• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.88-100
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• 2013

This study evaluated the direct and indirect environmental impacts of various unit operations of a industrial waste incineration plant by using the life cycle assessment tool and reviewed the improvement plan. During the incineration process, the direct environmental impact was decreased with decrease in emission of various air pollutants by incorporating an air pollution prevention facilities. However, an increase in indirect environmental impacts was observed as a consequence of resources and energy of consumption at the various operational facilities. Consequently, quantitative direct and indirect impact were 89.1%, 10.9%, respectively. The environmental impact analysis of system revealed the highest impact of incineration followed by the impacts of other unit processes such as semidry reactor, and bag-filter. The various air pollutants and ashes generated during the incineration process caused the most significant environmental impact. Among the various categories of environmental impact, global warming accounted the highest impact(more than 85%) followed by eutrophication, and abiotic depletion. As a result of the avoided impact by the utilization of heat generated during the waste incineration process, using an incineration heat for steam and electricity obtained the impact reduction of 45.5%, 19.8%. So, during siting of new incineration plant, the utilization of steam generated from the waste combustion is highly considered to reduce the environmental impact.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.907-915
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• 2014

Alpha-lipoic acid (${\alpha}$-LA) is not only involved in energy metabolism, but is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect against hepatic oxidative stress induced by some drugs, toxins, or under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Here, we investigated the effect of ${\alpha}$-LA against liver oxidative damage in broilers exposed to aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$). Birds were randomly divided into four groups and assigned different diets: basal diet, 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in basal diet, diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, and 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, for 3 weeks. The results revealed that the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA protected against the liver function damage of broilers induced by chronic low dose of $AFB_1$ as estimated by a significant (p<0.05) change in levels of plasma total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and the activities of liver glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. The histopathological analysis also showed that liver tissues were injured in the $AFB_1$ diet, but this effect was alleviated by the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA. Additionally, $AFB_1$ induced a profound elevation of oxidative stress in birds, as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde level, a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity and a depletion of the glutathione content in the liver. All of these negative effects were inhibited by treatment with ${\alpha}$-LA. Our results suggest that the inhibition of $AFB_1$-induced excess production of lipid peroxides and the maintenance of intracellular antioxidant status may play important roles in the protective effects of ${\alpha}$-LA against $AFB_1$-induced oxidative damage in the liver.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2012

The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) from broiler and layer chickens of outbreaks of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in three districts of Bangladesh. A total of 70 bursal samples were collected from dead broiler (n=40) and layer (n=30) chickens showing specific lesions of IBD from seven commercial poultry farms of three different districts (Mymensingh, Chittagong and Tangail) of Bangladesh during the year 2007. Five representative bursal samples from each farm were used for the isolation of IBDVs using 9-day-old embryonated eggs of seronegative flock of layer birds and for identification the samples were subjected to agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Out of 35 bursal samples, IBDVs were successfully isolated from 28 (80%) samples. By AGIDT, 32 (91.4%) samples were found positive for IBDV antigen. Results of AGIDT clearly indicated that IBDVs detected in 29 bursal samples of six affected farms were identical to each other but not to IBDVs present in the remaining three samples of another farm. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining of the bursal sections revealed the presence of IBDV antigen in 32 (91.4%) samples and the IBDV antigen was detected mainly in the cortex of the lymphoid follicles of the bursal tissues. In histopathology, cell depletion, atrophy and necrosis were observed in many bursal follicles with severe edema of interfollicular septa. Of the 35 bursal samples, 34 (97.1%) samples generated 254 bp product by RT-PCR. In conclusion, the results of virus isolation and identification by AGIDT, IHC and the analysis of viral genome by RT-PCR confirmed the outbreaks of acute IBD in commercial poultry of Bangladesh. Moreover, histopathological findings and results of AGIDT gave a clear indication that the isolates from six outbreaks were different from classical strain and it seems to be of very virulent strain. On the other hand, the isolates from the other outbreak were similar to the classical strain.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2004

To investigate the return flow ratio of irrigation water, lots of observations were made during the irrigation periods in 2003 crop year. This Area is a portion of Dae-Am pumping station basin which is located in Changryung-gun, Gyeongnam province. A water balance analysis was performed for a paddy field in Dae-Am pumping station in the Nakdong river basin, which is constructed for irrigation water supply. Daily rainfall data in the this area were collected and irrigation water flow rate, drainage water flow rate, infiltration and evaportranspiration were measured in field area. Irrigation water flow rate and drainage water flow rate were continuously observed by water level logger(GTDL-L10) during the growing season. The infiltration and evaportranspiration were measured by cylindrical 300mm depletion meter and cylindrical 200mm infiltrometer, respectively. Total irrigation and drainage flows were 654.7mm and 281.2mm in 2003. Total infiltration and evaportranspiration were 36.0mm and 160.0mm respectively. The mean of the daily evaportranspiration rate was 4.3mmm/d. The prompt return flow and retard return flow ratio were 43.0％ and 5.5％, respectively. Total return flow ratio was 48.5％. Therefore, it can be concluded that the amount of irrigation water was much higher than design standard or reference in this study. It means that this was caused by the inadequate water management practice in the area where water was oversupplied on farmers' request rather than following sound water management principles, and design standard should be changed in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.597-604
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• 2018

Although the core mechanisms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are unknown, several ADHD-associated proteins have been studied. G-protein - coupled receptor kinase interacting protein-1 (GIT1) is a multifunctional adapter protein that affects neuron growth and dendrite formation. GIT1-deficient mice have shown ADHD-like behavior and also recovered through amphetamine treatment. In this study, gliotransmitters were investigated in both intracellular and extracellular space from GIT1-deficient mice. To measure the amount of gliotransmitters, primary astrocyte cultures were taken from the cerebral and cerebellar cortices of wild (WT), hetero (HE), and knock-out (KO) mice. Major gliotransmitters were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was observed that the amount of excitatory and inhibitory gliotransmitters were dependent on genotype and showed a change in excitation/inhibition ratios. Interestingly, the major excitatory gliotransmitter, glutamate, existed at the lowest level in WT mice, but the amount of inhibitory gliotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, varied depending on brain region. Remarkably, an increased amount of GABA was measured at the intracellular cerebrum in WT mice compared with KO mice. It was presumed that KO mice would secrete more inhibitory gliotransmitters to compensate for GIT1 depletion or else acquire a defect to reuptake-secreted GABA. This may be a possible mechanism for ADHD pathology.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 2020

With the growing interest in fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution, railroad cars operating in Korea are in progress as the conversion from diesel to electric vehicles expands. The photovoltaic system, which is applied as an example of the conversion of electric vehicles, is infinite and pollution-free, and can produce energy without generating hazards such as air pollution, noise, heat, and vibration, and maintain fuel transportation and power generation facilities. There is an advantage that is rarely needed. However, the amount of electricity produced depends on the amount of solar radiation by region, and the energy density is low due to the power generation of about 25㎡/ kWp, so a large installation area is required and the installation place has limited problems. In view of these problems, many studies have been applied to fuel cells in the railway field. In particular, the plan to link the fuel cell power generation system railroad power supply system must be linked to the power supply system that supplies power to the railroad, unlike solar and wind power. Therefore, it has a close relationship with railroad cars and the linkage method can vary greatly depending on the system topology. Therefore, in this paper, we study the validity through simulation modeling related to linkage analysis according to system topology.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2014

In potential accident consequence assessments for the licensing approval of LWRs, the ground deposition of radionuclides released into the environment is not allowed into the models, as recommended in the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulatory guide. Meanwhile, it is allowed into the assessment models for the licensing approval of PHWRs with consideration of more detailed physical processes of radionuclides in the atmosphere. Under these backgrounds, importance of exposure dose by ground deposition was quantitatively evaluated and comprehensively discussed. For potential accidental releases of $^{137}Cs$ and $^{131}I$, total exposure doses were more conservative in case of without consideration of ground deposition than in case of with its consideration. It was because of that the depletion of air concentration resulting from ground deposition is more influential in the contribution to total exposure doses than additional doses from contaminated ground. The exposure doses by the inhalation of contaminated air showed the contribution of more than 90% in total exposure doses, depending on atmospheric stability, release period of radionuclides and distance from a release point. The exposure doses from contaminated ground showed less than 10% at most in contribution of total exposure doses. The ratios of total exposure doses in case of with consideration of deposition to without its consideration for $^{131}I$ were distinct than those for $^{137}Cs$. As the atmosphere is more stable, release duration of radionuclides is longer, distance from a release point is longer, it was more distinct.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.391-397
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• 2012

The depletion of conventional oil reserves and the increasing energy need in developing countries such as China and India result in exceeding oil demand over supply. As a solution of the problem, the efficient utilization of heavy oil has been receiving more and more interest. In order to utilize heavy oil, upgrading processes are required. Among the upgrading processes, thermal decomposition is thought to be relatively simple and economical. In this study, to understand basic characteristics of thermal decomposition of heavy oil, we conducted pyrolysis experiments of deasphalted oil (DAO) produced by a solvent deasphalting process. DAO is a mixture of many components and consists mainly of materials of carbon number 20~40. For the comparison with results of DAO pyrolysis, additional pyrolysis experiments with single materials of carbon number 30 ($C_{30}H_{62}$, $C_{30}H_{58}O_4S$, $C_{30}H_{63}O_3P$) were conducted. Pyrolysis experiments were carried out non-isothermally with variation of heating rate (10, 50, $100^{\circ}C$/min) in a thermogravimetric analyzer. Average pyrolysis activation energy determined by using Arrhenius method, Ingraham and Marrier method, and Coats and Redfern method was 72~99 kJ/mol. In the activation energy calculated by Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method, DAO had wider variation than other single materials.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.7-15
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• 2015

Objectives : Rosa laevigata Michx. has been used for the treatment of renal disease in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated cytoprotective effect of R. laevigata water extract (RLE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron.Methods : To evaluate the protective effects of RLE against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The effects of RLE on reduced glutathione level, production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were also monitored. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was examined by immunoblot analysis. Additionally, Nrf2 transactivation and its downstream target genes expression were also determined by reporter gene and realtime RT-PCR analyses.Results : RLE pretreatment (30-300 μg/ml) prevented cells from AA + iron-mediated cell death in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, 100 μg/ml RLE inhibited AA + iron-induced glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction. RLE accumulated nuclear Nrf2 and also transactivated Nrf2, which was evidenced by antioxidant response element- and glutathione S-transferase A2-driven luciferase activities and mRNA level of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and sestrin 2. Moreover, protective effect of RLE against AA + iron was abolished in Nrf2 knockout cells.Conclusions : These results indicate that RLE has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2013

In this paper the effect of UV (ultraviolet) exposure on HDPE (high density polyethylene)-smooth and f-PP (flexible polypropylene) geomembranes is evaluated under UVB-313 (ultraviolet wavelength 290-315 nm) exposure. Tensile property, melt flow index (MFI), oxidation induction time (OIT), both standard-OIT and high pressure-OIT and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR) results are discussed. Although tensile properties of the exposed geomembrane samples remained unchanged, the depletion of antioxidants was found higher for f-PP than for HDPE geomembrane. Arrhenius model by extrapolation was used on the data to predict the antioxidant lifetime to a typical site temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. There was no significant difference between the MFI value of the virgin and UV exposed HDPE geomembrane samples but a decrease in MFI was found in f-PP geomembrane that signifies that crosslinking has occurred. From FTIR spectra, the small peak (near $1750\;cm^{-1}$) observed in the spectrum of UV exposed sample corresponds to a carbonyl (C=O) linkage, which suggests that oxidation has occurred in the polymer structure, and another new band for f-PP between 3100 and $3500\;cm^{-1}$ is attributed to a hydroxyl bond and/or hydroperoxide bond.