• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.886-891
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• 2013

We analyzed surface sediments to explain the substrate characteristics of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus habitat. The analyses included grain-size determination, water content (WC), loss on ignition (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) content. We obtained data on sea cucumber density, weight, and length at each station in a marine farming area in the middle of Korea's Taean coast on the West (Yellow) Sea in May, 2012. The apparent density of S. japonicus was high in coarse and bimodal sediments, whereas it was low in fine and unimodal sediments. The mass of S. japonicus was greater in fine than in coarse sediments, showing a different trend from sea cucumber density. The values for WC, IL, COD, and AVS in surface sediments were higher in areas with high densities of S. japonicus than in areas with low sea cucumber densities. In particular, the concentration of AVS was much higher than the value proposed in Japanese criteria for areas with high S. japonicus density.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.640-646
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• 2012

The effect of Ce promotion over 1wt% $Pt/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalysts on the CO conversion and $CO_2$ selectivity was investigated in preferential CO oxidation (PrOx) to reduce the CO concentration less than 10 ppm in excess $H_2$ stream for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Ce-promoted 1wt% $Pt/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method and the loading amount of Pt was fixed at 1wt%. The content of Ce promoter which has excellent oxygen storage and transfer capability due to the redox property was adjusted from 0 to 1.5wt%. Ce-promoted 1wt% $Pt/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalysts exhibit high CO conversion and $CO_2$ selectivity at low temperatures below $150^{\circ}C$ due to the improvement of reducibility of surface PtOx species compared with the 1wt% $Pt/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst without Ce addition. When Ce content was more than 1wt%, the catalytic activity was decreased at over $160^{\circ}C$ in PrOx because of competitive $H_2$ oxidation. As a result, 0.5wt% Ce is optimal content not only to achieve high catalytic activity and good stability at low temperatures below $150^{\circ}C$ in the presence of $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ but also to minimize the $H_2$ oxidation at high temperatures.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2018

General polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) operates at less than $80^{\circ}C$. Therefore liquid phase water resulting from electrochemical reaction accumulates and floods the cell which in turn increases the mass transfer loss. To prevent the flooding, it is common to employ serpentine flow channel, which can efficiently export liquid phase water to the outlet. The major drawback of utilizing serpentine flow channel is the large pressure drop that happens between the inlet and outlet. On the other hand, in the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEMFC), since the operating temperature is 130 to $180^{\circ}C$, the generated water is in the state of gas, so the flooding phenomenon is not taken into consideration. In HT-PEMFCs parallel flow channel with lower pressure drop between the inlet and outlet is employed therefore, in order to circulate hydrogen and air in the cell less pumping power is required. In this study we analyzed HT-PEMFC's different flow channels by parallel computation using previously developed 3-D isothermal model. All the flow channels had an active area of $25cm^2$. Also, we numerically compared the performance of HT-PEMFC parallel flow channel with different manifold area and Rib interval against the original serpentine flow channel. Results of the analysis are shown in the form of three-dimensional contour polarization curves, flow characteristics in the channel, current density distribution in the Membrane, overpotential distribution in the catalyst layer, and hydrogen and oxygen concentration distribution. As a result, the performance of a real area fuel cell was predicted.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 1998

Zinc titanate sorbents were prepared and regeneration of used sorbents for high temperature desulfurization of fuel gases was studied. Zn/Ti molar ratio of prepared sorbents was 1.5 and quartz fixed-bed reactors with 1 cm and 3 cm diameters were used. Regeneration of zinc titanate sorbents at high temperature is exothermic reaction; that brings about deterioration of sorbents. Therefore, we experimented regeneration reaction of zinc titanate sorbents for the purpose of obtaining the most suitable regeneration conditions by changing experimental parameters such as reaction temperature, oxygen concentration, flow rate and steam content. $H_2S$ and $SO_2$ breakthrough curves were obtained during desulfurization-regeneration. Also, properties of the sorbents before and after regeneration were analyzed using SEM, XRD, Hg-porosimetry and BET method. From such results, we obtained the most suitable regeneration conditions including regeneration temperature of 650$^{\circ}$C, $O_2$ content of 5% and steam content of 10% in the gas stream.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2018

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a commonly used material for the front contact layer of chalcopyrite $CuInGaSe_2$ (CIGS) based thin film solar cells since it satisfies the requisite optical and electrical properties with low cost and abundant elemental availability. Low-resistivity and high-transmission front contacts have been developed for high-performance CIGS solar cells, and nearly meet the required performance. However, the durability of the cell especially for the corrosion resistance of AZO films has not been studied intensively. In this work, AZO films were prepared on Corning glass 7059 substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering depending on the hydrogen content. The electrical and optical properties and electrochemical corrosion resistance of the AZO films were evaluated as a function of the hydrogen content. With increasing hydrogen content to 6 wt%, the crystallinity, crystal size, and surface roughness of the films increased, and the resistivity decreased with increased carrier concentration, Hall mobility, oxygen vacancies, and $Zn(OH)_2$ binding on the AZO surface. At a hydrogen content of 6 wt%, the corrosion resistance was also relatively high with less columnar morphology, shallow pore channels, and lower grain boundary angles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 1984

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites which are produced by trains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus during their growth on foods and feedstuffs. Aflatoxins are a group of closely related heterocyclic compounds of which $B_1$, $B_2$, and $G_2$ are the major members. Aflatoxins are synthesized via a polyketide pathway in which the general steps are acetate, an-thraquinones, xanthone and aflatoxins. Aflatoxin formation is favored by high moisture or high $a_w$(0.95${\sim}$0.99). The limiting $a_w$ for aflatoxin production on agricultural commodities is 0.83. Optimum temperature for aflatoxin production by the molds is $25{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ and the incubation time for the maximum production of the toxin is 7${\sim}$15 days. The limiting temperatures for aflatoxin production are ${\leq}7.5^{\circ}C\;and\;\geq40^{\circ}C$. Cycling temperatures may or may not stimulate aflatoxin production depending on the amplitude of cycling, substrate and strains of molds. Aflatoxin pro-ducing molds are aerobic organisms and thus have a requirement for oxygen. A decreasing $O_2$ concentration and/or increasing concentrations of $CO_2$ or $N_2$ depress the mold growth and aflatoxin formation. A. flavus grows competitively or associatively in the presence of other microorganisms and occasionally loses the competition with other microorganisms. Some lactic acid bacteria have been shown to reduce growth and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Carbon source is the most important nutritional factors affecting aflatoxin formation by the molds. Sucrose, fructose and glucose are the most favorable carbon sources. Food substrates of plant derived products which have high carbohydrate content such as agricultural commodities and their products are most vulnerable to contamination by aflatoxins.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2020

This present study was conducted to investigate protective effect of discontinuous Percoll gradient containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) before freezing process on viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative stress of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. The separation of spermatozoa by discontinuous Percoll gradient was performed by different concentration of Percoll solution (45/90%) containing ALA combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and collected sperm in each Percoll layer was cryopreserved. To evaluate viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of frozen-thawed sperm, flow cytometry was used. Morphological abnormalities were observed under light microscope. In results, viability of sperm from 90% Percoll layer was higher than control and 45% Percoll group (p < 0.05). Separated sperm in 90% Percoll layer had lower acrosome damage and morphological abnormalities than control as well as viability, whereas 45% Percoll group was higher (p < 0.05). Similar with acrosome damage and abnormalities, mitochondrial activity was slightly enhanced and the population of live sperm with high ROS level was decreased by 90% Percoll separation, however, there was no significant difference. Supplementation of 3 ng/mL ALA into Percoll solution increased sperm viability and decreased population of live sperm with high ROS compared to control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, discontinuous Percoll gradient before freezing process could improve efficiency of cryopreservation of boar sperm through selection of sperm with high freezing resistance, and supplement of ALA during Percoll gradient might contribute suppression of ROS generation via stabilizing of plasma membrane during cryopreservation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1589-1598
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• 2022

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a valuable material with wide industrial applications, particularly for the food and cosmetics industries, owing to its excellent physiochemical properties. Here, we prepared high-solid microfibrillated cellulose (HMFC) from the centrifugation of Gelidium amansiiderived MFC right after fibrillation. Dispersion properties, morphology, and structural changes were monitored during processing. HMFC has a five-fold higher solid concentration than MFC without significant changes to dispersion properties. SEM images and FTIR spectra of HMFC revealed a stable surface and structure against centrifugal forces. HMFC exhibited 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, although it could not scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Moreover, HMFC inhibited the generation of LPS-induced excessive nitrite and radial oxygen species in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, HMFC suppressed LPS-induced Keap-1 expression in the cytosol but did not alter iNOS expression. HMFC also attenuated the UVB-induced phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun in the immortalized human skin keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Therefore, the application of centrifugation is suitable for producing high-solid MFC as a candidate material for anti-inflammatory and antioxidative marine cosmeceuticals.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2024

High soil salinity is the most severe threat to global rice production as it causes a significant decline in rice yield. Here, we investigated the effects of various plant extracts on rice plant stress associated with high salinity. Additionally, we examined various physiological and biochemical parameters such as growth, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and lipid peroxidation - in rice plants after treatment with selected plant extracts under salt stress conditions. Of the 11 extracts tested, four - soybean leaf, soybean stem, moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Undaria pinnatifida extracts - were found to effectively reduce salt stress. A reduction of only 3-23% in shoot fresh weight was observed in rice plants under salt stress that were treated with these extracts, compared to the 43% reduction observed in plants that were exposed to stress but not given plant extract treatments (control plants). The effectiveness varied with the concentration of the plant extracts. Water content was higher in rice plants treated with the extracts than in the control plants after 6 d of salt stress, but not after 4 d of salt stress. Although photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), electron transport rate (ETR), and the content of pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid) varied based on the types and levels of stress and the extracts that the rice plants were treated with, generally, photosynthetic efficiency and pigment content were higher in the treated rice compared to control plants. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA), increased as the duration of stress increased. ROS and MDA levels were lower in the treated rice than in the control plants. Proline and soluble sugar accumulation also increased with the duration of the stress period. However, proline and soluble sugar accumulation were lower in the treated rice than in the control plants. Generally, the values of all the parameters investigated in this study were similar, regardless of the plant extract used to treat the rice plants. Thus, the extracts found to be effective can be used to alleviate the adverse effects of stress on rice crops associated with high-salinity soils.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.1 s.182
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• pp.29-45
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• 2007

Biogeochemical characteristics involving redox processes in groundwater from a riverine alluvial aquifer was investigated using multi-level monitoring wells (up to 30m in depth). Anaerobic conditions were predominant and high Fe ($14{\sim}37mg/L$) and Mn ($1{\sim}4mg/L$) concentrations were observed at 10 to 20 m in depth. Below 20 m depth, dissolved sulfide was detected. Presumably, these high Fe and Mn concentrations were derived from the reduction of Fe- and Mn-oxides because dissolved oxygen and nitrate were nearly absent and Fe and Mn contents were considerable in the sediments. The depth range of high Mn concentration is wider than that of high Fe concentration. Dissolved organics may be derived from the upper layers. Sulfate reduction is more active than Fe and Mn reduction below 20 m in depth. Disparity of calculated redox potential from the various redox couples indicates that redox states are in disequilibrium condition in groundwater. Carbonate minerals such as siderite and rhodochrosite may control the dissolved concentrations of Fe(II) and Mn(II), and iron sulfide minerals control for Fe(II) where sulfide is detected because these minerals are near saturation from the calculation of solubility equilibria.