• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.147-166
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• 2008

Objectives : Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by a chronic relapsing inflammation of the bowel in which proinflammatory cytokines play an important perpetuating role. Methods : Mice (preventive animal model of gliotoxin) were treated with 5 % 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) at day 1 and day 7. To investigate preventive effects of acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$, acupuncture was carried out at day -1, day 1, day 3. And, to investigate therapeutic effects, acupuncture with Gujin was carried out at day 3, day 5, day 7. For the data analysis, we checked weight and width of colon, diarrhea, edema, survival rate, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity. For analysing protein expression, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot and we analyzed mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results : Colon of TNBS treated mice was erosive and shortening compared with the colon of control mice and induced damages of colon epithelial cell layer and induced infiltration of immune cells in all layer of colon. Acupuncture of gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive mode suppressed macorscopic damages such as erosive and shortening of colon by TNBS and damages of intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells in the colon. The average weight of 5 cm distal colon was increased in TNBS treated mice (758${\mu}g$) compared with in control mice (112${\mu}g$) and width of distal colon was also increased in TNBS treated mice (4.9mm) compared with in control mice (1.3mm). Acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive and therapeutic mode suppressed increase of colon weight and width by TNBS. TNBS induced edema of colon and diarrhea and Acupunctured with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ in preventive and therapeutic mode ameliorated these symptom by TNBS. In preventive and therapeutic mode, the effects of acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ were increasing the motility, suppressing body weight decreasing, suppressing MPO activity, reducing expressing of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in colon compared with that by TNBS Conclusions : This study demonstrates that acupuncture with Gujin at $LI_{11}$ represents a potential therapeutic method of Crohn's disease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.710-716
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• 2013

New and renewable energy sources have drawn attention because of climate change. Many studies have been carried out in waste-to-energy field. Fast pyrolysis of waste lignocelluosic biomass is one of the waste-to-energy technologies. Bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) reactor is widely used for fast pyrolysis of the biomass. In BFB pyrolyzer, bubble behavior influences on the chemical reaction. Accordingly, in the present study, hydrodynamic characteristics and fast pyrolysis reaction of waste lignocellulosic biomass occurring in a BFB pyrolyzer are scrutinized. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the fast pyrolysis reactor is carried out by using Eulerian-Granular approach. And two-stage semi-global kinetics is applied for modeling the fast pyrolysis reaction of waste lignocellulosic biomass. To summarize, generation and ascendant motion of bubbles in the bed affect particle behavior. Thus biomass particles are well mixed with hot sand and consequent rapid heat transfer occurs from sand to biomass particles. As a result, primary reaction is observed throughout the bed. And reaction rate of tar formation is the highest. Consequently, tar accounts for 66wt.% of the product gas. However, secondary reaction occurs mostly in the freeboard. Therefore, it is considered that bubble behavior and particle motions hardly influences on the secondary reaction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10841-10846
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• 2015

Background: Smoking is a primary risk factor for cancer development. While most research has focused on smoking cigarettes, the increasing popularity of shisha or water pipe smoking has received less attention. This study measured the prevalence and risk factors for shisha and cigarette smoking and related knowledge. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Participants aged ${\geq}18years$ were selected from restaurants. Data regarding demographic variables, smoking patterns, and knowledge about shisha smoking were collected in local languages. Logistic regression was performed to assess risk factors. Results: Of 239 participants, 61.9 % were male and 99.2% revealed their smoking status. Some 57.4% were smokers: 50.7% only cigarettes, 5.9% only shisha and 42% both. Mean age of starting cigarette smoking was $17.5{\pm}2.4years$ and for shisha smoking $18.7{\pm}2.0years$. In a univariate model, male gender, age 33-52 years and monthly income > MYR 4,000 increased the risk and unemployment and being a student decreased the risk. In a multivariate model, male gender increased the risk of smoking, while being a student decreased the risk, adjusting for age and income. The perception of shisha being less harmful than cigarettes was present in 14.6% and 7.5% had the opinion that shisha is not harmful at all, while 21.7% said that it is less addictive than cigarettes, 39.7% said that shisha did not contain tar and nicotine, 34.3% said that it did not contain carbon monoxide and 24.3% thought that shisha did not cause health problems. Conclusions: Prevalence of shisha and cigarette smoking is high in the general population in Malaysia and knowledge about shisha smoking is relatively low. The findings of our study might have implications for understanding similarities and differences in incidence of shisha and cigarette smoking in other cultural/geographic regions.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2005

The attractant (orange light) or repellent (white light) signal is transmitted from SRI (Sensory Rhodopsin I) via protein-protein interaction with its transducer Htrl (Halobacterial Transducer for Sensory Rhodopsin I) which in turn controls a cytoplasmic phospho-transfer pathway that modulates flagella motor switching in Halobacterium salinarum. Some mutations in both SRI and Htrl showed an unusual mutant phenotype called inverted signaling, in which the cell produces a repellent response to normally attractant light. Twelve mutations at the Glutamate 56 (E56) position in the second transmembrane helix of Htrl were introduced by site-specific random mutagenesis. Almost all E56 mutants showed orange-light inverted responses in pH and temperature-dependent manners except E56D and E56Y. Except for these two mutants, all mutants accelerated the $S_{373}$ decay compared to wild-type at $18^{\circ}C$. This supported that there is an interaction between SRI and the second transmembrane of Htrl. Also a structural model of Htrl based on the Tar crystal structure and the secondary structure prediction program proposed the E56 residue to be in the middle of the proton channel. The most important observation is that the E56 mutant provides the evidence that this residue is very sensitive for signal relay, which can be explained by the open and closed conformations of the channel (A and R conformations) in SRI, as was postulated by the unified conformational shuttling model for transport and signaling.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.431-435
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• 2022

The reduction of nitrogen-containing compounds (NC) containing the model crude methylnaphthalene oil (CMNO) of 5 compounds system was experimentally studied by solvent extraction. The model CMNO consisting of 3 kinds of NC including quinolone (QU), iso-quinoline (IQU), indole(IN) and 2 kinds of bicyclic aromatic compounds such as 1-methylnaphthalene (1MNA), 2-methylnaphthalene (2MNA) as raw materials, as well as the aqueous solution of formamide as a solvent, were used. The increase in the volume fraction of water to the solvent at the initial state (y_w,0) sharply decreased, but the distribution coefficient and the yield of NC conversely increased the selectivity of NC based on 2MNA, and an increase in the volume fraction of solvent to feed (S/F) simultaneously increased the distribution coefficient, yield and selectivity of NC. The yields of QU, IQU and IN under constant conditions (y_w,0 = 0.1, S/F = 1, equilibrium temperature 303 K) were 30%, 31% and 10%, respectively, and selectivity was 15, 15 and 20, respectively. From the excellent yield and selectivity of NC, the formamide extraction method of this study was expected as a method for reducing the NC contained in the model CMNO.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.45-64
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• 2022

Purpose - This paper examines South Korea's potential status as a carbon leakage country, and the level of risk posed by the Korean emissions trading scheme (ETS) for Korean industries. The economic effects of border carbon adjustments (BCAs) to protect energy-intensive Korean industries in the process of achieving the carbon reduction target by 2030 through the Korean ETS are also analyzed. Design/methodology - First, using the Korean Input-Output (IO) table, this paper calculates the balance of emissions embodied in trade (BEET) and the pollution terms of trade (PTT) to determine Korean industries' carbon leakage status. Analyses of the risk level posed by carbon reduction policy implementation in international trade are conducted for some sectors by applying the EU criteria. Second, using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, three BCA scenarios, exemption regulations (EXE), reimbursement (REB), and tariff reduction (TAR) to protect the energy-intensive industries under the Korean ETS are addressed. Compared to the baseline scenario of achieving carbon reduction targets by 2030, the effects of BCAs on welfare, carbon leakage, outputs, and trading are analyzed. Findings - As Korea's industrial structure has been transitioning from a carbon importing to a carbon leaking country. The results indicate that some industrial sectors could face the risk of losing international competitiveness due to the Korean ETS. South Korea's industries are basically exposed to risk of carbon leakage because most industries have a trade intensity higher than 30%. This could be interpreted as disproving vulnerability to carbon leakage. Although the petroleum and coal sector is not in carbon leakage, according to BEET and PTT, the Korean ETS exposes this sector to a high risk of carbon leakage. Non-metallic minerals and iron and steel sectors are also exposed to a high risk of carbon leakage due to the increased burden of carbon reduction costs embodied in the Korean ETS, despite relatively low levels of trade intensity. BCAs are demonstrated to have an influential role in protecting energy-intensive industries while achieving the carbon reduction target by 2030. The EXE scenario has the greatest impact on mitigation of welfare losses and carbon leakage, and the TAF scenario causes a disturbance in the international trade market because of the pricing adjustment system. In reality, the EXE scenario, which implies completely exempting energy-intensive industries, could be difficult to implement due to various practical constraints, such as equity and reduction targets and other industries; therefore, the REB scenario presents the most realistic approach and appears to have an effect that could compensate for the burden of economic activities and emissions regulations in these industries. Originality/value - This paper confirms the vulnerability of the Korean industrial the risk of carbon leakage, demonstrating that some industrial sectors could be exposed to losing international competitiveness by implementing carbon reduction policies such as the Korean ETS. The contribution of this paper is the identification of proposed approaches to protect Korean industries in the process of achieving the 2030 reduction target by analyzing the effects of BCA scenarios using a CGE model.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.511-515
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• 2012

In this study, we used a commercial simulator to investigate the gasification characteristics of Roto coal in the partitioned fluidized-bed gasifier, which consists of 4 parts such as coal pyrolysis, char gasification, tar/oil gasification and char combustion. The heating medium was exchanged between the combustion part and the gasification part in order to supply the energy needed for pyrolysis and gasification. The correlation model from experimental data in relation to the reaction temperatures, the reaction gases and the coal feed rates was derived for the coal pyrolysis. The equilibrium model was used for the gasification and the combustion model for the char combustion. In order to compare the reaction behavior of the partitioned fluidized-bed gasifier, the single-bed gasifier was also simulated. The cold gas efficiency of both partitioned fluidized-bed gasifier and single-bed gasifier was almost the same. The $H_2$ and $CH_4$ contents of the syngas in the partitioned fluidized-bed gasifier slightly increased and the CO and $CO_2$ contents slightly decreased, compared with the singlebed gasifier. In order to verify the model, ten cases of the single-bed gasification experiment have been simulated. The contents of CO, $CO_2$, $CH_4$ in the syngas from the simulation corresponded with the experimental data while those of $H_2$ was slightly higher than experimental data, but the tendency of $H_2$ content in the syngas was similar to the experiments. In the coal conversion, the simulation results were higher than the experiments since equilibrium model was used for the gasification so that the residence time and contact time in the model is different from the experiments.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.430-436
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• 2014

Allura Red (AR) is a water-soluble harmful tar-based food colorant (FD & C Red 40). Batch adsorption studies were performed for the removal of AR using bituminous coal based granular activated carbon as adsorbent by varying the operation parameters such as adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, contact time and temperature. Experimental equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The equilibrium process was described well by Freundlich isotherm. From determined separation factor ($R_L$), adsorption of AR by granular activated carbon could be employed as effective treatment method. Temkin parameter, B was determined to 1.62~3.288 J/mol indicating a physical adsorption process. By estimation of adsorption rate experimental data, the value of intraparticle diffusion rate constant ($k_m$) increased with the increasing adsorption temperature. The adsorption process were found to confirm to the pseudo second order model with good correlation. Thermodynamic parameters like change of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also calculated to predict the nature adsorption in the temperature range of 298~318 K. The negative Gibbs free energy change (${\Delta}G$ = -2.16~-6.55 kJ/mol) and the positive enthalpy change (${\Delta}H$ = + 23.29 kJ/mol) indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1065-1073
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• 2006

The unturned carbon in fly ash, recently occurred in the coal-fired Yong Hung power station, caused some problems in ash utilization and boiler efficiency. This paper describes the analysis of unburned carbon and six coals, some tests performed at Yong Hung Boiler, and the results of combustion modification for the reduction of unburned carbon in fly ash. From the physical and chemical analysis of unburned carbon in fly ash, most particles were turned out to be hollow cenosphere and agglomerated soot particles. The sooting potential from six coals used in the plant were investigated with CPD(Chemical Percolation Devolatilization) model. The results showed that the higher potential was presented to Peabody, Arthur, Shenhua coals rather than other coals. It was necessary to measure the coal flow rates at each coal feeding pipe for four burner levels since they affect the extent of mixing of soot with oxidant, in turn, the oxidation rate of soot particles. The unbalance in coal flow rate was found in several coal pipes. We successfully reduced unturned carbon in ash by increasing the excess air and changing the SOFA's yaw angle.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.559-569
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• 2018

Catalytic supports made of carbon have many advantages, such as high coking resistance, tailorable pore and surface structures, and ease of recycling of waste catalysts. Moreover, they do not require pre-reduction. In this study, ash-free coal (AFC) was obtained by the thermal extraction of carbonaceous components from raw coal and its performance as a carbon catalytic support was compared with that of well-known activated carbon (AC). Nickel was dispersed on the carbon supports and the resulting catalysts were applied to the steam reforming of toluene (SRT), a model compound of biomass tar. Interestingly, nickel catalysts dispersed on AFC, which has a very small surface area (${\sim}0.13m^2/g$), showed higher activity than those dispersed on AC, which has a large surface area ($1,173A/cm^2$). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the particle size of nickel deposited on AFC was smaller than that deposited on AC, with the average values on AFC ${\approx}11nm$ and on AC ${\approx}23nm$. This proved that heteroatomic functional groups in AFC, such as carboxyls, can provide ion-exchange or adsorption sites for the nano-scale dispersion of nickel. In addition, the pore structure, surface morphology, chemical composition, and chemical state of the prepared catalysts were analyzed using Brunauer-Emmett-Taylor (BET) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR).