• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.129-160
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• 2019

Background: Characterizing and describing soils and land use and make a suggestion for sustainable utilization of land resources in the Ethiopian Rift valley flat plain areas of Lake Chamo Sub-Basin (CSB) are essential. Objectives: To (1) characterize soils of experimental area according to World Reference Base Legend and assess the nature and extent of salinity problems; (2) characterize land use systems and their role in soil properties; and (3) identify best land use practices used for both environmental management and improve agricultural productivity. Methods: Twelve randomly collected soil samples were prepared from the above land uses into 120 composites and analyzed. Results: Organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) were varied along different land uses and depleted from the surface soils. The soil units include Chernozems (41.67%), Kastanozems (25%), Solonchaks (16.67%), and Cambisols (16.67%). The identified land uses are annual crops (AA), perennial crops (PA), and natural forest (NF). Generally, organic carbon, total nitrogen, percentage base saturation (PBS), exchangeable (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), available phosphorus (P₂O₅), manganese, copper, and iron contents were decreased in cultivated soils. Soil salinity problem was observed in annuals. Annuals have less nutrient content compared to perennials in irrigated agriculture while it is greater in annuals under rainfed. Clay, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium (K₂O) contents were correlated positively and highly significantly with organic carbon and electrical conductivity. Conclusion: Management practices that improve soil quality should be integrated with leguminous crops when the land is used for annual crops production.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.635-643
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• 2016

Wine consumers desire to drink a high quality wine. For producing high quality wine, high quality soil is required. Conventionally, soil quality is assessed qualitatively. Using traditional laboratory methods, quantitative data can be obtained for management purpose, but it is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, new technology aims to address these limitations, namely portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometers (pXRF). This instrument can be used directly in the field, requires no soil sample preparations, and can simultaneously measure a wide range of elements qualitatively that are useful for pedological studies. The chemical composition (Ca, Fe, Ti and Zr) of soils at Tallavera Grove vineyard in New South Wales, Australia, was studied using a pXRF. The analysis of the soil's elemental concentration (i.e. Ca and Fe) using pXRF supports management decisions. Measuring the soil's Ca concentration can be used to identify Ca-rich parent materials (limestone). The limestone indicates good soil conditions for vine production. Fe content was used to identify areas of texture-contrast soils or soil with accumulation of clays in the B horizon. In addition, a soil weathering index was calculated using elemental concentrations (i.e. Ti and Zr) to explore the history of soil formation for making decision of management. This index showed that the soil in the vineyard was affected by two processes: the deposition of materials from elsewhere (Aeolian transport or soil erosion) and mixing of materials from upslope.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2010

In this research potential liquation of contaminants from surrounding soil to a reservoir in an island was studied to investigate the cause and route of contamination of Baengyeong-myeon reservoir. Soil of Baengyeong-myeon reservoir consists of $SiO_2$ and has a high iron content because of geological characteristics of its country rock. From the field investigation and simulation study it was found that highly accumulated carbon content in the reservoir sediment was incurred from ground water, which provides a good habitat for microbes. And the liquation, the cause of organics growth, occurs mainly on the bottom of the reservoir consisting marine clay layer once used as farmland. So dredging of the sediment of reservoir and replacing with valley soil is suggested to prevent continuous contamination of a reservoir in an island due to COD production.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.301-308
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• 2024

Ceramic materials are being explored as alternatives to toxic lead sheets for radiation shielding due to their favorable properties like durability, thermal stability, and aesthetic appeal. However, crafting effective ceramics for radiation shielding entails complex processes, raising production costs. To investigate local viability, this study evaluated Malaysian ceramic tiles for shielding in diagnostic X-ray rooms. Different ceramics in terms of density and thickness were selected from local manufacturers. Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) characterized ceramic compositions, while Monte Carlo Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (MC PHITS) simulations determined Linear Attenuation Coefficient (LAC), Half-value Layer (HVL), Mass Attenuation Coefficient (MAC), and Mean Free Path (MFP) within the 40-150 kV energy range. Comparative analysis between MC PHITS simulations and real setups was conducted. The C3-S9 ceramic sample, known for homogeneous full-color structure, showcased superior shielding attributes, attributed to its high density and iron content. Notably, energy levels considerably impacted radiation penetration. Overall, C3-S9 demonstrated strong shielding performance, underlining Malaysia's potential ceramic tile resources for X-ray room radiation shielding.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1116-1122
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• 2008

The existing technology which is for recycling aggregate using dried swage sludge have been limited for practical application, because the properties of aggregate are not regular and don't meet the recycling aggregate standard. In this research, an innovative slag-producing technology is developed by addition of oyster shell, waste cast-sand and iron-rust as inorganic waste additives. The mixed slag with the additives was evaluated at the various ratio of CaO/SiO$_2$, SiO$_2$/Al$_2$O$_3$ and Fe$_2$O$_3$/SiO$_2$. When the waste sludge was melted at 1,400$^{\circ}C$ during 20 minutes, the optimal ratio of CaO/SiO$_2$ for the slag added the oyster shell, SiO$_2$/Al$_2$O$_3$ for added the waste cast-sand and Fe$_2$O$_3$/SiO$_2$ for added the iron-rust were 1.00, 3.00 and 0.60, respectively. At the optimal condition, the bulk density of the slag was 2.24 g/cm$^3$, 2.45 g/cm$^3$ and 2.73 g/cm$^3$, And the 24 h water adsorption was 4.72%, 1.44% and 0.37%, respectively. Therefore it is proved that adding the waste additives to the process of the slag production contributed for elevation of recycling aggregate properties. And also it is expected that production cost can be reduced by decreased melting temperature.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.102-121
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• 2010

Three bronze bells excavated from the Hoeamsa temple site were investigated for their microstructures and chemical compositions in an effort to understand the technology applied in fabrication, which may represent the related industry established in the early Joseon period. The result shows that the bells were cast from alloys of approximately 85% copper-8% tin-7% lead. The chemical analysis for ten trace elements shows that they were all kept below 0.3 weight %, suggesting that the alloys were made of relatively well-refined copper, tin and lead. The presence of sulfur and iron indicates that chalcopyrite or chalcocite may have been used in the smelting of copper. Evidence has been found that the bells were cast by pouring the liquid metal from the top of the sand molds that were set up in an upright position. No additional treatments, thermal or mechanical, other than a little grinding were applied upon the completion of casting. After the shaping process, a balancing plate was attached to the top of the bell using a steel connection ring. The connection assembly was then fixed to the main body by using molten bronze as a solder. The surface inscription was found carved using different techniques. The differences in the order of strokes and the calligraphic style indicate that the carving was carried out by more than one master. In the absence of documentary evidence on past bronze technology, the present bronze bells with known chronology, provenance and the main agent of production, prove to be a rare and valuable archaeological material for the understanding of the related technology in use in the early Joseon period.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.437-446
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• 2018

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein which is present in colostrum, milk, and other body secretions. Lactoferrin activities are associated with inflammatory and immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LH) on the production of immunomodulatory factors such as inflammatory related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and interleukin (IL)-13) in Raw264.7 cells, which originated from murine macrophages. The results show that the Raw264.7 cells cultured in 3 types (whole, and above and below 10 kDa) of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LH) did not show any cytotoxicity in the cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ decreased dose-dependently to 1,500 - 2,000 ng/mL by treatment with the 3 types of LH at 1, 50, $100{\mu}g/mL$, whereas the positive control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and negative control produced 2,450 and 1,000 ng/mL of $TNF-{\alpha}$, respectively, in the Raw264.7 cells. The treatment with the 3 types of LH (whole and above and below 10 kDa) at $50{\mu}g/mL$ produced about 20 - 28 ng/mL of $IL-1{\beta}$ at 3, 6, and 9 h, respectively, while the negative control produced 7 ng/mL, and LPS as the positive control produced 48 - 60 ng/mL. $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 expression was decreased dose-dependently by the 3 types of LH. The mRNA levels of IL-13 were slightly increased dose-dependently by the whole and above 10 kDa LH, but decreased dose-dependently by the below 10 kDa LH in the Raw264.7 cells. The results show that LH had immunomodulating effects on cytokine production in anti- and pro-inflammatory reactions as well as anti-allergic reactions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2020

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is present in colostrum, milk, and other body secretions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LHs) on the production of immunomodulatory factors, including inflammatory related cytokines. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB reporter assay using human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293) revealed that NF-κB activity was significantly decreased by 1, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL of LH and the fractions above and below the 10 kDa LH. The mRNA expression of interferon (IFN)-γ in rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3) treated with the fraction above the 10 kDa LH decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but the cells treated with LH and the fraction below the 10 kDa LH showed an increased expression of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner. The level of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression decreased dose-dependently in RBL-2H3 cells treated with LH and the fraction above the 10 kDa LH, but the cells treated with the fraction below the 10 kDa LH showed an increased COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4) was dose-dependently decreased by the fraction below the 10 kDa LH in human mast cells (HMC-1). The mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 were significantly dose-dependently decreased by the fractions above and below the 10 kDa LH, but was dose-dependently increased by LH. The production of IL-4 was a little increased by the fraction above the 10 kDa LH compared to the positive control, but was decreased with LH and the fraction below the 10 kDa LH in HMC-1 cells. It was concluded that LF hydrolysates had an immunomodulating effect on anti-, pro-inflammatory and anti-allergic reactions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.588-596
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low doses of organic trace minerals (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) on productive performance, egg quality, yolk and tissue mineral retention, and fecal mineral excretion of laying hens during the late laying period. Methods: A total of 405 healthy hens (HY-Line White, 50-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 treatments, with 9 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments included feeding a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at commercial levels (CON), a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (ITM), and a basal diet + proteinated trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (TRT). The trial lasted for 56 days. Results: Compared to CON, ITM decreased (p<0.05) egg production, daily egg mass, albumen height, eggshell strength, yolk Fe concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein, and increased (p<0.05) egg loss and feed to egg ratio. Whereas with productive performance, egg quality, yolk mineral retention, and serum indices there were no differences (p>0.05) between CON and TRT. The concentrations of Fe and Mn in the tissue and tibia were changed notably in ITM relative to CON and TRT. Both ITM and TRT reduced (p<0.05) fecal mineral excretion compared to CON. Conclusion: These results indicate that dietary supplementation of low-dose organic trace minerals reduced fecal mineral excretion without negatively impacting hen performance and egg quality.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.377-384
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• 2010

Many routes have been developed for the synthesis of signle-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We spun fibers of SWCNTs directly from vertical furnace using a liquid source of carbon and an iron-contained molecule. The solution was prepared by ethanol as a carbon source, in which ferrocene as a catalyst, thiophene were dissolved. It was then injected from the top of the furnace into hot zone with hydrogen as a carrier gas. We successfully synthesized high-quality SWCNTs by adjusting the various experimental conditions, such as concentration of ferrocene, solution injection rate, concentration of thiophene, and hydrogen flow rate. Measurement of Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were carried out to find the optimized conditions. The synthesized SWCNTs (1.16~1.64 nm) appeared a bundle structure and well-aligned parallel to the direction of furnace. These results also provide an simple way for high-quality SWCNTs mass production and fabricating direct spining SWCNTs fiber. It will allow one-step production of SWCNTs fiber with potentially excellent properties and wide-range applications.