• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Saline soils comprise more than half a billion hectares worldwide. Thus, they warrant attention for their efficient, economical, and environmentally acceptable management. Halophytes are being progressively utilized for human benefits. The halophyte microbiome contributes significantly to plant performance and can provide information regarding complex ecological processes involved in the osmoregulation of halophytes. Microbial communities associated with the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere of halophytes play an important role in plant health and productivity. Members of the plant microbiome belonging to domains Archaea, Bacteria, and kingdom Fungi are involved in the osmoregulation of halophytes. Halophilic microorganisms principally use compatible solutes, such as glycine, betaine, proline, trehalose, ectoine, and glutamic acid, to survive under salinity stress conditions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant growth and help to elucidate tolerance to salinity. Detailed studies of the metabolic pathways of plants have shown that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria contribute to plant tolerance by affecting the signaling network of plants. Phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid and cytokinin), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase biosynthesis, exopolysaccharides, halocins, and volatile organic compounds function as signaling molecules for plants to elicit salinity stress. This review focuses on the functions of plant microbiome and on understanding how the microorganisms affect halophyte health and growth.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2018

Environmental contaminants are one of the important causal factors for development of various human diseases. In particular, the perinatal period is highly vulnerable to environmental toxicants and resultant dysregulation of fetal development can cause detrimental health outcomes potentially affecting life-long health. Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs), emerging environmental pollutants, are man-made organic molecules, which are widely used in diverse industries and consumer products. PFCs are non-degradable and bioaccumulate in the environment. Importantly, PFCs can be found in cord blood and breast milk as well as in the general population. Due to their physicochemical properties and potential toxicity, many studies have evaluated the health effects of PFCs. This review summarizes the epidemiological and experimental studies addressing the association of PFCs with neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. While the relationships between PFC levels and changes in neural and immune health are not yet conclusive, accumulative studies provide evidence for positive associations between PFC levels and the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reduced immune response to vaccination both in children and adults. In conclusion, PFCs have the potential to affect human health linked with neurological disorders and immunosuppressive responses. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the effects of PFCs on human health is still in its infancy. Therefore, along with efforts to develop methods to reduce exposure to PFCs, studies on the mode of action of these chemicals are required in the near future.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2021

Objectives: Pathogenic microbes are causal agents for various types of severe and even lethal infectious diseases. Despite of development in medication, bacterial and fungal infections still persist to be a vital problem in health care. Bacteria and several fungal species have shown resistance to antibiotics used in treatment to current medications. Therefore, it is a considerable field of interest in the design and development of novel compounds with antimicrobial activity. Methods: The compounds bearing a heterocyclic ring play an imperative role among other organic compounds with pharmacological activity used as drugs in human for control and cure of various infections. Thiadiazoles containing nitrogen-sulfur atom as part of their cyclic structure which shown wide-ranging application as structural units of biologically active molecules and are very useful intermediates in Medicinal Chemistry. Results: The effectiveness of the thiadiazole nucleus was established by the drugs currently used for the treatment of various infections. 1,3,4-Thiadiazoles and some of their derivatives are widely studied because of their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Conclusion: In the present work, a series of 1,3,4-Thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized by cyclization of a group of various benzaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide in the presence of various reagent like FeCl3, HCHO by losing a molecule of water. These derivatives were found to possess prominent antimicrobial activity.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

With rapid growth in light-harvesting efficiency from 3.8 to 25.8%, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted great attention as promising photovoltaic devices. However, despite of their outstanding performance, the commercialization of PSCs has been suffered from severe stability issues, especially for UV and humidity: (i) UV irradiation towards PSCs is able to lead UV-induced decomposition of perovskite films or catalytic reactions of charge-transporting layers, and (ii) exposure to surrounding humidity causes irreversible hydration of perovskite layers by the penetration of water molecules, resulting considerable decrease in their power-conversion efficiency (PCE). This review investigates current status of strategies to enhance UV and humidity stability of PSCs in terms of UV-management and moisture protection, respectively. Furthermore, the multifunctional approach to increase long-term stability as well as performance is discussed as advanced research directions for the commercialization of PSCs.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.448-451
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• 2007

A new bis(dicyclohexylammonium) chromate dihydrate complex, $[(C_6H_{11})_2NH_2]_2[CrO_4]{\cdot}2H_2O$, (I), has been synthesized and its structure analyzed by FT-IR, EDS, elemental analysis, ICP-AES, and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The Cr(VI) complex (I) is tetragonal system, I${\bar{4}}$2d space group with a = 12.5196(1), b = 12.5196(1), c = $17.3796(3){\AA}$, a = ${\beta}$ = ${\gamma}$ = $90^{\circ}$, V = $2724.09(6){\AA}^3$, Z = 4. The crystal structure of complex (I) consists of tetrahedral chromate $[CrO_4]^{2-}$ anion, two organic dicyclohexylammonium $[(C_6H_{11})_2NH_2]^+$ cations and two lattice water molecules. The chromate anion and protonated dicyclohexylammonium cation is mainly constructed through the ionic bond. The cyclohexylammonium rings of the dicyclohexylammonium cation take the chair form and vertical configuration with each other. The N-H${\cdot}$O and O-H${\cdot}$O hydrogen bond networks between the $N_{dicyclohexylammonium}$, $O_{water}$ and $O_{chromate}$ atom lead to self-assembled molecular conformation and stabilize the crystal structure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2022.11a
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• pp.73-74
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• 2022

The corrosion inhibitive effect of a new hydrazone-based heterocyclic compound for steel in simulated concrete pore solution with 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride was investigated by experimental and computational techniques. Electrochemical studies, up to 30 days of immersion, and surface analysis (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM)) were performed to assess the corrosion protection abilities of investigated compound for steel rebar. Results showed that adding the organic compound to the chloride contaminated concrete pore solution decreased the corrosion rate of the steel rebar thanks to the effective adsorption of inhibitor molecules. After 30 days of immersion of steel rebar in inhibited chloride contaminated synthetic concrete pore solution, the inhibition efficiency exceeded 80% at low concentration of 1 mmol/L. Computational studies by Density Functional based Tight Binding (DFTB) method revealed the formation of covalent bonds between the hydrazone molecule and the iron surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.255-256
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• 2023

The development of corrosion inhibitors with outstanding performance is a never-ending and complex process engaged in by researchers, engineers and practitioners. Computational assessment of organic corrosion inhibitors performance is a crucial step towards the design of new task-pecific materials. Herein, electronic features, adsorption characteristics and bonding mechanisms of two pyridine oximes, namely 2-pyridylaldoxime (2POH) and 3-pyridylaldoxime (3POH) with the iron surface were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD), and self-consistent-charge density-unctional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) simulations. SCC-DFTB simulations revealed that 3POH molecule can form covalent bonds with iron atoms in its neutral and protonated states, while 2POH molecule can only bond with iron through its protonated form, resulting in interaction energies of -2.534, -2.007, -1.897, and -0.007 eV for 3POH, 3POH+, 2POH+, and 2POH, respectively. Projected density of states (PDOSs) analysis of pyridines-Fe(110) interactions indicated that pyridine molecules chemically adsorbed on the iron surface.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.314-321
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• 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of thymus extract on corrosion inhibition of aluminum 5083 alloy in a 0.1 M NaCl medium prepared using a mixture of ethylene glycol and water using potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The potentiodynamic electrochemical technique showed an increase in corrosion inhibition efficiency starting from 49.63% at a concentration of 0.25 g/L to 92.71% at a maximum concentration of 1.25 g/L of the extract. These results were consistent with those obtained via EIS analysis. Spectral characterization of the tested plant extract using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique confirmed the presence of organic compounds having different oxygen and aromatic functionalities in the extract that could help enhance the adsorption of these compounds on the aluminum surface. This study reveals possible adsorption isotherm of the thymus extract on the aluminum surface, supporting a Langmuir isotherm for the adsorption of inhibitor molecules on this surface.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.393-405
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• 2018

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are representative air pollutants due to their detrimental effects on human health and their role in formation of secondary organic aerosols. Assessments and monitoring programs of VOCs using periodic grab sampling like Tedlar bags, canisters, and sorbent traps provide limited information, often with delay times of days or weeks. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is an emerging analytical technique for the real-time quantification of VOCs in air. It relies on chemical ionization of the VOCs molecules in air introduced into helium carrier gas using $H_3O^+$, $NO^+$, and $O_2{^+}$ precursor ions. Real-time monitoring method of 60 VOCs in the ambient air was developed using TO-15 standard gas mixture. Calibration curves, method detection limit, and quantitation reproducibility of the target compounds were tested. Dynamic dilution system was used to dilute standard gas from 0.174 ppbv to 100 ppbv, where calibration curves showed good linearity with $r^2$> 0.95 in all target analytes. Limit of detection (LOD) all compounds were sub ppbv, and some halogenated compounds showed pptv levels. Seven consecutive analyses of target compounds showed good repeatability with relative standard deviation of less than 10%. One day monitoring of VOCs in ambient air was conducted in Geoje. Average concentration of target VOCs in Geoje were relatively lower than other regions, among which formaldehyde showed the highest concentration ($15.4{\pm}5.78ppbv$). SIFT-MS provided good temporal resolution data (1 data per 3.2 minute), which can be used for identifying ephemeral short-term event. It is expected that SIFT-MS will be a versatile monitoring platform for VOCs in ambient air.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.433-437
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• 2013

Electrical discharge plasma created in a multi-channel porous ceramic membrane-supported catalyst was applied to the decomposition of a volatile organic compound (VOC). For the purpose of improving the oxidation capability, the ceramic membrane used as a low-pressure drop catalyst support was loaded with zinc oxide photocatalyst by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Alternating current-driven discharge plasma was created inside the porous ceramic membrane to produce reactive species such as radicals, ozone, ions and excited molecules available for the decomposition of VOC. As the voltage supplied to the reactor increased, the plasma discharge gradually propagated in the radial direction, creating an uniform plasma in the entire ceramic membrane above a certain voltage. Ethylene was used as a model VOC. The ethylene decomposition efficiency was examined with experimental variables such as the specific energy density, inlet ethylene concentration and zinc oxide loading. When compared at the identical energy density, the decomposition efficiency obtained with the zinc oxide-loaded ceramic membrane was substantially higher than that of the bare membrane case. Both nitrogen and oxygen played an important role in initiating the decomposition of ethylene. The rate of the decomposition is governed by the quantity of reactive species generated by the plasma, and a strong dependence of the decomposition efficiency on the initial concentration was observed.