• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.391-396
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• 1992

Anabaena variabilis A TCC 29413. a photoautotrophic and nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria. was investigated on the environmental factors regulating the growth and nitrogen lixation activity. A good growth of cyanobacteria] cells was observed due to nitrogen t1xation by the heterocyst differentiation in nitrogen free Allen and Arnon (]/8) medium. The nitrogenase activity was appeared to be in proportion to the cell growth lor 6 days then drastically decreased in the later growth period when the nitraTe was accumulated to high level in the culture to cause the inhibition. The optima] conditions lilr the cell growth and nitrogenase activity of A. varillbili.l were anaerobic. IO.OO0 lux. $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 8 with the nitrogen Cree minimal medium. The activity was significantly inhihited by the low concentrations of ammonium and nitrate. but was stimulated b) the ]ow Ieve] of phosphate and carbonate sources. The treatments of several toxic heavy metals showed strong inhibition of the cell growth and nitrogenase activity by O.3~10 ppm in the order of $Hg^{2+}$ > $Cd^{2+}$ > $Co^{2+}$ > $Zn^{2+}$ > $Ph^{2+}$, and the concentrations for 50% inhibition of the maximum activity were 0.41. 0.47. 0.5 L 0.66 and 8.1 ppm. respectively. The addition of carbohydrates (0.5~ 1.0%) in the dark condition stimulated the growth and activity in the order of sucrose > fructose > glucose.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2016

Struvite (MgNH₄PO₄ ⋅ 6H₂O) and hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) precipitation in urine-separating toilets (NoMix toilets) causes severe maintenance problems and also reduce the phosphate and calcium content. Application of urine separating technique and extraction of by-products from human urine is a cost effective technique in waste water treatment. In this study, we extract urine calcite from human urine by batch scale method, using urease producing microbes to trigger the precipitation and calcite formation process. Extracted urine calcite (calcining at 800℃) is a potential adsorbent for removal of heavy metal(loid)s like (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and As³⁺) along with additional leaching analysis of total nitrogen (T-N), phosphate (T-P) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The transformations of calcite during synthesis were confirm by characterization using XRD, SEM-EDAX and FT-IR techniques. In additional, the phosphate leaching potential and adsorbate (nitrate) efficiency in aqueous solution was investigated using the calcinedurine calcite. The results indicate that the calcite was effectively remove heavy metal(loid)s lead up to 96.8%. In addition, the adsorption capacity (q_e) of calcite was calculated and it was found to be 203.64 Pb, 110.96 Cd, 96.02 Zn, 104.2 As, 149.54 Cu and 162.68 Ni mg/g, respectively. Hence, we suggest that the calcite obtain from the human urine will be a suitable absorbent for heavy metal(loid)s removal from aqueous solution.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.291-295
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• 2002

This study was designed to investigate the effects of a butanol (BuOH) fraction from an extract of pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc.) needles, on oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes in the liver membranes of rats. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups over a 45 days study period: the control group on a basic diet, and three experimental groups on three different dietary levels of the butanol fraction, specifically 25 mg (BuOH-25), 50 mg (BuOH-50), and 100 mg (BuOH-100) butanol fraction/kg body weight/day, thereby 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% of butanol extract of pine needles was added to basil diet respectively. At the end of the experimental period, body weights and food intakes were not different among the four groups. The results showed that cholesterol accumulation in the mitochondria and microsomes of liver cells was significantly inhibited in the BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups: by 11.6% and 20.1% in the mitochondria of the BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups, respectively; and by 10.5%, and 13.5% in the microsomes of the BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups, respectively, compared with the control group. The levels of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) were significantly) lower in the liver mitochondria of the BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups (by 13.3% and 18.5%, respectively), while OH radicals were significantly lower in the microsomes or all three experimental groups (by 15.7% in the BuOH-25 group, 20.0% in the BuOH-50 group, and 20.6% in the BuOH-100group), compared with the control group. Superoxide radical (O$_2$) formation was also significantly inhibited in the liver cytosol of both BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups; the levels of these radicals were 8.0% lower for the BuOH-50 group and 11.1% lower for the BuOH-100 group, compared to the control group. Copper/Zinc - superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) activities were significantly increased (by 10.3% and 15.9%, respectively) in the liver cytosols of the BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups, but Mn-SOD activities were almost identical in the three RuOH groups, compared with the control group. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly increased in the three experimental groups (by 9.0% in the BuOH-25 group, 19.4% in the BuOH-50 group, and by 25.6% in the BuOH-100 group), compared with the control group. These results suggest that the butanol extract of pine needles may play an effective role in attenuating oxygen radicals and activating scavenger enzymes; consequently, aging may be very effectively modulated and/or inhibited.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.323-332
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• 2003

This study was carried out to provide information for the present status of soil pollution near abandoned old-zinc mining area through analysis of bound form and 0.1 N-HCl extractable concentrations of heavy metals in soils and plants. Feasibility of endemic plants for phytoremediation was evaluated by the investigation of vegetation in soils. Cd contents of the selected samples near old-zinc mining soils ranged from 0.2 to $42mg\;kg^{-1}$. Nonagricultural soils near the mining area contained great amounts of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu than the paddy and upland soils. Some Korean wild plants, Artemisia princeps, Artemisia montana, Erigeron canadensis, and Pueraria thunbergiana, were found to grow vigorously in the studied area. Among them, Artemisia princeps was selected as a possible phytoremediator for cleaning heavy metal contaminated soils. Artemisia princeps contained about 43 and $52mg\;kg^{-1}$ of Cd in their root and shoot as dry weight, respectively. Average contents of Cd in the rhizosphere soil, $15.68mg\;kg^{-1}$, was slightly higher than the soil-root interface soils, $14.1mg\;kg^{-1}$. Sequential extraction of Cd contaminated soils showed that average $2.4mg\;kg^{-1}$ (about 7%) of cadmium existed as exchangeable form and the average amounts increased as follows : adsorbed < organically bound < exchangeable << oxide carbonate << sulfide residual fractions. Amendment of organic by-product fertilizer in metal-contaminated soils promoted the growth of roots significantly as compared with the other treatments containing chemical fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.321-337
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• 1994

The garbage from the dwelling houses was composted in two kinds of small composter in laboratory to investigate the possibility of garbage composting. They were general small composters. One (type 1) was insullated but the other (type 2) was not. Because it was found that type 2 was not available for composting under our meteorological conditions through winter experiment, only type 1 was tested in spring and summer. The experiment was performed for 8 weeks in each season. The seasonal variation of several compounds in compost was evaluated and discussed. The result summarized belows are those taken at the end of the experiment, if the time was not specified. 1) The maximum temperature was $58^{\circ}C$ in spring, $57^{\circ}C$ in summer and $41^{\circ}C$ in winter. This temperature was enough to destroy the pathogen except for winter. 2) The mass was reduced to average 62.5% and the volume reduction was avergae 74%. 3) The density was estimated as 0.7kg/l in spring, 0.8kg/l in summer and 1.1kg/l in winter. 4) The water content was not much changed for composting periods. It had 75.6% in spring and 76.6% in summer and winter. 5) There was a great seasonal difference in pH value. It was reached to pH 6.13 in spring, pH 8.62 in summer and pH 4.75 in winter. 6) The faster organic matter was decomposed, the greater ash content was increased. Cellulose and lignin content were increased, but hemicellulose content was reduced during composting period. 7) Nitrogen contents were in the range of 3.1-5.6% and especially high in summer. After ammonium nitrogen contents were increased at the early stage of composting period, they were decreased. The maximum ammonium nitrogen content was 3,243mg/kg after 2 weeks in winter, 6,053mg/kg after 3 weeks in spring and 30,828mg/kg after 6 weeks in summer. C/N-ratios were not much changed. Nitrification occurred actively in spring and summer. 8) The contents of volatile and higher fatty acids were increased in early stage of composting and reduced after that. The maximum content of total fatty acid was 10.1% after 2 weeks in winter, 5.8% after 2 weeks in spring and 15.7% after 4 weeks in summer. 9) The contents of inorganic compounds were not accumulated as composting was proceeded. They were in the range of 0.9-4.4% $P_2O_5$, 1.6-2.9% $K_2O$, 2.4-4.6% CaO and 0.30-0.80% MgO. 10) CN and heavy metal contents did not show any tendency. They were in the range of 0.11-28.99mg/kg CN, 24-166mg/kg Zn, 5-129mg/kg Cu, 0.8-14.3mg/kg Cd, 7-42mg/kg Pb, ND-30mg/kg Cr and $ND-132.16\;{\mu}g/kg$ Hg.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.232-245
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• 1995

The garbage from the dwelling house was composted in two kinds of small composter in the laboratory, and the possibility of garbage composting was examined. The composters were general small. One (type 3) was constructed with the double layer walls and the other (type 4) was the same as the first except for being insulated. Because it was found that type 3 was not available for composting under our meteorological conditions through the winter experiment, only type 4 was tested in spring and summer. The experiment was performed for 8 weeks in each season. The seasonal variation of several components in the compost was evaluated and discussed. The results summarized below were those obtained at the end of the experiment, if the time was not specified. 1) The maximum temperature was $43^{\circ}C$ in winter, $55^{\circ}C$ in spring and $56^{\circ}C$ in summer. 2) The mass was reduced to an average of 63% and the volume reduction was an average of 78%. 3) The density was estimated as 1.5 kg/l in winter and 0.8 kg/l in spring and summer. 4) The water content was not much changed during the composting periods. It was 79.3% in winter, 75.0% in spring and 70.0% in summer. 5) After pH value increased during the first week, it decreased until the second week and increased again continuously thereafter. It reached pH 6.19 in winter, pH 7.59 in spring and pH 8.69 in summer. 6) The faster the organic matter was decomposed, the greater the ash content increased. The contents of cellulose and lignin increased, but that of hemicellulose decreased during the composting period. 7) Nitrogen contents were in the range of 3.3-6.8% and especially high in summer. After ammonium contents increased at the early stage of the composting period, they decreased. The maximum ammonium-nitrogen content was 2,404mg/kg after 8 weeks in winter, 12,400mg/kg after 3 weeks in spring and 20,718mg/kg after 3 weeks in summer. C/N-ratios decreased with the lapse of composting time, but they were not much changed. Nitrification occurred actively in summer. 8) The contents of volatile and higher fatty acids increased at the early stage of composting and reduced after that. The maximum content of total fatty acid was 9.7% after 6 weeks in winter, 14.8% after 6 weeks in spring and 15.8% after 2 weeks in summer. 9) The contents of inorganic components were not accumulated as composting proceeded. They were in the range of 0.9-4.4% $P_2O_5$, 1.6-2.4% $K_2O$, 2.2-5.4% CaO and 0.30-0.61% MgO. 10) CN and heavy metal contents did not show any tendency. They were in the range of 0.21-14.55mg/kg CN, 11-166mg/kg Zn, 5-65mg/kg Cu, 0.5-10.8mg/kg Cd, 6- 35mg/kg Pb, ND-33 mg/kg Cr and ND-302.04 g/kg Hg.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 2014

In order to investigate the effects of copper alloy on abalone physiology, we studied survival rate, respiration, excretion rate, and heavy metal accumulation in each organ of adults and spats. The survival rate of spats and adults showed 27-60% and 63-83% respectively, higher survival rate in adults. In particular, 100% of copper panel led to lowest survival rate and there was no sharp distinction according to copper alloy composition. The respiration rate and excretion rate of ammonia nitrogen was $1.81mgO_2/g$ D.W./h and 0.43 mg $NH_4-N/g$ D.W./h respectively at 100% of copper panel. In other words, there was a high significant difference at the level, but no significant difference at other test levels (P < 0.05). The atomic ratio (0: N) hit the lowest at the 100% of copper panel showing 3.79 and no significant differences were seen among other test groups with 6.57-7.18 of a very low range. This means that the species might have undergone nutritional stress. In case of copper accumulation, the 100% copper panel group showed the highest level in hepatopancreas and muscle showing 6.91 mg/kg and 1.60 mg/kg respectively but the rest of groups showed similar levels. Zinc accumulation raised at Cu-Zn alloy panel had high significance showing 18.50 mg/kg and 1.10 mg/kg in hepatopancreas and muscle respectively (P < 0.05). To sum up, a cage net made of 100% pure copper is expected to have a negative effect on abalone in light of survival rate, heavy metal accumulation, and atomic ratio (0: N). Moreover, given that the substratum used for the high adhesive species and nutritious stress that is represented through the atomic ratio need to be considered, the copper alloy net is thought not to be suitable for abalone aquaculture.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.5 s.86
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• pp.349-359
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• 2005

In this study, we focused on the geographical and the meterological conditions, the atmospheric examination, the soil contents and compositions in order to establish cultural properties conservation plan in Gyeongju and its surroundings. Also, the transport route with environmental contaminants in Ulsan and Pohang was examined. The results could be summarized as follows ; Air pollutant and environmental contaminant was transported by two types of winds. One is induced by local winds, the other is induced by synoptic winds. Air contaminant transported from coastal regions to inland regions were associated with wind velocity. Gyeongju had good atmospheric conditions, i.e. $SO_2\;0.009{\sim}0.011ppm,\;CO\;0.6{\sim}0.8ppm,\;NO_2\;0.015{\sim}0.020ppm,\;O_3\;0.017{\sim}0.032ppm,\;PM_{10}\;46{\sim}62{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;Pb\;0.034{\sim}0.060{\mu}g/m^3$, which was below environmental air qualify standards and was little lower than those of Pohang and Ulsan. However, Ulsan and Pohang city are located on south-east coast and have many industrial facilities. Hence, air pollution problems become serious issues in Ulsan, Pohang, Busan, Daegu and other cities due to the emission of air pollutants from the various industrial facilities, incinerator and power plants, etc. The soil of Gyeongju had heavy metals conditions, i.e. $Cd\;0.01{\sim}0.08mg/kg,\;Cu\;N.D{\sim}2.39mg/kg,\;As\;N.D{\sim}0.07mg/kg,\;Hg\;N.D{\sim}0.15mg/kg,\;Pb\;0.49{\sim}1.39mg/kg,\;Cr^{+6}\;0.02{\sim}0.42mg/kg,\;Fe\;0.74{\sim}1.55mg/kg,\;Mn\;0.11{\sim}0.49mg/kg\;and\;Zn\;1.11{\sim}3.56mg/kg$. However, pH value of soil had range of $4.12{\sim}7.45$. The results showed that high pH concentration of soil could occur due to air pollution diffusion and environmental contaminant transport at Ulsan and Pohang city.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.400.1-400.1
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• 2016

Interfacial engineering approaches as an efficient strategy for improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) has attracted considerable attention. Recently, polymer surface modifiers, such as poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE), were introduced to produce low WF electrodes and were reported to have good electron selectivity for inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) without an n-type metal oxide layer. To obtain more efficient solar cells, quantum dots (QDs) are used as effective sensitizers across a broad spectral range from visible to near IR. Additionally, they have the ability to efficiently generate multiple excitons from a single photon via a process called carrier multiplication (CM) or multiple exciton generation (MEG). However, in general, it is very difficult to prepare a bilayer structure with an organic layer and a QD interlayer through a solution process, because most solvents can dissolve and destroy the organic layer and QD interlayer. To present a more effective strategy for surpassing the limitations of traditional methods, we studied and fabricated the highly efficient iPSCs with mono-layered QDs as an effective multi-functional layer, to enhance the quantum yield caused by various effects of QDs monolayer. The mono-layered QDs play the multi-functional role as surface modifier, sub-photosensitizer and electron transport layer. Using this effective approach, we achieve the highest conversion efficiency of ~10.3% resulting from improved interfacial properties and efficient charge transfer, which is verified by various analysis tools.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2020

Characterization and in vitro inhibition studies of protease inhibitor from the mushroom Pleurotus floridanus (PfTI) towards the pest Papilio demoleus is studied. The addition of 1 mM Mn²⁺, Na²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ni ²⁺ enhanced the PfTI activity. The ICP-atomic emission spectrum showed the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in the PfTI. Surfactants SDS and CTAB at a concentration of 1% reduced the PfTI activity whereas, the nonionic detergents Triton X and Tween 80 increased the activity. The inhibitory activity gradually decreased with increase in concentration of DMSO and H₂O₂. The activity was increased by dithiothreitol up to a concentration of 80 μM and inactivated at 140 μM. The activity of PMSF modified PfTI was drastically reduced to 0.234 U/mL at 4 mM concentration and similar results were obtained for modification of cysteine by N-Ethylmaleimide at slightly higher concentrations. The complex of trypsin and PfTI showed complete loss in fluorescence intensity at 343 nm compared with control. In vitro inhibition studies of PfTI with midgut proteases isolated from citrus pest P. demoleus with protease activity of 1.236 U was decreased to 0.613 U by 50 μL (0.1 mg/mL) of the inhibitor. Inhibitor was stable up to 0.04 M concentration of HCl.