• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2005

Acid Rock Drainage(ARD) is the product formed by the atmospheric(i.e. by water, oxygen and carbon dioxide) oxidation of the relatively common iron-sulphur mineral pyrite($FeS_2$). ARD causes the acidification and heavy metal contamination of water and soil and the reduction of slope stability. In this paper the generation characteristics and the prediction of ARD of various cut slopes were studied. An attempt to classify the rocks into several groups according to their acid generation potentials was made. Acid Base Accounting(ABA) tests, commonly used as a screening tool in ARD predictions, were performed. Fourteen rock samples were classified into PAF(potentially acid forming) group and four rock samples into NAF(non-acid forming) group. The chemical analysis of water samples strongly suggested that ARD with high content of heavy metals and low pH could pollute the ground water and/or stream water.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2008

Elastin is an important component of elastic fibers in the skin. Recently, many studies have reported that elastin is also involved In inhibiting or repairing wrinkle formation, although collagen is a major factor in the skin wrinkle formation. Elastase is a metalloproteinase which acts on degradation of elastin. It is known that elastase activity is increased by ultraviolet (UV) B radiation. Thus, Increased elastase activity could be the major reason for skin elasticity reduction and winkle formation. Tannic acid is a polyphenol found in various fruits and nuts. This molecule has a potent ability to eliminate reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. In the present study, we investigated whether tannic acid has effects on elastase activity and tropoelastin synthesis. Our results showed that tannic acid reduced elastase activity significantly in a dose-dependent manner. However, the expression of tropoelastin protein and mRNA was not significantly affected by tannic acid. From these results, we suggest that tannic acid may contribute to block tortuosity of elastic fibers by inhibiting elastase. Thus, tannic acid might be developed for a possible agent to Inhibit skin aging.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.684-689
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• 2021

In this paper, we develop a cost effective and disposable voltammetric sensing platform involving screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with the nanocomposites composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, polyelectrolyte, and tyrosinase for bisphenol A. This is known as an endocrine disruptor which is also related to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and female reproductive diseases, precocious puberty, and infertility. A negatively charged oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) wrapped with a positively charged polyelectrolyte, e.g., polydiallyldimethylammonium, was first wrapped with a negatively charged tyrosinae layer via electrostatic interaction and assembled onto oxygen plasma treated SPCE. The nanocomposite modified SPCE was then immersed into different concentrations of bisphenol A for a given time where the tyrosinase reacted with OH group in the bisphenol A to produce the product, 4,4'-isopropylidenebis(1,2-benzoquinone). Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries at the potential of -0.08 V vs. Ag/AgCl was employed and peak current changes responsible to the reduction of 4,4'-isopropylidenebis(1,2-benzoquinone) were measured which linearly increased with respect to the bisphenol A concentration. In addition, the SPCE based sensor showed excellent selectivity toward an interferent agent, bisphenol S, which has a very similar structure. Finally, the sensor was applied to the analysis of bisphenol A present in an environmental sample solution prepared in our laboratory.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2011

In this work, the effect of surface treatment on mesoporous carbons (MCs) supports was investigated by analyzing surface functional groups. MCs were prepared by a conventional templating method using mesoporous silica (SBA-15) for using catalyst supports in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The MCs were treated with different phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_4$) concentrations i.e., 0, 1, 3, 4, and 5 M at 343 K for 6 h. And then Pt-Ru was deposited onto surface treated MCs (H-MCs) by chemical reduction method. The characteristics of Pt-Ru catalysts deposited onto H-MCs were determined by specific surface area and pore size analyzer, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, transmission electron microscopy, and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. The electrochemical properties of Pt-Ru/H-MCs catalysts were also analyzed by cyclic voltammetry experiments. From the results of surface analysis, an oxygen functional group was introduced to the surface of carbon supports. From the results, the H4M-MCs carbon supports surface treated with 4 M $H_3PO_4$ led to uniform dispersion of Pt-Ru onto H4M-MCs, resulting in enhancing the electro-catalytic activity of Pt-Ru catalysts.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2021

In this study Orostachys japonica A. Berger used is a medicinal herb that has long been used as a folk remedy for cancer treatment. In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of the ethyl acetate fraction of Orostachys japonica A. Berger was confirmed. The results of the Orostachys japonica A. Berge ethyl acetate fraction of antioxidant activity assays showed Antioxidant effect of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extract at 0.10 mg/mL was showed a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 78.54% and ABTS+ radical scavenging rate of 73.48%. Also, the toxicity result of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts using alternative experimental animal model zebrafish, confirmed a 100% the survival of the zebrafish embryo was shown that there was no coagulation and no hatching delay at all concentrations. also ROS generation induced by UV-B irradiation was confirmed that the fluorescence intensity decreased as a whole in all larvae treated with Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts. In particular, it was confirmed that ROS generation was effectively suppressed by showing a 35.7% reduction rate compared to the positive control at a concentration of 3 ㎍/mL. These results were confirmed that Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts has the possibility of application in the cosmetics field as a natural antioxidant.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

VWTi, which is used as a commercial catalyst in NH3-SCR, exhibits excellent denitrification performance at 300 to 400 ℃, but there is a problem that efficiency decreases at low temperatures below 300 ℃. Research on catalysts containing promoter to increase low-temperature denitrification efficiency is steadily progressing. However, research on the cause of the improvement in low-temperature denitrification efficiency of the catalyst and the catalyst properties is insufficient. In this study, it was confirmed that by adding Sb to VWTi, denitrification performance was improved by more than 10% in NH3-SCR reaction below 300 ℃. At this time, the space velocity and the size of the catalyst particles were controlled to exclude the influence of external/internal diffusion. In addition, the catalytic properties according to the presence or absence of Sb were investigated by performing BET, TEM/EDS, O2-TPD, H2-TPR and DRIFTs analysis. It was judged that the addition of Sb increased the adsorbed oxygen species on the surface of the catalyst, thereby enhancing the redox properties of the catalyst at low temperature and exhibiting excellent denitrification performance.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.415-427
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• 2021

It is generally recognized that high stocking density can increase the risk of immune dysfunction and reduction in productivity cause of elevated stress in broiler farm. The domestic livestock industry is implementing a certification system for animal welfare and livestock farms to reduce the problem of dense breeding. This study compared broiler from the general farm and animal welfare farm to confirm the effectiveness of animal welfare farms against stress. Gas concentrations in a farm of general and animal welfare farms were analyzed, blood (n=10) of the 28-day-old broiler was collected, the partial pressure of the gas in the blood was analyzed using whole blood, and biochemical factors and hormones were analyzed using the serum. Glycogen and L-lactate are analyzed using ELISA kit on finely pulverized muscles (n=10). CO₂ and NH₃ levels in the farm were significantly higher in general farm. Partial carbon dioxide tension (PCO₂) in blood was significantly higher and partial oxygen tension (PO₂) was significantly lower in the general farm. Creatinine (CREA), glucose (GLU), aspartateaminotransferase (AST), and creatinekinase (CK) in the blood were significantly higher in the general farm, and total protein (TP) and globulin (GLOB) were significantly higher in animal welfare farm. Blood corticosterone and norepinephrine were significantly higher in general farm and epinephrine was significantly higher in animal welfare farm. These results imply that animal welfare farm provides a stress-reduced breeding environment.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.202-207
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• 2022

The study on electrode degradation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) was mainly studied on the particle growth and active area reduction of Pt on the electrode. The degradation of the electrode catalyst Pt in contact with the membrane affects the deterioration of the polymer membrane, but there are not many studies related to this. In this study, the phenomenon of the deposition of deteriorated Pt inside the polymer membrane during the accelerated electrode catalyst degradation test and its effects were studied. The voltage change (0.6 V ↔ 0.9 V) was repeated up to 30,000 cycles to accelerate the platinum degradation rate. When the voltage change cycle was repeated while oxygen was introduced into the cathode, the amount of Pt deposited inside the film was larger than when nitrogen was introduced. As the number of voltage change cycles increased, the amount of Pt deposited inside the membrane increased, and Pt dissolved in the cathode moved toward the anode, showing a uniform distribution throughout the membrane at 20,000 cycles. In the process of the accelerated electrode catalyst degradation test, the hydrogen crossover current density of the membrane did not change, and it was confirmed that the deposited Pt did not affect the durability of the membrane.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.53-60
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• 2017

Objectives : Collagen decrease of Skin appears through various path ways. One of causes may be the Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) that combine formation of glucose and protein. The aim of this study was to explore the prevent wrinkle formation of Paeoniae radix (PR) and heated Paeoniae radix (HPR) via AGEs path way. Methods : AGEs formation inhibitory activities of PR and HPR measured using bovine serum albumin, glucose, and fructose. To evaluate the protective effects of PR and HPR in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and methyl glyoxal (MGO), SD rat were distributed into four groups. Normal rats (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg PR(PR), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg HPR (HPR). To induce AGEs, streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally and after 3 days administrated 100mM methyl glyoxal for 3 weeks. Results : The oral administration of HPR inhibited AGEs in skin tissues compared with PR. The increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the serum were diminished by HPR treatment. The analyses of kidney and skin tissues proteins indicated that HPR treatment effectively reduced AGEs related protein levels as compared to that by PR treatment. Also, HPR decreased anti-oxidant related protein levels in skin tissues such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, it inhibited the reduction of COL1A2 by decreasing MMP-1. Conclusion : Based on these results, it was suggested that PR and HPR could have Improving effects on wrinkle formation. These evidences provide useful information for the development wrinkle formation treated agent.