• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.247-257
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• 2021

In this work, Iron Nano-Particles Impregnated BioChar/bead (INPBC/bead) soil amendment was developed to increase biochar's reactivity to As in soil and preventing possible wind loss. Prior to preparation of INPBC/bead, INPBC was produced utilizing lignocellulosic biomass and Fe(III) solution in a hydrothermal method, followed by a calcination process. Then, the bead type amendment, INPBC/bead was produced by cross-linking reaction of alginate with INPBC. FT-IR, XRD, BET, and SEM-EDS analyses were utilized to characterize the as-synthesised materials. The particle size range of INPBC/bead was 1-4 mm, and different oxygen-containing functional groups and Fe3O4 crystalline phase were produced on the surface of INPBC/bead, according to the characterization results. The soil cultivation test was carried out in order to assess the stabilization performance of INPBC/bead utilizing As and Pb-contaminated soil obtained from an abandoned mining location in South Korea. After 4 weeks of culture, TCLP and SPLP extraction tests were performed to assess the stabilization efficacy of the amendment. The TCLP and SPLP findings revealed that raising the application ratio improved stabilizing efficiency. The As stabilization efficiency was determined to be 81.56 % based on SPLP test findings for a 5% in (w/w) INPBC/bead treatment, and the content of Pb in extracts was reduced to the limit of detection. According to the findings of this study, INPBC/bead that can maintain pH of origin soil and minimize wind loss might be a potential amendment for soil polluted with As and heavy metals.

• 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.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.143-157
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• 2023

This study confirmed the characteristics of macrobenthic community due to anthropogenic environmental changes in the Boryeong Jugyo tidal flat, where the habitat of manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) and mud shrimp (Upogebia major) is separated. The total number of occurring species was 55 during the study period with an average habitat density of 338 ind./m² and a biomass of 212.2 gWWt/m². The number of occuring species increased from 27 species at the upper flat to 37 species at the lower flat, and the dominant species differed by tide levels (Upper: Leonnates persica, Middle: Heteromastus filiformis, Lower: R. philippinarum). The macro-benthic community sturctures of the top 10 species using cluster analysis and nMDS were divided into two groups, focusing on Manila clam culture farm of lower flats and middle flats with high habitat density, reflecting the influence of specific species. The sediment composition of the U. major habitat space fluctuated highly, but it was maintained annually, and the sorting coefficient was 2.1 𝜑, and the proportion of the same particle size was increased. In particular, because the middle flat has a dense anthropogenic impact, a dominant species, H. filiformis dominated and revealed a relationship with the density of burrow holes of U. major, which is considered to be a biological interaction between these two macrofauna in this tidal flat.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.38-49
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• 2024

Wastewater treatment using membrane bioreactors has been extensively used to alleviate water shortage and pollution by improving the quality of the treated water discharged into the environment. However, membrane biofouling persistently holds back an MBR process by reducing the process efficiency. Herein, we synthesized carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with many hydrophilic oxygen groups and utilized them as an additive to prepare high-performance ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with hydrophilicity and porous pore structure. CNSs were found to form crescent-shaped pores on the membrane surface, increasing the mean surface pore size by about 40% without causing significant defects larger than bubble points, as the CNS content increased by 4.6 wt%. In addition, the porous pore structure of CNS composite membranes was also attributable to the CNS's isotropic morphologies and relatively low particle number density because the aforementioned properties contributed to preventing the polymer solution viscosity from soaring with the loading of CNS. However, too porous structure compromised the mechanical properties, such that CNS2.3 was the best from a comprehensive consideration including the pore structure and mechanical properties. As a result, CNS2.3 showed not only 2 times higher water permeability than CNS0 but also 5 times longer operation duration until membrane cleaning was required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.500-505
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection during an epidemic period by means of examining the antibody conversion rate and to investigate the association of the antibody conversion with age, initial antibody titer, and atopy. Methods : We chose 191 children whose antibody titer to M. pneumoniae was negative, 1 : 40, or 1 : 80 during the first half of 2003. After the second half of 2003 when the M. pneumoniae epidemic occurred, follow-up collection of sera was performed during the first half of 2004. M. pneumoniae antibody titer was measured by Serodia-Myco II particle agglutination test. Results : Of 191 children, antibody conversion was detected in 83 children(43.5 percent). No significant difference was found between the conversion and non-conversion group with respect to age, sex and atopy. Dividing the subjects into four groups by age, results on the antibody conversion rate revealed no significant differences between the groups. Assessed by initial antibody titer, a diminished trend of conversion rate was observed in children with 1 : 80 titer but the difference was not significant. There was no significant difference in the antibody conversion rate between atopic and non-atopic children. Conclusion : Based on the antibody conversion rate in this study, the prevalence of M. pneumoniae infection during an epidemic period was estimated to be 43.5 percent. This high infection rate suggests that during an epidemic, we should bear in mind M. pneumoniae as an important etiologic agent for respiratory infection in children.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of applying Silano-pen to feldspathic porcelain and zirconia on shear bond strength with composite resin. Materials and methods: Feldspathic porcelain and zirconia specimens were produced into 30 per each 2 mm thick and 12 mm in diameter and their surface was made smooth and even and then embedded in acrylic resin. The specimens were divided into each Group F (Feldspathic porcelain) and Group Z (Zirconia), (1) Hydrofluoric acid etching and silane (F1 & Z1), (2) Silano-pen and silane (F2 & Z2), (3) Hydrofluoric acid etching and Silano-pen, silane (F3 & Z3). After surface conditioning, substrate surfaces of the specimen were examined by SEM. Composite resin cylinders (2 mm high, 3 mm in diameter)were bonded to specimen and shear bond strength between ceramic and composite resin was measured by using universal testing machine. The measured values were statistically analyzed by using two way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test (${\alpha}=.05$). Results: In the scanning electron micrograph of the treated ceramic surface, Group F2 and F3 appeared the high roughness and Group Z3 appeared the highest density of silica particle. In Feldspathic porcelain, the result of measuring shear bond strength showed that Group F3 was measured to be highest and Group F1 was measured to be lowest but there was no statistical significance among Groups. In zirconia, Group Z3 was measured to be highest and Group Z1 was measured to be lowest and there was statistical significance among Groups (P<.05). Conclusion: In zirconia, applying hydrofluoric acid etching and then Silano-pen and silane is effective for composite resin adhesion.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2013

Due to the large specific surface area and great reactivity toward environmental contaminants, nanocrystalline mackinawite (FeS) has been widely applied for the remediation of contaminated groundwater and soil. Furthermore, nanocrystalline FeS is rather thermodynamically stable against anoxic corrosion, and its reactivity can be regenerated continuously by the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria. However, nanocrystalline mackinawite is prone to either spread out along the groundwater flow or cause pore clogging in aquifers by particle aggregation. Accordingly, this mineral should be modified for the application of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). In this study, coating methods were investigated by which mackinawite nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of alumina or activated alumina. The amount of FeS coating was found to significantly vary with pH, with the highest amount occurring at pH ~6.9 for both minerals. At this pH, the surfaces of mackinawite and alumina (or activated alumina) were oppositely charged, with the resultant electrostatic attraction making the coating highly effective. At this pH, the coating amounts by alumina and activated alumina were 0.038 and 0.114 $mmol{\cdot}FeS/g$, respectively. Under anoxic conditions, arsenite sorption experiments were conducted with uncoated alumina, uncoated activated alumina, and both minerals coated with FeS at the optimal pH for comparison of their reactivity. Uncoated activated alumina showed the higher arsenite removal compared to uncoated alumina. Notably, the arsenite sorption capacity of activated alumina was little changed by the coating with FeS. This might be attributed to the abundance of highly reactive hydroxyl functional groups (${\equiv}$AlOH) on the surface of activated alumina, making the arsenite sorption by the coated FeS unnoticeable. In contrast, the arsenite sorption capacity of alumina was found to increase substantially by the FeS coating. This was due to the consumption of the surface hydroxyl functional groups on the alumina surface and the subsequent occurrence of As(III) sorption by the coated FeS. Alumina, on the surface area basis, has about 8 times higher FeS coating amount and higher As(III) sorption capacity than silica. This study indicates that alumina is a better candidate than silica for the coating of nanocrystalline mackinawite.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.429-442
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• 2002

The faunal assembalges of macrobenthos and their habitat conditions on the soft-bottoms around Dokdo(Dok Island) was investigated using a box corer and a van Veen grab in Sept. 1999 and May 2000. The sediments in the slope sites were composed of sand particles and those in Ullneung Basin were mud. The sediments in the shelf sites were in the range of fine to medium sand. The organic content of the slope sediments was in the range of 1 to 2%. The macrobenthos occurred at the slope sites represented by 15faunal groups belonging to 8 phyla, and the major faunal group was polychaetous annelids. They comprised ca. 80.6% in slope sites, and 84.8% in shelf sites. Dominant species in the slope were Exogone verugera(40.9%), Cossura longocirrata (8.4%), Tharyx sp. (6.6%), Scalibregma inflatum (4.9%), Aedicira sp. (4.7%), Aricidea ramosa (3.8%), and Sigambra tentaculata (3.7%). Dominant species in the shelf were Chone sp. (49.3%), Tharyx sp. (18.4%), Ophelina acuminata (6.7%), Chaetozone setosa (3.8%), Glycera sp. (2.6%), and Aedicira sp. (2.4%). The mean densities of macrobenthos in the slope and shelf area were $2,028\;ind./m^2$ and $456\;ind./m^2$, respectively. The trophic composition of benthic polychaete worms in the slope area was different from that in shallow shelf area: surface deposit feeding worms were most abundant in slope area whereas filter feeding worms in shelf area. According to the cluster analysis and MDS plots, the spatial distribution of macrobenthos in Dokdo slope region was related with the sediment properties such as particle size and organic content. In the case of vertical distribution of macrobenthos in slope sites, most faunas concentrated in the upper sediment layer within 2cm depth.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1354-1361
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• 2005

Purpose : Rotavirus is an enteric pathogen that affects millions of children globally each year. But no specific therapy is available for the management of rotavirus diarrhea. Due to the clear need to define improved modality for treatment of rotavirus diarrhea, we evaluated the efficacy of antirotavirus IgY in the treatment of infants and children with gastroenteritis. Methods : First, the amount of viral particle in the stools of thirteen patients(seven were given IgY, 6 placebo) infected by rotavirus were evaluated for 3 days with the quantitative RT-PCR method. Second, 36 children with known rotavirus infection identified by ELISA or semi-quantitative RT-PCR were evaluated. We gave 5 g anti-rotavirus egg yolk daily in two equally divided doses for 3 days to two groups(an 18 IgY group and an 18 placebo group), respectively after parenteral consent. Daily vomiting frequency, stool frequency, oral intake and urine output were monitored for 3 days, and electrolyte and blood chemistry were checked at the first and third days. Results : First, in the placebo group, the amount of virus particles increased daily, but in the IgY group it decreased daily. Second, when IgY and placebos were given to children infected with rotavirus, diarrhea on the third day decreased significantly in the IgY group, compared with the placebo group. Conclusion : Treatment with antirotavirus immunoglobulin from immunized chicken's egg resulted in a decrease in the amount of viral particles in stools and diarrhea frequency in children. These results suggest that anti-rotavirus IgY is effective in the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2009

Soils originated from limestone, located at the southern part of Kangwon province and Jecheon, Danyang of Chungbuk province are mainly composed of fine texture, and have different properties from soils originated from granite and granite gneiss, especially for water movement. This study was conducted for classification of hydrologic soil group (HSG) of soils originated from limestone by measuring the infiltration rate of surface soils and percolation rate of sub soils. Soils used for the experiment were 6 soils in total : Gwarim, Mosan, Jangseong, Maji, Anmi and Pyongan series. Infiltration and percolation rate were measured by a disc tension infiltrometer and a Guelph permeameter, respectively. Particle size distribution and organic matter content of the soils were analyzed. HSG, which was made by USDA NRCS(National Resources Conservation Service) for hydrology, of Gwarim series with O horizon of accumulated organic matter was classified as type A which show the properties of low runoff potential, rapid infiltration and percolation rate. HSG of Mosan series, which has high gravel content and very rapid permeability, was classified as type B/D because of the impermaeble base rock layer under 50cm from surface. HSG of Jangseong series with shallow soil depth was classified as type C/D owing to the impermaeble base rock layer under 50cm from surface. HSG of Maji series was type B, and HSG of Anmi series used as paddy land was type D because of slow infiltration and percolation rate caused by the disturbance of surface soil by puddling. HSG of Pyeongan series having a sudden change of layer in soil texture was type D because of the slow percolation rate caused a the layer.