• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.358-366
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• 2011

A homologous series of linear liquid crystal dimers, the ${\alpha},{\omega}$-bis(4-cyano-azobenzene-4'-oxy)alkanes (CATWETn, where n, the number of methylene units in the spacer, is 2~10) were synthesized, and their thermotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior were investigated. The CATWETn with n of 3 and 6 exhibited monotropic nematic phases, whereas other derivatives showed enantiotropic nematic phases. The nematic-isotropic transition temperatures of the dimers and their entropy variation at the phase transition showed a large odd-even effect as a function of n. This phase transition behavior was rationalized in terms of the change in the average shape of the spacer on varying the parity of the spacer. The thermal stability and degree of order in the nematic phase and the magnitude of the odd-even effect of CATWETn were similar to those for the methoxy-, nitro-, and pentyl-substituted dimers, while they were significantly different from those for the monomesogenic compounds, 1-{4-(4'-cyanophenylazo)phenoxy}alkylbromides and the side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers, the poly[1-{4-(4'-cyanophenylazo)phenoxyalkyloxy}ethylene]s. The results were discussed in terms of 'virtual trimer model' by Imrie.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2022

Polypropylene (PP) has been received great attention as a next-generation high-voltage power cable insulation material that can replace cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). However, the PP cannot be used alone as an insulation material because of its high elastic modulus and vulnerability to impact, and thus is mainly utilized as a form of a copolymer with rubber phases included in the polymerization step. In this paper, a soft PP-based blend was prepared through melt-mixing of impact PP, polyolefin elastomer, and propylene-ethylene random copolymer. The elastic modulus and impact strength of the blend could properly be decreased or increased, respectively, by introducing elastomeric phases. Furthermore, the blends showed a high storage modulus even at a temperature of 100℃ or higher at which the XLPE loses its mechanical properties. In addition, the blend was found to be effective in suppressing the space charge compared to the pristine PP as well as XLPE.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Floral Art and Design
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• no.45
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• pp.3-12
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• 2021

The 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is the gaseous ethylene action inhibitor, which delay senescence and wilting by blocking the binding of its receptors. We investigated the effects of 1-MCP with different treated duration (0h (Control), 1h, and 4h) in cut flowers of Eustoma grandiflorum 'Voyage' and Cymbidium 'Lapine Hat'. The relative water uptake increased by 14.5% than control (9.8%) and the flower diameter maintained high from 3 to 11 days in 1-MCP treatment for 4h in E. grandiflorum 'Voyage'. The relative fresh weight was averagely high in 1-MCP treatment for 4h, however, the vase life was not significantly different in both cut flowers. Since the effects of 1-MCP treatment was differently responded by plant species and cultivars, interacted studies of duration and levels of 1-MCP are needed for the pronounced effects of postharvest quality.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.431-445
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• 2022

A quantitative phase analysis method of X-ray powder diffraction was studied to determine the mineral content of clay-rich rocks practically as well as effectively. For quantitative X-ray powder diffraction analysis of the clay-rich rocks, it is necessary to prepare whole-rock powder samples with a random orientation by side mounting method. In addition, for the identification of the clay minerals in the rock, it is required to prepare an oriented mount specimen with a clay particle size of 2 ㎛ or less, ethylene glycol treatment, and heat treatment. RIR (reference intensity ratio) and Rietveld method were used for the quantitative analysis of the clay-rich rocks. It was possible to obtain the total clay and the non-clay minerals contents from the whole-rock X-ray diffraction profiles using the RIR values. In addition, it was possible to calculate the relative content of each clay mineral from the oriented X-ray diffraction profiles of the clay particle size and assign it to the total clay. In the Rietveld method of whole-rock X-ray diffraction, effective quantitative values were obtained from the Rietveld diffraction patterns excluded the region of less than 10 degrees (2θ). Similar quantitative values were shown in not only the RIR but the Rietveld methods. Therefore, the analysis results indicate a possibility of a routine quantitative analysis of clay-rich rocks in the laboratory. However, quantitative analysis of clay minerals is still a challenge because there are numerous varieties of clay minerals with different chemical and structural characteristics.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.76-76
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• 2001

The objective of this study was to optimize the vitrification method of in vitro produced bovine embryos. Thus, in vitro produced embryos at 8 cell, morula and blastocyst stages were vitrified on electron microscope grids (EM grids) or in open pulled straws (OPS) with EG5.5 (5.5 M ethylene glycol, 1.0 M sucrose and 10% FBS in m-DPBS medium) freezing solution and their survival rates after thawing were compared. The embryos on EM grids or in OPS were briefly exposed to EG5.5 freezing solution and plunged directly into liquid nitrogen within 30 to 35 sec. Post-thawed embryos were serially diluted in 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 M sucrose in m-DPBS, each for 1 min, and then cultured in CRI aa medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Embryonic survival rate was assessed as re-expanded and hatched rates of those embryos after warming. The rates of re-expansion embryos did not significantly different between EM grid (8 cell: 42.10%, morula: 66.66% and blastocyst: 77.08%) and OPS (8 cell: 47.36%, morula: 61.90% and blastocyst: 83.33%) methods. In addition, the hatched rates in EM grid (8 cell: 31.57%, morula: 57.14% and blastocyst: 72.91%) were similar to those in OPS (8 cell. 34.21%, morula: 50.00% and Blastocyst: 77.08%). Interestingly, even at the same blastocyst stage, the in vitro survival of day 7 embryos (EM grid: 79.48 and OPS: 87.18%) was higher than those of day 8 embryos (EM grid: 72.10 and OPS: 82.06%). The total cell number of blastocyst developed in vitro after vitrification was examined with Hoechst 33342 staining to compare the embryo quality among different treatment groups. The total cell number of blastocyst was not significantly different between vitrified groups (EM grid: 162.4$\pm$8.0 and OPS: 158.4$\pm$7.1) and unvitrified control (168.0$\pm$5.6). These results indicate that both vitrification containers can provide the high rate of embryo survival. Moreover, the OPS container may not need a cap to protect the container from floating after immersion in L$N_2$. Therefore, this study suggest that bovine embryos can be cryopreserved easily, effectively and successfully by vitrification method using EM grid or OPS with EG5.5 freezing solution. In the future, the Pregnancy rate would be investigated after transfer of our vitrified embryos into the appropriated recipients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2002

The role of heat shock proteins in shielding organism from environmental stress is illustrated by the large-scale synthesis of these protein by the organism studied to date. However, recent evidence also suggests an important role for heat shock protein in fertilization and early development of mammalian embryos. Effects of elevated in vitro temperature on in vitro produced bovine embryos were analysed in order to determine its impact on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) by control and frozen-thawed after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or nuclear transfer (NT). The objective of this study was to assess the developmental potential in vitro produced embryos with using of the various containers and examined expression and localization of heat shock protein 70 after it's frozen -thawed. For the vitrification, in vitro produced embryos at 2 cell, 8 cell and blastocysts stage after IVF and NT were exposed the ethylene glycol 5.5 M freezing solution (EG 5.5) for 30 sec, loaded on each containers such EM grid, straw and cryo-loop and then immediately plunged into liquid nitrogen. Thawed embryos were serially diluted in sucrose solution, each for 1 min, and cultured in CRI-aa medium. Survival rates of the vitrification production were assessed by re-expanded, hatched blastocysts. There were no differences in the survival rates of IVF using EM grid, cryo-loop. However, survival rates by straw were relatively lower than other containers. Only, nuclear transferred embryos survived by using cryo-loop. After IVF or NT, in vitro matured bovine embryos 2 cell, 8 cell and blastocysts subjected to control and thawed conditions were analysed by semiquantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction methods for hsp 70 mRNA expression. Results revealed the expression of hsp 70 mRNA were higher thawed embryos than control embryos. Immunocytochemistry used to localization the hsp70 protein in embryos. Two, 8-cell embryos derived under control condition was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm but appeared as aggregates in some embryos exposed frozen-thawed. However, under control condition, blastocysts displayed aggregate signal while Hsp70 in frozen-thawed blastocysts appeared to be more uniform in distribution.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.72-72
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• 2003

The present study examined the possibility of cryopreservation of the D-shaped and umbo larvae of arkshell (Scapharca broughtonii), in terms of the survival rates after freezing and thawing. D-shaped and umbo larvae of arkshells were obtained from a shellfish farming on Yosu city. The average shell lengths were $93.3 \pm 10.1 \mu$m and $201.7 \pm 13.5 \mu$, respectively. Five cryoprotectants (CPAs), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG), and methanol, were tested at the concentrations of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 M. After larvae suspended in CPAs, cryoprotectants were loaded in 0.5 ml straws at a larval density of 50-100 larvae per straw, and epuilibrated for 10 and 20 minute at room temperature ($23^{\circ}C$), repectively. Straws were cooled at a rate of $1^{\circ}C$/min from $0^{\circ}C$ to $-12^{\circ}C$, held for 5 min at $-12^{\circ}C$, and then cooled at $2^{\circ}C$/min to $-35^{\circ}C$ and equilibrated for 5 min followed by plunging in liquid nitrogen. After storage in liquid nitrogen for 1 day, straws were thawed in a $30^{\circ}C$ water. As soon as straws were observed to melt, larvae were diluted with an equal volume of ASW and then washed twice with a large volume of ASW at an interval of 2 min to unload the CPAs. The results showed that after equilibration for 10 and 20 minute at room temperature, no larvae survived using methanol as CPAs, and it was observed that larval shells all open slightly, and larval flesh broke down and slopped over the shells. The highest survival rates (D-shaped larvae: 77.6%, umbo larvae: 59.3%) were obtained with 2M DMSO, and 1.5M glycerol yielded survival rates of 53.8% for D-shaped larvae and 37.5% for umbo larvae. The surviving D-shaped larvae showed active rotary motion and perfect membrane integrity and cytoplasmic normality, and the vigorous movement of veliger cilia was observed inside the closed shells. The breakdown of tissue occurred in the abnormal larvae, and the isolated cell often run out of shells.

• Clean Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.172-179
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• 2009

The thermoplastic polyurethane waste (TPU-S) with good tensile properties, hardness, NBS abrasion resistance, specific gravity and low wet coefficient of kinetic friction was melt-blended with ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) with high wet slip resistance and low mechanical properties to form EPDM/TPU-S blend films, and their composition-property relationship was investigated to find the optimum composition for shoe outsole material. The properties except the wet slip resistance increased with increasing TPU-S contents in the blend. All the properties except elongation at break, specific gravity and the wet coefficient of kinetic friction in the range of $0{\sim}65\;wt%$ of TPU-S did not attain the values predicted by the simple additive rule. The optimum weight ratio of EPDM/TPU-S for the application to the typical shoe outsole material was found to be 30/70.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2023

The homogeneous catalyst, Ru-MACHO-BH, selectively performs hydrogenation reactions only on the carbonyl group of α, β-unsaturated aldehyde compounds with extremely high reactivity and selectivity. However, the hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes involves a heterogeneous Diels-Alder reaction, resulting in the formation of significant amounts of byproducts, such as dimers. In this study, we used the Ru-MACHO-BH catalyst (Carbonyl hydrido (tetrahydroborato) [bis (2-diphenyl phosphino ethyl) amino] ruthenium(II)) to selectively hydrogenate the carbonyl group of a specific type of α, β-unsaturated aldehyde called methacryl aldehyde, leading to the synthesis of methallyl alcohol. Simultaneously, we applied diols to inhibit the formation of byproducts. The results demonstrate that monoethylene glycol can significantly reduce the formation of diols. Based on these results, we effectively suppressed the formation of dimers containing vinyl groups in methacryl aldehyde by using hydroquinone, which can efficiently inhibit the chemical interaction of vinyl groups. Consequently, the conversion rate of methacryl aldehyde was increased. Ultimately, by reducing the amount of the expensive homogeneous catalyst Ru-MACHO-BH to 1/10, we achieved a selectivity of over 90% and a yield of over 80% for the desired product, methallyl alcohol. These results provide a method to minimize yield reduction while reducing the usage of expensive catalysts, thereby improving cost-effectiveness. We expect that the reaction could be applied to various kinds of selective hydrogenation and has been successfully run on an industrial scale.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.552-558
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• 2023

Levulinic acid (LA) is a valuable chemical used in fuel additives, fragrances, and polymers. In this study, we proposed possible biosynthetic pathways for LA production from lignin and poly(ethylene terephthalate). We also created a genetically encoded biosensor responsive to LA, which can be used for screening and evolving the LA biosynthesis pathway genes, by employing an LvaR transcriptional regulator of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to express a fluorescent reporter gene. The LvaR regulator senses LA as a cognate ligand. The LA biosensor was first examined in an Escherichia coli strain and was found to be non-functional. When the host of the LA biosensor was switched from E. coli to P. putida KT2440, the LA biosensor showed a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and LA concentration in the range of 0.156-10 mM LA. In addition, we determined that 0.156 mM LA was the limit of LA detection in P. putida KT2440 harboring an LA-responsive biosensor. The maximal fluorescence increase was 12.3-fold in the presence of 10 mM LA compared to that in the absence of LA. The individual cell responses to LA concentrations reflected the population-averaged responses, which enabled high-throughput screening of enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in LA biosynthesis and sustainable production of LA in engineered microbes.