• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.153-158
• /
• 1996

The effects of $\alpha$- and $\beta$-cyclodextrins (CD) on the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) behavior of p-N,N'-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DMABA) in buffered aqueous solution have been investigated by examining formation and decay behaviors of the TICT-typical dual fluorescence. The ratio of the TICT emission to the normal emission (I$_a$/I$_b$) increases linearly $\alpha$-CD concentration increases, while in the presence of $\beta$-CD it shows nonlinear dependences on the CD concentration. The analysis of the CD-dependent changes of the I$_a$/I$_b$ and absorption spectra demonstrates formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes between DMABA and CDs. The decay time of the normal emission (ca. 700 ps) is little affected by the formation of $\alpha$-CD inclusion complex, whereas it increases upto ca. 1.6 ns upon formation of $\beta$-CD inclusion complex. The TICT emission for the $\beta$-CD inclusion complex exhibits two decay components while it shows a single component for the $\alpha$-CD inclusion complex, indicating formation of one or two types of inclusion complex in the presence of $\alpha$-CD or $\beta$-CD, respectively. These results are attributed to the CD cavity size dependence on patterns of complexation between CDs and DMABA. The CD size dependences of the TICT fluorescence properties with the orientation of the guest molecule demonstrate that the specific hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid group and water plays an important role in the excited-state TICT.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2012

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a diverse family of homo- or heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channels. Understanding the physiological role of each nAChR subtype and the key residues responsible for normal and pathological states is important. ${\alpha}$-Conotoxin neuropeptides are highly selective probes capable of discriminating different subtypes of nAChRs. In this study, we performed homology modeling to generate the neuronal ${\alpha}3$, ${\beta}2$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits using the x-ray structure of the ${\alpha}1$ subunit as a template. The structures of the extracellular domains containing ligand binding sites in the ${\alpha}3{\beta}2$ and ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nAChR subtypes were constructed using MD simulations and ligand docking processes in their free and ligand-bound states using ${\alpha}$-conotoxin GIC, which exhibited the highest ${\alpha}3{\beta}2$ vs. ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ discrimination ratio. The results provide a reasonable structural basis for such a discriminatory ability, supporting the idea that the present strategy can be used for future investigations on nAChR-ligand complexes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.12
• /
• pp.4554-4560
• /
• 2023

Continuous monitoring of radioactive substances over a prolonged duration can yield crucial insights into the levels of radiation exposure through inhalation, both in the vicinity of nuclear facilities and/or general environments. In this study, we evaluated long-term measurements (2012-2022) of gross alpha-beta activities in the air in the vicinity of nuclear facilities and reference site, distribution characteristics of temporal trends and spatial fluctuations, and factors affecting radioactivity levels. The average airborne gross-α (in mBq m^-3) for onsite and off-site were 0.124 and 0.117, respectively, and the average airborne gross-β (in mBq m^-3) measurements were 1.10 and 1.04, respectively. The activity ratio (AR) of gross-α and gross-β were calculated as a ratio of 0.12. The distribution characteristics of gross-α and gross-β activities in this study area are likely influenced by the meteorological factors and variations in airborne PM concentrations rather than the operation of the nuclear facility.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2015

In the present study, we proposed a simple ESI-MS model for determining $Zn^{2+}$ binding (or dissociation) constants for zinc finger peptides (ZFPs) with a unique ${\beta}{\beta}{\alpha}$ fold consensus. The ionization efficiency (response) factors for this model, i.e., ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$, could be determined for ZiCo ZFP with a known $Zn^{2+}$ binding constant. We could determine the binding constants for other ZFPs assuming those with a ${\beta}{\beta}{\alpha}$ consensus conformation have the same ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ response ratio. In general, the ZPF dissociation constants exhibited $K_d$ values of $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-9}M$, while $K_d$ values for a negative control non-specific $Zn^{2+}$ peptides were high, e.g., $5.5{\times}10^{-6}M$ and $4.3{\times}10^{-4}M$ for BBA1 and melittin, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 1997

Improvement of seed protein quality might be an essential issus in soybean and would give more profit directly to both farmers and users. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of reduced-S form(s) on seed storage protein components in soybean during seed filling stages. The reduced-S forms during seed fill were sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfide, thioaceteat, $\beta$-mercaptoethanol, thiourea, thiamine-HCI, L-cysteine, L-cystine, and L-methionine. Seed storage protein concentration did not appear to be affected by any reduced-S forms. However, glycinin and $\beta$-conglycinin concentration seemed to be changed greatly by L-methionine. This resulted in the increase in the 11S/7S ratio(3.58). Among the $\beta$-conglycinin, $\beta$-subunit was not accumulated at all. $\alpha$-subunit concentration appeared to be decreased and $\alpha'$-subunit concentration was not altered in comparison with sulfate control. Also, $\beta$-conglycine concentration, especially $\beta$-subunit concentration, tended to be decreased with L-cystine treatment, resulting in an increase in the 11S/7S ratio(1.83). The glycinin concentration tended to be increased at the expense of the decrease in the $\beta$-conglycinin concentration. Therefore, it is suggested that enhancing soybean protein quality would be achieved by improving metabolic pathways of S assimilation in soybean plants during seed filling period under sulfate-sufficient condition.

• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.350-352
• /
• 2002

We examined the bacteriochlorophyill/bacteriopheophytin ratios in several species of purple bacteria containing only LHI. The pigment ratios depended greatly on species. Further, Rhodospirillum rubrum showed wide variation when grown under different light intensity, and Rhodobium marinum showed significant variation from culture to culture even under the same light conditions. The protein ratios of a/RC and $\beta$/RC estimated by SDS-PAGE of chromatophores of Rsp. rubrum and Rbi. marinum exhibited the ratio of $\beta$/$\alpha$ > 1. These findings gave us the novel idea that there are two types of LHl; one is a C-shaped open antenna composed by $\alpha$$\beta$ units surrounding a RC, and another is a small closed ring antenna composed by $\alpha$$\beta$ units located peripherally in a variable ratio to the core complex like LH2.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.27-38
• /
• 1997

The effect of geometry factors on the combined mode stress intensity factor behaviors of a slant crack in a non-uniform thickness material was analysed by 2-dimensional theoretical analysis. The analysis is based on the Laurent's series expansions of complex potentials where the complex coefficients of the series are determined from the compatibility and the equilibrium conditions of the thickness interface and the stress free conditions of the crack surface. In numerical calculations the perturbation technique is employed. The expressions for the crack tip stress intensity factor are given in the form of power series of dimensionless crack length $\lamda$, and the function of crack slant angle $\alpha$ and thickness ratio $\beta$. The results of numerical calculations for each problems are represented as the correction factors F($\lamda$, $\alpha$, $\beta$). The results clearly show the following characteristics : The correction factors of the combined mode stress intensity factors for a non-uniform thickness material can be defined in the form of F($\lamda$, $\alpha$, $\beta$). The stress intensity factor values for a given crack length are decreased with increase of thickness ratio $\beta$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.561-569
• /
• 1988

Mixtures of very small amounts of additive, carbon and silica(about 0.46${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) which synthesized by the hydrolysis of ethyl silicate, the molar ratio of SiO2/C was fixed to 1/10, was nitrided at 145$0^{\circ}C$. It was considered that the optimum amount of additive to promote the nitridation reaction was below 2.0wt%. By the addition of additive, the nitridation reaction was promoted and formation of $\beta$-Si3N4 was promoted at 145$0^{\circ}C$ for 1hour, but, the nitridation reaction was decreased and the ratio of $\alpha$/$\beta$ of Si3N4, was increased at 145$0^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours. The crystal phase was $\alpha$ phase and the nitridation reaction was promoted and the particle size of silicon nitride was become smaller by the addition of $\alpha$-Si3N4, but silicon nitride of whisker-like form was produced by the addition of transition elements. There was a difference in the lattice constants of $\alpha$-Si3N4, but no difference in its of $\beta$-Si3N4 according to kinds of added substance and reaction time.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.905-910
• /
• 1993

$\alpha$-tricalcium phosphate($\alpha$-TCP) powders were synthesized and their hydration properties were investigated in Tris. solution. Two kinds of $\alpha$-TCP powder samples were prepared; the one is reaction product of CaHPO4.2H2O and CaCO3, and another is that of hydroxyapatite(HAp) and $\beta$-Ca2P2O7. They were satisfied with Ca/P mole ratio 1.5 and were heated at 150$0^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours. In the hydration of $\alpha$-TCP samples the powder which was synthesized from HAp and $\beta$-Ca2P2O7 was hydrated faster than that from CaHPO4.2H2O and CaCO3. The hydration reaction of $\alpha$-TCP powder transformed rapidly into HAp accompanying setting and hardening. It was realized that the hydration reaction of $\alpha$-TCP was due to the solution-precipitation mechanism and the hydrates from the reaction were Ca-deficient HAp having funtional group HPO42-.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.347-356
• /
• 1992

Various kaolin samples with different alumina content were prepared from calcined admixture of kaolin and ammonium sulfate by varying the treatment time in sulfuric acid. Samples were nitridated under N2 or N2-H2 atmosphere with changing the amount of added carbon, the reaction time and temperature. As the alumina content lowered, the size of kaolin particles decreased and the specific surface area increased. XRD analysis indicated that ${\alpha}$-quartz remained by decomposition of halloysite and meta-halloysite. Experimental results of nitridation behavior are summerized as follows; 1) Nitridation under N2 atmosphere. With the increase of C/SiO2 ratio and with the decrease of Al2O3 content, disappearance of XRD pattern peaks of mullite, ${\alpha}$-quartz and ${\alpha}$-Al2O3 were accelerated at 1300$^{\circ}C$. SiC was the main phase in the reaction product of acid-treated kaolin samples nitridated at 1300$^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours regardless of C/SiO2 ratio. But the XRD peak intensities of ${\beta}$-Si3N4, ${\beta}$-sialon and SiC did not show much difference when untreated raw kaolin was fired at the same condition. When the ratio of C/SiO2 was 3.5, ${\beta}$-sialon and ${\beta}$-Si3N4 existed in the reaction product of about 22% alumina containing kaolin sample fired at 1350$^{\circ}C$ for 7 hours. Only ${\beta}$-sialon existed in the same sample fired at 1400$^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours. ${\beta}$-sialon was obtained from all of the acid-treated kaolin samples fired at 1400$^{\circ}C$ for 40 hours, but AlN and SiC remained in the untreated kaolin sample. Z value of the ${\beta}$-sialon obtained from the 22% alumina containing kaolin sample fired at 1400$^{\circ}C$ for 40 hours was about 1.3(XRD) and 1.5(EDS). 2) Nitridation under 80N2+2OH2 mixed gas atmosphere with the C/SiO2 ratio of 1 Mullite was not found, but ${\alpha}$-Si3N4, and ${\beta}$-sialon were present in the reaction product of about 22% alumina containing kaolin sample fired at 1300$^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours. When untreated kaolin sample was nitridated at the same condition, mullite remained. AlN and SiC were not found in the reaction product of about 22% alumina containing kaolin sample fired at 1350$^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours. On the other hand, AlN and SiC remained in the product of untreated kaolin fired at the same condition.