• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.460-469
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• 2019

Bacterial ${\alpha}-type$ carbonic anhydrase (${\alpha}-CA$) is a zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible and extremely rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. In this study, we report the first crystal structure of a hyperthermostable ${\alpha}-CA$ from Persephonella marina EX-H1 (pmCA) in the absence and presence of competitive inhibitor, acetazolamide. The structure reveals a compactly folded pmCA homodimer in which each monomer consists of a 10-stranded ${\beta}-sheet$ in the center. The catalytic zinc ion is coordinated by three highly conserved histidine residues with an exchangeable fourth ligand (a water molecule, a bicarbonate anion, or the sulfonamide group of acetazolamide). Together with an intramolecular disulfide bond, extensive interfacial networks of hydrogen bonds, ionic and hydrophobic interactions stabilize the dimeric structure and are likely responsible for the high thermal stability. We also identified novel binding sites for calcium ions at the crystallographic interface, which serve as molecular glue linking negatively charged and otherwise repulsive surfaces. Furthermore, this large negatively charged patch appears to further increase the thermostability at alkaline pH range via favorable charge-charge interactions between pmCA and solvent molecules. These findings may assist development of novel ${\alpha}-CAs$ with improved thermal and/or alkaline stability for applications such as $CO_2$ capture and sequestration.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine types of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) films suitable for modified atmosphere (MA) storage treatment of strawberries (cv. 'Maehyang') for export and examination related changes in quality of strawberries during simulated shipping distribution conditions ($2^{\circ}C$ for $10days{\sim}8^{\circ}C$ for 11 days). Strawberries were packed by 1,300, 10,000, 20,000, and $30,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ OTR films for MA storage treatment and perforated film as the control for MAP. Fresh weight loss rate was less than 0.5% in OTR films except for the perforated film. Carbon dioxide and oxygen content in packages prevailed in permissible range for strawberries under recommended CA/MA conditions (i.e., $CO_2$: 15~20%, $O_2$: 5~10%) at 10,000 cc, 20,000 cc, and 30,000 cc OTR films. Ethylene content in OTR films did not reveal significant differences during storage. The 1,300 cc OTR film revealed highest off-flavor and lowest fungal incidence rate by sensory evaluation. The firmness, soluble solids, and visual quality were preserved the highest at 10,000 cc OTR film. In conclusion, 10,000 cc OTR film preserved the highest quality and extended shelf-life by 13 days if compared with conventional distribution conditions.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.280-286
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• 2005

Geological sequestration of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is one of the most effective strategies far long-term removal of greenhouse gas from atmosphere. This paper reviews three projects for the $CO_2$ sequestration in geological formation. A unique $CO_2$ injection into a marine aquifer has been successfully monitored with repeated surface seismic measurements in the North Sea Sleipner West field. The seismic images reveal the extent and internal shape of the $CO_2$ bubble. Massive miscible $CO_2$ has been injected into a complex fractured carbonate reservoir at the Weyburn oil filed. High-resolution time-lapse P-wave data were successfully obtained to map the features of $CO_2$ movements within the two thin zones of different lithology. From the time-lapse crosswell EM imaging at the Lost Hills oil field in central California, U.S.A., the replacement of brine with $CO_2$ has been confirmed through a decrease of conductivity. The conductivity image was successfully compared with induction logs observed in the two wells.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2012

Real-time monitoring for environmental factors(temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, etc.) and carbonate components( pH and $fCO_2$) was conducted during 5-6th of July, 2012 at a seaweeds farm in Gijang, Busan. Surface temperature and salinity were ranged from $12.5{\sim}17.6^{\circ}C$ and 33.7~34.0, respectively, with highly daily and inter-daily variations due to tide, light frequency(day and night) and currents. Surface $fCO_2$ and pH showed a range of $381{\sim}402{\mu}atm$ and 8.03~8.15, and chlorophyll-a concentration in surface seawater ranged 0.8~5.8 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Environmental and carbonate factors showed the highest/lowest values around 5 pm of 5th July when the lowest tidal height and strongest thermocline in the water column, suggesting that biological production resulted in decrease of $CO_2$ and increase of pH in the seaweed farm. Processes affecting the surface $fCO_2$ distribution were evaluated using a simple budget model. In day time, biological productions by phytoplankton and macro algae are the main factors for $CO_2$ drawdown and counteracted the amount of $CO_2$ increase by temperature and air-sea exchange. The model values were a little higher than observed values in night time due to the over-estimation of physical mixing. The model suggested that algal production accounted about 14-40% of total $CO_2$ variation in seaweed farm.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.89-102
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• 2014

The establishment and operation of Region-based Teleworking Centers(RTC) in Korea is in the initial stage at the moment. Although some studies have been conducted on telecommuting at home, few studies have been performed on the effects of all-out expansion and diffusion of region-based Teleworking Centers. Therefore, this study analyzed the reduction effect of commuting distance which is possible to obtain from the establishment of Teleworking Centers, based on the network in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Subsequently, quantitative reduction of the effects of $CO_2$ were calculated from region-based Teleworking Centers. The results of the analysis indicated that region-based Teleworking Centers could reduce a total of 911 tons of $CO_2$ per day. When applying these results to 258 working days per year (according to Statistics Korea), 235,056 tons of $CO_2$ can be reduced annually by the establishment of Teleworking Centers. With quantity on environmental utility to be obtained from the establishment of Teleworking Centers, this study can be utilized as a guideline for selecting effective locations of Teleworking Centers in the future. It can also be helpful in decisions to determine the priority of extending operations of Teleworking Centers through comparisons among administrative districts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.428-434
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• 2008

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the level of $CO_2$ (370 and $650{\mu}mol\;mol^{-1}$) and temperature (ambient and ambient+$5^{\circ}C$) on tomato growth and fruit characteristics as affected by the application rate of N-fertilizer (68 and $204\;N\;kg\;ha^{-1}$), for the purpose of evaluating the influence of elevated $CO_2$ and temperature on tomato crop. The elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ and temperature increased the plant height and stem diameter for tomato crop, while the differences among the nitrogen(N) application rates were not significantly different. Under the elevated $CO_2$, temperature, and a higher N application rate, the biomass of aerial part increased. The fruit yield showed the same result as the biomass except for the elevated temperature. The elevated temperature made the size of fruit move toward the small, but the elevated $CO_2$ and the application of N-fertilizer were vice versa. The sugar content and pH of fruit juice were affected by nitrogen application rate, but not by the elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. These results showed that both the elevated $CO_2$ and temperature stimulated the vegetative growth of aerial parts for tomato, but each effects on the yield of fruit showed an opposite result between the elevated temperature and $CO_2$. In conclusion, the elevated $CO_2$ increased tomato yield and the ratio of large size of fruit, but the elevated temperature did not. Therefore, to secure the productivity of tomato as nowadays in future environment, it will need to develop new breeder as high temperature-tolerable tomato species or new type of cropping systems.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.320-326
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• 2009

The carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere is projected to increase by almost 50% over the first 50 years of this century. The major cause of this increase is continued combustion of fossil fuels. As a result, the significant changes in climate that have already occurred will be amplified, in particular a global temperature increase. Renewable energy production has a central role to play in abating net $CO_2$ emissions to a level that will arrest the development of global warming. Especially, biomass crops are becoming increasingly important as concerns grow about climate change and the need to replace carbon dioxideproducing fossil fuels with carbon-neutral renewable sources of energy. To succeed in this role, biomass crop has to grow rapidly and yield a reliable, regular harvest. A prime candidate is Miscanthus, or Asian elephant grass, a perennial species that produces over 3 metres of bamboo-like stems in a year. Miscanthus species are typically diploid or tetraploid. Hybrids between species with different ploidy levels result in the highly productive triploid hybrids, M. ${\times}$ giganteus. Here we will detail the Miscanthus characteristics desired of a biomass fuel crop.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2024

This study reports a direct growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of LiCoO₂ (LCO) powders to apply as highly efficient cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). The CNT synthesis was performed using a thermal chemical vapor deposition apparatus with temperatures from 575 to 625 ℃. Ferritin molecules as growth catalyst of CNTs were mixed in deionized (DI) water with various concentrations from 0.05 to 1.0 mg/mL. Then, the LCO powders was dissolved in the ferritin solution at a ratio of 1g/mL. To obtain catalytic iron nanoparticles on the LCO surface, the LCO-ferritin suspension was dropped in silicon dioxide substrates and calcined under air at 550℃. Subsequently, the direct growth of CNTs on LCO powders was performed using a mixture of acetylene (10 sccm) and hydrogen (100 sccm) for 10 min. The growth behavior was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The optimized condition yielding high structural quality and amount of CNTs was 600 ℃ and 0.5 mg/mL. The obtained materials will be developed as cathode materials in LIB.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.177-192
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• 2011

This research paper aims at computer based modeling of carbonation induced corrosion under extreme conditions and its experimental verification by incorporating enhanced electrochemical and mass balance equations based on thermo-hygro physics with strong coupling of mass transport and equilibrium in micro-pore structure of carbonated concrete for which the previous research data is limited. In this paper the carbonation induced electrochemical corrosion model is developed and coupled with carbon dioxide transport computational model by the use of a concrete durability computer based model DuCOM developed by our research group at concrete laboratory in the University of Tokyo and its reliability is checked in the light of experiment results of carbonation induced corrosion mass loss obtained in this research. The comparison of model analysis and experiment results shows a fair agreement. The carbonation induced corrosion model computation reasonably predicts the quantitative behavior of corrosion rate for normal air dry relative humidity conditions. The computational model developed also shows fair qualitative corrosion rate simulation and analysis for various pH levels and coupled environmental actions of chloride and carbonation. Detailed verification of the model for the quantitative carbonation induced corrosion rate computation under varying relative conditions, different pH levels and combined effects of carbonation and chloride attack remain as scope for future research.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2018

This study measured indoor and outdoor levels of hydrocarbon volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (collectively referred to as BTEX), as well as 13 carbonyl compounds, at 20 homes in Seoul, South Korea. Along with the sampling of BTEX and carbonyls, indoor concentrations of the air pollutants nitrogen oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) were also measured at each home. These measurements were used to understand the characteristics of BTEX and carbonyls by calculating the various ratios and correlation coefficients between measured contaminant levels. We found that carbonyls were mostly originated from indoor sources, while BTEX were originated from both indoor and outdoor sources. A high correlation between indoor levels of NO and BTEX indicated that traffic emissions were also an important sources of BTEX.