• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2020

A lichen is a complex microorganism comprising fungi and algae. Various lichens are commonly found in cultural heritage and are reportedly related to weathering. Lichens are commonly studied in Europe; however, few reports exist on lichens in Korean cultural heritage. The present study was conducted as part of the Korean National Arboretum's "A study on the Fungus and Lichen." We report the lichen diversity found at the Placenta Chambers of King Sejong's Sons, Seongju. A total of 65 lichens were collected from 19 placenta chambers and one memorial stone. We identified 40 species belonging to 10 genera, 17 families, and 23 orders. Morphological identification revealed that foliose lichens in the form of leaves(24, 36.9%) and crustose lichens in the form of crust(24, 36.9%) were distributed at a higher percentage than that of fruticose lichen in the form of branches(17, 26.2%). Xanthoparmelia coreana(foliose lichen) and Lepraria sp.(crustose lichen) were the most collected lichens and were distributed on 19 chambers. In addition, Clodonia, a fruticose lichen, had the highest species diversity with eight species. The highest species diversity of lichens was identified on the chamber of Prince Kyeyang(16 lichens), whereas the chamber of Prince Geumsung had the lowest species diversity(five lichens). This study will be used as primary data for the study of distribution of lichen diversity in Korean cultural heritage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.897-904
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• 2023

This study was done to develope genetic markers with the unique characteristics of genes according to the genomic information of Bacillus velezensis K10. B. velezensis K10 maintained a total of 4,159,835 bps, which was found to encode 5,136 open reading frames (orfs). B. velezensis K10 was found to have much more gene migration due to external factors overall compared to standard strain B. velezensis JS25R. In order to discover genetic selection markers, orfs on the genome to be easily induced to gene mutation were surveyed such as recombinase, integrase, transposase, and phage-related genes. As a result of the investigation, 9 candidate markers were isolated with high possibility as genetic selection markers. Although a part in the various origin's areas showed specificities in comparison with homology, the selected markers were all existed in phage-related areas because they were relatively lower homologies in phage-related genes. PCR analysis was done on B. licheniformis K12, B. velezensis K10, B. subtilis, and B. cereus to establish them as inter-species candidate selection markers. As a result, it was confirmed that B. velezensis K10-specific PCR products were formed in a total of 6 primer sets such as BV3 and BV5 to 9. On the other hand, analysis at the subspecies level observed the formation of B. velezensis K10-specific PCR products in 4 primer sets such as BV3, 5, 8, and 9. Among them, since BV5 and BV8 were detected by very specific results, we suggest that BV5 and 8 can be used as B. velezensis K10 gene selection markers at the species and sub-species level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.538-548
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• 2023

The research has been conducted on the isolation of antimicrobial compounds from plant natural extracts and their potential application in oral health care products. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial mechanism by analyzing the changes in gene expression of Streptococcus mutans, a major oral pathogen, in response to complex compounds extracted from Aralia continentalis and Arctii Semen using organic solvents. Transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) revealed that both natural extracts commonly upregulated or downregulated the expression of various genes associated with different metabolic and physiological activities. Three genes (SMU_1584c, SMU_2133c, SMU_921), particularly SMU_921 (rcrR), known as a transcription activator of two sugar phosphotransferase systems (PTS) involved in sugar transport and biofilm formation, exhibited consistent high expression levels. Additionally, component analysis of the A. continentalis extract was performed to compare its effects on gene expression changes with the A. Semen extract, and two active compounds were identified through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the active fraction. The n-hexane fraction (ACEH) from the A. continentalis extract exhibited antibacterial specificity against S. mutans, leading to a significant reduction in the viable cell counts of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii among the tested multi-species bacterial communities. These findings suggest the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of the A. continentalis extract and provide essential foundational data for the development of customized antimicrobial materials by elucidating the antibacterial mechanism of the identified active compounds.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2015

In this study, chlorophylls were been extracted from common local plants, deposited on polypropylene (PP) substrate using various approaches, and the oxygen generation effect of the chlorophylls were investigated. The loading of chlorophylls on the substrates was achieved by dipping and spraying methods, where the spraying coating showed overall better results regarding oxygen generation from the combustion experiments in the closed vessel or in the isolated vacuum oven cell than those of dip coating. In addition, a composite substrate was prepared by nylon6/6 nanofiber on the PP substrate, and it exhibited an increase in the activation of chlorophylls. In the case of samples containing titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), the reaching time of oxygen concentration from 16% to 21% and the combustion test using a candle for a sample with 50% chlorophylls showed similar results to those of a sample without $TiO_2$. As such, combining a spray coating and $TiO_2$ incorporation into gas separation membrane systems are expected to be useful to understand the fundamentals of material properties for their applications as oxygen generation membranes and air filtration systems.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2009

The effect of bloating and fluxing agent on the microstructure and physical properties were studied in manufacturing the artificial lightweight aggregates of bulk density below] using clay and stone sludge. In case of the aggregates added only with bloating agent, the bulk density and water absorption were $0.5{\sim}1.0$ and $41{\sim}110%$ respectively but the microstucture was not uniform with a rough appearance. For the aggregates added with a fluxing agent and one bloating agent, a part of shell was lost due to explosion of specimen caused by over-bloating during a sintering. The mixed addition of bloating agents with vacuum oil, carbon and ${Fe_2}{O_3}$ made the microstructure homogeneous by generating an uniform black core and shell structure. The aggregates added with mixed agents and sintered at $1200^{\circ}C$ showed the bulk density 67 % lower and water absorption 48 times higher than those of the specimen with no additives. ]n this study, the artificial lightweight aggregates showing the bulk density of $0.5{\sim}1.0$ and water absorption of $50{\sim}125%$ could be fabricated to apply to various fields.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.394-401
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• 2022

Two polymer precursors, polyvinylidene chloride-resin (PVDC-resin) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), are assembled into the microporous carbon by pyrolysis. Microporous carbon is advantageous as an electrode for supercapacitors that store electric charges through ion adsorption/desorption. The pyrolysis also turns the various heteroatoms of two precursors into functional groups, contributing to the additional charge storage. The analysis of the porous structure and function group during carbonization are important to develop the carbon for energy storage. Here, we analyzed the functional groups of two polymer-derived carbons through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the functional groups were explored in various pH electrolytes. The specific capacitance of two carbons in the acidic electrolyte (1 M H₂SO₄) was improved compared to that in the neutral electrolyte (0.5 M Na₂SO₄) due to the faradaic charge/discharge reaction of the quinone functional group. In particular, the carbon electrode derived from PVDC-resin exhibits a lower capacity than the carbon from PVDF due to the small micropores. In the alkaline electrolyte (6 M KOH), the highest specific capacitance and rate capability were obtained among the three electrolytes for both electrodes based on the facile adsorption of the constituent electrolyte ions (K⁺, OH^-).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2024

In this study, synthesized Ni/Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ catalysts were coated on the surface of honeycomb metalic monoliths to investigate catalytic activity in steam reforming of methane reactions. Supports with varying Ce/Zr ratios were synthesized to observe their behavior in the reforming reaction, and catalysts with Ni contents ranging from 5 wt% to 20 wt% were prepared to analyze the effect of Ni loading contents on catalytic activity. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, TPR, and SEM. The TPR analysis indicated the formation of Ni-Ce-Zr oxide with a strong interaction between the active metal Ni and CeO₂-ZrO₂ support. The 15 wt% Ni/Ce_0.80Zr_0.20O₂ catalyst exhibited the highest activity and stability in the steam reforming of methane reaction. Catalysts with enhanced activity and stability were synthesized by manufacturing composite materials using excellent oxygen storage and donor properties of CeO₂ and the thermal properties of ZrO₂.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2024

The magnetotelluric (MT) survey can be affected by external environmental factors. In particular, when acquiring MT data in islands, it is essential to consider the combined effect of topography and sea to understand the results and make accurate interpretations. To analyze the MT response (apparent resistivity, phase) with consideration of the effect of topography and sea, a small cone-shaped island model surrounded by deep sea was created. Two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) forward modeling were performed on the terrain model considering topography and the island model considering both topography and sea. The 2-D MT response did not reflect the topographic and sea effect of the direction orthogonal to the 2-D profile. The 3-D MT response included topographic and sea effects in all directions. The XY and YX components of the apparent resistivity were separated on undulating topography, such as a hill. A conductor at 1 km below sea level could be distinguished from topographic and sea effects in the MT response, and low resistivity anomaly was attenuated at greater depths. This study will facilitate understanding of field data measured on small islands.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.548-549
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• 2015

무인 잠수정은 자율 무인잠수정(이하 'AUV' 또는 '자율무인잠수정'을 혼용)과 원격조정잠수정(이하 'ROV'로 지칭)으로 분류를 할 수 있다. ROV는 테더 게이블로 인한 작업 범위의 한계와 운동성능 효율이 떨어지는 단점을 지니고 있어, 테더 케이블이 필요 없는 AUV에 대한 필요성이 증대되고 있다. 추측 항법 시스템인 관성 항법 시스템(inertial navigation system, 이하 'INS'로 지칭)은 외부 도움없이 관성측정 장치(inertial measurement unit, 이하 'IMU'로 지칭)를 활용하여 구성된 시스템을 말한다. IMU는 자이로 스코프(gyroscope), 가속도계(accelerometer), 지자기(magnetic)센서로 구성된 측정 장치로 3개의 센서를 사용하여 상호 보정을 통한 기동 체의 위치, 속도 및 자세 정보를 제공한다. 복합항법시스템은 추측항법시스템이 가지는 누적오차와 측위 항법시스템이 가지는 외부환경에 대한 단점을 상호 보완하는 방법으로 연구가 진행 중이다. 하지만 심해서 또는 해양의 특성에 따라 측위 시스템이 사용되지 못하기 때문에 추측 항법시스템의 다양한 관성 센서를 활용한 상로 보완과 신호처리 방법을 통한 연구 개발이 진행 중이다. 다양한 센서 정보를 통합하는 목적으로 칼만 필터와 같은 최적 필터기법이 보편적으로 사용되고 있다. 칼만 필터는 확률 선형 시스템에 대하여 공정잡음 및 측정 잡음이 가우시안 확률 분포를 따를 때 최적의 추정자가 된다. 또한 가우시안 조건을 만족하지 않는 경우에도 선형 추정자 중에 추정 오차의 분산이 가장 작은 추정자이다. 칼만 필터가 최상의 성능을 발휘 하려면 공정잡음과 측정 잡음의 실제 값을 정확히 알아내는 것이 중요하다. 잡음 수준에 대한 정보가 부정확 할 경우 칼만 필터는 발산 할 수 있기 때문에 시스템에서 잡음 수준의 공산은 칼만 필터의 최적 이득을 결정하는 중요한 요소로 추정치에 큰 영향을 준다. 따라서 칼만 필터를 추측항법시스템에 적용 시킬 경우 실제 모텔의 잡음 공분산을 정확히 추정할 수 있는 기법이 요구된다. 추측항법시스템은 다양한 센서를 활용하기 때문에 움직이는 기동 표적에 적용시 잡음공분상이 변하기 때문에 항법시스템이 저하 될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 센서를 융합하여 해양 생체 로봇의 정밀 자세 제어가 가능한 시스템을 제안하고자 한다.