• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.245-252
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• 2014

Arsenic is a unique element with distinct physical characteristics and toxicity whose importance in public health is well recognized. The toxicity of arsenic varies across its different forms. While the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been confirmed, the mechanisms behind the diseases occurring after acute or chronic exposure to arsenic are not well understood. Inorganic arsenic has been confirmed as a human carcinogen that can induce skin, lung, and bladder cancer. There are also reports of its significant association to liver, prostate, and bladder cancer. Recent studies have also suggested a relationship with diabetes, neurological effects, cardiac disorders, and reproductive organs, but further studies are required to confirm these associations. The majority of research to date has examined cancer incidence after a high exposure to high concentrations of arsenic. However, numerous studies have reported various health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. An assessment of the health effects to arsenic exposure has never been performed in the South Korean population; thus, objective estimates of exposure levels are needed. Data should be collected on the biological exposure level for the total arsenic concentration, and individual arsenic concentration by species. In South Korea, we believe that biological exposure assessment should be the first step, followed by regular health effect assessments.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.371-374
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• 1995

An organic germanium compound, Ge-132, was reported to have interferon inducer activity, anti-tumor activity and anti-viral activity. ICP, AA and colorimetry methods were used for the determination of germanium in Ge-132. However these methods have a problem that they only give an information on the total amount of germanium element, and consequently Ge-132 connot be distinguished form toxic inorganic Ge compounds. To overcome this problem, ion chromatography was used to analyze Ge-132. Ge-132 was separated on Ionpac AS4A column with 1.3mM $Na_2B_4O_7$ buffer(pH=9.2) solution as an eluent and detected by the conductivity detector. Correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.999 and the detection limit measured at S/N ratio of 3 was 50pmol. This method was applicable to the analysis of Ge-132 raw material and Ge-132 preparations.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seedling age and irrigation set point on the growth and yield of white spined cucumber cv Sharp-1. Leaf area, number of lateral vines and root weight measured 70 days after planting were the greatest in 30 day-old seedling treatment. Inorganic element content measured 30 days after planting was the greatest in 30 day-old seedling treatment. Total and marketable yields were greater in 30 day-old seedlings than those of 20 or 40 day-old seedlings. The early yield was the least in 20 day-old seedlings. 40-day old seedlings lost vigor quickly. No significant differences in growth and yield observed as affected by irrigation set point.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.371-377
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• 2019

A flexible piezoelectric energy harvester(f-PEH) that converts tiny mechanical and vibrational energy resources into electric signals without any restraints is drawing attention as a self-powered source to operate flexible electronic systems. In particular, the nanocomposites-based f-PEHs fabricated by a simple and low-cost spin-coating method show a mechanically stable and high output performance compared to only piezoelectric polymers or perovskite thin films. Here, the non-piezoelectric polymer matrix of the nanocomposite-based f-PEH is replaced by a P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric polymer to improve the output performance generated from the f-PEH. The piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposite is produced by distributing the perovskite PZT nanoparticles inside the piezoelectric elastomer; subsequently, the piezoelectric hybrid material is spin-coated onto a thin metal substrate to achieve a nanocomposite-based f-PEH. A fabricated energy device after a two-step poling process shows a maximum output voltage of 9.4 V and a current of 160 nA under repeated mechanical bending. Finite element analysis(FEA) simulation results support the experimental results.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2019

Recycling of drained nutrient solution in hydroponic cultivation of horticultural crops is important in the conservation of the water resources, reduction of production costs and prevention of environmental contamination. Objective of this research was to obtain the fundamental data for the development of a recirculation system of hydroponic solution in semi-forcing cultivation of 'Bonus' tomato. To achieve the objective, tomato plants were cultivated for 110 days and the contents of inorganic elements in plant, supplied and drained nutrient solution were analyzed when crop growth were in the flowering stage of 2nd to 8th fruiting nodes. The T-N content of the plants based on above-ground tissue were 4.1% at the flowering stage of 2nd fruiting nodes (just after transplanting), and gradually get lowered to 3.9% at the flowering stage of 8th fruiting nodes. The tissue P contents were also high in very early stage of growth and development and were maintained to similar contents in the flowering stage of 3rd to 7th fruiting nodes, but were lowed in 8th node stages. The tissue Ca, Mg and Na contents in early growth stages were lower than late growth stages and the contents showed tendencies to rise as plants grew. The concentration differences of supplied nutrient solution and drained solution in $NO_3-N$, P, K, Ca, and Mg were not significant until 5 weeks after transplanting, but the concentration of those elements in drained solution rose gradually and maintained higher than those in supplied solution. The concentrations of B, Fe, and Na in drained solution were slightly higher in the early stages of growth and development and were significantly higher in the mid to late stages of growth than those in supplied solution. The above results would be used as a fundamental data for the correction in the inorganic element concentrations of drained solution for semi-forcing hydroponic cultivation of tomato.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.484-487
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• 2012

A discrimination technique for domestic and imported Scutellaria baicalensis was developed using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED-XRF). Mineral content ratios, of a total of 43 species, including P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, were measured among 204 samples. Macro element content ratios and trace element content ratios were determined using the standardless fundamental parameters (SLFP) analysis. Inorganic element ratios of P, S, K, Ca, Cl, Mn, and Fe were significantly different between domestic and imported samples. The result from the canonical discriminant analysis showed that the accuracy of geographical origin discrimination was 95.15%; the correlation coefficient was 0.888. It was concluded that this technique could be used as a useful method in discriminating the geographical origins between domestic and imported Scutellaria baicalensis.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2012

The objective of this study was carried out to elucidate the effect of LEDs (light emitting diodes) irradiation in relation to early growth and inorganic elements in leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Rollo Rosa'). In morphological changes of leaves, shoot elongation and hypocotyl length showed poor growth in red light irradiation, while the red + blue light irradiation induced shorter plant height and much greater leaf numbers resulting in increased fresh weight. In change of the Hunter's color and SPAD values, lettuce seedlings grown under in red + blue and fluorescent light irradiation had a higher $a^*$ value, otherwise SPAD values were not changed in these light irradiations. Interestingly, relative chlorophyll contents showed 1.8 times increased redness in the treatment of red + blue light irradiation. Inorganic element (N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe) and ascorbic acid contents were increased in lettuce plants grown under LEDs light irradiation compared to those of lettuce grown under the fluorescent light which showed higher P and Mn contents. In conclusion, it is considered that red + blue light irradiation which stimulates growth and higher nutrient uptake in leaf lettuce could be employed in containers equipped with LEDs.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.659-668
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• 2013

The objective of this study was carried out to elucidate the effect of LEDs (light emitting diodes) irradiation in relation to early growth and inorganic elements in leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Chung Chi Ma'). In morphological changes of leaves, shoot elongation and hypocotyl length showed poor growth in red light irradiation, while the red+blue light irradiation induced shorter plant height and much greater leaf numbers resulting in increased fresh weight. In change of the Hunter's color and SPAD values, lettuce seedlings grown under in red+blue and fluorescent light irradiation had a higher $a^*$ value, otherwise SPAD values were not changed in these light irradiations. Interestingly, relative chlorophyll contents showed 1.8 times increased redness in the treatment of red+blue light irradiation. Inorganic element (N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe) and ascorbic acid contents were increased in lettuce plants grown under LEDs light irradiation compared to those of lettuce grown under the fluorescent light which showed higher P and Mn contents. In conclusion, it is considered that red+blue light irradiation which stimulates growth and higher nutrient uptake in leaf lettuce could be employed in containers equipped with LEDs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of light-emitting diode treatment on early growth and inorganic elements in leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Oak Leaf'). In changes to leaf morphology, shoot elongation and hypocotyl length showed poor growth under red light irradiation, while red+blue light irradiation induced shorter plant height and more leaves, resulting in increased fresh weight. With respect to Hunter's color and SPAD values, lettuce seedlings grown under red+ blue and fluorescent light irradiation had a higher $a^*$ value but showed no other changes to SPAD values. Interestingly, redness in relative chlorophyll content was 1.4 times higher under red+blue light irradiation. Inorganic element (N, Ca, Mg, and Fe) and ascorbic acid concentrations increased in lettuce plants grown under LED light irradiation compared to those of lettuce grown under fluorescent light, which showed a higher P content. In conclusion, red+blue light irradiation, which stimulates growth and higher nutrient uptake in leaf lettuce, could be employed in containers equipped with LEDs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.371-380
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• 2013

Though MBR process has many advantages, the greatest risk factors in operating MBR process are occurrence of membrane fouling and decrease of flux. It is very difficult to find exact mechanism due to complex influence by many effects, although there have been recently many studies of membrane fouling. The purposes of this study are firstly evaluating bioreactor of lab-scale and micro-filtration hollow fiber membrane, secondly investigating correlation between foulants affecting membrane performance and membrane fouling, and lastly evaluating various parameters affecting fouling and applicability of membrane fouling reducer. This study found that TMP was increasing rapidly and showed 0.32 bar and the average of flux was 88 LMH. EPS concentration tends not to change much above MLSS concentration (6,000 mg/L). However, EPS concentration variation is wide below MLSS concentration (6,000 mg/L). Also, from results of membrane surface condition and element analysis using SEM/EDX, carbon and fluorine were founded to be the highest percentage in membrane because of characteristics of membrane material. In operating continuously, inorganic fouling was generated by increase of these inorganic substances such as $Al^{3+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$. Lastly, the best filtration performance was obtained for 0.03 mg MFR/mg MLSS by results of particle size, zeta potential, $SCOD_{cr}$, EPS and MLSS concentration.