• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.303-309
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• 2006

In this study, functional anion-exchange membranes have been prepared and characterized to improve the permeation fluxes of the anion and urea for peritoneum dialysis. They were prepared by UV and radiation graft polymerization methods. The separation-membrane prepared by UV graft polymerization showed the highest grafting degree when HEMA and VBTAC were mixed by 1:2 ratio. However, the grafting degree decreased slightly at compositions above the 1:2 ratio because of the disruption of UV penetration caused by build-up of homopolymer. In the case of photo-initiator, the grafting degree increased up to 0.2 wt%, above which it decreased to a small extent. For the two membranes prepared by radiation graft polymerization, the VBTAC/HEMA membrane showed 96% grafting degree for 6 h reaction time and the GMA membrane showed over 100% grafting degree for 2 h reaction time. Anion-exchange membranes were prepared with 113% grafting degree and with DEA and TEA exchange groups. The DEA membrane showed the conversion degree of 70% in 4 h reaction time while the TEA membrane showed 30% in 2 h reaction time. The prepared anion-exchange membranes were permeable to only anions and urea, but not cations.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.458-464
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• 2006

The Pd-Ni-Ag alloy composite membrane using modified porous stainless steel (PSS) as a substrate was prepared by a electroless plating technique. In this work, we have introduced the intermediate layer between Pd-based alloy and a metal substrate. As an intermediate layer, the mixtures of nickel powder and inorganic sol such as $SiO_{2}$ sol, $Al_{2}O_{3}$ sol, and $TiO_{2}$ sol were used. The intermediate layers were coated onto a PSS substrate according to various membrane preparation conditions and then $N_{2}$ fluxes through the membranes with different intermediate layers were measured. The surface morphology of the intermediate layer in the mixture of nickel powder and inorganic sol was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, the Pd-Ni-Ag alloy composite membrane using the support coated with the mixture of nickel powder and silica as an intermediate layer was fabricated and then the gas permeances for $H_{2}$ and $N_{2}$ through the Pd-based membrane were investigated. The selectivity of $H_2/N_2$ was infinite and the $H_{2}$ flux was $1.39{\times}10^{-2}mol/m^2{\cdot}s$ at the temperature of $500^{\circ}C$ and trans-membrane pressure difference of 1 bar.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2014

In membrane bio-reactor (MBR), the aeration control is one of the important independent variables to decrease fouling and to save energy with shear stress change on the membrane surface. The paper was carried out for numerical simulation of 3-dimensional fluid flow phenomena of the cylindrical bioreactor with submerged flat membranes equipped in the center and supplied the air from the bottom by using the COMSOL program. The viscosity and temperature of solution were assumed to be constant, and the specific air demand based on permeate volume ($SAD_p$) defined as scouring air per permeate rates was used as a variable. The calculated CFD velocities were compared with those of the velocity meter measurement and video image analysis, respectively. The results were good agreement each other within 11% error. For fluid flow in the reactor the liquid velocity increased rapidly between the air diffuser and membrane module, but the velocity decreased during flowing of the membrane module. Also, the velocity increased as it was near from the reactor wall to the central axis. The calculated shear stress on the membrane surface showed the highest value at the center part of the module bottom side and increased as aeration rate increased. Especially, the wall shear stress increased dramatically as the aeration rate increased from 0.15 to 0.25 L/min.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.354-361
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• 2008

Effects of operational conditions and solution chemistry on permeate flux in a hybrid ozone-ceramic ultra-filtration (UF) membrane system treating natural organic matter (NOM) were investigated. Results showed that the extent of permeate flux decline was higher at higher cross-flow velocity and ozone dosage, but it was higher at lower transmembrane pressure (TMP). The mechanism of fouling mitigation was found to be more dependent upon reaction between ozone and natural organic matter at/near catalytic membrane surface than scouring effect due to ozone gas bubbles. Addition of calcium into model NOM solution at high pH led to significant decline in permeate flux while the calcium effect on permeate flux decline was less pronounced at lower pH. After permeate flux decline during the early stage of filtration, the flux started recovering and approached fully to the initial value of it due to degradation of NOM by catalytic ozonation at ceramic membrane surface in the hybrid ozone-ceramic membrane system.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2009

We prepared monodispersed spherical silica microgels by controlling various conditions of emulsification procedure using a lab-scale membrane emulsification system equipped with SPG (Shirasu porous glass) porous membrane having pore size of $1.5{\mu}m$. We determined the effects of process parameters of membrane emulsification (ratio of dispersed phase to continuous phase, sodium silicate concentration, emulsifier concentration, dispersed phase pressure, stirring speed) on the mean size and size distribution of silica microgels. The increase of the ratio of dispersed phase to continuous phase, dispersed phase pressure and sodium silicate concentration led to the increase in the mean size of microgels. On the contrary, the increase in emulsifier concentration and stirring speed of the continuous phase caused the reduction of the mean size of microgels. Through controlling these parameters, monodisperse spherical silica microgels with about $6{\mu}m$ of the mean size were finally prepared.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.759-769
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• 2002

Mutated forms of ras are found in many human tumors and the rate of incidence is significantly higher in colon and pancreatic cancers. The protein product from the ras oncogene is a small G-protein, $p21^{ras}{\;}(Ras)$ that is known to playa key role in the signal transduction cascade and cell differentiation and proliferation. Mutated Ras is unable to regulate itself and remains constantly activated, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The function of Ras in signal transduction requires its location near the growth factor receptor at the cell membrane. However, Ras does not have a transmembrane domain. Ras requires farnesylation to increase its hydrophobicity and subsequent plasma membrane association for its transforming activity. This key post-translational modification is catalyzed by the enzyme Ras farnesyltransferase (FTase), which transfers a farnesyl group from farnesylpyrophosphate to the C-terminal cysteine of the Ras protein. The requirement has focused attention on FTase as a target for therapeutic intervention. Selective inhibition of FTase will prevent Ras protein from association with the plasma membrane, leading to a disruption of oncogenic Ras function.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.69-72
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• 1995

Dry orderly oriented purple membrane from Halobacterium halobium was obtained by a new technique of preparation. This oriented purple membrane film was very stable, nearly permanently, and showed long term reproducibility with respect to its photochemical behavior. In addition, we have investigated the photooptical properties in terms of the M$_{412}$ intermediate of the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle with respect to the humidity of the film. The relative optical density, i.e. its apparent concentration of the M$_{412}$ intermediate was decreased with the humidity increase as a function of the intensity of the exciting flash within our experimental range. It is suggested that the bound water molecules play an important role in the structure of the bacteriorhodopsin.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-29
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• 1994

The development of separation technology is an important research subject as is clear from its role in the Japanese government's research and development program for basic technology for the next generation(1981~1990). Japan is poor not only in mineral resources but also in energy resources and if a sudden change occurs in oil producing facility or an accident occurs in a nuclear power plant, then energy policy must undergo changes and economic foundations may collapse. Japan has already experienced this. Although, oil prices are stable at present and Japan can import oil at low cost due to the yen appreciation, Japan needs to promote development work for any new energy crisis that may come in the future. This has been the motive for gas separation membrane development in Japan. The study of gas permeation through polymer membranes, which is the basis for membranes for gas separation, at Japanese universities began many years ago, but interest in membranes for gas separation was aroused mainly by the Government. The development of gas separation membranes in Japan started with membranes for oxygen separation on an industrial scale.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 2010

This paper will integrate models at different levels (from filtration, backwashing to chemical cleaning and membrane lifetime) that can be used to minimize overall operating costs of a dead-end ultra filtration process that is used for the purification of surface water. Integration of the models leads to a multi-level optimization problem (at different levels different objectives should be reached). This problem is solved as a MINLP. Systematic modelling and optimization of membrane systems is not extensively discussed in the scientific literature. In this paper the first steps are taken in the formulation of proper models and the use of systems engineering tools to come to real optimal operating conditions. The optimized variables are used to calculate fouling profiles which can subsequently be used as inputs for a control system that actually enforces the profiles to a real pilot plant.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.75-75
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• 2003

We report upon the cytotoxic activity of the ginseng saponin metabolite, Compound K (20-O-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol, IH90l) on various human leukemia cell lines. Compound K had most effect on U937, a human monocytic leukemia cell line, which on treatment showed; a exposure of phosphatidylserine from the inner cell membrane to the outer cell membrane, the formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation, - characteristics of apoptosis. Compound K induced apoptosis by up-regulating Bax, disrupting the mitochondria membrane potential, and by activating caspase 9 and caspase 3. Therefore, we suggest that Compound K inhibit U937 cell growth by inducing apoptosis through the up-regulation of Bax and caspase activation.