• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2016

A thermal power plant has a heat exchanger tube to collect and convert the heat generated from the high temperature and pressure steam to energy, but the tubes are arranged in a complex manner. In the event that a leakage occurs in any of these tubes, the high-pressure steam leaks out and may cause the neighboring tubes to rupture. This leakage can finally stop power generation, and hence there is a dire need to establish a suitable technology capable of detecting tube leaks at an early stage even before it occurs. As shown in this paper, by applying acoustic emission (AE) technology in existing boiler tube leak detection equipment (BTLD), we developed a system that detects these leakages early enough and generates an alarm at an early stage to necessitate action; the developed system works better that the existing system used to detect fine leakages. We verified the usability of the system in a 560MW-class thermal power plant boiler by conducting leak tests by simulating leakages from a variety of hole sizes (ⵁ2, ⵁ5, ⵁ10 mm). Results show that while the existing fine leakage detection system does not detect fine leakages of ⵁ2 mm and ⵁ5 mm, the newly developed system could detect leakages early enough and generate an alarm at an early stage, and it is possible to increase the signal to more than 18 dB.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.424-429
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• 2016

Globally, obesity has been recognized as a serious health problem. Recently, slimming foods for weight loss and maintenance were found to contain anti-obesity drugs, their analogues, and prohibited ingredients. To avoid inspections by the Government, structurally modified analogs have been continuously synthesized. For rapid determination of adulterated slimming products, we simultaneously analyzed 21 illegal compounds using liquid chromatography (LC) equipped with photo diode array, and LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The validation of the method was performed with regard to selectivity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy. We purchased 128 samples from the Korean market and online sources in the year 2015. In 31 samples, 3 illegal compounds were detected as follows: 9.9-135.3 mg/g of sibutramine, 0.2-17.5 mg/g of yohimbine, and 1.8 mg/g of icariin. This simultaneous detection method might prove to be a simple and rapid analysis for monitoring illegal compounds in slimming foods.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2014

The safety of fake anti-impotence drugs (fake Viagra : 26 samples, fake Cialis : 25 samples) distributed in Gyeonggi province was studied by monitoring the concentrations of anti-impotence pharmaceutical ingredient and their analogues. The concentrations of anti-impotence pharmaceutical ingredient 4 specis and their analogues 17 specis were estimated using by HPLC/PDA, LC-MS/MS. The range of concentration of sildenafil in fake viagra was 40~199 mg/tablet, among them the portion of the concentrations of sildenafil over 150 mg/tablet exceeded 65%. 3 cases in tested samples contained sildenafil and tadalafil. The range of concentration of sildenafil in fake cialis was 102~249 mg/tablet, among them the portion of the concentrations of sildenafil over 150 mg/tablet exceeded 88%. One case in tested samples contained demethylhongdenafil (90 mg/tablet). These results indicate that there were many fake anti-impotence drug contained high level of anti-impotence pharmaceutical ingredients, a sustainable monitoring and the blocked distribution of fake anti-impotence drugs recommended.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.317-322
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• 2021

When a complex load such as torsion, low-speed impact, or fatigue load is applied, the properties in the thickness direction are weakened through microcracks inside the material due to the nature of the laminated composite material, and delamination occurs. To prevent the interlaminar delamination, various three-dimensional reinforcement methods such as Z-pinning and stitching, and structural health monitoring techniques that detect the microcrack of structures in real time have been continuously studied. In this paper, the single-lap joints with I-fiber stitching process were manufactured by a co-curing method and their strengths and failure detection capability were evaluated. AE and electric resistance method were used for detection of crack and failure signal and electric circuit for signal analysis was manufactured, and failure signal was analyzed during the tensile test of a single-lap joint. From the experiment, the strength of the single lap joint reinforced by I-fiber stitching process was improved by about 44.6% compared to the co-cured single lap joint without reinforcement. In addition, as the single-lap joint reinforced by I-fiber stitching process can detect failure in both the electrical resistance method and the AE method, it has been proven to be an effective structure for failure monitoring as well as strength improvement.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.342-348
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• 2020

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is one of the most common infectious diseases in humans worldwide. Since UPEC is increasingly gaining resistance to many antimicrobial agents, antibiotic therapy of UTI has recently become a great concern. This study examined the epidemiological relationship, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of 84 UPEC isolates obtained from UTI patients in Daejeon, from March to December 2017. Molecular epidemiology was investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and an antimicrobial susceptibility test was determined using an E-test. In this study, UTI was more common in females (73.8%) than in males (26.2%), and the highest incidence of UTI was observed in the age group in their 70s. Among the 84 UPEC isolates, 59 isolates (70.2%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and the major sequence type was ST131 (44 isolates, 52.4%). Interestingly, the rates of MDR in non-ST131 isolates (72.5%) were higher compared to ST131 isolates (68.2%). These results indicate the possibility of the development and spread of MDR in non-ST131 isolates. Effective surveillance networks and continuous research need to be conducted globally to prevent the emergence and international spread of MDR non-ST131 isolates.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.58-73
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• 2022

Due to the recent demand for low-calorie foods, consumers are looking for alternative sweeteners that can control blood sugar, low risk of tooth decay and low calories. Regulations for permitted sweeteners in food vary from every country, and it is important for the government and the food industry to monitor products containing these sweeteners to ensure global compliance. Therefore, rapid, precise, and accurate analysis for food matrices should be applied to quality control, market surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation of food additive intake in the food industry. To analyze sweeteners simultaneously, it is essential to develop an efficient and rapid analytical method and to perform appropriate pretreatment steps such as solvent extraction and purification. This study presented the recent analysis trends about the suitable extraction method for food matrices focusing on non-nutritive sweeteners. Additionally, techniques for multi-compounds analysis using HPLC and LC-MS/MS and non-destructive analysis techniques using FT-IR were comprehensively described.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2022

Soil(vadose zone) gas compositions were measured for about 3 days to suggest a method for monitoring and interpreting soil gas data collected around wells from which methane(CH₄) is outflowing. The vadose zone gas samples were collected within 1 m around two test wells(TB2 and TB3) at Pohang and analyzed for CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and O₂ concentrations in situ. CO₂ flux was measured beside TB2. In addition, gas samples from well head in TB2 and atmospheric air samples were collected for comparison. Carbon isotopes of CO₂(δ¹³C_CO2) of samples collected on the last day of the study period were analyzed in the laboratory. The two test wells (TB2 and 3) were 12.7 m apart and only TB3 was cemented to the surface. According to the bio-geochemical process-based interpretation, the relationships between CO₂ and O₂, N₂, and N₂/O₂ of vadose zone gas were plotted between the lines of CH₄ oxidation and CO₂ dissolution. In addition, the CH₄ concentrations of gas samples from the wellhead of the uncemented well (TB2) were 5.2 times higher than the atmospheric CH₄ concentration. High CO₂ concentrations (average 1.148%) of vadose zone gas around TB2 seemed to be attributed to the oxidation of CH₄. On the other hand, the vadose zone CO₂ around the cemented well(TB3) showed a relatively low concentration(0.136%). This difference indicates that the vadose zone gas(including CO₂) around the CH₄ outflowing well were strongly affected by well completion(cementing). This study result can be used to establish strategies for environmental monitoring of soil around natural gas sites, and can be used to monitor leakage around injection and observation wells for CO₂ geological storage. In addition, the method of this study is useful for soil monitoring in natural gas storage and oil-contaminated sites.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2019

Background: The isolation of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has become increasingly common. Continuous surveillance for these organisms is essential because their infections are closely related to outbreaks of illness and are associated with high mortality rates. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate multiplex PCR as a means of detecting several important CPE genes simultaneously. Methods: We aimed to develop a multiplex PCR that could detect seven CPE genes simultaneously. The multiplex PCR was composed of seven primer sets for the detection of KPC, IMP, VIM, NDM-1, GES, OXA-23, and OXA-48. We designed different PCR product sizes of at least 100 bp. We evaluated the performance of this new test using 69 CPE-positive clinical isolates. Also, we confirmed the specificity to rule out false-positive reactions by using 71 carbapenem-susceptible clinical strains. Results: A total of 69 CPE clinical isolates showed positive results and were correctly identified as KPC (N=14), IMP (N=13), OXA-23 (N=12), OXA-48 (N=11), VIM (N=9), GES (N=5), and NDM (N=5) by the multiplex PCR. All 71 carbapenem-susceptible clinical isolates, including Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showed negative results. Conclusion: This multiplex PCR can detect seven CPE genes at a time and will be useful in clinical laboratories.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-200
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• 2003

In order to assess the ecological changes induced by organic pollutants of the Shihwa Lake, BPI (Benthic Pollution Index) based on the benthic faunal community was employed. It was modified from Infaunal Trophic Index (ITI), and recommended as a pollution detecting method for the environmental assessment. The BPI values were calculated from the benthos data, which were collected for three terms: in 1980, before the Shihwa Lake was built up; in 1994-1997, which the Shihwa Lake was completely isolated from the outer seawater; in 1997-1999, after inflow of the outer seawater. Since the Shihwa Dike was constructed in February 1994, the pollution intensity of the lake had been increased from the narrow and inner part of the former Gyeonggi Bay and spread fast along the coast line of the Shihwa Lake. Then, in 1996 it showed the very high BPI levels all around the Lake. This serious polluted condition had been lasted till 1997, when the inflow of the seawater was begun. In 1998, from the nearest part of the Shihwa Gate, the BPI levels gradually became low in most area of the Lake, except its inner and narrow part. These greatly lowered BPI levels mean that the seawater inflow could be assumed to affect positively in the lake. Furthermore, BPI gave the same results from the other environmental assessment based on the abundance and the species richness of macrobenthic community. It shows that BPI could be useful as an effective method to assess the marine environment and evaluate the status of environmental conditions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.342-351
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to survey susceptibilities of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates against cefotaxime and to determine the prevalences of CTX-M type extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamases (ESBLs) producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Korea. During the period of February to July, 2005, 153 E. coli and 52 K. neumoniae isolates were collected from 2 hospitals in Busan. Antimicrobial susceptibilities to cefotaxime were tested by the disk diffusion method. ESBL production of E. coli and K. pneumoniae was determined by the double disk synergy test. MICs of $\beta$-lactam antibiotics were determined by the agar dilution method. Blac$_{CTX-M}$ genes of the organism were detected by PCR. Among 153 isolates of E. coli and 52 isolates of K. neumoniae, 27 (17.6%) and 25 (48.0%) were intermediate or resistant to cefotaxime, respectively. Twenty-three (15.0%) isolates out of 153 E. coli and 13 (25.0%) out of 52 K. neumoniae isolates showed positive results for ESBL by the double disk synergy test. Twenty isolates out of 23 ESBL producing E. coli and 12 out of 13 ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored biacTx-M gene,11 of ESBL producing E. coli and 12 of ESBL producing K. neuinoniae isolates harbored bla$_{CTX-M}$ gene, 11 of the ESBL producing E. coli and 2 of ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored bla$_{TEM}$ gene, and 1 of the ESBL producing E. coli and 12 of ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored bla$_{SHV}$ gene. E. coli and K. neumoniae isolates producing CTX-M-type ESBLs were not uncommon in Korea. It is thought that continuous survey are necessary for inspecting the spread and novel variants of CTX-M-type ESBL genes. Further me]'e investigation and research on ESBL producing strains are needed in order to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.