• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.674-680
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• 2015

A solvent-soluble polyimide (PI) polymeric binder was synthesized by a two-step reaction for silicon (Si) anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Polyamic acid was first prepared through ring opening between two monomers, bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BCDA) and 4,4-oxydianiline (ODA), followed by condensation reaction. Using the synthesized PI polymeric binder (molecular weight = ~10,945), the coating slurry was then prepared and Si anode was fabricated. For the control system, Si anode based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, molecular weight = ~350,000) having the same constituent ratio was prepared. During precycling, PI polymeric binder revealed much improved discharge capacity ($2,167mAh\;g^{-1}$) compared to that of using PVDF polymeric binder ($1,740mAh\;g^{-1}$), while the Coulombic efficiency of two systems were similar. PI polymeric binder improved the cycle retention ability during cycles compared to that of using PVDF, which is attributed to an improved adhesion property inside Si anode diminishing the dimensional stress during Si volume changes. The adhesion property of each polymeric binder in Si anode was confirmed by surface and interfacial cutting analysis system (SAICAS) (Si anode based on PI polymeric binder = $0.217kN\;m^{-1}$ and Si anode based on PVDF polymeric binder = $0.185kN\;m^{-1}$).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.311-318
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• 2022

Appropriate suture technique is crucial for successful tracheal anastomosis. However, standards for an ideal suture method have not yet been established. A previous study suggested tracheal anastomosis using barbed sutures that do not require knots; however, their use in small animals has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to compare knotless barbed sutures with conventional smooth sutures in terms of maximum tensile strength and suturing time in canine tracheal models to demonstrate the feasibility of using barbed sutures in tracheal anastomosis in dogs. Tracheal segments harvested from nine beagle dog cadavers were randomly assigned to three suture groups: barbed suture (B), smooth suture in simple interrupted pattern (SI), and smooth suture in simple continuous pattern (SC). The maximum tensile force and suturing time were compared according to the suturing method, and the mode of failure was evaluated. The average suturing time was 3.29 min in the B group; 4.41 min, SC group; and 8.99 min, SI group (p < 0.001). The average maximum tensile force in the SC group was 134.97 N, which was stronger than the SI (110.57 N) and B groups (103.10 N) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The difference between the B and SI groups was not significant (p = 0.05). The B group demonstrated comparable mechanical strength and shorter suture time compared with the SI group. Therefore, tracheal anastomosis using barbed sutures could be an effective alternative to conventional smooth sutures in dogs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.447-453
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• 2017

In this study, $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode material and LiPON solid electrolyte were manufactured into thin films, and the possibility of their use in thin-film batteries was researched. When the RTP treatment was performed after $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin-film deposition on the SUS substrate by a sputtering method, a ${\beta}-Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin film was successfully manufactured. The LiPON solid electrolyte was prepared by a reactive sputtering method using a $Li_3PO_4$ target and $N_2$ gas, and a homogeneous and flat thin film was deposited on a $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin film. In order to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin films, coin cells using only a liquid electrolyte were prepared and the charge/discharge test was conducted. As a result, the amorphous thin film of RTP treated at $600^{\circ}C$ showed the highest initial discharge capacity of about $60{\mu}Ah/cm^2$. In cases of coin cells using liquid/solid double electrolyte, the discharge capacities of the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin films were comparable to those without solid LiPON electrolyte. It was revealed that $Li_2MnSiO_4$ cathode thin films with LiPON solid electrolyte were applicable in thin film batteries.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2011

In this study, the composition of optical glass for GMP(glass molding process) was designed with 'Design of Experiments' method. All the composition batch was performed by 'Create Factorial Design' method. Particularly, $SiO_2$, BaO and $Al_2O_3$ were chosen major parameters for investigating the effects of components on optical and thermal properties. BaO and $Al_2O_3$ strongly influenced on optical and thermal properties, respectively. Finally, the approximate values of desired optical and thermal values were obtained by microtuning of compositions. At the composition of $BaO:Al_2O_3:SiO_2$=10:4:48 (molar ratio), refractive index($n_d$) was 1.5833, coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE) was $104{\times}10^{-7}/^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.608-614
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• 2009

In this work, ruthenium substituted SBA-15's(Ru-SBA15's) of various Si/Ru ratios were prepared using a non-ionic triblock copolymer surfactant, $EO_{20}PO_{70}EO_{20}$, as template. We investigated the nitrogen or oxygen adsorption/desorption behaviors of the Ru-SBA-15's for their future applications as catalysts or selective adsorbents, etc. The pore size of the Ru-SBA-15's was determined by both the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda(BJH)($D_{BJH}$) and the Broekhoff-de Boer analysis with a Frenkel-Halsey-Hill isotherm(BdB-FFF) method($D_{BdB-FHH}$). The $D_{BJH}$ and $D_{BdB-FHH}$ of the Ru-SBA-15 having 50/1 ratio of Si/Ru were 3.9 nm and 4.7 nm, respectively. The transmission electron microscope(TEM) image of the Ru-SBA 15 of the Si/Ru mole ratio of 50 showed that the pore size is 4.7 nm, which is consistent with the $N_2$ adsorption results with the BdB-FHH method. The surface area of pores form oxygen adsorption/desorption isotherm was higher than that from the nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) method, which were respectively $612.7m^2/g$, and $573.3m^2/g$. X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns and TEM analyses showed that the mesoporous materials possess well-ordered hexagonal arrays.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.199-201
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• 2008

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan with a worldwide distribution. It infects humans as well as a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts. Cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study was performed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii infection among stray cats in the Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. A total of 174 stray cat blood samples were collected from Gwacheon-si (n = 20), Bucheon-si (82), and Yangju-si (72). Positive sera for T. gondii were identified in 14 samples (8.1%) exclusively via the latex agglutination test, 28 (16.1%) via ELISA, and 23 (13.2%) via PCR analysis. The overall infection rate of female stray cats (29.2%) presented as higher than that of male cats (24.0%). This study suggests that T. gondii is widespread in the stray cat population of Gyeonggi-do, Korea. It is urgently needed to control urban stray cat population and to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis to other animal hosts and humans.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.07a
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• pp.1353-1354
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• 2007

폴리 실리콘 층의 유무에 따른 금속-옥사이드-반도체(MOS) 구조의 소자를 제작하였다. 터널링 산화막과 블로킹 산화막으로는 $Al_{2}O_{3}$ 층을 증착하였으며, 원자층 증착법을 이용하여 제작하였다. 터널링 산화막 층의 두께에 따른 I-V와 C-V 특성을 측정하였다. 전자들이 폴리 실리콘 층에 저장됨에 따라 N-형의 I-V 특성이 관찰되었다. C-V 측정 시에는 반시계 방향의 히스테리시스 특성을 나타내었으며, 전압이 증가할수록 플랫-밴드 전압 이동 폭이 더욱 증가하였다. 이러한 전기적 특성은 전압의 이동에 따른 전자들이 터널링 산화막 층을 통하여 폴리 실리콘 내부에 저장되기 때문이다. 이를 특성들은 폴리 실리콘의 전하 저장 가능성을 보여주는 것이며, 터널링 산화막 층의 두께에 따른 전기적 특성 변화도 관찰하였다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2013

Ginseng is known to have antistress effects. Previously, red ginseng (RG) was shown to repress stress-induced peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) via estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ ($ER{\beta}$) in the brain, thus inhibiting brain cell apoptosis. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ plays a critical role in immobilization (IMO) stress. However, the signaling pathway of RG-mediated repressesion of inflammation is not completely understood. In this study, we determined how RG modulated gene expression in stressed brain cells. Since secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ is modulated via TNF-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, we examined the inflammatory pathway in stressed brain cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TACE was induced by IMO stress, but RG repressed TACE induction. Moreover, PADI4 siRNA repressed TACE expression compared to the mock transfected control suggesting that PADI4 was required for TACE expression. A reporter assay also revealed that $H_2O_2$ oxidative stress induced NF-${\kappa}B$ in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, however, RG pretreatment repressed NF-${\kappa}B$ induction. These findings were supported by significant induction of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress, which could be repressed by RG administration. Taken together, RG appeared to repress stress-induced PADI4 via TACE and NF-${\kappa}B$ in brain cells thus preventing production of ROS and subsequently protecting brain cells from apoptosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.219-229
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• 2010

Background: N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is a member of the NDRG gene family. Our previous report indicated a possible role for NDRG2 in regulating the cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), which is an important immunosuppressive cytokine. Several pathways, including p38-MAPK, NF-${\kappa}B$, and JAK/STAT, are used for IL-10 production, and the JAK/STAT pathway can be inhibited in a negative feedback loop by the inducible protein, SOCS3. In the present study, we investigated the effect of NDRG2 gene expression on IL-10 signaling pathway that is modulated via SOCS3 and STAT3. Methods: We generated NDRG2-overexpressing U937 cell line (U937-NDRG2) and treated the cells with PMA to investigate the role of NDRG2 in IL-10 production. U937 cells were also transfected with SOCS3- or NDRG2-specific siRNAs to examine whether the knockdown of SOCS3 or NDRG2 influenced IL-10 expression. Lastly, STAT3 and SOCS3 induction was measured to identify the signaling pathway that was associated with IL-10 production. Results: RT-PCR and ELISA assays showed that IL-10 was increased in U937-mock cells upon stimulation with PMA, but IL-10 was inhibited by overexpression NDRG2. After PMA treatment, STAT3 phosphorylation was decreased in a time-dependent manner in U937-mock cells, whereas it was maintained in U937-NDRG2 cells. SOCS3 was markedly reduced in U937-NDRG2 cells compared with U937-mock cells. IL-10 production after PMA stimulation was reduced in U937 cells when SOCS3 was inhibited, but this effect was less severe when NDRG2 was inhibited. Conclusion: NDRG2 expression modulates SOCS3 and STAT3 activity, eventually leading to the inhibition of IL-10 production.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.337-344
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• 2011

Purpose: To report our experience of gastrointestinal operations performed in neonates including low birth weight infants and to evaluate their clinical characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent neonatal gastrointestinal surgery or had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or inguinal hernia from January 2008 to December 2010 at Pusan National University School of Medicine. Results: The main disease was anorectal malformation and male patients were dominant. Twenty four patients (19.2%) had one or more associated anomalies including hydronephrosis and congenital heart disease. Eighteen patients (43.9%) of anorectal malformation had other anomalies. Seventy six percent of NEC cases were very low birth weight infants. Concerning mean days of full enteral feeding after operation, NEC patients needed 30.8 days, which was the longest period. Overall mortality of operation (except NEC and inguinal hernia operation) was 1.6%. The mortality of NEC with surgical treatment was 18.8%. The direct bilirubin in the operation group was significant higher than in the non-operation group in NEC patients. Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality after neonatal gastrointestinal surgery were excellent. The direct bilirubin in the operation group was significant higher than in the non-operation group in NEC.