• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.427-434
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• 2019

The role of hydrophobic residues on protein folding reaction was studied by folding kinetics measurements in conjunction with protein engineering. The HubWA, which was derived from human ubiquitin by mutating the residues at 45 (Phe to Trp) and 26 (Val to Ala), was used as a mutational background. Fourteen hydrophobic residues were mutated to alanine. Among fourteen variants generated, only four variant proteins (V5A, I13A, V17A, and I36A) were suitable for folding study. The folding kinetics of these variants was measured by stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. The folding kinetics of HubWA and V17A was observed to follow a three-state on-pathway mechanism. On the other hand, folding kinetics of V5A, I13A, and I36A was observed to follow a two-state mechanism. Based on these observations, transition of protein folding reaction from collision-diffusion mechanism to nucleation-condensation mechanism was discussed.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.146-154
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• 2019

In this study, alkoxysilane-functionalized amphiphilic polymer (AFAP), which have hydrophilic segment and hydrophobic segment functionalized by alkoxysilane group at the same backbone, was synthesized and used as a dispersant and control agent for reaction rate in the preparation of colloidally stable organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid sols. After reaction with fluorosilane compounds, fluorinated O-I hybrid sols were prepared and coated onto glass substrate to form hydrophobic O-I hybrid coating films through low-temperature curing process. Surface hardness and hydrophobicity of cured coating films were varied with type of solvent and composition of AFAP and fluorinated alkoxysilane compounds. At appropriate solvent and composition of fluorinated alkoxysilane compounds, O-I hybrid coating film having high transparency and surface hardness could be prepared, which could be applicable to cover window of solar cell and displays.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2022

To realize the infinite possibilities of materials derived from wood, it is necessary to overcome the weak moisture stability of wood. Thus, the development of an eco-friendly hydrophobic coating agent is essential, and of these, woody biomass-based materials are strongly attractive as coatings. In this study, eco-friendly hydrophobic wood coatings were prepared using carnauba wax purified from palm leaves and sprouts, and kraft lignin. The physicochemical properties of the carnauba wax/lignin blends according to the ratio of carnauba wax and lignin were observed by morphology and functional group change. In addition, the coating performance of carnauba wax/lignin blend coatings was confirmed by measuring the contact angle change. It was found that the addition of lignin could accelerate the atomization of wax particles, and that micro-roughness can be realized when applied to the actual wood surface, to ensure that the coating effect over time lasts longer. In addition, it was confirmed that the addition of lignin increases the hydrogen-bond-based interaction with the wood of the coating, thereby providing better coating stability and increasing the durability of the coating solvent under friction. The carnauba wax/lignin paint developed in this way is eco-friendly because all components are made of wood-based raw materials and have an excellent affinity with wood surfaces. Therefore, it is expected to be applicable to the coating process of wood-plastic composites and timber composites.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.382-390
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• 2020

Periplanetasin-4 is an antimicrobial peptide with 13 amino acids identified in cockroaches. It has been reported to induce fungal cell death by apoptosis and membrane-targeted action. Analogs were designed by substituting arginine residues to modify the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions accordingly and explore the effect of periplanetasin-4 through the increase of net charge and the decrease of hydrophobicity. The analogs showed lower activity than periplanetasin-4 against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Similar to periplanetasin-4, the analogs exhibited slight hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Membrane studies, including determination of changes in membrane potential and permeability, and fluidity assays, revealed that the analogs disrupt less membrane integrity compared to periplanetasin-4. Likewise, when the analogs were treated to the artificial membrane model, the passage of molecules bigger than FD4 was difficult. In conclusion, arginine substitution could not maintain the membrane disruption ability of periplanetasin-4. The results indicated that the attenuation of hydrophobic interactions with the plasma membrane caused a reduction in the accumulation of the analogs on the membrane before the formation of electrostatic interactions. Our findings will assist in the further development of antimicrobial peptides for clinical use.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.104-109
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• 2007

Photochemical patterning of self-assembled mono layers (SAMs) has been performed by diode pumped solid state (DPSS) 3rd harmonic Nd:$YVO_4$ laser with wavelength of 355 nm. SAMs patternings of parallel lines have subsequently been used either to generate compositional chemical patterns or fabricate microstructures by a wet etching. This paper describes a selective etching process with patterned SAMs of alkanetiolate molecules on the surface of gold. SAMs formed by the adsorption of alkanethiols onto gold substrate employs as very thin photoresists. In this paper, the influence of the interaction between the functional group of SAMs and the etching solution is studied with optimal laser irradiation conditions. The results show that hydrophobic functional groups of SAMs are more effective for selective chemical etching than the hydrophilic ones.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2015

Poly(ethylene glycol) end-capped with pentafluorophenyl group(s) in ABA (FP-PEG-FP) and AB (mPEG-FP) types were prepared. Even though they were similar in composition, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of FP-PEG-FP was observed at $23^{\circ}C$, whereas that of mPEG-FP was observed at $65^{\circ}C$. To understand the large difference in solution behaviour of the two polymers, UV-VIS spectroscopy, microcalorimetry, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used. FP-PEG-FP has two hydrophobic pentafluorophenyl groups at the ends of hydrophilic PEG (1000 Daltons), whereas mPEG-PF has a highly dynamic PEG (550 Daltons) block that are anchored to a hydrophobic pentafluorophenyl group. PF-PEG-PF not only has a smaller conformational degree of freedom than mPEG-PF but also can form extensive intermolecular aggregates, therefore, PF-PEG-PF exhibits a significantly lower LCST than mPEG-PF. This paper suggests that topological control is very important in designing a temperature-sensitive polymer.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.1218-1223
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• 2021

A hydrophobic ionic liquid including an amino moiety ([DiOcAPmim][NTf₂]) was synthesized. Its extraction behaviors towards Pd(II), Ru(III), Rh(III) were investigated in nitric acid aqueous solution as a function of contact time, effect of concentration of nitric acid, effect of temperature, and effect of co-existing metal ions. The extraction kinetics of Pd(II) was fairly fast and extraction equilibrium can be attained within only 5 min under the [HNO₃] = 2.05 M. When [HNO₃]< 1 M, the extraction percentage of Pd(II), Ru(III), Rh(III) were all above 80%. When [HNO₃] reached 2 M, all of the extraction percentage decreased and in an order of Pd(II)>Ru(III)>Rh(III). When [HNO₃]> 2 M, the extraction performance gradually recovered. The effect of temperature can slightly affect the extraction performance of Pd(II). Furthermore, in simulated high-level liquid waste, [DiOcAPmim][NTf₂] showed a better preference towards Pd(II) under the interference of various other co-existing metal ions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.358-363
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• 2011

This study investigated the characteristics of natural organic matter(NOM) with tXAD resin and FT-IR in the Yeongsan river system of Gwangju region. NOM fractionation by XAD 8/4 resins was used to classify hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. FTIR was applied to classify functional groups in the structure of NOM. In the XAD investigation, most of the four site-samples were mainly hydrophilic substances. In March, hydrophobic substances were dominant in the Gwangju 1 site (GJ-1), while hydrophilic substances were dominant for the other sites. In May, samples of all four sites were hydrophilic with a vigorous activity of microorganism due to increasing temperatures. The October results were very similar with those from March. In the FT-IR investigation, most of the broad and large peaks were assigned to the aliphatic group, particularly the OH group, C-H, $C-H_2$, $C-H_3$, and C-O alcohol group. All were related to hydrophilic substances. Other peaks showed the aromatic group, particularly the C=O (Ketone) Group. As a result, there is an identification of NOM in the Yeongsan river system composing mainly of hydrophilic substances and functional groups (OH, C-H etc.) of the aliphatic compound.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.380-386
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• 2013

N,N,N-Trimethyl-10-nitrophenoxy decylammonium bromide (N10TAB) and N,N,N,N-Tetramethyl-bis-[10-nitrophenoxy decyl]-1,6-hexanediammonium dibromide (N10-6-10N), bearing aromatic nitrophenoxy group in the end of their hydrophobic chains have been prepared, and their properties in aqueous solutions have been studied by conductivity and H-NMR spectroscopy. Below the critical micelle concentration N10-6-10N form premicelle with two or three surfactant molecules. Beyond the critical micelle concentration two molecules have strong self-aggregation ability and form micelles of rather small size and with small aggregation numbers. H-NMR at different concentrations give the informations on the environmental changes of the surfactants on their micellization progress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.173-176
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• 2008

MJ0684 from Methanococcus jannaschii is a hypothetical protein belonging to the subfamily Ig of amino acid aminotransferases. In the present study, the crystal structure of MJ0684 has been determined at 2.2 resolution. It reveals that MJ0684 has an overall structure similar to subfamily Ig aminotransferases and its active site architecture is most similar to that of kynurenine aminotransferases among several kinds of aminotransferases in the subfamily Ig?. It has two hydrophobic active site residues conserved in the kynurenine aminotransferases for recognizing hydrophobic substrates. In addition, the absence of any basic residue for recognizing the side chain carboxylic group of the aspartate in the active site rules out the possibility that MJ0684 would act as an aspartate aminotransferase. These structural observations collectively imply that MJ0684 is a novel archaeal homolog of the subfamily Ig kynurenine aminotransferase.