• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2015

The study of waste activated sludge (WAS) solubilization has been increased for sludge volume reduction and enhancing the efficiency of anaerobic digestion. Microwave (MW)-assisted solubilization is an effective method for the solubilization of WAS because this method can lead to thermal, nonthermal effect and ionic conduction by dielectric heating. In this study, the solubilization of WAS by MW heating and conductive heating (CH) was compared and to enhance the MW-assisted solubilization of WAS at low MW output power, chemical agents were applied such as $H_2SO_4$ as the strong acid and $CaCl_2$, NaCl as the ionic materials. Compared to the COD solubilization of WAS by CH, that by MW heating was approximately 1.4, 6.2 times higher at $50^{\circ}C$, $100^{\circ}C$, respectively and the highest COD solubilization of WAS was 10.0% in this study of low MW output power condition. At the same MW output power and reaction time in chemically agents assisted experiments, the COD solubilization of WAS were increased up to 18.1% and 12.7% with the addition of $H_2SO_4$ and NaCl, however, that with the addition of $CaCl_2$ was 10.7%. This result might be due to the fact that the precipitation reaction occurred by calcium ion ($Ca^{2+}$) and phosphate ion (${PO_4}^{3-}$) produced in WAS after MW-assisted solubilization. In this study, $H_2SO_4$ turned out to be the optimal agent for the enhancement of MW efficiency, the addition of 0.2 M $H_2SO_4$ was the most effective condition for MW-assisted WAS solubilization.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.605-616
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• 2004

Subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) refer to concentrations below minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The antimicrobial agents may be present at relatively high concentration, at least higher than bacterial MIC and thereafter be deserted off a surface and function at sub-MICs, perhaps by interfering with bacterial metabolism. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of growth, in the presence of sub-MICs of antimicrobial agents, on the cell surface properties and virulence factors of mutans streptococci and to investigate the efficacy of a chemical approach in vitro. Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-7 were used. Eight antimicrobial agents (Sanguinaria extract;SG, Chlorhexidine digluconate;CHX, Fluoride;F, Propolis;PP, Hydrogen peroxide;HP, Triclosan;TC, Sodium dodecyl sulfate;SDS Cetylpyridinium chloride; CC) were diluted serially in broth to determine MICs and to compare the growth rate, acid production, hydrophobicity, adhesion activity to saliva coated hydroxyapatite, glucan synthesis and cellular aggregation of experiment groups (in the presence of sub-MICs) with those of control (in the absence of antimicrobial agents). Sub-MICs of antimicrobial agents affected the growth of cells, hydrophobicity, and adhesion of bacteria to saliva coated hydroxyapatite and glucan synthesis. They also resulted in a significant reduction in pH after 12 hours (p<0.05). By cells pretreated with proteinase K, either the aggregation induced by antimicrobial agents was completely inhibited or the aggregation titers were markedly increased. According to the results of the present study, each antimicrobial agent at sub-MICs could affect similar as its known action mechanism and could continually inhibit cariogenic bacteria at such concentrations. Thus, the use of these antimicrobial agents would be one of the effective methods to prevent dental caries.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2010

To select the viable alternative substrates among the variable organic substrates for productivity enhancement and production cost-reduction of oyster mushroom in bottle culture, this study was carried out at mushroom research institute of GGRDA in 2007. In bottle culture of oyster mushroom (Plerutus ostreatus), the seedcakes of rape (RS), soybean (SS), coconut (CCS), and kapok (KS) were examined as substitute of cotton seedcake which was primary nutritive material of mushroom growing substrate. The chemical properties of substrate mixed with kapok seedcake is similar to the mixture with cotton seedcake in T-C, T-N, C/N ratio, and other nutrients. Mixed growing substrate containing cotton seedcake and kapok seedcake was superior to other mixtures 99.2% and 99.5%, respectively in spawning ratio and was faster mycellium growth in column test than that of soybeen seedcake, cotton + soybeen seedcake, and coconut seedcake. The period required in first pin-heading was 1-2 days longer in rape and soybeen seedcake mixture. Also there wad no primodia and fruitbody formation at soybeen seedcake mixture which had highest T-N content among the other mixed substrates. Yield per bottle and biological efficiency were highest of 144.6 g and 75.4%, respectively at kapok seedcake mixture. As a result, this study found that cotton seedcake can be replaced with kapok seedcake in bottle culture of oyster mushroom.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.352-360
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• 2002

This study was carried out to find out the effect of Milk vetch(Astragalus sinicus L.) on growth, and yield of rice, physicochemical properties of soil, reduction rate of nitrogen fertilization, and soil improvement under the different plowing time with Milk vetch cultivated in paddy field, plowing at maximum blooming, last blooming, fruiting stages. The fresh weight of Milk vetch at each plowing time of maximum blooming, last blooming and fruiting stage was 22,500, 20,000, $12,500kg\;ha^{-1}$ respectively. Content of total nitrogen at three plowing times was 2.95, 2.66, and 2.47% and the C/N ratio were 15.7, 18.0, and 19.2, respectively. Physico-chemical properties of soil were improved in cultivated milk vetch, the content of T-N. OM and porosity ratio were increased while the content of $P_2O_5$ and bulk density, solidphase ratio were decreased compared to noncultivated milk vetch. Content of $NH_4-N$ in soil was highest plowing at maximum blooming stage and appeared an increasing tendency according to increased nitrogen level. Amount of nitrogen fertilizer by rice was highest plowing at maximum blooming stage and appeared an increasing tendency according to increased nitrogen level. Nitrogen-use efficiency was high in $33kg\;ha^{-1}$ nitrogen level at three plowing times. The number of spikelets per $m^2$ was high in plowing at maximum blooming stage, last blooming stage and the percentage of ripeness was high in fruiting stage of milk vetch. So the rice yield was increased 9%, 8% in $55kg\;ha^{-1}$ nitrogen level plowing at maximum blooming stage, last blooming stage and 1% in $77kg\;ha^{-1}$ nitrogen level plowing at fruiting stage compared to conventional cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2002

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of various cultural practices on methane($CH_4$) emission in tillage and no-tillage practice in a clayey paddy soil from 1998 to 2000. The factors evaluated in tillage and no-tillage methods were types of nitrogen fertilizers, application method of chemical fertilizers, rice straw application and cultivation method. Of the nitrogen fertilizers, the amount of $CH_4$ emission in ammonium sulfate plot was the lowest, regardless of tillage and the application method. 26.4~41.1% of reduction by ammonium sulfate compared with urea. But in no-tillage which have problem of poor rice yield than tillage, coated urea was more effective nitrogen fertilizer because that showed similar $CH_4$ emission and highest rice yield at 80% of dosage of nitrogen. No-tillage plot emitted lower $CH_4$ than tillage plot where the fertilizers were incorporated. On the contrary, no-tillage plot showed a little higher $CH_4$ emission compared with tillage plot for the surface application. When rice straw was applied, no-tillage practice reduced methane emission by 26.6% compared with tillage practice, but showing a little difference of 10.7% in no application. With cultivation method, no-tillage practice reduced methane emission 26.6% compared with tillage for the 30-d-old seedling transplanting. But for the dry direct seeding practice, no-tillage was a less effective because considerable amounts of rice straw incorporated by tillage were more decomposed aerobically in the soil and emitted as $CO_2$ to the atmosphere with flooding in no-tillage soil.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.384-389
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• 2014

The objective of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of anthocyanin-enriched extract of radiation-induced blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) mutant (${\gamma}$-B201) as well as the protective effect of ${\gamma}$-B201 against oxidative stress in vitro. The cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, and DNA damage were assessed by WST-1 assay, flow cytometry, and comet assay, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were determined by using a commercial kit. The in vitro results showed that ${\gamma}$-B201 increased the cell viability, reduction of lactate dehydrogenase release, and intracellular ROS scavenging capacity in hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, treatment with ${\gamma}$-B201 attenuated DNA damage in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells and treatment with ${\gamma}$-B201 restored the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the present study suggests that ${\gamma}$-B201 blackberry extract can exert a significant cytoprotective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced cell damage.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2019

The study attempted to estimate the optimal facility capacity by combining renewable energy sources that can be connected with gas CHP in industrial complexes. In particular, we reviewed industrial complexes subject to energy use plan from 2013 to 2016. Although the regional designation was excluded, Sejong industrial complex, which has a fuel usage of 38 thousand TOE annually and a high heat density of $92.6Gcal/km^2{\cdot}h$, was selected for research. And we analyzed the optimal operation model of CHP Hybrid System linking fuel cell and photovoltaic power generation using HOMER Pro, a renewable energy hybrid system economic analysis program. In addition, in order to improve the reliability of the research by analyzing not only the heat demand but also the heat demand patterns for the dominant sectors in the thermal energy, the main supply energy source of CHP, the economic benefits were added to compare the relative benefits. As a result, the total indirect heat demand of Sejong industrial complex under construction was 378,282 Gcal per year, of which paper industry accounted for 77.7%, which is 293,754 Gcal per year. For the entire industrial complex indirect heat demand, a single CHP has an optimal capacity of 30,000 kW. In this case, CHP shares 275,707 Gcal and 72.8% of heat production, while peak load boiler PLB shares 103,240 Gcal and 27.2%. In the CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combinations, the optimum capacity is 30,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 1,980 kW, respectively. At this time, CHP shared 275,940 Gcal, 72.8%, fuel cell 12,390 Gcal, 3.3%, and PLB 90,620 Gcal, 23.9%. The CHP capacity was not reduced because an uneconomical alternative was found that required excessive operation of the PLB for insufficient heat production resulting from the CHP capacity reduction. On the other hand, in terms of indirect heat demand for the paper industry, which is the dominant industry, the optimal capacity of CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combination is 25,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 2,000 kW. The heat production was analyzed to be CHP 225,053 Gcal, 76.5%, fuel cell 11,215 Gcal, 3.8%, PLB 58,012 Gcal, 19.7%. However, the economic analysis results of the current electricity market and gas market confirm that the return on investment is impossible. However, we confirmed that the CHP Hybrid System, which combines CHP, fuel cell, and solar power, can improve management conditions of about KRW 9.3 billion annually for a single CHP system.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2021

This study was conducted to improve the useful components and biological activity of Lentinula edodes fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Three LAB strains (Lactobacillus brevis KCCM 11904, L. plantarum KCCM 354469, and L. fermentum KCCM 12116) were inoculated and used for L. edodes hot water extract (10%, 20%, 30%) fermentation. LAB fermentation of L. edodes hot water extracts decreased pH and thus were more acidic than non-fermented L. edodes hot water extract. β-glucan and ergothioneine contents were increased by L. edodes in a concentration-dependent manner. The ergothioneine and β-glucan contents were highest in fermented with 30% L. edodes hot water extract fermented by L. plantarum and L. brevis (40.48 mg/100 g and 13.94%, respectively). The hepato-protective effect of fermented L. edodes hot water extracts by the three LAB were tested using Sprague-Dawley rat primary hepatocytes. In primary hepatocytes obtained following liver injury induced by acetaminophen, fermented L. edodes hot water extracts by the three LAB showed protective effects, as evident by reduction of the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase liver markers. The collective results indicate that the fermented L. edodes hot water extracts obtained using LAB are potentially valuable in preventing or treating liver disease.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: About 81% of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions from agricultural land to the atmosphere is due to nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. Mitigation of $N_2O$ emissions can be more effective in controlling biochemical processes such as nitrification and denitrification in the soil rather than decreasing fertilizer application. The use of urease inhibitors is an effective way to improve N fertilizer efficiency and reduce $N_2O$ emissions. Several compounds act as urease inhibitors, but N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) has been used worldwide. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hot pepper and chinese cabbage were cultivated in five treatments: standard fertilizer of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium(N-P-K, $N-P_2O_5-K_2O$: 22.5-11.2-14.9 kg/ha for hot pepper and $N-P_2O_5-K_2O$: 32.0-7.8-19.8 kg/ha for chinese cabbage), no fertilizer, and NBPT-treated fertilizer of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 times of nitrogen basal application rate of the standard fertilizer, respectively in Gyeonggi-do Hwaseong-si for 2 years(2015-2016). According to application of NBPT-treated fertilizer in hot pepper and chinese cabbage, $N_2O$ emission decreased by 19-20% compared to that of the standard fertilizer plot. CONCLUSION: NBPT-treated fertilizer proved that $N_2O$ emissions decreased statistically significant in the same growth conditions as the standard fertilization in the hot pepper and chinese cabbage cultivated fields. It means that NBPT-treated fertilizer can be applied for N fertilizer efficiency and $N_2O$ emissions reduction.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.453-461
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• 2019

This study was conducted to monitor the soil characteristics and growth of Pinus densiflora and to determine the effect of soil characteristics on growth rate five years after an ecological restoration project in Baekdudaegan ridge including Ihwaryeong, Yuksimnyeong, and Beoljae sites. The ecological restoration project was executed with the forest of P. densiflora in 2012-2013. In April 2018, we collected soil samples from each site and measured the height and the diameter at breach height (DBH) of P. densiflora. Although there was no significant change of soil pH compared to the early stage of restoration (one year after the project), it was high in Ihwaryeong, and Beoljae with values of 7.7 and 6.4, respectively. Also, the organic matter decreased by 70-80%, and the available phosphorus (P) was unchanged in three restoration sites. The decreased organic matter can be attributed to restriction of inflow and thus decomposition of litter in the early stage after the restoration. The tree height growth rate ($m\;yr^{-1}$) of P. densiflora in Yuksimnyeong was the highest at 1.02, followed by Beolja at 0.75 and Ihwaryeong at 0.17. The height growth rate showed negative relationships with soil pH and cations, including Na and Ca concentrations and a positive relationship with available phosphate. The low growth rate in the Ihwaryeong site, in particular, might result from the poor nutrient availability due to high soil pH and the decrease in water absorption into the root due to high Na and Ca concentrations. The substantial reduction of organic matter after five years indicates that the need for soil improvement using chemical fertilizer and biochar.