• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.375-386
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• 2022

In the present study, four distinctly colored bacterial isolates that show intense pigmentation upon brief ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are chosen. The strains are identified as Micrococcus luteus (Milky yellow), Cryseobacterium pallidum (Yellow), Cryseobacterium spp. (Golden yellow), and Kocuria turfanensis (Pink) based on their morphological and 16S rDNA analysis. Moderate salinity (1.25%), 25-37℃ temperature, and pH of 7.2 are found to be the most favorable conditions of growth and pigment production for all the selected isolates. The pigments are extracted using methanol: chloroform (1:1) and the purity of the pigments are confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Further, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy indicate their resemblance with carotenoids and flexirubin family. The antioxidant activities of the pigments are estimated, and, all the pigments have shown significant antioxidant efficacy in 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The UV protective property of the pigments is determined by cling-film assay, wherein, at least 25% of UV sensitive Escherichia coli survive with bio-pigments even after 90 seconds of UV exposure compared to control. The pigments also hold a good sun protective factor (SPF) value (1.5-4.9) which is calculated with the Mansur equation. Based on these results, it can be predicted that these bacterial pigments can be further developed into a promising antioxidant and UV-protectant for several biomedical applications.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.287-295
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• 2023

Iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) were synthesized employing Lagenaria siceraria (LS) leaf aqueous extract as a reducing and capping medium to remove methylene blue (MB) dye and have antibacterial properties against G-negative (Escherichia coli) and G-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The formation of LS-Fe-NPs (Lagenaria-siceraria-iron-nanoparticles) was confirmed by a change in color from pale yellow to dark brown. Characterization techniques, such as particle size analysis (PSA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were employed to prove nano spherical particles of size range between 80-100 nm. Phytochemicals and the presence of iron in LS-Fe-NPs nanoparticles were proved by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Further, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis results confirmed the existence of bioactive molecules in the plants. The magnetic property was analyzed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), which displayed that the synthesized nanoparticles were superparamagnetic and exhibiting a saturation magnetization of 12.5 emu/g. Synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were used in methylene blue (MB) dye removal through adsorption. About 83% of 100 mg/L MB dye was removed within 120 min at pH 6 with a maximum adsorption capacity of 246.8 mg/g. Antibacterial efficacy of LS-Fe-NPs was screened against G-negative (Escherichia coli) and G-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), respectively, and found that LS-Fe-NPs were effective against Staphylococcus aureus.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.715-725
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• 2023

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic environments is a growing concern worldwide. This study investigated the abundance, types, and attributes of MPs in the surface water at two industrial sites (Avoimitro Ghat and Kalurghat) along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Sampling was conducted over eight months across three transects encompassing a total area of 500 m at each site. A manta net of 200 ㎛ mesh size was used to sample MPs. The obtained samples were subsequently filtered, enumerated, and characterized using a stereo microscope and imaging software. The mean abundance of MP particles (per km² ) was found higher in Avoimitro Ghat (94,861 ± 57,126) than in Kalurghat (31,343 ± 23,183). A significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the mean abundance of MP particles between the wet and dry seasons. The fragment group of MP exhibited the most abundant category, whereas the pellet category displayed the lowest. MPs with an elongated shape prevailed at both locations throughout all seasons. At Avoimitro Ghat, blue-colored MPs demonstrated the highest mean count, while in Kalurghat, the highest mean count belonged to brown-colored MPs. The size distribution of MPs differed between the two sites, with 1-2 mm MPs being plentiful in both seasons and Avoimitro Ghat, whereas MPs ranging from 500 ㎛ to less than 1 mm were abundant in Kalurghat. Ten (10) polymer types were found from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis with high levels of polypropylene atactic in both Avoimitro Ghat (32%) and Kalurghat (17%). The findings provide important insights into MP pollution in the Karnaphuli River, which may aid in developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of MP pollution on the aquatic ecosystem and human health.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.68.1-68.1
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• 2012

The best part of graphene is - charge-carriers in it are mass less particles which move in near relativistic speeds. Comparing to other materials, electrons in graphene travel much faster - at speeds of $10^8cm/s$. A graphene sheet is pure enough to ensure that electrons can travel a fair distance before colliding. Electronic devices few nanometers long that would be able to transmit charge at breath taking speeds for a fraction of power compared to present day CMOS transistors. Many researches try to check a possibility to make it a perfect replacement for silicon based devices. Graphene has shown high potential to be used as interconnects in the field of high frequency electrical devices. With all those advantages of graphene, we demonstrate characteristics of electrical and optical properties of graphene such as the effect of graphene geometry on the microwave properties using the measurements of S-parameter in range of 500 MHz - 40 GHz at room temperature condition. We confirm that impedance and resistance decrease with increasing the number of graphene layer and w/L ratio. This result shows proper geometry of graphene to be used as high frequency interconnects. This study also presents the optical properties of graphene oxide (GO), which were deposited in different substrate, or influenced by oxygen plasma, were confirmed using different characterization techniques. 4-6 layers of the polycrystalline GO layers, which were confirmed by High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron diffraction analysis, were shown short range order of crystallization by the substrate as well as interlayer effect with an increase in interplanar spacing, which can be attributed to the presence of oxygen functional groups on its layers. X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of the $sp^2$ and $sp^3$ hybridization due to the disordered crystal structures of the carbon atoms results from oxidation, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and XPS analysis shows the changes in oxygen functional groups with nature of substrate. Moreover, the photoluminescent (PL) peak emission wavelength varies with substrate and the broad energy level distribution produces excitation dependent PL emission in a broad wavelength ranging from 400 to 650 nm. The structural and optical properties of oxygen plasma treated GO films for possible optoelectronic applications were also investigated using various characterization techniques. HRTEM and electron diffraction analysis confirmed that the oxygen plasma treatment results short range order crystallization in GO films with an increase in interplanar spacing, which can be attributed to the presence of oxygen functional groups. In addition, Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of the $sp^2$ and $sp^3$ hybridization due to the disordered crystal structures of the carbon atoms results from oxidation and XPS analysis shows that epoxy pairs convert to more stable C=O and O-C=O groups with oxygen plasma treatment. The broad energy level distribution resulting from the broad size distribution of the $sp^2$ clusters produces excitation dependent PL emission in a broad wavelength range from 400 to 650 nm. Our results suggest that substrate influenced, or oxygen treatment GO has higher potential for future optoelectronic devices by its various optical properties and visible PL emission.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2000

Miscibility improvement between polypropylene(PP) and ethylene-propylene-diene-terpolymer (EPDM) was studied by introducing specific interaction into both polymers. PP was modified by grafting maleic anhydride(MAH) onto backbone, leading to MAH-grafted PP(PP-g-MAH). Sulfonated EPDM ionomer neutralized with bivalent zinc cation(ZnSEPDM) was used as one component. The blends of PP-g-MAH and ZnSEPDM were prepared at $200^{\circ}C$ in Brabender Roller Mixer. Fourier transform-infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopic and dynamic mechanical studies have been performed to investigate the miscibility. FT-IR spectral peak corresponding to carbonyl group in PP-g-MAH and that to sulfonate group in ZnSEPDM were shifted to lower and higher frequency with increasing ZnSEPDM content, respectively, in the blends. Glass transition temperature of ZnSEPDM was increased up to 70wt.% of ZnSEPDM, and again decreased above 70wt.%. It can be concluded from the shift of FT-IR characteristic peaks and the changes of glass transition temperatures that the miscibility between PP and EPDM was improved via introducing specific interaction, i.e., dipole-ion interaction.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated effects of thermal annealing on the thermal properties and microphase separation behaviors of glycidyl azide-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (ETPE). The GAP-based ETPEs were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effects of annealing temperature conditions ($80{\sim}130^{\circ}C$, 1 h or 24 h) on the properties of the ETPEs were investigated. The intensity of azide group absorption peak of ATR-FTIR spectra and the solubility of ETPE for methylene chloride and dimethylformamide solvent decreased after the annealing at $130^{\circ}C$ for 1 h and at $105^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. With increasing the annealing temperature from $80^{\circ}C$ to $110^{\circ}C$, the high temperature rubbery plateau region of storage modulus curves from DMA thermogram for GAP-based ETPEs was extended to the higher temperature.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.140-149
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• 2021

Mushroom-derived polysaccharides, which are the primary bioactive constituents, are beneficial for human health. Polysaccharides have immuno-modulation, antitumor, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, they have antiviral properties and protect against chronic radiation stress. In this study, high yield water-soluble polysaccharides were obtained from Pleurotus djamor var. roseus basidiocarps. The crude polysaccharide (CP) was extracted sequentially by hot water and ethanol precipitation. The yield of the brown CPs was 5.6% dw. Diethylaminoethyl cellulose and Sepharose-6B column chromatography of CPs generated several fractions. Total glucan content was determined in all the fractions. The F1 fraction displayed the highest sugar content and was considered as a purified polysaccharide (PP). The total glucan and β-glucan content in the four fractions ranged between 76.85-2.95% and 75.08-1.46%, respectively. The yield of the PPs was 300 mg, and it was obtained as a white powder. The PPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thin-layer chromatography. The FTIR spectral details confirmed the presence of a xylopentose polysaccharide. The antioxidant activity of the PPs was evaluated using in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and superoxide radical scavenging assay. The PPs showed strong DPPH free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. Purified PPs free of phenolics, protein, and carbohydrates were mainly responsible for the radical scavenging activity. The data suggest the potential of PPs as natural antioxidants.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.350-355
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• 2011

A soluble polyamide containing photosensitive l,4-phenylenediacrylic acid (PDA) in main chain with biphenyl moiety was synthesized. The chemical structure of synthesized polyamide was investigated by means of $^1H$ NMR spectroscopy. The polymer was stable up to $280^{\circ}C$ and soluble in organic solvents, giving a good quality of thin films. The photoreaction of unpolarized LTV irradiated films was investigated by means of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and FTlR spectroscopy, and liquid crystals (LCs) alignment property was examined by exposing to linearly polarized UV light (LPUVL) of 260~380 nm. The polyamide in film has excellent photoreactivity to unpolarized UV light. Direction selective photoreaction of PDA moiety in Lhe film was found to further induce nematic liquid -crystals to align along a perpendicular direction with respect to the electric vector of LPUVL, regardless of exposure energy of LPUVL. In addition, pretilt angle was measured by means of crystal rotation method. LPUVL-exposed polymer film induced the alignment of liquid-crystals (LC) with a pretilt angle of 0.2~$0.5^{\circ}$.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2022

Recently, Hanmi Gemological Institute & Laboratory (HGI) had an opportunity to examine 5 transparent synthetic moissanite. The round brilliants ranged from 0.93 to 0.96 ct and had a colorless, pink, yellow, blue, and red color. Advanced testing results, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, identified all the specimens as synthetic moissanite. Under the microscope, all samples except the colorless were confirmed to be a synthetic moissanite coated with a colored film. EDXRF chemical analysis detected very weak X-ray fluorescence peak characteristics of Ca, Ti, and Co in the colored samples. These features were not detected in the colorless sample. Raman spectroscopy investigation was unable to detect the 1332 cm^-1 (produced by sp³ bonding of carbon atoms) or the ~1550 cm^-1 (produced by graphite-related sp² bonding) peak in the colorless sample. The SEM image of the colorless sample showed no indication of a coating. The TEM image of the colorless sample revealed the presence of a 3~8 nm thick layer on the moissanite. Moreover, from the corresponding STEM Z-contrast image combined with the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) line profiles and EDX elemental maps, this layer was estimated to be carbon, silicon and oxygen.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2015

In order to improve the poor water solubility of aceclofenac, it was loaded into solid Kollidon VA 64 dispersion prepared by spray drying and rotary evaporation methods using different drug and polymer ratios. Morphology and physicochemical behavior of the aceclofenac loaded solid dispersions was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Encapsulation efficiency and dissolution behavior in a simulated intestinal juice of aceclofenac in the solid dispersions was measured using HPLC and the latter was compared with that of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and Airtal$^{(R)}$. It was demonstrated that two methods could significantly improve the dissolution behavior of aceclofenac.