• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.253-263
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• 2022

This study suggests a guideline for designing unit process of wastewater reuse in terms of a maintenance of the process based on critical parameters to draw a high quality performance of RO unit. Defining the parameters was done by applying membrane integrity test (MIT) in pretreatment process utilizing lab-scale MF. SDI is utilized for judging whether permeate is suitable to RO unit. However, result said TOC concentration matching with particle count analysis is better for judging the permeate condition. When membrane test pressure (P_test) was measured to derive log removal value in PDT, virgin state of membrane fiber was used to measure dynamic contact angle utilizing surface tension of the membrane fiber. Actually, foulant affects to the state of membrane surface, and it decreases the P_test value along with time elapsed. Consequently, LRV_DIT is also affected by P_test value. Thus, sensitivity of direct integrity test descends with result of P_test value change, so P_test value should be considered not the virgin state of the membrane but its current state. Overall, this study focuses on defining design parameters suitable to MF pretreatment for RO process in wastewater reuse by assessing its impact. Therefore, utilities can acknowledge that the membrane surface condition must be considered when users conduct the direct integrity test so that P_test and other relative parameter used to calculate LRV_DIT are adequately measured.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2023

Background: Air pollution has led to an increased exposure of all living organisms to fine dust. Therefore, research efforts are being made to devise preventive and therapeutic remedies against fine dust-induced chronic diseases. Methods: Research of the respiratory protective effects of KRG extract in a particulate matter (PM; aerodynamic diameter of <4 ㎛) plus diesel exhaust particle (DEP) (PM4+D)-induced airway inflammation model. Nitric oxide production, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and IRAK-1, TAK-1, and MAPK pathways were examined in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. BALB/c mice exposed to PM4+D mixture by intranasal tracheal injection three times a day for 12 days at 3 day intervals and KRGE were administered orally for 12 days. Histological of lung and trachea, and immune cell subtype analyses were performed. Expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung were measured. Immunohistofluorescence staining for IRAK-1 localization in lung were also evaluated. Results: KRGE inhibited the production of nitric oxide, the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and expression and phosphorylation of all downstream factors of NF-κB, including IRAK-1 and MAPK/AP1 pathway in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. KRGE suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration and number of immune cells, histopathologic damage, and inflammatory symptoms in the BALF and lungs induced by PM4+D; these included increased alveolar wall thickness, accumulation of collagen fibers, and TNF-α, MIP2, CXCL-1, IL-1α, and IL-17 cytokine release. Moreover, PM4 participates induce alveolar macrophage death and interleukin-1α release by associating with IRAK-1 localization was also potently inhibited by KRGE in the lungs of PM4+D-induced airway inflammation model. KRGE suppresses airway inflammatory responses, including granulocyte infiltration into the airway, by regulating the expression of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of IRAK-1 and MAPK pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential of KRGE to serve as an effective therapeutic agent against airway inflammation and respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the quantitative distribution of microplastics in the surface seawater at 8 points near the Taean Peninsula using fluorescence staining. The study revealed a detection range of microplastics from 0 to 360.5 particles/l, with an average of 149.7 ± 46.0 particles/l. When classifying the microplastics by size, it was found that particles smaller than 50 ㎛ were dominant, although there were differences at Site 3. Moreover, it was not possible to identify clear correlations when comparing the number of microplastics based on collection area and particle size. Various physical and chemical factors, including plastic material, dynamic ocean conditions (such as currents, wind, waves, tides), geological characteristics (topography, slope), sediment materials including coastal organisms, human activities (fishing, development, tourism), and weather conditions (floods, rainfall), affect the behavior of microplastics. Therefore, future efforts should focus on standardizing quantitative analysis methods and conducting fundamental research on microplastic monitoring, including the analysis of environmental factors.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.153-157
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• 2023

In order to manufacture a semiconductor circuit, etching, cleaning, and deposition processes are repeated. During these processes, the inside of the processing chamber is exposed to corrosive plasma. Therefore, the coating of the inner wall of the semiconductor equipment with a plasma-resistant material has been attempted to minimize the etching of the coating and particle contaminant generation. In this study, we mixed AlF₃ powder with the solid-state reacted yttrium oxyfluoride (YOF) in order to increase plasma-etching resistance of the plasma spray coated YOF layer. Effects of the mixing ratio of AlF₃ with YOF powder on crystal structure, microstructure and chemical composition were investigated using XRD and FE-SEM. The plasma-etching ratios of the plasma-spray coated layers were calculated and correlation with AlF₃ mixing ratio was analyzed.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.200-216
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• 2023

Ginkgo leaves are considered waste biomass and can cause problems due to the strong insecticidal actions of ginkgolide A, B, C, and J and bilobalide. However, Ginkgo leaf biomass has high organic matter content that can be converted into fuels and chemicals if suitable technologies can be developed. In this study, the effect of pyrolysis temperature, minimum fluidized velocity, and Ginkgo leaf size on product yields and product properties were systematically analyzed. Fast pyrolysis was conducted in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor at 400 to 550℃ using silica sand as a bed material. The yield of pyrolysis liquids ranged from 33.66 to 40.01 wt%. The CO₂ and CO contents were relatively high compared to light hydrocarbon gases because of decarboxylation and decarbonylation during pyrolysis. The CO content increased with the pyrolysis temperature while the CO₂ content decreased. When the experiment was conducted at 450℃ with a 3.0×U_mf fluidized velocity and a 0.43 to 0.71 mm particle size, the yield was 40.01 wt% and there was a heating value of 30.17 MJ/kg, respectively. The production of various phenol compounds and benzene derivatives in the bio-oil, which contains the high value products, was identified using GC-MS. This study demonstrated that fast pyrolysis is very robust and can be used for converting Ginkgo leaves into fuels and thus has the potential of becoming a method for waste recycling.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.37-46
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• 2023

In this paper, the physical properties, stress deformation and strength characteristics, density and permeability characteristics of silty sand (SM) by fines content were analyzed through indoor tests. also based on the results of the indoor tests, a compact analysis was performed according to the content of SM, and the applicability of SM ground to the compacted target layer was evaluated by comparing it with the measurement data of the actual problem site. As a result of indoor tests and compression analysis, SM changed its mechanical properties from sandy soil to viscous soil when the fine particle content was 35% or higher, and using field measurement data, SM was found to have a higher compression tendency than direct subsidence. Therefore, the mechanical characteristics of SM above Fc 35% are considered to be similar to that of viscous soil, which is different from the compression characteristics of the tendency of immediate subsidence to conventional sandy soil, so it is necessary to present the mechanical characteristics of SM through further research. The research findings highlight the importance of considering consolidation settlement in silty sand (SM) when evaluating soft soil conditions. These findings can aid in revising criteria for assessing weak ground conditions by providing essential engineering property data based on varying fines content in silty sand.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2023

Background: Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment has implemented a seasonal fine dust management system from December to March, targeting high PM_2.5 levels with the aim of reducing PM_2.5 concentrations and protecting public health. The focus of improving the seasonal management system lies in the atmospheric PM_2.5 levels. Considering the primary goal of protecting public health, it is necessary to analyze the policy effects from an exposure perspective rather than a concentration-based approach. Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively assess the improvement of indoor PM_2.5 levels and the health impacts of the seasonal management system by comparing the periods before and during its implementation in residential environments. Methods: PM_2.5 concentrations within residential environments in a metropolitan area were measured using an optical particle counter (IAQ-C7, K-weather, Ltd, Korea) at one-minute intervals during the pre-implementation period (November 21~25, 2022) and during the implementation period (December 19~23, 2022). Based on the measured PM_2.5 concentrations, a quantitative evaluation of cancer and mortality risks was conducted according to age and gender. Results: The results of comparing indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations before and during the implementation of the seasonal management system showed a decrease of approximately 56.6% and 47.9%, respectively. Health risk assessments revealed that both the safety-limit-based and safety-target-based Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the threshold of 0.1 for children under 19 years of age, both before and after the implementation. The mortality risk decreased by approximately 47.9% after the implementation, with children aged 0-9 showing the highest mortality risk at 0.9%. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed the positive health impacts of the seasonal management system across all age groups, particularly children under 19 who are more vulnerable to fine dust exposure.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2023

Lithium (Li) is a key resource driving the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry globally, with demand and prices continually on the rise. To address the limited reserves of major lithium sources such as rock and brine, research is underway on seawater Li extraction using electrodialysis and Li-ion selective membranes. Lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO), an oxide solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries, is a promising Li-ion selective membrane. An important factor in enhancing its performance is employing the powder synthesis process. In this study, the LLTO powder is prepared using two synthesis methods: sol-gel reaction (SGR) and solid-state reaction (SSR). Additionally, the powder size and uniformity are compared, which are indices related to membrane performance. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are employed for determining characterization, with crystallite size analysis through the full width at half maximum parameter for the powders prepared using the two synthetic methods. The findings reveal that the powder SGR-synthesized powder exhibits smaller and more uniform characteristics (0.68 times smaller crystal size) than its SSR counterpart. This discovery lays the groundwork for optimizing the powder manufacturing process of LLTO membranes, making them more suitable for various applications, including manufacturing high-performance membranes or mass production of membranes.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.70-77
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• 2023

Fine dust is a cause of serious ecological problems, and fugitive dust generated from construction sites is a major source of fine dust in Korea. However, at construction sites, including concrete manufacturing industry sites, measurements are rarely made at the fugitive dust generation stage, and passive removal methods are the majority. Therefore, in this study, a fugitive dust measurement method suitable for managing fugitive dust generated during aggregate unloading in the concrete manufacturing industry sites was selected. In addition, the purpose was to analyze the amount of fugitive dust reduction according to the operation of the reduction system by applying the automatic fugitive dust reduction system to the aggregate unloading site. As a result, the reliability of the light scattering method was secured through the comparative measurement of the beta-ray absorption method and the light scattering method, and the light scattering method correction coefficient was calculated and applied to the measured value of the fugitive dust particle mass concentration at the concrete manufacturing industry sites. In addition, the fugitive dust reduction rate according to the operation of the automatic fugitive dust reduction system was derived.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

The degree of saturation determines the connectivity of void space and the particle surface. Thus, it greatly affects the electrical conductivity of soils. This study aimed to analyze the electrical conductivities of coarse grains with a high relevance of pore water conduction and fine grains with a high relevance of surface conduction based on the degree of saturation. It also aimed to express the electrical conductivity of unsaturated soils as a combination of surface and pore water conductions using the modified Archie's equation. Samples were prepared in a plastic cell equipped with four electrodes, and the electrical conductivity was measured based on the porosity at various degrees of saturation (40%~100%). The results demonstrate that Archie's equation can be used to express the electrical conductivity of coarse grains, with a saturation exponent of ~1.93 regardless of the pore water conductivity. However, the saturation exponent of fine grains varied considerably with pore water concentration. This variation can be attributed to the relative magnitude of surface conduction with respect to the electrical conductivity of soils at different pore water concentrations. Thus, the degree of saturation has varying effects on pore water conduction and surface conduction. Therefore, different saturation exponents must be used for pore water conduction and surface conduction to predict the electrical conductivity of unsaturated soils using the modified Archie's equation.