• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.514-520
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• 2019

This study investigated the improved lipid metabolism effect of 3T3-L1 cells induced by adipocytes using the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction in the organic solvent extract of Wassong (Orostachys japonicus). To confirm the cell cytotoxicity, each of 6 fractions of organic solvent extracts (EtOH, Hexane, DCM, EtOAc, BuOH, and H₂O) was examined using MTS assay. As a result, it was confirmed that the DCM extract was stable over the whole range of concentrations, and a DCM fraction was used to confirm the improved lipid metabolism effect. Lipid excretion was measured to confirm the change of lipid metabolism. 3T3-L1 cells induced by adipocytes were treated with DCM extract and stained with oil-red O to evaluate lipid accumulation. As a result, it was confirmed that the lipid efflux was significantly improved. In order to confirm the mechanism of lipid efflux, the mRNA expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1, which are lipid transport proteins, were confirmed by real-time PCR. Therefore, the present study confirmed that the DCM extract from Orostachys japonicus has the effect of improving the lipid metabolism on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, the results of this study will be used as the basis for the development of functional foods using Orostachys japonicus and also for conducting research on the detailed mechanisms.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.66-73
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• 2021

In this study, The full load test and WHTC mode test were performed to examine the effect on a heavy duty natural gas engine according to the type of standard gas for certification to check engine performance and exhaust characteristics. Two types of standard gas (G_r, G₂₃) and commercially available natural gas were applied as the fuel used. As a result of the test results of three natural gases with different fuel compositions, G₂₃ with a high nitrogen content was inferior in torque, fuel consumption, and thermal efficiency conditions. In addition, when evaluated in the WHTC mode it was possible to obtain a result that satisfies the EURO VI regulation. However, compared to the other two fuels, the emission characteristics of G₂₃ decreased CO2 and CO, but increased CH4, NOx and PN emissions.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.280-293
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• 2002

In this study, we analyzed the long-term distribution patterns of $CH_4$ determined from the Moo-Ahn (MAN) observatory in relation with those derived from the world major background monitoring sites. Comparison of the data were made using those data sets collected for the period between Aug. 1995 to Dec. 1991. The mean $CH_4$ concentration of MAN observatory was measured to be 1898${\pm}$85.3 ppb, recording the highest concentration of all the monitoring sites. When the concentration of $CH_4$ for different stations was compared over latitudinal scale, its concentration appeared to increase systematically as a function of latitude with an exception of MAN (and the other Korean monitoring site at Tae Ahn). Moreover, such phenomenon was more distinctive in Northern than Southern Hemisphere. According to the analysis of the monthly distribution patterns of $CH_4$ at MAN observatory, its concentration level began to increase from the months of February/March and peaked during August. In addition, when the level of oscillation in monthly concentrations (between the maximum and minimum values) was checked, differences were significant between MAN and other monitoring stations. If the rate of concentration change was checked using the data sets collected for this limited time period in terms of linear regression analysis, results for MAN showed the highest annual increasing rate of 16.5 ppb. It is hence suggested that the largest variability in the $CH_4$ distribution patterns at MAN observatory may be reflected by the high irregularity in its source/sink processes.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1157-1163
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• 2012

This study was performed a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) among three rice production systems in order to analyze the difference of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and environment impacts. Its life cycle inventory (LCI) database (DB) was established using data obtained from interview with conventional, without agricultural chemical and organic farming at Gunsan and Iksan, Jeonbuk province in 2011. According to the result of LCI analysis, $CO_2$ was mostly emitted from fertilizer production process and rice cropping phase. $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ were almost emitted from rice cultivation phase. The value of carbon footprint to produce 1 kg rice (unhulled) on conventional rice production system was 1.01E+00 kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ and it was the highest value among three rice production systems. The value of carbon footprints on without agricultural chemical and organic rice production systems were 5.37E-01 $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ and 6.58E-01 $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Without agricultural chemical rice production system whose input amount was the smallest had the lowest value of carbon footprint. Although the yield of rice from organic farming was the lowest, its value of carbon footprint less than that of conventional farming. Because there is no compound fertilizer inputs in organic farming. Compound fertilizer production and methane emission during rice cultivation were the main factor to GHGs emission in conventional and without agricultural chemical rice production systems. In organic rice production system, the main factors to GHGs emission were using fossil fuel on machine operation and methane emission from rice paddy field.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.840-846
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• 2012

Global climate changes caused by $CO_2$ emissions are currently debated around the world; green sources of energy are being sought as alternatives to replace fossil fuels. The sustainable use of biogas for energy production does not contribute to $CO_2$ emission and has therefore a high potential to reduce them. Catalytic steam reforming of a model biogas ($CH_4:CO_2$ = 60%:40%) is investigated to produce $H_2$-rich synthesis gas. The biogas utilized 3D-IR matrix burner in which the surface combustion is applied. The ruthenium catalyst was used inside a reformer. Parametric screening studies were achieved as Steam/Carbon ratio, biogas component ratio, Space velocity and Reformer temperature. When the condition of Steam/Carbon ratio, $CH_4/CO_2$ ratio, Space velocity and Refomer temperature were 3.25, 60% : 40%, $14.7L/g{\cdot}hr$ and $550^{\circ}C$ respectively, the hydrogen concentration and methane conversion rate were showed maximum values. Under the condition mentioned above, $H_2$ yield, $H_2$/CO ratio, CO selectivity and energy efficiency were 0.65, 2.14, 0.59, 51.29%.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.765-772
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• 2015

In this research, the characteristics of SOFC/GT (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine) system temperature, stack power and system efficiency for flow rates of air, CH4 and water supplied to SOFC stack have been investigated. The temperature of the gas supplied to cathode and anode of SOFC stack in the SOFC/GT system are maintained by utilizing exhaust gas without the addition of external heat source. As a result, within the scope of this study, temperatures of gas supplied to cathode and anode of SOFC stack were maintained at 1000 (K) by utilizing the exhaust gas of the SOFC/GT system without the addition of external heat source. The system efficiency is increased with increase of air flow rate supplied to the stack and with decrease of $CH_4$ flow rate supplied to the stack. In addition, it can be found that the flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the turbine had a significant effect on the system efficiency. And the efficiencies of SOFC stack and SOFC/GT system depending upon various operating conditions of the SOFC/GT system is 51~57% and 57~73%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.236-241
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• 2005

To investigate the bioactivities of Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea Mig. Root (SVR), we studied the effect of a SVR methanol extract on the activity of bone metabolism. Spraque-Dawley three-week-old female rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows : non-supplemented rats and supplemented with SVR at 10, 50, 100 mg/kg bw/day. Every week determined weight gain and food intake, urine and blood examination of mineral content of calcium and phosphorus was performed each at experimental periods of 3 and 9 weeks respectively; bone mineral density and bone mineral content were also assayed. There were no significant differences in body weight or feed efficiency ratio levels. However, the biological value of calcium and phosphorus excretion in the group supplemented with SVR extract decreased significantly more than that in the group not supplemented with SVR extract. Also, spine BMD, femur BMC and pelvis BMC per weight were significantly greater on SVR extract supplemented groups than that of the control group. In conclusion, it might be expected that methanol extract of SVR does not impair the growth of rats and may improve bone metabolism in rats.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2008

With the effectuation of Kyoto Protocol on the United Nations Framework Convention on the Climate Change, the emission reduction of greenhouse gases became an urgent issue and has been competitively secured among countries as the form of certificates through clean development mechanism (CDM) or joint implementation (JI). Nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) is one of the major greenhouse gases along with carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and methane ($CH_4$) having warming potential 310 times that of carbon dioxide and chemically very stable in the atmosphere to give a life time of more than 120 years so that it reaches to the stratosphere to act as an ozone depleting substance. $N_2O$ hardly decomposes and thus, besides to the adoption of thermal decomposition at high temperature, selective catalytic reduction methods are usually used at temperatures over $400^{\circ}C$ in which the presence of NOx acts as a major impeding material in the decomposition process. In this article, the sources of various $N_2O$ generation, catalytic reduction processes and the status and trends of emission trade with CDM projects for greenhouse gas reduction are summarized and discussed on a condensed basis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.277-285
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• 2014

The usage of efficient microorganism (EM) is increasing in concern for server purposes including odor removal during carcasses degradation. In this study, we have studied the type of soil and its effect on efficient microorganisms for the removal of odorous gases during buried carcasses degradation in lab-scale reactor. The carcasses are buried in the reactor with various soil types such as normal soil, 20% sandy and 20% clay soil with the efficient microorganism KEM. The efficient microorganisms KEM have the ability to stabilize the degradation of carcasses of the burial site. We have focused on the analysis of odorous gases such tri-methylamine (TMA), hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), methyl mercaptan (MM), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and methane ($CH_4$) along with the changes of microbial community changed during complete degradation of buried carcasses for a year. The results suggested that the 20% sandy soil contain lesser level of $H_2S$ and MM (0.09 and 0.35 mg) but 20% clay has higher nitrogen compound removing effect and leave only less amount of ammonia and TMA (0.31 and 2.06 mg). The 20% sandy soil also has the ability to breakdown the carcasses more quality compared with other types of soil. Based on the data obtained in this study suggesting that, the use of 20% sandy soil can effectively control sulfur compounds whereas 20% clay soil controls nitrogen compounds in the buried soil. Depending on the type of the soil, the dominant of microbial communities and the distribution was change.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.34-41
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• 2021

In order to cope with the problems that may occur when the natural gas used in Korea becomes low in calories, the problems that may have to the domestic industrial gas equipment must be identified in advance, and based on this, countermeasures for efficient use of energy must be preceded. In this study, in order to solve the problem of deterioration of engine output performance and efficiency due to the introduction of low calorific gas when using a lean-burning natural gas engine that complies with the EURO-6 regulation, specific control plans and results based on the experiment are intended to be presented. In order to identify the improvement effect by the control variable represented by the ignition timing under the full load condition at the engine speed of 1,400 rpm and 550 Nm, 2,100 rpm, which is the engine speed at the rated operation condition, the thermal efficiency and exhaust gas characteristics were identified and optimized by changing the ignition timing for each gas fuel. In the case of pure methane, which shows the lowest value based on the torque under the full load condition, if the ignition timing is advanced by about 2 CAD from the reference ignition timing, the torque can be compensated without a large increase in NOx emission.