• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are environmentally friendly energy-conversion devices to generate electricity via the photovoltaic effect of semiconductors on solar energy. One of key elements in PV modules is "Backsheet," a multi-layered film to protect the devices from a variety of chemicals including water vapor. A representative Backsheet is composed of polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). PVF is relatively expensive, while showing excellent resistance to chemical attacks. Thus, it is necessary to develop alternatives which can lower its high production cost and guarantee lifetime applicable to practical PV modules at the same time. In this study, PET films with certain levels of crystallinity were utilized instead of PVF. Since it is well known that PET is suffering from trans-esterification and hydrolysis under a wide pH range, it is needed to understand decomposition behavior of the PET films under PV operation conditions. To evaluate their chemical decomposition behavior within a short period of times, accelerated decomposition test protocol is developed. Moreover, electrochemical long-term performances of the PV module employing the PET-based Backsheet are investigated to prove the efficacy of the proposed concept.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.876-887
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• 2006

Recently, there have been a large number of remodeling (or renovation) works in old buildings in urban areas. Compared to new buildings, environmental risk might be more significant in such buildings where remodeling works are going on, since some parts of the building may still be in service for people. This study was carried out to investigate the impacts of remodeling works on the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a large building (a 22 stories university library). Indoor air monitoring was conducted during and after the remodeling works every two weeks for a one year period, and target compounds included BTEX, styrene, TVOC, carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. $CO,\;CO_2,\;PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$. Overall, the IAQ appeared to be recovered within two months after the remodeling works. However, in some places, concentrations of formaldehyde, toluene, xylene. and ethylbenzene showed higher levels even after works than those during the works. The results indicate that painting, glues and office furnitures are major sources of aromatic VOCs and formaldehyde. Therefore, in order to decrease the concentrations of toxic VOCs, the use of environmental-friendly building materials is strongly recommended during the remodeling works. In addition, IAQ control and management scheme (for example, baking the inside of the building) should be taken into consideration before reopening the buildings.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2010

The Geranium nepalense has been used traditionally for treatment of various diseases. However, the molecular studies on the effect of Geranium nepalense have not been carried out. In the present study, Quercetin, quercitrin, and afzelin were isolated from the methanol extract of Geranium nepalense were tested for their anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds was studied in lipopolysaccharide(lps)-treated mouse macrophage cells, RAW 264.7. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-incubated with isolated compounds(0, 5, 10, 20, 40, $50\;{\mu}g/ml$) for 4h and treated with $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lps for 18h, and then the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds were determined. The results are as follows: Quercetin at various concentration inhibited the viability of Raw 264.7 from 7% to 45%, quercitrin from 25% to 80%, and afzelin from 13% to 52%. Isolated compounds showed a significant decrease in iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2). These results suggest that these compounds can be used as stable anti-inflammatory materials.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

This paper introduces emergy(spelled with "m") that is a new environmental indicator in architecture, aiming to clarify conflicting claims of building design components in the process of energy-retrofit. Much of design practitioners' attention on low energy use in operational phases, may simply shift the lowered environmental impact within the building boundary to large consumption of energy in another area. Specifically, building energy reduction strategies without a holistic view starting from natural formation, may lead to the depletion of non-renewable geobiological sources (e.g. minerals, fossil fuels, etc.), which leaves a building with an isolated energy-efficient object. Therefore, to overcome the narrow outlook, this research discusses the total ecological impact of a building which embraces all process energy as well as environmental cost represented by emergy. A case study has been conducted to explore emergy-driven design work. In comparison with operational energy-driven scenarios, the results elucidate how energy and emergy-oriented decision-making bring about different design results, and quantify building components' emergy contribution in the end. An average-size ($101.9m^2$) single family house located in South Korea was sampled as a benchmark case, and the analysis of energy and material use was conducted for establishment of the baseline. Adoption of the small building is effective for the goal of study since this research intends to measure environmental impact according to variation of passive design elements (windows size, building orientation, wall materials) with new metric (emergy) regardless of mechanical systems. Performance simulations of operational energy were developed and analyzed separately from the calculation of emergy magnitudes in building construction, and then the total emergy demand of each proposed design was evaluated. Emergy synthesis results verify that the least operational energy scenario requires greater investment in indirect energy in construction, which clearly reveals that efficiency gains are likely to be overwhelmed by increment of material flows. This result places importance on consideration of indirect energy use underscoring necessity of emergy evaluation towards the environment-friendly building in broader sense.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.318-322
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• 2016

The prototypes, Rto-x+$Ca(NO_3)_2$, K-Ca, and Rto-$x{\beta}$, which were extracted from spent mushroom substrate of Hericium erinaceus, strongly inhibited the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum. The control efficacies of tomato bacterial wilt by treatment with Rto-x+$Ca(NO_3)_2$, K-Ca, and Rto-$x{\beta}$ were 87.4~92.4%, 46.0~100%, and 65.0~91.9%, respectively. These results indicate that Rto-x+$Ca(NO_3)_2$, K-Ca, and Rto-$x{\beta}$ have a potential as eco-friendly antibacterial materials for the control of tomato bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.183-197
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to compare the purchase intention on naturally dyed clothing between Korea and the US. As independent variables that affect the purchase intention, benefits that consumers seek when purchasing naturally dyed clothing, especially for fabric materials, and attitudes towards naturally dyed clothing were selected. A quantitative research method with a survey was employed. 160 data from Korea and 180 data from the US were used for the analysis. The convenience sampling method (i.e., college female students) was used. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test and regression analysis were employed to test the differences in purchase intention, fabric benefit sought, and the attitudes. The fabric benefit sought selected for this study includes eco-friendliness, uniqueness, aesthetic, comfort and quality. The attitude toward naturally dyed clothing was categorized as an emotional and a cognitive attitude. The results show the significant differences in the fabric benefit sought depending on nationality, major and experiences in natural dyeing. Significant differences were found in of the attitude toward naturally dyed clothing among the nationalities and the experience types in natural dyeing. In addition, there were significant differences in purchase intention toward naturally dyed clothing between Korean and the US participants, and countries show different fabric benefits and attitudes which influenced participants' purchase intention. The results of this study suggest an appropriate fabric planning for environment-friendly fashion products for both countries.

• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2015

Conventional physicochemical technologies for algae growth inhibition have economical and environmental pollution problems. This study attempted to overcome the problems by nature-friendly biological inhibition technology using fibrous carrier. The experimental results showed that the most effective carrier material, polyester, exhibited the highest biofilm thickness. The removal efficiency for nutrient salts, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and algae growth inhibition of polyester carrier was 14.59%, 6.36%, and 77%, respectively, which is higher than for control group. These result indicate that the polyester carrier is available in eutrophic lake.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.173-187
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• 2019

Based on the theory of planning behavior, the purpose of this study was to validate the path to consumers organic bakery product purchasing process, and moderating effect of price sensitivity. The improvement of national income and changes in diet due to economic growth began to increase consumption of organic and eco-friendly farm products, and thus products using organic materials began to be released in bakeries. Thus, it was necessary to understand consumer awareness and purchasing processes for organic bakery products. Specifically, the study examined the structural relations among purchase reasons, purchase motives, and purchase behavioral intention of organic bakery products. A survey was conducted in May 2019 from adults who had experience purchasing organic bakery products in Seoul metropolitan area, and 327 responses were used for data analysis. The findings of the study showed that consumers' interests in health, food safety, and environment had positive effects on their attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control toward organic bakery products, while their interests in organic products did not have an effect on perceived behavioral control. There were significant differences in the purchasing process of organic bakery products according to their price sensitivity. The study suggests that the correct delivery of information on organic ingredients and the price policies available to many consumers will contribute to the revitalization of organic bakery products.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic information necessary to efficiently run a coffee shop. It comparatively analyzes the relative importance and satisfaction of side menu selection characteristics through analyses on customer importance-satisfaction when selecting a side menu as well as their usage behavior of the side menu at coffee shops. According to reason price the analysis result on the differences in the coffee shop side menu importance and satisfaction, there was a difference because the importance of selecting a side menu was higher for the attributes of taste, health, packing & appearance, economics and personnel service compared to satisfaction among which the price of a side menu was found to be the top priority for improvement. The significance of coffee shop side menu for the respondents prior to usage as well as their satisfaction after usage was evaluated in order to comparatively analyze the relative importance and achievement of each characteristic through the IPA. The result indicated that the variables positioned in the Concentrate Here area (II) were related to economic feasibility such as reasonable price, appropriate price of set menu, telecommunication company affiliated service and coupon usage and point accumulation. As for the Keep up the Good Work area (I), there were many variables regarding personnel service including taste of side menu, blending with coffee, clean packing, clean packaging, staff's side menu knowledge, staff's quick response, staff's politeness and staff's sincere response. As for the variables in the Low Priority area (III), health variables on health such as nutritional value, eco-friendly food materials and calories were observed.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2018

It is considered that vermiculite as an inorganic material is highly effective when it is used as a building finishing material because it is eco-friendly. Vermiculite has excellent properties such as fire resistance, heat insulation, sound absorption as well as prevention of condensation, deodorization and aesthetics. In this study, we developed a finishing board with vermiculite as its main material and mixed with mineral loose wool (VB-L) or mineral powder (VB-P), and conducted fireproof test and insulation test. In addition, fire resistance tests were carried out by applying the two developed vermiculite boards as finishing materials for the standard wall details of light frame wood structures (KS F 1611-1). As a result of the fire resistance test, the VB-L specimen showed better fire resistance than the VB-P specimen. Both vermiculite boards showed sufficient fire resistance performance of 2 hours for a thickness of 30 mm.