• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.785-801
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• 2017

Biopolymer treatment of geomaterials to develop sustainable geotechnical systems is an important step towards the reduction of global warming. The cutting edge technology of biopolymer treatment is not only environment friendly but also has widespread application. This paper presents the strength and slake durability characteristics of biopolymer-treated sand sampled from Al-Sharqia Desert in Oman. The specimens were prepared by mixing sand at various proportions by weight of xanthan gum biopolymer. To make a comparison with conventional methods of ground improvement, cement treated sand specimens were also prepared. To demonstrate the effects of wetting and drying, standard slake durability tests were also conducted on the specimens. According to the results of strength tests, xanthan gum treatment increased the unconfined strength of sand, similar to the strengthening effect of mixing cement in sand. The slake durability test results indicated that the resistance of biopolymer-treated sand to disintegration upon interaction with water is stronger than that of cement treated sand. The percentage of xanthan gum to treat sand is proposed as 2-3% for optimal performance in terms of strength and durability. SEM analysis of biopolymer-treated sand specimens also confirms that the sand particles are linked through the biopolymer, which has increased shear resistance and durability. Results of this study imply xanthan gum biopolymer treatment as an eco-friendly technique to improve the mechanical properties of desert sand. However, the strengthening effect due to the biopolymer treatment of sand can be weakened upon interaction with water.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2003

The main purpose of this study was to verify the shore margin protection effect of the root system of Salix gracilistyla Miq. developed from direct sticking cuttings on wetland, focusing on the effect of the root system reducing soil particle dissociation rate in water. The soil dissociation rate was examined through slaking tests with cylindric pure soil column at maximum particle density and the same size column of root reinforced soil. The dry weight of remained soil was measured after 5, 10, 15, 30minutes and 1, 6, 12, 24, 48hours inundation. As results, the soil particles began to dissociate severely at 10 minutes and only 10% of soil particles were left after 25minutes inundation. The stable slope angle of pure soil was $36^{\circ}$after 24 hours. On the other hand, the columns of root reinforced soil were stable even after 24hours, being dissociated only 7.2% of soil particles. So, it was revealed that the root system was very effective materials protecting more than 80% of soil particle from dissociation in inundation.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.356-361
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate the antibacterial efficiency of silver nano-particles and the dyeing properties of a brushed warp-knitted fabric. The properties of the brushed warp-knitted fabric containing silver nano-particle by field production processes were evaluated by analyzing its silver contents, antibacterial activity, color difference, exhaustion curve, fastness and tearing strength. Bacterial reduction ratio amounts to 91.4 and 99.9 for Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively. As the brushed pile length of its fabrics is longer, the exhaution rate of disperse dye becomes higher. The brushing process of its fabrics reduces the tearing strength. The results indicate that the brushed warp knitted fabric containing silver nano-particle can be a practically promising product.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.817-820
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• 2010

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by extreme insulin deficiency due to an overall reduction in the mass of functional pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells. Several animal models have been used to study T1DM. Amongst these, the mini-pig seems to be the most ideal model for diabetes research, owing to similarities with humans in anatomy and physiology. The purpose of this study was to analyze differentially expressed pancreatic proteins in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mini-pig T1DM model. Pancreas proteins from mini-pigs treated with STZ were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and 11 protein spots were found to be altered significantly when compared with control mini-pigs. The data in this study utilizing proteomic analysis provide a valuable resource for the further understanding of the T1DM pathomechanism.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2015

Sustainable and eco-friendly polymers, natural polymers, bio-based polymers, and degradable polyesters, are of growing interest because of environmental concerns associated with waste plastics and emissions of carbon dioxide from preparation of petroleum-based polymers. Degradable polymers, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), are related to reduction of carbon dioxide in processing. To improve a weak mechanical property of a degradable polymer, a blending method is widely used. This study was forced on the component separation of degradable polymer blends for effective recycling. The melt-mixed blend films in a specific solvent were separated by two layers. Each layer was analysed by FT-IR, DSC, and contact angle measurements. The results showed that each component in the PPC/PLLA and PPC/PBAT blends was successfully separated by a solvent.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.2376-2383
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• 2015

Assistance of the operator’s walking ability while carrying a load is a challenging area in lower limb exoskeletons. We implement an exoskeleton called the Unmanned Technology Research Center Exoskeleton (UTRCEXO), which enables the operator to walk with a load more comfortably. The UTRCEXO makes use of two types of DC motor to assist the hip and knee joints. The UTRCEXO detects the operator’s walking intention including step initiation with insole-type FSRs faster without using any bio-signals and precedes the operator’s step with a reference torque. It not only reduces interaction forces between the operator and the UTRCEXO, but also allows the operator to walk with a load more comfortably. In this paper, we present the UTRCEXO implementing the walking assistance mechanism with interaction force reduction during walking.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.290-296
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• 2008

After scientific verification of the osteointegration of dental implants, the overall efficiency of dental implants has been generally accepted. Thus, implants now play a major role in the clinical treatment of an edentulous mandible, and in the prosthetic maintenance equipment for partial edentulous mandible patients. Yet, for the successful long-term maintenance of implants, careful consideration of the bio-mechanics is needed to ensure that the maximum stress in the mandible as a result of chewing is maintained under a critical value. Accordingly, this study focuses on reducing the maximum stresses in an implanted mandible, especially in the cortical bone. Thus, the stresses in the implant and mandible are analyzed using finite element packages, including I-DEAS and NISA II/DISPLAY III, using a local zooming technique for a concentrated stress analysis. In addition, the von-Mises stress and principal stress in the mandible are both checked to determine the best combination.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2008

Carbon utilization by Chryseobacterium strain KJ1R5 was studied to enhance its biocontrol activity against Phytophthora capsid. Chryseobacterium strain KJ1R5 has previously been shown to control Phytophthora blight of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Strain KJ1R5 could utilize carbon sources such as L-arabinose, D-cellobiose, ${\beta}-lactose$ and D-galactose well. P. capsici could utilize D-glucose well, showing the absorbencies ranged from 0.577 to 0.767 at 600nm. When 2% L-arabinose, which could only be utilized by the bio-control strain KJ1R5, was amended into the bacterial suspension, the efficacy of biological control increased. Among the amendments of various carbon sources into bacterial suspension, L-arabinose and D-(+)-glucose significantly enhanced biological control activity, resulting in a reduction of disease incidence to 6.9%, compared to 21.9% for the strain KJ1R5 alone and 81.3% for P. capsici inoculation alone, indicating that amendment with specific carbon sources could increase the biological control activity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2007

Hexane extract of Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) exhibits a toxic effect on the tissues of Spodoptera litura (F) while fed at the dose of 1000 and 2000 ppm thoroughly mixing with castor leaves (Ricinus communis L) after dissolving in DMSO at late fourth instar whereas only DMSO treated castor leaves were fed to control group. The larvae were put to rear at $28^{\circ}C{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, $76{\pm}4%$ R.H. under 12 L + 12 D photoperiodic regime. In test group insects substantial reduction of protein and DNA content was marked in fat body and midgut tissues compared to DMSO treated control group. The significant biochemical alterations in the midgut tissues and fat body of test group insects indicate the insecticidal property of the said plant extract that could be tested in facilitating the phenomenal stride in Integrated Pest Management.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.253-266
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• 2006

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly being remodelled. Resolution of bone and formation of new bone are closely linked, so that bone mass remains constant. With age, this process becomes unlinked with an imbalance in bore resorption and formation that results in a net loss of bone. Especially, osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass with age. One form of aging-related primary osteoporosis is postulated with the reduction of circulating estrogen, rapid bone loss occurs as a result of enhanced bore remodelling with an excess of resorption over bore formation. The oxidative stress is also involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Oxidative stress by cytokines, such as IL-a and TNF-${\alpha}$, inhibits osteoblast function in vitro and stimulates osteoblast apoptosis resulting in an imbalance in bore remodelling. The present article reviews the current perspectives on the interaction between bone remodelling and factors such as estrogen and oxidative stress, providing an interpretation of bone diseases in a view of molecular mechanisms.