• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.988-994
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• 2014

The effluents of chemical and petroleum industries often contain non-biodegradable aromatic compounds, with phenol being one of the major organic pollutants present among a wide variety of highly toxic organic chemicals. Phenol is toxic upon ingestion, contact, or inhalation, and it is lethal to fish even at concentrations as low as 0.005 ppm. Phenol biodegradation has been studied in detail using bacterial strains. However, these microorganisms suffer from substrate inhibition at high concentrations of phenol, whereby growth is inhibited. A phenol-degrading bacterium, P21, was isolated from oil-contaminated soil. The phenotypic characteristics and a phylogenetic analysis indicated the close relationship of strain P21 to Rhodococcus pyridinovorans. Phenol biodegradation by strain P21 was studied under shaking condition. The optimal conditions for phenol biodegradation by strain P21 were 0.09% $KNO_3$, 0.1% $K_2HPO_4$, 0.3% $NaH_2PO_4$, 0.015% $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, 0.001% $FeSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, initial pH 9, and $20-30^{\circ}C$, respectively. When 1,000 ppm of phenol was added to the optimal medium, the strain P21 completely degraded it within two days. Rhodococcus pyridinovorans P21 could grow in up to 1,500 ppm of phenol as the sole carbon source in a batch culture, but it could not grow in a medium containing above 2,000 ppm. Moreover, strain P21 could utilize toxic compounds, such as toluene, xylene, and hexane, as a sole carbon source. However, no growth was detected on chloroform.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.555-564
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• 2010

Remediation process by using the bio-carrier (beads) with dead Bacillus sp. B1 and polysulfone was investigated for heavy metal contaminated groundwater. Sorption batch experiments using the bio-carrier were performed to quantify the heavy metal removal efficiencies from the contaminated solution. The analyses using SEM/EDS and TEM for the structure and the characteristic of precipitates on/inside the beads were also conducted to understand the sorption mechanism by the bio-carrier. Various amounts of freeze-dried dead Bacillus sp. B1 were mixed with polysulfone + DMF(N,N-dimethylformamide) solution to produce the bio-carrier (beads; less than 2mm in diameter) and 5% of Bacillus sp. B1 in the bio-carrier was optimal for Pb removal in the solution. The removal efficiency ratings of the bio-carrier for Pb, Cu and Cd were greater than 80% after adding 2g of bio-carrier in 50ml of aqueous solution (<10mg/L of each heavy metal concentration). Reaction time of the bio-carrier was very fast and most of the sorption reaction for heavy metals were completed within few hours. Batch experiments were duplicated at various pH conditions of aqueous solutions and Cu and Pb removal efficiencies highly maintained at wide pH ranges (pH 2-12), suggesting that the bio-carrier can be useful to clean up the acidic waste water such as AMD. From SEM/EDS and TEM analyses, it was observed that the bio-carrier was spherical shape and was overlapped by many porous layers. During the sorption experiment, Pb was crystallized on the surface of porous layers and also was mainly concentrated at the boundary of Bacillus sp. B1 stroma and polysulfone substrate, showing that the main mechanism of the bio-carrier to remove heavy metals is the sorption on/inside of the bio-carriers and the bio-carriers are excellent biosorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from groundwater.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2015

This study was done in order to investigate the naturally occurring levels of nitrate and nitrite in livestock products. Total samples of 458 consisting of meats (n = 223), processed meat products (n = 51), raw milks (n = 30), processed milk products (n = 142), eggs (n = 5) and processed egg products (n = 7) were analyzed for contents of nitrate and nitrite by ion chromatography (IC). That methods showed good results in terms of linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), recovery, reproducibility and uncertainty. Nitrate and nitrite were detected in 167 and 40 samples, respectively. The nitrate levels (mg/kg) were not detected (ND)~40.23 for modified milks, ND~37.97 for sauce meats, ND~32.40 for process cheeses, ND~31.50 for processed egg products, ND~27.73 for dry milks, ND~24.76 for sausages, ND~22.45 for bacons, ND~21.55 for natural cheeses, ND~20.82 for hams and fermented milks, ND~13.57 for eggs, ND~12.77 for butters, ND~9.31 for milks and ND~3.88 for meats while the nitrite levels (mg/kg) were ND~17.35 for processed egg products and ND~1.92 for meats. In conclusion, the result of this study of nitrate and nitrite in livestock products could be used as one of scientific base datum to determine whether they are naturally occurring or not, including ingredients and their percentage, manufacturing processes, other papers relating to naturally occurring levels of them, and so on.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.422-434
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• 2019

Purpose: The consumption of processed foods has recently been increasing due to changes in the living environment. The purpose of this study was to identify the contribution of processed food to the nutrient intake of adult Koreans. Methods: A total of 15,760 adult people in the $6^{th}$ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013 ~ 2015) were included in this study. According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration's classification criteria for processed foods, the 24 hour dietary recall data of the subjects were classified as processed food or natural food. The processed food intake, nutrient intake and major processed food sources by food groups were analyzed. Results: Men consumed more processed foods than did the women. Consumption of processed foods decreased with age, but it increased with the education level and the income level. The total daily processed food intake accounted for 68.1% of the total food intake. The food groups with high processed food intake were beverage, vegetables, cereals and grain products, fruits, and milk and dairy products in this order. The top food source of each food groups were beer, kimchi, bread, processed apple products, and milk. After adjusting for age, gender, and energy intake, all the nutrient intakes and percentage of dietary reference intakes for Koreans, except carbohydrates, were significantly higher in processed foods than in natural foods. The sodium intake from the processed food was 96.3% of total daily sodium intake. The intakes of nutrients from processed foods, excluding vitamins C, dietary fiber, iron, and vitamin A, were higher in men than in women. The intake of sodium from processed foods was highest for people of 30 ~ 49 years of age, and the intake of sodium from processed foods decreased for people over 50. Conclusion: Korean adults consumed more processed food than the natural food, consuming more calories and most of the nutrients from the processed food overall total daily intakes. The intake of processed foods is expected to further increase in the future, and nutritional education and research on the ingestion and selection of healthy processed foods are necessary.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.697-703
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• 2023

As a part of the global industrial efforts to reduce environmental pollution owing to air pollution, regulations have been established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO has implemented various regulations such as EEXI, EEDI, and CII to reduce air pollution emissions from ships. They are also promoting measures to decrease the power consumption in ships, aiming to conserve energy. Most of the power used in ships is consumed by electric motors. Among the motors installed on ships, the engine room blower that takes up a significant load, operates at a constant irrespective of demand. Therefore, energy savings can be expected through frequency control. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of energy savings by controlling the frequency of the electric motor of the generator blower that supplies combustion air to the generator's turbocharger. The system was modeled based on the output data of the turboharger outlet temperature in response to the blower frequency inpu. A PI control system was established to control the frequency with the target being the turbocharger outlet temperature. By maintaining the turbocharger design standard outlet temperature and controlling the blower frequency, we achieved an annual energy saving of 15,552kW in power consumption. The effectiveness of energy savings through frequency control of blower fans was verified during the summer (April to September) and winter (March to October) periods. Based on this, we achieved annual fuel cost savings of 6,091 thousand won and reduction of 8.5 tons of carbon dioxide, 2.4 kg of SOx, and 7.8 kg of NOx air pollutants on the training ship.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.109-121
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate vitamin D intake of Koreans in a total diet study (TDS) and to determine the effect of irradiation on vitamin D synthesis in mushrooms. For analysis, sample were saponified and extracted with hexane, and vitamin D was quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Based on the validation results, the recovery of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference sample (SRM) 1849a was 96.7% and the z-score of -1.6 was obtained by the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) proficiency test (PT) 21115. Vitamin D₂ was not detected in any samples, and the highest level of vitamin D₃ was detected in mackerel and anchovies ranging from 24.2 to 120.2 ㎍/kg. The mean daily intake of vitamin D was 0.99 ㎍/day, as estimated from the vitamin D contents of the analyzed foods and their corresponding intake. The adequate intake (AI) of vitamin D based on the Dietary reference intakes for Koreans provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare is 5-15 ㎍/day for Koreans aged 6 to 75 years. Compared with this AI, vitamin D intake of Koreans estimated in this study was inadequate. For that, the increased vitamin D content in ultraviolet (UV)/sun light irradiated mushrooms warrants further research to increase vitamin D intake of Koreans through diet.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.327-353
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• 2017

The issue submitted to the Court of Justice on the merits of case C---573/13 originated from a claim brought in the context of a dispute between Air Berlin and the German Federal Union of Consumer Organisations and Associations. The challenge concerned the way in which air fares were displayed in Air Berlin's computerised booking system. The system was organised in such a way that, after selecting a date and a departure airport, one would find all possible flight connections in a summary table. However, the final price of the ticket was displayed only for the clicked connection, and not for all connections, thus preventing customers from being able to compare such price with the prices of other connections. The German Federal Union took the view that this practice did not meet the requirements laid down by Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008, which requires transparency in the prices set for air services. This led the German State to bring an injunctive action to cause Air Berlin to discontinue said practice. The claim was upheld at both the application and appeal stage of the relevant proceedings. Subsequently, Air Berlin submitted the matter to the German Federal High Court, which decided to stay the proceedings and ask for a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice as to 1. whether Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 must be interpreted as meaning that, during the computerised booking process, the final price to be paid must be indicated at all times when prices of air services are shown, including when they are shown for the first time; and 2. whether, during the computerised booking process, the final price must be indicated only for the air service specifically selected by the customer or for each air service shown. In a nutshell, the Court, by the here---discussed judgment determined that Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 must be interpreted as meaning that, in the context of a computerised air ticket booking system, the final price to be paid must be indicated not only for the air service specifically selected by the customer, but also for each air service in respect of which the fare is shown. Clearly the above judgment will place air companies under an obligation to update and adjust (when needed) their computerised ticket booking and payment systems, in consideration of the primary need for consumers to be aware at all times of the actual price payable for a ticket and be able to compare the price of the service selected with the prices for other air services in respect of which the fare is shown.