• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2010

Froth flotation using the residual water in the end of flotation process has been performed through controlling of pH. IEP (isoelectric point) of molybdenite and quartz in distilled water was below pH 3 and pH 2.7, respectively and the stabilized range was pH 5~10. In case of a suspension in reusing water, zeta potential of molybdenite decreased to below -10 mV or less at over pH 4 due to residual flocculants. As result of pH control, flotation efficiency in the alkaline conditions was deteriorated by flocculation, resulting from expanded polymer chain, ion bridge of the divalent metal cations ($Ca^{2+}$), and hydrophobic interactions between the nonpolar site of polymer/the hydrophobic areas of the particle surfaces. However, the weak acid conditions (pH 5.5~6) improved the efficiency of flotation as hydrogen ions neutralize polymer chains and then weakened its function. In cleans after rougher flotation, the Mo grade of 52.7% and recovery of 90.1% could be successfully obtained under the conditions of 20 g/t kerosene, 50 g/t AF65, 300 g/t $Na_2SiO_3$, pH 5.5 and 2 cleaning times. Hence, we developed a technique which can continuously supply waste water filtered from tailings into the grinding-rougher-cleaning processes.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.43-55
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• 2023

Mass transport through nanoporous structures such as nanopores or nanochannels has fundamental electrochemical implications and many potential applications as well. These structures can be particularly useful for water treatment, energy conversion, biosensing, and controlled delivery of substances. Earlier research focused on creating nanopores with diameters ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers that can selectively transport cationic or anionic charged species. However, recent studies have shown that nanopores with diameters of a few nanometers or even less can achieve more complex and versatile transport control. For example, nanopores that mimic biological channels can be functionalized with specific receptors to detect viruses, small molecules, and even ions, or can be made hydrophobic and responsive to external stimuli, such as light and electric field, to act as efficient valves. This review summarizes the latest developments in nanopore-based systems that can control mass transport based on the size of the nanopores (e.g., length, diameter, and shape) and the physical/chemical properties of their inner surfaces. It also provides some examples of practical applications of these systems.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-33
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to analyze the in vitro and in vivo corrosion products of low and high copper amalgams. The four different types of amalgam alloy used in this study were Fine cut, Caulk spherical, Dispersalloy, and Tytin. After each amalgam alloy and Hg were triturated according to the directions of the manufacturer by means of the mechanical amalgamator(Amalgam mixer. Shinhung Co. Korea), the triturated mass was inserted into a cylindrical metal mold which was 12mm in diameter and 10mm in height. The mass was condensed by 150Kg/cm compressive force. The specimen was removed from the mold and aged at room temperature for about seven days. The standard surface preparation was routinely carried out by emery paper polishing under running water. In vitro amalgam specimens were potentiostatically polarized ten times in a normal saline solution at $37^{\circ}C$(potentiostat : HA-301. Hukuto Denko Corp. Japan). Each specimen was subjected to anodic polarization scan within the potential range -1700mV to+400mV(SCE). After corrosion tests, anodic polarization curves and corrosion potentials were obtained. The amount of component elements dissolved from amalgams into solution was measured three times by ICP AES(Inductive Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry: Plasma 40. Perkim Elmer Co. U.S.A.). The four different types of amalgam were filled in occlusal and buccal class I cavities of four human 3rd molars. After about five years the restorations were carefully removed after tooth extraction to preserve the structural details including the deteriorated margins. The occlusal surface, amalgam-tooth interface and the fractured surface of in vivo amalgam corrosion products were analyzed. In vivo and in vitro amalgam specimens were examined and analyzed metallographically by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope: JSM 840. Jeol Co. Japan) and EDAX(Energy Dispersive Micro X-ray Analyser: JSM 840. Jeol Co. Japan). 1. The following results are obtained from in vitro corrosion tests. 1) Corrosion potentials of all amalgams became more noble after ten times passing through the in vitro corrosion test compared to first time. 2) After times through the test, released Cu concentration in saline solution was almost equal but highest in Fine cut. Ag and Hg ion concentration was highest in Caulk spherical and Sn was highest in Dispersalloy. 3) Analyses of surface corrosion products in vitro reveal the following results. a)The corroded surface of Caulk spherical has Na-Sn-Cl containing clusters of $5{\mu}m$ needle-like crystals and oval shapes of Sn-Cl phase, polyhedral Sn oxide phase. b)In Fine cut, there appeared to be a large Sn containing phase, surrounded by many Cu-Sn phases of $1{\mu}m$ granular shapes. c)Dispersalloy was covered by a thick reticular layer which contained Zn-Cl phase. d)In Tytin, a very thin, corroded layer had formed with irregularly growing Sn-Cl phases that looked like a stack of plates. 2. The following results are obtained by an analysis of in vivo amalgam corrosion products. 1) Occlusal surfaces of all amalgams were covered by thick amorphous layers containing Ca-P elements which were abraded by occlusal force. 2) In tooth-amalgam interface, Ca-P containing products were examined in all amalgams but were most clearly seen in low copper amalgams. 3) Sn oxide appeared as a polyhedral shape in internal space in Caulk spherical and Fine cut. 4) Apical pyramidal shaped Sn oxide and curved plate-like Sn-Cl phases resulted in Dispersalloy. 5) In Tytin, Sn oxide and Sn hydroxide were not seen but polyhedral Ag-Hg phase crystal appeared in internal space which assumed a ${\beta}_l$ phase.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.6
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• 2009

Introduction: GTPases known as translation factor play a vital role as ribosomal subunit assembly chaperone. The bacterial Obg proteins ($Spo{\underline{0B}}$-associated ${\underline{G}}TP$-binding protein) belong to the subfamily of P-loop GTPase proteins and now it is considered as one of the new target for antibacterial drug. The majority of bacterial Obgs have been commonly found to be associated with ribosome, implying that these proteins may play a fundamental role in ribosome assembly or maturation. In addition, one of the experimental evidences suggested that Bacillus subtilis Obg (BsObg) protein binds to the L13 ribosomal protein (BsL13) which is known to be one of the early assembly proteins of the 50S ribosomal subunit in Escherichia coli. In order to investigate binding mode between the BsObg and the BsL13, protein-protein docking simulation was carried out after generating 3D structure of the BsL13 structure using homology modeling method. Materials and Methods: Homology model structure of BsL13 was generated using the EcL13 crystal structure as a template. Protein-protein docking of BsObg protein with ribosomal protein BsL13 was performed by DOT, a macro-molecular docking software, in order to predict a reasonable binding mode. The solvated energy minimization calculation of the docked conformation was carried out to refine the structure. Results and Discussion: The possible binding conformation of BsL13 along with activated Obg fold in BsObg was predicted by computational docking study. The final structure is obtained from the solvated energy minimization. From the analysis, three important H-bond interactions between the Obg fold and the L13 were detected: Obg:Tyr27-L13:Glu32, Obg:Asn76-L13:Glu139, and Obg:Ala136-L13:Glu142. The interaction between the BsObg and BsL13 structures were also analyzed by electrostatic potential calculations to examine the interface surfaces. From the results, the key residues for hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between the two proteins were predicted. Conclusion and Prospects: In this study, we have focused on the binding mode of the BsObg protein with the ribosomal BsL13 protein. The interaction between the activated Obg and target protein was investigated with protein-protein docking calculations. The binding pattern can be further used as a base for structure-based drug design to find a novel antibacterial drug.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.122-134
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of torrefied larch wood as a raw material of pellets. First of all, larch chip was torrefied at the temperatures of 230, 250 and $270^{\circ}C$ for 30, 50 and 70 min. Secondly, moisture content, moisture absorption, higher heating value and ash content of the torrefied chip were measured to examine the effects of torrefaction conditions on the fuel characteristics of larch. Thirdly, surfaces of the torrefied chip were observed by light microscope (LM), field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM) and SEM-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDXS). With the increases of torrefied temperature and time, contents of lignin increased and those of hemicellulose reduced. Moisture content of torrefied larch chip was greatly lower than that of non-torrefied chip. Moisture absorption of the torrefied chip decreased as torrefaction temperature increased. As torrefaction temperature increased, higher heating value and ash content of larch chip increased. However, durability of torrefied-larch pellets was remarkably lower comparing to non-torrefied-larch pellets. When surface of larch chip was observed by LM and FE-SEM, surface color and cell wall of the chip was getting darker and more collapsed with the increases of torrefaction conditions. Through the analysis of SEM-EDXS, distribution and quantity of lignin existing on the surface of larch chip increased with the increases of torrefied conditions. In conclusion, $270^{\circ}C$/50 min might be an optimal condition for the torrefaction of larch with the aspect of fuel characteristics, but torrefaction condition of $230^{\circ}C$/30 min should be considered according to the durability of torrefied-larch pellets.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-139
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• 2010

Behavior of heavy metals and arsenic in the tailings of Songcheon Au-Ag mine was characterized via both mineralogical and geochemical methods. Mineral composition of the tailings was investigated by X-ray diffractometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and total concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic and their chemical forms were analyzed by total digestion of aqua regia and sequential extraction method, respectively. The results of mineralogical study indicate that the tailings included mineral particles of resinous shape mainly consisting of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and scorodite, and specifically socordite was identified in the form of matrix. EPMA quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the weatherability of each mineral, and the results suggest that it decreased in the sequence of arsenopyrite > galena > sphalerite > pyrite. The weathering pattern of galena was observed to show distinctive zonal structure consisting of secondary minerals such as anglesite and beudantite. In addition, almost all of arsenopyrite has been altered to scorodite existing asmatrix and galena, sphalerite, and pyrite which have lower weatherability than arsenopyrite were identified within the matrix of scorodite. During the process of alteration of arsenopyrite into scorodite, it is likely that a portion of arsenic was lixiviated and caused a great deal of detrimental effects to surrounding environment. The results of EPMA quantitative analyses verify that the stability of scorodite was relatively high and this stable scorodite has restrained the weathering of other primary minerals within tailings as a result of its coating of mineral surfaces. For this reason, Songcheon tailings show the characteristics of the first weathering stage, although they have been exposed to the surface environment for a long time. Based on the overall results of mineralogical and geochemical studies undertaken in this research, if the tailings are kept to be exposed to the surface environment and the weathering process is continuous, not only hazardous heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic seem to be significantly leached out because their larger portions are being partitioned in weakly-bound (highly-mobile) fractions, but the potential of arsenic leaching is likely to be high as the stability of scorodite is gradually decreased. Consequently, it is speculated that the environmental hazard of Songcheon mine is significantly high.