• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.87-101
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• 2023

The constituents of a watershed control a wide range of ecosystem processes, such as, carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, and biodiversity preservation. Maintenance of a healthy watershed is advantageous to humans in many direct and indirect ways. Dissolved organic matter fluorescence analysis is one of the most commonly utilized parameters for water quality measurement, pollution source tracking, and determination of the ecological state of a watershed. Throughout the recent decades, the advancement in data processing, instrumentation, and methods has resulted in many improvements in the area of watershed study with fluorescence analysis. The current trend of coupling advanced instrumentations and new comparative parameters, such as, microplastics of different types, antibiotics, and specific bacterial contaminants have been reported in watershed studies. However, conventional methodologies for obtaining fluorescence excitation emission matrices and for calculating the fluorescence and spectral indices are preferred to advanced methods, due to their easiness and simple data collection. This review aims to gain a general understanding of the use of dissolved organic matter fluorescence analysis for diagnosis and source identification of watershed pollutions, by focusing on how the studies have utilized fluorescence analysis to improve existing knowledge and techniques in recent years.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.669-674
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• 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to various clinical symptoms including anemia. Lipocalin-2 has various biological functions, including defense against bacterial infections through iron sequestration, and it serves as a biomarker for kidney injury. In a human protein array, we observed increased lipocalin-2 expression due to parental SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Calu-3 human lung cancer cell line. The secretion of lipocalin-2 was also elevated in response to parental SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants similarly induced this phenomenon. In a Calu-3 implanted mouse xenograft model, parental SARSCoV-2 and Delta variant induced lipocalin-2 expression and secretion. Additionally, the iron concentration increased in the Calu-3 tumor tissues and decreased in the serum due to infection. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the production and secretion of lipocalin-2, potentially resulting in a decrease in iron concentration in serum. Because the concentration of iron ions in the blood is associated with anemia, this phenomenon could contribute to developing anemia in COVID-19 patients.

• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2007

A perovskite-type ($La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Ti_{0.2}Fe_{0.8}O_{3-{\delta}}$) dense ceramic membrane was prepared by polymerized complex method, using citric acid as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as an organic stabilizer. Effect of Ti addition on lanthanum-strontium ferrite mixed conductor was investigated by evaluating the thermal expansion coefficient, the oxygen flux, the electrical conductivity, and the phase stability. The thermal expansion coefficient in air was $21.19\;{\times}\;10^{-6}/K$ at 473 to 1,223 K. At the oxygen partial pressure of 0.21 atm ($20%\;O_2$), the electrical conductivity increased with temperature and then decreased after 973 K. The decrement in electrical conductivity at high temperatures was explained by a loss of the lattice oxygen. The oxygen flux increased with temperature and was $0.17\;mL/cm^2{\cdot}min$ at 1,223 K. From the temperature-dependent oxygen flux data, the activation energy of oxygen ion conduction was calculated and was 80.5 kJ/mol at 1,073 to 1,223 K. Also, the Ti-added lanthanum-strontium ferrite mixed conductor was structurally and chemically stable after 450 hours long-term test at 1,173 K.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2008

We describe plant biomass in the grasslands of the Mongolian steppe obtained using a quadrat sampling technique. Four sites were studied in the northeastern Mongolia located between $47^{\circ}12'N$ and $47^{\circ}40'N$ and $102^{\circ}22'E$ and $112^{\circ}24'E$, which were typical grasslands of the steppe. Biomass, carbon and nitrogen content were determined for the plants collected from the grazed and ungarazed stands. With the measurements above, we expect to obtain information on grazing effects on the grasslands and carbon sequestration of the grassland from the air. In order to estimate the biomass without destroying the stands, we derived an equation to describe the relationship between plant biomass and v-value using plant height and species coverage within the stand. Estimated plant biomass in the ungrazed and grazed stands ranged between $108.0\;g\;m^{-2}$ and $13.4\;g\;m^{-2}$ and between $97.5\;g\;m^{-2}$ and $14.1\;g\;m^{-2}$ in late June 2005, respectively. Litter in the ungrazed and grazed stands ranged from $330.3\;g\;m^{-2}$ to $78.4\;g\;m^{-2}$ and from $188.0\;g\;m^{-2}$ to $20.3\;g\;m^{-2}$, similarly. Average carbon and nitrogen contents in plants and in litter were 43.0% and 1.9% and 33.7% and 1.4%, respectively. In study sites at Baganuur, the carbon and nitrogen content of plant materials (plant plus litter) was $118.4\;g\;m^{-2}$ and $4.7\;g\;m^{-2}$ on 30 June 2005.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2014

The paper presents comparison between numerical and experimental results to verify finite element algorithm of air diffusion in three-phase porous media. The theory of two-phase flow in partially saturated soil is a fundamental study to predict the safety for $CO_2$ sequestration. Geotechnical engineering problems exposed to atmospheric pressure generally assume that air pressure is equal to zero in three-phase porous media, but the geotechnical engineering problem at a depth of about over 1 km needs to be considered in connection with deformable solid skeleton due to air pressure. Therefore, the objective of this study is to validate the numerical algorithm by comparing with results obtained from measurement of air diffusion and dissipation through drainage test.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2018

This study was carried out to quantify degree of contribution of harvested wood product (HWP) on mitigation of climate change by valuation of public benefits, environmentally and economically. The potential carbon dioxide emission reduction of HWP was estimated by accounting carbon storage effect and substitution effect. Based on 2014 statistics of Korea Forest Service, domestic HWPs were sorted by two categories, such as wood products produced domestically from domestic and imported roundwood. The wood products were divided into seven items; sawnwood, plywood, particle board, fiberboard (MDF), paper (including pulp), biomass (wood pellet) and other products. The carbon stock of wood products and substitution effects during manufacturing process was evaluated by items. Based on the relevant carbon emission factor and life cycle analysis, the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit volume on HWP was quantified. The amounts of carbon stock of HWP produced from domestic and from imported roundwood were 3.8 million $tCO_{2eq}$., and 2.6 million $tCO_{2eq}$., respectively. Also, each reduction of carbon emission by substitution effect of HWP produced from domestic and imported roundwood was 3.1 million $tCO_{2eq}$. and 2.1 million $tCO_{2eq}$., respectively. The results of this study, the amount of carbon emission reduction of HWP, can be effectively used as a basic data for promotion of wood utilization to revise and establish new wood utilization promotion policy such as 'forest carbon offset scheme', and 'carbon storage labeling system of HWP'.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.45-51
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• 2005

The sorption/desorption characteristics of phenanthrene on the natural manganese oxide (NMD) were investigated in the presence of phenolic compounds. 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was effectively oxidized by NMD catalyzed reaction and transformed into humic-like macromolecular compound through inter-or cross-coupling reaction between byproducts. As 4-CP was degraded with time, sorbed amount of phenanthrene on NMD was significantly increased, resulting from the formation of oxidative coupling products. These results imply that NMD can be used for simultaneous treatment of phenolic contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils, sediments, or water. Also, sorbed phenanthrene on NMD in the presence of 4-CP showed high degree of desorption resistance, indicating that sequestration process of phenanthrene was ongoing with time.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.76-80
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• 2015

Purpose: Methimazole is an anti-thyroid drug that can cause life-threatening neutropenia in rare situations. The aim of this case report is to describe a set of oral complications associated with methimazole-induced neutropenia and the healing of the gingiva after proper treatment. Methods: A 31-year-old female patient hospitalized for systemic symptoms of sore throat and fever and showing extensive gingival necrosis with pain was referred to the Department of Periodontics from the Department of Endocrinology. Methimazole-induced neutropenia was diagnosed based on blood test results and her medical history. Methimazole was discontinued and a range of treatments was administered, including the injection of granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Results: After systemic treatment, the gingiva began to heal as the neutrophil count increased. Approximately one year later, the gingiva had returned to a normal appearance. Twenty-one months after treatment, sequestra of the alveolar bone that had broken through the gingiva were removed. Periodic supportive periodontal treatment has been continued uneventfully. Conclusions: The oral manifestations of gingival necrosis and ulcerations, in combination with systemic symptoms such as fever and sore throat, are the critical signs presented in the early stages of drug-induced neutropenia. Therefore, dentists need to be aware of these oral complications in order to make an accurate diagnosis and to ensure that prompt medical intervention is provided.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1669-1679
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• 2015

The quest to broaden the narrow range of feed ingredients available to pig producers has prompted research on the use of low cost, unconventional feedstuffs, which are typically fibrous and abundant. Maize cobs, a by-product of a major cereal grown worldwide, have potential to be used as a pig feed ingredient. Presently, maize cobs are either dumped or burnt for fuel. The major challenge in using maize cobs in pig diets is their lignocellulosic nature (45% to 55% cellulose, 25% to 35% hemicellulose, and 20% to 30% lignin) which is resistant to pigs' digestive enzymes. The high fiber in maize cobs (930 g neutral detergent fiber/kg dry matter [DM]; 573 g acid detergent fiber/kg DM) increases rate of passage and sequestration of nutrients in the fiber reducing their digestion. However, grinding, heating and fermentation can modify the structure of the fibrous components in the maize cobs and improve their utilization. Pigs can also extract up to 25% of energy maintenance requirements from fermentation products. In addition, dietary fiber improves pig intestinal health by promoting the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which suppress proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. This paper reviews maize cob composition and the effect on digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and growth performance and proposes the use of ensiling using exogenous enzymes to enhance utilization in diets of pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2013

The elements that determine the success of development projects on goats and the prerequisites for ensuring this are discussed in the context of the bewildering diversity of goat genetic resources, production systems, multifunctionality, and opportunities for responding to constraints for productivity enhancement. Key determinants for the success of pro-poor projects are the imperatives of realistic project design, resolution of priorities and positive impacts to increase investments and spur agricultural growth, and appropriate policy. Throughout the developing world, there exist 97% of the total world population of 921 million goats across all agroecological zones (AEZs), including 570 breeds and 64% share of the breeds. They occupy a very important biological and socioeconomic niche in farming systems making significant multifunctional contributions especially to food, nutrition and financial security, stability of farm households, and survival of the poor in the rural areas. Definitions are given of successful and failed projects. The analyses highlighted in successful projects the value of strong participatory efforts with farmers and climate change. Climate change effects on goats are inevitable and are mediated through heat stress, type of AEZ, water availability, quantity and quality of the available feed resources and type of production system. Within the prevailing production systems, improved integrated tree crops - ruminant systems are underestimated and are an important pathway to enhance C sequestration. Key development strategies and opportunities for research and development (R and D) are enormous, and include inter alia defining a policy framework, resolution of priority constraints using systems perspectives and community-based participatory activities, application of yield-enhancing technologies, intensification, scaling up, and impacts. The priority for development concerns the rainfed areas with large concentrations of ruminants in which goats, with a capacity to cope with heat tolerance, can be the entry point for development. Networks and networking are very important for the diffusion of information and can add value to R and D. Well formulated projects with clear priority setting and participatory R and D ensure success and the realisation of food security, improved livelihoods and self-reliance in the future.