• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.618-625
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• 2003

Investigations were carried out to optimize the culture conditions for the production of xylanase by Paenibacillus sp. DG-22, a moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from timber yard soil. Xylanase production showed a cell growth associated profile. Xylanase activity was found only in the culture supernatant, while $\beta-xylosidase$ activity was mainly associated with the cells. The formation of xylanase activity was induced by xylan and repressed by glucose and xylose. The production profile of xylanase was examined with various commercial xylan and maximum yield was achieved with 0.1∼ 0.5% birchwood xylan. Among various nitrogen sources tested, yeast extract was optimal for the production of xylanase. The xylanase activity was inhibited by $Co^{2+},\; Cu^{2+},\; Fe^{3+},\; Hg^{2+}\;$ and$\;Mn^{2+}$ ions while $Ca^{2+},\; Mg^{2+},\; Ni^{2+},\; Zn^{2+}$ions and DTT stimulated xylanase activity Mercury (II) ion at 5 mM concentration abolished all the xylanase activity. The predominant products of xylan-hydrolysate were xylobiose, xylotriose, and higher xylooligo-saccharides, indicating that the enzyme was an endoxylanase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.273-273
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• 2014

Quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) are an emerging class of solar cells owing to their easy fabrication, low cost and material diversity. Despite of the fact that the maximum conversion efficiency of QDSCs is still far less than that of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (>12 %), their unique characteristics like Multiple Exciton Generation (MEG), energy band tune-ability and tendency to incorporate multiple co-sensitizers concurrently has made QDs a suitable alternative to expensive dyes for solar cell application. Lead Sulfide (PbS) Quantum dot sensitized solar cells are theoretically proficient enough to have a photo-current density ($J_{sc}$) of $36mA/cm^2$, but practically there are very few reports on photocurrent enhancement in PbS QDSCs. Recently, $Hg^{2+}$ incorporated PbS quantumdots and Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) co-sensitized PbS solarcells are reported to show an improvement in photo-current density ($J_{sc}$). In this study, we explored the efficacy of $In_2S_3$ as an interfacial layer deposited through SILAR process for PbS QDSCs. $In_2S_3$ was chosen as the interfacial layer in order to avoid the usage of hazardous CdS or Mercury (Hg). Herein, the deposition of $In_2S_3$ interfacial layer on $TiO_2$ prior to PbS QDs exhibited a direct enhancement in the photo-current (Isc). Improved photo-absorption as well as interfacial recombination barrier caused by $In_2S_3$ deposition increased the photo-current density ($J_{sc}$) from $13mA/cm^2$ to $15.5mA/cm^2$ for single cycle of $In_2S_3$ deposition. Increase in the number of cycles of $In_2S_3$ deposition was found to deteriorate the photocurrent, however it increased $V_{oc}$ of the device which reached to an optimum value of 2.25% Photo-conversion Efficiency (PCE) for 2 cycles of $In_2S_3$ deposition. Effect of Heat Treatment, Normalized Current Stability, Open Circuit Voltage Decay and Dark IV Characteristics were further measured to reveal the characteristics of device.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2020

The levels of five heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc) were analyzed in edible tissues of Lophius piscatorius Linnaeus, 1758 marketed in Sinop coasts of the Black Sea by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. With the present study, heavy metal values of this fish in the Black Sea were examined for the first time. The mean concentrations in mg kg^-1 wet wt. of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were 0.022, 0.009, 0.035, 6.3 and 16 mg kg^-1 wet wt., respectively. The results of the present study indicate that the consumption of muscle from anglerfish can be considered safe in terms of permissible legal limits. It is clear that, Zn showed the high accumulation in muscle tissue followed by Cu, while non-essential metals Hg, Cd and Pb showed the low accumulation. This could be explained by the fact that Zn and Cu are essential elements in the bodies of living organisms and has an important role in different physiological processes. In the present study, heavy metal levels in angler fish were low. Likewise, the calculated HI values were lower than one. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the consumption of muscle from anglerfish can be considered safe in terms of permissible legal limits and hazard index values.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.459-467
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate if there were groundwater contamination in 17 landfill where slaughtered animals were buried during the crisis of 2002 foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) outbreaks in Gyeonggi province. From March to August 2005 groundwater was collected once a month from 17 sites, and examined with potential for hydrogen (pH), colour, turbidity, lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) , iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) , aluminium (Al), nitrate-nitrogen $(NO_3-N)$, ammonia-nitrogen $(NH_3-N)$, microbial pathogen and Escherichia spp. In the examination of $NH_3-N$ which of the mean concentration was from not-detected (ND) to 0.05 mg/l. The range of $NH_3-N$ level was $0.3-24.1mg/{\ell}$. However, groundwater from four sites was to go beyond the drinking water quality standard (DWQS), i.e., the mean concentration of those were $15.5mg/{\ell}\;(site\;1),\;20.7mg/{\ell}\;(site\;9),\;24.1mg/{\ell}\;(site\;13)\;and\;10.6mg/{\ell}\;(site\;17)$. In the investigation of pH, colour and turbidity, all of the pH were below of DWQS (pH 5.8-6.6), but one site in color test and four sites in turbidity test were over the standard level. Among 9 metal ions examined, Mn was in excess of DWQS, and its concentration was $2.4mg/{\ell}$. Pb, Cd, Hg and As were not traced. The contents of Cu, Zn, Fe and Al were $ND-0.22mg/{\ell},\;0.01-0.05mg/{\ell},\;ND-0.05mg/{\ell}\;and\;0.03-0.16mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Escherichiae spp were not identified, but bacterial colonies were detected at 3 groundwater including 2 sites over the DWQS at the level of $491CFU/m{\ell}\;(site\;4)\;and\;217CFU/m{\ell}\;(site\;15)$.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1988

This present study has been carried out to examine the correlation between the distribution of the coliform bacterial plasmids and the viability test against heavy metals in the upper stream of Han river(Gapyung; clean water) and the its basin (Anyang Cheon; polluted water). And the distribution of plasmids were examined to be used as trophic indicator for analysis between the clean and polluted waters. 1. A total of 110 isolates were analyzed for the presence of plasmids by means of the boiling method and agarose gel techniques. Plasmids were significantly more frequent in the strains which had been isolated from the clean water (14.3%). Also, there were much higher multiplicity of plasmids at the polluted water(41.0%), compared with the clean water (33.0%). By the comparision between molecular weight of bacterial plasmids in the clean water and those of polluted water, there were no significant differences of the clean water from the polluted water, to such extent as 30.0%, 28.6%, respectively, in frequency for occurrence of high molecular weight plasmids iver 35.8% Mdal. 2. Each isolate was carried out the resistance test for mercury(10-5M), nickel(10-3M) and arsenic (0.1%). At the polluted site, the survival ability of the plasmid-carrying straings(Hg, 31.0%l Ni, 5.7%; As, 65.7%) was higher than that of the non plasmid-carrying strains(Hg, 12.1%; Ni, 3.0%; As, 54.6%). This trend was more remarkable in the clean site (plasmid-carrying strains: 16.7%,-,-). As a result it is suggested that plasmids could be used as an indicator of a certain types of water pollution. In addition, heavy metals might have inflyenced, some extent, to the distribution of plasmids in the environment which has been surveyed in the present study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2006.12a
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• pp.27-32
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• 2006

In this paper, we introduced a LIF measurement method and summarized the theoretical side. When an altered wavelength of laser and electric power, lamp applied electric power, we measured the relative density of the metastable state in mercury after observing a laser induced fluorescence signal of 404.8nm and 546.2nm, and confirmed the horizontal distribution of plasma density in the discharge lamp. Due to this generation, the extinction of atoms in a metastable state occurred through collision, ionization, and excitation between plasma particles. The density and distribution of the metastable state depended on the energy and density of plasma particles, intensely. This highlights the importance of measuring density distribution in plasma electric discharge mechanism study. The results confirmed the resonance phenomenon regarding the energy level of atoms along a wavelength change, and also confirmed that the largest fluorcscent signal in 436nm, and that the density of atoms in 546.2nm ($6^3S_1{\rightarrow}6^3P_2$) were larger than 404.8nm ($6^3S_1{\rightarrow}6^3P_2$). According to the increase of lamp applied electric power, plasma density increased, too. When increased with laser electric power, the LIF signal reached a saturation state in more than 2.6mJ. When partial plasma density distribution along a horizontal axis was measured using the laser induced fluorescence method, the density decreased by recombination away from the center.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2000

In order to determine the characteristics of $\beta$-glucosidase associated with cellulose degradation, the enzyme produced extracellularly by the mycelia of Tricholoma matsutake DGUM 26001 in culture broth was partially purified. The enzyme activity was maintained in the range of temperatures trom 55 to $70^{\circ}C$ and its optimum temperature was $65^{\circ}C$. The $\beta$-glucosidase enzyme showed relatively high activity in the range of pH 3.0-5.0 and its optimum pH was 4.0. Under the optimal conditions, the specific activity of $\beta$-glucosidase for salicin as a substrate was 18.7 unit/mg protein. After thermal treatment of the enzyme at $55^{\circ}C$ for 60 min, more than 90% of the enzyme activity was still sustained. Iron($Fe^{++}$) stimulated enzyme activity, whereas mercury($Hg^{++}$) and copper($Cu^{++}$) inhibited. Compared to salicin as a substrate, the relative activity for cellobiose was observed to be 48.6%. The apparent $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of the enzyme with cellobiose were 0.12 mM and 0.02 umol/min, respectively.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.513-520
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• 2000

Objectives : To estimate the prevalence of hypertension, rates of awareness, treatment modalities, and control of hypertension, and also to identify factors in rural Korea that are related to these aspects of hypertension. Methods : A cross-sectional survey, including blood pressure(BP) measurements and interviews, investigating the variables in the health belief model was peformed from August to November, 1999 on 1,426 (79.4%) study subjects out of 1,797 registered residents over 30 years old in Ibansong-Myun, Chinju City. A second survey was peformed from January to March, 2000 on 376 (80.0%) subjects out of 470 hypertensive (or suspected hypertensive) subjects found in the first survey. Two BP readings were taken in each survey using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined as either a BP reading $\geq$ 140/90 mmHg in both surveys, or as subjects on oral hypertensive medication. Results : Estimated hypertension prevalence was 24.9% for men, and 30.4% for women. Rates of hypertension awareness, treatment (the regular use of oral hypertensives), and control (reduction of BP to <140/90 mmHg) were 52.5%, 34.4%, and 12.9%, respectively. The factors related to lower hypertension awareness in the logistic regression analysis were male gender, farming occupation, and higher perceived barrier to medical treatment (those for whom visiting health professionals is a burden). Conclusions : To improve the low awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, a more active and out-reaching hypertension control program, including routine BP measurements for every visitor to primary care facilities, is needed in rural Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.209-218
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• 2000

This study was conducted to determine the content of trace metals in crops cultivated in Han-riverside, Anyang stream, Tan stream, and Jungryang stream. Trace metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, Zn, Cu, Hg) were detected in 36 crops, 285 samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Mercury Analyzer. The average concentration of trace metals in crop samples was in the order of Fe (34.592 ppm)>Mn (11.071 ppm)$\geq$Zn(8.853 ppm)>Cu(1.795 ppm)>Cr(0.237 ppm)>Pb(0.100 ppm)>Cd(0.011 ppm)>Hg(0.003 ppm). In crop samples, the contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn, which ranges were 0.004-203.083 ppm, 0.017~22.727 ppm, 0.000~74.373 ppm, 0.080~37.166 ppm, respectively, were relatively higher than those of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg, which ranges were 0.000~0.654 ppm, 0.000~0.270 ppm, 0.000~l.229 ppm, 0.000~0.037 ppm, respectively. The concentration of trace metals in crop samples was in the order of leafy vegetables > stem vegetables > root vegetables > fruity vegetables. In the root vegetables, such as radish, the content of Pb was leaf(0.055 ppm)>root(0.035 ppm), that of Cr, leaf (0.118 ppm)>root(0.031 ppm), that of Cd, leaf(0.004 ppm)>root(0.001 ppm), that of Hg, leaf(0.004 ppm)>root(0.001 ppm). As the results, it could be thought that root is the organ which doesn't accumulate the heavy metal ions, but absorb them.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2004

Objectives of this study were to monitor the distribution of heavy metals, to compare extractable heavy metal with total content and to investigate the relationships between soil physico-chemical properties and heavy metals in orchard soil. Sampling sites were 48 in Gyeonggi, 36 in Gangwon, 36 in Chungbuk, and 44 in Chungnam, Soils were collected farm form two depths, 0 to 20 and 20 to 40 cm (here after referred to as upper and lower layers) from March to May in 1998. Total contents of heavy metal in soils were analyzed by ICP-OES after acid digestion ($HNO_3$:HCl:$H_2O_2$) whereas extractable contents were measured after successive extraction of 0.1N-HCl, 0.05 M-EDTA, and 0.005 M-DTPA. Mercury was analysed by mercury atomizer. The average contents of Cd Cu, and Pb in the extractant with 0.1N-HCl at upper layer were 0.080, 4.23, and 3.42 mg/kg, respectively. As content in the extractant with 1N-HCl was 0.44 mg/kg, and total contents of Zn, Ni and Hg were 78.9, 16.1, and 0.052 mg/kg, respectively. The ratios of concentrations of heavy metals to threshold values (Cd 1.5, Cu 50, Pb 100, Zn 300, Ni 40, Hg 4 mg/ke in Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea (2001) were low in the range of $1/2.5{\sim}1/76.9$ in orchard soils. The ratios of extractable heavy metal to total content ranged $5.4{\sim}9.21%$ for Cd, $27.9{\sim}47.8%$ for Cu, $12.6{\sim}21.8$% for Pb, $15.8{\sim}20.3%$ for Zn, $5.3{\sim}6.3%$ for Ni, and $0.7{\sim}3.6%$ for Zn, respectively. Cu and Pb contents in 0.05 M-EDTA extractable solution were higher than those in the other extractable solution. Total contents of Cd, Ni and Ni in soils were negatively correlated with sand content but positively correlated with silt and clay contents. Ratios of extractable heavy metal to total content were negatively correlated with clay content but ai and Ni contents were positively correlated with soil pH, organic matter, and available phosphorous. Therefore, the orchard soil was safe because the heavy metal contents of orchard soil were very low as compared to its threshold value in the Soil Environmental Conservation Act. However, it need to consider the input of agricultural materials to the agricultural land for farming practices for assessment of heavy metals.