• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2023

This study shows the summary of the economic performance of excess electricity conversion to hydrogen as well as methane and returned conversion to electricity using a fuel cell. The methane production process has been examined in a previous study. Here, this study focuses on the conversion of methane to electricity. As a part of this study, capital expenditure (CAPEX) is estimated under various sized plants (0.3, 3, 9, and 30 MW). The study shows a method for economic optimization of electricity generation using a fuel cell. The CAPEX and operating expenditure (OPEX) as well as the feed cost are used to calculate the discounted cash flow. Then the levelized cost of returned electricity (LCORE) is estimated from the discounted cash flow. This study found the LCORE value was ¢10.2/kWh electricity when a 9 MW electricity generating fuel cell was used. A methane production plant size of 1,500 Nm³/hr, a methane production cost of $11.47/mcf, a storage cost of $1/mcf, and a fuel cell efficiency of 54% were used as a baseline. A sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the storage cost, fuel cell efficiency, and excess electricity cost by ±20%, and fuel cell efficiency was found as the most dominating parameter in terms of the LCORE sensitivity. Therefore, for the best cost-performance, fuel cell manufacturing and efficiency need to be carefully evaluated. This study provides a general guideline for cost performance comparison with LCORE.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.337-345
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• 2002

The equilibrium structures for the ground and transition states of $C_7H_7^+$ isomers have been investigated using sophisticated ab initio quantum mechanical techniques with various basis sets. The structures of tropyrium and benzyl cations have been fully optimized at the DZP CCSD(T) levels of theory. And the structures of o-, m-and p-tolyl cations are optimized fully up to the DZ CCSD(T) levels of theory. The geometries for the transition states between three isomers of tolyl cations have been optimized up to DZP CISD level of theory. The SCF harmonic vibrational frequencies for tropylium, benzyl, and three isomers of tolyl cations are all real numbers, which confirm the potential minima and each unique imaginary vibrational frequencies for TS1 and TS2 confirm the true transition states. The relative energy of the benzyl cation with respect to the tropyrium cation is predicted to be 28.5 kJ/mol and is in good agreement with the previous theoretical predictions. The 0 K heats of formation, ${\Delta}H^{\circ}_{f0}$, have been predicted to be 890, 1095, 1101, and 1110 kJ/mol for tropylium, ortho-, meta-, and para-tolyl cations by taking the experimental value of 919 kJ/mol for the benzyl cation as the base level. The relative stability between tolyl cations is in the order of ortho

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1985

Forest soils mixed with organic matters (green needle, flesh needle litter and needle litter in F layer of Pinus koraiensis, and green leaf of Quercus dentata and Q. variabilis) were incubated under a constant $30^{\circ}C({\pm}1)$ for 53 days to measure the changes of inorganic nitrogen and $CO_2$ evolution rate. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) In the early incubation period the amounts of total inorganic nitrogen in soils by mixture of organic matters decreased rapidly because of immobilization by microbial uptake, and thereafter their amounts increased with further incubation. 2) The rate of immobilization of organic nitrogen in mixed organic matters was the highest in green needle among green needle, flesh needle litter and needle litter in F layer of P. koraiensis, but lower than that of green leaf of Q. variabilis and Q. dentata. 3) The rates of $CO_2$ evolution from soils mixed with organic matters increased sharply in the early time, and then decreased slowly with increasing time. The order of the $CO_2$ evolution rate was green leaf of Q. variabilis > green leaf of Q. dentata > green needle of P. koraiensis > flesh needle litter of P. koraiensis > needle litter of P. koraiensis in F layer from the largest to the least. 4) Nitrate nitrogen concentrations showed a tendency to increase throughout incubation time, so that their concentrations after 53 days were higher than that of ammonium nitrogen.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.64-69
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• 2007

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of fisetin on the apoptosis and DNA single strand breaks in ultraviolet light B (UVB)-exposed NIH3T3 cells. Exposure of cells to UVB light $(200J/m^2)$ and post-incubation in growth medium for 48 hr resulted in about 50% of cells with apoptotic nuclear fragmentation. Addition of various concentrations of fisetin in the postincubation medium, however, significantly reduced the apoptotic nuclear fragmentation as compared with the values expected when the effects are additive and independent. DNA single strand breaks induced by UVB exposure were also significantly decreased by postincubation with fisetin. By Western blot analysis, fisetin post-incubation was shown to attenuate the p53 upregulation upon UVB exposure. Furthermore, the decrease of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) level upon UVB exposure was alleviated by fisetin postincubation. These results suggest that fisetin decrease the apoptosis and increae DNA repair in a possible association with alteration of p53 and PCNA levels in UVB-exposed cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.169-180
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• 2023

Oreochromis niloticus is the most ecologically and economically important fish in tropical and sub-tropical aquatic systems. Recently, due to sever anthropogenic stressors, hydrological variations and infestations of invasive alien species in Ethiopian water bodies, fish community structure and ecosystem of Lake Tana is changing alarmingly. So far, there is paucity of information on the morphometric relations and diet composition of O. niloticus in Lake Tana, gulf of Gorgora. A total of 309 fish samples were collected and their total length (TL), standard length (SL) and total weight (TW) were measured to determine morphometric relations; and gut contents were examined to identify most important food item in the diet of the fish. Results indicated that, the relation between TL and SL was significant (p < 0.001) and linear (SL = 0.942TL-2.41) while the relation between TL and TW was curvilinear (TW = 0.014 TL^2.8) indicating allometric growth. Among the total guts scrutinized, 53 (17.3%) of them were empty and the remaining 256 (82.7%) were non-empty. Phytoplankton constituted the largest bulk and occurred in 77% of the guts examined and volumetrically accounted 44.3%. Detritus and zooplankton had an intermediate importance by occurring 60.2% and 63.3% of all guts scrutinized and constituted about 25.6% and 15.5% of the total volume respectively. Contributions of macrophytes, insects, nematodes and unidentified food items were relatively low in their importance. Ontogenetic dietary shift was observed in the diet indicating an omnivorous feeding habit of the adult fish.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.347-362
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• 2020

Iron (hydro)oxides in aqueous environments are primarily formed due to mining activities, and they are known to be typical colloidal particles disturbing surrounding environments. Among them, hematites are widespread in surface environments, and their behavior is controlled by diverse factors in aqueous environments. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of environmental factors, such as ionic composition and strength, pH, and natural organic matter (NOM) on the behavior of colloidal hematite particles. In particular, two analytical methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and single-particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS), were compared to quantify and characterize the behavior of colloidal hematites. According to the variation of ionic composition and strength, the aggregation/dispersion characteristics of the hematite particles were affected as a result of the change in the thickness of the diffuse double layer as well as the total force of electrostatic repulsion and van der Walls attraction. Besides, the more dispersed the particles were, the farther away the aqueous pH was from their point of zero charge (PZC). The results indicate that the electrostatic and steric (structural) stabilization of the particles was enhanced by the functional groups of the natural organic matter, such as carboxyl and phenolic, as the NOM coated the surface of colloidal hematite particles in aqueous environments. Furthermore, such coating effects seemed to increase with decreasing molar mass of NOM. On the contrary, these stabilization (dispersion) effects of NOM were much more diminished by divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ than monovalent ones (Na⁺), and it could be attributed to the fact that the former acted as bridges much more strongly between the NOM-coated hematite particles than the latter because of the relatively larger ionic potential of the former. Consequently, it was quantitatively confirmed that the behavior of colloidal hematites in aqueous environments was significantly affected by diverse factors, such as ionic composition and strength, pH, and NOM. Among them, the NOM seemed to be the primary and dominant one controlling the behavior of hematite colloids. Meanwhile, the results of the comparative study on DLS and spICPMS suggest that the analyses combining both methods are likely to improve the effectiveness on the quantitative characterization of colloidal behavior in aqueous environments because they showed different strengths: the main advantage of the DLS method is the speed and ease of the operation, while the outstanding merit of the spICP-MS are to consider the shape of particles and the type of aggregation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.358-364
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of $Synagis^{(R)}$ (palivizumab) in reducing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) readmission rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ) and the subgroup that showed the most effective vaccination. Methods : We enrolled 350 VLBWI who had been discharged alive from the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2007 and were followed up for at least one year. A retrospective study based on medical records was performed for a period of one year after discharge. RSV readmission rate was investigated according to BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring oxygen at postnatal day 28) and $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis. We categorized the subgroups by the severity of BPD gestational age, and birth weight and compared the RSV readmission rates between subgroups. Results : Eleven VLBWI were readmitted. $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis resulted in a 86% reduction in the rate of readmission due to RSV infection (prophylaxis group, 0.7% and no prophylaxis group, 5.0%; P =0.02). Readmission rate in BPD patients was also reduced in the prophylaxis group (0.7% in the prophylaxis group vs. 5.2% in the no prophylaxis group, P =0.03). The readmission rate in patients without BPD was reduced in the prophylaxis group (0% in the prophylaxis group vs. 4.9% in the no prophylaxis group, P =1.00), but this was not statistically significant.Conclusion : $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis was effective at reducing RSV readmission in VLBWI. Its efficacy was verified irrespective of BPD, gestational age, or birth weight.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1680-1689
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic yield of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) and identify significant parameters affecting diagnostic yield. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was conducted to identify studies that assessed the diagnostic yield of DWI in patients with TGA. The pooled diagnostic yield of DWI in patients with TGA was calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were also performed of slice thickness, magnetic field strength, and interval between symptom onset and DWI. Results: Twenty-two original articles (1732 patients) were included. The pooled incidence of right, left, and bilateral hippocampal lesions was 37% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30-44%), 42% (95% CI, 39-46%), and 25% (95% CI, 20-30%) of all lesions, respectively. The pooled diagnostic yield of DWI in patients with TGA was 39% (95% CI, 27-52%). The Higgins I² statistic showed significant heterogeneity (I² = 95%). DWI with a slice thickness ≤ 3 mm showed a higher diagnostic yield than DWI with a slice thickness > 3 mm (pooled diagnostic yield: 63% [95% CI, 53-72%] vs. 26% [95% CI, 16-40%], p < 0.01). DWI performed at an interval between 24 and 96 hours after symptom onset showed a higher diagnostic yield (68% [95% CI, 57-78%], p < 0.01) than DWI performed within 24 hours (16% [95% CI, 7-34%]) or later than 96 hours (15% [95% CI, 8-26%]). There was no difference in the diagnostic yield between DWI performed using 3T vs. 1.5T (pooled diagnostic yield, 31% [95% CI, 25-38%] vs. 24% [95% CI, 14-37%], p = 0.31). Conclusion: The pooled diagnostic yield of DWI in TGA patients was 39%. DWI obtained with a slice thickness ≤ 3 mm or an interval between symptom onset and DWI of > 24 to 96 hours could increase the diagnostic yield.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.744-755
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is considered a class I indication for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is little evidence regarding the potential benefits of early AVR in symptomatic patients diagnosed with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS. Methods: Two-hundred eighty-one patients diagnosed with symptomatic NFLG severe AS (stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m², mean transaortic pressure gradient <40 mmHg, peak transaortic velocity <4 m/s, and aortic valve area <1.0 cm²) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. After performing 1:1 propensity score matching, 121 patients aged 75.1±9.8 years (including 63 women) who underwent early AVR within 3 months after index echocardiography, were compared with 121 patients who received conservative care. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.9 months, 48 primary outcomes (18 in the early AVR group and 30 in the conservative care group) occurred. The early AVR group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of primary outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.93; p=0.028); specifically, there was no significant difference in all-cause death (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.23-1.16; p=0.110), although the early AVR group showed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, p=0.037). Subgroup analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: An early AVR strategy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of a composite outcome of death or hospitalization for HF in symptomatic patients with NFLG severe AS. Future randomized studies are required to validate and confirm our findings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

The red mud generated from bauxite during the Bayer alumina production process has been regarded as an industrial waste due to the high alkaline property and high content of Na. Despite of its environmental problem, various studies for recovery of the valuable resources from red mud has been also carried out because of high content (25.7 wt.% as Fe₂O₃ in this study) of iron in red mud. In order to recover the iron resource in the red mud, microwave heating experiments were performed with adding of activated carbon and elemental sulfur to the red mud. Through the microwave heating the powdered red mud mixtures converted to porous and vitrified solid aggregates. The vitrified aggregates produced by microwave heating are composed of goethite, zero valent iron (Fe⁰), pyrrhotite and pyrite. And then, the microwave heating samples were dissolved in the aqua regia solution, and Fe precipitates were obtained as a Fe-chlorides by adding of NaCl salt in the aqua regia solution. The Fe recovery rates in the Fe-chloride precipitates showed differences depending on the experimental mixture conditions, and Fe grades of the end products are 49.0 wt.%, 58.0 wt.% and 59.5 wt.% under mixture conditions of red mud, red mud + activated carbon, and red mud + activated carbon + elemental S, respectively. The Fe content of 56.0 wt.% is generally known as the grade value of Fe in a iron ore for iron production, and the Fe grades of microwave heating samples with adding activated carbon and elemental S in this study are higher than the grade value of 56.0 wt.%.