Korea University

About: Korea University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 39756 authors who have published 82424 publications receiving 1860927 citations. The organization is also known as: Bosung College & Bosung Professional College.

To understand subduction initiation, study forearc crust: To understand forearc crust, study ophiolites

Abstract: Articulating a comprehensive plate-tectonic theory requires understanding how new subduction zones form (subduction initiation). Because subduction initiation is a tectonomagmatic singularity with few active examples, reconstructing subduction initiation is challenging. The lithosphere of many intra-oceanic forearcs preserves a high-fidelity magmatic and stratigraphic record of subduction initiation. We have heretofore been remarkably ignorant of this record, because the “naked forearcs” that expose subduction initiation crustal sections are distant from continents and lie in the deep trenches, and it is difficult and expensive to study and sample this record via dredging, diving, and drilling. Studies of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana convergent margin indicate that subduction initiation there was accompanied by seafloor spreading in what ultimately became the forearc of the new convergent margin. Izu-Bonin-Mariana subduction initiation encompassed ∼7 m.y. for the complete transition from initial seafloor spreading and eruption of voluminous mid-ocean-ridge basalts (forearc basalts) to normal arc volcanism, perhaps consistent with how long it might take for slowly subsiding lithosphere to sink ∼100 km deep and for mantle motions to evolve from upwelling beneath the infant arc to downwelling beneath the magmatic front. Many ophiolites have chemical features that indicate formation above a convergent plate margin, and most of those formed in forearcs, where they were well positioned to be tectonically emplaced on land when buoyant crust jammed the associated subduction zone. We propose a strategy to better understand forearcs and thus subduction initiation by studying ophiolites, which preserve the magmatic stratigraphy, as seen in the Izu-Bonin-Mariana forearc; we call these “subduction initiation rule” ophiolites. This understanding opens the door for on-land geologists to contribute fundamentally to understanding subduction initiation.

Response of microbial communities to biochar-amended soils: a critical review

Abstract: Application of biochar to soils changes soil physicochemical properties and stimulates the activities of soil microorganisms that influence soil quality and plant performance. Studying the response of soil microbial communities to biochar amendments is important for better understanding interactions of biochar with soil, as well as plants. However, the effect of biochar on soil microorganisms has received less attention than its influences on soil physicochemical properties. In this review, the following key questions are discussed: (i) how does biochar affect soil microbial activities, in particular soil carbon (C) mineralization, nutrient cycling, and enzyme activities? (ii) how do microorganisms respond to biochar amendment in contaminated soils? and (iii) what is the role of biochar as a growth promoter for soil microorganisms? Many studies have demonstrated that biochar-soil application enhances the soil microbial biomass with substantial changes in microbial community composition. Biochar amendment changes microbial habitats, directly or indirectly affects microbial metabolic activities, and modifies the soil microbial community in terms of their diversity and abundance. However, chemical properties of biochar, (especially pH and nutrient content), and physical properties such as pore size, pore volume, and specific surface area play significant roles in determining the efficacy of biochar on microbial performance as biochar provides suitable habitats for microorganisms. The mode of action of biochar leading to stimulation of microbial activities is complex and is influenced by the nature of biochar as well as soil conditions.

Mitochondria are impaired in the adipocytes of type 2 diabetic mice.

Abstract: Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to confirm a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 diabetes.

Heteroepitaxially grown zeolitic imidazolate framework membranes with unprecedented propylene/propane separation performances.

Abstract: Propylene/propane separation is one of the most challenging separations, currently achieved by energy-intensive cryogenic distillation. Despite the great potential for energy-efficient membrane-based separations, no commercial membranes are currently available due to the limitations of current polymeric materials. Zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-8, with the effective aperture size of ∼4.0 A, has been shown to be very promising for propylene/propane separation. Despite the extensive research on ZIF-8 membranes, only a few reported ZIF-8 membranes have displayed good propylene/propane separation performances presumably due to the challenges of controlling the microstructures of polycrystalline membranes. Here we report the first well-intergrown membranes of ZIF-67 (Co-substituted ZIF-8) by heteroepitaxially growing ZIF-67 on ZIF-8 seed layers. The ZIF-67 membranes exhibited impressively high propylene/propane separation capabilities. Furthermore, when a tertiary growth of ZIF-8 layers was applied to het...

Stretchable Active Matrix Temperature Sensor Array of Polyaniline Nanofibers for Electronic Skin

Abstract: A stretchable polyaniline nanofiber temperature sensor array with an active matrix consisting of single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film transistors is demonstrated. The integrated temperature sensor array gives mechanical stability under biaxial stretching of 30%, and the resultant spatial temperature mapping does not show any mechanical or electrical degradation.