• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2010

Objective: To testify whether the increased peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cells fraction and their cytolytic activity could coincide with patient's history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and to evaluate these factors are can be valuable diagnostic markers in RSA. Methods: Women with a history of RSA comprised the patient group (n=35). Normal fertile women, who were experienced at least one healthy term birth without history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage, were included as the healthy control group (n=15). The pbNK cells of $CD3^-/CD56^+/CD16^+$ and their cytolytic activities against K562 cells were measured by flow cytometry and the values were compared between study and control groups. Results: Proportions of pbNK cells among peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) ($14.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. $9.4{\pm}3.7%$, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8 to 7.8) was significantly higher in the patient group. The odds ratio of having RSA history was increased as 8.4 folds (59% of sensitivity, 80% of specificity, and 95% CI: 2.0 to 35.8) in patients who showed pbNK cells fraction above 12.1% which was determined as cut-off value by using ROC curve analysis. The cytolytic activities of pbNK cells which measured by three different ratio of effecter pbNK cells to target K562 cells and calculated by the percent of cytolytic K562 cells, were significantly higher in study group than that of control group (in 50:1 ratio, $48.3{\pm}19.0$ vs. $31.3{\pm}11.9%$, p=0.002; in 25:1 ratio, $37.0{\pm}18.1$ vs. $20.2{\pm}9.2%$, p<0.001; in 12.5:1 ratio, $23.5{\pm}12.7$ vs. $12.4{\pm}7.3%$, p=0.001). With the cut-off values of cytolytic activity of pbNK cells as 43.1% (50:1), 26.9% (25:1), and 17.4% (12.5:1) each, the risk of having RSA history was increased by 10.0, 11.4, and 15.0 folds in patients who had increased in each effector of pbNK to target of K562 cells ratio. Conclusion: The analysis of pbNK cells fraction and their cytolytic activity can be valuable diagnostic markers for RSA. We are going to planning the large scaled studies which include the data of obstetric outcomes in subsequent pregnancies to clarify our results of this study.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2019

Application of bioretention systems in Korea is highly considered due to its minimal space requirements, appropriateness as small landscape areas and good pollutant removal and peak hydraulic flow reduction efficiency. In this study, the efficiency of two lab-scale bioretention types having different physical properties, media configuration and planted with different shrubs and perennials was investigated in reducing heavy metal pollutants in stormwater runoff. Type A bioretention systems were planted with shrubs whereas type B were planted with perennials. Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum (A-CL) and Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila (A-AP) respectively were planted in each type A bioretention reactors while Rhododendron indicum linnaeus (B-RL) and Spiraea japonica (B-SJ), respectively were planted in each type B bioretention reactors. Results revealed that the four lab-scale bioretention reactors significantly reduced the influent total suspended load by about 89 to 94% (p<0.01). Type B-RL and B-SJ reactors reduced soluble Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb by 28 to 45% that were 15 to 35% greater than the soluble metal reduction of type A-CL and A-AP reactors, respectively. Among the pollutants, total Cr attained the greatest discharged fraction of 0.52-0.81. Excluding the effect of soil media, total Pb attained the greatest retention fraction in the bioretention systems amounting to 0.15-0.34. Considering the least discharge fraction of heavy metal in the bioretention system, it was observed that the bioretention systems achieved effectual reduction in terms of total Cu, Zn and Pb. These findings were associated with the poor adsorption capacity of the soil used in each bioretention system. The results of this study may be used for estimating the maintenance requirements of bioretention systems.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate effect of chemical amendments on reducing bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in soil along with ecotoxicological effect on earthworms, Eisenia fetida. Three different chemical amendments, lime (L), steel slag (SS), and acid mine drainage sludge (AMDS), were applied with varied application ratio (1, 3, 5%). Heavy metal contaminated soil was mixed with chemical amedments and earthworms, Eisenia fetida, were cultivated for 28 days. Bioavailable fraction of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) extracted with 0.1N HCl was monitored and also, mortality, growth, and metal concentration in earthworm were assessed. Result showed that all three amendments had high efficiency to reduce bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in soil. In particular, lime showed the highest reduction rate of Cu (63.9-87.7%), Pb (7.90-24.65%), and Zn (40.83-77.60%) among three amendments. No mortality of earthworm was observed during experimental period except 3% and 5% AMDS treatment indicating that application of chemical amendments is safe in terms of ecotoxicological aspect. However, no positive correlation was observed between reduction of bioavaialble fraction of heavy metals in soil and earthworms. Overall, application of chemical amendments in agricultural field can be adapted for reducing bioavailable fraction of heavy metals and detoxification in soil.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.521-525
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• 2001

Screening tests of different fucoidan fractions from Sporophylls of Undazia pinnatifida, Laminaria religiosa, Hizikia fusiforme and Sagassum fulvellum revealed that the highest biosorptive Pb and Cd uptake fraction was Undaria finnatifida Fr-3.0 prepared by dissolving the precipitated complex (crude fucoidan and cetylpyridinum chloride) with 3.0 M $CaCl_2$ solution, The Pb and Cd uptake by Undaria finnatifida Fr-3.0 was quantitatively evaluated using sorption isotherms and Langmuir sorption model. The Pb and Cd uptake by Undaria finnatifida Fr-3.0 increased with increasing pH values at high equilibrium residual concentration. The highest experimentally observed Pb and Cd uptake value in the sorption isotherm for pH 5.5 were 94 mg/g (at $C_f=164\;mg/L$) and 64 mg/g (at $C_f=197\;mg/L$) respectively, and $q_{max}$ of Pb and Cd calculated by Langmuir sorption model were 178 mg/g and 122 mg/g, respectively. In the low equilibrium concentration range, up to 20 mg/L, the Pb uptake remained unchanged in the presence of Cd, but decreased at higher equilibrium concentration range.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.665-675
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• 2010

The effects of chemical binders (ladle slag, ordinary portland cement (OPC), hydroxyapatite and calcium hydroxide) on the solidification/stabilization of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in sewage sludge were evaluated by chemical leaching tests such as EDTA extraction, TCLP and sequential extraction. The results of EDTA extraction showed that heavy metal concentrations in sewage sludge were highly reduced after solidification/stabilization with slag, cement or calcium hydroxide. However, EDTA interrupted solidification/stabilization of heavy metals by hydroxyapatite. The TCLP-extracted heavy metal concentrations in sewage sludge after solidification/stabilization with chemical amendments were highly reduced. However, Cu concentration in the sewage sludge solidified/stabilized with slag, cement or calcium hydroxide increased because the pH of TCLP solution was higher than 7. Mixtures of sludge 1 : slag 0.2 : calcium hydroxide 0.1 (wt ratio) showed the least leachability in batch TCLP and EDTA extraction. The results of sequential extraction (SM&T, formaly BCR) indicated that the distribution of heavy metals changed from exchangable and carbonate fractions to strongly bound organic fraction. It was found that maximum leachate concentrations of Ba, Cd, Cr and Pb from sewage sludge amended with slag and calcium hydroxide were far below US EPA TCLP regulations.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.338-356
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• 1994

Sediment samples from the continental shelf of the South Sea of Korea are analysed to determine the concentration of Al, Fe, Mn, cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Cr and Pb. among these samples, fine-grained sediments were also analysed by a sequential extraction technique to know geochemical forms of the metals in this environments. The total concentration of Al, Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn in bulk sediments decreased gradually with the increase of distance from the coastal zone. This distribution patterns are well coincide with grain size distribution. However, the patterns of Mn, co and Pb do not follow such and overall distribution. The concentration of Pb, particularly, did not show any features in areal distribution, which may be result from different pathways to the sediments, compared to the other metals. the speculation data show that a considerable amount of Cd, Mn and Co are bounded in the carbonate fraction, accounting for 42.8%, 40.3% and 30.6%, respectively. Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe are largely associated to oxide fraction with proportions of 34.4%, 23.1%, 15.5% and 13.7%, respectively. However, the metals in residual fraction account for more than 50% of the total metal concentration, except for Mn. These observations emphasize that residual fraction in the dominant component controlling the elemental concentration.quartz and glauconite grains.Accordingly,these sediments are interpreted as an extension part of transgressive sand deposit that are widely distributed on the continental shalf floor of southern Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2000

Cement-bonded particleboard is being used as outdoor siding material all over the world, because this composite particularly bears a light weight, high resistance against fire, decay, and crack by cyclic freezing and thawing, anti-shock property, and strength enhancement. Construction systems are currently changing into a frame-building style and wooden houses are being constructed with prefabrication type. Therefore, they require a more durability at outdoor-exposed sides. In this study, the cement hydration property for Korean pine particle, Japanese larch particle and face- and middle layer particles (designated as PB particle below) used in Korean particleboard-manufacturing company was investigated, and the rapid manufacturing characteristics of cement-bonded particleboard by supercritical $CO_2$ curing was evaluated. Korean pine flour showed a good hydration property, however, larch flour showed a bad one. PB particle had a better hydration property than larch flour. The addition of $Na_2SiO_3$ indicated a negative effect on hydration, however, $MgCl_2$ had a positive one. Curing by supercritical $CO_2$ fluid gave a conspicuous enhancement in the performances of cement-bonded particleboards compared to conventional curing. $MgCl_2$ 3%-added PB particle had the highest properties, and $MgCl_2$ 1%-added Korean pine particle had the second class with the conditions of cement/wood ratio of 2.7, a small fraction-screened particle and supercritical curing. On the contrary, the composition of non-hammermilled or large fraction-screened particle at cement/wood ratio of 2.2 was poorer. Also, the feasibility for actual use of 3%-added, small PB particle-screened fraction was greatest of all the conventional curing treatments. Relative superiority of supercritical curing vs. conventional curing at dimensional stability was not so apparent as in strength properties. Through the thermogravimetric analysis, it was ascertained that the peak of a component $CaCO_3$ was highest, and the two weak peaks of calcium silicate hydrate and ettringite and $Ca(OH)_2$ were present in supercritical treatment. Accordingly, it was inferred that the increased formation of carbonates in board contributes to strength enhancement.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.20-34
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to assess the anthropogenic impact on trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd) of roadside sediments (N = 70) from No.7 national road within the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir in Pusan City and to estimate the potential mobility of selected metals using sequential extraction. We generally found high concentrations of metals, especially Zn, Cu and Pb, affected by anthropogenic inputs. Compared to the trace metal concentrations of uncontaminated stream sediments, arithmetic mean concentrations of roadside sediments were about 7 times higher for Cu, 4 times higher for Zn, 3 times higher for Pb and Cr and, 2 times higher for Ni and As. Speciation data on the basis of sequential extraction indicate that most of the trace metals considered do not occur in significant quantities in the exchangeable fraction, except for Cd and Ni whose exchangeable fractions are appreciable (average 29.3 and 25.8%, respectively). Other metals such as Zn (51.4%) and Pb (45.2%) are preferentially bound to the reducible fraction, and therefore they can be potentially released by a pH decrease and/or redox change. Copper is mainly found in the organic fraction, while Cd is highest in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr and Ni in the residual fraction. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals probably decreases in the order of Cd>Ni>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu. Although the total concentration data showed that Zn was typically present in potentially harmful concentration levels, the data on metal partitioning indicated that Cd, Ni and Pb pose the highest potential hazard for runoff water. As potential changes of redox state and pH may remobilize the metals bound to carbonates, amorphous oxides, and/or organic matter, and may release and flush them through drain networks into the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir, careful monitoring of environmental conditions appears to be very important.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.56-64
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• 2000

Behavior of trace metals in Masan Bay, Korea was studied in August 1998 when the oxygen deficient condition occurred. Dissolved Cd and Zn concentration in the surface waters decreased with increasing distance from Masan Harbor. Dissolved concentrations of Cd, Cu Pb and Zn in the surface waters were higher than bottom waters. Particulate(acid-teachable fraction) concentrations of Cu, Cd and Pb in the surface waters of Masan Bay decreased with increasing distance from Masan Harbor. Bottom waters contained higher concentrations of particulate Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn than surface waters. Distribution coefficients between dissolved and particulate phase (K/sub d/) of Cu and Cd decreased with the increasing distance from the Harbor, possibly due to reaction of these elements with sewage-derived particulate matter Al, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb in the surface sediment showed relatively high concentration in the inner Masan Bay.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.375-377
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• 2011

$PbTiO_3$/P(VDF/TrFE) 0~3 composites thin films with 0.10 and 0.13 of ceramic volume fraction factor have been fabricated by two-step spin coating technique and analyzed. 0~3 connectivity of $PbTiO_3$/P(VDF/TrFE) composites film was observed successfully by SEM micrography. The SEM picture confirmed 0~3 connectivity. And, in all the properties, 0~3 $PbTiO_3$/P(VDF/TrFE) composites film was superior to P(VDF/TrFE) copolymer. Therefore, with a good low-dielectric constant and a high pyroelectric coefficient, the composite thin films can be used for a new pyroelectric infrared sensor of higher performance.