• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.228-234
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• 2020

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. SPIONs are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as contrast agents and targeted delivery in nanomedicine using external magnet sources. SPIONs act as an artificial peroxidase (i.e., nanozyme), and these reactions were highly stable in various pH conditions and temperatures. In this study, we report a nanozyme ability of the clustered SPIONs (CSPIONs) synthesized by the oil-in-water (O/W) method and coated with biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). We hypothesize that the CSPIONs can have high sensitivity toward H2O2 derived from the reaction between a fixed amount of glucose and glucose oxidase (GOX). As a result, CSPIONs oxidized a 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) commonly used as a substrate for hydrogen peroxidase in the presence of H2O2, leading to a change in the color of the substrate. We also utilized a colorimetric assay at 417 nm using various glucose concentrations from 5 mM to 1.25 μM to validate β-D-glucose detection. This study demonstrated that the absorbance value increases along with increasing the glucose level. The results were highly repeated at concentrations below 5 mM (all standard deviations < 0.03). Moreover, the sensitivity and limit of detection were 1.50 and 5.44 μM, respectively, in which CSPIONs are more responsive to glucose than SPIONs. In conclusion, this study suggests that CSPIONs have the potential to be used for glucose detection in diabetic patients using a physiological fluid such as ocular, saliva, and urine.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

This study assessed the feasibility of iron oxide nanoparticles impregnated with biochar (INPBC), derived from woody biomass, as a stabilizing agent for the stabilization of farmland soil in the vicinity of an abandoned mine through pot experiments with 28 days of lettuce growth. The lettuce grown in the INPBC amended soils increased by more than 100% and the concentrations of inorganic elements (Cu, Ni, Zn) decreased by more than 40%. As, Cd and Pb were not transferred properly from the soils to the lettuce biomass. The bioavailability of arsenic and heavy metals in the INPBC amended soils were decreased by 26%~50%. It seems that the major mechanisms of stabilization were arsenic adsorption on iron oxides, heavy metal precipitation by soil pH increasing and heavy metal adsorption on organic matter. These results revealed that the lower bioavailability of the inorganic pollutants in the soils stabilized using INPBC induced lower transfer to the lettuce. Thus, INPBC could be used as an amendment material for the stabilization of farmland soils contaminated by arsenic and heavy metals. However, a pre-review of the chemical properties of the amended soil must be performed prior to applying INPBC in farmland soil because the concentration of the nutrients in the soil such as available phosphates and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K) could be decreased due to adsorption on the surface of the iron oxides and organic matter.

• Composites Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.18-23
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• 2008

The Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology has advanced in many application areas. In this research, implantable Drug Delivery System (DDS) was fabricated by an RP system, Nano Composite Deposition System (NCDS). The DDS composite consists of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), as drug particles, and PLGA85/15 as biodegradable polymer matrix. To have larger surface area, the DDS was fabricated in a scaffold shape, and its degradation was tested in vitro environment. Biocompatible Hydroxyapatite (HA) powders were added to the drug-polymer composite in order to control drug release. Test results showed a possibility of controlled release of scaffold DDS over 50 days.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2024

As awareness of environmental pollution problems increases worldwide, interest in air pollutants is increasing. In particular, NOx and PM, which are major pollutants in diesel vehicles, are contributing significantly to emissions. As a result, its importance is increasing. In this study, based on research results applied to large diesel vehicles, the problem of natural regeneration caused by low exhaust gas temperature during low speed and low load operation is solved by applying a complex regeneration DPF that is not affected by temperature conditions to small diesel vehicles. The feasibility of application to small diesel vehicles was reviewed by measuring the emission reduction efficiency. As a result of the engine test, the power reduction rate and fuel consumption rate before and after device installation under full load conditions were 2.9% decrease and 3.5% increase, respectively, satisfying the standard for a 5% reduction, and as a result of the regeneration equilibrium temperature (BPT) test, the regeneration temperature was 310℃. appeared at the level. The reduction efficiency test results for the actual vehicle durability test equipment showed 97.3% PM, 51.0% CO, and 31.1% HC, while the city commuter vehicle had PM 97.5%, CO 61.7%, HC 40.0%, and the school bus vehicle had PM 96.8%, CO 44.4%, HC 34.3%, and low-speed logistics vehicles showed a reduction efficiency of 98.2% for PM, 36.0% for CO, and 45.7% for HC. Based on the results of this study, in the future, it is necessary to secure DPF technology suitable for all vehicle types through actual vehicle application research on temperature condition-insensitive composite regenerative DPF for medium-sized vehicles.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to develop dental alumina ceramic dressers, evaluate their abrasive wear characteristics based on particle size, and identify dental dressers with optimal particle size and performance. Methods: Commercial ceramic dressers (n=5) were selected as the control group, whereas alumina ceramic dressers with 80-grit and 120-grit particles were fabricated as the experimental groups (n=5 each). Prepared specimens were assessed for surface roughness, wear resistance, and abrasiveness against a wear-inducing element (SUS304 stainless steel ball). Means and standard deviations were calculated for each test. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test with Bonferroni correction (α=0.05) via SPSS Statistics ver. 23.0 (IBM). Results: Surface roughness was highest in the 80-grit group (22.734±1.308 ㎛), followed by 120-grit group (21.804±0.785 ㎛), and lowest in control group (15.782±0.223 ㎛). Wear resistance was greatest in 120-grit group (0.007±0.002 g), followed by the 80-grit group (0.007±0.004 g), and lowest in the control group (0.370±0.010 g). Furthermore, abrasiveness against the wear-inducing element (SUS304 stainless steel ball) was highest in 120-grit group (0.017±0.003 g), followed by the 80-grit group (0.015±0.003 g), and lowest in control group (0.010±0.001 g). Conclusion: Based on the combined results of surface roughness, wear resistance, and abrasiveness against a wear-inducing element, the newly developed alumina ceramic dressers show promise for clinical application.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2012

The physical, chemical, and biological properties of clogging materials formed within groundwater wells in the Mt. Geumjeong area, Busan, Korea, were characterized. The particle size distribution (PSD) of clogging materials was measured by a laser analyzer. XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses were performed to obtain mineralogical information on the clogging materials, with an emphasis on identifying and characterizing the mineral species. In most cases, PSD data exhibited an near log-normal distribution; however, variations in frequency distribution were found in some intervals (bi-or trimodal distributions), raising the possibility that particles originated from several sources or were formed at different times. XRD data revealed that the clogging materials were mainly amorphous ironhydroxides such as goethite, ferrihydrite, and lapidocrocite, with lesser amounts of Fe, Mn, and Zn metals and silicates such as quartz, feldspar, micas, and smectite. Reddish brown material was amorphous hydrous ferriciron (HFO), and dark red and dark black materials were Fe, Mn-hydroxides. Greyish white and pale brown materials consisted of silicates. SEM observations indicated that the clogging materials were mainly HFO associated with iron bacteria such as Gallionella and Leptothrix, with small amounts of rock fragments. In TEM analysis, disseminated iron particles were commonly observed in the cell and sheath of iron bacteria, indicating that iron was precipitated in close association with the metabolism of bacterial activity. Rock-forming minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and micas were primarily derived from soils or granite aquifers, which are widely distributed in the study area. The results indicate the importance of elucidating the formation mechanisms of clogging materials to ensure sustainable well capacity.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.436-442
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• 2017

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is the technology of converting a syngas (CO+$H_2$) derived from such as coal, natural gas and biomass into a hydrocarbon using a catalyst. The catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis consists of active metal, promoter and support. The types of these components and composition affect the reaction activity and product selectivity. In this study, we manufactured an iron catalyst using ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ mixed support (100/0 wt%, 75/25 wt%, 50/50 wt%, 25/75 wt%, 0/100 wt%) by an impregnation method to investigate how the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ mixed support effects on the reaction activity and product selectivity. The physical properties of catalyst were analyzed by $N_2$ physical adsorption and X-Ray diffraction method. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was conducted at $300^{\circ}C$, 20bar in a fixed bed reactor for 60h. According to the results of the $N_2$ physical adsorption analysis, the BET surface area decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases, and the pore volume and pore average diameter increase as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases except for the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ of 50/50 wt%. By the results of the X-Ray diffraction analysis, the particle size of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases. As a result of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the CO conversion decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases, and the selectivity of C1-C4 decreases until the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ was 25 wt%. In contrast, the selectivity of C5+ increases until the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ is 25 wt%.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.208-215
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• 2000

The estimated total material transports through the Cheju Strait using all data which investigated in 1997 and 1999 are as follows; A large amount of suspended sediments and dissovted inorganic nutrients are carried tothe South Sea through the Cheju Strait by a persistent eastward flow (Cheju Current) from the Y311ow Sea andthe East China Sea. The annual material Oanspous by the Cheju Current are as follows; 22.9${\times}$10$^6$ ton yr$^{-1}$(SS), 0.52${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ (NH$_4\;^+$), 6.05${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ (NO$_3\;^-$), 0.36${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ (PO$_4\;^{3-}$), 10.27${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ (Si(OH)$_4$). The annual suspended sediment flux per water transport in the Cheju Strait (44.48${\times}$10$^6$ ton yr$^{-1}$ Sv$^{-1}$) is about 1.7 larger than that in the Korean Strait (26.08${\times}$10$^6$ ton yr$^{-1}$ Sv$^{-1}$). The annual nitrate flux per water transport (11.60${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ Sv$^{-1}$) is about 1.2 larger than that in the Korean Strait (9.72${\times}$10$^{10}$ mol yr$^{-1}$ Sv$^{-1}$) and 2/3 of that by Kuroshio in the East China Sea (18.55${\times}$10$^{10}$ ton yr$^{-1}$ Sv$^{-1}$). It suggests that chemical rich Cheju Current will play a significant role in the biogeochemical processes in the South Sea where the huge land-based waste are introduced.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

Liposomes having particle size from several tens to hundreds nanometers are efficient carriers for injectable drug delivery. Enhancement of liposome stability in bloodstream has been studied because of its relatively short circulation time and fast clearance from human body by reticuloendothelial system (RES) in blood vessel. In this study, new disaccharide-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE) derivatives in which lactose or sucrose as the disaccharide molecule was conjugated covalently to DSPE were synthesized. Liposomes of which surface had disaccharide molecules were prepared by incorporating the disaccharide-DSPE into liposomes as one of their lipid components. Particle size of the prepared liposomes was approximately 100 nm. The liposomes of which surface were modified with the disaccharide-DSPE showed -25 mV of zeta potential value due to the presence of hydroxyl groups on their surface, while the unmodified control liposomes showed -10 mV of zeta potential value. Loading efficiency of model drug, doxorubicin, into liposomes was about 90%. Stability of the disaccharide-modified liposomes in vitro was evaluated by monitoring the amount of protein adsorption and particle size of the liposomes in serum. Disaccharide-modified liposomes were more stable in serum than unmodified control liposomes or polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-modified liposomes due to less adsorption of serum protein and hence less increase of their particle size. The liposomes of which surface was modified with disaccharide-DSPE conjugate can be used as long-circulating carriers for drugs having high toxicity or short half-life time due to their enhanced stability in blood circulatory system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.406-413
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• 2012

Effect of three additives, chitosan, ferric chloride, and MPE50 on membrane fouling reduction was studied. They were introduced with various dosing rate into activated sludge, and changes in filtration resistance measured by the batch cell filtration test were evaluated. Both the filtration resistance and the specific cake resistance were minimized at 20 mg/g-MLSS with chitosan, 70 mg/g-MLSS with ferric chloride, and 20 mg/g-MLSS with MPE50 addition, respectively. Introduction of the additives into the activated sludge resulted in reduction of not only cake resistance, but also fouling resistance. However, the chitosan addition to three different activated sludge resulted in three different optimal dose of 10, 20, 30 mg/g-MLSS, respectively. This implies that the optimal dose is dependent on sludge characteristics rather than a constant value. Overdose above the optimal dosage always aggravated filterability in all cases. Zeta potential of sludge flocs, relative hydrophobicity, floc size distribution, soluble EPS concentration and supernatant turbidity were measured in order to analyze fouling reduction mechanism. Nearly neutral surface charge along with the largest particle size was observed at the optimal dose. This could be explained by particle destabilization and restabilization mechanism as positively charged additives were injected into sludge flocs of negative surface charge. Both soluble EPS concentration and supernatant turbidity also showed the lowest value at the optimal dose. These foulants are believed to be coagulated and entrapped in sludge flocs during flocculation. Chitosan and MPE50 which are cationic polymeric substances showed higher reduction in both soluble EPS and fine particles comparing with ferric chloride.