• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.305-313
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• 2011

Fertilization is essential to seedling production in nursery culture, but excessive fertilization can contaminate surface and ground water around the nursery. The objective of this study was to find optimal fertilization practice of container seedling production for reducing soil and water contamination around the nursery without compromising seedling quality. This study was conducted to investigate growth performance, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll contents of Liriodendron tulipifera growing under three different fertilization treatments (Constant rate, Three-stage rate, and Exponential rate fertilization). Root collar diameter, height, and biomass of L. tulipifera were the highest at Constant treatment. Like growth performance, seedling quality index (SQI) were higher at Constant than at other treatments, but not significantly different among treatments. L. tulipifera showed good photosynthetic capacity at all treatments. Photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll contents were significantly lower at Exponential than at other treatments. Therefore, Exponential fertilization which is 50% fertilizer of other treatments would maximize seedling growth and minimize nutrient loss.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.636-645
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the adsorption characteristics of methyl orange (MO), an anionic dye, on ginkgo shell-based activated carbon (AC). For this purpose, ACs (GS-1, GS-2, and GS-4) with different textural properties were prepared using ginkgo shells and potassium hydroxide (KOH), a representative chemical activating agent. The correlation between the textural characteristics of AC prepared and the mixing ratio of KOH was investigated using nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The MO adsorption equilibrium experiment on the prepared ACs was conducted under different pH (pH 3~11) and temperature (298~318 K) conditions, and the results were investigated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and temperature-dependent Sips equations. The feasibility of the MO adsorption treatment process of the prepared AC was also investigated using the dimensionless Langmuir separation factor. The heterogeneous adsorption properties of MO for the prepared AC examined using the adsorption energy distribution function (AED) were closely related to the system temperature and textural characteristics of AC. The kinetic results of the batch adsorption performed at different temperatures can be satisfactorily explained by the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM), which takes into account the external mass transfer, intraparticle diffusion, and active site adsorption. The relationship between the activation energy value obtained by the Arrhenius plot and the adsorption energy distribution function value was also investigated. In addition, the adsorption process mechanism of MO on the prepared AC was evaluated using Biot number.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 2022

In the present work, biochar was prepared using Achyanthes japonica stem as a by-product of herbal medicine. In order to apply the prepared biochar to water treatment process, the adsorption characteristics of zinc and iron ions dissolved in water were investigated. When the experiments were performed for 2 h to remove 70 and 100 mg/L of zinc ions, the adsorption amounts of 32.3 and 31.0 mg/g were obtained, respectively. It was also found that the adsorption amount of Achyanthes japonica stem biochar for the removal process of zinc ion was three times higher than that of the activated carbon. In addition, when the experiments were performed for 2 h to treat 70 and 100 mg/L of iron ions, high adsorption amounts of 50.1 and 54.3 mg/g were achieved, respectively. In order to further enhance the removal efficiency of zinc and iron ions, a steam activation process was performed on the biochar of Achyanthes japonica stem. As a result, the removal efficiencies of 70 and 100 mg/L of zinc ions increased to 80 and 60%, respectively. Also, the removal efficiencies of 70 and 100 mg/L of iron ions were improved to 100 and 82%, respectively. In addition, when the biochar of Achyanthes japonica stem with a steam activation was compared with the untreated biochar of Achyanthes japonica stem, the specific surface area increased 37.3 times, and the total and macroporpous pore volumes were improved by 28.4 and 136 times, respectively. Therefore, the results can be used for economically and practically adsorbing zinc and iron ions contained in water.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2022

Sulforaphane is a sulfur-containing substance found in large amounts in cruciferous plants and has been reported in several studies to have anticancer effects. Kale is a representative cruciferous plant known as a superfood and is widely used as an ingredient in various dishes. In this study, in order to investigate a cultivation method for increasing kale's content of sulforaphane, kale was treated with geraniol or methyl jasmonate and water stressed during cultivation using a aeroponic culture system in a fully enclosed plant factory. Geraniol or methyl jasmonate were sprayed on the kale's leaf surface once a day for 2 days, and water deprivation stress was conducted for 3 days after 7 days from first treatment day. No difference in growth between control, geraniol, methyl jasmonate treated groups were observed during cultivation. The study results showed that the kale sulforaphane content increased by 60% in the group treated with geraniol compared to the control group and that the group treated with water deprivation stress in addition to geraniol showed a significant increase of 414%. These results show that kale with an increased content of sulforaphane can be grown and that geraniol can be a good research material for increasing the content of functional substances in plants.

• Clean Technology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.284-291
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• 2010

Nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) is a greenhouse material which is hard to remove. Even with a catalytic process it requires a reaction temperature, at least, higher than 670 K. This study has been performed to see the effects of Ce addition to the mixed oxide catalyst which shows the highest activity in decomposing $N_2O$ completely at temperature as low as 473 K when CO is used as a reducing agent. Mixed metal oxide(MMO) catalyst was made through co-precipitation process with small amount of Ce added to the base components of Co, Al and Rh or Pd. Consequently, the surface area of the catalyst decreased with the contents of Ce, and the catalytic activity of direct decomposition of $N_2O$ also decreased. However, in the presence of CO, the activity was found high enough to compensate the portion of activity decrease by Ce addition, so that it can be ascertained that the catalytic activity and stability can be maintained in the CO involved $N_2O$ reduction system when Ce is added for the physical stability of the catalyst.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.39.1-39.15
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study. Changes in the HBsAg levels after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed. The dynamics of NK cells following COVID-19 vaccination were also examined using serial blood samples collected prospectively from 25 healthy volunteers. Vaccinated CHB patients (n=2,329) had significantly lower HBsAg levels 1-30 days post-vaccination compared to baseline (median, -21.4 IU/ml from baseline), but the levels reverted to baseline by 91-180 days (median, -3.8 IU/ml). The velocity of the HBsAg decline was transiently accelerated within 30 days after vaccination (median velocity: -0.06, -0.39, and -0.04 log₁₀ IU/ml/year in pre-vaccination period, days 1-30, and days 31-90, respectively). In contrast, unvaccinated patients (n=468) had no change in HBsAg levels. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A, an NK inhibitory receptor, significantly decreased within 7 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (median, -13.1% from baseline; p<0.001). The decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells was observed in the CD56^dimCD16⁺ NK cell population regardless of type of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination leads to a rapid, transient decline in HBsAg titer and a decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.238-245
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• 2024

In this study, as part of the development of a monitoring system for the efficient maintenance of steel pipes, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the performance of steel pipes treated with modified polyethylene coating. In the case of the conventional mechanical pre-coating method, there was a deterioration in polyethylene adhesion during expansion testing, which led to the application of a chemical pre-treatment process using a calcium-mixed phosphate zinc film to resolve this issue. SEM and EDX analyses showed that the densest structure was observed at a Zn/Ca ratio of 1.0, and improved heat resistance compared to the conventional method was confirmed. Additionally, to prevent coating detachment during expansion, an evaluation of adhesion and elongation was conducted on steel pipes with modified polyethylene coating, incorporating materials such as elastomers based on maleic anhydride grafting, metal oxides, blocking agents, and slip agents. Experimental results showed that the specimen (S4) containing all modified materials exhibited more than a 25% performance improvement compared to the specimen (S2) containing only metal oxides. Lastly, the development and performance evaluation of wedge-shaped socketing and pressing wheels, which are part of the pipe fixing accessories, were conducted to prevent surface coating damage on the completed pipes.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2015

The present work quantified the growth of young biofilm in a model distribution system that was fed with chlorinated drinking water at a hydraulic retention time of 2 h. Bacterial biofilms grew on the surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) slides at a specific growth rate of $0.14{\pm}0.09day^{-1}$ for total bacteria and $0.16{\pm}0.08day^{-1}$ for heterotrophic bacteria, reaching $3.1{\times}10^4cells/cm^2$ and $6.6{\times}10^3CFU/cm^2$ after 10 days, respectively. The specific growth rates of biofilm-forming bacteria were found to be much higher than those of bulk-phase bacteria, suggesting that biofilm bacteria account for a major part of the bacterial production in this model system. Biofilm isolates exhibited characteristic kinetic properties, as determined by ${\mu}_{max}$ and $K_S$ values using the Monod model, in a defined growth medium containing various amounts of acetate. The lowest ${\mu}_{max}$ value was observed in bacterial species belonging to the genus Methylobacterium, and their slow growth seemed to confer high resistance to chlorine treatment (0.5 mg/L for 10 min). $K_S$ values (inversely related to substrate affinity) of Sphingomonas were two orders of magnitude lower for acetate carbon than those of other isolates. The Sphingomonas isolates may have obligate-oligotrophic characteristics, since the lower $K_S$ values allow them to thrive under nutrient-deficient conditions. These results provide a better understanding and control of multi-species bacterial biofilms that develop within days in a drinking water distribution system.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 1995

These studies were carried out to develop a system for non -destructive and continuous measurement of fresh weight and to analyse the growth response of leaf lettuce under the different nutrient solution and light condition with this system. The developed measurement system was consisted of four load cells and a microcomputer. The output from the system was highly positive correlation with the plant fresh weight above the surface of the hydroponic solution. The top fresh weight of plant could be measured within the error $\pm$ 1.0g in the range of 0 - 2000g. The top fresh weight of leaf lettuce increased 44 times at 18th day after transferring to the nutrient solution, and the maximum growth rate was observed at 13th day after transferring. The growth rate was 10.7- 29.6% per day during 18 days. Optimum concentration of the nutrient solution for the growth of lettuce was 1.4 - 2.2 mS/cm of EC level. When the light condition was changed from dark to light, the fresh weight was temporarily decreased, but the fresh weight increased under the opposite condition. Top fresh weight of leaf lettuce in the darkness normally increased within 12 hours after darkness treatment, and then slowly increased until 78 hours under continuous dark condition. After that times, the fresh weight began to decrease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.571-576
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• 1998

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the application of low concentration insecticides by sprinkler system for control of the pine needle gall midge, Thecodiplasis japonensis, by killing the adults emerging and copulating near the ground. For ground spray, 2 insecticides of fenitrothion and deltamethrin, dilutions of $2,000{\times}$ and $3,000{\times}$ deltamethrin, and 3 spray intervals of 1-3 day were tested at the peak time of adult emergence during the day time. The results are as follows ; 1. Ground spray of fenitrothion 50% EC and deltamethrin 1% EC were found to be highly effective for control of the pine needle gall midge. Average gall formation by fenitrothion, deltamethrin and untreated ones were 3.40%, 5.23% and 45.69%, respectively ; control value of both insecticides exceeded 88%. 2. As a ground spray of deltamethrin 1% EC, dilution $2,000{\times}$ was significantly different from $3,000{\times}$ in gall formation rates. Average gall formation of $2,000{\times}$ plots and $3,000{\times}$ treated ones were 5.23% and 18.00% ; control values were 89.44% and 63.66%, respectively. 3. Diurnal treatment of ground spray was found to be highly effective for control of pine needle gall midge. 4. In particular, control by ground application of dilutions $2,000{\times}$ and $3,000{\times}$ of deltamethrin is suggested because it does not have an adverse effect on arthropods of the ground surface such as ants and spiders.