi-phasic of ESP, On/Off duration of ESP, the interval between ESP, and amplitude of ESP. PMES hardware was composed of Host PC, Stimulation Pattern Editing Program (SPEP), and Multi-channel Electrical Stimulator (MES). Experiments were performed using MAE and PMES as the following. First experiment was performed to evaluate the function for each channel of Sub- Micro Controller Unit (SMCU) in MES. Second experiment was conducted on whether ESP applied from each channel of SMCU in PMES was focused to the electrode set to the ground, after applying ESP being output from each channel of SMCU in PMES to MAE.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2020

The fifth generation (5G) is a state-of-the-art mobile communication access technology that uses sub 6 GHz bands and mmWave. Presently, the 5G network is partially deployed along with 4G in areas with dense traffic. In the future, the demand for the 5G bandwidth may increase. Thus, it is necessary to study the coexistence between the 5G and radio systems using adjacent or same channels to eliminate the interference between radio systems and efficiently utilize the frequency. This paper analyzed the impact of 5G new radio downlink on the fixed-satellite service earth station operating at the co-channel and adjacent channel in the upper 3.7 GHz band using the Spectrum Engineering Advanced Monte Carlo Analysis Tool, which is based on the Monte Carlo method. The results of this paper can be utilized for planning the frequency allocation of 5G networks; they can also be used as a guideline for deploying 5G base stations around a fixed-satellite service earth station.