• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-256
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• 2021

The current study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Phyllostachys bambusoides (PHB) as a feed additives and investigate whether its antioxidant activity could be helpful for increasing rumen fermentation characteristics and methane reduction. The antioxidant activity results showed that total polyphenols and flavonoids contents were 43.54 ± 8.68 mg CE/g and 17.13 ± 0.45 mg QE/g, respectively, and the IC₅₀ values for 1,1-diphenyl-2-prcrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were 163.13 ± 19.25 ㎍/mL and 97.07 ± 4.46 ㎍/mL, respectively. Two heads of cannulated Hanwoo (450 ± 30 kg), consuming timothy hay and a commercial concentrate (60:40, w/w) twice daily (at 09:00 and 17:30) at 2% of body weight, with free access to water and a mineral block, were used as rumen fluid donors. An in vitro incubation experiment was performed after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr with PHB added at concentration of 2, 4, and 6% of timothy hay basis. Total gas emission decreased as the amount of PHB addition increased at 6 and 24 hr of incubation. However, PHB addition did not affect total volatile fatty acid production, and methane and carbon dioxide emission also decreased as the amount of addition increased at 48 hr of incubation. Therefore, PHB was expected to be used as methane reducing additives in the ruminants.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.256-266
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• 2022

It is important to determine the concentration of long-lived radionuclides (e.g., ¹²⁹I) in nuclear waste to ensure safety when handling it. To analyze nuclides in a solid sample (e.g., concrete and soil), it is essential to effectively separate and purify the nuclides of interest in the sample. This study reports the comprehensive efforts made to validate the analytical procedure for ¹²⁹I detection in solid samples, using a high-temperature combustion furnace. ¹²⁹I volatilized from the sample collected in 0.01 M HNO₃ solution with a reducing agent (e.g., NaHSO₃) and was rapidly measured by ICP-MS. Analytical conditions, such as pyrolysis temperature and types of mobile phase gas, catalyst, and trapping solution, were optimized to obtain a high recovery rate of spiked ¹²⁹I. Finally, the optimized method was applied for the simultaneous analysis of other volatile radionuclides, such as ³H and ¹⁴C. The performance test results for the optimized method confirmed that the LSC (for ³H and ¹⁴C) and ICP-MS (for ¹²⁹I) measurements, with the separation of volatile nuclides using a high-temperature combustion furnace, were reliable.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.385-393
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• 2022

Hydrogen has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the main cause of global warming, and is emerging as an eco-friendly energy source for ships. Hydrogen is a substance with a lower flammability limit (LFL) of 4 to 75% and a high risk of explosion. To be used for ships, it must be sufficiently safe against leaks. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changes in the area of the air inlet / vent port on the ventilation performance when hydrogen leaks occur in the hydrogen tank storage room. The area of the air inlet / vent port is 1A = 740 mm × 740 mm, and the size and position can be easily changed on the surface of the storage chamber. Using ANSYS CFX ver 18.1, which is a CFD commercial software, the area of the air inlet / vent port was changed to 1A, 2A, 3A, and 5A, and the hydrogen mole fraction in the storage chamber when the area changed was analyzed. Consequently, the increase in the area of the air inlet port further reduced the concentration of the leaked hydrogen as compared with that of the vent port, and improved the ventilation performance of at least 2A or more from the single air inlet port. As the area of the air inlet port increased, hydrogen was uniformly stratified at the upper part of the storage chamber, but was out of the LFL range. However, simply increasing the area of the vent port inadequately affected the ventilation performance.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.23-29
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the ozone nanobubble process in which nanobubble and ultrasonic cavitation were applied simultaneously to improve the dissolution and self-decomposition of ozone. To confirm the organic decomposition efficiency of the process, a 200 mm × 200 mm × 300 mm scale reactor was designed and phenol decomposition experiments were conducted. The use of nanobubble was 2.07 times higher than the conventional ozone aeration in the 60 minutes reaction and effectively improved the dissolution efficiency of ozone. Ultrasonic irradiation increased phenol degradation by 36% with nanobubbles, and dissolved ozone concentration was lowered due to the promotion of ozone self-decomposition. The higher the ultrasonic power was, the higher the phenol degradation efficiency. The decomposition efficiency of phenol was the highest at 132 kHz. The ozone nanobubble process showed better decomposition efficiency at high pH like conventional ozone processes but achieved 100% decomposition of phenol after 60 minutes reaction even at neutral conditions. The effect by pH was less than that of the conventional ozone process because of self-decomposition promotion. To confirm the change in bubble properties by ultrasonic irradiation, a Zetasizer was used to measure the bubbles' size and zeta potential analysis. Ultrasonic irradiation reduced the average size of the bubbles by 11% and strengthened the negative charge of the bubble surface, positively affecting the gas transfer of the ozone nanobubble and the efficiency of the radical production.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2022

The intensity of fishy odor in eggs, which differs depending on the poultry type and individual perception, can be due to many factors including trimethylamine (TMA) which has been identified as the main. Notably, riboflavin can increase the activity of flavin-containing monooxygenase 3, the enzyme responsible for converting TMA into odorless trimethylamine-N-oxide. This study aimed to analyze the TMA content in egg yolk, evaluate its contribution to fishy odor, and develop a method to prevent this undesired odor. Solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to detect and quantify volatile compounds in egg yolk from hens fed a standard TMA-rich diet and hens fed a riboflavin-supplemented diet. To compare the relative content of volatile substances between eggs, a correlation study was performed using an electronic nose. Higher concentration of TMA (1.06 ± 0.12 mg/kg) was detected in egg yolks obtained from hens fed a normal diet than those fed a riboflavin-supplemented diet. Overall, this study suggests that riboflavin affects the quantity and quality of volatile substances, including TMA, present in eggs and we expect these findings to improve the quality and reduce the fishy odor of eggs.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.141-153
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• 2023

Biological pump processes generated by diatom production in the surface water of the Southern Ocean play an important role in exchanging CO₂ gas between the atmosphere and ocean. In this study, the biogenic opal content of the sediments was measured to elucidate the variation in the primary production of diatoms in the surface water of the Southern Ocean since the last glacial period. A piston core (COR-1bPC) was collected from the Conrad Rise, which is located in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. The sediments were mainly composed of siliceous ooze, and sediment lightness increased and magnetic susceptibility decreased in an upward direction. The biogenic opal content was low (38.9%) during the last glacial period and high (73.4%) during the Holocene, showing a similar variation to that of Antarctic ice core ΔT and CO₂ concentration. In addition, the variation of biogenic opal content in core COR-1bPC is consistent with previous results reported in the Antarctic Zone, south of the Antarctic Polar Front, in the Southern Ocean. The glacial-interglacial biogenic opal production was influenced by the extent of sea ice coverage and degree of water column stability. During the last glacial period, the diatom production was reduced due to the penetration of light being limited in the euphotic zone by the extended sea ice coverage caused by the lowered seawater temperature. In addition, the formation of a strong thermocline in more extensive areas of sea ice coverage led to stronger water column stability, resulting in reduced diatom production due to the reduction in the supply of nutrient-rich subsurface water caused by a decrease in upwelling intensity. Under such environmental circumstances, diatom productivity decreased in the Antarctic Zone during the last glacial period, but the biogenic opal content increased rapidly under warming conditions with the onset of deglaciation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.132-148
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• 2023

Ruminants are the main contributors to methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas emitted by livestock, which leads to global warming. In addition, animals experience heat stress (HS) when exposed to high ambient temperatures. Organic trace minerals are commonly used to prevent the adverse effects of HS in ruminants; however, little is known about the role of these minerals in reducing enteric methane emissions. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the influence of dietary organic trace minerals on rumen fermentation characteristics, enteric methane emissions, and the composition of rumen bacteria and methanogens in heat-stressed dairy steers. Holstein (n=3) and Jersey (n=3) steers were kept separately within a 3×3 Latin square design, and the animals were exposed to HS conditions (Temperature-Humidity Index [THI], 82.79 ± 1.10). For each experiment, the treatments included a Control (Con) consisting of only basal total mixed rations (TMR), National Research Council (NRC) recommended mineral supplementation group (NM; TMR + [Se 0.1 ppm + Zn 30 ppm + Cu 10 ppm]/kg dry matter), and higher concentration of mineral supplementation group (HM; basal TMR + [Se 3.5 ppm + Zn 350 ppm + Cu 28 ppm]/kg dry matter). Higher concentrations of trace mineral supplementation had no influence on methane emissions and rumen bacterial and methanogen communities regardless of breed (p > 0.05). Holstein steers had higher ruminal pH and lower total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations than Jersey steers (p < 0.05). Methane production (g/d) and yield (g/kg dry matter intake) were higher in Jersey steers than in Holstein steers (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Methanosarcina and Methanobrevibacter olleyae were significantly higher in Holstein steers than in Jersey steers (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary organic trace minerals have no influence on enteric methane emissions in heat-stressed dairy steers; however, breed can influence it through selective alteration of the rumen methanogen community.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2023

This study was performed to convert NO_x in atmosphere by photochemical reaction utilizing the eco-friendly solar energy. The mortar specimen coated with photocatalyst was fabricated and the photochemical conversion efficiency of NO_x was analyzed. The photocatalyst coated concrete was fabricated by first adding TiO₂ photocatalyst on the bottom of mold first and next adding cement mortar and, then, curing the concrete mortar. The grease was sprayed on the bottom of mold in advance so that the concrete can be demolded easily after curing. The conversion efficiencies of NO_x by photochemical reactions were investigated systematically by changing the process variable conditions of amount of TiO₂ coating, UV-A light intensity, total gas flow rate, relative humidity and initial NO_x concentration. It was confirmed that the photocatalyst coated concrete fabricated in this study could convert NO_x successfully for various process conditions in atmosphere. In future, we believe this research result can be utilized as basic data to design the infrastructure of building, tunnel and road for controlling efficiently the air pollutants such as NO_x, SO_x, and VOCs.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.472-478
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• 2023

In this study, the acetaldehyde removal characteristics of activated carbon (AC) for air purifier filters were investigated using metal catalysts-impregnation and functional group-modification method. The AC with a high specific surface area(1700 m²/g) and micropores was prepared by KOH activation of coconut charcoal and the efficiency of catalyst and functional group immobilization was examined by varying the drying conditions within the pores after immersion. The physical properties of the prepared activated carbon were analyzed by BET, ICP, EA, and FT-IR, and the acetaldehyde adsorption performances were investigated using gas chromatography (GC) at various impregnation and modified conditions. As the concentration of impregnation solution increased, the amount of impregnated metal catalysts increased, while the specific surface area showed a decreasing trend. The adsorption tests of the metal catalyst-impregnated and functional group-modified activated carbons revealed that excellent adsorption performance in compositions MgO10@AC, CaO10@AC, EU10@AC, and H-U3N1@AC, respectively. The MgO10@AC, which showed the highest adsorption performance, had a breakthrough time of 533.8 minutes and adsorption capacity of 57.4 mg/g for acetaldehyde adsorption. It was found that the nano-sized MgO catalyst on the activated carbon improved the adsorption performance by interacting with carbonyl groups of acetaldehyde.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-85
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• 2006

Blood serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in employees who worked at a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), members of residential community who lived near the MSWI (<0.3km) and members of residential community lived far from the MSWI (>10 km). Human blood serum samples were analyzed for all PCB congeners using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The mean levels of total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs in 87 serum samples were 242.77 ng/g lipid and 8.83 TEQ pg/g lipid, respectively. The PCB homologue profiles showed that penta-, hexa-, hepta-chlorinated biphenyls contributed more than 80% of the total PCBs concentration. The most abundant congeners were PCB153, PCB138, PCB180, PCB187, PCB118. A statistical analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant correlations between PCB concentrations and specific variables such as age, gender, smoking habits, occupation, BMI (Body Mass Index) and time of residence. As a result, the age was found to be strongly correlated with serum PCB concentrations. In addition, there were strong correlations between total PCBs and PCB153 (r=0.93, p<.0001), dioxin-like PCBs and PCB118 (r=0.98, p<.0001). So these two congeners are satisfactory indicators for total PCB concentrations and dioxin-like PCBs in human blood respectively.