• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.945-956
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• 2021

In this study, the effects of single and binary heavy metals toxicity on the growth and phosphorus removal ability of Bacillus sp.. known as be a phosphorus-removing microorganism, were quantitatively evaluated. Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni were used as heavy metals. As a result of analysis of variance of the half of inhibition concentration and half of effective concentration for each single heavy metal treatment group, the inhibitory effect on the growth of Bacillus sp. was Ni < Pb < Zn < Cu < Cd. And the inhibitory effect on phosphorus removal by Bacillus sp. was Ni < Pb < Zn < Cu < Cd. When analyzing the correlation between growth inhibition and phosphorus removal efficiency of a single heavy metal treatment group, a negative correlation was found (R² = 0.815), and a positive correlation was found when the correlation between IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ was analyzed (R² = 0.959). In all binary heavy metal treatment groups, the interaction was an antagonistic effect when evaluated using the additive toxicity index method. This paper is considered to be basic data on the toxic effects of heavy metals when phosphorus is removed using phosphorus removal microorganisms in wastewater.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2022

The desire to be light skinned is universal among women. Asia has a long history of using skincare formulations as whitening agents. There is an imperative need to develop novel cosmetics from herbal sources due to several unpleasant side effects and high costs. As a result, this study aims to investigate the effect of Ceylon black tea extracts on melanogenesis. Five different Ceylon black tea extracts were prepared and examined for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, B16F10 melanoma cells were treated with these extracts and tested for cytotoxicity and protein suppression levels. According to the results of this study, the highest TPCs were obtained from ethanol and acetone extractions (240.303 ± 1.389 ㎍/g and 240.202 ± 4.700 ㎍/g, respectively), whereas the highest TFC was obtained from acetone extraction (57.484 ± 0.413 ㎍/g). Ceylon black tea extracted with ethanol exhibited the highest inhibitory activity on tyrosinase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.277 ± 0.017 mg/mL and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with an EC₅₀ value of 0.009 ± 0.000 mg/mL. Furthermore, western blot results revealed that tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF protein expression levels were dose-dependently suppressed, indicating the applicability of Ceylon black tea extract as a novel melanogenesis inhibitor.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.749-758
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to provide a scientific basis for decision making regarding environmental damage in case of future chemical accidents by evaluating the ecotoxicity of 4 substances requiring preparation for accidents. For this purpose, acute and chronic toxicities of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia solution, which can change the physical and chemical properties of soil to Paronychiurus kimi(Collembola) were investigated. The pH of artificial soil spiked with a series of test chemical concentrations was also measured. The pH of soil spiked with 10,000 mg kg^-1 of soil nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia solution were 2.86, 2.72, 7.18 and 9.69, respectively. The 28-d LC₅₀ of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia solution were 2,703, 5,414, 3,158 and 859 mg kg^-1 soil dry wt., respectively and 28-d EC₅₀ were 587, 2,148, 1,300 and 216 mg kg^-1 soil dry wt., respectively. These results indicated that the mortality and juvenile production of P. kimi were influenced by not only the soil pH but also by the reduced organic content and products produced by the reaction of soil with the tested chemicals. Given the fact that most substances requiring preparation for accidents can change soil characteristics, assessment and restoration methods that take into account changes in soil properties are needed for accurate decision making after chemical accidents.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2013

This research was conducted to evaluate the influence of $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratios in fertilizer solution on the vegetative growth and fruit yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) through pot cultivation. The Hoaglad's solution was modified to contain various $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratios such as 100:0 (A), 73:37 (B), 50:50 (C), 27:73 (D), 0:100 (E), and no nitrogen (F). Plants were transplanted into root substrates and the modified solutions were applied as plant needed in plastic house. There were no statistical significances among the treatments from A through D in the fresh and dry weights, and number of leaves 31 days after transplanting, but elevation of $NH_4{^+}$ ratios in the solution decreased the fresh fruit weight 62 days after transplanting with statistical differences. In the results of inorganic element analysis based on the dry weight of fully expanded mature leaves, N and P contents as well as micro cations such as Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu increased as $NH_4{^+}$ ratios were elevated 62 days after transplanting. However, those of macro cations such as K, Ca, and Mg resulted in decreasing tendency. The elevation of $NH_4{^+}$ ratios in fertilizer solution resulted in the increase of EC and total N concentrations ($NO_3{^-}+NH_4{^+}$), but this decreased the pH as well as Ca and Mg concentrations in soil solution 62 days after transplanting. The K concentration in soil solution was the highest in the treatments of C and followed by D, B, E, and A. The above results indicate that the proper $NO_3{^-}:NH_4{^+}$ ratio in the nutrient solution is 73:27 (B) or 100:0 (A) and the B solution is proper for the vegetative growth and that of A is proper for reproductive growth stage.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2020

We evaluated the toxic effects of antifouling paint (irgarol and diuron) on the population growth rate (r) of the marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum. The r of S. costatum was determined after 96 hrs of exposure to irgarol (0, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 ㎍ l^-1) and diuron (0, 7.81, 15.63, 31.25, 62.5 and 125 ㎍ l^-1). It was observed that r in the control (absence of irgarol and diuron) were greater than 0.04, while r in the treatment groups decreased with increasing irgarol and diuron concentrations. Irgarol and diuron reduced r in a dose-dependent manner with significant decreases occurring at concentrations above 0.63 and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1, respectively. The EC₅₀ values of r in irgarol and diuron exposure were 1.09 and 45.45 ㎍ l^-1. No observed effect concentration (NOEC) were 0.31 and 7.81 ㎍ l^-1, the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) were 0.63 and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1. This result indicate that a concentration of greater than 0.63 ㎍ l^-1 of irgarol and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1 of diuron in marine ecosystems induced to decreasing r of S. costatum. Also, these toxic values can be useful as a baseline data for the toxic evaluation of irgarol and diuron in marine ecosystems.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.269-286
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• 2015

24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ measurements were performed between December 2013 and October 2014 at an urban site in Gwangju and the collected samples were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species, and elemental species. Objectives of this study were to identify $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episodes, to characterize their chemical components, and to examine their probable origins. Over the course of the study period, average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was $37.7{\pm}23.6$ $(6.0{\sim}121.5){\mu}g/m^3$. Concentrations of secondary ionic species; $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ was on average $5.54{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.28~ 20.86), $7.60{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.45~ 33.53), and $9.05{\mu}g/m^3$ (0.50~ 34.98), accounting for 13.7% (4.6~ 22.7), 18.6% (2.9~ 44.8), and 22.9% (4.9~ 55.1) of the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, respectively. Average OC and EC concentrations were $5.22{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.54{\mu}g/m^3$, taking possession of 4.6 and 22.2% (as organic mass) of the $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. Frequencies at which 24-hr averaged $PM_{2.5}$ exceeded a 24-hr averaged Korean $PM_{2.5}$ standard of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ (termed as an "episode" in this study) were 30, accounting for 21.3% of total 141 measurements. These pollution episodes were mostly associated with haze phenomenon and weak surface wind speed. It is suggested that secondary formation of aerosol was one important formation mechanism of the episodes. The episodes were associated with enhancements of organic mass, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in winter, of $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in spring, and of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ in summer. Potential source contribution function results indicate also that $PM_{2.5}$ episodes were likely attributed to local and regional haze pollution transported from northeastern China in winter, to atmospheric processing of local emissions rather than long-range transport of air pollutants in spring, and to the $SO_4{^{2-}}$ driven by photochemistry of $SO_2$ in summer.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.487-492
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• 2021

In this study, the electrochemical properties of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite anode materials were investigated. Using NaCl as a template, silicon sheets were prepared through the stöber method and the magnesiothermic reduction methode. In order to synthesize the anode composite, the silicon sheets and graphite were combined with SDBS. The pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite was synthesized using THF as a solvent for the anode material composite. The physical properties of the prepared anode composites were analysed by XRD, SEM, EDS and TGA. The electrochemical performances of the prepared anode composites were performed by the current charge/discharge, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and EIS tests in the electrolyte LiPF₆ dissolved solvents (EC:DMC:EMC=1:1:1 vol%). As the silicon composition of silicon sheets/graphite composite material increased, the discharge capacity also increased, but the cycle stability tended to decrease. The anode material of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite composite (silicon sheets:graphite=3:7 weight ratio) showed the initial discharge capacity of 1228.8 mAh/g and the capacity retention ratio of 77% after 50 cycles. From these results, it was found that the cycle stability of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite was improved.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.446-451
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• 2022

In this study, to improve capacity and cycle stability, the pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT composites were prepared through electrostatic bonding of nano silicon sheets and CNT. Silica sheets were synthesized by hydrolyzing TEOS on the crystal planes of NaCl, and then nano silicon sheets were prepared by using magnesiothermic reduction method. To fabricate the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites, the negatively charged CNT after the acid treatment was used to assemble the positively charged nano silicon sheets modified with APTES. THF as a solvent was used in the coating process of PFO pitch. The physical properties of the prepared anode composites were analysed by FE-SEM, XRD and EDS. The electrochemical performances of the synthesized anode composites were performed by current charge/discharge, rate performances, differential capacity and EIS tests in the electrolyte LiPF₆ dissolve solvent (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%). It was found that the anode material with high capacity and stability could be synthesized when high composition of silicon and conductivity of CNT were used. The pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT anode composites showed initial discharge capacity of 2344.9 mAh/g and the capacity retention ratio of 81% after 50 cycles. The electrochemical property of pitch coated anode material was more improved than that of the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.399-409
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• 2022

Objective: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the central hormone involved in mammalian reproduction, maturation at puberty, and gamete production that mediates its function by control of follicle growth and function. The present study investigated the mutations involved in the regulation of FSH receptor (FSHR) activation. Methods: We analyzed seven naturally-occurring mutations that were previously reported in human FSHR (hFSHR), in the context of equine FSHR (eFSHR); these include one constitutively activation variant, one allelic variant, and five inactivating variants. These mutations were introduced into wild-type eFSHR (eFSHR-wt) sequence to generate mutants that were designated as eFSHR-D566G, -A306T, -A189V, -N191I, -R572C, -A574V, and -R633H. Mutants were transfected into PathHunter EA-parental CHO-K1 cells expressing β-arrestin. The biological function of mutants was analyzed by quantitating cAMP accumulation in cells incubated with increasing concentrations of FSH. Results: Cells expressing eFSHR-D566G exhibited an 8.6-fold increase in basal cAMP response, as compared to that in eFSHR-wt. The allelic variation mutant eFSHR-A306T was not found to affect the basal cAMP response or half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) levels. On the other hand, eFSHR-D566G and eFSHR-A306T displayed a 1.5- and 1.4-fold increase in the maximal response, respectively. Signal transduction was found to be completely impaired in case of the inactivating mutants eFSHR-A189V, -R572C, and -A574V. When compared with eFSHR-wt, eFSHR-N191I displayed a 5.4-fold decrease in the EC₅₀ levels (3,910 ng/mL) and a 2.3-fold decrease in the maximal response. In contrast, cells expressing eFSHR-R633H displayed in a similar manner to that of the cells expressing the eFSHR-wt on signal transduction and maximal response. Conclusion: The activating mutant eFSHR-D566G greatly enhanced the signal transduction in response to FSH, in the absence of agonist treatment. We suggest that the state of activation of the eFSHR can modulate its basal cAMP accumulation.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.109-116
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale for evaluation of Parent's Literacy Interaction Rating Scale (PLIRS) for preschool children and to examine its validity and reliability. The participants of this study were 342 Korean mothers with children of 3 to 5 year olds. The methods for data analysis included item analysis, factor analysis for construct validity, Pearson correlations between PLIRS and two sub tests of EC-HOME for concurrent validity, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ for reliability. The item discrimination was determined by comparing the highest and lowest groups using Chi-square (${\chi}^2$), and Cramer's V. The 25 items of the scale were found to be satisfactory in item discrimination. The concurrent validity was also identified by correlation between PLIRS and two sub tests of EC-HOME. Factor analysis revealed that the structure of the PLIRS consisted of three factors: 'open interaction', 'directive interaction', and 'picture-book reading interaction'. 'Open interaction' is based on 'Whole Language Approach', such as 'I have my child write as he/she likes even if they spell wrongly.' 'Directive interaction' is based on 'Code Emphasis Approach', such as 'I have my child take dictation.' 'Picture-book reading interaction' is how parents read picture-book with her/his children, such as 'When I read a picture book to my child, I ask various questions about a book story.' The Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ for internal consistency reliability range was .78 to .87 for three subscales. It was concluded that PLIRS was valid and reliable to examine the literacy interaction between parents and children in home.