• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.327-333
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• 2022

In this study, silicon/carbon nanotube/carbon (Si/CNT/C) composites for anode were prepared to improve the volume expansion of silicon used as a high-capacity anode material. Si/CNT were prepared by electrostatic attraction of the positively charged Si and negatively charged CNT and then hydrothermal synthesis was performed to obtain the spherical Si/CNT/C composites. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were used as binders for electrode preparation, and coin cell was assembled using 1.0 M LiPF₆ (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%) electrolyte and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive. The physical properties of Si/CNT/C anode materials were analyzed using SEM, EDS, XRD and TGA, and the electrochemical performances of lithium-ion batteries were investigated by charge-discharge cycle, rate performance, dQ/dV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Also, it was confirmed that both capacity and rate performance were significantly improved using the PAA/SBR binder and 10 wt% FEC-added electrolyte. It is found that Si/CNT/C have the reversible capacity of 914 mAh/g, the capacity retention ratio of 83% during 50 cycles and the rate performance of 70% in 2 C/0.1 C.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.229-238
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• 2022

Severe bacterial infections are frequently accompanied by depressed neutrophil functions. Thus, agents that increase the microbicidal activity of neutrophils could add to a direct antimicrobial therapy. Lysophosphatidylcholine augments neutrophil bactericidal activity via the glycine (Gly)/glycine receptor (GlyR) α2/TRPM2/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the direct effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was not reported. In this study, the effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was examined. Glycine augmented bactericidal activity of human neutrophils (EC₅₀ = 238 μM) in a strychnine (a GlyR antagonist)-sensitive manner. Glycine augmented bacterial clearance in mice, which was also blocked by strychnine (0.4 mg/kg, s.c.). Glycine enhanced NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and TRPM2-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i increase in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli. Glycine augmented Lucifer yellow uptake (fluid-phase pinocytosis) and azurophil granule-phagosome fusion in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli in an SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor)-sensitive manner. These findings indicate that glycine augments neutrophil microbicidal activity by enhancing azurophil granule-phagosome fusion via the GlyRα2/ROS/calcium/p38 MAPK pathway. We suggest that glycine could be a useful agent for increasing neutrophil bacterial clearance.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1925-1931
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• 2024

The study conducted in the northwest region of Jordan aimed to assess the levels of natural radioactivity in soil and olive mill pomace (OMP) samples. The researchers used Nal (TI) gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the samples. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the soil samples were found to be 18.624 ± 5.82, 12.276 ± 5.728, 518.33 ± 212.57, and 0.140 ± 0.09 (Bq, kg^-1), respectively. In the OMP samples, the average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 7.272 ± 4.386, 3.454 ± 1.503, and 169.997 ± 81.873 (Bq kg^-1), respectively, and no ¹³⁷Cs was detected. The study also investigated fundamental parameters associated with radon, specifically the radon emanation coefficient (Rn_EC) and radon mass exhalation rate (E_x). The Rn_EC values ranged from 0.621 to 0.78 (Bq kg^-1), with an average value of 0.71 ± 0.06 (Bq kg^-1). The estimated E_x from the soil samples ranged from 65.83 to 124.86 (mBq kg^-1h^-1), with an average value of 99.74 ± 21.73 (mBq kg^-1h^-1). Regarding radiological hazards, the study examined various parameters, including radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, gamma and alpha indices, absorbed gamma dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk. All of these assessed values were found to be below the worldwide recommended limits for radiological safety. Additionally, the study analyzed the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities in soil and OMP samples. The soil samples had an average gross alpha activity of 4.642 ± 1.04 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 48.13 ± 14.50 (Bq kg^-1). The OMP samples showed an average gross alpha activity of 0.32 ± 0.27 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 59.19 ± 12.94 (Bq kg^-1). Overall, the obtained results are crucial for evaluating the radiological risks associated with natural radioactivity in the northwest region of Jordan. The findings establish baseline data for comparison and reference for radioactivity levels in the environment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 2013

Microalgae are sensitive indicators of environmental changes, and hence they are widely used in environmental risk assessments and for the development of discharge guidelines. Here we evaluated the toxicity of metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to the marine green microalga, Tetraselmis suecica. The toxicants investigated included the metals, Cu, Ni, and Pb; and the EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA), endosulfan (ES), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The endpoints were variations in cell counts and chlorophyll a levels. T. suecica displayed a varied pattern of sensitivity to the toxicants. Based on the 72-h median effective concentration ($EC_{50}$), ES (0.045 mg/L) was most toxic to T. suecica, followed by PCB (3.96 mg/L) and Pb (9.62 mg/L). Interestingly, T. suecica was relatively tolerant to Cu (43.03 mg/L). The 72-h $EC_{50}$ values of Ni and BPA were approximately 16 mg/L. Our data suggest that this species may be relatively tolerant to most of the chemicals within their permissible limits in the environment.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.188-195
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• 2019

Among 6 fungicides, fluazinam, which had an excellent inhibitory effect on mycelial growth and spore germination, was also effective in controlling jujube anthracnose in the field. While EC₅₀ values of metconazole and tebuconazole ranged from 0.2 to 0.9 ㎍/ml and from 0.4 to 1.1 ㎍/ml against the mycelial growth, respectively, each inhibitory effect on spore germination was low by 7.4% and 11.1% at 50.0 ㎍/ml. In the field test, they showed the control value of 80.5% and 77.0%, respectively. The protective fungicides, as mancozeb and folpet, which had a low inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth, but had a high inhibitory effect of spore germination, showed excellent disease control activities by 87.6% and 92.0% in the field. Showing a result of resistance monitoring conducted with the isolates of Colletotricum gloeosporioides, the resistance against carbendazim was already generated in the field, but it was thought that there was no resistance to pyraclostrobin, fluazinam and tebuconazole. However, if the resistance factor value of the population of C. gloeosporioides isolates to pyraclostrobin was high by 160.4, the diversity of the response to the fungicide in the population was high, so it should be taken more attention to the resistance management.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.121-128
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• 2022

This study explored plant-derived natural antioxidants by evaluating the antioxidant activity of Lamiaceae plant seed extracts. Plants with the percentage of filled seeds at or above 90% and seed germination at or above 50% were selected. Of the ten species studied, the total phenolic content of the seeds was high in the species Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. (6.2 mg GAEs/g of seeds) and Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyl. (4.5 mg GAEs/g of seeds). The total flavonoid content of the seeds was high in E. ciliata (1.0 mg QEs/g of seeds) and P. umbrosa (0.6 mg QEs/g of seeds). Based on the EC₅₀ value of the seed extracts, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was high in the seeds of the plants E. ciliata (27.5 ㎍/mL), Mosla dianthera (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Maxim. (29.2 ㎍/mL), and Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina Nakai (33.3 ㎍/mL). In addition, 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity was high in P. vulgaris var. lilacina (25.6 ㎍/mL), E. ciliata (25.9 ㎍/mL), and M. dianthera (27.6 ㎍/mL) seeds. The ferric reducing antioxidant power of the seed extracts was high in P. vulgaris var. lilacina (2910.4 µM Fe(II)/g of extract), E. ciliata (2836.2 µM Fe(II)/g of extract), and M. dianthera (2754.4 µM Fe(II)/g of extract). According to the cluster analysis based on antioxidant activity, the seeds of the ten species were classified into three groups, from group 1 with low antioxidant activity to group 3 with high antioxidant activity; E. ciliata, M. dianthera, and P. vulgaris var. lilacina were classified as group 3.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.256-265
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• 2023

Chlorothalonil is continuously introduced into the marine environment and has significant toxic effects on various marine organisms, however, research on its effect on seaweed is limited. Therefore, we analyzed the impact of chlorothalonil on the early life stages of major aquaculture species in Korea, Undaria pinnatifida. U. pinnatifida female gametophytes were exposed to different concentrations of chlorothalonil (0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 mg L^-1), and their survival rate and relative growth rate were analyzed. The no observed effect concentration (NOEC), lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC), and median lethal concentration (LC50) for female gametophyte survival were determined as 0.05, 0.10, and 0.141(0.121-0.166)mg L^-1. NOEC, LOEC, and median effective concentration (EC50) for relative growth rate were 0.10, 0.20, and 0.124 (0.119-0.131) mg L^-1. Therefore, female gametophytes of U. pinnatifida are expected to experience toxic effects at concentrations above 0.05-0.10 mg L^-1 of chlorothalonil. These research findings are anticipated to serve as crucial reference data for evaluating the effects of chlorothalonil on the health of U. pinnatifida in the early life stages.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.889-902
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• 2022

With increasing consumer demand for "clean label" products, the use of natural ingredients is required in the food industry. Protein/polysaccharide complexes are considered good alternatives to synthetic emulsifiers and stabilizers for formulating stable emulsion-based foods. Milk protein and carrageenan are widely used to improve the physical properties and stability of dairy food products. In a previous study, milk protein isolate (MPI) was conjugated with 𝛋-carrageenan (𝛋-Car) in a wet-heating system through the Maillard reaction, and the Maillard conjugates (MC) derived from MPI and 𝛋-Car effectively improved the stability of oil-in-water emulsions. Therefore, MPI/𝛋-Car conjugates were used in whipping cream as natural emulsifiers in this study, and the physical and rheological properties of whipping creams stabilized using MPI/𝛋-Car MC and MPI/𝛋-Car electrostatic complexes (EC) were investigated. The whipping creams stabilized with MPI/𝛋-Car MC have lower rheological parameters (η_a,50, K, G', and G'') than those of whipping creams stabilized with MPI/𝛋-Car EC. Although the overrun value was slightly reduced owing to the addition of MPI/𝛋-Car MC, the stability of the whipped creams with MC was effectively improved due to enhanced water-holding ability by conjugation.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2024

As regulations on greenhouse gas emission have strengthened globally, the demand for improved fuel efficiency in automobiles continues to rise. In response, the tire industry is actively conducting research to improve fuel efficiency by enhancing tire performance. In this study, silica-filled epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/butadiene rubber (BR) blend compounds were manufactured according to ENR types and silica contents, and their physical properties and vulcanizate structure were evaluated. ENR-50, which has a higher epoxide content than ENR-25, exhibited stronger filler-rubber interaction, resulting in superior abrasion resistance. In addition, because of its high glass transition temperature (T_g), the wet grip performance of ENR-50 improved, even though the rolling resistance increased. Increasing the amount of silica had little effect on the abrasion resistance due to the increase in filler-rubber interaction and decrease in toughness. In addition, ENR-50 exhibited better wet grip performance; however, the rolling resistance increased. The results indicated that truck bus radial (TBR) tire tread compounds can be designed by applying ENR-50 to improve wear resistance and wet grip performance. In addition, by applying ENR-25 and reducing the silica contents improve fuel efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 1997

Characteristics of electrical conductivity(EC) of seventy one-greenhouse soil located in southern part of Korea were surveyed to obtain the basic information for sustainable management of plastic film house soils. The averaged soil EC were 5.84 and 2.49dS/m for top-and sub-soil, respectively, showing distribution of 11.3% for top-soils and 50.7% for sub-soils within the optimum level of 2.0 dS/m. On the whole, the soils with flowering plants revealed higher EC than those with fruiting vegetables showing 2.75~6.34dS/m for the former and 2.29(sub-soils)~5.13dS/m(top-soils) for the latter. In a view of soil sampling time, the soils at Feb., 1996 marked 4.3~37.7% and 10.3(top-soils)~11.3%(sub-soils) higher EC compared with the soils at Sept. and Dec., 1995, respectively. The linear regression correlation coefficients of soil minerals to EC were in oder of $Mg^{2+}$ > $NO_3{^-}$ > $Cl^-$ > $Ca^{2+}$ > $SO_4{^{2-}}$ > $K^+$ for top-soils and were $Cl^-$ > $SO_4{^{2-}}$ > $NO_3{^-}$ > $Ca^{2+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ > $K^+$ for sub-soils. In especial, the concentration of soil EC accompanied the increasing population ratio of soil fungi to bacteria and/or actinomycetes.