• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2012

In this study, the physical, mechanical, structural, and environmental performances based on field measured data were evaluated to check the suitability of concrete for ecological preservation and cultivation of a hydrophilic environment. More specifically, the study is focused on developing an environmentally friendly functional concrete with river ecology restoration and natural river early formation capabilities. The mechanical performance evaluation results showed that the increase in mix rate of the PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) reinforcement fibers and silica fume caused an increase in the strength. The optimal mix rate was found to be 0.05 volume % PVA fiber and approximately 10% silica fume. The frost resistance evaluation showed that superior performance was gained when 0.05 volume % PVA fiber and 15% silica fume was mixed simultaneously. In the structural performance evaluation, the bending strength was improved by 47.7% compared to plain concrete when mixed with 0.05 volume % PVA fiber. The flexural toughness also saw significant improvement. The environmental monitoring of field performance showed that grasses germinated most rapidly, but the growth of red poppies, a plant that germinates in the spring, was most active with passing of time. Coverage measurements in all of the monitoring locations found favorable coverage of over 95% after 12 weeks. The study results showed that the environmentally friendly functional concrete had outstanding environmental performance.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2016

Electrospinning is a simple and effective process for producing nanofiber with diameter range from nanometers to micrometers which have high specific surface area. Hence, medicated nanofibers can be readily fabricated using a solution containing a mixture of a plant-extracts and a polymer. It has proved that Juniperus Chinensis can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced advers skin reaction such as radical production, inflammation and skin cell damage. It also found that Juniperus Chinensis has efficient ingredient of antifungal activity and house dust mite repellent effect. The fabrication of PVA nanofibers containing Juniperus Chinensis extracts by electrospinning has been studied. PVA/Juniperus Chinensis extracts composite nanofibers were produced at different Juniperus Chinensis concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1.5 wt. %). The parameters of electrospinning including polymer contents, voltage and tip-to-collector distance (TCD) were optimized for fabrication process. The study show that 12 wt. % PVA, 10kV applied voltage and TCD 10~20 cm are the best condition to obtain uniform PVA/Juniperus Chinensis extracts composite nanofibers. Morphologies of the electrospun composite nanofiber were observed by using a field emission scanning electron microscope. It has been found that the average diameters of fibers increased by the adding of Juniperus Chinensis extracts. As the results, PVA/Juniperus Chinensis extracts composite nanofibers having a diameter in the range from 310~360 nm were successfully prepared via an electrospinning.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2012

This study has conducted to develop new gabion wall systems with vegetation base materials for stream bank stability and rapid rehabilitation. Vegetation base materials are primarily compounded with fine soil, organic composts and peat moss as plant fibers, a water retainer and a soil improver. Normally gabion wall systems resist the lateral earth pressures or stream power by their own weight. Therefore, fill material must have suitable weight, compressive strength and durability to resist the loading, as well as the effects of water and weathering. In this project, 100 to 200-mm clean, hard stones are basically specified, and about 50-mm rubbles are also used. Test application of new gabion wall system carried out in the stream bank of a small stream in the Gwangreung experimental forest, belonging to Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) in December 16th, 2006. As a result of the analysis of hydraulic stability of new gabion wall system, gabion wall system has highest threshold shear stress when the gabion wall covered by vegetation. New gabion wall system is highly resistant to sliding and overturning because safety coefficients exceed 1.5. As a result of term of slope stability analysis of new gabion wall system by Bishop and Fellenius methods, stability of stream bank was highly increased after the construction of gabion wall. Therefore, new gabion wall system is effective to stabilize unstable stream bank.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-63
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• 2019

In view of the growing industrial use of Bacterial cellulose (BC), and taking into account that it might become airborne and be inhaled after industrial processing, assessing its potential pulmonary toxic effects assumes high relevance. In this work, the murine model was used to assess the effects of exposure to respirable BC nanofibrils (nBC), obtained by disintegration of BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages ($BMM{\Phi}$) were treated with different doses of nBC (0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively 1 and $10{\mu}g$ of fibrils) in absence or presence of 0.2% Carboxymethyl Cellulose (nBCMC). Furthermore, mice were instilled intratracheally with nBC or nBCMC at different concentrations and at different time-points and analyzed up to 6 months after treatments. Microcrystaline $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159, a plant-derived cellulose, was used for comparison. Markers of cellular damage (lactate dehydrogenase release and total protein) and oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity) as well presence of inflammatory cells were evaluated in brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Histological analysis of lungs, heart and liver tissues was also performed. BAL analysis showed that exposure to nBCMC or CMC did not induce major alterations in the assessed markers of cell damage, oxidative stress or inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid over time, even following cumulative treatments. $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159 significantly increased LDH release, detected 3 months after 4 weekly administrations. However, histological results revealed a chronic inflammatory response and tissue alterations, being hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries (observed 3 months after nBCMC treatment) of particular concern. These histological alterations remained after 6 months in animals treated with nBC, possibly due to foreign body reaction and the organism's inability to remove the fibers. Overall, despite being a safe and biocompatible biomaterial, BC-derived nanofibrils inhalation may lead to lung pathology and pose significant health risks.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2023

Melons, a rich source of vitamins and fibers, are commonly grown in the soil. Hydroponic cultivation could improve yield and quality of melon and selection of substrate volume and the kind of substrates is important for hydroponic cultivation of melons. This study investigated the effect on melon growth according to volume of granular rockwool and substrates of coir and rockwool slab. 'Geumsegye' melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Geumsegye) was cultivated hydroponically according to volume of granular rockwool to 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 L, and was also cultivated using coir and rockwool slabs. Logistic model was applied to estimate the growth characteristics of melons such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the characteristics of fruit. The growth characteristics of melons were significantly increased at 4.0 L compared to those grown of 1.0 L volume of on granular rockwool, and the results were the highest in coir and rockwool slabs. Melons grown in rockwool slabs showed the largest fruit fresh weight, fruit length, and fruit width. During hydroponic cultivation, growth characteristics of melon appropriate at the 4.0 L volume of granular rockwool, and the highest at coir and rockwool slabs. This study provides a basis for understanding the effect of root zone environment to the growth characteristics and fruit quality of non-netted melon.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.237-248
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• 2008

Development of T. urticae was studied on the leaves of eggplant grown in hydroponics with nitrogen contents of 5 mM, 10 mM, 30 mM, and 60 mM. As the nitrogen level in hydroponics increased, it also increased in the plant whereas that of K, Ca, and Mg decreased. More nitrogen in hydroponics resulted in increased contents of water and crude protein, and decreased ash, carbohydrates, and fibers within the plant. Biomass was the heaviest as 989.5 g at 10 mM and the lightest at 60 mM. Leaf thickness and the content of chlorophyll increased as the content of nitrogen increased. Laboratory leaf disc tests obtained from plants grown at various nitrogen levels revealed that feeding and oviposition preferences of T. urticae were high at 30 mM and low at 5 mM. Ratio of damaged leaf by naturally occurring T. urticae on eggplants of 99 days post-transplant in the greenhouse was the highest as 98% at 60 mM. Degrees of damage on eggplants with and without T. urticae infestation turned up more as the differences in the levels of nitrogen in the hydroponics get bigger. No definite differences in the rate of T. urticae development was found between nitrogen treatment levels but, mortalities in immature stages dropped as the nitrogen levels went up. Adult longevity was the longest of 11.9 for female and 6.9 days for male at 60 mM. Oviposition period was also the longest as 11.7 days at 60 mM and shortened as the level of nitrogen decreased. The number of eggs oviposited was the most as 144.4 at 60 mM while it was the least as 41.0 at 5 mM. Sex ratio was 0.75 in favor of female at 10 mM. $R_o$ and T increased, no trends were detected in $r_m\;and\;{\lambda}$, while Dt decreased as the levels of nitrogen went up.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2021

Rapid urbanization around the world has negatively affected wildlife habitats, including birds. Wild birds settled in the city are adapting to the changed surroundings, and are typically known to make nests using materials that are easy to find around the city. This study was conducted for the purpose of analyzing the nesting materials on the Paridae using artificial bird nests installed in cities. In this study, the researchers established a total of 33 artificial bird nests in urban parks (22) and forests (11) in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Then we collected 4 artificial bird nests in urban parks (18.19%) and 5 in urban forests (45.46%) to compare the characteristics of bird nest materials by the nest, species, and urban green area types. Eight nests, excluding a nest abandoned by a pair of Paridae, were used for the material analysis. The collected nests were dried, and classified into natural materials (vegetable materials, animal materials, moss, and soil) and artificial materials (cotton, paper pieces, plastics, vinyl, and synthetic fibers), and then each nest was weighed. The classification result shows that the portion of moss (50.65%) was the highest in all nests, followed by soil (21.43%), artificial material (13.95%), vegetable material (5.78%), animal material (4.57%), and others (3.59%) in that order. Artificial materials were used in all nests in urban green areas. Moreover, although the Paridae used about 5.16% more vegetable material than the Parus varius, it was not significant (t=2.17, p=0.07). Plant materials and soil were most preferred in urban forests, and moss, animal, and artificial materials were widely used in that order in urban parks. There was a significant difference in the use of vegetable materials between urban parks and urban forests (t=3.07, p<0.05^*). In the habitats like urbanized and dry areas, where artificial materials are highly accessible, artificial materials replaced some roles of natural materials. This study is a basic study for the analysis of the types of materials used in artificial bird nests to understand the habitat system of urban ecosystems. It can be used as the basic data for ecological studies and conservation of the Paridae species.