• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.4-18
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• 2018

Lastly, neuromorphic computing chip has been extensively studied as the technology that directly mimics efficient calculation algorithm of human brain, enabling a next-generation intelligent hardware system with high speed and low power consumption. Three-terminal based synaptic transistor has relatively low integration density compared to the two-terminal type memristor, while its power consumption can be realized as being so low and its spike plasticity from synapse can be reliably implemented. Also, the strong electrical interaction between two or more synaptic spikes offers the advantage of more precise control of synaptic weights. In this review paper, the results of synaptic transistor mimicking synaptic behavior of the brain are classified according to the channel material, in order of silicon, organic semiconductor, oxide semiconductor, 1D CNT(carbon nanotube) and 2D van der Waals atomic layer present. At the same time, key technologies related to dielectrics and electrolytes introduced to express hysteresis and plasticity are discussed. In addition, we compared the essential electrical characteristics (EPSC, IPSC, PPF, STM, LTM, and STDP) required to implement synaptic transistors in common and the power consumption required for unit synapse operation. Generally, synaptic devices should be integrated with other peripheral circuits such as neurons. Demonstration of this neuromorphic system level needs the linearity of synapse resistance change, the symmetry between potentiation and depression, and multi-level resistance states. Finally, in order to be used as a practical neuromorphic applications, the long-term stability and reliability of the synapse device have to be essentially secured through the retention and the endurance cycling test related to the long-term memory characteristics.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.572-580
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• 2020

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 from rattlesnakes (rsTRPA1) and boas (bTRPA1) was previously proposed to underlie thermo-sensitive infrared sensing based on transcript enrichment in infrared-sensing neurons and hyper-thermosensitivity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. It is unknown how these TRPA1s show thermosensitivities that overwhelm other thermoreceptors, and why rsTRPA1 is more thermosensitive than bTRPA1. Here, we show that snake TRPA1s differentially require Ca²⁺ for hyper-thermosensitivity and that predisposition to cytosolic Ca²⁺ potentiation correlates with superior thermosensitivity. Extracellularly applied Ca²⁺ upshifted the temperature coefficients (Q10s) of both TRPA1s, for which rsTRPA1, but not bTRPA1, requires cytosolic Ca²⁺. Intracellular Ca²⁺ chelation and substitutive mutations of the conserved cytosolic Ca²⁺-binding domain lowered rsTRPA1 thermosensitivity comparable to that of bTRPA1. Thapsigargin-evoked Ca²⁺ or calmodulin little affected rsTRPA1 activity or thermosensitivity, implying the importance of precise spatiotemporal action of Ca²⁺. Remarkably, a single rattlesnake-mimicking substitution in the conserved but presumably dormant cytosolic Ca²⁺-binding domain of bTRPA1 substantially enhanced thermosensitivity through cytosolic Ca²⁺ like rsTRPA1, indicating the capability of this single site in the determination of both cytosolic Ca²⁺ dependence and thermosensitivity. Collectively, these data suggest that Ca²⁺ is essential for the hyper-thermosensitivity of these TRPA1s, and cytosolic potentiation by permeating Ca²⁺ may contribute to the natural variation of infrared senses between rattlesnakes and boas.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2012

The queen-bee genetic algorithm that we made by mimicking of the reproduction of queen-bee has considerably improved the performances of genetic algorithm. However, since we used only one queen-bee in the queen-bee genetic algorithm, a problem that individuals of genetic algorithm were driven to one place where the queen-bee existed occurred. This made the performances of the queen-bee genetic algorithm degrade. In order to solve this problem, we introduce a multiple queen-bee evolution method by employing another queen-bee whose fitness is the most significantly increased than its parents as well as the original queen-bee that is the best individual in a generation. This multiple queen-bee evolution makes the probability of falling into local optimum areas decrease and allows the individuals to easily get out of the local optimum areas even if the individuals fall into a local optimum area. This results in increasing the performances of the genetic algorithm. Experimental results with four function optimization problems showed that the performances of the proposed method were better than those of the existing method in the most cases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.392-399
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• 2014

Plant senescence is one of the survival strategies to use limited nutrients efficiently during growth, development and adaptation. In this study, we isolated a gene (PagSEN1) homologous to SENESCENCE 1 from Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa. The PagSEN1 gene encodes a putative protein consisting of 243 amino acids containing a rhodanese domain. Southern blot analysis suggested that two copies of the PagSEN1 gene are present in the poplar genome. We characterized its transcriptional expression under various conditions mimicking senescence and environmental stresses. The PagSEN1 was expressed most strongly in mature leaves but most weakly in roots. The gene was significantly up-regulated by treatments with mannitol, NaCl, ABA and JA, but not by cold, SA and GA3. These results indicate that PagSEN1 is involved in senescence response induced by environmental stresses.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2001

N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide) is a synthetic water-soluble ceramide mimicking the activity of natural ceramides. By fixing chiral conformation on carbon numbers 2 and 3 in the ceramide structure, four chiral C2-ceramides naming d-erythro-, I-erythro-, d-threo-and 1-three C2-ceramide were synthesized. We have investigated the chiral effects of these C2-ceramides on the sphingolipid metabolism, particularly on both the sphingolipid bio- synthetic pathway and on the degradation pathway. In both HL-60 and U937 cells, the chiral C2-ceramide ($10{\mu}\textrm{m}$) showed sphingosine accumulation monitored fluoromatrically by a high performance liquid chromatographic separation of the sphingoid bases. Most importantly, in HL-60 cells, l-erythro C2-ceramide induced a 50 fold increase in sphingosine as compared to the control, while l-threo C2-ceramide exhibited a minimal 7-fold in-crease. In contrast, sphinganine, another sphingoid base, showed less accumulation by any chiral C2-ceramide tested under the same conditions. These results suggested that chiral C2-ceramide primarilyacts on the sphingolipid degradation pathway rather than on the sphingolipid biosynthetic route. The strong $C_0/G_1$ phase arrest in the cell cycle by treatment of I-erythro C2-ceramide indicates that the blockade of the sphingolipid degradation pathway might be concomitantly involved in the dysfunction of the cell cycle. On the other hand, the fact that all chiral C2-ceramides tested failed to inhibit the activity of sphingosine kinase acting on the removal of sphingosine by producing sphingosine-1 -phosphate demonstrates that chiral C2- ceramides may increase sphingosine by activating various ceramidases by which natural ceramides are divided into sphingosine and free fatty acids. However, the precise steps involved in this interaction are still unknown.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2007

For the sub-65 nm CMOS process, it is necessary to develop a new silicide material and an accompanying process that allows the silicide to maintain a low sheet resistance and to have an enhanced thermal stability, thus providing for a wider process window. In this study, we have evaluated the property and unit process compatibility of newly proposed composite silicides. We fabricated composite silicide layers on single crystal silicon from $10nm-Ni_{1-x}Co_x/single-crystalline-Si(100),\;10nm-Ni_{1-x}Co_x/poly-crystalline-\;Si(100)$ wafers (x=0.2, 0.5, and 0.8) with the purpose of mimicking the silicides on source and drain actives and gates. Both the film structures were prepared by thermal evaporation and silicidized by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) from $700^{\circ}C\;to\;1100^{\circ}C$ for 40 seconds. The sheet resistance, cross-sectional microstructure, surface composition, were investigated using a four-point probe, a field emission scanning probe microscope, a field ion beam, an X-ray diffractometer, and an Auger electron depth profi1ing spectroscopy, respectively. Finally, our newly proposed composite silicides had a stable resistance up to $1100^{\circ}C$ and maintained it below $20{\Omega}/Sg$., while the conventional NiSi was limited to $700^{\circ}C$. All our results imply that the composite silicide made from NiCo alloy films may be a possible candidate for 65 nm-CMOS devices.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.353-358
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• 2015

Aqueous-based, environmentally friendly photocurrent generation has been highlighted to produce electricity by mimicking photosynthesis in nature. We fabricated a photocurrent generation system using a conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE) assembled in lipid vesicles and a fluorescence dye, and investigated the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two species and the influence of FRET on the photocurrent generation. The FRET efficiency from the electron donor, COE, to the electron acceptor, the dye, increased with the dye concentrations, but the photocurrent increased and then decreased with the dye concentrations. We discussed about the role of FRET and electron shuttles over the variation of photocurrent.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.98-105
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• 2009

The cochlea of the inner ear has two core components, basilar membrane and hair cells. The basilar membrane disperses incoming sound waves by their frequencies. The hair cells are on the basilar membrane, and they are the sensory receptors generating bioelectric signals. In this paper, a biomimetic technology using ZnO piezoelectric nano-pillar was studied as the part of developing process for artificial cochlea and novel artificial mechanosensory system mimicking human auditory senses. In particular, ZnO piezoelectric nano-pillar was fabricated by both low and high temperature growth methods. ZnO piezoelectric nano-pillars were grown on solid (high temperature growth) and flexible (low temperature growth) substrates. The substrates were patterned prior to ZnO nano-pillar growth so that we can selectively grow ZnO nano-pillar on the substrates. A multi-physical simulation was also conducted to understand the behavior of ZnO nano-pillar. The simulation results show electric potential, von Mises stress, and deformation in the ZnO nano-pillar. Both the experimental and computational works help characterize and optimize ZnO nano-pillar.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.118-122
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• 1997

We experienced a case of 51-year-old female patient who showed symptoms of persecutory delusion, auditory hallucination and hallucinatory behavior, severe insomnia, psychomotor retardation and social withdrawal, along with some clinical signs of the deficiency of various hormones those gradually progressed after massive postpartum vaginal bleeding 13 years ago. She was admitted to a psychiatric ward under the impression of psychotic depression. However careful history taking and evaluation of clinical feature gave rise to the possibility of underlying medical condition. Laboratory work-up revealed panhypopituitarism, hypoglycemia and hyponatremia. After replacement of thyroid hormone and cortisol for 1 week, her clinical symptoms including psychiatric symptoms were improved. Taken together, these findings were compatible with the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome. On reporting this case, we would like to emphasize again the importance of differential diagnosis of medical problems causing psychiatric symptoms those are easily neglected in the clinical approach toward psychiatric patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.487-494
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• 2001

During depolarization, extrusion of $Ca^{2+}$ from sarcoplasmic reticulum through forward-mode $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange was studied in the rat ventricular myocytes patch-clamped in whole-cell configuration. In order to confine the $Ca^{2+}$ responses in a micro-domain by limiting the $Ca^{2+}$ diffusion time, rat ventricular myocytes were dialyzed with high (14 mM) EGTA. $K^+$ current was suppressed by substituting KCl with 105 mM CsCl and 20 mM TEA in the pipette filling solution and by omitting KCl in the external Tyrode solution. $Cl^-$ current was suppressed by adding 0.1 mM DIDS in the external Tyrode solution. During stimulation roughly mimicking action potential, the initial outward current was converted into inward current, $47{\pm}1%$ of which was suppressed by 0.1 mM $CdCl_2.$ 10 mM caffeine increased the remaining inward current after $CdCl_2$ in a cAMP-dependent manner. This caffeine-induced inward current was blocked by $1\;{\mu}M$ ryanodine, $10\;{\mu}M$ thapsigargin, 5 mM $NiCl_2,$ or by $Na^+\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ omission, but not by $0.1\;{\mu}M$ isoproterenol. The $I{\sim}V$ relationship of the caffeine-induced current elicited inward current from -45 mV to +3 mV with the peak at -25 mV. Taken together, it is concluded that, during activation of the rat ventricular myocyte, forward-mode $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange extrudes a fraction of $Ca^{2+}$ released from sarcoplasmic reticulum mainly by voltage-sensitive release mechanism in a micro-domain in the t-tubule, which is functionally separable from global $Ca^{2+}{_i}$ by EGTA.