• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.489-497
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity is often associated with disturbances in the mineral metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity on tissue zinc concentrations and zinc transporter expressions in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were fed either a control diet (10% energy from fat, control group) or a high-fat diet (45% energy from fat, obese group) for 15 weeks. The zinc concentrations in the serum, stool, and various tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrophotometry or ICP-mass spectrophotometry. The levels of zinc transporter mRNAs in the liver, duodenum, and pancreas were measured by real-time RT-PCR. The levels of serum adipokines, such as leptin and IL-6, were determined. Results: The total body weight, adipose tissue weight, and hepatic TG and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. The obese group had significantly higher levels of serum leptin and pro-inflammatory IL-6 concentrations, and had significantly lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase activity. The zinc concentrations of the liver, kidney, duodenum, and pancreas were all significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group. On the other hand, the fecal zinc concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group than in the control group. The serum zinc concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The ZnT1 mRNA levels of the liver and the pancreas were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. Hepatic Zip10 mRNA was also increased in the obese group. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest that obesity increases fecal zinc excretion and lowers the tissue zinc concentrations, which may be associated with alterations in the zinc transporter expressions.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.44-51
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• 2022

In the steelmaking process using an electric arc furnace (EAF), light-burnt dolomite, which is a flux containing MgO, is used to protect refractory materials and improve desulfurization ability. Furthermore, a recarburizing agent is added to reduce energy consumption via slag foaming and to induce the deoxidation effect. Herein, a waste MgO-C based refractory material was used to achieve the aforementioned effects economically. The waste MgO-C refractory materials contain a significant amount of MgO and graphite components; however, most of these materials are currently discarded instead of being recycled. The mass recycling of waste MgO-C refractory materials would be achievable if their applicability as a flux for steelmaking is proven. Therefore, experiments were performed using a target composition range similar to the commercial EAF slag composition. A pre-melted base slag was prepared by mixing SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and FeO in an alumina crucible and heating at 1450℃ for 1 h or more. Subsequently, a mixed flux #2 (a mixture of light-burnt dolomite, waste MgO-C based refractory material, and limestone) was added to the prepared pre-melted base slag and a melting reaction test was performed. Injecting the pre-melted base slag with the flux facilitates the formation of the target EAF slag. These results were compared with that of mixed flux #1 (a mixture of light-burnt dolomite and limestone), which is a conventional steelmaking flux, and the possibility of replacement was evaluated. To obtain a reliable evaluation, characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry were used, and slag foam height, slag basicity, and Fe recovery were calculated.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2010

For us, there is virtually no distinction between being a responsible citizen and a successful business... they are one and the same for Wal-Mart today." ~ Lee Scott, al-Mart CEO after the 2005 Katrina disaster; cited in Green to Gold (Esty and Winston 2006). Lee Scott's statement signaled a new era in sustainability as manufacturers and retailers around the globe watched the world's largest mass merchandiser confirm its intentions with respect to sustainability. For decades, the environmental movement has grown, slowly bleeding over into the corporate world. Companies have been born, products have been created, academic journals have been launched, and government initiatives have been undertaken - all in the pursuit of sustainability (Peattie and Crane 2005). While progress has been admittedly slower than some may desire, the emergence and entrance of environmentally concerned mass merchandisers has done much to help with sustainable efforts. To better understand this movement, we incorporate the perspectives of both executives and consumers involved in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. This research relies on three underlying themes: (1) Conceptual and anecdotal evidence suggests that companies undertake sustainability initiatives for a plethora of reasons, (2) The number of sustainability initiatives continues to increase in the consumer packaged goods industries, and (3) That it is, therefore, necessary to explore the role that sustainability plays in the minds of consumers. In light of these themes, surveys were administered to and completed by 143 college students and 101 business executives to assess a number of variables in regards to sustainability including willingness-to-pay, behavioral intentions, attitudes, willingness-to-pay, and preferences. Survey results indicate that the top three reasons why executives believe sustainability to be important include (1) the opportunity for profitability, (2) the fulfillment of an obligation to the environment, and (3) a responsibility to customers and shareholders. College students identified the top three reasons as (1) a responsibility to the environment, (2) an indebtedness to future generations, and (3) an effective management of resources. While the rationale for supporting sustainability efforts differed between college students and executives, the executives and consumers reported similar responses for the majority of the remaining sustainability issues. Furthermore, when we asked consumers to assess the importance of six key issues (healthcare, economy, education, crime, government spending, and environment) previously identified as important to consumers by Gallup Poll, protecting the environment only ranked fourth out of the six (Carlson 2005). While all six of these issues were identified as important, the top three that emerged as most important were (1) improvements in education, (2) the economy, and (3) health care. As the pursuit and incorporation of sustainability continues to evolve, so too will the expected outcomes. New definitions of performance that reflect the social/business benefits as well as the lengthened implementation period are relevant and warranted (Ehrenfeld 2005; Hitchcock and Willard 2006). We identified three primary categories of outcomes based on a literature review of both anecdotal and conceptual expectations of sustainability: (1) improvements in constituent satisfaction, (2) differentiation opportunities, and (3) financial rewards. Within each of these categories, several specific outcomes were identified resulting in eleven different outcomes arising from sustainability initiatives. Our survey results indicate that the top five most likely outcomes for companies that pursue sustainability are: (1) green consumers will be more satisfied, (2) company image will be better, (3) corporate responsibility will be enhanced, (4) energy costs will be reduced, and (5) products will be more innovative. Additionally, to better understand the interesting intersection between the environmental "identity" of a consumer and the willingness to manifest that identity with marketplace purchases, we extended prior research developed by Experian Research (2008). Accordingly, respondents were categorized as one of four types of green consumers (Behavioral Greens, Think Greens, Potential Greens, or True Browns) to garner a better understanding of the green consumer in addition to assisting with a more effective interpretation of results. We assessed these consumers' willingness to engage in eco-friendly behavior by evaluating three options: (1) shopping at retailers that support environmental initiatives, (2) paying more for products that protect the environment, and (3) paying higher taxes so the government can support environmental initiatives. Think Greens expressed the greatest willingness to change, followed by Behavioral Greens, Potential Greens, and True Browns. These differences were all significant at p<.01. Further Conclusions and Implications We have undertaken a descriptive study which seeks to enhance our understanding of the strategic domain of sustainability. Specifically, this research fills a gap in the literature by comparing and contrasting the sustainability views of business executives and consumers with specific regard to preferences, intentions, willingness-to-pay, behavior, and attitudes. For practitioners, much can be gained from a strategic standpoint. In addition to the many results already reported, respondents also reported than willing to pay more for products that protect the environment. Other specific results indicate that female respondents consistently communicate a stronger willingness than males to pay more for these products and to shop at eco-friendly retailers. Knowing this additional information, practitioners can now have a more specific market in which to target and communicate their sustainability efforts. While this research is only an initial step towards understanding similarities and differences among practitioners and consumers regarding sustainability, it presents original findings that contribute to both practice and research. Future research should be directed toward examining other variables affecting this relationship, as well as other specific industries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1234-1242
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate BMI, dietary behavior, and nutrient intake status according to frequency of breakfast intake in female college students (n=253) in Chuncheon area. This study was conducted by employing a self-administered questionnaire. Dietary assessment was measured by the 24-h recall method. The subjects were divided into two groups by frequency of breakfast: Five to seven times per week (eating breakfast group, n=139) and none to four times per week (skipping breakfast group, n=114). The living with parents group showed significant high frequency of breakfast intake, whereas the self-boarding group showed significant low frequency of breakfast intake. The body image satisfaction score of the 5~7 times/week group was higher than that of the 0~4 times/week group. The average height and weight of the 5~7 times/week group were $161.0{\pm}0.1cm$ and $52.6{\pm}7.6kg$, respectively, whereas those of the 0~4 times/week group were $160.7{\pm}0.1cm$ and $57.1{\pm}11.8kg$, respectively. The average body mass index (BMI) values of the 5~7 times/week and 0~4 times/week groups were $19.8{\pm}1.9kg/m^2$ and $21.5{\pm}3.4kg/m^2$, respectively. The dietary behavior score of the 5~7 times/week group was higher than that of the 0~4 times/week group. The daily averages for energy, carbohydrate, and protein intakes in the 5~7 times/week group were significantly higher than those of the 0~4 times/week group. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, vitamin $B_6$, P, Zn, and cholesterol in the 5~7 times/week group were significantly higher than those of the 0~4 times/week group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that resident type was the most significant variable associated with breakfast intake frequency. Therefore, strengthening dietary education programs that largely focus on resident type will greatly contribute to prevent skipping breakfast.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.308-326
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• 1997

Many studies have led to the notion that essential hypertension in adults is the result of a process that starts early in life: investigation of blood pressure(BP) in children and adolescents can therefore contribute to knowledge of the etiology of the condition. A unique longitudinal study on BP in Korea, known as Kangwha Children's Blood Pressure(KCBP) Study was initiated in 1986 to investigate changes in BP in children. This study is a part of the KCBP study. The purposes of this study are to show changes in BP and to determine factors affecting to BP level and change in Korean adolescents during age period 12 to 16 years. A total of 710 students(335 males, 375 females) who were in the first grade at junior high school(12 years old) in 1992 in Kangwha County, Korea have been followed to measure BP and related factors(anthropometric, serologic and dietary factors) annually up to 1996. A total of 562 students(242 males, 320 females) completed all five annual examinations. The main results are as follows: 1. For males, mean systolic and diastolic BP at age 12 and 16 years old were 108.7 mmHg and 118.1 mmHg(systolic), and 69.5 mmHg and 73.4 mmHg(diastolic), respectively. BP level was the highest when students were at 15 years old. For females, mean systolic and diastolic BP at age 12 and 16 years were 114.4 mmHg and 113.5 mmHg(systolic) and 75.2 mmHg and 72.1 mmHg(diastolic), respectively. BP level reached the highest point when they were 13-14 years old. 2. Anthropometric variables(height, weight and body mass index, etc) increased constantly during the study period for males. However, the rate of increase was decreased for females after age 15 years. Serum total cholesterol decreased and triglyceride increased according to age for males, but they did not show any significant trend fer females. Total fat intake increased at age 16 years compared with that at age 14 years. Compositions of carbohydrate, protein and fat among total energy intake were 66.2:12.0:19.4, 64.1:12.1:21.8 at age 14 and 16 years, respectively. 3. Most of anthropometric measures, especially, height, body mass index(BMI) and triceps skinfold thickness showed a significant correlation with BP level in both sexes. When BMI was adjusted, serum total cholesterol showed a significant negative correlation with systolic BP at age 12 years in males, but at age 14 years the direction of correlation changed to positive. In females serum total cholesterol was negatively correlated with diastolic BP at age 15 and 16 years. Triglyceride and creatinine showed positive correlation with systolic and diastolic BP in males, but they did not show any correlation in females. There was no consistent findings between nutrient intake and BP level. However, protein intake correlated positively with diastolic BP level in males. 4. Blood pressure change was positively associated with changes in BMI and serum total cholesterol in both sexes. Change in creatinine was associated with BP change positively in males and negatively in females. Students whose sodium intake was high showed higher systolic and diastolic BP in males, and students whose total fat intake was high maintained lower level of BP in females. The major determinants on BP change was BMI in both sexes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1649-1657
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body mass index (BMI), dietary intake attitudes, and nutrient intake status according to sugar-containing food intake frequency of 409 college students in Gyeonggi-do. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to sugar-containing food intake frequency: rare intake group (n=113), average intake group (n=195), and frequent intake group (n=101). The average height and weight (P<0.001) of each group were $163.8{\pm}0.11cm$ and $52.9{\pm}8.6kg$, $164.4{\pm}0.1cm$ and $56.2{\pm}6.4kg$, and $167.9{\pm}0.1cm$ and $68.0{\pm}15.7kg$, respectively. The average BMIs of the groups were $19.6{\pm}2.3$, $20.7{\pm}0.8$, and $24.0{\pm}2.7$, respectively (P<0.001). Dietary intake attitude scores of the groups were $30.73{\pm}5.68$, $30.11{\pm}5.51$, and $28.00{\pm}5.31$, respectively (P<0.001). As a result of nutrient intake status, daily averages of energy and carbohydrate intake of the frequent intake group were significantly higher than those of the rare intake group (P<0.05). On the other hand, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, and vitamin C intakes of the rare intake group were significantly higher than those of the frequent intake group (P<0.05). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that BMI was the most significant variable affecting sugar-containing food intake. Therefore, nutrition education is necessary to improve nutrient intake while considering sugar intake for maintenance of healthy weight.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.16-37
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• 2018

In this study, difference in chemical composition of $PM_{2.5}$ observed between the year 2013 and 2015 at six air quality intensive monitoring stations (Bangryenogdo (BR), Seoul (SL), Daejeon (DJ), Gwangju (GJ), Ulsan (US), and Jeju (JJ)) was investigated and the possible factors causing their difference were also discussed. $PM_{2.5}$, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and water-soluble ionic species concentrations were observed on a hourly basis in the six stations. The difference in chemical composition by regions was examined based on emissions of gaseous criteria pollutants (CO, $SO_2$, and $NO_2$), meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity), and origins and transport pathways of air masses. For the years 2013 and 2014, annual average $PM_{2.5}$ was in the order of SL ($${\sim_=}DJ$$)>GJ>BR>US>JJ, but the highest concentration in 2015 was found at DJ, following by GJ ($${\sim_=}SJ$$)>BR>US>JJ. Similar patterns were found in $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$. Lower $PM_{2.5}$ at SL than at DJ and GJ was resulted from low concentrations of secondary ionic species. Annual average concentrations of OC and EC by regions had no big difference among the years, but their patterns were distinct from the $PM_{2.5}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations by regions. 4-day air mass backward trajectory calculations indicated that in the event of daily average $PM_{2.5}$ exceeding the monthly average values, >70% of the air masses reaching the all stations were coming from northeastern Chinese polluted regions, indicating the long-range transportation (LTP) was an important contributor to $PM_{2.5}$ and its chemical composition at the stations. Lower concentrations of secondary ionic species and $PM_{2.5}$ at SL in 2015 than those at DJ and GJ sites were due to the decrease in impact by LTP from polluted Chinese regions, rather than the difference in local emissions of criteria gas pollutants ($SO_2$, $NO_2$, and $NH_3$) among the SL, DJ, and GJ sites. The difference in annual average $SO{_4}^{2-}$ by regions was resulted from combination of the difference in local $SO_2$ emissions and chemical conversion of $SO_2$ to $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and LTP from China. However, the $SO{_4}^{2-}$ at the sites were more influenced by LTP than the formation by chemical transformation of locally emitted $SO_2$. The $NO_3{^-}$ increase was closely associated with the increase in local emissions of nitrogen oxides at four urban sites except for the BR and JJ, as well as the LTP with a small contribution. Among the meterological parameters (wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity), the ambient temperature was most important factor to control the variation of $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical components concentrations. In other words, as the average temperature increases, the $PM_{2.5}$, OC, EC, and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations showed a decreasing tendency, especially with a prominent feature in $NO_3{^-}$. Results from a case study that examined the $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical data observed between February 19 and March 2, 2014 at the all stations suggest that ambient $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations are not necessarily proportional to the concentrations of their precursor emissions because the rates at which they form and their gas/particle partitioning may be controlled by factors (e.g., long range transportation) other than the concentration of the precursor gases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1018-1027
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrients intake and health-related behaviors in elderly people residing in Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk who have no problem in daily living. Information on general characteristics of the elderly, health-related behaviors and dietary habits were obtained by interview based on questionnare. Dietary nutrients intake data were obtained through the 24 recall method. The subject group of this study was composed of 113 males and 112 females, the average age being $73.1\pm6.06$ years old. In health related factors, $76.9\%$ of subjects exercised regularly. The rates of alcohol drinking and smoking showed to be $38.2\%\;and\;22.2\%$, respectively. There were many elderly with neuralgia, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disease, especially female were worse. Average heights of the subjects were lower than the standard established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances, and average weights were similar to the standards. The mean BMI and WHR were 24.8 (male 23.7, female 25.7) and 0.92 (male 0.92, female 0.89), respectively. Most of the subjects had a regular meal pattern comsuming three meals a day, and many elderly, especially more than $79.5\%$ of female, prepared the meals for themselves. Mean daily energy intakes and RDA percentage of energy intakes of the male and female subjects were estimated as 1426.9kcal $(79.3\%)$ and 1381.3 kcal $(86.3\%)$, respectively. Mean daily intakes of nutrients were estimatied as 48.1g for protein, 411.3mg for calcium, 8.05mg for iron, 541.8 R.E. for vitamin A, 0.84mg for vitamin $B_1$, and 0.79mg for vitamin $B_2$. Most nutrients except protein, clacium, iron and vitamin $B_2$ were consumed over $75\%$ of the RDA. Female elderly showed significant lower intakes (p<0.05) for most of the nutrients except calcium, phosphorus and vitamin ethan the elderly male.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.657-666
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• 2014

Coal gasification technology is considered as next generation clean coal technology even though it uses coal as fuel which releases huge amount of greenhouse gas because it has many advantages for carbon capture. Coal or pet-coke slurry gasification is very attractive technology at present and in the future because of its low construction cost and flexibility of slurry feeding system in spite of lower efficiency compared to dry feeding technology. In this study, we carried out gasification experiment using bituminous coal slurry sample by integrating coal slurry feeding facility and slurry burner into existing dry feeding compact gasifier. Especially, our experiment was conducted under fairly lower operation temperature than that of existing entrained-bed gasifier, resulting in partial slagging operation mode in which only part of ash was converted to slag and the rest of ash was released as fly ash. Carbon conversion rate was calculated from data analysis of collected slag and ash, and then cold gas efficiency, which is the most important indicator of gasifier performance, was estimated by carbon mass balance method. Fairly high performance considering pilot-scale experiment, 98.5% of carbon conversion and 60.4% of cold gas efficiency, was achieved. In addition, soundness of experimental result was verified from the comparison with chemical equilibrium composition and energy balance calculations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 1997

Background : Malnutrition is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially in the emphysema group. Although the mechanism of malnutrition is not confirmed, it is believed to be a relative deficiency caused by hypermetabolism due to increased energy requirements of the respiratory muscles, rather than a dietary deficiency. Malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not a merely coincidental finding. It is known that the nutritional status correlates with physiologic parameters including pulmonary function, muscular power, and exercise performance, and is one of the important and independent prognostic factors of the disease. Methods : Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Yongdong Severance Hospital from May, 1995 to March, 1996 and age-matched healthy control group were studied. Survey of nutritional intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests were done to assess nutritional status. Relationship between nutritional status and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume at one second), which was a significant functional parameter, was assessed. Results : 1) The patient group was consisted of 25 males with mean age of 66.1years and FEV1 of $42{\pm}14%$ of predicted values. The control group was consisted of 26 healthy males with normal pulmonary function, whose mean age was 65.0 years. 2) The ratio of calorie intake/calorie requirement per day was $107{\pm}28%$ in the patient group, and $94{\pm}14%$ in the control group, showing a tendency of more nutritional intake in patient group(B=0.06). 3) There were significant differences between the patient group and control group in percent ideal body weight(92.8% vs 101.6%, p=0.024), body mass index($20.0kg/m^2$ VS $21.9kg/m^2$, p=0.015), and handgrip strength(29.0kg vs 34.3kg, p=0.003). However, there were no significant differences in triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, albumin, and total lymphocyte count between two groups. Percentage of underweight population was 40%(10/25) in the patient group, and 15%(4/26) in the control group. 4) The percent ideal body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-arm muscle circumference had significant correlation with FEV1. Conclusion : The patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed significant depletion in nutritional parameters such as body weight and peripheral muscle strength, while absolute amount of dietary intake was not insufficient. Nutritional parameters were well correlated with FEV1.