• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2022

Oxysterols are known to be involved in the physiopathology of atherosclerosis. Since 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) is found in large amounts in oxysterols and in atherosclerotic plaque, the study on how 7-KC may affect monocyte differentiation induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) in the monocytic cell line, THP-1, is essential. 7-KC induced a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation without inducing cytotoxicity, and the substantial staining of Nile red demonstrates the increased absorption of intracellular lipids. Although 7-KC itself did not increase cell adhesion, it markedly decreased the adhesion of cells treated with PMA. Furthermore, by observing the effect of 7-KC on phagocytosis using fluorescent-labeled latex beads, 7-KC's ability to abolish phagocytosis in PMA-stimulated macrophages was illustrated. The effect of 7-KC on the expression of selected protein markers on the process of differentiation induced by PMA in THP-1 cells was also examined. 7-KC inhibited expression of ICAM-1, CD11a, SR-A1, and SR-B2 (CD36) in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. Conversely, 7-KC drastically increased the expression of SR-D1 (CD68)in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that 7-KC modulates monocyte differentiation and activation via the intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2022

Biomass is a sustainable alternative resource for production of liquid fuels and organic compounds that are currently produced from fossil fuels including petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Because the use of fossil fuels can increase the production of greenhouse gases, the use of carbon-neutral biomass can contribute to the reduction of global warming. Although biological and chemical processes have been proposed to produce petroleum-replacing chemicals and fuels from biomass feedstocks, it is difficult to replace completely fossil fuels because of the high oxygen content of biomass. Production of petroleum-like fuels and chemicals from biomass requires the removal of oxygen atoms or conversion of the oxygen functionalities present in biomass derivatives, which can be achieved by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation. Hydrodeoxygenation has been used to convert raw biomass-derived materials, such as biomass pyrolysis oils and lignocellulose-derived chemicals and lipids, into deoxygenated fuels and chemicals. Multifunctional catalysts composed of noble metals and transition metals supported on high surface area metal oxides and carbons, usually selected as supports of heterogeneous catalysts, have been used as efficient hydrodeoxygenation catalysts. In this review, the catalysts proposed in the literature are surveyed and hydrodeoxygenation reaction systems using these catalysts are discussed. Based on the hydrodeoxygenation methods reported in the literature, an insight for feasible hydrodeoxygenation process development is also presented.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-66
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• 2009

At the mudstone slope located on the roadside of the Seokri area in Donghae-myeon, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, this study was performed to analyze the effects of rainfall on the stability of slope through seepage analysis according to the precipitation type of the mudstone slope, referring to the actual case of slope failure. For this, precise geological survey, geophysical exploration and drilling survey for the slope where the failure occurred were performed and followed by analysis of detailed soil layer. For the section where failure surface located, the durability reduction of rocks was measured through slaking/swelling tests and the permeability was measured through in-situ permeability tests for each soil layer. In addition, the change of strength parameter and process of instability were analyzed by back analysis, using Talren 97 and Slope/W programs, in the slope. By applying different precipitation conditions to the geographical conditions of the slope that had actual failure records, the slope stability was analyzed by seepage analysis according to duration of rainfall and rise of groundwater level resulting from the flow of rainfall caused by development of geological structures and the slope surface condition.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

The inventory of many materials requires a large storage space, and the longer the storage period, the higher the potential maintenance cost. When materials are stored on a construction site, there are also concerns about safety due to the reduction of room for movement and working. On the other hand, construction sites that do not store materials have insufficient inventory, making it difficult to respond to demands such as sudden design changes. Ordering materials is then subject to delays and extra costs. Although securing an appropriate amount of inventory is important, in many cases, material management on a construction site depends on the experience of the site manager, so a reasonable material inventory management plan that reflects the construction conditions of a site is required. This study proposes an economical material management method by reflecting variables such as the status of the preceding and following activities, site size, material delivery cost, timing of an order, and quantity of orders. To this end, we set the appropriate inventory amount while adjusting related activities in the activity network, using float time for each activity, the size of the yard, and the order quantity as the main variables, and applied a genetic algorithm to this process to suggest the optimal order timing and order quantity. The material delivery cost derived from the results is set as a fitness index and the efficiency of inventory management was verified through a case application.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.71-79
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• 2023

In this study, we employed anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants for the hydrophilization of porous substrates used in the fabrication of pore-filling membranes. We investigated the extent of hydrophilization based on the type of surfactant, its concentration, and immersion time. Furthermore, we used the hydrophilized substrates to produce pore-filling anion exchange membranes and compared their ion conductivity to determine the optimal hydrophilization conditions. For the ionic surfactants used in this study, we observed that hydrophilization progressed rapidly from the beginning of immersion when the applied concentration was 3.0 wt%, compared to lower concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%). In contrast, for the relatively larger molecular weight non-ionic surfactants, smooth hydrophilization was not observed. There was no apparent correlation between the degree of hydrophilization and the ion conductivity of the anion exchange membrane. This discrepancy suggests that an excessive hydrophilization process during the treatment of porous substrates leads to excessive adsorption of the surfactant on the sparse surfaces of the porous substrate, resulting in a significant reduction in porosity and subsequently decreasing the content of polymer electrolyte capable of ion exchange, thereby greatly increasing the electrical resistance of the membrane.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.7-22
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• 2023

In January 2022, a new legislation was enforced to enhance the safety of underground construction. Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of underground safety is now an integral part of the planning process, including an evaluation of its impact. Ensuring the stability of temporary retaining walls during underground excavation has become paramount, prompting a heightened focus on the assessment of underground safety. This study delves into the analysis of the Multi-axis Flat Continuous Soil Cement Wall retaining wall (MFS) construction method. This method facilitates the expansion of wall thickness in the ground and provides flexibility in selecting and spacing H-piles. Through laboratory model tests, we scrutinized the load-displacement behavior of the wall, varying the H-pile installation intervals using the MFS method. Additionally, a 3-dimensional numerical analysis was conducted to explore the influence of H-pile installation intervals and sizes on the load for different thicknesses of the MFS retaining wall. The displacement analysis yielded the calculation of the height of the arching effect acting on the wall. To further our understanding, a design method was introduced, quantitatively analyzing the results of axial force and shear force acting on the wall. This involved applying the maximum arching height, calculated by the MFS method, to the existing member force review method. The axial force and shear force, contingent on the H-pile installation interval and size applied to the MFS retaining wall, demonstrated a reduction effect ranging from 24.6% to 62.9%.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.644-649
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• 2023

As the cell spacing decreases during the scaling process of DRAM(Dynamic Random Access Memory), the reduction in STI(Shallow Trench Isolation) thickness leads to an increase in sub-threshold leakage due to the passing word line effect. The increase in sub-threshold leakage current caused by the voltage applied to adjacent passing word lines affects the data retention time and increases the number of refresh operations, thereby contributing to higher power consumption in DRAM. In this paper, we identify the causes of the passing word line effect through TCAD Simulation. As a result, we confirm the DRAM operational conditions under which the passing word line effect occurs, and observe that this effect alters the proportion of the total leakage current attributable to different causes. Through this, we recognize the necessity to consider not only leakage currents due to GIDL(Gate Induced Drain Leakage) but also sub-threshold leakage currents, providing guidance for improving DRAM structure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.517-527
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• 2023

Objectives: We examine cases of chemical poisoning that occurred in the cleaning of metal parts and the regulations on halogenated solvents in other countries and propose regulations necessary to prevent chemical poisoning from halogenated solvents. Methods: We collected cases of chemical poisoning through the website of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. A review of the literature was conducted focusing on regulations related to halogenated solvents in the United States and the European Union, particularly for cleaning metal parts. Among the Material Safety Data Sheets submitted to the government, MSDS containing eleven substances were extracted to confirm the composition and product use. We investigated cleaning methods for metal parts used in South Korea. For the hazard classification, the European Chemicals Agency or Japan's NITE's website was used. Results: In the case of poisoning, the cleaning methods involving trichloromethane were dipping and dry, which was not found in the literature. It was confirmed that many halogenated solvents and dimethyl carbonate were used for metal cleaning in South Korea. In vapor degreasing using TCE in the USA, even if the facility is strictly managed, such as by installing cooling coils in open cleaning facilities, the risk of exposure to TCE is considered to be not only carcinogenic but also a concern for acute and chronic effects. In comparison, exposure through Korean work methods such as dipping and drying operations is inevitably much higher. Conclusions: The transition to water-based cleaning with low-hazard chemicals should be a priority in the cleaning process. In the case of metal parts that require precise cleaning, if the use of a halogenated solvent is inevitable, a closed degreasing facility should be used to minimize exposure. The current regulations in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Chemical Substances Control Act, and the Air Environment Conservation Act do not require cleaning facilities to minimize emissions. To protect the health of workers using halogenated solvents to clean metal parts, regulations that require a fundamental reduction in exposure will be necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2023

Carbon capture, and storage (CCS) is important for the reduction of greenhouse gases and achieving carbon neutrality. CCS focuses on storing captured CO₂ permanently in underground reservoirs. CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (CO₂-EOR) is one form of CCS, where CO₂ is injected into the underground to enhance oil recovery. CO₂-EOR not only aids in the extraction of residual oil but also contributes to carbon neutrality by storing CO₂ underground continuously. CO₂-EOR can be classified into miscible and immiscible methods, with the CO₂-water alternating gas (CO₂-WAG) technique being a representative approach within the miscible method. In CO₂-WAG, water and CO₂ are alternately injected into the reservoir, enabling oil production and CO₂ storage. The WAG method allows for controlling the breakthrough of injection fluids, providing advantages in oil recovery. It also induces hysteresis in relative permeability during the injection and production process, expanding the amount of trapped CO₂. In this study, the effects of enhancing oil recovery and storing CO₂ underground during CO₂-EOR were presented. Additionally, cases of CO₂-EOR application in relation to CCS were introduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.971-979
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• 2023

Small ships (<499 GT) constitute 46% of the existing ships, therefore, it can be concluded that they produce relatively high CO₂ gas emissions. Operating in optimal trim conditions can reduce the resistance of the ship, which results in fewer greenhouse gases. An affordable way for trim optimization is to adjust the weight distribution to obtain an optimum longitudinal center of gravity (LCG). Therefore, in this study, the effect of LCG changes on the resistance of a small planing ship is studied using empirical and numerical analyses. The Savitsky method employing Maxsurf resistance and the STAR-CCM+ commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software is used for the empirical and numerical analyses, respectively. Finally, the total resistance from the ship design process is compared to obtain the optimum LCG. To summarize, using numerical analysis, optimum LCG is achieved at the 46.2% length overall (LoA) at Froude Number 0.56, and 43.4% LoA at Froude Number 0.63, which provides a significant resistance reduction of 41.12 - 45.16% compared to the reference point at 29.2% LoA.