• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2023

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can exist in both intracellular and extracellular forms in natural ecosystems. When targeting harmful cyanobacteria, extracellular eDNA indicates the presence of traces of cyanobacteria, while intracellular eDNA indicates the potential for cyanobacteria to occur. However, identifying the "actual" potential for harmful cyanobacteria to occur is difficult using the existing sediment eDNA analysis method, which uses silica beads and cannot distinguish between these two forms of eDNA. This study analyzes the applicability of a density gradient centrifugation method (Ludox method) that can selectively analyze intracellular eDNA in sediment to overcome the limitations of conventional sediment eDNA analysis. PCR was used to amplify the extracted eDNA based on the two different methods, and the relative amount of gene amplification was compared using electrophoresis and Image J application. While the conventional bead beating method uses sediment as it is to extract eDNA, it is unknown whether the mic gene amplified from eDNA exists in the cyanobacterial cell or only outside of the cell. However, since the Ludox method concentrates the intracellular eDNA of the sediment through filtration and density gradient, only the mic gene present in the cyanobacteria cells could be amplified. Furthermore, the bead beating method can analyze up to 1 g of sediment at a time, whereas the Ludox method can analyze 5 g to 30 g at a time. This gram of sediments makes it possible to search for even a small amount of mic gene that cannot be searched by conventional bead beating method. In this study, the Ludox method secured sufficient intracellular gene concentration and clearly distinguished intracellular and extracellular eDNA, enabling more accurate and detailed potential analysis. By using the Ludox method for environmental RNA expression and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of harmful cyanobacteria in the sediment, it will be possible to analyze the potential more realistically.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2009

Chloride induced corrosion of steel reinforcement inside concrete is a major concern for concrete structures exposed to a marine environment. It is well known that transport of chloride ions in concrete occurs mainly through ionic/molecular diffusion, as a gradient of chloride concentration in the concrete pore solution is set. In the process of chloride transport, a portion of chlorides are bound in cement matrix then to be removed in the pore solution, and thus only the rest of chlorides which are not bound (i.e. free chlorides) leads the ingress of chlorides. However, since the measurement of free/bound chloride content is much susceptible to environmental conditions, chloride profiles expressed in total chlorides are evaluated to use in many studies In this study, the capacity of chloride binding in cement matrix was monitored for 150 days and then quantified using the Langmuir isotherm to determine the portions of free chlorides and bound chlorides at given total chlorides and the redistribution of free chlorides. Then, the diffusion of chloride ion in concrete was modeled by considering the binding capacity for the prediction of chloride profiles with the redistribution. The predicted chloride profiles were compared to those obtained from conventional model. It was found that the prediction of chloride profiles obtained by the model has shown slower diffusion than those by the conventional ones. This reflects that the prediction by total chloride may overestimate the ingress of chlorides by neglecting the redistribution of free chlorides caused by the binding capacity of cement matrix. From the evaluation, it is also shown that the service life prediction using the free chloride redistribution model needs different expression for the chloride threshold level which is expressed by the total chlorides in the conventional diffusion model.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1159-1164
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• 2010

Several triterpenoid saponins from root of Pulsatilla koreana Nakai (Ranunculaceae) were studied and their biological activities were reported. It is difficult to analyze triterpenoid saponins using HPLC-UV due to the lack of chromophores. So, evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) is used as a valuable alternative to UV detection. More recently, a charged aerosol detection (CAD) has been developed to improve the sensitivity and reproducibility of ELSD. In this study, we developed and validated a novel method of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a charged aerosol detector for the simultaneous determination of four triterpenoid saponins: pulsatilloside E, pulsatilla saponin H, anemoside B4 and cussosaponin C. Analytes were separated by the Supelco Ascentis$^{(R)}$ Express C18 column (4.6 mm ${\times}$ 150 mm, 2.7 ${\mu}m$) with gradient elution of methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at $30^{\circ}C$. We examined various factors that could affect the sensitivity of the detectors, including various concentrations of additives, the pH of the mobile phase, and the CAD range. Linear calibration curves were obtained within the concentration ranges of 2 - 200 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilloside E, anemoside $B_4$ and cussosaponin C, and 5 - 500 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilla saponin H with correlation coefficient ($R^2$) greater than 0.995. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.04 - 0.2 and 2 - 5 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. The validity of the developed HPLC-CAD method was confirmed by satisfactory values of linearity, intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision. This method could be successfully applied to quality evaluation, quality control and monitoring of Pulsatilla koreana.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish the simultaneous analysis for six compounds in Gumiganghwal-tang (GMGHT, Jiuweiqianghuo-tang) and to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of GMGHT in vitro. Methods : The column for separation of six compounds was used Luna $C_{18}$ column and maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems, 1.0% acetic acid in water and 1.0% acetic acid in acetonitrile. The analysis was carried out at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with pothodiode array (PDA) detection at 254, 280, and 320 nm. The injection volume was 10 ${\mu}L$. The antioxidant activities of GMGHT were evaluated by measuring free radical scavenging activities on 2,2'-Azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The inhibitory effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were evaluated by the formation of thiobarbituric acid relative substances (TBARS), relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), and fragmentation of apolipoprotein B (ApoB)-100. Results : Calibration curves were acquired with $r^2{\geq}0.9998$. The contents of liquiritin, ferulic acid, baicalin, baicalein, glycyrrhizin, and wogonin in GMGHT were 1.784, 1.693, 37.899, 0.258, 1.869, and 0.034 mg/g, respectively. The GMGHT showed the radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration required for 50% reduction ($RC_{50}$) against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 72.51 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 128.49 ${\mu}g/mL$. Furthermore, GMGHT reduced the oxidation properties of LDL induced by $CuSO_4$. Conclusion : HPLC-PDA is considered as an available and convenient method for quality control and standardization of GMGH and GMGHT has potentials on anti-atherosclerosis by anti-oxidative effect and suppressive effect on LDL oxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.542-546
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• 1999

InP single crystal, III-V binary compound semiconductor, was grown by VGF(vertical gradient freeze) method using quartz ampoule and its electrical optical properties were investigated. Phosphorous powders were put in the bottom of quartz ampoule and Indium metal charged in conical quartz crucible what was attached at the upper side position inside the quartz ampoule. It was vacuous under the pressure of $10^5$Torr and sealed up. Indium metal was melted at $1070^{\circ}C$ and InP composition was formed by diffusion of phosphorous sublimated at $450^{\circ}C$ into Indium melt. By cooling the InP composition melt ($2^{\circ}C$~$5^{\circ}C$/hr of cooling rate) in range of $1070^{\circ}C$~$900^{\circ}C$, InP crystal was grown. The grown InP single crystals were investigated by X-ray analysis and polarized optical microscopy. Electrical properties were measured by Van der Pauw method. At the cooling method. At the cooling rate of $2^{\circ}C$/hr, growth direction of ingot was [111] and the quality of ingot was better at the upper side of ingot than the lower side. It was found that the InP crystals were n-type semiconductor and the carrier concentration, electron mobility and relative resistivity were $10^{15}$~$10^{16}/\textrm{cm}^3$ , $2\times 10^3$~$3\times 10^4{\textrm}{cm}^2$/Vsec and$2\times 10^{-1}$~$2\times 10^{-3}$/ Wcm in the range of 150K~300K, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.277-285
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• 2016

We introduce a depth scaling strategy to improve the accuracy of frequency-domain elastic full waveform inversion (FWI) using the new pseudo-Hessian matrix for seismic data without low-frequency components. The depth scaling strategy is based on the fact that the damping factor in the Levenberg-Marquardt method controls the energy concentration in the gradient. In other words, a large damping factor makes the Levenberg-Marquardt method similar to the steepest-descent method, by which shallow structures are mainly recovered. With a small damping factor, the Levenberg-Marquardt method becomes similar to the Gauss-Newton methods by which we can resolve deep structures as well as shallow structures. In our depth scaling strategy, a large damping factor is used in the early stage and then decreases automatically with the trend of error as the iteration goes on. With the depth scaling strategy, we can gradually move the parameter-searching region from shallow to deep parts. This flexible damping factor plays a role in retarding the model parameter update for shallow parts and mainly inverting deeper parts in the later stage of inversion. By doing so, we can improve deep parts in inversion results. The depth scaling strategy is applied to synthetic data without lowfrequency components for a modified version of the SEG/EAGE overthrust model. Numerical examples show that the flexible damping factor yields better results than the constant damping factor when reliable low-frequency components are missing.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2020

Iron has a crucial role in growth as part of metalo-proteins like haemoglobin or myoglobin, enzymes; they are also involved in energetic reactions. Iron plays a vital role in fertility. At high doses, Iron has a harmful consequence on the reproductive system, which can be strongly reflected the final stage of spermatogenesis. Nutritional products are claiming to use nanotechnology and it is important to recognize the potential toxicity of nano-sized nutrients. Recently iron nanoparticles were proposed as a food additive for poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in male quails. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer and Scaning Electron Microscopy showed that iron oxide nanoparticles was produced and have been coated with L-cycstein (Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs). A total of 100 one-week-old quail chicks were randomly placed to five groups of five replicates. Four quails (two male and two females) were raised in an individual cage for each replicate. The five experimental treatment diets consisted; negative control diet, with no Iron supplementation; positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄; treatment diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The hemoglobin, Red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, gonadal somatic index, daily sperm production, total testicular sperm and sperm viability of the male quails that were fed with diet supplemented by 0.6 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs were improved as compare with negative control. This study showed that not only the use of the Fe₃O₄-Cys nanoparticles had no side effects but also it can be used as a feed additive to improve the reproductive performance in male quails.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 1987

Exochorda serratifolia, broad-leaved shrub has beautiful flowers and is resistant to cold, shade and decease. New this native plant is considered to be worth being exploited as the outstanding plant for landscaping and horticulture. So this study was executed to utilize Exochorda serratifolia as the planting material for landscaping and horticulture through the survey of its habitat environment and the experimennt of its seed physiology and germination, vegetative propagation, culture and utilization, etc.. The results are as follows ; 1. The color of the flower is white, blooming in the early and middle of May and the seeds ripen late in Sep.. 2. The elevation, elevation, gradient and direction of the native habitat were 250m, 20-25$^{\circ}$and northern side respectively. 3. The soil pH of the natural habitat was 5.3 and soil fertility was poor. 4. Exochorda serratifolia appeared as indicator within P. densiflora community and its neighboring species were Q. mongolica, Q. dentata, R. mucronulatum, L. obtusiloba, E. oxyphillus, C. heterolphylla, var thunbergii, etc.. 5. The optimum temperature for seed germination was found at 20$^{\circ}C$ and the longer the stratification period at 5$^{\circ}C$ was, the lower the germination rate was. 6. The treat merits of GA and Kinetin increased the seed germination rate, especially under the dark condition but their high concentrations decreased the seed germination rate. 7. The rooted rate of the greenwood cutting was the highest at IBA 100ppm plot of vermiculite bed but its high concentration decreased the rooted rate conspicuously. 8. In the tissue culture, the each 1.0 ppd plot of NAA, Kinetin and NAA 1.0ppm + Kinetin showed the best growth. And the mixture of NAA 1.0ppm and Kinetin showed better growth than the single treatment of NAA or Kinetin did. 9. Transplanted Exochorda serratifolia showed healthy growth with shaded environmental condition(42.1% light intensity), therefore they can be cultivated as a shade tolerant landscape plant. 10. It was considered that Exochorda serratifolia was applicable to group planting at shade places or under trees in parks, homes, etc..

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.536-550
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• 2002

This paper investigated the spatial variations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations for 38 watersheds in Pennsylvania using 7 years of hydroclimatic and water quality data. Watersheds with higher percentage of urban and agricultural land uses exhibited larger variations of nutrient concentrations than forested watersheds. N and P concentrations were strongly associated with agricultural and urban land uses, respectively. The principle component analysis identified three components - land use and topography related, hydroclimate related factors, and size. Results of partial redundancy analysis showed the joint effect of climate, land cover, and topographic variables for explaining 28.1% of the variance of nitrogen concentrations and a pure effect of land cover for explaining 41.8% of total variance of P concentrations. The geographical pattern of statewide nutrient concentrations demonstrated a strong spatial gradient; low concentration in northwestern PA and high concentrations in southeastern PA. This pattern is associated with combined effects of hydroclimate, land use, topography, and water quality at the regional scale.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2013

Non-conventional oil resources such as shale gas are becoming increasingly important and have drawn the attention of several major oil companies all over the world. Nevertheless, the market-changing growth of shale gas production in recent years has resulted in the emergence of environmental and water management challenges. This is because the water used in the hydraulic fracturing process contains large amount of pollutants including ions, organics, and particles. Accordingly, the treatment of this flowback water from shale gas plant is regarded as one of the key technologies. In this study, we examined the feasibility of membrane distillation as a treatment technology for the water from shale gas plants. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a thermally-driven process based on a vaper pressure gradient across a hydrophobic membrane, allowing the treatment of feed waters containing high concentration of ions. Experiments were carried out put in the lab-scale under various conditions such as membrane types, temperature difference, flow rate and so on. Synthetic feed water was prepared and used based on the data from literature. The results indicated that DCMD is suitable for treating not only low-range flowback water but also high-range flowback water. Based on the theoretical calculation, DCMD could have over 80% of recovery. Nevertheless, organic pollutants such as oil and surfactant were identified as serious barriers for the application of MD. Further works will be required to develop the optimum pretreatment for this MD process.