• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.591-596
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• 2022

Various COVID-19 quarantine guidelines and measures are being taken by country at the WHO, but the number of confirmed cases has not decreased significantly. In order to prevent the inflow and outflow of COVID-19 through individual droplets, it is mandatory to wear a mask anytime, anywhere. However, as virus bacteria entering the mask amplify, it pollutes the mask and causes a disgusting smell. In this paper, a new method of preventing the spread of COVID-19 was proposed by sterilizing the mask with a dental gait spray introduced into the mask that has been used for a long time. Dental gargle water is usually produced by electrolysis of tap water, and the unstable ion water (HOCl) dissolved in water penetrates the cell barrier of various viruses and fails to act in its nucleus, causing water to self-purify. As a result of the experiment, when the mask used for a long time was washed with gargle water spray, the washed mask was dried after 10 minutes, and the smell of virus droplets or saliva almost disappeared. In particular, as a result of MOS testing the fit of the subjects who participated in the mask cleaning, it was excellent at 4.4 on average. Therefore, the mask was disposable, but if the spray was washed in the proposed method more than twice a day, the mask could be used in a comfortable state for more than a week.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2022

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is a disinfectant widely used in hospitals and food industries because of its antimicrobial activity against not only bacteria but also fungi and virus. The antibacterial activity of NaClO lies in the maintenance of a stable hypochlorous acid (HClO) concentration, which is regulated by pH of the solution. HClO can easily penetrate bacterial cell membrane due to its chemical neutrality and the antibacterial activity of NaClO is thought to depend on the concentration of HClO in solution rather than hypochlorite ions (ClO^-). In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of NaClO according to pH adjustment by means of time kill test and assays of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration changes before and after NaClO treatment. We also investigated that the degree of cell wall destruction through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) exposed to 5 ppm NaClO at pH 5 exhibited 99.9% mortality. ROS production at pH 5 was 48% higher than that produced at pH 7. In addition, the ATP concentration in E. coli and S. aureus exposed to pH 5 decreased by 94% and 91%, respectively. As a result of FE-SEM, it was confirmed that the cell wall was destroyed in the bacteria by exposing to pH 5 NaClO. Taken together, our results indicate that the antibacterial activity of 5 ppm NaClO can be improved simply by adjusting the pH.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.20-29
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• 2022

In this study, in order to improve the durability of the cement composite printed with the ME type 3D printer, PDMS, sodium silicate, and a surface hardener were employed. Post-treatment was performed on 3D-printed cement composite by coating after immersion, and the degree of improvement in durability was evaluated. As a result, in all evaluations, the durability performances of the post-processed specimens were improved compared to those of the plain specimens. Water absorption resistance, chloride penetration resistance, and carbonation resistance of the PDMS treated specimens were improved by 36.3 %, 77.1 %, and 50.4 % when compared to plain specimens. Freeze-thaw resistance of the specimens treated with sodium silicate was found to be the most excellent, with an average enhancement of 47.5% compared to plain specimens. It was found that PDMS was the most efficient post-treatment materials for 3D-printed cement composite. However, as suggested in this study, the post-treatment method by coating after immersion may not be applicable to cement composite structures printed with a 3D printer in field. Therefore, a follow-up study needs to be preformed on the durability enhancing materials suitable for 3D printing.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.482-488
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• 2022

In this study, the durability of ultra rapid hardening mortar for sewage pipe was evaluated by type of mortar binder. As a result of analyzing the internal structure for each type of mortar, it was confirmed that Al₂(OH)₃ was generated in the internal structure of the CAC-based mortar, and its corrosion resistance was superior to that of other types of mortar. As a result of the compressive strength test, OPC had the tsmallest strength, followed by CAC100 > CAC100P > CAC80. This trend was similar to the previous study results. Chloride ion penetration resistance and freeze-thaw test showed similar trends. That is, CAC and C12A7 were better than OPC, and CSA was worse than OPC. This is mostly beacuse of cracks caused by expansion of CSA-based mortar. CAC100P mix showed the best chemical resistance. It is thought that this is because the alumina gel formed inside the mortar and the polymer combine to make the internal structure more dense.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.553-564
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• 2022

Concrete is a representative composite material that shows excellent performance in the construction field. However, it is a brittle and nonhomogeneous material and exhibits weak behavior against bending and tensile forces. To compensate for such weakens, fiber reinforcement has been utilized, and steel fiber has been recognized as one of the best material for such purpose. However, steel fiber can seriously affect the durability of concrete exposed to the marine environment due to the corrosion caused by chlorine ions. This study intended to evaluate the mechanical performance of steel fiber reinforce concrete during and after repeated wet/dry cycles in salt solution. According to the experimental results, there was no reduction in the relative dynamic modulus of concrete during the repeated wet/dry cycles in salt solution for 37 weeks. Flexural strength was not decreased after completion of repeated wet/dry cycles in salt solution. There was no sign of corrosion in steel fibers after visual observation of fractured surface. However, the flexural toughness was decreased, and this is because about half of the concrete specimen showed failure before reaching the maximum displacement of 3 mm. Although repeated wet/dry cycles in salt solution did not cause cracks in concrete through corrosion of steel fibers, specific attention is required because it can reduce flexural toughness of steel fiber reinforced concrete.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

Relaxin has been demonstrated to have regulatory functions on both the smooth muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood vessels and fibrotic organs. The diverse mechanisms by which relaxin acts on small resistance arteries and fibrotic organs, including the bladder, are reviewed here. Relaxin induces vasodilation by inhibiting the contractility of vascular smooth muscles and by increasing the passive compliance of vessel walls through the reduction of ECM components, such as collagen. The primary cellular mechanism whereby relaxin induces arterial vasodilation is mediated by the endothelium-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) through the activation of RXFP1/PI3K, Akt phosphorylation, and eNOS. In addition, relaxin triggers different alternative pathways to enhance the vasodilation of renal and mesenteric arteries. In small renal arteries, relaxin stimulates the activation of the endothelial MMPs and EtB receptors and the production of VEGF and PlGF to inhibit myogenic contractility and collagen deposition, thereby bringing about vasodilation. Conversely, in small mesenteric arteries, relaxin augments bradykinin (BK)-evoked relaxation in a time-dependent manner. Whereas the rapid enhancement of the BK-mediated relaxation is dependent on IK_Ca channels and subsequent EDH induction, the sustained relaxation due to BK depends on COX activation and PGI₂. The anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin are mediated by inhibiting the invasion of inflammatory immune cells, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and the differentiation and activation of myofibroblasts. Relaxin also activates the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 pathways in myofibroblasts to suppress the TGF-β1-induced activation of ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 signaling and deposition of ECM collagen.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2024

Cesium is a potential toxic contaminant due to its high solubility, which allows it to easily penetrate the human body and potentially induce cancer or DNA mutations. In this study, oxygen functional groups were introduced on activated carbons (ACs) by ozone treatment to enhance the cesium adsorption capacity. As the ozone treatment time increased, the oxygen content on the ACs surface increased. Subsequently, the electrostatic interaction between ACs and cesium enhanced, resulting in higher cesium ion adsorption efficiency across all samples. In particular, the sample treated with ozone for 7 minutes at an internal ozone concentration of 50000 ppm had roughly 12% greater oxygen functional group content and the highest cesium removal effectiveness (97.6%). Meanwhile, samples treated for 5 minutes showed a 0.3% cesium removal rate difference compared to those treated for 7 minutes, which was caused by the surface chemical similarity of the two samples due to the reactive characteristics of ozone gas. However, the cesium adsorption performance of ozonated activated carbon seems to be mainly influenced by the amount of oxygen functional groups introduced to the surface, although the specific surface area and pore structure of the activated carbon are also important.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1230-1236
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• 2012

To verify that the electrokinetic remediation is effective for decreasing salinity of fields of the plastic-film house, field tests for physical property, chemical property, and crop productivity of soils have been conducted. The abridged result of those tests is as follows. In the EK treatment, the electrokinetic remediation has been treated at the constant voltage (about 0.8 V $cm^{-1}$) for fields of the farm household. At this time, an alternating current (AC) 220 V of the farm household was transformed a direct current. The HSCI (High Silicon Cast Iron) that the length of the stick for a cation is 20cm, and the Fe Plate for an anion have been spread out on the ground. As the PVC pipe that is 10 cm in diameter was laid in the bottom of soils, cations descend on the cathode were discharged together. For soil physical properties according to the EK treatment, the destruction effect of soil aggregate was large, and the infiltration rate of water was increased. However, variations of bulk density and porosity were not considerable. Meanwhile, in chemical properties of soils, principal ions of such as EC, $NO_3{^-}$-N, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were better rapidly reduced in the EK treated control plot than in the untreated control plot. And properties such as pH, $P_2O_5$ and $Ca^{2+}$ had a small impact on the EK. For cropping season of crop cultivation according to the EK treatment, decreasing rates of chemical properties of soils were as follows; $NO_3{^-}$-N 78.3% > $K^+$ 72.3% > EC 71.6% $$\geq_-$$ $Na^+$ 71.5% > $Mg^{2+}$ 36.8%. As results of comparing the experimental plot that EK was treated before crop cultivation with it that EK was treated during crop cultivation, the decreasing effect of chemical properties was higher in the case that EK was treated during crop cultivation. After the EK treatment, treatment effects were distinct for $NO_3{^-}$-N and EC that a decrease of nutrients is clear. However, because the lasting effect of decreasing salinity were not distinct for the single EK treatment, fertilization for soil testing was desirable carrying on testing for chemical properties of soils after EK treatments more than two times. In the growth of cabbages according to the EK treatment, the rate of yield increase was 225.5% for the primary treatment, 181.0% for the secondary treatment, and 124.2% for third treatment compared with the untreated control plot. The yield was increased by a factor of 130.0% for the hot pepper at the primary treatment (Apr. 2011), 248.1% for the lettuce at the secondary treatment (Nov.2011), and 125.4% for the young radish at the third treatment (Jul. 2012). In conclusion, the effect of yield increase was accepted officially for all announced crops.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2004

Physical and chemical properties of root zone mixes and methods of green construction are important considerations for improving turf grass quality for putting greens. This study compared Penncross creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) performance as affected by three root zone construction systems with three amendments (sand, peat, and zeolite). The objective of this study was to determine if an amended California construction system would improve green performance during establishment (1998-1999) and maturation (2000-2001). Three treatments were tested: California ($100\%$ sand), USGA($90\%$ sand and $10\%$ peat, v/v), and California-Z ($85\%$ sand and $15\%$ zeolite, v/v). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block with four replicates. Physical and chemical properties of the root zone and bentgrass performance were compared for the treatments. The California-Z treatment had the highest saturated hydraulic conductivity, field infiltration rate and the lowest bulk density. It also had the highest cation exchange capacity and plant available nutrient concentrations among the three treatments. The California-Z treatment produced bentgrass quality and color during green establishment and maturation that were equal to or higher than the California treatment, and consistently higher than the USGA treatment. The addition of an inorganic amendment to the California system improved physical and chemical properties of the root zone and improved quality and color of bentgrass during green establishment. During green maturation, creeping bentgrass in the California-Z treatment was equal (6 of 15 sampling dates) or $20\%$ higher (9 of 15 dates) in quality compared to the California system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2013

This study was to investigate water quality and biotic community characteristics in Juam Lake. In water quality, water temperatures was $3.8{\sim}21.2^{\circ}C$, 6.7~8.6 in pH, $64{\sim}76{\mu}s\;cm^{-1}$ in Conductivity, $5.3{\sim}13.2mg\;L^{-1}$ in DO, $2.5{\sim}3.3mg\;L^{-1}$ in COD, $1.0{\sim}5.1mg\;L^{-1}$ in SS, $0.622{\sim}0.841mg\;L^{-1}$ in T-N, $0.007{\sim}0.019mg\;L^{-1}$ in T-P and $2.8{\sim}8.8mg\;m^{-3}$ in Chl-a. Revised Carlson's Index (TSIm) assessment using total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll-a domonstrated that the trophic states of Juam Lake were rated as mesotrophic. A total of 53 species of phytoplankton were identified. They were 28 Bacillariophyceae, 13 Chlorophyceae, 3 Cyanophyceae, and 9 Other algal taxa. The standing crops of phytoplankton was ranged from $113cells\;mL^{-1}$ to $2,909cells\;mL^{-1}$. A total of 16 species of zooplankton were identified (10 rotifers, 4 cladocerans and 2 copepods). Total zooplankton abundance was $309ind.\;L^{-1}$ to $435ind.\;L^{-1}$. The collected benthic macroinvertebrates from the surveyed sites in Juam Lake were 1,038 individuals, 33 species, 21 families and 12 orders. A dominant species was Uracanthella rufa and a subdominant species was Ecdyonurus kibunensis. Hydrophytes recorded from Juam Lake were identified 9 taxa. Emerged plants, floating plants among the hydrophytes was classified 8, 1 taxa, respectively. Ecosystem disturbance wildplant by Environment Ministry found were Paspalum distichum var. distichum and Ambrosia artemisiaefolia. A total of 30 species (6 families) were collected fishs from Juam Lake. There were 10 Korean endemic species (33.3% of collected species number) and 3 exotic species (10.0%).