• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.473-479
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• 2017

Due to environmental pollution, hazards of the human body, and global warning, changes in the power train of automobiles are intensifying, and the market forelectronic vehicles is rising. Also, in order to meet the stricter emission regulations forautomobiles with internal combustion engines based on fossil fuel, the proportion of after-treatments for vehicles and vessels is increasing gradually. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectsfrom additive ceric oxide ($CeO_2$) loading amounts to improve the methane ($CH_4$) and nitric oxide (NOx) abatement ability of the natural gas oxidation catalysts(NGOC) reducing toxic gases emitted from compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. Three kinds of NGOC were prepared under the following conditions: fresh and $700^{\circ}C$ for 12hr thermal aging, and the reduction performance of toxic gases was evaluated. Fresh $1Pt-3Pd-1Rh-3MgO-6CeO_2/(Al+Z)$ NGOC containing 6wt% $CeO_2$ had the highest dispersivity of palladium (Pd) with high selectivity to $CH_4$ and improved harmful gas reduction performance. The NGOC with 6wt% $CeO_2$ loaded the least decreased in the dispersivity of the noble metal, and showed the highest reduction of harmful gases due to the thermal durability of $CeO_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.513-523
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• 2005

The contamination of soils and groundwaters in the Dalcheon mine area, Ulsan, is investigated, and a natural attenuation capacity on redox and pH is evaluated. Arsenopyrite, the major source of arsenic pollution in the Dalcheon mine area, is contained up to $2\%$ in tailings. Furthermore, As-bearing minerals such as loellingite, nicolite, rammelsbergite, gersdorffite cobaltite and pyrite are also source of arsenic contamination, which show various concentration of arsenic each other. Surface of pyrite and arsenopyrite in tailings partly oxidized into Fe-arsenates and Fe-oxides, which means a progressive weathering process. There is no relationship between pH and arsenic content in groundwaters, otherwise Eh and arsenic concentration in unsaturated and saturated groundwater shows positive relationship. RMB (Red Mud Bauxite) could be useful as a trigger on natural attenuation due to superior ability of removal capacity of arsenic when contaminated soil and groundwater in the Dalcheon mine area are remediated.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2010

Synthesis gas was produced by the partial oxidation of methane. For the preparation of catalysts, Ni, known to be active in this reaction and cheap, was used as the active component and $CeO_2$, having high oxygen storage capability and high redox ability, was used as the support. The catalysts were prepared by the impregnation and urea methods. The catalyst prepared by the urea method showed about 11 times higher surface area and finer particle size than that prepared by the impregnation method. The catalysts prepared by the urea method showed higher methane conversion and synthesis gas selectivity than that prepared by the impregnation method. In this reaction, carbon deposition is a problem to be solved, so La was added to the catalyst system to reduce the carbon deposition. TGA analysis results showed that there was 2% carbon deposition with La-added catalysts and 16% with La-free catalysts. It was found that the addition of La decreases the amount of carbon deposition and prevents catalyst deactivation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2010

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine sites typically has low pH and contains high level of various heavy metals, aggravating ground- and surface water qualities and neighboring environments. This study investigated removal of heavy metals in a biological treatment system, mainly focusing on the removal by adsorption on a substrate material. Bench-scale batch experiments were performed with a mushroom compost to evaluate the adsorption characteristics of heavy metals leached out from a mine tailing sample and the role of SRB in the overall removal process. In addition, adsorption experiments were perform using an artificial AMD sample containing $Cd^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ to assess adsorption capacity of the mushroom compost. The results indicated Mn leached out from mine tailing was not subject to microbial stabilization or adsorption onto mushroom compost while microbially mediated stabilization played an important role in the removal of Zn. Fe leaching significantly increased in the presence of microbes as compared to autoclaved samples, and this was attributed to dissolution of Fe minerals in the mine tailing in a response to the depletion of $Fe^{3+}$ by iron reduction bacteria. Measurement of oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and pH indicated the reactive mixture maintained reducing condition and moderate pH during the reaction. The results of the adsorption experiments involving artificial AMD sample indicated adsorption removal efficiency was greater than 90% at pH 6 condition, but it decreased at pH 3 condition.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2001

There are several ways to remove and treat toxic heavy metals in the environment: chemical, physical and biological ways. The biological treatment utilizes the natural reactions of microorganisms living in the environments. These reactions include biosorption and bioaccumulation, oxidation and reduction, methylation and demethylation, metal - organic complexation and insoluble complex formation. The biological reactions provide a crucial key technology in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils and waters. According to recent reports, various kinds of heavy metal species were removed by microorganisms and the new approaches and removal conditions to remediate the metals were also tried and reported elsewhere. This was mostly carried out by microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria and alga. In addition, a recent development of molecular biology shed light on the enhancing the microorganism's natural remediation capability as well as improving the current biological treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2000.02a
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• pp.167-167
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• 2000

전지 재료의 충방전 과정 연구에는 X-선 분말회절(x-ray powder diffraction techniques)과 중성자회절을 많이 사용하였다. 하지만 이러한 분석기술은 long-range order의 구조에 관한 정보를 제공하는데 유용하지만 atomic scale의 구조에 관한 정보를 얻기에는 한계가 있다. Li 전지에서의 전기화학적 반응에서는 cathode 물질에 포함된 전이금속의 산화, 환원 반응에 의한 Li 이온의 intercalation (charge process)과 deintercalation (discharge process) 현상이 일어난다. 이러한 충방전 과정은 알려지지 않은 다양한 형태의 위상 변화를 동반하게 되는데 x-선 이나 중성자를 이용한 powder diffraction techniques 로는 단지 정성적인 결정학적 정보를 얻을 수 있다. 따라서 최근에 원자 단위의 local structure에 관한 정보와 electrochemical state에 관한 정보를 동시에 얻을 수 있는 X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) 분석기술을 Li 전지분석에 활용하기 시작하였다. XAFS는 하나의 x-ray 흡수원자에 대해서 주변원자들의 원자구조에 관한 정보와 구성 원소의 electrochemical state에 관한 정보를 얻을 수 있는 분석방법이다. X-ray Induced Electron Emission Spectroscopy (XIEES)는 x-ray에 의해서 방출된 전자를 검출하여 스펙트럼을 얻는 기능을 함축적으로 나타낸 것으로, x-ray를 물질 표면에 조사하여 발생하는 광전자, Auger 전자, 이차전자 등을 전자검출기(Channel Electron Multiplier: CEM)로 검출하는 기능과, 시료를 투과한 x-ray와 시료에서 발생하는 형광 x-ray를 비례계수기로 검출하는 기능을 가지고 있다. 이러한 검출 능력을 바탕으로 EXAFS, XANES, Standing Wave Technique, Elemental Composition Analysis, DXRD, Total Reflection Technique 등을 이용하여 물질을 구성하고 있는 원소의 성분, 미세원자구조, 전자구조에 관한 정보를 얻을 수 있는 새로운 spectrometer이다. 본 연구에서는 자체 개발한 XIEES의 XAFS 기능을 이용하여 여러 가지 방법으로 제조한 LiMn2-xO4와 LiMnO2, MnO2에서 Mn K-absorption edge에 대한 chemical state 변화를 측정하였다. Absorption edge에서 chemical shift를 측정하기 위해서는 방사광 가속기 수준의 에너지 분해능(~0.3eV)이 필요하다. 이번 연구에서는 SiO2(3140) monochromator를 사용하고 여기에 맞는 적절한 parameter를 적용하여 x-ray 에너지 분해능을 포항방사광가속기 수준으로 개선하였다. XIEES에서 얻은 스펙트럼과 포항방사광가속기에서 얻은 스펙트럼을 비교하였다. Chemical shift가 일어나는 경향은 두 실험 결과가 잘 일치하였다.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2013

This paper describes the electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of small biomolecules on the surface of Pt-Ru nanoparticles supported by $TiO_2$-hollow sphere prepared for use in sensor applications or fuel cells. The $TiO_2$-hollow sphere supports were first prepared by sol-gel reaction of titanium tetraisopropoxide with poly(styrene-co-vinylphenylboronic acid), PSB used as a template. Pt-Ru nanoparticles were then deposited by chemical reduction of the $Pt^{4+}$ and $Ru^{3+}$ ions onto $TiO_2$-hollow sphere ($Pt-Ru@TiO_2-H$). The prepared $Pt-Ru@TiO_2-H$ nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental analysis. The electrocatalytic efficiency of Pt-Ru nanoparticles was evaluated via ethanol, methanol, dopamine, ascorbic acid, formalin, and glucose oxidation. The cyclic voltammograms (CV) obtained during the oxidation studies revealed that the $Pt-Ru@TiO_2-H$ nanocomposites showed high electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of biomolecules. As a result, the prepared Pt-Ru catalysts doped onto $TiO_2$-H sphere nanocomposites supports can be used for non-enzymatic biosensor or fuel cell anode electrode.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.752-760
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• 2004

The function of the [4Fe-4S] cluster containing iron (Fe-) protein in nitrogenase catalysis is to serve as the nucleotide-dependent electron donor to the MoFe protein which contains the sites for substrate binding and reduction. The ability of the Fe protein to function in this manner is dependent on its ability to adopt the appropriate conformation for productive interaction with the MoFe protein and on its ability to change redox potentials to provide the driving force required for electron transfer. The MgADP-bound (or off) conformational state of the nitrogenase Fe protein structure described reveals mechanisms for long-range communication from the nucleotide-binding sites to control affinity of association with the MoFe protein component. Two pathways, termed switches I and II, appear to be integral to this nucleotide signal transduction mechanism. In addition, the structure of the MgADP bound Fe protein provides the basis for the changes in the biophysical properties of the [4Fe-4S] observed when Fe protein binds nucleotides. The structures of the nitrogenase Fe protein with defined amino acid substitutions in the nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways of the Switch I and Switch II have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. These two pathways have been also implicated by site directed mutagenesis studies, structural analysis and analogies to other proteins that utilize similar nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways. We have examined the validity of the assignment of these pathways in linking the signals generated by MgATP binding and hydrolysis to macromolecular complex formation and intermolecular electron transfer. The results provide a structural basis for the observed biophysical and biochemical properties of the Fe protein variants and interactions within the nitrogenase Fe protein-MoFe protein complex.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2023

Although glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in the prevention of oxidative damage as an antioxidant, studies on immune regulation by it have not been properly conducted. In this study, we investigated whether luthione^®, a reduced GSH, has an immune enhancing effect in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The results of flow cytometry and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that luthione increased phagocytic activity, a representative function of macrophages, compared to the control cells. According to the results of the cytokine array, the expression of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-1β, and IL-27 was significantly increased in the luthione-treated cells. Luthione also enhanced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β through increased expression of their proteins, and increased release of the immune mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ was associated with increased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the expression of cluster of differentiation 86, an M1 macrophage marker, was dramatically enhanced in RAW 264.7 cells treated with luthione. Furthermore, as a result of heat map analysis, we found that cytokine signaling 1/3-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription/Janus tyrosine kinase signaling pathway was involved in the immunomodulatory effect by luthione. In conclusion, our data suggested that luthione could act as a molecular regulator in M1 macrophage polarization and enhance immune capacity by promoting macrophage phagocytic function.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.81-81
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• 2002

$\beta$-Mercaptoethanol($\beta$-ME)은 일반적으로 황화합물(thiol compounds)의 일종으로, 배양액 중에서 이황화결합(disulfide bonds)을 분해하여 일정한 물질의 산화.환원반응에 관여하며, 특히 cysteine이 cystine으로 산화되는 것을 차단함으로서 cysteine의 이용능력을 증대시키고, GSH의 합성을 촉진 및 증대시키는 것으로 알려져 있고, 각종 활성산소로부터 세포를 보호하는 역할을 수행하는 것으로 보고되었다. 특히, 돼지수정란의 체외배양체계에 유의적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 보고되었다(Abebydeera 등, Theriogenol., 50:747-756, 1998). 따라서 본 실험에서는 돼지난포란의 체외성숙시 $\beta$-ME의 첨가배양이 체외수정과 배발달에 미치는 영향에 관하여 조사하였다. 돼지난포란을 10% PFF, 0.1mg/ml cysteine, 10IU/m1 PMSG, 10IU/m1 hCG 및 10ng/m1 EGF가 첨가된 NCSU23 배양액에 $\beta$-ME를 각각 0, 25, 50 및 100uM을 처리하여 22시간 동안 배양을 실시하고, 성선자극호르몬이 배제된 배양액에서 추가로 22시간을 배양하여 체외성숙을 유도하였다. 체외성숙이 유기된 난자는 난구세포를 제거하고, 2.5mM caffeine과 0.1% BSA가 첨가된 mTBM배양액에 정자를 1.25 $\times$ $10^{5}$cells/ml의 농도로 5-6시간 동안 공동배양을 실시하여 체외수정을 유도하였다. 체외수정후 일부의 수정란은 12시간에 난자 급속 염색방법으로 염색하여 다정자침입률 및 자.웅전핵형성률 등을 확인하였다. 그리고 나머지1-세포기의 수정란은 0.4mg/ml BSA가 함유된 NCSU23 배양액에 30 embryos/50ul 소적으로하여 38.8$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$의 탄산가스 배양기에서 각각 7일간 배양을 실시하였다. 조사된 결과는 SAS/STAT를 이용하여 통계분석을 실시하였다. 체외수정 12시간 후에 난자 급속 염색법으로 염색을 실시한 결과, 모든 처리구에서 핵성숙률(76.4~95.2%), 정자침투율(51.1~66.9%), 웅성전핵형성률(95.2~100%), 다정자침입률(18.2~25.6%) 및 평균침입정자수(1.2~l.4개)에서 유의적인 차이가 인정되지 않았다. 체외배양 48시간 난할률을 조사한 결과, 처리구별 차이(53.9~67.9%)는 인정되지 않았으나, 배양 7일째 배반포형성률은 각각 14.5, 25.4, 17.3 및 12.4%로서 25uM의 $\beta$-ME처리구가 유의적(P<0.05)으로 높은 배발달률을 나타내었고, 총세포수에 있어서는 대조구와 처리구간 유의적인 차이가 인정되지 않았다. 따라서 돼지 난포란을 성숙배양할 때, 25uM $\beta$-ME를 첨가배양하는 것이 양질의 돼지체외수정란을 생산하는 하나의 방법으로 조사되었다.다.