• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.101-117
• /
• 1999

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neuromuscular disease of unknown etiology in which the upper and lower motor neurons are progressively destroyed. Recent evidences support the role of autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ALS. This study investigated the effects of sera from ALS patients on neuromuscular transmission in phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations and on calcium currents of single isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in mice. Mice were injected with either control sera from healthy adults or ALS sera from 18 patients with ALS of sporadic form, for three days. Miniature end plate potential (MEPP) and nerve-evoked end plate potential (EPP) were measured using intracellular recording technique and the quantal content was determined. Single isolated DRG cells were voltage-clamped with the whole-cell configuration and membrane currents were recorded. Sera from 14 of 18 ALS patients caused a significant increase in MEPP frequency in normal Ringer's solution $(4.62{\pm}0.14\;Hz)$ compared with the control $(2.18{\pm}0.15\;Hz).$ In a high $Mg^{2+}/low\;Ca^{2+}$ solution, sera from 13 of 18 ALS patients caused a significant increase in MEPP frequency, from $2.18{\pm}0.31$ Hz to $6.09{\pm}0.38$ Hz. Sera from 11 of 18 patients produced a significant increase of nerve-evoked EPP amplitude, from $0.92{\pm}0.05$ mV to $1.30{\pm}0.04$ mV, while the other seven ALS sera did not alter EPP amplitude. In the ALS group, EPP quantal content was also elevated by the sera of 14 patients (from $1.49{\pm}0.07$ to $2.35{\pm}0.07).$ MEPP frequency and amplitude in wobbler mouse were $4.03{\pm}0.53$ Hz and $1.37{\pm}0.18$ mV, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of wobbler controls (wobblers without the symptoms of wobbler). Sera from ALS patients significantly reduced HVA calcium currents of DRG cells to 42.7% at -10 mV. Furthermore, the inactivation curve shifted to more negative potentials with its half-inactivation potential changed by 6.98 mV. There were, however, significant changes neither in the reversal potential of $I_{Ca}$ nor in the I-V curve. From these results it was concluded that: 1) The serum factors of sporadic ALS patients increase neuromuscular transmission and can alter motor nerve terminal presynaptic function. This suggests that ALS serum factors may play an important role in the early stage of ALS, and 2) Calcium currents in DRG cells were reduced and rapidly inactivated by ALS sera, suggesting that in these cells, ALS serum factors may exert interaction with the calcium channel.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.37 no.10
• /
• pp.563-572
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to model the effect of flushing discharge on algae removal by multi-purpose weir operation in Yeongsan River (Seungchon Weir) using a 3-dimensional (3D) model. The chlorophyceae Eudorina sp. formed bloom in May 2013. Flushing discharge was conducted in two different ways for algal bloom reduction. To elucidate the spatial variability, a high-resolution 3D model, ELCOM-CAEDYM, was used to simulate the spatial variations of water quality and chl-a over a month. The results showed that ELCOM-CAEDYM could reproduce highly spatially resolved field data at low cost, and showed very good performance in simulating the pattern of algal bloom occurrence. The effect of each flushing discharge operation was analyzed with the results of modeling. The results of case 1, flushing discharge using an open movable weir, showed that the algal bloom between the Seochang Bridge and the Hwangryong River junction is rapidly flushed after operating the movable weir, but the residual algae remained in the weir pool as the discharge decreased. However, the results of case 2, fixed weir overflow with a small hydropower stop, showed that most of the algae was removed after flushing discharge and the effect of algae removal was much bigger than that in case 1, as per modeling results and observed data.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.239-246
• /
• 1999

A highly sensitive photovoltaic infrared photodiode was fabricated for detecting infrared light in $3{\sim}5\;{\mu}m$ wavelength range on InSb wafer with p-i-n structure grown by MOCVD. Silicon dioxide($SiO_2$) insulating films for the junction interface and surface of photodiode were prepared using RPCVD because InSb has low melting point and evaporation temperature. After formation of In ohmic contacts by thermal evaporation, the electrical properties of the photodiode were characterized in dark state at 77K. A product of zero-bias resistance and area($R_0A$) showed $1.56{\times}10^6\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$ that satisfied BLIP(background limited infrared photodetector) condition. When the photodiode was tested under infrared light, the normalized detectivity of about $10^{11}\;cm{\cdot}Hz^{1/2}{\cdot}W^{-1}$ was obtained. we successfully fabricated a unit cell with InSb IR array with good quantum efficiency and high detectivity.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.85-89
• /
• 2021

AlGaN-based UV-C light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were applied for p-type activation by electrochemical potentiostatic activation (EPA). The p-type activation efficiency was increased by removing hydrogen atoms through EPA treatment using a neutral Mg-H complex that causes high resistance and low conductivity. A neutral Mg-H complex is decomposed into Mg^- and H⁺ depending on the key parameters of solution, voltage, and time. The improved hole carrier concentration was confirmed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) analysis. This mechanism eventually improved the internal quantum efficiency (IQE), the light extraction efficiency, the leakage current value in the reverse current region, and junction temperature, resulting in better UV-C LED lifetime. For systematic analysis, SIMS, Etamax IQE system, integrating sphere, and current-voltage measurement system were used, and the results were compared with the existing N₂-annealing method.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.415-422
• /
• 2008

Pumping test was conducted to understand hydraulic conductivity for leaky confined aquifer with high permeability. Test aquifer was formed in $25{\sim}35\;m$ below ground surface at predetermined site of riverbank filtration which junction of Nakdong river and Milyang river in the Ttaan isle, Gimhae city, Korea Monitoring wells were located at intervals of 2 m and 5 m from pumping well in south-west direction (MW1 and MW2 wells) and northeast direction (MW3 and MW4 wells), respectively. Pumping test was continuously conducted for constant pumping rate of $2,500m^3/day$, hydraulic conductivity was estimated using AQTESOLV 3.5 program. Hydraulic conductivity were estimated to be $1.745{\times}10^{-3}m/sec$ for pumping well (PW), $2.452{\times}10^{-3}m/sec$ for between PW and MW1 wells, $2.161{\times}10^{-3}m/sec$ for between PW and MW2 wells, $2.270{\times}10^{-3}m/sec$ for between PW and MW3 wells and $2.591{\times}10^{-3}m/sec$ for between PW and MW4 wells. The function of hydraulic conductivity (K) as monitoring distance (d) were estimated to be logK = 0.0693logd - 2.671 for south-west direction (PW-MW1-MW2 line), logK = 0.0817logd - 2.655 for north-east direction (PW-MW3-MW 4 line). Scale exponent of hydraulic conductivity as test volume was estimated using Schulze-Makuch et al.(1999) method. Scale exponent of this aquifer was estimated to be 0.15. It means that test aquifer has very low heterogeneity. The radius of influence estimated using transmissivity, maximum groundwater level displacement, distance from pumping well and pumping rate during pumping test were 7.148 m for south-west direction and 6.912 m for north-east direction. The increasing rate of hydraulic conductivity from pumping well to maximum radius of influence were estimated to be 1.40 times for south-west direction and 1.49 times for north-east direction. Thus, heterogeneity of test aquifer was a little higher in north-east direction.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.324-332
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rigidity of post core systems on stress distribution by the theoretical technique, finite element stress-analysis method. Three-dimensional finite element models simulating an endodontically treated maxillary central incisor restored with a zirconia ceramic crown were prepared and 1.5 mm ferrule height was provided. Each model contained cortical bone, trabecular bone, periodontal ligament, 4 mm apical root canal filling, and post-and-core. Six combinations of three parallel type post (zirconia ceramic, glass fiber, and stainless steel) and two core (Paracore and Tetric ceram) materials were evaluated, respectively. A 50 N static occlusal load was applied to the palatal surface of the crown with a $60^{\circ}$angle to the long axis of the tooth. The differences in stress transfer characteristics of the models were analyzed. von Mises stresses were chosen for presentation of results and maximum displacement and hydrostatic pressure were also calculated. An increase of the elastic modulus of the post material increased the stress, but shifted the maximum stress location from the dentin surface to the post material. Buccal side of cervical region (junction of core and crown) of the glass fiber post restored tooth was subjected to the highest stress concentration. Maximum von Mises stress in the remaining radicular tooth structure for low elastic modulus resin core (29.21 MPa) was slightly higher than that for high elastic modulus resin core (29.14 MPa) in case of glass fiber post. Maximum displacement of glass fiber post restored tooth was higher than that of zirconia ceramic or stainless steel post restored tooth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.339-349
• /
• 1999

The dental structure substituted by restorative materials may produce discomfort resulting from hot or cold stimuli. To investigate the effects of this stimuli on the human teeth, thermal analysis was carried out by calculation of general heat conduction equation in a modeled tooth using numerical method. The method has been applied to axisymmetric and two-dimensional model, analyzing the effects of constant temperature $4^{\circ}C\;and\;60^{\circ}C$. That thermal shock was provided for 2 seconds and 4 seconds, respectively and recovered to normal condition of $20^{\circ}C$ until 10 seconds. The thermal behavior of tooth covered with a crown of gold or stainless steel was compared with that of tooth without crown. At the same time, the effects of restorative materials(amalgam, gold and zinc oxide-eugenol(ZOE)) on the temperature of PDJ(pulpo-dentinal junction) has been studied. The geometry used for thermal analysis so far has been limited to two-dimensional as well as axisymmetric tooth models. But the general restorative tooth forms a cross shaped cavity which is no longer two-dimensional and axisymmetric. Therefore, in this study, the three-dimensional model was developed to investigate the effect of shape and size of cavity. This three-dimensional model might be used for further research to investigate the effects of restorative materials and cavity design on the thermal behavior of the real shaped tooth. The results were as follows; 1. When cold temperature of $4^{\circ}C$ was applied to the surface of the restored teeth with amalgam for 2 seconds and recovered to ambient temperature of $20^{\circ}C$, the PDJ temperature decreased rapidly to $29^{\circ}C$ until 3 seconds and reached to $25^{\circ}C$ after 9 seconds. This temperature decreased rather slowly with stainless steel crown, but kept similar temperature within $1^{\circ}C$ differences. Using the gold as a restorative material, the PDJ temperature decreased very fast due to the high thermal conductivity and reached near to $25^{\circ}C$ but the temperature after 9 seconds was similar to that in the teeth without crown. The effects of coldness could be attenuated with the ZOE situated under the cavity. The low thermal conductivity caused a delay in temperature decrease and keeps $4^{\circ}C$ higher than the temperature of other conditions after 9 seconds. 2. The elapse time of cold stimuli was increased also until 4 seconds and recovered to $20^{\circ}C$ after 4 seconds to 9 seconds. The temperature after 9 seconds was about $2-3^{\circ}C$ lower than the temperature of 2 seconds stimuli, but in case of gold restoration, the high thermal conductivity of gold caused the minimum temperature of $21^{\circ}C$ after 5 seconds and got warm to $23^{\circ}C$ after 9 seconds. 3. The effects of hot stimuli was also investigated with the temperature of $60^{\circ}C$. For 2 seconds stimuli, the temperature increased to $40^{\circ}C$ from the initial temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ after 3 seconds of stimuli and decreased to $30^{\circ}C$ after 9 seconds in the teeth without crown. This temperature was sensitive to surface temperature in the teeth with gold restoration. It increased rapidly to $41^{\circ}C$ from the initial temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ after 2 seconds and decreased to $28^{\circ}C$ after 9 seconds, which showed $13^{\circ}C$ temperature variations for 9 seconds upon the surface temperature. This temperature variations were only in the range of $5^{\circ}C$ by using ZOE in the bottom of cavity and showed maximum temperature of $37^{\circ}C$ after 3 seconds of stimuli.