• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 2001

Isothermal physical aging of a glass fiber/epoxy composite was examined at different aging temperatures ($T_a$) and degrees of conversion (monitored by the glass transition temperature, $T_g$) by means of the TBA torsion pendulum technique. The range of aging temperature was from 10 to $130^{\circ}C$ : the conversion was systematically changed from $T_g$=$76^{\circ}C$ to $T_g$=$177^{\circ}C$ (fully crosslinked). The effect of isothermal physical aging was manifested as perturbations of the modulus and mechanical loss vs. temperature in the vicinity of $T_a$ for all conversions. The rate of isothermal physical aging determined from the change of modulus with aging time at fixed aging temperature decreased and then increased with increasing conversion below T$_{a}$=9$0^{\circ}C$. There exists a superposition in aging rate vs. ($T_g$ -$T_a$) by shifting horizontally and vertically. This implies that the physical aging process is independent of the change of chemical structure as conversion proceeds. It has been found that water absorbed at the aging temperature below $70^{\circ}C$ during isothermal physical aging lowers the apparent aging rate. It is due to the absorbed water molecules forming strong polar interactions with hydroxyl group on network chain and reducing the segmental mobility during the physical aging.g.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.64-73
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• 2009

Background: 15d-$PGJ_2$ has been known to act as an anti-inflammatory agent and has anti-hypertensive effects. As a result of these properties, we examined the effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on the LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA expression in VSMCs from SHR. Methods: Effect and action mechanism of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in VSMCs from SHR and WKY were examined by using real-time polymerase chain reaction, electrophoretic mobility shift assay for NF-${\kappa}B$ avtivity, Western blotting analysis for ERK and p38 phosphorylation and flow cytometry for NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Results: 15d-$PGJ_2$ decreased the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in WKY VSMCs, but increased the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in SHR VSMCs. The upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ in SHR VSMCs was mediated through PPAR${\gamma}$, and dependent on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and ERK phosphorylation. However, inhibition of the p38 signaling pathway augmented the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA. A NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor inhibited the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA expression in SHR VSMCs, and an increase in NAD(P)H oxidase activity was detected in SHR VSMCs treated with 15d-$PGJ_2$/LPS. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 expression in SHR VSMCs is mediated through the PPAR${\gamma}$ and ERK pathway, and may be related to NAD(P)H oxidase activity. However, p38 inactivation may also play an important role in 15d-$PGJ_2$/LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 expression in SHR VSMCs.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.460-464
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• 2011

Poly(ether-block-amide)(PEBA, $PEBAX^{TM}$) resin is a thermoplastic elastomer combining linear chains of hard-rigid polyamide block interspaced soft-flexible polyether block. It was believed that the hard polyamide block provides the mechanical strength and permeation selectivity, whereas gas transport occurs primarily through the soft polyether block. The objective of this work was to investigate the gas permeation properties of carbon dioxide and methane for $PEBAX^{TM}$-1657 membrane and compare with those obtained for other grade of $PEBAX^{TM}$, $PEBAX^{TM}$-2533. And the organic/inorganic hybrid membranes were prepared using $PEBAX^{TM}$ and TEOS(tetraethoxysilane) by sol-gel process, and gas permeation properties were studied. $PEBAX^{TM}$-2533 membrane exhibited higher gas permeability coefficients than $PEBAX^{TM}$-1657 membrane. This was explained by the increase of chain mobility. The permeability coefficients for $PEBAX^{TM}$/TEOS hybrid membranes were higher than pure $PEBAX^{TM}$ membranes. This results were explained by the reduction of crystallinity of polyamide block by the introduction of TEOS. Ideal separation factor of hybrid membranes does not change much. This might be due to the increase of solubility selectivity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.409-413
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• 2007

Polydiacetylene(PDA)-based sensors possess a number of properties that can be successfully applied for label-free detection system. PDA is one of the most attractive color-generating materials, with growing applications as sensors. Here we introduce various PDA-based devices, used as biosensor, chemosensor, thermosensor, and optoelectronics sensor. In general, PDA liposomes and films are closely packed and properly designed for polymerization via 1,4-addition reaction to form an ene-yne alternating polymer chain. PDA-based two/three dimensional structures have been used for colorimetric or fluorescent devices, sensing biological as well as chemical components. This color-generating material also present a very high charge carrier mobility, allowing its application as field-effect transistor (FET). The immobilized PDA structures or films have distinct advantages for the detection of low concentration target molecules over the aqueous solution-based detection systems. In the present review, reported detection methods by using various PDA structures are summarized with updated references.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 1986

The luminescence spectra of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ in poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) solutions varied sensitively with pH. At pH < 5.5, the emission intensity increased with pH up to 4 times, while it decreased with pH beyond the pH. The enhanced emission intensity was accompanied by blue-shift of the emission maxima as much as 15 nm. The enhancement of emission intensity was attributed to the restricted rotational mobility of ligand of the cation bound to densely coiled PMA molecules at pH < 5.5. The sharp decrease in emission intensity with increasing pH near pH 5.6 was accounted for conformational transition of the polymer to more extended structure, which was also revealed in viscosity measurement. The enhancement of emission intensity became higher as NaCl concentration of the solution increased. The binding constant of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ with two carboxylate groups of PMA was calculated as $2{\times}10^5\;M^{-1}$ in 0.1 M NaCl at pH 5.2. The pH dependence of luminescence quenching rate of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ by $Cu^{++}$ also showed maximum near pH 5, and the rate was more than $10^3$ times higher than that in water, whereas the maximum enhancement of quenching rate (about 20 times) in poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) solution occurred at pH 4.5. On the other hand, the pH dependence for neutral water soluble nitrobenzene (NB) exhibited opposite trend to that of $Cu^{++}$. The quenching constant vs pH curve for $MV^{++}$ was composite of those for $Cu^{++}$ and NB. The anomalous high quenching rate for $Cu^{++}$ in PMA solution at pH < 5.5 was attributed to the binding of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ and $Cu^{++}$ to the same region of PMA, when it conforms densely coiled structure in the pH range. The observation of mininium quenching rate for NB near pH 5.5 indicated that the $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ bound to the densely coiled PMA is not accessible by NB, which is in bulk water phase. The composite nature of the pH dependence of quenching rate for $MV^{++}$ in PMA solution was attributed to the smaller binding affinity of the cation to PMA, compared to that of $Cu^{++}$. The sharp, cooperative conformational transition with pH observed in PMA was not revealed in PAA. But, the pH dependence of quenching rates in this polymer reflected increased charge density and, thus, binding of cations to the polymer, and expansion of the polymer chain with pH.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.59-69
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• 2009

RFID tag search system which is used to find a specific tag has an application such as asset management, supply chain, and this search scheme has been given much attention so far. In RFID tag search system, especially, mobility of the reader is important in order to search tags. Therefore, even though the handheld reader cannot connect with the central database because of unreliable wireless connection or remote location, handheld reader should search the specific tag without help of the central database. In addition, in RFID tag search system, users hold not the tag but the reader, the privacy of users should be considered. Since the signal strength of the reader is stronger than that of the tag, the privacy of the reader holder is very important. Recently, in order to solve these problems, a number of RFID tag search schemes have been proposed. However, since these schemes did not consider the privacy of reader holders, there are serious privacy breaches of reader holders. In this paper, we propose efficient RFID tag search protocol for passive tags. Our proposed scheme preserves the privacy of reader holders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.134-148
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• 2021

Background: Lung cancer has a high incidence worldwide, and most lung cancer-associated deaths are attributable to cancer metastasis. Although several medicinal properties of Panax ginseng Meyer have been reported, the effect of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and self-renewal in A549 cells is relatively unknown. Methods: We treated TGF-β1 or alternatively Rk1 and Rg5 in A549 cells. We used western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), wound healing assay, Matrigel invasion assay, and anoikis assays to determine the effect of Rk1 and Rg5 on TGF-mediated EMT in lung cancer cell. In addition, we performed tumorsphere formation assays and real-time PCR to evaluate the stem-like properties. Results: EMT is induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells causing the development of cancer stem-like features. Expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, decreased and an increase in vimentin expression was noted. Cell mobility, invasiveness, and anoikis resistance were enhanced with TGF-β1 treatment. In addition, the expression of stem cell markers, CD44, and CD133, was also increased. Treatment with Rk1 and Rg5 suppressed EMT by TGF-β1 and the development of stemness in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Rk1 and Rg5 markedly suppressed TGF-β1-induced metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP2/9) activity, and activation of Smad2/3 and nuclear factor kappa B/extra-cellular signal regulated kinases (NF-kB/ERK) pathways in lung cancer cells. Conclusions: Rk1 and Rg5 regulate the EMT inducing TGF-β1 by suppressing the Smad and NF-κB/ERK pathways (non-Smad pathway).

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.29-38
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• 2004

In this study, we investigated the thermal properties of corn-starch filled polybutylene succinate-adipate (PBS-AD) bio-composites. Thermal analysis (TA) is used to describe the analytical method for measuring the chemical property and weight loss of composite materials as a function of temperature. The thermal stability of corn-starch was lower than that of pure PBS-AD. As corn-starch loading increased, the thermal stability and degradation temperature of the bio-composites decreased and the ash content increased. It can be seen that the degree of compatibility and interfacial adhesion of the bio-composites decreased because of the increasing mixing ratio of the corn-starch. As the content of corn-starch increased, there was no significant change in the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the melting temperature (T_m) for the bio-composites. The storage modulus (E') and loss modulus (E") of the corn-starch flour filled PBS-AD bio-composites were higher than those of PBS-AD, because of the incorporation of corn-starch increased the stiffness of the bio-composites. At higher temperatures, the decreased storage modulus (E') of bio-composites was due to the increased polymer chain mobility of the matrix polymer. From these results, we can expect that corn-starch has potential as a reinforcing filler for bio-composites. Furthermore, we recommend using a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between corn-starch and biodegradable polymer.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2023

Poly-lactic acid (PLA) is the most promising polymer in additive manufacturing as an alternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Since it is produced from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar beets, it is also biocompatible and biodegradable. However, PLA has a couple of issues that limit its use. First, it has a comparatively low glass transition temperature of around 60 ℃, such that it exhibits low thermal resistance. Second, PLA has low impact strength because it is brittle. Due to these problems, scientists have found methods to improve the crystallinity and ductility of PLA. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most studied plasticizers for PLA to give it chain mobility. However, the blend of PLA and PEG becomes unstable, and phase separation occurs even at room temperature as PEG is self-crystallized. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the optimal mixing ratio of PLA-PEG at the molecular scale. In this study, molecular dynamics will be conducted with various ratios of L-type PLA (PLLA) or DL-type PLA-PEG (PDLA-PEG) systems by using BIOVIA Materials Studio.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.653-658
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• 1993

Background: Recent advancement of molecular genetics has revealed that malignant transformation of a cell may be a complex multistep process and this process is grouped, in general, into two distinct categories, activation of protooncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. This study was focused on the mutation of p53 tumor suppressor gene, because p53 gene mutation is now generally accepted to be one of the most frequent genetic changes in a variety of human cancers. Although lung cancer is one of the common cancers in Korea, the genetic change in the carcinogenesis process is not yet known clearly. To investigate the role of p53 gene mutation in lung cancer, we examined the mutations of exon 4-8 of the p53 gene in humna lung cancer cell lines, because most of the mutations of p53 gene have been reported to develop in exon 4-8. Method: Genomic DNA was obtained by the digestion of proteinase K and the extraction by phenol-chloroform-ethanol method from two human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines, PC-9 and PC-14, and one human small cell lung cancer cell line, H69. To detect the mutations of exon 4-8 of the p53 gene, polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) analysis was performed with the DNA extracted from the cells. Results: The mutation of p53 gene was present in all three cell lines tested. In PC-9, PC-14 and H69, the altered mobility was detected in exon 7, 7 and 5, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that p53 gene mutation plays an important role in certain steps of the carcinogenesis of human non-small cell and small cell lung cancer.