• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.42-51
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• 2006

The this study, the effect of rice husk flour (RHF) as scavenger on formaldehyde emission rate and formaldehyde content from urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin bonded RHF content wood particleboards (PB). Two type of particle size ($30{\mu}m$ and $300{\mu}m$) of RHF was premixed with the UF resin at 5% and 15% by weight. The performance of UF resins is greatly influenced by the curing characteristics in their curing processing. The curing behavior was monitored activation energy ($E_a$) by DSC and pH variation according to RHF contents. PB with dimensions of $27cm{\times}27cm{\times}0.7cm$ was prepared at a specific gravity of 0.75 using $E_1$ and $E_2$ class UF resins. Formaldehyde emission and formaldehyde content from RHF filled PB bonded with UF resin was measured by 24 h desiccator and perforator method, respectively. RHF causes an increased pH of UF resin. $E_a$ of the modified UF resin decreased independently of RHF particle size. As the pH and the $E_a$ variation of the UF resin containing RHF increased, the amount of formaldehyde content decreased. The formaldehyde emission and formaldehyde content levels of the PB bonded with 15 wt% of $30{\mu}m$ RHF and $E_2$ type UF resin were low and satisfied grade $E_1$, as measured by 24 h desiccator and perforator method. The result of a comparison between 24 h desiccator and perforator test using PB showed that the linear regression analyses show a good correlation between the results for the 24 h desiccator and the perforator tests. The linear regression of a correlation between the desiccator and the perforator was Y=4.842X-0.064 ($R^2=0.989$). RHF was effective at reducing formaldehyde emission and formaldehyde content in urea-formaldehyde adhesives when used as scavenger.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2001

[ $SiO_2$ ] effect on the electrochemical properties of polymeric gel electrolytes(PGEs) reinforced with glass fiber cloth(GFC) was investigated . PGEs were composed of polyacrylronitrile(PAN), poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)), $LiClO_4$ and three kind of plasticizer(ethylene carbonate, dietyl carbonate, propylene carbonate). $SiO_2$ was added to PGEs in the weight fraction of 10, 20, $30\%$ respectively. PGEs containing $SiO_2$ showed conductivity of over $10^{-3}S/cm\;at\;23^{\circ}C$ and electrochemical stability window to 4.8V. In the impedance spectra of the cells, which were constructed by lithium metals as electrodes, interfacial resistance increased due to growth of passivation layer during storage time and remarkable difference was not observed with content of $SiO_2$. In the impedance spectra of the lithium ion polymer batteries consisted of $LiClO_2$ and mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber(MCF), ohmic cell resistance of $SiO_2-free$ PGE was changed continuously with number of cycle, but those of $SiO_2-dispersed$ PGEs were not. Discharge capacity of the PGE containing $20wt\%\;SiO_2$ showed 132 mAh/g at 0.2C rate and $85\%$ of discharge capacity was retained at 2C rate.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2016

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) using the electrolytes containing various vanadium ions in sulfuric acid as supporting solution are one of the energy storage devices in alternatively charging and discharging operation modes. The positive electrolyte contains $V^{5+}/V^{4+}$ and the negative electrolyte $V^{2+}/V^{3+}$ depending on the operation mode. To prevent the mixing of two solutions, proton exchange membranes are mainly used in VRFBs. Nafion 117 could be the most promising candidate due to the strong oxidative property of $V^{5+}$ ion, but causes high crossover of electroactive species to result in a decrease in coulombic efficiency. In this study, the composite membranes using Nafion ionomer and porous polyethylene substrate were prepared to keep good chemical stability and to decrease the cost of membranes, and were compared to the properties and performance of the commercially available electrolyte membrane, Nafion 117. As a result, the water uptake and ionic conductivity of the composite membranes increased as the thickness of the composite membranes increased, but those of Nafion 117 slightly decreased. The permeability of vanadium ions for the composite membranes significantly decreased compared to that for Nafion 117. In a single cell test for the composite membranes, the voltage efficiency decreased and the coulombic efficiency increased, finally resulting in the similar energy efficiency. In conclusion, the less cost of the composite membranes by decreasing 6.4 wt.% of the amount of perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer due to the introduction of porous substrate and lower vanadium ion permeability to decrease self-discharge were achieved than Nafion 117.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2012

SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) layers are generated on a graphite negative electrode from three different electrolytes and low-temperature ($-30^{\circ}C$) charge/discharge performance of the graphite electrode is examined. The electrolytes are prepared by adding 2 wt% of vinylene carbonate (VC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) into a standard electrolyte solution. The charge-discharge capacity of graphite electrode shows the following decreasing order; FEC-added one>standard>VC-added one. The polarization during a constant-current charging shows the reverse order. These observations illustrate that the SEI film resistance and charge transfer resistance differ according to the used additives. This feature has been confirmed by analyzing the chemical composition and thickness of three SEI layers. The SEI layer generated from the standard electrolyte is composed of polymeric carbon-oxygen species and the decomposition products ($Li_xPF_yO_z$) of lithium salt. The VC-derived surface film shows the largest resistance value even if the salt decomposition is not severe due to the presence of dense film comprising C-O species. The FEC-derived SEI layer shows the lowest resistance value as the C-O species are less populated and salt decomposition is not serious. In short, the FEC-added electrolyte generates the SEI layer of the smallest resistance to give the best low-temperature performance for the graphite negative electrode.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1499-1506
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• 2016

Background: Crocus sativus and its major constituent crocin are well established to have anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). However the role of C. sativus extract (CSE) and crocin on caspase signaling mediated MCF-7 cell death at molecular level is remains unclear. In this study, we tried to unravel role of CSE and crocin on caspase mediated MCF-7 cells death and their in vivo preclinical toxicity profiling and immune stimulatory effect. Materials and Methods: CSE extract was fractionated by HPLC and crocin was isolated and characterized by NMR, IR, and MS. MCF-7 cells were treated with both CSE and crocin and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was assessed after 24 and 36 hours. Furthermore, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 expression was determined by Western blotting after 24 hours of treatment. DNA fragmentation analysis was performed for genotoxicity of CSE and crocin in MCF-7 cells. The in vivo toxicity profile of CSE (300 mg/kg of b.wt) was investigated in normal Swiss albino mice. In addition, peritoneal macrophages were collected from crocin (1, 1.5 and 2 mg/kg body weight) treated mice and analyzed for ex vivo yeast phagocytosis. Results: Immunoblot analysis revealed that there was time dependent decline in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 with simultaneous upregulation of Bax in CSE and crocin treated MCF-7 cells. Further CSE and crocin treatment downregulated caspase 8 and 9 and cleaved the caspase 3 after 24 hours. Both CSE and crocin elicited considerable DNA damage in MCF-7 cells at each concentration tested. In vivo toxicity profile by histological studies revealed no observable histopathologic differences in the liver, kidney, spleen, lungs and heart in CSE treated and untreated groups. Crocin treatment elicited significant dose and time dependent ex vivo yeast phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages. Conclusions: Our study delineated involvement of pro-apoptotic and caspase mediated MCF-7 cell death by CSE and crocin at the molecular level accompanied with extensive DNA damage. Further we found that normal swiss albino mice can tolerate the maximum dose of CSE. Crocin enhanced ex vivo macrophage yeast phagocytic ability.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.135-153
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• 2003

In order to understand its origin and petrogenesis, petrochemical studies of major, trace elements, REE, and stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon from the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposits have been investigated. The Hongcheon Fe-REE deposit intruding into Precambrian metasedimentary rocks consists of magnetite, various carbonates such as ankerite, siderite, magnesite and strontianite, monazite, aegirine-augite, Na-amphibole, and sulfides. Compared with major elements abundances of typical ferro-carbonatites, the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposit is enriched in FeO and depleted in CaO with increasing of $SiO_2$, where $TiO_2$and $A1_2O_3$increased and CaO, FeO, MgO and $P_2O_5$ are slightly decreased, but those are rather scattered and their trends are somewhat ambiguous. V Ni, U and Rb slightly increasing with of $SiO_2$increase and scattering or no trends of other detected elements. Nb, Zr and Zn are depleted then the abundances of typical ferro-carbonatites (Woolley and Kempe, 1989). In rare earth elements a large enrichment of total REE (maximum 14.8 wt%) and LREE relative to chondrites and HREE depleted more then the values of ferro-carbontites therefore La/Lu ratios shows large abundances (max. 16,197). The results of stable isotopes of O and C from minerals of ankerite and strontianite and whole rocks represent studied rocks are from igneous carbonatitic melts. Although petrochemical characteristics of the Hongcheon Fe-REE deposits are somewhat different from normal ferro-carbonatites from the world, this discrepancy suggests another conclusion that petrochemical characteristic of the studied Fe-REE mineralized rocks are similar to those of phoscorites from Kovdor, Russia and Sokli, Finland showing the same petrochemical compositions described above.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2017

One of the reasons to causing blood coagulation in the tissue of xenografted organs was known to incompatibility of the blood coagulation and anti-coagulation regulatory system between TG pigs and primates. Thus, overexpression of human CD73 (hCD73) in the pig endothelial cells is considered as a method to reduce coagulopathy after pig-to-non-human-primate xenotransplantation. This study was performed to produce and breed transgenic pigs expressing hCD73 for the studies immune rejection responses and could provide a successful application of xenotransplantation. The transgenic cells were constructed an hCD73 expression vector under control porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73) and established donor cell lines expressing hCD73. The numbers of transferred reconstructed embryos were $127{\pm}18.9$. The pregnancy and delivery rate of surrogates were 8/18 (44%) and 3/18 (16%). The total number of delivered cloned pigs were 10 (2 alive, 7 mummy, and 1 died after birth). Among them, three live hCD73-pigs were successfully delivered by Caesarean section, but one was dead after birth. The two hCD73 TG cloned pigs had normal reproductive ability. They mated with wild type (WT) MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) female sows and produced totally 16 piglets. Among them, 5 piglets were identified as hCD73 TG pigs. In conclusion, we successfully generated the hCD73 transgenic cloned pigs and produced their litters by natural mating. It can be possible to use a mate for the production of multiple transgenic pigs such as ${\alpha}-1,3-galactosyltransferase$ knock-out /hCD46 for xenotransplantation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 1997

To evaluate an effect of pathological liver damage on the toluene metabolism, the rate were induced acute liver damage with 3 times $CCl_4$ injection (0.1 ml of 50 % in olive oil/100 g body wt.) three days. In the present animal molel, the injection of toluene(0.3 ml of 50 % in olive oil) showed the more decreased urine hippuric acid throughout 24 hr in the liver damage induced animals($CCl_4$-pretreated rats) than normal group. The activities of hepatic aniline hydroxylase, benzylalcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase were significantly decreased in $CCl_4$-pretreated rats than the normal group at 24 hr after injection of toluene. Furthermore, the benzaldehyde dehydrogenase in pooled liver of $CCl_4$-pretreated rats showed similiar $K_m$ value, but showed the more decreased $V_{max}$ value compared with the normal group by the injection of toluene. These results suggest that the rats induced liver damage with $CCl_4$ may reduce the toluene metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.801-806
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• 2002

The decomposition and/or conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon have been studied using oxygen-deficient ferrites for the reduction of $CO_2$ emission to the atmosphere. In this work, the homogeneous precipitation method using urea decomposition was employed to induce in situ precipitation of Ni ferrite($Ni_{0.4}Fe_{2.6}O_4$) on the porous ceramic fiber support (50 mm diameter${\times}$10 mm thickness). Effects of ferrite loading conditions on the CO2 decomposition efficiency were discussed in this paper. Removal of residual chloride ions and urea by solvent exchange from the porous media after ferrite deposition apparently helps to form spinel ferrite, but does not increase the efficiency of $CO_2$ decomposition. Porous ceramic fiber composites containing 20 wt% (1g) ferrite samples showed 100% efficiency for $CO_2$decomposition during the first three minutes, but the efficiency decreased rapidly after the elapsed time of ten minutes. The characteristic reduction time for the $CO_2$ decomposition efficiency was estimated as about 3∼7 min.