• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-143
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• 2024

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a novel endogenous gas signaling molecule, is involved in the regulation of cardiac function. Exerting a key role in progression of hyperthyroidism-induced cardiomyopathy (HTC), myocardial fibrosis is mainly caused by myocardial apoptosis, leading to poor treatment outcomes and prognoses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SO₂ on the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Elisa, Masson staining, Western-Blot, transmission electron microscope, and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, changes in endogenous SO₂, and Hippo pathways from in vitro and in vivo experiments. The study results indicated that the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by decreased cardiac function, and down-regulated ERS, apoptosis, and endogenous SO₂-producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)1/2 in cardiac myocytes. In contrast, exogenous SO₂ donors improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, up-regulated AAT1/2, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and inhibited excessive activation of Hippo pathway in hyperthyroid rats. In conclusion, the results herein suggested that SO₂ inhibited the overactivation of the Hippo pathway, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and alleviated myocardial fibrosis in hyperthyroid rats. Therefore, this study was expected to identify intervention targets and new strategies for prevention and treatment of HTC.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.1129-1135
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• 1999

The reduction of $SO_2$ by CO over supported cobalt catalysts was investigated within the temperature range of $350{\sim}550^{\circ}C$, initial $SO_2$ concentration of 1000~10000 ppm, $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio of 1.0~3.0 and space velocity of $5000{\sim}15000h^{-1}$. Several types of supports such as ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$, $TiO_2$ were tested. The $SO_2$ conversion and selectivity to elemental sulfur were investigated using a differential fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst prepared by wet impregration of 5 wt % cobalt on ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ showed $SO_2$ conversion higher than 90% and COS yield lower than 6% at temperature above $400^{\circ}C$. The optimum $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio was investigated as 2.0. At higher $CO/SO_2$ molar ratio, the $SO_2$ conversion became higher but the main product was COS. The effect of $SO_2$ concentration and space velocity over $SO_2$ conversion and COS yield was not appreciable in the experimental range. The activated cobalt phase was detected as $CoS_2$ and the $CoS_2$ phase unchanged even after reaction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2010

The $SO_2$ and $NO_x$ removal with an activated coke catalyst was conducted by a two-stage reaction which first $SO_2$ was oxidized to $H_2SO_4$ and then $NO_x$ was reduced to $N_2$. But if unreacted sulfur dioxide entered in the second stage, the $NO_x$ reduction was hindered by the reaction with ammonia. In this study, experimental investigations by using lab-scale column apparatus on the product and the reactivity of $SO_2$ with ammonia over coke catalyst which was activated with sulfuric acid was carried out through ultimate analysis DTA, TGA and SEM of catalyst before and after the reaction. Also, the effect of reaction emperature on the reactivity of $SO_2$ with ammonia was determined by means of breakthrough curves with time. The obtained results from this study were summarized as following; Activated cokes were decreased carbon component and increased oxygen and sulfur components in comparison with original cokes. The products over coke catalyst were faced fine crystal of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, which results in the pressure loss of reacting system. The order of general reactivity in terms of the reaction temperature after breakthrough for $SO_2$ was found to be $150^{\circ}C$ > $200^{\circ}C$ > $100^{\circ}C$. This was related to adsorption amounts of ammonia on the activated cokes.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2019

Hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) is mainly produced along with methane and hydrocarbons in many gas fields as well as hydrodesulfurization processes of crude oils containing sulfur compounds and the emission of $H_2S$ has a considerable effect on both environmental problem and human health aspects due to formation of, e.g. acid rain and smog. In recent years, ionic liquids (ILs) have been proposed as the most promising solvents for $CO_2$ and hazardous pollutants capture, such as $H_2S$ and sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$). In this work, we demonstrate the use of the predictive COSMO-SAC model for the prediction of Henry's law constant of $H_2S$ in ILs. Furthermore, the method is used to screen for potential IL candidates for $H_2S$ capture from a set of 2,624 ILs formed from 82 cations and 32 anions. The effects of cation on the Henry's law constant of $H_2S$ such as (i) the variation of the alkyl chain length on cation, (ii) the substituent of methyl group ($-CH_3$) for H in C(2) position and (iii) the change of ring structure for cation family are clearly predicted by COSMO-SAC model.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.472-481
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• 2000

This experiment used the enclosed bench-scale reactors was conducted to find out optimal aeration rate for reducing the emission of odors and producing the good-quality compost with the mixture of dairy manure and rice straw. The reactors with gas sampler were aerated at four different rates of 0.09, 0.18, 0.90 and $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg^{-1}$dry solids for 574 hours. The oxygen content within composting pile instantly decreased after aeration. Oxygen limitation(below 15%) in the treatments of $0.90l\;min^{-1}kg^{-1}$ and less was exponentially negative relationship with aeration rates and in the range of 35 to 300 hours after aeration. However, the treatment of $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg^{-1}$ didn't show the oxygen limitation. The oxygen consumption rate and the cumulative amount of oxygen consumed by different aeration rates was ranged in $0.80{\sim}1.57O_2g\;h^{-1}\;kg^{-1}VS^{-1}$, $460{\sim}900O_2g\;kg^{-1}VS^{-1}$, respectively, and they were high in the order of 0.90, 1.79, 0.18, $0.09l\;min^{-1}kg^{-1}$. The maximum oxygen consumption rate was estimated in the range of $1.2{\sim}1.3lmin^{-1}kg^{-1}$. The emission concentrations of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and methylmercaptan were remarkably high in the initial composting time. Then they were rapidly decreased with the passing of composting time and clearly with increasing aeration rates. Their average concentrations were in the range of 0.03~2.18, 0~0.50, $0.07{\sim}3.38mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively and high in the order of methylmercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide. Concentrations of sulfur compounds emitted from composting showed exponentially negative relationship at 1% statistically with the oxygen concentration. It was estimated that hydrogen sulfide and methylmercaptan suddenly increased in the level of 5% oxygen concentration and below, that they were little emitted in 15% and over but sulfur dioxide was emitted in the level of 20% oxygen.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.555-563
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• 2005

This study presents the characteristics of nocturnal inversion layer and their effect on the concentration variations of surface air pollutants using tethersonde and automatic weather station (AWS, 2 layer tower) system in Ulsan during 2003, The method for the distinction of inversion intensity was decided based on the sum of nocturnal temperature gradient. As the results, there was a close correlation (correlation coefficient of 0,76) between the maximum inversion height obtained from tethersonde and the sum of nocturnal temperature gradient. The air pollutant concentration was also directly proportional to the inversion intensity. When the inversion intensity was strong in the nighttime, ozone $(O_3)$ concentration was lower, while nitrogen dioxide $(NO_2)$ concentration was higher. The carbon monoxide (CO) concentration was gradually higher according to the nocturnal inversion intensity, whereas sulfur dioxide $(SO_2)$ concentration was relatively constant. In addition, we found that there was no correlation between the inversion intensity and TSP concentration.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.608-614
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of chlorine dioxide fumigation as a substitute for sulfur fumigation which has been used as a method to prevent the quality change of persimmon during storage and distribution process. Dried persimmons were treated with chlorine dioxide gas concentration (0, 15 30, and 45 ppm) and time (0, 15, 30, and 45 min) and microbiological changes, texture properties and color of the treated samples were investigated during storage at room temperature. Total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold numbers after chlorine dioxide gas fumigation were decreased when compared with the control group. The inhibitory effects of total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold were observed during storage. The texture properties and color value of dried persimmons were not affected by chlorine dioxide gas fumigation concentration and time. There was no difference in quality between chlorine dioxide gas fumigation treatment group and control group. These results suggested that chlorine dioxide gas fumigation treatment can be utilized as a processing technique to secure microbiological storage stability of dried persimmons.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2008

In China, energy and environmental problems are becoming serious owing to rapid economic development. Coal is the most problematic energy source because it causes indoor and outdoor air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. One type of clean coal technology that has been developed is the coal-biomass briquette (or bio-briquette, BB) technique. BBs, which are produced from pulverized coal, biomass (typically, agricultural waste), and a sulfur fixation agent (slaked lime, $Ca(OH)_2$) under high pressure without any binder, have a high sulfur-fixation effect. In addition, BB combustion ash, that is, the waste material, can be used as a neutralization agent for acidic soil because of its high alkalinity, which originates from the added slaked lime. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of alternative biomass sources, namely, aquatic plants, as a BB constituent from the perspective of their use as a source of energy. We selected three types of aquatic plants for use in BB preparation and compared the fuel, handling, and environmental characteristics of the new BBs with those of conventional BBs. Our results showed that air-dried aquatic plants had a higher calorific value, which was in proportion to their carbon content, than agricultural waste biomass; the compressive strength of the new BBs, which depends on the lignin content of the biomass, was high enough to bear long-range intracontinental transport in China; and the new BBs had the same emission control capacity as the conventional BBs.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.409-425
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• 2021

Carbon dioxide has been known to be a typical greenhouse gas causing global warming, and a number of efforts have been proposed to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. Among them, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) has been taken into great account to accomplish the target reduction of carbon dioxide. In order to commercialize the CCS, its safety should be secured. In particular, if the stored carbon dioxide is leaked in the arable land, serious problems could come up in terms of crop growth. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide leaked from storage sites on soil fertility. The leakage of carbon dioxide was simulated using the facility of its artificial injection into soils in the laboratory. Several soil chemical properties, such as pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, the concentrations of exchangeable cations, nitrogen (N) (total-N, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N), phosphorus (P) (total-P and available-P), sulfur (S) (total-S and available-S), available-boron (B), and the contents of soil organic matter, were monitored as indicators of soil fertility during the period of artificial injection of carbon dioxide. Two kinds of soils, such as non-cultivated and cultivated soils, were compared in the artificial injection tests, and the latter included maize- and soybean-cultivated soils. The non-cultivated soil (NCS) was sandy soil of 42.6% porosity, the maize-cultivated soil (MCS) and soybean-cultivated soil (SCS) were loamy sand having 46.8% and 48.0% of porosities, respectively. The artificial injection facility had six columns: one was for the control without carbon dioxide injection, and the other five columns were used for the injections tests. Total injection periods for NCS and MCS/SCS were 60 and 70 days, respectively, and artificial rainfall events were simulated using one pore volume after the 12-day injection for the NCS and the 14-day injection for the MCS/SCS. After each rainfall event, the soil fertility indicators were measured for soil and leachate solution, and they were compared before and after the injection of carbon dioxide. The results indicate that the residual concentrations of exchangeable cations, total-N, total-P, the content of soil organic matter, and electrical conductivity were not likely to be affected by the injection of carbon dioxide. However, the residual concentrations of nitrate-N, ammonia-N, available-P, available-S, and available-B tended to decrease after the carbon dioxide injection, indicating that soil fertility might be reduced. Meanwhile, soil pH did not seem to be influenced due to the buffering capacity of soils, but it is speculated that a long-term leakage of carbon dioxide might bring about soil acidification.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2023

Background: Injury is one of the major health problems in South Korea. Few studies have evaluated both intentional and unintentional injury when investigating the association between exposure to air pollutants and injury. Objectives: We aimed to explore the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and years of life lost (YLLs) due to injury. Methods: Data on daily YLLs for 2002~2019 were obtained from the the Death Statistics Database of the Korean National Statistical Office. This study estimated short-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 ㎛ (PM₁₀), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃). This time series study was conducted using a generalized additive model (GAM) assuming a Gaussian distribution. We also evaluated a delayed effect of ambient air pollution by constructing a lag structure up to seven days. The best-fitting lag was selected based on smallest generalized cross validation (GCV) value. To explore effect modification by intentionality of injury (i.e., intentional injury [self-harm, assault] and unintentional injury), we conducted stratified subgroup analyses. Additionally, we stratified unintentional injury by mechanism (traffic accident, fall, etc.). Results: During the study period, the average daily YLLs due to injury was 307.5 years. In the intentional injury, YLLs due to self-harm and assault showed positive association with air pollutants. In the unintentional injury, YLLs due to fall, electric current, fire and poisoning showed positive association with air pollutants, whereas YLLs due to traffic accident, mechanical force and drowning/submersion showed negative associations with air pollutants. Conclusions: Injury is recognized as preventable, and effective strategies to create a safe society are important. Therefore, we need to establish strategies to prevent injury and consider air pollutants in this regard.