Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma (the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance, known as lesser galangal), a family of Zingiberaceae, has been used to reduce pain of infection and inflammatory diseases in Asian countries. The present study was focused to evaluate the inhibitory degranulation effect of Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract in RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187. Mast cell degranulation was analyzed by measuring release of β -hexosaminidase in RBL-2H3 cell. Gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR and signaling molecules were detected by immunoblotting. The Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract suppressed β-hexosaminidase release in dose-dependent manner and inhibited cycloxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression. Furthermore, it was found that Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract reduced mitogen-activated protein kinases, especially phosphorylated p38, at 0.75 ㎎/㎖ of Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract concentrations. These data show that Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract has immunosuppressive effect in mast cell induced allergic inflammation.

라돈은 우라늄-238과 토륨-232가 방사성붕괴 과정을 거친 후 생성되며, 무색, 무취의 불활성 기체로서 지하 또는 밀폐된 공간에 축적된다. 우라늄-238과 토륨-232는 지각의 암석이나 토양 등에 포함 돼 있다. 건축자재는 암석이나 토양을 재료로하여 만들어 진다. 가스 형태의 라돈은 호흡기를 통해 폐로 유입되고 라돈의 딸핵종이 폐나 기관지에 침적 되어 폐암을 일으키는 원인이 된다. 본 연구는 광주광역시 광산구에 위치한 신축 아파트를 대상으로 창문을 닫고 열은 상태에서 라돈 측정기를 이용하여 측정하였다. 측정 결과로 보아 신축 아파트 실내 평균 라돈농도는 미국 일반인 공기 중 라돈가스 최대허용농도 기준치 4 pCi보다 이하의 값이 나타난다는 것을 볼 수 있다. 측정 결과로 볼 때 신축 아파트의 라돈농도로 인한 피폭은 크지 않을 것으로 예상한다. 그러나 라돈가스가 신체 내에 축적이 되면 폐와 같은 경우는 폐암과 같은 피폭에 의한 피해를 얻을 수 있으므로 방사선 방어적 측면에서 측정 결과와 같이 라돈 농도를 낮추기 위해 창문을 자주 열어 환기를 시켜 피폭을 줄이는 것이 필요하다고 생각 된다.

본 연구는 몽골 돈디고비(Dundgobi)지역에서 채취한 오일셰일과 석탄 시료들의 유기물 기원, 광물조성 및 분광학적 특징에 대해 조사하였다. 채취한 오일셰일 및 석탄시료들은 Rock/Eval과 총유기탄소(Total organic carbon; TOC) 분석을 통해 케로젠(Kerogen) 종류, 수소 함량, 열적 성숙도, 퇴적환경을 확인하였으며, X-선회절 분석과 분광분석을 이용하여 광물조성을 정의하였다. Rock/Eval과 TOC 분석결과, 에뎀트(Eedemt) 광상에서 채취한 샘플들은 미성숙-성숙 단계의 근원암에 해당하며, 풍부한 수소함량을 보이고, I-형, II-형 and III-형의 케로젠 종류를 가진다. 반면 샤인 어스 쿠닥(Shine Us Khudag) 광상에서 채취한 샘플들의 경우 성숙단계의 근원암으로써, I-형, II/III-형 또는 III-형의 케로젠을 함유하는 잠재성을 가진다. 또한 탄소와 황의 함량에 따르면 두 지점의 퇴적환경은 담수성의 퇴적환경인 것으로 확인되었다. X-선회절 분석으로부터 확인한 오일셰일과 석탄시료들의 광물조성은 석영, 방해석, 고회석, 일라이트, 고령토, 몬모릴로나이트, 아놀소클레이스, 조장석, 미사장석, 정장석, 방비석으로 확인되었다. 가시광선-근적외선-단파적외선 분광분석을 통해 오일셰일 시료로부터 1412 nm, 1907 nm의 점토광물 및 수산화성분에 의한 흡광특성, 2206 nm에서 고령토와 몬모릴로나이트에 의한 흡광특성, 탄산염광물인 고회석에 의한 흡광특성이 2306 nm에서 확인되었다. 그러나 오일셰일의 원격탐사적 탐사를 위해서는 유기물 함량에 따른 분광특성에 대한 연구가 수행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose (0.015 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.

This study has intended to analyze the characteristics of Resource Circulation Networks: Focused on Chungbuk Eco-Industrial Park (EIP). To reach the goal, this study has divided the networks into such fields as energy, waste, and water, and analyzed the characteristics of each field's projects, already finished or in process, in accordance with network development process, environment, and economy. This study analyzed promotion system and treatment method of the network projects for network development process, and environmental pollution load decrease and air pollutants for environment, and treatment cost reduction, resource purchase cost reduction, etc. for economy. This study found the following results: 1) as for promotion system and business type in network development process field, 8 projects adopted corporate-led system and recycling network, and 3 projects governance system and value-added network project respectively; 2) as for environmental pollution load reduction, air pollutant reduction in environment field, both all projects in water and 6 projects in waste have reduced 92,800 t/year of pollution loads, and all projects in energy and 6 projects in waste have reduced 66,000 t/year of air pollutants, especially 48,000 t CO2/year; and3)as for economic benefits in economy field, it has been found that total economic benefits are 30 billion won.

Mathematical models have been developed to evaluate methane emission from landfills. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have provided first-order decay (FOD) models to estimate methane emission from landfills. The methane generation potential (L0) and the methane generation rate constant (k) are the two primary parameters in the FOD model. A major challenge in landfill gas modeling is estimating these parameters. The IPCC recommended that every country should develop country-specific emission factors appropriate for its circumstances and characteristics. The k value represents the rate constant associated with waste decomposition. In general, there are two different approaches for estimating a k value for a landfill. One uses actual field data in comparison with modeled data. However, this approach is limited by the spatial and temporal characteristics of landfill. Another approach is to collect samples of landfilled waste and then measure their biodegradability of waste as a function of waste age. As biodegradability is a surrogate for landfilling age, lower biodegradability would be expected in order samples. The objective of this study was to determine a k value using an anaerobic test (GB21). To achieve this objective, the GB21 which is used in Germany was conducted to estimate biodegradability of waste samples, and k value was determined based on FOD equation. Waste samples were collected at a landfill located in A City, Korea. The landfill is a valley-type landfill. It received municipal solid waste from 1990 to 2010. Food and paper wastes were the major fractions, constituting about 62.9% of the total amount disposed. However, the Ministry of Environment in Korea banned direct landfilling of food wastes in 2005, since then, food waste has no longer been disposed into landfills. In this study, the landfill site was separated into four areas based on landfilling age, and four samples were collected from each area. Cumulative biogas production for the waste excavated from the landfill varied from 6.9 to 35.8 Nl/kg-Dry Matter. Cumulative biogas production for landfilling age of 1 year was 35.8 Nl/kg-DM and it decreased to 6.9 Nl/kg-DM after 14 years. The k value obtained from this study was 0.156 yr-1 and was higher than the default k prescribed by the IPCC, which is 0.09 yr-1 in boreal and temperate climates. The higher k values obtained in this study can be explained by the high proportion of food waste disposed into the studied landfill. The default k values of rapidly degrading wastes including food waste and sludge are 0.185 yr-1. In addition a higher k value will result in predictions of more methane generation in the early years after waste burial, resulting in higher estimates of uncollected methane in greenhouse gas inventories. This work contributes to understanding decomposition rate of landfilled waste by examining biodegradability determination and providing k value for landfill.

Pollutants generated by the biodegradation of livestock carcasses have the potential for contamination of the environment. Hence, livestock mortalities burial has been banned in the EU. In spite of the hazard, research on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses is lacking. In this study, five lysimeters were used to evaluate the enhanced biodegradation of organic materials in livestock mortalities burial. Lysimeter 1(control), lysimeter 2(grinding of livestock carcass), lysimeter 3(anaerobic microorganisms), lysimeter 4(Corynebacterium glutamicum in anaerobic condition) and lysimeter 5(Corynebacterium glutamicum in aerobic condition) were operated with temperature control. The degradation efficiencies of livestock carcass in the lysimeters were evaluated based on total organic carbon balance. The degradation efficiencies of ground livestock carcass were 1.9 times more than those of livestock carcass without grinding. In anaerobic condition, anaerobic microorganisms were more effective compared with Corynebacterium glutamicum on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses. However, the degradation efficiencies with Corynebacterium glutamicum in aerobic condition were significantly influenced on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses. Even if it would be helpful to degrade the livestock carcass in aerobic condition in terms of stabilization, potential risks on the environment by odor and bioaerosol must be solved.

Lead leached out from the metal lead-sinker attached to fishing nets or contained in ropes are likely to cause the environmental contamination, consequently, resulting in ecotoxicity. However, it is very difficult to find out the data on the disposal reality of fishing nets, lead-containing form of/in fishing net and its content. In previous studies, we presented the containing form of lead and the lead concentration leached out by the containing forms. As a result, the leaching concentration of lead was the highest under the supposition condition of lead-sinker deposited on sandy tidal flat. In this study, as a subsequent study, we investigated long-term leaching characteristics from lead-sinker deposited on sandy tidal flat. We used a serial batch leaching experiment to investigate the long-term leaching characteristics, and the experimental conditions were as follows; solid to liquid ratio 1:20, shaking time 24 hours (repetition of 7 times), room temperature, and shaking rate 170 rpm. As a result, lead leaching concentration after shaking for 24 hours was 0.215 mg/L, showing the highest leaching concentration, and then the leaching concentrations between 2-7 times were greatly decreased. Analysis result by Visual Minteq 3.1 said most of the leached lead component could be extracted as crystal such as Anglesite (PbSO4), Cerrusite (PbCO3), Cotunnite (PbCl2), and Pb(OH)2 by sulfate and carbonate in seawater.

Reuse, recycling and recovery (3R) of industrial wastes are common and encouraging in Korea. Industrial symbiosis is one of typical methods for implementing 3R and has been defined as engaging “traditionally separate industries in a collective approach to competitive advantage involving physical exchange of materials, energy, water, and by-products”. The keys to industrial symbiosis are collaboration and the synergistic possibilities offered by geographic proximity. Recently, several countries in East Asia such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and China are promoting ‘designed’ symbiosis networks in various industrial complexes based on their national Eco-industrial Park (EIP) demonstration programs. Despite the recently promoted EIP initiatives worldwide, only very few studies furnish the operational and functional details of ‘designed’ industrial symbiosis networks, starting from the planning to implementation stage. The production of terephthalic acid (TPA) in Korea is 6.5 million ton based on 2011. The production of waste generated in the process of TPA is about 15,000 ton/yr and included useful materials like residue TPA as well as isophthalic acid (iPA), benzoic acid (BA) and p-toluic acid (p-TL). Until now, TPA waste was incinerated due to high caloric value. This study was conducted for recovery of valuable materials from industrial waste and utilization of recovered material as an example of Korean EIP. In this study, the experiment was performed to separate above four materials from the waste by solvent (methanol and water) extraction. The solubility of TPA (0.1g/100g) for methanol is relatively low compared to other materials. Also the solubility of BA (68g/L at 95℃) and p-TL (11.6g/L at 98℃) for water is relatively high in comparison with other materials. Finally, BA was separated from p-TL by molecular distillation system. The purity of recovered materials was analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (Waters Xevo TQ system). The recovery rate and purity of BA is 90% and 93%. The recovered BA could be recycled the companies which are produced plastic plasticizer and paints.

In this study, the experiment was carried out to produce methane by applying Semi-Continuous Leachate Recirculation Anaerobic Digestion System fed with source separated food waste from school cafeteria. There were two systems and each system consisted of a bioreactor and a leachate tank. Each bioreactor had a screen near the bottom of the reactor. 2L of Separated leachate was collected to the leachate tank each day by using a tubing pump and the leachate from the leachate tank was pumped to the bioreactor at the upper of the bioreactor. Through this circulation, the leachate having high concentration of VFAs was supplied to the bioreactor. At the beginning of the experiment, food waste/inoculum anaerobic sludge volume ratio was 2:8 that is 9g VS/L of OLR(Organic Loading Rate). Feeding was conducted every two weeks. Initial conditions of bioreactor was 30g VS/2･week and 33g VS/2･week were fed to bioreactor A and bioreactor B, respectively. Average biogas yields of the bioreactor were 0.723m³ Biogas/kg VS added in reactor A and 0.648m³ Biogas/kg VS added in reactor B.

Experimental studies were carried out on surface area of char during pyrolysis of sewage sludge. To evaluate surface area of resultant char we use iodine number. Increase of iodine number shows that the surface area of char increases. The process parameters, temperature and holding time have significant effect on surface area of char. Increasing temperature above 400℃ surface area of char decreases while slightly increasing when holding time increases. In this study, the optimum conditions for high surface area of resultant char were found 400℃ and 30minutes, respectively.

We carried out to investigate of CO2 reaction mechanism in oxy gasification reaction field. Capacity of gasification system is 0.5ton/day and that consists of feeder, gasification reactor assembled ash melting function, multi cyclone, wet scrubber, combustion chamber, heat exchanger, bag filter, ID fan and noncatalyst (steam reformer)/catalyst reformer. Gasification temperature was about 1,400~1,450℃ and RPF was used as a input material. We confirmed to possibility of Boudouard Reaction at the oxy gasification system. Boudouard Reaction is a reaction between carbon(soot) and carbon monoxide in the reaction field. We can find that the more Boudouard Reaction, the more residence time. For optimal reforming conditions such as temperature, amount of steam and residential time were investigated. It can be acquired that conditions of 45% H2 concentration and 3.0 H2/CO ratio in non-catalyst syngas reforming test and conditions of 60% H2 and 35% CO2 concentration in catalyst syngas reforming test.

The world consumption of the coal has been increased very sharply during past few years result from oil exhaustion, fluctuation in the price of oil and low price competitiveness of alternative energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that coal will be available for over 110 years, with coal reserves of close to 860 billion tons. The pulverized coal is blended coal powder that the particle diameter under 10μm. It has advantage of combustion efficiency and flame stabilization. The use of coal blends is becoming increasingly common in pulverized-coal power plants because it improves the economic performance of these plants by diversifying the fuel range. However, although blending can improve combustion behaviors and decrease gaseous pollutant emissions, it has difficulty of design and operating the pulverized coal combustor because despite the small particle size, combustion process of pulverized coal is exceedingly complex. Because of that the detail study on the combustion characteristic is important for increasing of efficiency. As a base investigation for numerical calculation of pulverized coal combustion, this study verified validity of models and compare the numerical calculation results with the experimental results.

아바타는 <나의 분신>이라 불리는 사이버상에서 캐릭터를 이르는 단어로, 본 연구에서는 MMORPG 게임에서 자신을 치장하며 실제 자기표현과 이상화(理想化) 기능을 하는 캐릭터로 정의하 였다. 본 연구를 통해 멀티 아바타와 성별 전환 사이에서 작동하는 유병률(有病率)을 설명하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 본 실험을 위하여 선행된 방법은 유저에게 지정된 게임 연습과 질문을 미리 제공하 였고, 이는 선행적으로 사용자에게 게임 동기를 발생하여 아바타 생성에 도움을 주고자하는 것이 목 적이었다. 본 연구를 통해 연령, 성별과 성전환 사이에 상관관계를 살펴보았고, 비 전형적인 방식에서 는 성전환 가능성이 높아졌고 일반 참가자 또한 절반의 성전환 선택의 경향을 보여주었다. 마지막으 로, 경험의 성격 특성에 대한 경험에 대한 개방성은 성별과 유사한 상관관계를 보였다.

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB (0.015 μg/kg body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

This study investigated possible involvement of photoperiodic regulation in reproductive endocrine system of female olive flounder. To investigate the influence on brain-pituitary axis in endocrine system by regulating photoperiod, compared expression level of Kisspeptin and sbGnRH mRNA in brain and FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA in pituitary before and after spawning. Photoperiod was treated natural photoperiod and long photoperiod (15L:9D) conditions from Aug. 2013 to Jun. 2014. Continuous long photoperiod treatment from Aug. (post-spawning phase) was inhibited gonadal development of female olive flounder. In natural photoperiod group, the Kiss2 expression level a significant declined in Mar. (spawning period). And also, FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA expression levels were increasing at this period. However, in long photoperiod group, hypothalamic Kiss2, FSH-β, LH-β and GH mRNA expression levels did not show any significant fluctuation. These results suggest that expression of hypothalamic Kiss2, GtH and GH in the pituitary would change in response to photoperiod and their possible involvement of photoperiodic regulation in reproductive endocrine system of the BPG axis.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the seminiferous epithelium cycle of Bombina orientalis using a light microscope. The cycle was divided into a total of 10 stages, according to the morphological characteristics of the cells. The spermatogenetic cells included primary spermatogonia, secondary spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatid and sperm. At stageⅠ, the primary spermatogonia was located closer to basal lamina of the seminiferous tubule without spermatocyst formations. Especially at the stage Ⅱ, the secondary spermatogonia were located in the spermatocyst. The primary and secondary spermatocytes were found from stages Ⅲ to Ⅵ. The secondary spermatocytes were smaller in size than the primary spermatocytes, but they had thicker nucleoplasm and smaller nuclei. The round-shaped, early sperm cells were formed in stage Ⅶ, and further divided at stage Ⅷ to have more concentrated nucleoplasm before division to matured sperm cells. At stage Ⅹ, the matured sperm cells emerged from the spermatocyst. Considering the above results, this study presented the special characteristics in the generation and type of sperm formation. The germ cell formation occurred in various stages, like the perspectives of Franca et al (1999), ultimately, providing taxonomically useful information.

Ultrastructural studies of oocyte degeneration in the oocyte, and the functions of follicle cells during oocyte degeneration are described to clarify the reproductive mechanism on oocyte degeneration of Mactra chinensis using cytological methods. Commonly, the follicle cells are attached to the oocyte. Follicle cells play an important role in oocyte degeneration. In particular, the functions of follicle cells during oocyte degeneration are associated with phagocytosis and the intracellular digestion of products. In this study, morphologically similar degenerated phagosomes (various lysosomes), which were observed in the degenerated oocytes, appeared in the follicle cells. After the spawning of the oocytes, the follicle cells were involved in oocyte degeneration through phagocytosis by phagolysosomes. Therefore, it can be assumed that follicle cells reabsorb phagosomes from degenerated oocytes. In this study, the presence of lipid granules, which occurred from degenerating yolk granules, gradually increased in degenerating oocytes. The function of follicle cells can accumulate reserves of lipid granules and glycogen in the cytoplasm, which can be employed by the vitellogenic oocyte. Based on observations of follicle cells attached to degenerating oocytes after spawning, the follicle cells of this species are involved in the lysosomal induction of oocyte degeneration for the reabsorption of phagosomes (phagolysosomes) in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage, as seen in other bivalves.

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW. A treatment of 50 mg Flu/kg BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.