• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2009

Confined spaces are inherently dangerous workplace and many fatal and nonfatal accidents have been reported. Even though these accidents occur in various kinds of confined spaces, there has rarely been reported on the health hazard agent, i.e., the types of gases and their concentration ranges. Therefore in this study, we evaluated several toxic and asphyxiating gas concentrations in various confined spaces. We surveyed 57 manholes, 3 sewage treatment plants, 2 yellow radish manufacturing companies and 7 barges to measure the concentrations of oxygen($O_2$), hydrogen sulfide($H_2S$), carbon monoxide(CO), ammonia($NH_3$). Lower Explosion Limits(LEL) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Those four types of confined spaces occupies 56% of accidents during last 9 years in Korea. In 57 manholes, the concentration varied according to the types of manholes; rainfall and sewage, and by location; residential and industrial areas. Sewage manhole in industrial area was evaluated as the most hazardous than other types of manhole like rainfall manholes, residential sewage manholes. The highest $H_2S$ concentration and the lowest $O_2$ concentration at sewage manhole in industrial area were 300 ppm, 8.7% respectively. In 3 sewage treatment plants, $H_2S$ and $NH_3$ concentrations were reached up to the 500 ppm and 200 ppm respectively. Two yellow radish manufacturing companies showed the concentrations of 316 ppm, 505.2 ppm, 90 ppm and 15.7% for $H_2S$, CO, VOCs and $O_2$, respectively. Seven barges showed 15.9%~20.9% oxygen concentration. Gas species and concentration ranges varied by the types and location of confined spaces; CO, $H_2S$, $O_2$ could be hazardous in manhole, especially manhole connected to sewage plants. CO, $H_2S$, LEL, $O_2$, $NH_3$ should be controlled in sludge silo and sluge pumping confined spaces in sewage treatment plant. The activity of lifting out radish from the storage tank was evaluated more hazardous rather than the other activities in yellow radish manufacturing industry. The employers must conduct the survey to identify all possible confined spaces in their local workplace prior to performing the tasks. At the national level to reduce the accidents in the confined spaces, we suggest that systemic approach and active education program including possible hazards, standard operation procedures, ventilation plan, and personal protective equipment in confined spaces should be implemented.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6 s.134
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• pp.63-70
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate how to modify the physical properties of cellulose after thermal treatment. Cellulose was treated between $225^{\circ}C$ and $325^{\circ}C$ for 3 hrs under air flow, and then the thermally treated cellulose was measured to specific surface area, constitute elements, consumption ofacid and base, as well as the adsorption capacity of ethylamine vapor. The higher was the treating temperature from $225^{\circ}C$ to $325^{\circ}C$, the lower was the total yield of cellulose. Elemental analysis revealed that carbon content in thermally treated cellulose was gradually increased in proportion to temperature increment. The amount of acidic functional groups tended to increase up to $300^{\circ}C$, after then to be lowered slightly. In principle, no alkaline functional groups were found in thermally treated cellulose. In case of treatment with $325^{\circ}C$, only a few amount of alkaline functional groups were detectable. Specific surface area of thermally treated cellulose are determined to $1.9m^2/g$, which value can become higher when the treated temperature rises. The thermally treated cellulose at $275^{\circ}C$ shows the highest adsorption capacity of ethylamine at $40^{\circ}C$ for 4 hrs. Solubility of those two celluloses with WPG (Weight Percent Gain) value of 113% and 108%, respectively, was determined to almost 100%. X-ray diffractogram of thermally treated cellulose suggested that the crystalline structure of cellulose began to be destroyed at the temperature of $275^{\circ}C$. As a conclusion, changes of such a physical properties make it possible to weaken inter and/or intra hydrogen bond in crystal region of cellulose macromolecules. When thermally treated cellulose adsorbs ethylamine, it turns to be well soluble to water.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.439-446
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• 2014

Many studies on methane ($CH_4$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions from livestock industries have revealed that livestock production directly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through enteric fermentation and manure management, which causes negative impacts on animal environment sustainability. In the present study, three essential values for GHG emission were measured; i.e., i) maximum $CH_4$ producing capacity at mesophilic temperature ($37^{\circ}C$) from anaerobically stored manure in livestock category ($B_{0,KM}$, Korean livestock manure for $B_0$), ii) $EF_{3(s)}$ value representing an emission factor for direct $N_2O$ emissions from manure management system S in the country, kg $N_2O-N$ kg $N^{-1}$, at mesophilic ($37^{\circ}C$) and thermophilic ($55^{\circ}C$) temperatures, and iii) $N_{ex(T)}$ emissions showing annual N excretion for livestock category T, kg N $animal^{-1}$ $yr^{-1}$, from different livestock manure. Static incubation with and without aeration was performed to obtain the $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ emissions from each sample, respectively. Chemical compositions of pre- and post- incubated manure were analyzed. Contents of total solids (% TS) and volatile solid (% VS), and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) decrease significantly in all the samples by C-containing biogas generation, whereas moisture content (%) and pH increased after incubation. A big difference of total nitrogen content was not observed in pre- and post-incubation during $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ emissions. $CH_4$ emissions (g $CH_4$ kg VS-1) from all the three manures (sows, layers and Korean cattle) were different and high C/N ratio resulted in high $CH_4$ emission. Similarly, $N_2O$ emission was found to be affected by % VS, pH, and temperature. The $B_{0,KM}$ values for sows, layers, and Korean cattle obtained at $37^{\circ}C$ are 0.0579, 0.0006, and 0.0828 $m^3$ $CH_4$ kg $VS^{-1}$, respectively, which are much less than the default values in IPCC guideline (GL) except the value from Korean cattle. For sows and Korean cattle, $N_{ex(T)}$ values of 7.67 and 28.19 kg N $yr^{-1}$, respectively, are 2.5 fold less than those values in IPCC GL as well. However, $N_{ex(T)}$ value of layers 0.63 kg N $yr^{-1}$ is very similar to the default value of 0.6 kg N $yr^{-1}$ in IPCC GLs for National greenhouse gas inventories for countries such as South Korea/Asia. The $EF_{3(s)}$ value obtained at $37^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$ were found to be far less than the default value.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.270-275
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• 1998

The management of pine-mushroom forest means the environmental control for fairy ring of Tricholoma matsutake. Thus, the management demands intensive study for keeping healthy condition of the fairy ring, and that for the measurement of active portion of the soil ecosystem. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of T. matsutake fungus on the soil physicochemical properties and dehydrogenase activity by dividing the fairy ring into 3 regions such as 'zone of decayed mycorrhizae', 'zone of physiologically active mycorrhizae', and 'in front of fairy ring'. The passing of T. matsutake did not result in significant changes in canon contents of soils, but available phosphorus, carbon, and nitrogen contents were different between the soils of active mycorrhizal zone and that in front of fairy ring. The dehydrogenase activity around the fairy ring of T. matsutake was quite lower than that in general forest soils, which indicated that the fairy ring of T. matsutake was built up in the relatively immature soils which contain little organic matter. Thus, the dehydrogenase activity of soil was thought to be used as an index for the management of pine-mushroom forest with considering that the management practically means the environmental control for keeping good conditions for the development of fairy ring of T. matsutake. Especially, the dehydrogenase activity measurement can be recommended as a tool for time-decision of litter removal by floor raking since the activity is a good index of litter decomposition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

Objective: Gelidium amansii (Lamouroux) is a red alga belonging to the family Gelidaceae and is commonly found in the shallow coasts of many East Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. G. amansii has traditionally been utilized as an edible alga, and has various biological activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation of G. amansii could be useful for improving ruminal fermentation. Methods: As assessed by in vitro fermentation parameters such as pH, total gas, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, gas profile (methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and ammonia), and microbial growth rate was compared to a basal diet with timothy hay. Cannulated Holstein cows were used as rumen fluid donors and 15 mL rumen fluid: buffer (1:2) was incubated for up to 72 h with four treatments with three replicates. The treatments were: control (timothy only), basal diet with 1% G. amansii extract, basal diet with 3% G. amansii extract, and basal diet with 5% G. amansii extract. Results: Overall, the results of our study indicate that G. amansii supplementation is potentially useful for improving ruminant growth performance, via increased total gas and VFA production, but does come with some undesirable effects, such as increasing pH, ammonia concentration, and methane production. In particular, real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that the methanogenic archaea and Fibrobacter succinogenes populations were significantly reduced, while the Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations were significantly increased at 24 h, when supplemented with G. amansii extracts as compared with controls. Conclusion: More research is required to elucidate what G. amansii supplementation can do to improve growth performance, and its effect on methane production in ruminants.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.64-71
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• 2017

The study was performed on the effects of crop load of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) trees on shoot growth, reserved nutrients, and fruit production for two years, as well as regrowth of cuttings treated with various cold temperatures in 2012 and 2013. Crop load adjustments included three levels of fruiting; 54 (60%), 90 (100%), and 126 fruits per tree (140%). As increasing crop load from 60% to 140%, water sprout growth decreased, and one-year old shoot resulted in declined concentrations of total carbon, macro-nutrients, and free sugar. The 140% of crop load greatly increased fruit yield of approximately 35 tons per ha in both 2011 and 2012 but slightly reduced weight, size, and soluble solid contents in fruit. However, 140% of crop load increased annual production income to approximately over 10 million won compared to the 60% and 100% of crop load. Germination rates in the cuttings did not rapidly decrease up to $-20^{\circ}C$ in a growth chamber condition. The 140% of crop load decreased germination rates less than 70% of cuttings grown under $-30^{\circ}C$. Amounts of electrolyte leakage in the cuttings under various cold temperatures were not significantly different among the adjustment of crop load.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

To improve the nitrogen reduction capability of stormwater treatment systems subjected to intermittent saturation, organic materials are often added as filter media. However, these materials can be an additional source of organic carbon and increase the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the outflow. In this study, different types of organic filter media were subjected to a batch leaching test to observe and quantify the release of COD. Results reveal that the initial pH of the tap water used for soaking which is 7.5-7.7 is conducive to the release of organics from the media to the leachate. The highest amount of COD released was observed in yard clippings and woodchip followed by compost and bark mulch. The leaching of organics also increased as the size of the media decreases due to higher surface area per volume. In addition, empirical regression analysis predicted that COD from these organic media will be exhausted from the material in 3-5 months to up to 26 months depending on the type of media. The results of this study can serve as a guide in estimating the potential release of COD in organic media in order to ensure their safe application in stormwater treatment facilities.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.168-183
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• 2020

Efforts had been made to eliminate the brittleness unique to cast ironware from 5 BC up until the time that cast ironware became widely used. One of the techniques used to this end was to produce the cast ironware in one kiln and then anneal it in another kiln. This technique condensed or removed the carbon in the structure to eliminate the brittleness of cast ironware and enable forging. To clarify the nature of this technique, this study examined cast ironware made of malleable cast iron, which manifests the characteristics of the annealing technique for cast ironware excavated on the Korean peninsula, based on current steelmaking technology and research results from China and Japan. Results confirmed that all cast ironware made of malleable cast iron had been imported into Korea until the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period. Also, since the Chiljido (Seven-Branched Sword), which is housed at the Ishigami Shrine in Japan, appears to have been produced in the Korean peninsula, it is determined that Baekje in the 4^th century must have possessed such an annealing technique. At that time, however, iron was produced mainly with an iron bloom, and a large amount of forged iron was produced with a steel bloom smelted from an iron bloom. In addition, most of the cast ironware that was used previously, except for cast iron hoes, had been replaced by forged ironware. In other words, this annealing technique was not used frequently until the Three Kingdoms Period. However, it spread broadly during the Unified Silla Period in so much as it was identified in the Jangan-ri remains, which represented the regional hub of iron production and distribution.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.461-464
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• 2002

A Chemoautotroph identified as an Aeromonas sp. strain JS-1 was isolated from fresh water. Aeromonas sp. strain JS-1 used the $H_2$ and $CO_2$ as energy and carbon sources, respectively. Growth characteristics for improving the $CO_2$ fixation rate were examined in batch cultivation. Its results shown that the optimal growth appeared at culture conditions of $35^{\circ}C$, pH 7 and NaCl 0.1%(w/v). Some hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria were reported that the enzyme activity of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase- oxygenase (RubisCO-EC 4.1.1.39), in the key enzyme of the Calvin-Benson cycle. A RubisCO was purified from a chemoautotrophic bacterium, Aeromonas sp. strain JS-1. the enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration chromatography. The RubisCO showed that molecular mass was about 560KDa from gel filtration chromatography and nondenaturing PAGE, and the RubisCO was confirmed to consist of $L_8S_8$ enzyme structure by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A large subunit was about 56KDa and small one was about 15kDa. The Km values of the enzyme for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate(RUBP), $NaH^{14}CO_3$, and $Mg^{++}$ were estimated to be 0.25mM, 5.2mM, and 0.91mM, respectively. The optimum temperature for RubisCO enzymatic activity were $50^{\circ}C$, and the enzymatic activity was stable up to $45^{\circ}C$.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2006

Various ${\beta}$-ionone resistant mutants were isolated from the wild-type red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous KCTC 7704. Although the growth of X. dendrorhous KCTC 7704 was strongly inhibited at 0.025 mM ${\beta}$-ionone, one of the ${\beta}$-ionone resistant mutants isolated at 0.1 mM ${\beta}$-ionone by NTG mutagenesis showed rather 70% of relative survival at 0.15 mM ${\beta}$-ionone. Fermentation kinetics study with the mutant was carried out at $20^{\circ}C$ for 4 days in 300-mL baffled flasks. The mutant yielded up to 2.3-fold higher carotenoids content(viz. $1.2{\mu}g$ of total carotenoids per mg of dry cells) compared with the wild-type strain. The production of metabolites such as organic acids could be neglected. Studies on the kinetics with various carbon substrates revealed both an increase in final dry cell mass and a higher total carotenoids content in cell mass with glucose when compared to fructose or sucrose. As a further part of study, the effect of pH on the fermentation kinetics was investigated in glucose-limited chemostat at a dilution rate of $0.04h^{-1}$. When compared to steady-state kinetic parameters obtained at pH 4.0, a significant reduction in cell concentration at pH 3.0 and a lower carotenoids content at pH 5.2 were evident.