• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Background: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are a group of chemical substances used in building materials and plastic products to suppress or mitigate the combustion of materials. Although OPFRs are generally used in mixed form, information on their mixture toxicity is quite scarce. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the toxicity and determine the types of interaction (e.g., synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effect) of OPFRs mixtures. Methods: Nine organophosphorus flame retardants, including TEHP (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate) and TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), were selected based on indoor dust measurement data in South Korea. Nine OPFRs were exposed to the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri for 30 minutes and the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for 48 hours. Chemicals with significant toxicity were only used for mixture toxicity tests in HepG2. In addition, the observed EC_x values were compared with the predicted toxicity values in the CA (concentration addition) prediction model, and the MDR (model deviation ratio) was calculated to determine the type of interaction. Results: Only four chemicals showed significant toxicity in the luminescent bacteria assays. However, EC₅₀ values were derived for seven out of nine OPFRs in the HepG2 assays. In the HepG2 assays, the highest to lowest EC₅₀ were in the order of the molecular weight of the target chemicals. In the further mixture tests, most binary mixtures show additive interactions except for the two combinations that have TPhP (triphenyl phosphate), i.e., TPhP and TDCPP, and TPhP and TBOEP (tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate). Conclusions: Our data shows OPFR mixtures usually have additivity; however, more research is needed to find out the reason for the synergistic effect of TPhP. Also, the mixture experimental dataset can be used as a training and validation set for developing the mixture toxicity prediction model as a further step.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.681-692
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• 2017

In recent years, large-scale construction projects such as road pavement construction and new city construction have been carried out nationwide with by the expansion of social overhead facilities and base on the economic development planning, resulting in a rapid increase in artificial slope damage. The existing vegetation-based re-installation method of the slope surface greening method reveals various problems such as lack of bonding force, drying, and lack of organic matter. In this study, research was carried out using vegetation-based material and environmentally friendly soil additives, were are used in combination with natural humus, Bark compost, coco peat, and vermiculite. Uniaxial compressive strength was measured according to the mixing ratio of soil additives and the strength was analyzed. Experiments were carried out on the characteristics of the soil material to gauge the slope protection properties by using the soil compaction test method wherein the soil and the soil additive materials are mixed in relation to the soil height, the number of compaction, the compaction method (layer) and the curing condition. As a result of the experiment, excellent strength performance was demonstrated in soil additives using gypsum cement, and it satisfied vegetation growth standards by using performance enhancer and pH regulator. It was confirmed that the strength increases with the mixing of soil and soil additive, and the stability of slope protection can be improved.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2C
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• pp.109-117
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• 2010

Gas hydrate dissociation can generate large amounts of gas and water in gas hydrate bearing sediments, which may eventually escape from a soil skeleton and form voids within the sediments. The loss of fine particles between coarse particles or collapse of cementation due to water flow during heavy or continuous rainfall may form large voids within soil structure. In this study, the effect of void formation resulting from gas hydrate dissociation or loss of some particles within soil structure on the strength of soil is examined. Glass beads with uniform gradation were used to simulate a gas hydrate bearing or washable soil structure. Glass beads were mixed with 2% cement ratio and 7% water content and then compacted into a cylindrical sample with five equal layers. Empty capsules for medicine are used to mimic large voids, which are bigger than soil particle, and embedded into the middle of five equal layers. The number, direction, and length of capsules embedded into each layer vary. After two days curing, a series of unconfined compression tests is performed on the capsule-embedded cemented glass beads. Unconfined compressive strength of cemented glass beads with capsules depends on the volume, direction and length of capsules. The volume and cross section formed by voids are most important factors in strength. An unconfined compressive strength of a specimen with large voids decreases up to 35% of a specimen without void. The results of this study can be used to predict the strength degradation of gas hydrate bearing sediments in the long term after dissociation and loss of fine particles within soil structure.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.761-766
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• 2006

Polymer composite are increasingly considered as structural components for use in civil engineering, on account of their enhanced strength-to-weight ratios. Unsaturated polyester (UP) resin have been widely used for the matrix of composites such as FRP and polymer composite, due to its excellent adhesive. Polymer nanocomposites are new class of composites derived from the nano scale inorganic particles with dimensions typically in the range of 1 to 1000 nm that are dispersed in the polymer matrix homogeneously. Owing to the high aspect ratio of the fillers, mechanical, thermal, flame, retardant and barrier properties are enhanced without significant loss of clarity, toughness or impact strength. To prepare the MMT (Montmorillonite)-UP exfoliated nanocomposites, UP was mixed with MMT at $60^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours by using pan mixer. XRD (X-ray diffraction) pattern of the composites and TEM (Transmission Electron Micrographs) showed that the interlayer spacing of the modified MMT were exfoliated in polymer matrix. The mechanical properties also supported these findings, since in general, tensile strength, modulus with modified MMT were higher than those of the composites with unmodified MMT. The thermal stability of MMT-UP nanocomposite is better than that of pure UP, and its glass transition temperature is higher than that of pure UP. The polymer concrete made with MMT-UP nanocomposite has better mechanical properties than of pure UP. Therefore, it is suggested that strength and elastic modulus of polymer concrete was found to be positively tensile strength and tensile modulus of the MMT-UP nanocomposites.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2023

In this study, two phases were conducted to investigate the direct injection of gaseous CO₂ into cement mortar. The aim was to advance carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology by harnessing industrial waste CO₂ from the domestic ready-mixed concrete industry. In the first phase, the factors influencing the physical properties of cement mortar when using gaseous CO₂ were identified. This included a review of materials to achieve physical properties comparable to a reference formulation. As a result of this phase, it was confirmed that traditional approaches, such as adjusting the water-to-cement ratio, had limitations in achieving the desired physical properties. Consequently, the second phase focused on the optimization of CO₂-injected mortar. This involved studying the CO₂ application and mixing method for cement mortar. Changes in properties were observed when gaseous CO₂ was injected into the mortar. The optimal injection quantity and time to enhance the compressive strength of mortar were determinded. As a result, this study indicated that an extra mixing time exceeding 120 seconds was necessary, compared to conventional mortar. The optimal CO₂ injection rate was identified as 0.1 to 0.2 % by weight of cement, taking both flowability and compressive strength performance into account. Increasing the CO₂ injection time did not further enhance strength. For this approach to be employed as a CCUS technology, additional studies are required, including a microstructural analysis evaluating the amount of immobilized CO₂.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.440-448
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• 2023

Utilizing admixture, which is one of the raw material replacement method in the cement industry, is expected to be easily and quickly put to practical use as it is relatively more accessible than other methods. Among cement admixtures, limestone powder is reported to be able to improve cement performance through nucleation effects, chemical effects, and filler effects, so it is a material expected to be suitable as a cement admixture. Meanwhile, as high-quality limestone is depleted around the world, the use of limestone with clay or high magnesia (MgO) content is becoming increasingly inevitable. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to evaluate the suitability of limestone cement as a admixture by measuring the basic properties of limestone cement mixed with limestone of different qualities commonly used in Korea. As a result, the effect of alite reaction promotion was confirmed regardless of the chemical composition of the limestone binder. However, the dilution effect depending on the substitution amount was greater than the chemical composition. It is believed that normal-grade limestone can be used as a mixture as long as the limestone content in cement is within 15 % in this scope of study. In the future, we plan to evaluate the impact of the chemical composition of the limestone mixture through additional experiments depending on the chemical composition of cement.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.10-17
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• 2023

Calcium silicate cement (CSC) is an environmentally sustainable, low-carbon cement and has garnered significant attention in recent studies. However, the pre-curing step required to activate the carbon dioxide reaction and to handle the sample. This study aimed to examine the viability of extending the application of CSC without pre-curing by enhancing initial strength by mixing calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) fast-hardening cement into CSC. The investigation assessed changes in compression strength and Q-XRD mineral characteristics concerning variations in the mixing ratio of CSC and CSA fast-hardening cement within a carbon dioxide atmosphere. The compressive strength results indicated that the 3-day and 7-day strengths were 14.18 MPa and 22.98 MPa, respectively, under the 50% CSC condition, meeting the type 1 cement KS standard. Mineral characteristics analysis revealed an increase in calcite mineral, a byproduct of the carbon dioxide reaction, contributing to strength enhancement. Even after seven days, substantial quantities of unreacted rankinitene and pseudowollastonite were observed, as well as dicalcium silicate and yeelimite, which are hydrated minerals. This observation was confirmed the possibility of strength improvement after 7 days.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.463-472
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• 2023

The amount of damage and the area of damage to forest fires are increasing globally, and the effectiveness analysis of the restoration method after the damage is performed insufficient. This study calculated the area of forest fire damage was calculated using Sentinel-2B satellite images and stack map and the intensity of forest fire damage is analyzed according to the forest type. In addition, the vegetation index was calculated using various wavelength bands. Based on the results, the vegetation resilience by the restoration method was quantitatively. As results, areas with a high proportion of coniferous forests suffered high intensity forest fire damage, and areas with a relatively high ratio of mixed and broad-leaved forests tended to have low forest fire damage. Also, artificial forests showed a recovery of about 92.7% compared to before forest fires and natural forests showed a recovery of about 99.6% from the result of analyzing vegetation resilience in artificial and natural forests after forest fires. Accordingly, it was confirmed that natural forests after forest fire damage had superior vegetation resilience compared to artificial forests. It can be proposed that this study is meaningful in providing important information for efficiently restoring the affected target site and the selection criteria for trees to reduce forest fire damage through the evaluation of vegetation resilience by the intensity of forest fire damage and restoration methods.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2024

Using the freezing removal method, we investigated residual pesticides in 50 grape seed oils distributed in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The fat was mixed with acetonitrile and then frozen at ≤-20℃ for 24 h. Fats and oils were removed by separating those in solid state and the extract acetonitrile in liquid state. Ten residual pesticides were detected 161 times in 49 of 50 cases. The detected pesticides were boscalid, cyclufenamide, deltamethrin, difenoconazole, fluxapyroxad, fenpyrazamine, kresoxim-methyl, piperonyl butoxide, tebuconazole, and trifluoxysorbin. Boscalid, a fungicide, was most frequently detected (44 times), followed by fluxapiroxad (35 times). The detection range was 0.01-1.10 mg/kg, which was within the legal limit of residual pesticide for grapes. The recovery rate of the detected pesticides was 72.6-129.8% and the ratio of estimated daily intake/acceptable daily intake was calculated to determine the risk of the detected pesticides, which was <0.0028%. This indicated that the risk caused by pesticide residues in grape seed oil is at a safe level.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.86-91
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• 2024

In this study, the characteristics of mortar using carbondioxide conversion capture materials (CCMs), fabricated by reacting CO₂ with desulfurization gypsum (DG) by-produced from a oil refinery, as a cement mixture. Based on the chemical component and particle size analysis results, it estimated that desulfurized gypsum reacted with carbon dioxide to produce carbonate crystals such as CaCO₃. Using CCMs as a cement mixture, physical property and durability analysis were conducted by measuring such as workability, compressive strength, compressive strength ratio after freezing-thawing and accelerated carbonation depth. The experimental results showed that as the content of the admixture increased, workability and compressive strength characteristics decreased. Compressive strength after freezing-thawing and accelerated carbonation depth also showed similar characteristics to the physical property measurement results. In addition, compared to desulfurized gypsum, using CCMs showed better physical properties and durability. This was assumed to be due to differences in the crystal phases of the mixed materials such as free-CaO and CaCO₃.