• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 2014

Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects depend on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. This review addresses the systemic pathophysiology of individual organ systems associated with mercury poisoning. Mercury has profound cellular, cardiovascular, hematological, pulmonary, renal, immunological, neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and embryonic toxicological effects.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2008

The composite membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was developed using $H_3O^+-{\beta}"-Al_2O_3$ powder and perfluorosulfonylfluroride copolymer (Nafion) resin. The perfluorosulfonylfluroride copolymer (Nafion) resin was mixed with $H_3O^+-{\beta}"-Al_2O_3$ powder and it was made to sheet form by hot pressing. The electrodes were prepared with 60 wt% PtRu/C and 60wt% Pt/C catalysts for anode and cathode, respectively. The morphology and the chemical composition of the composite membrane have been investigated by using SEM and EDXA, respectively. The composite membrane and $H_3O^+-{\beta}"-Al_2O_3$ were analyzed by using FT-IR and XRD. The methanol permeability of the composite membranes was also measured by gas chromatography (GC). The performance of the MEA containing the composite membrane (2wt% $H_3O^+-{\beta}"-Al_2O_3$) was higher than that of normal pure Nafion membrane at high operating temperature (e.g. $110^{\circ}C$), due to the homogenous distribution of $H_3O^+-{\beta}"-Al_2O_3$, which decreased the methanol permeability through the membrane and enhanced the water contents in the composite membrane.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2010

DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) is an operational terminology for organic carbon molecules dissolved in natural waters. DOC has been studied by ecologists extensively, because it plays a key role in various ecological functions such as substrates for secondary production and the carbon cycle. DOC also represents a substrate for microbial growth within potable water distribution systems, and can react with disinfectants (e.g., chloride) to form harmful disinfection by-products. In addition, residual DOC may carry with it organically bound toxic heavy metals. DOC in aquatic ecosystems may ultimately be transported to the oceans, or released back to the atmosphere by heterotrophic respiration, which can accelerate global climate change. There is evidence that DOC concentrations in aquatic ecosystems are increasing in many regions of the world including Europe, North America, and even in Korea. Land use changes, elevated temperature, elevated $CO_2$, recovery from acidification, and nitrogen deposition have been proposed as mechanisms for the trend. However, the key driving mechanism is yet to be conclusively determined. We propose that more extensive and longer-term observations, research of chemical properties of DOC, impacts of elevated DOC on environmental issues and interdisciplinary approaches are warranted as future studies to fill the gaps in our knowledge about DOC dynamics.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.195-206
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• 2003

Several factors can affect the formation of bone tissues surrounding implants. One of the factors is electrical stimulation. It is known to change the movement of cells, form and destroy cells, and alter concentration and chemical component of soft tissues and bones. The effect of electrical stimulation on bone formation can vary according to the intensity of electric currents, stimulating time, the method of sending electric currents, and tissues and cells currents are applied to. This study examines how various enviroments affect osteoblasts. (1) effect on osteoblast with varying intensity of currents Osteoblast-like cells were raised on four plates where implants can be placed. A constant current sink (MC3T3-E1) that can adjust the intensity and stimulating time of electric currents was used. The four plates were stimulated with $0{\mu}A$, $10{\mu}A$, $20{\mu}A$, and $40{\mu}A$, respectively. After 24 hours of stimulation, the number and distribution of cells surrounding implants were examined. (2) effect on osteoblast with varying conditions The 3 study was performed with same method. (1) The change of attached cell number 72-hour after application of various currents (2) The change of attached cell number 72-hour after application of various interval (3) The comparison of attached cell number by implant surface texture The following are the results: 1. The distribution and density of cells surrounding implant is highest under the intensity of electric currents of $20{\mu}A$. 2. The number of cells attached implants is highest under the intensity of electric currents of $20{\mu}A$. 3. The number of cells attached implants is highest under continous electric currents 4. The number of cells attached implants is not different by implant surface texture.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.2873-2877
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• 2012

Quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations of H+HLi reaction have been carried out on a new potential energy surface of the ground state reported by Prudente et al. [Chem. Phys. Lett. 2009, 474, 18]. The four polarization-dependent differential cross sections have been carried out in the center of mass (CM) frame at various collision energies. The reaction probability for the depletion channel has been studied over a wide collision energy range. It has been found that the collision energy decreases remarkably reaction probability, which shows the expected behavior of the title reaction belonging to an exothermic barrierless reaction. The results are in good agreement with previous RMP results. The P(${\theta}_r$), P(${\phi}_r$) and P(${\theta}_r,\;{\phi}_r$) distributions, the k-k'-j' correlation and the angular distribution of product rotational vectors are presented in the form of polar plots. The average rotational alignment factor <$P_2(j{\prime}{\cdot}k)$> as a function of collision energy is also calculated. The results indicate that the collision energy has a great influence on the polarization of the product rotational angular momentum vector j'.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2016

Sapphire has a high hardness and strength and chemical stability as a superior material. It is used mainly as a material for a semiconductor as well as LED. Recently, the cover glass industry used by a sapphire is getting a lot of attention. The sapphire substrate is manufactured through ingot sawing, lapping, diamond mechanical polishing (DMP) and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. DMP is an important process to ensure the surface quality of several nm for CMP process as well as to determine the final form accuracy of the substrate. In DMP process, the material removal is achieved by using the mechanical energy of the relative motion to each other in the state that the diamond slurry is disposed between the sapphire substrate and the polishing platen. The polishing platen is one of the most important factors that determine the material removal characteristics in DMP. Especially, it is known that the geometric characteristics of the polishing platen affects the material removal amount and its distribution. This paper investigated the material removal characteristics and the effects of the polishing platen groove in sapphire DMP. The experiments were preliminarily carried out to evaluate the sapphire material removal characteristics according to process parameters such as pressure, relative velocity and so on. In the experiment, the monitoring apparatus was applied to analyze process phenomena in accordance with the processing conditions. From the experimental results, the correlation was analyzed among process parameters, polishing phenomena and the material removal characteristics. The material removal equation based on phenomenological factors could be derived. And the experiment was followed to investigate the effects of platen groove on material removal characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.32-37
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• 2012

The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of explosion and flame velocity that can be utilized to factories where Mg-Al alloy metal powders are handled in the form of raw materials, products or by-product for similar dust explosion prevention and mitigation. Because the strength of the blast pressure is the result due to flame propagation, flame velocity in dust explosion can be utilized as a valuable information for damage prediction. An experimental investigation was carried out on the influences of content ratio of Mg-Al alloy (mean particle size distribution of 151 to 161 ${\mu}m$). And a model of flame propagation velocity based on the time to peak pressure and flame arrival time in dust explosion pressure, assuming the constant burning velocity, leads to a representation of flame velocity during dust explosion. As the results, the maximum flame velocity of Mg-Al(60:40 wt%), Mg-Al(50:50 wt%) and Mg-Al(40:60 wt%) was estimated 15.5, 18 and 15.2 m/s respectively, and also tend to change with content ratio of Mg-Al.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.653-662
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• 2003

Changes in the area of geo-ecosystem $(62^{\circ}09'S,\;58^{\circ}31'w)$ reflect climatic changes in the South Shetland Islands. Air temperature and deglaciation will increase. The ice-free space area at the SSSS 8- (ASPA 121) site has enlarged threefold during the last 21 years, thus creating conditions for inhabitation and succession. Wind, water and snow play important roles in transportation of geochemical components. They distribute nutrients, mineral substances, seeds, fragments of plants and animals, etc. Plant and animal colonization is patchy and it happens at random in an 'island' - like manner. The colonization pattern is dependant, to a high degree on physical factors. The newly uncovered ice-free areas are at first inhabited by a vascular plant known as the Deschampsia antarctica. The border of the land-oasis with Admiralty Bay is the place where the processes related to animal feeding at the sea and reproduction on the land take place. Bird colonies and pinniped lairs form centers of fertilization surrounded by high chemical gradients dependent on the direction of the flow of nutrients $(e.g.\;NH_4)$. During the last 25 years, the numbers of penguins in this region have decreased, and thus the amount of materials excreted on land has diminished. The numbers of fur seals change in multi-annual cycles, and their migration into this area is related to the E1 $Ni\~{n}o$ phenomenon. The numbers of elephant seals in the area did not change. Organic matter deposited by the sea onto the shore are a source of nutrients and deficient chemical elements on land. Mineral matter is washed out into the waters of Admiralty Bay. These processes change seasonally, and multi annually. Negative effects on the environment at Arctowski Station induced by man are slight, but noticeable nevertheless. Physical processes have the largest influence on the living conditions and distribution of plants and animals, and as a consequence, on the functioning of the geo-ecosystem in the coastal-shore zone of the Maritime Antarctic.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.12-15
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of reaction conditions, solvents, and surfactants on the average size and size distribution of silica particles in preparing silica fine powders by sodium silicate. Silica fine particles were synthesized by varying kinds of solvents and surfactants using the emulsion method. Span 20, Span 40, Span 60, and Span 80 were used as nonionic surfactants, Dispersing solvents were n-Hexane, n-Heptane, iso-Octane, and n-Decane of the alkane group. In these experiments, it was known that the optimum dispersion stirring time to form the emulsion of the constant size was around 6 min. The mean sizes of silica particles, at a variety of the dispersion stirring speeds, decreased as the dispersion stirring speed increased. Also, in the case of the solvents, the size of the formed silica particles decreased when the molecular weight of the solvent increased. Lastly, in the case of the surfactants, the mean size of silica particles increased as the hydrophobic lipophilic balance (HLB) value of the surfactant decreased.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

In this work, we evaluated the characteristics of flow field and uniformity of the nose-only exposure chambers for the inhalation toxicity test. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was carried out to demonstrate uniformity of the nose-only exposure chambers. Because it is very important in the inhalation toxicity experiments that test materials are distributed uniformly to each holder of the chamber. The test was done with these 3 types of chamber with different form to develop inhalation toxicity evaluation system, easy-to-operate system among exposure chamber used for evaluating inhalation toxicity of environmental chemical mixtures. Through CFD interpretation, nose-only exposure chamber was made with the selection of the optimal conditions. For its evaluation, one type of fragrance was selected and measured particle size distribution of each port. The gene becoming luminous to green fluorescence was combined with GPT-SPE, a type of tGFP vector, to be inhaled to the mouse. Based on this, luminous intensity was checked. As a result, total particle number concentration of each port had average value of $3.17{\times}10^6{\sharp}/cm^3$ and range of the highest and lowest concentration value was approximately ${\pm}4.8%$. Autopsy of lung tissues of mouse showed that it had clearly better delivery of gene compared to the control group.