PURPOSES : Sprinkler facilities play a crucial role in extinguishing fires in the early stages of a building blaze. Data indicate that more than 96% of fires are suppressed by sprinklers before growing out of control. However, corrosion and pitting of the sprinkler piping can reduce system performance as facilities age. The purpose of this study is to develop an eco-friendly water-soluble corrosion inhibitor to improve the reliability and longevity of sprinkler piping. METHODS : This study compared and analyzed silicate-based sprinkler piping shrinkage agents as corrosion inhibitor against existing commercial options. Tests were conducted to evaluate reactivity with fire extinguishing water, including electrolyzed reduced water and normal water. The anticorrosive performance of the silicate-based corrosion inhibitor was evaluated under various conditions to establish suitability before potential development or commercialization. RESULTS : The new corrosion inhibitor demonstrated eco-friendly performance. In testing, none of the primary four hazardous substances that pose the most risk of harm to the human body (specifically, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)) were detected. The inhibitor effectively reduced corrosion of carbon steel (SPP), with weight loss rates averaging 0.12% and not exceeding 0.27%. For copper (CDA 110) weight loss rates were up to 0.03%. Testing under constant temperature and humidity conditions show that the inhibitor kept weight loss was below 0.002 g, with no significant numerical value for the weight loss rate. Overall, the results indicate the potential for an environmentally-safe corrosion inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS : The optimal silicate-based sprinkler system can provide real-time sensor information such as oxygen saturation, pH concentration, and total dissolved solids (TDS). These metrics are closely related to the aging process. By linking this system with an aging monitoring solution, maintenance costs and safety could be improved over the lifespan of the sprinkler system. The sensors and monitoring capabilities are expected to enhance maintenance efficiency and equipment reliability.

Although interest in eco-friendly fashion products is increasing among scholars and industry leaders, the concept of eco-friendly products remains unclear, preventing consistent assessment of which fashion products are eco-friendly. This study conducted a content analysis of eco-friendly product information from 87 domestic and 102 foreign brands to reveal key standards for categorizing eco-friendly fashion products. Product characteristic information was coded according to the four material-based standards (i.e., organic material, regenerative material, alternative material, and sustainably produced/upcycled material). Consistency between coders was confirmed by Cohen’s kappa. In results, eco-friendly fashion products are categorized by four material-based standards and two certification standards (i.e., certified, not certified). Among the four material-based categories, the greatest number of domestic and foreign companies produced eco-friendly products that were classified as the regenerative material group. In addition, companies acquired eco-friendly certifications related to the use of organic, regenerative, and alternative materials. The greatest number of eco-friendly material brands used for eco-friendly fashion products belonged to the regenerative material group. Based on the study results, a typology of eco-friendly products was suggested. This typology can benefit practitioners and academics by highlighting a need for classification system for the eco-friendly fashion products, as well as by providing insight into the categorization of eco-friendly fashion products.

This study was conducted to investigate whether there were differences in eco-friendly food, home meal replacement (HMR) purchases, and eating-out behavior according to the level of agri-food consumer competence. The data for the study were extracted from main food consumers (n=3,321) in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey. The competence index was divided into awareness-attitude-practice items, and three groups were classified by competence level. The results showed an agri-food consumer competency score of 70.62, with the highest score for awareness (73.96), followed by practice (69.28) and attitude (66.18). The frequency of purchasing eco-friendly food was higher in the excellent group compared to other groups, and quality and price satisfaction was higher with higher competency (p<0.001). Regarding HMR, the results showed that the shortage group had the lowest HMR consumption rate, and satisfaction decreased as competence decreased (p<0.001). The main reason for eating-out was to enjoy food in all groups (59.0%), followed by a lack of cooking time in the excellent group (15.7%) and hassle with food preparation in the moderate and shortage groups (17.3%, 16.6%) (p<0.001). In short, agri-food consumption competency showed differences by contents and components, and differences in food purchases and eating-out behavior by competency level were found.

For the sustainable use of fishery resources as common resources and the mitigation of conflicts with commercial fishermen, it is essential to understand recreational anglers’ participation process of environmentally responsible behaviors (ERB). This study intends to show that the effects of recreation specialization on environmentally responsible behaviors can be weakened due to the characteristics of anglers, who prefer to possess caught fish. Two different research models were tested with two data sets independently collected. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. The results show that consumptive orientation, which measures a degree of catching and owning fish, and fishing-specific ERBs negatively affect the relationships between recreation specialization and general ERBs as mediation variables. Implications are further discussed that regulation policies and education programs are needed to change anglers’ consumptive orientation and catch-related fishing behaviors.

Cars serve as vehicles for the conveyance of both passengers and cargo. Inevitably, traffic accidents constitute a significant facet of vehicular operation. These accidents manifest in various forms, including frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions. While the resultant vehicular damages may exhibit similarities, they remain inherently distinct. Owing to the intricate nature of automotive body repairs, simplistic adherence to textbook doctrines proves inadequate. The rectification of damaged vehicle bodies hinges upon the practitioner's experiential acumen. Consequently, discourse pertaining to body repair technology necessitates grounding in empirical data encompassing prevailing industry norms and attendant financial implications. Variability in individualized methodologies can engender substantial temporal and monetary outlays within the domain of automotive bodywork. Moreover, the integration of novel material technologies within vehicular structures mandates a perpetual pursuit of knowledge and empirical inquiry into the domain of vehicle body repair procedures, particularly as applied to emerging materials. Compounding this imperative is the unwavering commitment to preserving the safety paradigm from the vehicle owner's perspective, ensuring that restorative interventions subsequent to accidents do not compromise safety benchmarks.

The objective of this study was to explore how different types of rewards affect customers’ inclinations to engage in environmental activities promoted through restaurant social media platforms. In addition, we investigated the potential moderating role of customer level of participation within the social media community. A total of 202 valid responses obtained by distributing a self-administered survey among restaurant patrons were subjected to hierarchical regression analysis to examine relationships between variables. The findings underscored the significant influence of economic and social rewards on shaping customer intent to participate in environmental initiatives promoted within restaurant social media communities. Furthermore, the study revealed that the extent of customer participation within the social media community moderated the relationship between rewards and their likelihood to partake in environmentally conscious behaviors. These results have meaningful implications for restaurant managers seeking to promote environmental initiatives effectively through social media platforms and within their establishments.

In this research, we examined the shifts in determinants influencing the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases pre- and post-COVID-19. Our analysis utilized filtered 2019-2021 Consumption Behavior Survey data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute Food, excluding any irrational responses. Given the nature of the dependent variable, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed with demographic factors, variables pertaining to food consumption behavior, and variables concerning food consumption awareness as predictors. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an individual's level of education was observed to positively influence the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases. In contrast, income level and fluctuations in food consumption expenditure did not appear to have a discernible impact on the purchasing frequency of such eco-friendly products. Irrespective of the advent of COVID-19, variables such as the frequency of online food purchases, the utilization of early morning delivery services, dining out frequency, and the intake of health-functional foods consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with the propensity to purchase eco-friendly foods. Overall, consumers prioritizing safety, quality, and nutrition over price, taste, and convenience in their procurement decisions for rice, vegetables, meat, and processed foods exhibit an increased inclination toward the acquisition of eco-friendly food products.

In the present work, we address the new route for the green synthesis of manganese dioxide (MnO2) by an innovative method named the solution plasma process (SPP). The reaction mechanism of both colloidal and nanostructured MnO2 was investigated. Firstly, colloidal MnO2 was synthesized by plasma discharging in KMnO4 aqueous solution without any additives such as reducing agents, acids, or base chemicals. As a function of the discharge time, the purple color solution of MnO4 - (oxidation state +7) was changed to the brown color of MnO2 (oxidation state +4) and then light yellow of Mn2+ (oxidation state +2). Based on the UV-vis analysis we found the optimal discharging time for the synthesis of stable colloidal MnO2 and also reaction mechanism was verified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis. Secondly, MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by SPP with a small amount of reducing sugar. The precipitation of brown color was observed after 8 min of plasma discharge and then completely separated into colorless solution and precipitation. It was confirmed layered type of nanoporous birnessite- MnO2 by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and electron microscopes. The most important merits of this approach are environmentally friendly process within a short time compared to the conventional method. Moreover, the morphology and the microstructure could be controllable by discharge conditions for the appropriate potential applications, such as secondary batteries, supercapacitors, adsorbents, and catalysts.

Paddy fields provide important habitats for biodiversity conservation within the agricultural ecosystem. Their importance is gradually increasing as their ecological value is better understood. Benthic macroinvertebrates dominate paddy fields. They play an essential role in maintaining the biodiversity of paddy ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and main environmental factors affecting the distribution of golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata). Results showed that the diversity index (H ′) of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was the highest at the Sangju site (St. 12) but the lowest at the Sancheong site (St. 18). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values were the highest in Gimhae and Yeongam based on Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Numbers of P. canaliculata (m-2) were relatively low in Gunsan and Iksan where water temperatures were high. Therefore, changes in geographical characteristics and environmental factors might affect the distribution of P. canaliculata and characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Results of this study can be used as primary data for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service evaluation in agroecosystems.

This study is to identify the maintenance service quality of eco-friendly cars, which are rapidly increasing recently. Research is conducted by synthesizing research from the perspectives of internal employees and external customers by using the service profit chain model. Specifically, it is to study the overall structural relationship between internal customer satisfaction, physical quality, interaction quality, outcome quality, external customer satisfaction and long-term orientation. For the study, 202 questionnaires were collected from internal employees and 204 questionnaires from external customers. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting the internal employee group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 1, internal customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect on physical quality and interaction quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, the service quality of eco-friendly car maintenance has a significant positive (+) effect on each other. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, physical quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting an external customer group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, in the relationship between eco-friendly car maintenance service quality, physical quality has a significant positive (+) effect on interaction quality, and interaction quality has a significant positive (+) effect on outcome quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, interaction quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. As a result of testing Hypothesis 4, external customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect only on intention to reuse. Finally, as a result of examining the difference in perception between the internal employee group and the external customer group in eco-friendly car maintenance service quality and external customer satisfaction, it was verified that there was a significant difference only in outcome quality and external customer satisfaction.

In this study, natural dyeing using Polygonum tinctoria was performed with linen, ramie, and hemp, which are biodegradable cellulose fibers, considering environmental aspects. In particular, the impacts of alkali NaOH and reducing agent Na2S2O4 were examined, and the possibilities of minimizing the use and reusing the dye were explored. The surface dye concentrations were found to be in the following order: hemp>linen>ramie. With the increase in all additives, the L* value decreased, and the ⊿E and K/S values increased gradually. When Na2S2O4 was 1g/L, the surface color of the dye appeared uniformly from the NaOH concentration of 0.4g/L (pH 10.84). When NaOH was 0.4g/L, the K/S values of linen and ramie increased rapidly after 0.4g/L of Na2S2O4, and hemp maintained a stable color from 0.6g/L of Na2S2O4. With the increase in the dye concentration from 1 to 6g/L, all the fibers were dyed uniformly. The K/S value increased or higher doubled upon repeated dyeing six times for 5 min than when dyed only once for 30 min. Therefore, the linen, ramie, and hemp fibers dyed repeatedly exhibited good washing, rubbing, and colorfastness to perspiration, which was rated between 4 and 4–5, and that to light was rated as 5. Moreover, no discoloration due to sunlight was observed. Finally, linen exhibited a bacterial reduction of 99.9%, thereby indicating its excellent antibacterial property.