• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.20 no.4 s.64
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• pp.72-76
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• 2006

Polymer/clay nanocomposites have generated considerable interests in the past decade because adding just tiny amount of clay to the polymer matrix could produce a dramatic enhancement in physical, thermal and mechanical properties. Smectite clays, such as montmorillonite (MMT), are of great industrial value because of their high aspect ratio, plate morphology, intercalative capacity, natural abundance and low cost. In this study, PE/MMT nanocomposites were directly prepared by melt intercalating PE and the modified clay. The nanostructure was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their flame retardant properties were measured and discussed by limiting oxygen index (LOI), char yield and smoke mass concentration. And their thermal stabilities were measured by differential thermogravimetric (DTG) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PE/MMT nanocomposites proved more effective the conventional composites in reinforcement. Two functions in the thermal stability of the PE/MMT nanocomposite, one is the barrier effect to improve the thermal stability, and another is catalysis, leading to a decrease of the thermal stability. The flammability was greatly decreased due to the formation of the clay-enriched protective char during the combustion.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2017

New technologies or improvement of the existing technologies are required to enhance the efficiency of removal of pollutants from wastewater. In this study we attempted to produce and test the activated carbon produced from the refused tea waste for the removal of dyes from wastewater. The objectives of this investigation were to produce activated carbon from refused tea waste by chemical activation, evaluate its performance for the removal of color produced from Acid Yellow 36, and the modeling of its dye removal with the kinetic study. The activation was performed in two steps namely carbonization at $375{\pm}25^{\circ}C$ and chemical activation with HCl at $800^{\circ}C$ under the absence of Oxygen. Adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies were performed with a textile dye, Acid Yellow 36, at different concentrations (20-80 mg/L). The maximum dye removal (~90%) observed at 80 mg/L dye concentration and it reduced at low dye concentrations. Maximum adsorption (71.97 mg/g) was recorded at 96 h at $29{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. Low pH increased the dye adsorption (pH=2; 78.27 mg/g) while adsorption reduced at high pH levels indicating that the competition occurs in between OH- ions and AY36 molecules for the adsorption sites in RTAC. The Langmuir isotherm model clearly explained the dye adsorption, favorably, by RTAC. Moreover, kinetic studied performed showed that the pseudo second order kinetic model clearly describes the dye adsorption. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that RTAC can be used for the removal of textile dyes.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.13
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• 2021

Background: Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection leads to high mortality in swine. Despite extensive efforts, effective treatments against PRV infection are limited. Furthermore, the inflammatory response induced by PRV strain GXLB-2013 is unclear. Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the inflammatory response induced by PRV strain GXLB-2013, establish an inflammation model to elucidate the pathogenesis of PRV infection further, and develop effective drugs against PRV infection. Methods: Kunming mice were infected intramuscularly with medium, LPS, and different doses of PRV-GXLB-2013. Viral spread and histopathological damage to brain, spleen, and lung were determined at 7 days post-infection (dpi). Immune organ indices, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and inflammatory cytokines, as well as levels of activity of COX-2 and iNOS were determined at 4, 7, and 14 dpi. Results: At 10⁵-10⁶ TCID₅₀ PRV produced obviously neurological symptoms and 100% mortality in mice. Viral antigens were detectable in kidney, heart, lung, liver, spleen, and brain. In addition, inflammatory injuries were apparent in brain, spleen, and lung of PRV-infected mice. Moreover, PRV induced increases in immune organ indices, ROS and NO levels, activity of COX-2 and iNOS, and the content of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and MCP-1. Among the tested doses, 10² TCID₅₀ of PRV produced a significant inflammatory mediator increase. Conclusions: An inflammatory model induced by PRV infection was established in mice, and 10² TCID50 PRV was considered as the best concentration for the establishment of the model.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2019

Background: Piton du Milieu (PdM) impounding reservoir is suspected to be eutrophic based on the elevated level of orthophosphate and nitrate. Water supplies from three adjacent rivers are primarily thought to contribute to the nutrient enrichment of the reservoir. It is also suspected that there is leaching of orthophosphate, nitrate and organic matter into the rivers during rainfall events and also as a result of anthropogenic activities within the catchment area. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of nutrient loading on the water quality of PdM water and on the population of freshwater microalgae in the reservoir. The enumeration and identification of algae from PdM were performed by differential interference contrast microscopy. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were determined by electrometric methods, whereas nutrient levels, silica and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined by instrumentation techniques. Results: Annual mean orthophosphate, nitrate and total organic carbon input from the three feeders within the catchment area of PdM reached levels as high as 0.09 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L and 2.62 ppm respectively. Over a 12-month period, mean TOC concentration in the reservoir was 2.32 ppm while the mean algal cell count was 4601 cells/mL. The dominant algal species identified were Oscillatoria, Cyclotella, Navicula and Cosmarium. Conclusion: This study highlights the trophic state of the reservoir water and clearly points to the need for constant monitoring in order to avoid the occurrence of an impending harmful algal bloom.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.996-1003
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• 2019

The undergrounding of diverse ground facilities has led to a decrease in issues, such as foul smell of water supply systems and wastewater, a fall of telephone poles, electromagnetic waves and breaking of wires caused by a railway work. On the other hand, there are new issues, including a fall accident, explosion affected by flammable gas, a choking accident by harmful gas and a lack of oxygen concentration, a fire coming from high-tension wire heating and flooding in the manhole. Besides, these issues damage the civil society and are an anxiety to public safety. Therefore, this paper is focused on a smart manhole device for stable communication environments inside and outside the manhole and wireless communication with various devices for managing facilities in the manhole, and aims to make a contribution to public safety by suggesting a direction of future underground facility management.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl (${\cdot}OH$), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) is reported to induce oxidative stress. ROS generated by oxidative stress can potentially damage glial cells in the nervous system. Cordyceps militaris (CM), a kind of natural herb widely found in East Asia. In this study, we investigated the free radical scavenging activity of the CM extract and its neuroprotective effects in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The ethanol extract of CM ($100-1,000{\mu}g/mL$) was used to measure DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radical scavenging activities. In addition, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced C6 glial cells were treated with CM at $0.5-2.5{\mu}g/mL$ for measurement of cell viability, ROS production, and protein expression resulting from oxidative stress. RESULTS: The CM extract showed high scavenging activities against DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radicals at concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of CM with $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells significantly increased cell viability, and decreased ROS production. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was down-regulated in CM-treated groups. In addition, the protein expression level of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells was down-regulated upon CM administration. CONCLUSION: CM exhibited radical scavenging activity and protective effect against $H_2O_2$ as indicated by the increased cell viability, decreased ROS production, down-regulation of inflammation-related proteins as well as p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK protein levels. Therefore, we suggest that CM could play the protective role from oxidative stress in glial cells.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.373-378
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• 2021

The study aimed to develop a high-power enzymatic electrode for a wearable fuel cell that generates electricity utilizing lactate present in a sweat as fuel. Anode was fabricated by immobilizing lactate oxidase (LOx) on flexible carbon paper. As the lactate concentration in the electrolyte solution increased, the amount of current generated by catalysis of lactate oxidase increased. The immobilized LOx generated 1.5-times greater oxidation current density in the presence of gold nanoparticles than carbon paper only. Bilirubin oxidase (BOD)-immobilized cathode generated a larger amount of reduction current in the electrolyte saturated with oxygen than purged with nitrogen. A fuel cell composed of two electrodes was fabricated and cell voltage was measured under different discharge current. At the discharge current density of 66.7 ㎂/cm², the cell voltage was 0.5±0.0 V leading to maximum cell power density of 33.8±2.5 ㎼/cm².

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.594-599
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• 2022

In the study, NH₃-SCO (selective catalytic oxidation) reaction activity accodrding to vanadium loading amount were compared when preparing Pt/V/TiO₂. Considering both NH₃ conversion rate and N₂ selectivity, V 2 wt% loading of the catalyst showed the best activity. When the correlation between physical/chemical characteristics and reaction activity was confirmed, it was confirmed that the increase in lattice oxygen and (V³⁺ + V⁴⁺) ratios were active factor. In addition, when the SO₂ durability experiment was conducted using the best catalyst, it was confirmed that the influence was insignificant even if the high concentration of SO₂ was injected.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2023

Seaweed-derived foods have long been popular in Korea because of their high content of nutrients that are beneficial to the human body. Recently, Korean seaweeds have been used as raw materials to produce new natural products with health benefits. Herein, we compared the antioxidant activity of 16 Korean seaweed extracts to explore their potential utility as health foods. The total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of seaweed extracts were determined. We also investigated their ability to protect human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cells against hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that seaweed extracts at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL did not cause any cell toxicity. Sargassum thunbergii (Jichung-i) had the highest TPC and radical scavenging effects, followed by Porphyra tenera (Gim), Silvetia siliquosa (Tteumbugi), and Sargassum fusiforme (Tot). Hydrogen peroxide increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, while P. tenera (Gim), Saccharina japonica (Dasima), and S. thunbergii (Jichung-i) extracts significantly decreased it. The effect was highest in the S. thunbergii (Jichung-i)-treated HDF cells. These findings indicate that S. thunbergii (Jichung-i) shows promise as a potential antioxidant raw material.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

A large amount of carbon monoxide (CO) is generated in circulating fluidized bed combustion, the process whereby a hot cyclone separates unburned fuel. However, calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), when combined with a high CO content, can cause fouling on the surface of the steam tube installed inside the integrated recycle heat exchangers (INTREX). In this study, CaSO₄ decomposition was investigated using 0.2-3.2 vol.% CO and 1-3 vol.% oxygen (O₂) at 850℃ for 20 min in a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor. The results show that CaSO₄ decomposes into CaS and CaO when CO gas is supplied, and SO₂ emissions increase from 135 ppm to 1021 ppm with increasing CO concentration. However, the O₂ supply delayed SO₂ emissions because the reaction between CO and O₂ is faster than that of CaSO₄; nevertheless, when supplied with CaCO₃, the intermediate product, SO₂ was significantly released, regardless of the CO and O₂ supply. In addition, agglomerated solids and yellow sulfur power were observed after solid recovery, and the reactor distributor was corroded. Consequently, a sufficient O₂ supply is important and can prevent fouling formation on the INTREX surface by suppressing CaSO₄ degradation.