• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2000

Characteristics of ethanol production by a xylose-fermenting yeast, Pichia stipitis Y-7124, were studied. The sugar consumption rate and specific growth rate were higher in the glucose-containing medium than in the xylose-containing medium. Specific activities of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase were higher in the medium with xylose than glucose, suggesting their induction by xylose. Maximum specific growth rate and ethanol yield were achieved at 30 g xylose/L concentration without formation of by-products such as xylitol and acetic acid whereas a maximum ethanol concentration was obtained at 130 g/L xylose. Adding a respiratory inhibitor, rotenone, increased a maximum ethanol concentration by $10\%$ compared with the control experiment. In order to evaluate the pattern of ethanol inhibition on specific growth rate, a kinetic model based on Luong's equations was applied. The relationship between ethanol concentration and specific growth rate was hyperbolic for glucose and parabolic for xylose. A maximum ethanol concentration at which cells did not grow was 33.6 g/L for glucose and 44.7 g/L for xylose.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.347-359
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• 2020

The Mega-Sub Controlled Structure System (MSCSS), an innovative vibration passive control system for building structures, is improved by adding lead rubber bearings (LRBs) on top of the substructure. For the new system, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize the dynamic parameters and distributions of dampers and LRBs. The program uses various seismic performance indicators as optimization objectives, and corresponding results are compared. It is found that the optimization procedure for maximizing the energy dissipation ratio yields the best solutions, and optimized models have consistent seismic performances under different earthquakes. Seismic performances of optimized MSCSS models with and without LRBs, as well as the traditional Mega-Sub Structure model, are evaluated and compared under El Centro wave, Taft wave and 20 other artificial waves. In both elastic and plastic analysis, the model with LRBs shows significantly smaller story drift and horizontal acceleration than those of the other two models, and fewer plastic hinges are developed during severe earthquakes. Energy analysis also shows that LRBs installed in proper locations increase the deformation and energy dissipation of dampers, thereby significantly reduce the kinetic, potential, and hysteretic energy in the structure. However, LRBs do not have to be mounted on all the additional columns. It is also demonstrated that LRBs at unfavorable locations can decrease the energy dissipation for dampers. After LRBs are installed, the optimal damping coefficient and the optimal damping exponent of dampers are reduced to produce the best damping effect.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.459-463
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• 2000

Direct use of negative ions for modification of materials has opened new research such as charging-free ion implantation and new materials syntheses by pure kinetic bonding reactions. For these purposes, a new solid-state ce-sium ion source has been developed in the laboratory scale. In this paper, diamond like carbon(DLC) films were prepared on silicon wafer by a negative cesium ion gun. This system does not need any gas in the chamber; deposition occurs under high vacuum. The ion source has good control of the C- beam energy(from 80 to 150eV). The result of Raman spectrophotometer shows that the degree of diamond-like character in the films, $sp^3$ fraction, increased as ion beam energy increases. The nanoindentation hardness of the films also increases from 7 to 14 GPa as a function of beam energy. DLC films showed ultra-smooth surface(Ra~1$\AA$)and an impurity-free quality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.574-578
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• 2010

Archaebacteria Sulfolobus acidocaldarius contains the highly thermophilic cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP119). CYP119 possesses stable enzymatic activity at up to $85^{\circ}C$. However, this enzyme is still considered as an orphan P450 without known physiological function with endogenous or xenobiotic substrates. We characterized the regioselectivity of lauric acid by CYP119 using the auxiliary redox partner proteins putidaredoxin (Pd) and putidaredoxin reductase (PdR). Purified CYP119 protein showed a tight binding affinity to lauric acid ($K_d=1.1{\pm}0.1{\mu}M$) and dominantly hydroxylated (${\omega}-1$) position of lauric acid. We determined the steady-state kinetic parameters; $k_{cat}$ was 10.8 $min^{-1}$ and $K_m$, was 12 ${\mu}M$. The increased ratio to $\omega$-hydroxylated production of lauric acid catalyzed by CYP119 was observed with increase in the reaction temperature. These studies suggested that the regioselectivity of CYP119 provide the critical clue for the physiological enzyme function in this thermophilic archaebacteria. In addition, regioselectivity control of CYP119 without altering its thermostability can lead to the development of novel CYP119-based catalysts through protein engineering.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.205-214
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• 2014

Purpose: Phytosanitary irradiation treatment can effectively control regulated pests while maintaining produce quality. The objective of this study was to establish the best irradiation treatment for mangosteen, a popular tropical fruit, using a Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) data were used to generate a 3-D geometry to simulate dose distributions in a mangosteen using a radiation transport code (MCNP5). Microsoft Excel with visual basic application (VBA) was used to divide the image data into seed, flesh, and rind. Radiation energies used for the simulation were 10 MeV (high-energy) and 1.35 MeV (low-energy) for the electron beam, 5 MeV for X-rays, and 1.25 MeV for gamma rays from Co-60. Results: At 5 MeV X-rays and 1.25 MeV gamma rays, all areas (seeds, flesh, and rind) were irradiated ranging from 0.3 ~ 0.7 kGy. The average doses decreased as the number of fruit increased. For a 10 MeV electron beam, the dose distribution was biased: the dose for the rind where the electrons entered was $0.45{\pm}0.03$ kGy and the other side was $0.24 {\pm}0.10$ kGy. Use of an electron kinetic energy absorber improved the dose distribution in mangosteens. For the 1.35 MeV electron beam, the dose was shown only in the rind on the irradiated side; no significant dose was found in the flesh or seeds. One rotation of the fruit while in front of the beam improved the dose distribution around the entire rind. Conclusion: These results are invaluable for determining the ideal irradiation conditions for phytosanitary irradiation treatment of tropical fruit.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.3 s.126
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• pp.226-232
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• 2001

To explore the possible cancer therapeutic application of "Bo-yang-hwan-oh-tang" (BH), a herbal medicinal recipe used for improvement of blood stasis, we have examined its direct cytotoxicity against tumor cell, and induction of cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes. Water extract of BH alone did not exhibit direct cytotoxicity to Yac-1 target cells even with high concentrations (10 mg/ml). By exposure for 3 days, BH did not induce any nonspecific cytotoxic activity of mouse spleen cells, either, when assessed in a 4 hr $^{51}Cr-release$ assay. However, when BH was added during CD3 stimulation of non-adherent spleen cells, non-specific CTL activity was markedly promoted in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, BH did not alter activated NK cell activity following IL-2 stimulation. These data suggest that BH does not induce but upregulates non-specific CTL effecter function and that activated NK cell does not respond to BH. For elucidation of the mechanism underlying this function of BH, time kinetic study for IL-2 production using ELISA was undertaken. IL-2 production following CD3 stimulation was significantly augmented and higher level of IL-2 is sustained over 3 days in the culture medium by BH treatment. Moreover, addition of exogenous IL-2 during CD3 stimulation resulted in a similar level of cytotoxicity between control and BH-treated culture. These data indicate that the BH-mediated upregulation of non-specific CTL activity is contributed by augmentation of IL-2 production. Our data imply the possible application of BH for combination therapy of cancer with non-specific activator.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 2013

Kefir is traditional fermented milk produced by various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast, which produce lactic acid, ethanol, carbon dioxide, and other flavor compounds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different commercial oligosaccharides, such as maltotriose, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), on the fermentation properties of kefir. First, we determined the acidification kinetic parameters, such as $V_{max}$, $t_{max}$(h), $t_{pH5.0}$(h), and $t_f$(h) of fermented milk supplemented with 4% (w/w) of different oligosaccharides. The probiotic survival and chemical composition (pH, organic acids profile, and ethanol content) of kefir during fermentation were also measured. Compared to control fermentation, all oligosaccharides increased acidification rate and reduced the time to complete fermentation (pH 4.7). The addition of FOS, in particular, resulted in the lowest $t_f$(h) and the highest populations of LAB and yeast during fermentation. All oligosaccharides increased ethanol production during fermentation. Further, significant differences were observed in the formation rates of six organic acids during fermentation. This study provided comparative data on the properties of commercial oligosaccharides for kefir manufacturing. Consequently, FOS especially had the potential for adequate and effective oligosaccharides in commercial kefir for the improvement of cost- and time-effectiveness.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.245-253
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• 2014

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small but effective cationic peptides with variable length. In previous study, four hexapeptides were identified that showed antimicrobial activities against various phytopathogenic bacteria. KCM21, the most effective antimicrobial peptide, was selected for further analysis to understand its modes of action by monitoring inhibitory effects of various cations, time-dependent antimicrobial kinetics, and observing cell disruption by electron microscopy. The effects of KCM21 on Gram-negative strain, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Gram-positive strain, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis were compared. Treatment with divalent cations such as $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ inhibited the bactericidal activities of KCM21 significantly against P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The bactericidal kinetic study showed that KCM21 killed both bacteria rapidly and the process was faster against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. The electron microscopic analysis revealed that KCM21 induced the formation of micelles and blebs on the surface of P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 cells, while it caused cell rupture against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis cells. The outer membrane alteration and higher sensitivity to $Ca^{2+}$ suggest that KCM21 interact with the outer membrane of P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 cells during the process of killing, but not with C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis cells that lack outer membrane. Considering that both strains had similar sensitivity to KCM21 in LB medium, outer membrane could not be the main target of KCM21, instead common compartments such as cytoplasmic membrane or internal macromolecules might be a possible target(s) of KCM21.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.587-594
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• 2005

The contribution of electrostriction of water molecules to the stabilization of the negatively charged tetrahedral transition state of a lipase-catalyzed reaction was examined by means of kinetic studies involving high-pressure and solvent dielectric constant. A good correlation was observed between the increased catalytic efficiency of lipase and the decreased solvent dielectric constant. When the dielectric constant of solvents was lowered by 5.00 units, the losses of activation energy and free energy of activation were 7.92 kJ/mol and 11.24 kJ/mol, respectively. The activation volume for $k_{cat}$ decreased significantly as the dielectric constant of solvent decreased, indicating that the degree of electrostriction of water molecules around the charged tetrahedral transition state has been enhanced. These observations demonstrate that the increase in the catalytic efficiency of the lipase reaction with decreasing dielectric constant resulted from the stabilization of electrostatic energy for the formation of an oxyanion hole, and that this stabilization was caused by the increase of electrostricted water around the charged tetrahedral transition state. Therefore, we conclude that the control of solvent dielectric constant can stabilize the tetrahedral transition state, thus lowering the activation energy.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2006

Kojic acid production by Aspergillus flavus strain S44-1 using sucrose as a carbon source was carried out in a 250-mL shake flask and a 2-L stirred tank fermenter. For comparison, production of kojic acid using glucose, fructose and its mixture was also carried out. Kojic acid production in shake flask fermentation was 25.8 g/L using glucose as the sole carbon source, 23.6 g/L with sucrose, and 6.4 g/L from fructose. Reduced kojic acid production (13.5 g/L) was observed when a combination of glucose and fructose was used as a carbon source. The highest production of kojic acid (40.2 g/L) was obtained from 150 g/L sucrose in a 2 L fermenter, while the lowest kojic acid production (10.3 g/L) was seen in fermentation using fructose as the sole carbon source. The experimental data from batch fermentation and resuspended cell system was analysed in order to form the basis for a kinetic model of the process. An unstructured model based on logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations was found suitable to describe the growth, substrate consumption, and efficiency of kojic acid production by A. flavus in batch fermentation using sucrose. From this model, it was found that kojic acid production by A. flavus was not a growth-associated process. Fermentation without pH control (from an initial culture pH of 3.0) showed higher kojic acid production than single-phase pH-controlled fermentation (pH 2.5, 2.75, and 3.0).