• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2008

Measurements with a Langmuir probe, which are the most often used procedures of plasma diagnostics, can disturb plasma flows and change its characteristics quite a little because the probe should be inserted into thermal flowing plasmas. In this study, we calculated the characteristics of thermal plasmas with and without the probe into an atmospheric argon free-burning arc numerically, and investigated aerodynamic and thermal disturbances with temperature and axial velocity distributions. For the modelling of thermal plasmas, we have made two governing equations, which are on the thermal-flow and electromagnetic fields, coupled together with a commercial CFD package and user-coded subroutines. It was found that thermal disturbances happened to both sides of the probe, before and behind, seriously. Due to the aerodynamic disturbance, we could find that there were the stagnation point in front of the probe and the wake behind it. Therefore, aerodynamic and thermal disturbances caused by the probe insertion should be considered to increase the reliability of the probe diagnostics.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 1992

The influence of phenobarbital (PB) pretreatment (75 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 4 days) on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem (DTZ) and its metabolite, desacetyldiltiazem (DAD), was investigated in rats. DTZ was injected via femoral (3 mg/kg) or portal (10 mg/kg) vein to the control and PB-pretreated rats. DAD was also injected separately via femoral (3 mg/kg) vein to both groups of rats. The intrinsic hepatic plasma clearance of DTZ was found to be significantly increased (6.8-fold) by the PB pretreatment. However, the fraction of an intravenous DTZ dose converted to DAD $(F_mi)$ was only slightly (6%) increased and calculated metabolic rate constant of DTZ to DAD was not affected by the pretreatment. On the other hand, plasma free fraction of DTZ was increased (1.8-fold) from $4.24{\pm}0.25%$ to $7.45{\pm}0.54%$ by the pretreatment. However, the l.8-fold increase in the free fraction of DTZ would not explain the 6.8-fold increase in the hepatic intrinsic clearance of DTZ. Therefore, the increase in either the hepatic blood flow or the metabolism other than to DAD was expected as the probable mechanism(s) of the increased hepatic clearance of DTZ. Sequential metabolism of DAD to further metabolites, however, would be a more potential cause of the apparently unchanged metabolism of DTZ to DAD by the PB-pretreatment.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2005

The etching characteristics of a $LiNbO_{3}$ optical waveguide structure have been investigated using neutral loop discharge plasma with the mixture of $C_{3}F_{8}$ and Ar and the bias power parameters. The etching rate and profile angle of optical waveguide with etching parameters were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Also, the etching RMS roughness was evaluated by atomic force microscopy. From the results of optimum etching conditions are the $C_{3}F_{8}$ gas flow ratio of 0.2 and the bias power of 300 W.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 1994

Plasma phamacokinetics and renal excretion of theophylline (TP) and its metabolities were ivnestigated in rats. Plasma concentrations of TP declined in a monoexponential manner, while those of 1-methyluric (MU) and 1,3-dimethyluric(DMU) declined in a biexponential manner upon respective iv bolus injection of each compound at 6mg/kg dose. The total body clearances $(CL_r)$ of the metabolites were 4-6 fold larger than that of TP, while the distribution volumes of them at steady-state $(Vd_{ss})$ were 40-50% smaller than that of TP. The metabolites showed their plasma peaks in 30 min after iv injection of TP indicating than that to MU. Renal excretion of TP and its metabolites was studied in urine flow rate (UFR)-controlled rats. The renal clearance $(CL_r)$ of TP was inversely related to pasma TP concentrations, and much smaller than the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) suggesting tubular secretion and profound reabsorption in the renal tubule. The $(CL_r)$ of each metabolite also showed that inverse relationship, but far exceeded GFR suggesting that tubular secretion than GFR by ip injection of probenecid (142.7 mg/kg). It supports that the metabolies are secreted in the renal tubule, and suggests that they share a common transport system in their sectrtion processes with probenecid. On the other hand, the $(CL_r)$ of TP was not affected significantly by the probenecid treatment. Considering the inverse relationship of TP between the $(CL_r)$ and its ploasma concentrations,no effect of probenecid on $(CL_r)$ of TP is most likely due to negligible contribution of the secretion to the overall $(CL_r)$ of TP.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.177-182
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• 2012

A new composition of standardized Scutellariae Radix extract (HPO12) was developed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For the preclinical pharmacokinetic study of HPO12, a rapid, sensitive, and selective LCMS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 4 bioactive compounds, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside. After extraction with ethylacetate, chromatographic analysis was performed on a Thermo $C_{18}$ column ($150mm{\times}2.1mm$, $3{\mu}m$) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and 0.1% formic acid in 95% acetonitrile (B) by using gradient elution at a flow rate of $250{\mu}L/min$. Analytes introduced to a mass spectrometer were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive ion mode. Using $25{\mu}L$ of plasma sample, the method was validated over the following concentration ranges: 25-5000 ng/mL for baicalein, 20-40000 ng/mL for baicalin, 1-1000 ng/mL for wogonin, and 5-10000 ng/mL for wogonoside. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples at the 4 concentrations showed $\leq$ 13.7% relative standard deviation (RSD) and 86.6-105.5% accuracy. The method was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside in rat plasma after intraperitoneal and oral administrations of HPO12.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.237-246
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• 2014

Researches on the elimination of sulfur and nitrogen oxides with catalysts and absorbents reported many problems related with elimination efficiency and complex devices. In this study, decomposition efficiency of harmful gases was investigated. It was found that the efficiency rate can be increased by moving the harmful gases together with SPCP reactor and the catalysis reactor. Calcium hydroxide($Ca(OH)_2$), CaO, and $TiO_2$ were used as catalysts. Harmful air polluting gases such as $SO_2$ were measured for the analysis of decomposition efficiency, power consumption, and voltage according to changes to the process variables including frequency, concentration, electrode material, thickness of electrode, number of electrode winding, and additives to obtain optimal process conditions and the highest decomposition efficiency. The standard sample was sulfur oxide($SO_2$). Harmful gases were eliminated by moving them through the plasma generated in the SPCP reactor and the $Ca(OH)_2$ catalysis reactor. The elimination rate and products were analyzed with the gas analyzer (Ecom-AC,Germany), FT-IR(Nicolet, Magna-IR560), and GC-(Shimazu). The results of the experiment conducted to decompose and eliminate the harmful gas $SO_2$ with the $Ca(OH)_2$ catalysis reactor and SPCP reactor show 96% decomposition efficiency at the frequency of 10 kHz. The conductivity of the standard gas increased at the frequencies higher than 20 kHz. There was a partial flow of current along the surface. As a result, the decomposition efficiency decreased. The decomposition efficiency of harmful gas $SO_2$ by the $Ca(OH)_2$ catalysis reactor and SPCP reactor was 96.0% under 300 ppm concentration, 10 kHz frequency, and decomposition power of 20 W. It was 4% higher than the application of the SPCP reactor alone. The highest decomposition efficiency, 98.0% was achieved at the concentration of 100 ppm.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.07c
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• pp.1438-1439
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• 2006

$Ge_{2}Sb_{2}Te_5$(GST) thin film at present is a promising candidate for a phase change random access memory (PCRAM) based on the difference in resistivity between the crystalline and amorphous phase. PCRAM is an easy to manufacture, low cost storage technology with a high storage density. Therefore today several major chip in manufacturers are investigating this data storage technique. Recently, A. Pirovano et al. showed that PCRAM can be safely scaled down to the 65 nm technology node. G. T Jeonget al. suggested that physical limit of PRAM scaling will be around 10 nm node. Etching process of GST thin ra films below 100 nm range becomes more challenging. However, not much information is available in this area. In this work, we report on a parametric study of ICP etching of GST thin films in $Cl_2$/Ar chemistry. The etching characteristics of $Ge_{2}Sb_{2}Te_5$ thin films were investigated using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) of $Cl_2$/Ar gas mixture. The etch rate of the GST films increased with increasing $Cl_2$ flow rate, source and bias powers, and pressure. The selectivity of GST over the $SiO_2$ films was higher than 10:1. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) was performed to examine the chemical species present in the etched surface of GST thin films. XPS results showed that the etch rate-determining element among the Ge, Sb, and Te was Te in the $Cl_2$/Ar plasma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.190-201
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• 2024

Background: Deposition of immune complexes drives podocyte injury acting in the initial phase of lupus nephritis (LN), a process mediated by B cell involvement. Accordingly, targeting B cell subsets represents a potential therapeutic approach for LN. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a bioavailable component of ginseng, possesses nephritis benefits in lupus-prone mice; however, the underlying mechanisms involving B cell subpopulations remain elusive. Methods: Female MRL/lpr mice were administered CK (40 mg/kg) intragastrically for 10 weeks, followed by measurements of anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory chemokines, and metabolite profiles on renal samples. Podocyte function and ultrastructure were detected. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data and flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate B cell subpopulations. Metabolomics analysis was adopted. SIRT1 and AMPK expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Results: CK reduced proteinuria and protected podocyte ultrastructure in MRL/lpr mice by suppressing circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and mitigating systemic inflammation. It activated B cell-specific SIRT1 and AMPK with Rhamnose accumulation, hindering the conversion of renal B cells into plasma cells. This cascade facilitated the resolution of local renal inflammation. CK facilitated the clearance of deposited immune complexes, thus reinstating podocyte morphology and mobility by normalizing the expression of nephrin and SYNPO. Conclusions: Our study reveals the synergistic interplay between SIRT1 and AMPK, orchestrating the restoration of renal B cell subsets. This process effectively mitigates immune complex deposition and preserves podocyte function. Accordingly, CK emerges as a promising therapeutic agent, potentially alleviating the hyperactivity of renal B cell subsets during LN.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.205-209
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• 2015

CCU (Carbon Capture & Utilization) has a potential technology for the reduction and usage of carbon dioxide which is greenhouse gas emitting from a fossil fuel buring. To decompose the carbon dioxide, a three phase gliding arc plasma-catalytic reactor was designed and manufactured. Experiments of carbon dioxide reduction was performed by varying the gas flow rate with feeding the $CO_2$ only as well as the input power, the catalyst type and steam supply with respect to the injection of the mixture of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$. The $CO_2$ decomposition rate was 7.9% and the energy efficiency was $0.0013L/min{\cdot}W$ at a $CO_2$ flow rate of 12 L/min only. Carbon monoxide and oxygen was generated in accordance with the destruction of carbon dioxide. When the injection ratio of $CH_4/CO_2$ reached 1.29, the $CO_2$ destruction and $CH_4$ conversion rates were 37.8% and 56.6% respectively at a power supply of 0.76 kW. During the installation of $NiO/Al_2O_3$ catalyst bed, the $CO_2$ destruction and $CH_4$ conversion rates were 11.5% and 9.9% respectively. The steam supply parameter do not have any significant effects on the carbon dioxide decomposition.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.642-647
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• 2007

We investigated dry etching of acrylic (PMMA) in $O_2/N_2$ plasmas using a multi-layers electrode reactive ion etching (RIE) system. The multi-layers electrode RIE system had an electrode (or a chuck) consisted of 4 individual layers in a series. The diameter of the electrodes was 150 mm. The etch process parameters we studied were both applied RIE chuck power on the electrodes and % $O_2$ composition in the $N_2/O_2$ plasma mixtures. In details, the RIE chuck power was changed from 75 to 200 W.% $O_2$ in the plasmas was varied from 0 to 100% at the fixed total gas flow rates of 20 sccm. The etch results of acrylic in the multilayers electrode RIE system were characterized in terms of negatively induced dc bias on the electrode, etch rates and RMS surface roughness. Etch rate of acrylic was increased more than twice from about $0.2{\mu}m/min$ to over $0.4{\mu}m/min$ when RIE chuck power was changed from 75 to 200 W. 1 sigma uniformity of etch rate variation of acrylic on the 4 layers electrode was slightly increased from 2.3 to 3.2% when RIE chuck power was changed from 75 to 200 W at the fixed etch condition of 16 sccm $O_2/4\;sccm\;N_2$ gas flow and 100 mTorr chamber pressure. Surface morphology was also investigated using both a surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The RMS roughness of etched acrylic surface was strongly affected by % $O_2$ composition in the $O_2/N_2$ plasmas. However, RIE chuck power changes hardly affected the roughness results in the range of 75-200 W. During etching experiment, Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) data was taken and we found both $N_2$ peak (354.27 nm) and $O_2$ peak (777.54 nm). The preliminarily overall results showed that the multi-layers electrode concept could be successfully utilized for high volume reactive ion etching of acrylic in the future.