• Clean Technology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.134-144
• /
• 2024

In this study, the mechanical stability of red mud was improved for its commercial use as a catalyst to effectively decompose HFC-134a, one of the seven major greenhouse gases. Red mud is an industrial waste discharged from aluminum production, but it can be used for the decomposition of HFC-134a. Red mud can be manufactured into a catalyst via the crushing-preparative-compression molding-firing process, and it is possible to improve the catalyst performance and secure mechanical stability through calcination. In order to determine the optimal heat treatment conditions, pellet-shaped compressed red mud samples were calcined at 300, 600, 800 ℃ using a muffle furnace for 5 hours. The mechanical stability was confirmed by the weight loss rate before and after ultra-sonication after the catalyst was immersed in distilled water. The catalyst calcined at 800 ℃ (RM 800) was found to have the best mechanical stability as well as the most catalytic activity. The catalyst performance and durability tests that were performed for 100 hours using the RM 800 catalyst showed thatmore than 99% of 1 mol% HFC-134a was degraded at 650 ℃, and no degradation in catalytic activity was observed. XRD analysis showed tri-calcium aluminate and gehlenite crystalline phases, which enhance mechanical strength and catalytic activity due to the interaction of Ca, Si, and Al after heat treatment at 800 ℃. SEM/EDS analysis of the durability tested catalysts showed no losses in active substances or shape changes due to HFC-134a abasement. Through this research, it is expected that red mud can be commercialized as a catalyst for waste refrigerant treatment due to its high economic feasibility, high decomposition efficiency and mechanical stability.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.441-467
• /
• 2016

This fMRI study is aim to investigate effects of competitive environment in cognitive empathic process in human brain. Empathy is known as a crucial factor for human's adaptive behavior in aspects of social cognition and it is almost automatic process, on the other hand competitive situation is psychologically devastated environment to win someone for getting rewards. We hypnotized that reading and understanding of other person's mind are a specific characteristic related to survival evolutionarily, however competition would have an effect on the empathic cognitive process because of mechanisms of competition. To manipulate the competitive atmosphere, one researcher took a role of competitor against participants and they were instructed to get monetary rewards when their performance was better than a competitor. 21 participants(9 males and 12 females) performed to judge the emotional valence of the empathic task consisted of illustrated images with various situation could be experienced in real world as on $1^{st}$ person perspective in both competitive and non-competitive condition, and did same performance with objects stimulus in control condition. In order to examine the competition effects on empathic process,, hemodynamic response were obtained during fMRI session and the imaging data were analyzed to identify brain regions where responses to each condition across the two consecutive runs. Participants' reaction time in competitive condition was faster statistically significant than non-competitive one. Activation for competitive condition increased in the following areas: ACC, mPFC, SMG, thalamus extended caudate and Nacc, parahippocampal gyrus, and for non-competitive condition increased paracingulate gyrus, temporal pole, vmPFC, superior occipital gyrus. As a result of regression analysis using empathic scores as covariance, the rSMG, IFG, fusiform gyrus, thalamus, putamen were correlated with higher empathic levels, and TPJ were correlated with lower empathic scores. We suggest that these observations could mean competitive environment have an effect on neural base of cognitive empathic process.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.299-303
• /
• 2008

A thermally cross-linkable polymer, poly[(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(1,4-phenylenevinylene)] (Cross-PPV), was synthesized by the Heck coupling reaction. In order for the polymer to be cross-linkable, 20 mol% excess divinylbenzene was added. The chemical structure of Cross-PPV and thermally crosslinked Cross-PPV were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. From the FT-IR, UV-Vis, and PL spectral data, thermally crosslinked Cross-PPV was insoluble in common organic solvents. The HOMO and LUMO energy level of thermally cross-linked Cross-PPV were estimated -5.11 and -2.56 eV, respectively, which were determined by the cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectroscopy. From the energy level data, one can easily notice that thermally crosslinked Cross-PPV can be used for hole injection layer effectively. Bilayer structured device (ITO/crosslinked Cross-PPV/PM-PPV/Al) was fabricated using poly(1,4-phenylenevinylene-(4-dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran)-2,6-vinylene-1,4-phenylenevinylene-2,5-bis(dodecyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene (PM-PPV) as the emitting layer, which have HOMO and LUMO energy levels of -5.44 eV and -3.48 eV, respectively. The bilayered device had much enhanced the maximum efficiency (0.024 cd/A) and luminescence ($45cd/m^2$) than those of a single layer device (ITO/PM-PPV/Al, 0.003 cd/A, $3cd/m^2$). The enhanced performance originated from that fact that cross-linked Cross-PPV facilitatse the hole injection to the emissive layer and the injected hole and electron from ITO and Al are recombined in emitting layer (PM-PPV) effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2003

We fabricated mixed ionic-electronic conducting membranes, $CH_4\;Using\;{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$, by solid state reaction method for solid oxide fuel cell. The membranes consisted of single perovskite phase and exhibited high relative density, $>95\%$. We coated $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}CoO_{3-\delta}$ layer using screen printing method in order to improve surface reactivity of the $La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$. As a result, the oxygen permeation flux of the coated $La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$ showed higher value, $0.5ml/min{\cdot}cm^2\;at\;950^{\circ}C$ than the uncoated one. Higher oxygen permeation was observed in the porously coated Lao $La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$membranes with larger grain sizes. Syngas, $CO+H_2$, was successfully obtained from methane gas, $CH_4$, using the $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}CoO_{3-\delta}$ coated $La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$, with over $40\%\;of\;CH_4$ conversion and syngas yield. $La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}Ga_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}O_{3-\delta}$ membrane was stable even when it was exposed to the reducing environment, methane, for 600 hrs at $950^{\circ}C$.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.356-361
• /
• 2007

Cyanobacteria are a very old group of prokaryotic organisms that produce very diverse secondary metabolites, especially non-ribosomal peptide and polyketide structures. Although some cyanobacteria produce lethal toxins such as microcystins and anatoxins, some may be useful either for development into commercial drugs or as biochemical tools. Detection of unknown secondary metabolites was carried in the present study by a screening of 98 cyanobacterial strains from Cyanobiotech GmbH in order to establish a screening process, isolate pure substances and determine their bioactivities. A degenerated polymerase chain reaction technique as molecular approaches has been used for general screening of NRPS gene and PKS gene in cyanobacteria. A putative PKS gene was detected by DKF/DKR primer in 38 strains (38.8%) and PCR amplicons resulted from a presence of NRPS gene were showed by MTF2/MTR2 primer in 30 strains (30.6%), respectively. A screening of interesting strains was performed by comparing PCR screening results with HPLC analyses of extracts. HPLC analysis for a detection of natural products was performed in extracts from biomass. 5 strains were screened for further scale-up processing. 7 pure substances were isolated from the scale-up cultures and tested for bioactivities under consideration to purity, amount and molecular weight of substances. One substance isolated from CBT 635 showed cytotoxic activity. This substance may be regarded as Microcystin LR.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.24-30
• /
• 2003

A formation and conversion of AFm phases decisively play role in the hydration, hardening and corrosion processes of various cement. In this study, the conversion of Alumino-Ferrite Monohydrates(AFm) phases under the addition of $CaCO_3,;CaCl_2;and;CaSO_4{cdot}2H_2O$was investigated by the XRD quantitative analysis. The thypical AFm phases are $M_S(monosulfoaluminate),;M_C(monocarboaluminate);and;M_{Cl}(monochloroaluminate and also Called Friedel's salts)$in this cementitious system, The conversion reaction were not occurred in $M_C-CaCO_3,;M_{Cl}-CaCO_3$ and $M_{Cl}-CaCl_2$system. However, in $M_S-CaCO_3$ system, ettringite and $monocarboaluminate(M_C)$ were formed. In $M_S-CaCl_2;system;M_S$ was transformed to Friedel's $salts(M_{Cl})$ and ettringite was formed. In the case of $CaSO_4{cdot}2H_2O$ addition, all AFm $phases(M_S,;M_C;and;M_{Cl})$ were transformed to ettringite. The order of stabilization of AFm phases under $CaCO_3,;CaCl_2;and;CaSO_4{cdot}2H_2O$ was as follows : $M_S< M_C

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 1999

In order to degrade chitin by enzymatic hydrolysis, it is required from screening highly active deacetylase. To this end, we examined three fungal strains and it turned out that Mucor rouxii produced highly active deacetylase, this enzyme exhibited the highest enzymatic activity against colloidal chitin. The conditions for growing Mucor rouxii are as follows; the effective carbon source, nitrogen source, adequate initial pH, temperature and incubation time were $2\%$ glucose, $1.33\%$ yeast extract, $0.66\%$ pepton, 4.5, $25{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ and 48hr, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature for purified enzyme activity were 5.5 and $40^{\circ}C$, respectively. The purified enzyme was stable at pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. However, the enzyme activity was decreased to less than $50\%$ at pH blow 45 and above 7.5. At temperatures above $50^{\circ}C$, the enzyme activity was decreased remarkably. The enzyme was inhibited by LiC1, $HgCl_2$, and $BaCl_2$, but stimulated by $CaCl_2$ and $ZnC1_2$, The activity of purified enzyme was increased by L-cysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol, while decreased by O-phenanthroline, p-CMB, EDTA, and iodoacetate. The $K_m$ and the $V_{max}$ value of purified enzyme were $1.2\%$ and 59.5 U/mg, respectively. The deacetylation activity of purified enzyme was not detected at optimal reaction condition when chitin particle suspension was used.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2015

$^3He$ gas has been used for neutron monitors as the neutron converter owing to its advantages such as high sensitivity, good ${\gamma}$-discrimination capability, and long-term stability. However, $^3He$ is becoming more difficult to obtain in last few years due to a global shortage of $^3He$ gas. Accordingly, the cost of a neutron monitor using $^3He$ gas as a neutron converter is becoming more expensive. Demand on a neutron monitor using an alternative neutron conversion material is widely increased. $^{10}B$ has many advantages among various $^3He$ alternative materials, as a neutron converter. In order to develop a neutron converter using $^{10}B$ (actually $B_4C$), we calculated the optimal thickness of a neutron converter with a Monte Carlo simulation using MCNP6. In addition, a neutron converter was fabricated by the Ar sputtering method and the neutron signal detection efficiencies were measured with respect to various thicknesses of fabricated a neutron converter. Also, we developed a 2-dimensional multi-wire proportional chamber (MWPC) for neutron beam profile monitoring using the fabricated a neutron converter, and performed experiments for neutron response of the neutron monitor at the 30 MW research reactor HANARO at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. The 2-dimensional MWPC with boron ($B_4C$) neutron converter was proved to be useful for neutron beam monitoring, and can be applied to other types of neutron imaging.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.172-176
• /
• 2005

Recently, many researches on the high-voltage 5 V class cathode material have focused on $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{1.5}O_4$, where $Mn^{3+}$ in the existing $LiMn_2O_4 (Li[Mn^{3+}][Mn^{4+}]O_4)$ is replaced by $Ni^{2+}(Li[Ni^{2+}]_{0.5}[Mn^{4+}]_{1.5}O_4)$ in order to utilize $Ni^{2+}/Ni^{4+}$ redox reaction in the 5V region. The partial substitution of Mn in $LiMn_2O_4$ for other transition metal element, $LiM_yMn_{1-y}O_4$(M=Cr, Al, Ni, Fe, Co, Cu, Ga etc) is known as a good solution to overcome the problems associated with $LiMn_2O_4$ like the gradual capacity fading. In this study, we synthesized $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{1.5}O_4$ through a mechanochemical process and investigated its morphological, crystallographic and electrochemical characteristics. The results showed that 4 V peaks had been found in the cyclic volammograms of the synthesized powders due to the existence of $Mn^{3+}$ from the incomplete substitution of $Ni^{2+}$ for $Mn^{3+}$ implying that the mechanochemical activation alone was not good enough to synthesize an exact stoichiometric compound of $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{1.5}O_4$. The synthetic condition of mechanochemical process, such as type of starting materials, ball-mill and calcination condition was optimized for the best electrochemical performance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.922-931
• /
• 2000

Background : It has been well known that bronchia1 asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder. Recently, sputum induced with hypertonic saline was introduced as a simple and useful nonivasive medium to investigate airway inflammation and symptom severity in patients with asthma. We examined the eosinophil, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin(IL)-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating facta (GM-CSF), and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives in induced sputum from patients with bronchia1 asthma in order to determine the role of NO and various inflammatory cytokines as a useful markers of airway inflammation or changes in pulmonary function tests and symptoms. Methods : A total 30 patients with bronchia1 asthma received oral prednisolone 30 mg daily for 2 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), total blood eosinophil count and induced sputum eosinophil count, ECP, IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF, and NO derivatives were determined before and after the administration of prednisolone. Results : Of the 30 patients, 13 (43.3%) were male and 17 (56.7%) were female. The mean age of patients was 41.8 years (range 19-64 years). Two patients could not produce sputum at the second study and 3 could not be followed up after their first visit. Two weeks after the prednisolone administration, there was a significant increase in $FEV_1$ (% of predicted value) from 78.1$\pm$20.6 % to 90.3$\pm$ 18.3 % (P<0.001). The eosinophil percentages in induced sputum were significantly decreased after treatment with prednisolone, with values of 56.1$\pm$27.2 % versus 29.6$\pm$21.3 % (P<0.001), and ECP were $134.5\pm68.1\;{\mu}g/L$ versus $41.5\pm42.4\;{\mu}g/L$ (P<0.001) respectively. After the prednisolone treatments, the eotaxin concentration also showed a decreasing tendency from 26.7$\pm$12.8 pg/ml to 21.7$\pm$8.7 pg/ml. There was a decreasing tendency but no significant differences in total blood eosinophil count (425.7$\pm$265.9 vs 287.7$\pm$294.7) and in the concentration of NO derivatives ($70.4\pm44.6{\mu}mol/L$ vs $91.5\pm48.3\;{\mu}mol/L$) after the prednisolone treatments. IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF were undetectable in the sputum of most subjects either before the prednisolone treatments or after the treatments. Before the prednisolone treatments, a significant inverse correlation was observed between FEV1 and sputum ECP (r=-D.364, P<0.05) and there was a significant correlation between sputum eosinophils and eotaxin (r=0.369, P<0.05) Conclusion : The eotaxin and ECP concentration in induced sputum may be used as markers of airway inflammation after treatments in bronchia1 asthma. In addition, the measurement of sputum eosinophil percent ages is believed to be a simple method displaying the degree of airway inflammation and airway obstruction before and after the prednisolone treatment in bronchia1 asthma. However, unlike exhaled NO, the examination of NO derivatives with Griess reaction in induced sputum is considered an ineffective marker of changing airway inflammation and obstructing symptoms.