• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2005

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an environmental contaminant provoking genetic mutation and damages to liver and central nerve system even at low concentrations. A practical scheme is reported using toluene as a primary substrate to revitalize the biofilter column for an extended period of TCE degradation. The rate of trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation by Pseudomonas putida F1 at $25^{\circ}C$ decreased exponentially with time, without toluene feeding to a biofilter column ($11\;cm\;I.D.{\times}95\;cm$ height). The rate of decrease was 2.5 times faster at a TCE concentration of $970\;{\mu}g/L$ compared to a TCE concentration of $110\;{\mu}g/L$. The TCE itself was not toxic to the cells, but the metabolic intermediates of the TCE degradation were apparently responsible for the decrease in the TCE degradation rate. A short-term (2 h) supply of toluene ($2,200\;{\mu}g/L$) at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 6.4 min recovered the relative column activity by $43\%$ when the TCE removal efficiency at the time of toluene feeding was $58\%$. The recovery of the TCE removal efficiency increased at higher incoming toluene concentrations and longer toluene supply durations according to the Monod type of kinetic expressions. A longer duration ($1.4{\sim}2.4$ times) of toluene supply increased the recovery of the TCE removal efficiency by $20\%$ for the same toluene load.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2022

Piezoelectric energy harvesting technologies, which can be used to convert the electricity from the mechanical energy, have been developed in order to assist or power the wearable electronics. To realize non-toxic and biocompatible electronics, the lead-free (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.90Zr_0.10)O₃ (BCTZ) nanoparticles (NPs) are being studied with a great attention as flexible energy harvesting device. Herein, piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated using BCTZ NPs-embedded poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] matrix to improve the performance of flexible energy harvester. Output performance of the fabricated energy device was investigated by the well-optimized measurement system during the periodically bending and releasing motions. The generated open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current of the piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposite-based energy harvester reached up to ~15 V and ~1.1 ㎂, respectively; moreover, the instantaneous power of 3.5 ㎼ is determined from load voltage and current at the external load of 20 MΩ. This research is expected to cultivate a new approach to high-performance wearable self-powering electronics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.470-473
• /
• 2004

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, iron can be toxic. Because of this phenomenon, its metabolism of iron is strictly regulated. We have constructed a model system in which cell growth is defected during periods of iron over-load. When $Aft1-1^{up}$ protein was overexpressed with Ga110 promoter, a galactose inducible promoter, cell growth was defected and levels of CLN2 transcript decreased. However transcript levels of AFT1 and FET3 genes increased over time in a consistent manner throughout the course of $AFT1-1^{up}$ overexpression. We have screened to find genes to suppress cell growth defect by iron overload with YEp-derived high copy yeast genomic DNA library and found that high copy of Rmelp suppressed cell growth defects. Rme1p has been known as an activator protein of CLN2 gene expression. Taking these results together, we suggest that the yeast cell cycle is arrested at the $G_1$, phase by iron overload via Cln2p.

• Ceramist
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.312-330
• /
• 2018

Energy storage/conversion has become crucial not only to meet the present energy demand but also more importantly to sustain the modern society. Particularly, electrical energy storage is critical not only to support electronic, vehicular and load-levelling applications but also to efficiently commercialize renewable energy resources such as solar and wind. While Li-ion batteries are being intensely researched for electric vehicle applications, there is a pressing need to seek for new battery chemistries aimed at stationary storage systems. In this aspect, Zn-ion batteries offer a viable option to be utilized for high energy and power density applications since every intercalated Zn-ion yields a concurrent charge transfer of two electrons and thereby high theoretical capacities can be realized. Furthermore, the simplicity of fabrication under open-air conditions combined with the abundant and less toxic zinc element makes aqueous Zn-ion batteries one of the most economical, safe and green energy storage technologies with prospective use for stationary grid storage applications. Also, Zn-ion batteries are very safe for next-generation technologies based on flexible, roll-up, wearable implantable devices the portable electronics market. Following this advantages, a wide range of approaches and materials, namely, cathodes, anodes and electrolytes have been investigated for Zn-ion batteries applications to date. Herein, we review the progresses and major advancements related to aqueous. Zn-ion batteries, facilitating energy storage/conversion via $Zn^{2+}$ (de)intercalation mechanism.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.87-99
• /
• 2023

Background and Purpose: According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, fibrillary amyloid-beta load in the brain causes Alzheimer's disease (AD) with toxic effects. Recently, perivascular spaces (PVSs), fluid-filled cavities around small penetrating arterioles and venules in the brain, and the glymphatic system relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and AD has been an important research topic from a physiopathological point of view. There are two types of PVSs that are associated with sporadic atherosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the number and localization of enlarged PVSs in AD. Methods: A total of 254 patients with AD and 125 healthy controls were included in this study All the patients were evaluated with neurological and cognitive examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PVSs on MRI were graded by recording their number and location. The study was a retrospective study. Results: In our study, the number of white matter convexity-central semiovale localized PVSs was higher in patients than in the control group. In addition, the number of PVSs in this localization score was higher in patients with DM2. Cerebral PVS counts were higher in patients with AD than in the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest the important role of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, one of the vascular risk factors, and the glymphatic system in the pathogenesis of AD. In addition, the results of our study suggest that the evaluation of PVSs levels, especially at the (centrum semiovale), using imaging studies in AD is a potential diagnostic option.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.204-211
• /
• 2013

In this study, the deriving optimum conditions for decolorization of Acid Orange II solution was carried using $TiO_2$ advanced oxidation process. After that, on base of the deriving results, the range of dye concentration was estimated. In addition, acute toxicity test was also carried to assess toxicity unit according to decolorization and TOC removal. In case of the blockage of light, 20 mg/L of dye solution, and 0.5 g $TiO_2$, the effect of decolorization at pH 3 was larger than at pH 6 and 10, so it was shown that decolorization is dependent on pH. The use of 5 g $TiO_2$ showed best performance of decolorization, but that of 3 g $TiO_2$ was chosen to optimum condition in considering of economical aspects. Four light sources, sun, fluorescent lamp, BLB lamp, and UV-B lamp, were used and decolorization was 99.4% and 100% at 50 mg/L, 98.6% and 99.7% at 100 mg/L for sun and UV-B lamp, respectively. In spite of the optimum condition of decolorization at pH 3, the evaluation of acute toxicity test showed highly toxic. In conclusion, although the optimum treatment of dye solution is performed, water ecology can be polluted in discharging it into water system. Therefore, it is needed to study of water ecological system with dye water treatment, and it takes all the circumstances into consideration.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.8
• /
• 2021

The clinical condition Amnesia causes difficulty in learning new information and the inability to recall past events. It is primarily concerned with recent memory loss. Majoon-e-Nisyan (MJN) is a polyherbal Unani formulation, present in a semi-solid form. It is widely used potent drug of the Unani System of Medicine (USM) for treating Nisyan (amnesia). In the present study polyherbal Unani formulation, MJN has been studied for its quality control and acute toxicity. Standardization (quality control) of drugs deals with drug identity, drug quality and purity determination. Standardization of MJN had been done as per the Unani pharmacopoeial parameters approved by World Health Organization (WHO) - Pharmacognostical parameters, Physico-chemical parameters, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), microbial load, aflatoxin, and heavy metals. Solvents and chemicals used in the study were of analytical grade and used instrument were calibrated. By conducting an acute oral toxicity study in rats, the safety of MJN was assessed. The limit test method of OECD guideline 425 was followed in the study. Results of standardization and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preparation of MJN may serve as the standard reference in the future. The data generated in the study for the quality control of MJN proved the quality of formulation and shows that MJN is not toxic in rats following acute dosing up to 2000 mg/kg bw. The data obtained in the paper for MJN may be used as a standard guideline for preparation of the formulation which can save time, cost, and resources for future research endeavours.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.72-78
• /
• 2015

Organic solvents are known toxic effects like vertigo, behavioral obstacle, distracting, and peripheral neuropathy in neuron areas. However, there have been few studies how neurotoxic solvents-exposed workers are affected by the cognitive load of preceding working memory tasks. Therefore, we used fMRI as to measure the neural correlates of working memory impairment in occupational workers who had from chronic exposure to organic solvent. Twenty-nine solvent-exposed workers were included in this study. Each participant concluded the verbal N-back tasks (1- and 2-back) during the fMRI acquisition. Within-group analyses showed fronto-parietal networks were active in each condition. Direct comparisons between 1- and 2-back showed higher activation during the 2-back than 1-back. We found that increased activation of these regions at lower task demand is associated with increased cost of implementing.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.135-147
• /
• 2015

Recent underground common utility tunnels are underground facilities for jointly accommodating more than 2 kinds of air-conditioning and heating facilities, vacuum dust collector, information processing cables as well as electricity, telecommunications, waterworks, city gas, sewerage system required when citizens live their daily lives and facilities responsible for the central function of the country but it is difficult to cope with fire accidents quickly and hard to enter into common utility tunnels to extinguish a fire due to toxic gases and smoke generated when various cables are burnt. Thus, in the event of a fire, not only the nerve center of the country is paralyzed such as significant property damage and loss of communication etc. but citizen inconveniences are caused. Therefore, noticing that most fires break out by a short circuit due to electrical works and degradation contact due to combustible cables as the main causes of fires in domestic and foreign common utility tunnels fire cases that have occurred so far, the purpose of this paper is to scientifically analyze the behavior of a fire by producing the model of actual common utility tunnels and reproducing the fire. A fire experiment was conducted in a state that line type fixed temperature detector, fire door, connection deluge set and ventilation equipment are installed in underground common utility tunnels and transmission power distribution cables are coated with fire proof paints in a certain section and heating pipes are fire proof covered. As a result, in the case of Type II, the maximum temperature was measured as $932^{\circ}C$ and line type fixed temperature detector displayed the fire location exactly in the receiver at a constant temperature. And transmission power distribution cables painted with fire proof paints in a certain section, the case of Type III, were found not to be fire resistant and fire proof covered heating pipes to be fire resistant for about 30 minutes. Also, fire simulation was carried out by entering fire load during a real fire test and as a result, the maximum temperature is $943^{\circ}C$, almost identical with $932^{\circ}C$ during a real fire test. Therefore, it is considered that fire behaviour can be predicted by conducting fire simulation only with common utility tunnels fire load and result values of heat release rate, height of the smoke layer, concentration of O2, CO, CO2 etc. obtained by simulation are determined to be applied as the values during a real fire experiment. In the future, it is expected that more reliable information on domestic underground common utility tunnels fire accidents can be provided and it will contribute to construction and maintenance repair effectively and systematically by analyzing and accumulating experimental data on domestic underground common utility tunnels fire accidents built in this study and fire cases continuously every year and complementing laws and regulations and administration manuals etc.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.25-36
• /
• 2016

Heavy metals in the stream sediments around Shihwa Lake were studied not only to investigate the characteristics of spacio-temporal distribution but also to assess the pollution degree and ecological risk using various pollution indices. Among metals, Zn had the highest values (1,311 mg/kg) and Hg showed the lowest value (0.261 mg/kg). The order of mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals was Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni>Co>As>Cd>Hg in stream sediments around Shihwa Lake. Metal concentrations showed different pollution pattern with industrial region, indicating that these metals originated from different sources and industrial region had higher metal concentration than rural/urban regions. The results of geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the stream sediments were significantly polluted with Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb, indicating moderately to highly polluted by these metals. According to PLI consideration, industrial region was more seriously polluted by metals whereas an rural/urban region was not polluted. About 85% of sampling site for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb from industrial regions were exceeded the PEL values. The mPELQ and SQI values derived from PEL of industrial region were classified as 'highly toxic' and 'very poor' and metal pollution level tend to be worse in wet season. This indicates that the industrial activities and stromwater runoff represents an important sources of heavy metals around Shihwa Lake.