• Membrane Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2009

The effects of the treatment of an acidic solution at pH 2 on polyacrylonitrile ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were investigated using a circular cross-flow filtration bench with a membrane module. A substantial reduction in the membrane permeability was observed after 80 hours' treatment of the acidic solution. In addition, the analyses of the sample solutions by ultraviolet/visible absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which were taken from the feed tank as a function of the treatment time, showed that a new organic compound was produced in the course of the treatment. From a thorough search of the mass spectral library we presumed the new compound to be 1,6-dioxacyclododecane-7,12-dione (DCD), one of the well-known additives for polyurethane. Based on further experimental results, including the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and the solid-state NMR spectra of the membranes used for the treatment of the acidic solution, we suggested that the decrease of the permeate flux resulted not from the deformation of the membranes, but from the fouling by DCD eluted from the polyurethane tubes in the filtration bench during the treatment. Those results imply that the reactivity to an acidic solution of the parts comprising the filtration bench is as important as that of the membranes themselves for effective treatments of acidic solutions, for efficient chemical cleaning by strong acids, and also in determining the pH limit of the solutions that can be treated by the membranes.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.431-440
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• 2014

To propose the improvement and management plans to strengthen the pollutant removal efficiency of dam reservoir's constructed wetlands(CWs), the operation status and configuration of CWs (including water depth, operational flow, water flow distribution, residence time, and pollutant removal efficiency, aspect ratio, open water/vegetation ratio etc.) were analyzed in 10 major wetlands constructed in dam reservoirs. The pollutant concentrations in the inflows of the studied CWs were lower than those of American and European constructed wetlands. Especially, organic matter concentrations in all of inflows were below 3 mg/L(as BOD) due to advanced treatment of sewage disposal plant and an intake of low concentration water during dry and normal seasons. The average removal efficiency of total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) for 10 CWs ranged from 7.6~67.6%(mean 24.9%) and -4.9~74.5%(mean 23.7%), respectively, showing high in wetlands treating municipal wastewater. On the other hand, the removal efficiency of BOD was generally low or negative with ranging from -133.3 to 41.7%. From the analysis of the operation status and configuration of CWs, it is suggested that the low removal efficiency of dam reservoir's CWs were caused by both structural (inappropriate aspect ratio, excessive open water area) and operational (neglecting water-level management, lack of facilities and operation for first flush treatment, lake of monitoring during rainy events) problems. Therefore, to enable to play a role as a reduction facility of non-point source(NPS) pollutants, an appropriate design and operation manuals for dam reservoir's CW is urgently needed. In addition, the monitoring during rainy events, when NPS runoff occur, must be included in operation manual of CW, and then the data obtained from the monitoring is considered in estimation of the pollutant removal efficiency by dam reservoir's CW.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1219-1230
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• 2008

Stream inflows induced by flood runoffs have a higher density than the ambient reservoir water because of a lower water temperature and elevated suspended sediment(SS) concentration. As the propagation of density currents that formed by density difference between inflow and ambient water affects reservoir water quality and ecosystem, an understanding of reservoir density current is essential for an optimization of filed monitoring, analysis and forecast of SS and nutrient transport, and their proper management and control. This study was aimed to quantify the characteristics of inflow density current including plunge depth($d_p$) and distance($X_p$), separation depth($d_s$), interflow thickness($h_i$), arrival time to dam($t_a$), reduction ratio(${\beta}$) of SS contained stream inflow for different flood magnitude in Daecheong Reservoir with a validated two-dimensional(2D) numerical model. 10 different flood scenarios corresponding to inflow densimetric Froude number($Fr_i$) range from 0.920 to 9.205 were set up based on the hydrograph obtained from June 13 to July 3, 2004. A fully developed stratification condition was assumed as an initial water temperature profile. Higher $Fr_i$(inertia-to-buoyancy ratio) resulted in a greater $d_p,\;X_p,\;d_s,\;h_i$, and faster propagation of interflow, while the effect of reservoir geometry on these characteristics was significant. The Hebbert equation that estimates $d_p$ assuming steady-state flow condition with triangular cross section substantially over-estimated the $d_p$ because it does not consider the spatial variation of reservoir geometry and water surface changes during flood events. The ${\beta}$ values between inflow and dam sites were decreased as $Fr_i$ increased, but reversed after $Fr_i$>9.0 because of turbulent mixing effect. The results provides a practical and effective prediction measures for reservoir operators to first capture the behavior of turbidity inflow.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.93-108
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• 2019

To investigate the temporal-spatial distribution of picophytoplankton in relation to different water masses in the northern East China Sea (ECS), picophytoplankton abundance were investigated using flow cytometry with environmental factors in 2016-2017. The results from the analysis of flow cytometer data showed that Synechococcus appeared across all seasons, exhibiting its minimum abundance in winter and maximum abundance in summer. Furthermore, high abundance was detected in the surface mixed layer during spring and summer when vertical stratification occurs; in particular, Synechococcus exhibited maximum abundance in thermocline layer, indicating a close correlation to water temperature and thermocline formation. In addition, the abundance of Synechococcus indicated a decrease in the western seas in 2017 compared to 2016 under the strong influence of the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW). This was determined by the significant influence of the CDW on the abundance of Synechococcus during summer in the northern waters of the ECS. In contrast, Prochlorococcus did not appear during winter and spring, and its distribution was limited during summer and autumn in the eastern seas under the influence of the Kuroshio current. The largest range of Prochlorococcus distribution was confirmed during autumn without the influence of the CDW. Thus, the distribution pattern of each picophytoplankton genus was found to be changing in accordance to the extension and reduction of sea current in different seasons and periods of time. This is anticipated to be a useful biological marker in understanding the distribution of sea currents and their influence in the northern waters of the ECS.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.535-543
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• 2006

Being used widely in semiconductor and display manufacturing, $NF_3$ is internationally considered as one of the regulated compounds in emission. Numerous companies have been continuously trying to reduce the emissions of $NF_3$ to comply with the global environmental regulation. This work is made to report the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of electrically heated scrubbers and the use rate in process chambers installed in three main LCD manufacturing companies in Korea. As the measurement techniques for $NF_3$ emission, mass flow controlled helium gas was continuously supplied into the equipment by which scrubber efficiency is being measured. The partial pressures of $NF_3$ and helium were accurately measured for each sample using a mass spectrometer, as it is emitted from inlet and outlet of the scrubber system. The results show that the DRE value for electrically heated scrubbers installed before 2004 is less than 52 %, while that for the new scrubbers modified based on measurement by scrubber manufacturer has been sigificentely improved upto more than 95 %. In additon, we have confirmed the efficiency depends on such variables as the inlet gas flow rate, water content, heater temperature, and preventative management period. The use rates of $NF_3$ in process chambers were also affected by the process type. The use rate of radio frequency source chambers, built in the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ generation process lines, was determined to be less than 75 %. In addition, that of remote plasma source chambers for the $3^{rd}$ generation was measured to be aboove 95 %. Therefore, the combined application of improved scrubber and the RPSC process chamber to the semiconductor and display process can reduce $NF_3$ emmision by 99.95 %. It is optimistic that the mission for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission can be realized in these LCD manufacturing companies in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.136-145
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• 1997

Background : Tracheal Gas Insufflation (TGI) is one of the newer ancillary measures in mechanical ventilation employed to enhance carbon dioxide elimination. TGI exerts its effect through reduction of deadspace ventilation, but the factors determining its effect are not well studied yet. Method : The subjects were seven mechanically-ventilated patients ($58.8{\pm}10.6$ yrs) who showed increased physiologic deadspace greater than 60%. After 30 nun of stabilization with 100% oxygen on pressure control ventilation, continuous flow TGI was administered via the insufflation lumen of Hi-Lo Jet Tracheal Tube (Mallincrodt, USA) for 15 min at 3 L/min and 5 L/min each. Results : $PaCO_2$ was decreased ($51.4{\pm}17.6$ at baseline, $49.1{\pm}18.9$ at TGJ 3 L/min $45.0{\pm}14.9$ mm Hg at TGI 5 L/min, p=0.050), and pH was increased ($7.37{\pm}0.12$, $7.38{\pm}0.13$, $7.39{\pm}0.12$, respectively, p=0.037) while mixed expired $CO_2$ ($P_ECO_2$) was not changed significantly from baseline (p=0.336) by TGI. Physiologic deadspace(Vdphy) was decreased ($73.0{\pm}7.9$% at baseline, $69.8{\pm}10.0$% at TGI 3 L/min, and $67.1{\pm}10.1$% at TGI 5 L/min, p=0.015). $AaDO_2$(p=0.147), Vt(p=0.2140), Pmean(p=0.7788) and mean arterial pressure(p=0.4169) were not changed. The correlation between % maximal decrease of Vdphy were r=0.790 with the ratio of baseline Vdana/Vdphy(p=0.035) and r=-0.754 with baseline Vdalv(p=0.050). Conclusion: TGI was effective in reducing $PaCO_2$ and deadspace, and the deadspace-reducing effect was best correlated with baseline anatomic/physiologic deadspace ratio.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.267-271
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• 2013

Test bed studies with highly efficient amine $CO_2$ solvent (KoSol-4) developed by KEPCO research institute were performed. For the first time in Korea, evaluation of post-combustion $CO_2$ capture technology to capture 2 ton $CO_2$/day from a slipstream of the flue gas from a coal-fired power station was performed. Also the analysis of solvent regeneration energy was conducted to suggest the reliable performance data of the KoSol-4 solvent. For this purpose, we have tested 5 campaigns changing the operating conditions of the solvent flow rate and the stripper pressure. The overall results of these campaigns showed that the $CO_2$ removal rate met the technical guideline ($CO_2$ removal rate: 90%) suggested by IEA-GHG and that the regeneration energy of the KoSol-4 showed about 3.0~3.2 GJ/$tCO_2$ which was, compared to that of the commercial solvent MEA (Monoethanolamine), about 25% reduction of regeneration energy. Based on these results, we could confirm the good performance of the KoSol-4 solvent and the $CO_2$ capture process developed by KEPCO research institute. And also it was expected that the cost of $CO_2$ avoided could be reduced drastically if the KoSol-4 is applied to the commercial scale $CO_2$ capture plant.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.394-403
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• 2016

This study was carried out to verify change and relationship between the concentration of chlorophyll-a and environmental factors including weather, water quality and discharge at before & after Gangcheon and Ipoh weir construction at Namhan river, based on the weather and water quality data provided by the measuring network. We classified the period of before & after weir construction by the cluster analysis with Ward's method, and also through the correlation analysis between the concentration of chlorophyll-a and environmental factors, the influence factors related with algae occurrence(Chlorophyll-a) were analyzed. The result by cluster analysis based on data of the total 12 factors (water temperature, rainfall, daylight, pH, DO, BOD, COD, T-N, $NH_3-N$, $NO_3-N$, T-P, $PO_4-P$) from 2005 to 2015 indicated a clear classification into two periods, before(2006-2007) & after (2012-2013) weir construction. After weir construction, class of BOD at Gangcheon weir was better than before, changed from II class to Ia class, and likewise class of BOD at Ipoh weir was improved from II-III class to Ia-IIclass. Also T-P and T-N concentration also were to be improved in general after weir construction. Concentraion of Chlorophyll-a afterGangcheon and Ipoh weir construction was to be decreased. However, frequency of algae warning was increased from 9 to 15 after Ipoh weir construction due to increasing of HRT and water temperature. After weirs construction, the result of correlation analysis between weather, water quality and discharge and concentration of chlorophyll-a indicated a positive correlation, order of BOD(0.579) > COD(0.413) > temperature(0.237), and a negative correlation, order of $NO_3-N$(-0.344) > T-N(-0.293) at Gangcheon weir. And there were likewise positive correlation, order of BOD(0.795) > pH(0.581) > Water temperature(0.422), and negative correlation, order of $NO_3-N$(-0.457) > T-N(-0.371) > $NH_3-N$(-0.326) > $PO_4-P$(-0.288) > Discharge(-0.213) after Ipoh weir construction. Although water quality after Ipoh weir construction was generally improved, increase of frequency of algae warning occurrence was influenced by change of water conditions such as reduction of the velocity, increase of HRT and water temperature, etc impacted strongly by change of the stream flow more than change of water environments after weir construction.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2005

Purpose : It has been known that the diagnostic confirmation of group A streptococcal pharyngitis is accompanied with the results of throat culture and/or rapid antigen detection test(RADT). This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness and cost benefits of the RADT in patients with a sore throat compared the empirical antibiotic treated group without using RADT or throat culture with the antibiotic treated group according to the results of RADT test and/or throat culture. Methods : From April 2003 to August 2003, total 369 patients were enrolled this study. They were redistributed into two groups. In one group, the RADT test and throat culture were used and the patients received antibiotic treatment according to the results of test and in the other group, no diagnostic examinations were used and the patients were treated with antibiotics which were chosen empirically. The flow sheet with questionnaire was drawing up and obtained the clinical symptoms, signs and the name of antibiotics that were administered. Results : A total of 244 patients were treated after the throat culture and/or RADT, and 125 patients were treated empirically. The prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed group A streptococcal pharyngitis was 20.1%. The sensitivity and specificity of RADT were 89.8% and 86.1%, respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 62.0% and 97.1%, respectively. The rate of antibiotic use was high in both groups. Because the physician used the antibiotics even if the result of RADT was negative. So about 37% of reduction of antibiotics use might be possible if we used antibiotics according to the results of RADT. There were no cost differences between the RADT applied group and the empirically treated antibiotic group if we could reduce the price of RADT to 63% of the current price. Conclusion : The RADT could be applied for the easy and rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment for group A streptococcal pharyngitis, and RADT could reduced the number of antibiotics used if the price of RADT was reduced to 63% of current price. For accurate evaluation of efficacy and cost effect, further controlled study is needed.