• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

The reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia has been attracting much attention as a renewable energy technology. Ammonia is the basis for many fertilizers and is also considered an energy carrier that can power internal combustion engines, diesel engines, gas turbines, and fuel cells. Traditionally, ammonia has been produced through the Haber-Bosch process, in which atmospheric nitrogen combines with hydrogen at high temperature ($350-550^{\circ}C$) and high pressure (150-300 bar). This process consumes 1-2% of current global energy production and relies on fossil fuels as an energy source. Reducing the energy input required for this process will reduce $CO_2$ emissions and the corresponding environmental impact. For this reason, developing electrochemical ammonia-production methods under ambient temperature and pressure conditions should significantly reduce the energy input required to produce ammonia. In this review, we introduce the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction at ambient condition. Numerical studies on the electrochemical nitrogen reduction mechanism have been carried out through the computation of density function theory. Electrodes such as nanowires and porous electrodes have been also actively studied for further participation in electrochemical reactions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2021

Background Mastectomy leaves unsightly scarring, which can be distressing to patients. Laser therapy for scar prevention has been consistently emphasized in recent studies showing that several types of lasers, including fractional ablation lasers, are effective for reducing scar formation. Nonetheless, there are few studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of ablative CO₂ fractional lasers (ACFLs). Methods This study had a randomized, comparative, prospective, split-scar design with blinded evaluation of mastectomy scars. Fifteen patients with mastectomy scars were treated using an ACFL. Half of each scar was randomized to "A," while the other side was allocated to group "B." Laser treatment was conducted randomly. Scars were assessed using digital photographs of the scar and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores. Histological assessments were also done. Results The mean VSS scores were 2.20±1.28 for the treatment side and 2.96±1.40 for the control side. There was a significant difference in the VSS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.002). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 4.13±1.36 for the treatment side and 4.67±1.53 for the control side. There was a significant difference in VAS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.02). Conclusions This study demonstrated that early scar treatment using an ACFL significantly improved the clinical results of the treatment compared to the untreated scar, and this difference was associated with patient satisfaction.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.382-395
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excess intake of dietary sodium, either directly or indirectly, increases the risk of several diseases, including cardio-cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke and hypertension. Excessive sodium intake and increased prevalence of hypertension have emerged as major issues worldwide. Therefore, the present study evaluated the recent trends in dietary sodium intake and the food sources of sodium intake in the Korean population using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2013-2017) data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used the one-day 24-h recall dietary intake survey data from the 2013-2017 KNHANES to determine the average daily sodium intake by sex and age and the main dishes and food groups contributing to the dietary sodium intake. RESULTS: The mean sodium intake range was 3,477.2-3,889.6 mg/day during 2013-2017. The major food groups contributing to sodium intake were seasonings (1,597.5-1,870.5 mg/day), vegetables (680.4-756.7 mg/day), and cereal and grains (573.2-609.4 mg/day). Noodles and dumplings (536.7-573.2 mg/day), kimchi (487.3-539.6 mg/day), and soups (367.6-428.9 mg/day) were the top three dish groups that contributed to the sodium intake. In these dishes, the major sources of sodium intake were ramyeon (age groups 10-18 and 19-29 yrs), baechukimchi (age groups 40-49 and 50-59 yrs) and doenjang-kuk (age groups 60-69 and ≥ 70 yrs), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, reducing the consumption of soups and kimchi is an effective way to reduce sodium intake. Personalized nutrition education on dietary sodium intake management is required because of the different food sources contributing to the sodium intake according to the subjects' age.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.55-61
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• 2022

Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and much research is underperforming in reducing carbon dioxide. Geological carbon dioxide storage is considered the primary technique for global warming prevention. So, technic development for storing carbon dioxide is required. Using surfactant is considered an effective material for geological carbon dioxide storage. However, research on using surfactants for carbon dioxide sequestration is not enough. In this study, a 2D micromodel experiment depends on the surfactant type (sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), concentration and carbon dioxide injection rate. As result, geological carbon dioxide sequestration efficiency is increased according to surfactant concentration and carbon dioxide injection rate increase. However, efficiency no more increases after critical concentration and rate.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.145-155
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• 2023

A radial combiner with high efficiency characteristics in the X-band was designed and manufactured using a waveguide and matching structure. In particular, in order to manufacture it in a small size, a dual waveguide to coaxial transition structure was applied that allows two ports to be matched to one waveguide. Applying this structure makes it possible to manufacture smaller than typical coaxial to waveguide radial combiner. As a result of measurement in the X-band band of 9.2~10GHz, the return loss was less than -18.408dB and the output insertion loss was less than 0.206dB, and the output combining efficiency was obtained as high as 95.37% or more. It is expected that it can be used in the combining part for high output transmitters in the millimeter wave band in the future. In particular, the range of use is expected to increase by reducing the size and weight.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

The directed energy deposited (DED) alloys show higher hardness values than the welded alloys due to the finer microstructure following the high cooling rate. However, defects such as microcracks, pores, and the residual stress are remained within the DED alloy. These defects deteriorate the wear behavior so post-processing such as heat treatment and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) are applied to DED alloys to reduce the defects. HIP was chosen in this study because the high pressure and temperature uniformly reduced the defects. The HIP is processed at 1150℃ under 100 MPa for 4 hours. After HIP, microcracks are disappeared and porosity is reduced by 86.9%. Carbides are spherodized due to the interdiffusion of Cr and C between the dendrite and interdendrite region. After HIP, the nanohardness (GPa) of carbides increased from 11.1 to 12, and the Co matrix decreased from 8.8 to 7.9. Vickers hardness (HV) decreased by 18.9 % after HIP. The dislocation density (10^-2/m²) decreased from 7.34 to 0.34 and the residual stress (MPa) changed from tensile 79 to a compressive -246 by HIP. This study indicates that HIP is effective in reducing defects, and the HIP DED Stellite 6 exhibits a higher HV than welded Stellite 6.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.75-86
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• 2024

Hydrogen has been selected as one of the key technologies for reducing CO₂ emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, hydrogen safety issues should be fully guaranteed before the commercial and widespread utilization of hydrogen. Here, a bow-tie risk assessment is conducted for the hydrogen fuel supply system in a gas turbine power plant, which can be a mass consumption application of hydrogen. The bow-tie program is utilized for a qualitative risk assessment, allowing the analysis of the causes and consequences according to the stages of accidents. This study proposed an advanced bow-tie method, which includes the barrier criticality matrix and visualized maps of quantitative risk reduction. It is based on evaluating the importance of numerous barriers for the extent of their impact. In addition, it emphasizes the prioritization and concentrated management of high-importance barriers. The radar chart of a bow tie allows the visual comparison of risk levels before/after the application of barriers (safety measures). The risk reduction methods are semi-quantitatively analyzed utilizing the criticality matrix and radar chart, and risk factors from multiple aspects are derived. For establishing a secure hydrogen fuel storage system, the improvements suggested by the bow-tie risk assessment results, such as 'Ergonomic equipment design to prevent human error' and 'Emergency shutdown system,' will enhance the safety level. It attempts to contribute to the development and enhancement of an efficient safety management system by suggesting a method of calculating the importance of barriers based on the bow-tie risk assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Carbon neutrality refers to a state in which there is no global increase in CO₂ emissions due to human activities. In Korea, for carbon neutrality, green remodeling of existing buildings and customized support tasks for zero energy in new buildings are presented. Germany is showing fundamental changes in energy supply, such as applying renewable energy and higher energy efficiency from nuclear and fossil fuels, which were the existing energy sources. In this study, how Germany establishes policies for carbon neutrality at each state level and the cases applied to increase the energy efficiency of the actually applied residential complexes are analyzed based on this. As a result of the case complex analysis, it was found that the construction direction was being promoted as a zero-energy complex or a carbon-neutral complex by gradually reducing the energy demand in buildings and supplying additional energy with new and renewable energy in the low-energy building distribution in the 1990s. In Germany's ecological complex, energy standards have been strengthened from low-energy architecture to plus-energy architecture over time, and annual heating energy consumption standards and heat transmittance rates for each structure have been achieved at a higher level. The results of this analysis will serve as basic data and derivation of applicable items when planning residential complex development and remodeling of existing buildings for the domestic carbon-neutral goal in the future.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.320-327
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• 2010

The physicochemical and sensory properties of Baik-Kimchi supplemented with Lotus root juice were periodically examined during fermentation at $5^{\circ}C$ over 4 weeks. The pH decreased and acidity gradually increased during fermentation. Turbidity also increased as the level of added Lotus root juice increased, with a gradual rise being evident over 2 weeks with a subsequent decrease to the 4-weekpoint of fermentation. The L- and a-values decreased as the amount of added Lotus root juice increased, whereas the b value increased. The reducing sugar content increased when Baik-Kimchi was supplemented with 3% or 6% (both w/v) Lotus root juice, but decreased when Baik-Kimchi was supplemented with 9% or 12% (both w/v) root juice. Reducing sugar content decreased as fermentation continued. The vitamin C content was higher in supplemented samples, than in the control during fermentation. The hardness of Baik-Kimchi supplemented with Lotus root juice decreased with increasing fermentation time. By sensory evaluation, addition of 6%(w/v) root juice yielded a product superior in color, smell, crispness, and overall acceptability compared with control. In conclusion, optimal Baik-Kimchi fermentation should include addition of 6% (w/v) Lotus root juice.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.427-442
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• 2002

Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional (c8, c10; c9, c11; c10, c12, and c11, c13) and geometric(cis,cis; cis,trans; trans,cis; and trans,trans) isomers of octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid) with conjugated double bond system. CLA has been shown to have a variety of biological effects. Major effects of CLA on health, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-atherosclerosis and improving immuno-responses, might be derived or partially derived from the alternated lipid metabolism after CLA feeding. Most of studies on the effect of CLA on fat metabolism are concentrated on rats, mice, pigs and other mammals. The CLA inhibited carcinogen-induced neoplasia in several animal models and inhibited the proliferation of human malignant melanoma, colorectal and breast cancer cells and CLA reduced the atherosclerosis. Several studies have determined the antioxidant property of CLA; however, the property still remains controversial. Some of the studies have shown that CLA acted as an antioxidant, whereas some other studies have demonstrated that CLA might be a prooxidant. Several studies suggested that CLA could reduce fat accumulation in mammals. CLA was suggested to promote muscle growth and reduce fat deposition in mouse, and improve feed efficiency in rats. CLA has been shown to inhibit the activity of stearoyl-CoA reductase. CLA also reduced the content of arachidonic acid. Since arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) are synthesized by different pathways, reducing the synthesis of arachidonic acid may not mean reducing that of EPA and DHA. Many sutdies have been shown biological effects of CLA. Therefore, further research is needed to answer the following questions: 1) how to synthesize the new CLA by new methods, 2) why CLA has shown biological effects, 3) how to increase CLA effects in animal products.