• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.412-419
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• 2023

Anion exchange membrane electrolysis is considered a promising next-generation hydrogen production technology that can produce low-cost, clean hydrogen. However, anion exchange membrane electrolysis technology is in its early stages of development and requires intensive research on electrodes, which are a key component of the catalyst-system interface. In this study, we optimized the pressure conditions of the hot-pressing process to manufacture cobalt oxide electrodes for the development of a high uniformity and high adhesion electrode production process for the oxygen evolution reaction. As the pressure increased, the reduction of pores within the electrode and increased densification of catalytic particles led to the formation of a uniform electrode surface. The cobalt oxide electrode optimized for pressure conditions exhibited improved catalytic activity and durability. The optimized electrode was used as the anode in an AEMWE single cell, exhibiting a current density of 1.53 A cm^-2 at a cell voltage of 1.85 V. In a durability test conducted for 100 h at a constant current density of 500 mA cm^-2, it demonstrated excellent durability with a low degradation rate of 15.9 mV kh^-1, maintaining 99% of its initial performance.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2024

A photo-crosslinked anion exchange membrane (AEM) based on quaternary-aminated polyacrylates was developed for reverse electrodialysis (RED). Although reverse electrodialysis is a clean and renewable energy generation system, the low power output and high membrane cost are serious obstacles to its commercialization. Cross-linked AEMs without any polymer supporters were fabricated through photo-crosslinking between polymer-typed acrylates with anion conducting groups, in particular, polymer-typed acrylates were synthesized based on engineering plastic with outstanding mechanical and chemical property. The fabricated membranes showed outstanding physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties. The area resistance of the fabricated membranes (CQAPPOA-20, CQAPPOA-35, and CQAPPOA-50) were ~50% lower than that of AMV (2.6 Ω cm²). Moreover, the transport number of CQAPPOA-35 wase comparable to that of AMV, despite the thin thickness (40 ㎛) of the fabricated membranes. The RED stack with the CQAPPOA-35 membrane provided an excellent maximum power density of 2.327 W m^-2 at a flow rate of 100 mL min^-1, which is 15% higher than that (2.026 W m^-2) of the RED stack with the AMV membrane. Considering easy fabrication process by UV photo-crosslinking and outstanding RED stack properties, the CQAPPOA-35 membrane is a promising candidate for REDs.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.63-75
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• 2024

Drinking water is an essential element to ensure the basic human right to live, and the quality of clean water must always be ensured. However, domestic water facilities, which were installed intensively in the early 2000s, are deteriorating. The accidents such as discoloration of water such as chromaticity and turbidity as well as leakage of substances frequently occur. However, since it is virtually impossible to replace all water pipes, the detailed standards for maintenance of water pipe network facilities established in 2021 require water pipe cleaning. The swab pig method, one of the water pipe cleaning methods, is a method of physically removing substances in pipes and is evaluated as having the highest cleaning efficiency. However, Swab is highly likely to be damaged or deformed during the cleaning process, and may even be lost. Therefore, in this study, the material of the pig was changed to a material with high compressibility, and it was made as close as possible to the inner wall of the water pipe. And, to maximize cleaning efficiency, a rotation swab pig with a rotation blade was developed. In addition, high-strength wire and winding equipment were additionally developed to eliminate the possibility of loss and to determine the location of the pig. The inlet and outlet are connected with wires, and after verifying the performance of each detailed technology, the technology was applied on a test bed with a 30m section. As a result of the application, the performance of the technology was verified by measuring the process time and evaluating applicability.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.117-134
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• 2024

This study examines the factors contributing to waterfront satisfaction among different generations, utilizing a survey on the use and perception of waterfront areas by residents of apartment houses in Tokyo's coastal region. The variables used in this study are developed through a review of existing literature, focusing on factors related to waterfront usage. Specifically, we select the proximity to the waterfront, duration of stay at the waterfront, and frequency of visits to the waterfront as key variables for investigation. In addition, the study further incorporates aspects related to waterfront recognition, such as the space, user behavior, and management status of the waterfront. Utilizing these variables, we carry out a correlation analysis to investigate the association between generational use and perception of the waterfront and their satisfaction with water-related experiences. The results identify three key factors to enhance waterfront satisfaction: First, to increase visits from both younger and older generations, improving pedestrian access to the waterfront is essential. Second, for middle-aged and older generations, creating waterfront areas closer to their residences can reduce travel distance and time, encouraging more frequent use. Third, maintaining clean and well-kept waterfront spaces is fundamental for all generations to enjoy relaxing experiences, thereby improving overall satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1580-1588
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• 2023

The desire for clear and clean skin is universal among both men and women. Women, in particular, seek the help of foundation to achieve beautiful and transparent skin. The choice of foundation is not determined by the race of an individual; instead, it varies based on personal skin color and undertone. Therefore, there is a need to surpass the stereotype of using foundation colors based on racial discrimination. The purpose of this study is to randomly select cosmetics brands from Korea, China, Japan, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, considering the impact of each photo, environment, and equipment. The objective is to understand the differences in skin tones in foundation advertisement model images on websites. Analyzing the RGB values of foundation colors for each brand revealed that in Korea, the colors were 8.75R, 1.25YR, 2.5YR, 3.75YR, 5YR, and 6.25YR. Chinese brands showed similar colors with 2.5YR, 3.75YR, 5YR, 6.25YR, and 10YR. Japanese brands displayed colors such as 7.5R, 8.75R, 10R, 5YR, 6.25YR, and 7.5YR. American brands presented colors like 6.25R, 8.75R, 10R, 2.5YR, 3.75YR, 5YR, 6.25YR, 7.5YR, and 10YR. French brands featured 10R, 1.25YR, 3.75YR, 5YR. Lastly, British brands displayed 2.5YR, 3.75YR, 7.5YR. As a follow-up study, in-depth research on the reshaping and color changes of foundation over time is recommended. It is hoped that this research will serve as fundamental data for makeup companies' marketing and contribute to the development of both domestic and international color cosmetics markets.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2024

Current distribution of Korean Cottus pollux was investigated by conducting field surveys and environmental DNA analysis in September to November 2022 and March to May 2023. As a result of the field survey, the presence of C. pollux was confirmed in the uppermost stream of Hyeongsangang River, as well as in Deokdongcheon, Jeolgolcheon, and Hoamcheon Streams. The main habitat of C. pollux was the riffle area in the upper reaches of streams with clean water and boulder-cobble bottoms. As a result of environmental DNA analysis, the samples determined to be positive included all streams in which the presence of C. pollux was confirmed in the field survey. In addition, Namcheon and Singwangcheon Streams were determined to be positive, indicating potential as its habitats. Since C. pollux has a narrow distribution area and a small population size, continuous monitoring and conservation measures are required to immediately respond to damage caused by typhoons and river works, which are the main causes of habitat disturbance, in order to maintain a stable population.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2024

Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the effects of clean-diabetes mellitus 3 (C-DM3), a herbal formula with Trichosanthis Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, and Cinnamomi Cortex, on the pathological and serological symptoms of diabetes and its related molecular mechanisms in diet-induced obese mice. Methods: We prepared an obese mouse model using a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then administered the C-DM3 extract for 4 weeks. The changes of pathological and serological biomarkers for diabetes assessment were measured in the mice and histological changes were observed in the liver and pancreas tissues. We also identified the main compounds in the C-DM3 extract using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed the molecular mechanism of the disease condition by network pharmacological analysis. Results: In the in vivo, the administration of C-DM extract to obese mice significantly reduced body weight gain, fatty liver symptoms, and muscle loss, and decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, aspertate aminotransferase, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In addition, C-DM extract significantly increased the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1, protein kinase b (AKT), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and glucose transporter 4 in all pancreatic and liver tissues, with inhibition of histopathological changes in obese mice. HPLC analysis identified hyperoside, berberine, epiberberine, columbamin, coptisine, coumarin, jatrorrhizine, and citric acid as the main compounds. In the network pharmacological analysis, the molecular targets of C-DM3 extract on obesity and diabetes were shown as the insulin, AKT, PI3K, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways with the regulation of inflammatory molecules interleukin 6 (IL-6), jun proto-oncogene, and IL-1β, which matched our in vivo targets. Conclusions: Based on these results, C-DM3 extract is expected to be effective in improving obesity and preventing diabetic progression.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.32 no.1_2
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• pp.1-29
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• 2018

We investigated the seasonal variation of diatoms from the modern bottom floor sediments of the reservoirs distributed in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The studied reservoirs include each three reservoirs from Southeastern part, Central Southern part and Southwestern part, respectively, to compare the dominant diatom assemblages that are ecologically controlled by local environments. In the Southeastern region, Aulacoseira spp., Fragilaria crotonensis, Fragilaria tenera, Gomphonema gracile, G. parvulum and Gyrosigma attenuatum were dominant species. Aulacoseira spp., Cymbella tumida, Cymbella turgidula, Diploneis finnica and Fragilaria crotonensis were dominant taxa in the Central Southern regions. In the southwestern region, Aulacoseira spp., Fragilaria crotonensis, Gomphonema parvulum and Stenopterobia curvular were predominated. Of which Aulacoseira spp. were predominant species at all reservoirs. In addition most of dominants are saproxenous taxa living in the clean water area, and the water quality of these reservoirs is considered to be less polluted water. As a result of seasonal comparison of diatom productivity, the first productivity is higher in summer than in winter. However, diatom valve abundance in the southeastern reservoirs was fewer from the samples collected at May than February.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2009

This research was conducted to evaluate pyrolysis characteristics of the sludge discharged from paper mill process with sintering temperature. The sludge was composed of 70.72% of moisture, 9.52% of volatile solids, and 19.76% of ash, respectively. The sludge contained high 66.40% of $Fe_2O_3$ and CaO(15.80%), $Al_2O_3$(9.42%), and $SO_3$(3.75%) components, and minor $SiO_2$, $Na_2O$, and $Cr_2O_3$ were also contained in it. The other components except $Fe_2O_3$ and $Cr_2O_3$ were slightly decreased with increase of sintering temperature. Specific surface area of the sludge before sintering was $130m^2/g$ and ones after sintering at $400^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$ were $114m^2/g$ and $33m^2/g$ respectively. Specific surface area of sludge was decreased with increase of sintering temperature. From the result of TG-DTA, it was shown that weight of the sludge was decreased by moisture and organic loss until $600^{\circ}C$ and decreased by volatilization of metal components and additional combustion of carbon until $800^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.91-99
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• 2009

This research were performed to evaluate co-incineration characteristics of sewage sludge and industrial waste in rotary kiln incinerator, and provide the fundamental data. Plastic portion (42.55%) in this industrial waste showed over 3 times higher than that (11.92%) of paper. Korean proximate analysis of the waste mixed with sewage sludge and industrial waste (3 : 7, volumetric basis) showed 16.3% of moisture, 70.5% of volatile solids, and 13.2% of ash, respectively. Low heating value of the mixed waste was 4,513kcal/kg. So it was thought that the mixed waste of sewage sludge and industrial waste (containing 43% of plastics and 12% papers) has enough heating value for co-incineration. The incineration of mixed waste showed the lowest SOx and NOx concentrations at $700^{\circ}C$. However, the operation at $950^{\circ}C$ was feasible in considering dioxin and the other hazardous gases. It was concluded that use of $Ca(OH)_2$ should be under investigation for the operation at $950^{\circ}C$.