• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2024

In this study, the mechanical stability of red mud was improved for its commercial use as a catalyst to effectively decompose HFC-134a, one of the seven major greenhouse gases. Red mud is an industrial waste discharged from aluminum production, but it can be used for the decomposition of HFC-134a. Red mud can be manufactured into a catalyst via the crushing-preparative-compression molding-firing process, and it is possible to improve the catalyst performance and secure mechanical stability through calcination. In order to determine the optimal heat treatment conditions, pellet-shaped compressed red mud samples were calcined at 300, 600, 800 ℃ using a muffle furnace for 5 hours. The mechanical stability was confirmed by the weight loss rate before and after ultra-sonication after the catalyst was immersed in distilled water. The catalyst calcined at 800 ℃ (RM 800) was found to have the best mechanical stability as well as the most catalytic activity. The catalyst performance and durability tests that were performed for 100 hours using the RM 800 catalyst showed thatmore than 99% of 1 mol% HFC-134a was degraded at 650 ℃, and no degradation in catalytic activity was observed. XRD analysis showed tri-calcium aluminate and gehlenite crystalline phases, which enhance mechanical strength and catalytic activity due to the interaction of Ca, Si, and Al after heat treatment at 800 ℃. SEM/EDS analysis of the durability tested catalysts showed no losses in active substances or shape changes due to HFC-134a abasement. Through this research, it is expected that red mud can be commercialized as a catalyst for waste refrigerant treatment due to its high economic feasibility, high decomposition efficiency and mechanical stability.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.205-217
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• 2024

This study evaluated the physical characteristics and quality of volcanic rocks distributed in the Jeju Island-Ulleung Island area as aggregate resources. The main rocks in the Jeju Island area include conglomerate, volcanic rock, and volcanic rock. Conglomerate is composed of yellow-red or gray heterogeneous sedimentary rock, conglomerate, and encapsulated conglomerate in a state between lavas. Volcanic rocks are classified according to their chemical composition into basalt, trachybasalt, basaltic trachytic andesite, trachytic andesite, and trachyte. By stratigraphy, from bottom to top, Seogwipo Formation, trachyte andesite, trachybasalt (I), basalt (I), trachybasalt (II), basalt (II), trachybasalt (III, IV), trachyte, trachybasalt (V, VI), basalt (III), and trachybasalt (VII, VIII). The bedrock of the Ulleung Island is composed of basalt, trachyte, trachytic basalt, and trachytic andesite, and some phonolite and tuffaceous clastic volcanic sedimentary rock. Aggregate quality evaluation factors of these rocks included soundness, resistance to abrasion, absorption rate, absolute dry density and alkali aggregate reactivity. Most volcanic rock quality results in the study area were found to satisfy aggregate quality standards, and differences in physical properties and quality were observed depending on the area. Resistance to abrasion and absolute dry density have similar distribution ranges, but Ulleung Island showed better soundness and Jeju Island showed better absorption rate. Overall, Jeju Island showed better quality as aggregate. In addition, the alkaline aggregate reactivity test results showed that harmless aggregates existed in both area, but Ulleungdo volcanic rock was found to be more advantageous than Jeju Island volcanic rock. Aggregate quality testing is typically performed simply for each gravel, but even similar rocks can vary depending on their geological origin and mineral composition. Therefore, when evaluating and analyzing aggregate resources, it will be possible to use them more efficiently if the petrological-mineralological research is performed together.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of an 810-nm infrared diode laser with indocyanine green (ICG) against Staphylococcus aureus on sandblasted, large grit, and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces, comparing its effectiveness with alternative chemical decontamination modalities. Materials and Methods: Biofilms of S. aureus ATCC 25923 were cultured on SLA titanium disks for 48 hours. The biofilms were divided into five treatment groups: control, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), tetracycline (TC), ICG, and 810-nm infrared diode laser with ICG (ICG-PDT). After treatment, colony-forming units were quantified to assess surviving bacteria, and viability was confirmed through confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) imaging. Results: All treated groups exhibited a statistically significant reduction in S. aureus (P < 0.05), with notable efficacy in the CHX, TC, and ICG-PDT groups (P < 0.01). While no statistical difference was observed between TC and CHX, the ICG-PDT group demonstrated superior bacterial reduction. CLSM images revealed a higher proportion of dead bacteria stained in red within the ICG-PDT groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations, ICG-PDT effectively reduced S. aureus biofilms on SLA titanium surfaces. Further investigations into alternative decontamination methods and the clinical impact of ICG-PDT on peri-implant diseases are warranted.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2024

In the realm of cement manufacturing, concerted efforts are underway to mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases. A significant portion, approximately 60%, of these emissions during the cement clinker sintering process is attributed to the decarbonation of limestone, which serves as a fundamental ingredient in cement production. Prompted by these environmental concerns, there is an active pursuit of alternative technologies and admixtures for cement that can substitute for limestone. Concurrently, initiatives are being explored to harness technology within the cement industry for the capture of carbon dioxide from industrial emissions, facilitating its conversion into carbonate minerals via chemical processes. Parallel to these technological advances, economic growth has precipitated a surge in construction activities, culminating in a steady escalation of construction waste, notably waste concrete. This study is anchored in the innovative production of calcium silicate cement clinkers, utilizing finely powdered waste concrete, followed by a thorough analysis of their mineral phases. Through X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis, it was observed that increasing the substitution level of waste concrete powder and the molar ratio of SiO₂ to (CaO+SiO₂) leads to a decrease in Belite and γ-Belite, whereas minerals associated with carbonation, such as wollastonite and rankinite, exhibited an upsurge. Furthermore, the formation of gehlenite in cement clinkers, especially at higher substitution levels of waste concrete powder and the aforementioned molar ratio, is attributed to a synthetic reaction with Al₂O₃ present in the waste concrete powder. Analysis of free-CaO content revealed a decrement with increasing substitution rate of waste concrete powder and the molar ratio of SiO₂/(CaO+SiO₂). The outcomes of this study substantiate the viability of fabricating calcium silicate cement clinkers employing waste concrete powder.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2024

Global interest in natural functional materials to strengthen human immunity is increasing due to the increase in immune-related diseases associated with COVID-19 and the aging population. In this study, we determined the potential therapeutic effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus stems on immune enhancement according to the cultivation region. The contents of eleutheroside B and E, which are chemical components of E. senticosus stems, were analyzed. We showed that the eleutheroside B content of E. senticosus stems in different cultivation regions ranged from 2.96±0.11 to 6.24±0.05 mg/g and from 1.11±0.05 to 2.11±0.03 mg/g in 70% ethanol and hot water extracts, respectively. The eleutheroside E content ranged from 4.93±0.20 to 10.79±0.03 mg/g and 1.75±0.14 to 3.64±0.05 mg/g in 70% ethanol and hot water extracts, respectively. In addition, the immunomodulatory effect of E. senticosus stems was evaluated using RAW 264.7 macrophages. The 70% ethanol extract of E. senticosus stems showed no cytotoxicity up to 200 ㎍/mL, and the hot water extract showed no cytotoxicity up to 500 ㎍/mL. Additionally, the E. senticosus stem extract significantly increased the production of nitric oxide and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) compared to their production in the control group. These results suggest that E. senticosus stem extracts are a potential functional food material and ingredient to enhance the immune response.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2024

Environmental problems caused by plastic waste have been continuously growing around the world, and plastic waste is increasing even faster after COVID-19. In particular, PP and PE account for more than half of all plastic production, and the amount of waste from these two materials is at a serious level. As a result, researchers are searching for an alternative method to plastic recycling, and plastic pyrolysis is one such alternative. In this paper, a numerical study was conducted on the pyrolysis behavior of non-condensable gas to predict the chemical reaction behavior of the pyrolysis gas. Based on gas products estimated from preceding literature, the behavior of non-condensable gas was analyzed according to temperature and residence time. Numerical analysis showed that as the temperature and residence time increased, the production of H₂ and heavy hydrocarbons increased through the conversion of the non-condensable gas, and at the same time, the CH₄ and C₆H₆ species decreased by participating in the reaction. In addition, analysis of the production rate showed that the decomposition reaction of C₂H₄ was the dominant reaction for H₂ generation. Also, it was found that more H₂ was produced by PE with higher C₂H₄ contents. As a future work, an experiment is needed to confirm how to increase the conversion rate of H₂ and carbon in plastics through the various operating conditions derived from this study's numerical analysis results.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2023

To achieve self-sufficiency in domestic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an increase in high-quality wheat production is essential. Given Korea's limited land area, the utilization of cropping systems is imperative. Wheat is compatible with a double cropping system along with rice, soybeans, and corn. Data on alterations in wheat quality following summer crop cultivation is required. This study investigated the impact of cultivating preceding crops such as rice, soybeans, and corn in a wheat cropping system. The analysis focused on the influence of these preceding crops on wheat growth, quality, and soil characteristics, elucidating their interrelationships and impacts. While there were no differences in growth timing and quantity during wheat growth, a significant variance was observed in stem length. Protein content, a key quality attribute of wheat, displayed variations based on the intercropped crops, with the highest increase observed in wheat cultivated after soybeans. Soil moisture content also exhibited variations depending on the intercropping system. The wheat-rice intercropping system, which requires soil moisture retention, resulted in greater pore space saturation in comparison to other systems. Moreover, soil chemical properties, specifically phosphorus and calcium levels, were influenced by intercropping. The highest reduction in soil phosphorus content occurred with soybean cultivation. These findings suggest that intercropping wheat with soybeans can potentially enhance wheat quality in domestic varieties.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.151-164
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• 2024

In water treatment plants supplying potable water, the management of chlorine concentration in water treatment processes involving pre-chlorination or intermediate chlorination requires process control. To address this, research has been conducted on water quality prediction techniques utilizing AI technology. This study developed an AI-based predictive model for automating the process control of chlorine disinfection, targeting the prediction of residual chlorine concentration downstream of sedimentation basins in water treatment processes. The AI-based model, which learns from past water quality observation data to predict future water quality, offers a simpler and more efficient approach compared to complex physicochemical and biological water quality models. The model was tested by predicting the residual chlorine concentration downstream of the sedimentation basins at Plant, using multiple regression models and AI-based models like Random Forest and LSTM, and the results were compared. For optimal prediction of residual chlorine concentration, the input-output structure of the AI model included the residual chlorine concentration upstream of the sedimentation basin, turbidity, pH, water temperature, electrical conductivity, inflow of raw water, alkalinity, NH₃, etc. as independent variables, and the desired residual chlorine concentration of the effluent from the sedimentation basin as the dependent variable. The independent variables were selected from observable data at the water treatment plant, which are influential on the residual chlorine concentration downstream of the sedimentation basin. The analysis showed that, for Plant, the model based on Random Forest had the lowest error compared to multiple regression models, neural network models, model trees, and other Random Forest models. The optimal predicted residual chlorine concentration downstream of the sedimentation basin presented in this study is expected to enable real-time control of chlorine dosing in previous treatment stages, thereby enhancing water treatment efficiency and reducing chemical costs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2024

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2024

Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizer application on yield, soil chemical properties and soil organic carbon (SOC) in Korean cabbage cultural field. The experimental treatments consisted of none fertilizer (NF), NPK (inorganic fertilizer, N-P₂O₅-K₂O : 320-78-198 kg ha^-1), Organic fertilizer (OF 50, 100, 150% on application rate of standard 110 kg ha^-1 as N, topdressing: 210 kg ha^-1 as inorganic fertilizer). In experimental results, the growth characteristics and yields were not significantly different among the treatments. There was no significant difference in soil pH, available phosphate, ammonium nitrogen and exchangeable potassium, while organic matter, electrical conductivity and nitrate nitrogen were increased when organic fertilizer application. Also, SOC was increased with the application of organic fertilizers. These results showed that pre-application of organic fertilizer might be effective in a carbon storage in the field soil cultivating Korean cabbage.