• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2019

Background: Piton du Milieu (PdM) impounding reservoir is suspected to be eutrophic based on the elevated level of orthophosphate and nitrate. Water supplies from three adjacent rivers are primarily thought to contribute to the nutrient enrichment of the reservoir. It is also suspected that there is leaching of orthophosphate, nitrate and organic matter into the rivers during rainfall events and also as a result of anthropogenic activities within the catchment area. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of nutrient loading on the water quality of PdM water and on the population of freshwater microalgae in the reservoir. The enumeration and identification of algae from PdM were performed by differential interference contrast microscopy. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were determined by electrometric methods, whereas nutrient levels, silica and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined by instrumentation techniques. Results: Annual mean orthophosphate, nitrate and total organic carbon input from the three feeders within the catchment area of PdM reached levels as high as 0.09 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L and 2.62 ppm respectively. Over a 12-month period, mean TOC concentration in the reservoir was 2.32 ppm while the mean algal cell count was 4601 cells/mL. The dominant algal species identified were Oscillatoria, Cyclotella, Navicula and Cosmarium. Conclusion: This study highlights the trophic state of the reservoir water and clearly points to the need for constant monitoring in order to avoid the occurrence of an impending harmful algal bloom.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2019

The microencapsulation of nifedipine (NF) with 4 wt% of poly(${\varepsilon}-caprolactone$) (PCL)/polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) or PCL/polyethylene glycol (PEG) was carried out by solvent evaporation method in oil in water emulsion system to investigate the effect of PVP and PEG addition on drug release behavior of the microcapsules. The PVA (emulsifier) concentration of 1.0 wt% was chosen for the formation of PCL capsule having an average size of $154{\pm}25{\mu}m$ due to nearly spherical shape with a narrow size distribution. As PCL/PVP and PCL/PEG ratios were raised from 10/0 to 6/4, the capsule size increased gradually from $154{\pm}25{\mu}m$ to $236{\pm}32{\mu}m$ and $248{\pm}56{\mu}m$, respectively. The drug release rate of PCL/PVP and PCL/PEG capsules increased dramatically from 0 to 4 h at the beginning and then reached the plateau region from 20 h. As the concentration of PVP or PEG increased, the amount of drug release increased, suggesting that the larger capsule size was attributed to the higher drug content. However, the drug release behavior remained almost constant. The PCL capsules exhibited no evidence of causing cell lysis or toxicity regardless of NF loading, implying that the microcapsules are clinically suitable for use as drug delivery systems.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2019

Batch experiment studies were carried out on the adsorption of the major tar compound, 2-picoline, derived from the plant cell cultures of Taxus chinensis, using Sylopute while varying parameters such as initial 2-picoline concentration, contact time and adsorption temperature. The experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Comparison of results revealed that the Langmuir isotherm model could account for the adsorption isotherm data with the highest accuracy among the four isotherm models considered. From the analysis of adsorption isotherms, it was found that adsorption capacity decreased with increasing temperature and the adsorption of 2-picoline onto Sylopute was favorable. The kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, while intraparticle diffusion and boundary layer diffusion did not play a dominated role in 2-picoline adsorption according to the intraparticle diffusion model. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the exothermic, irreversible and non-spontaneous nature of adsorption. The isosteric heat of adsorption decreased as surface loading ($q_e$) increased, indicating a heterogeneous surface.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.479-488
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• 2021

This study aimed to develop docetaxel (DTX) loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (DTX-NPs) and to evaluate the different pharmacological sensitivity of NPs to MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. NPs containing DTX or coumarin-6 were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method using PLGA as a polymer and d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) as a surfactant. The physicochemical properties of NPs were characterized. In vitro anticancer effect and cellular uptake were evaluated in breast cancer cells. The particle size and zeta potential of the DTX-NPs were 160.5 ± 3.0 nm and -26.7 ± 0.46 mV, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were 81.3 ± 1.85% and 10.6 ± 0.24%, respectively. The in vitro release of DTX from the DTX-NPs was sustained at pH 7.4 containing 0.5% Tween 80. The viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with DTX-NPs was 37.5 ± 0.5% and 30.3 ± 1.13%, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of DTX-NPs were 3.92- and 6.75-fold lower than that of DTX for MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The cellular uptake of coumarin-6-loaded PLGA-NPs in MCF-7 cells was significantly higher than that in MDA-MB-231 cells. The pharmacological sensitivity in breast cancer cells was higher on MCF-7 cells than on MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, we successfully developed DTX-NPs that showed a great potential for the controlled release of DTX. DTX-NPs are an effective formulation for improving anticancer effect in breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2011

An abnormal mono-specific bloom of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa had developed at a specific location (transitional zone, monitoring station of Hoenam) in Daecheong Reservoir from middle of July to early August, 2001. The maximum cell counts during the peak bloom reached 1,477,500 cells/mL, which was more than 6~10 times greater than those at other monitoring sites. The hypothesis of this study is that the timing and location of the algal bloom was highly correlated with the local environmental niche that was controled by physical processes such as hydrodynamic mixing and pollutant transport in the reservoir. A three-dimensional, coupled hydrodynamic and ecological model, ELCOM-CAEDYM, was applied to the period of development and subsequent decline of the bloom. The model was calibrated against observed water temperature profiles and water quality variables for different locations, and applied to reproduce the algal bloom event and justify the limiting factor that controled the Microcystis bloom at R3. The simulation results supported the hypothesis that the phosphorus loading induced from a contaminated tributary during several runoff events are closely related to the rapid growth of Microcystis during the period of bloom. Also the physical environments of the reservoir such as a strong thermal stratification and weak wind velocity conditions provided competitive advantage to Microcystis given its light adaptation capability. The results show how the ELCOM-CAEDYM captures the complex interactions between the hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes, and the local environmental niche that is preferable for cyanobacterial species growth.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.545-553
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• 2008

Dynamic deformation behavior of ultra-fine-grained pure coppers fabricated by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on four copper specimens using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were analyzed by their microstructures and tensile properties. The 1-pass ECAP'ed specimen consisted of fine dislocation cell structures elongated along the ECAP direction, which were changed to very fine, equiaxed subgrains of 300~400 nm in size as the pass number increased. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that maximum shear stress increased with increasing ECAP pass number. Adiabatic shear bands were not found at the gage center of the dynamically deformed torsional specimen of the 1- or 4-pass ECAP'ed specimen, while some weak bands were observed in the 8-pass ECAP'ed specimen. These findings suggested that the grain refinement according to the ECAP was very effective in strengthening of pure coppers, and that ECAP'ed coppers could be used without serious reduction in fracture resistance under dynamic torsional loading as adiabatic shear bands were hardly formed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2009

A continuous, fast, and convenient experimental method, replacing recent tests such as standard oedometer or self weight consolidation test, is needed for the determination of the consolidation behavior of unformed soft soils. This study introduced the seepage induced fast consolidation test using the flow pump technique. It can obtain the consolidation characteristics of unformed soft soils conveniently and fast. The seepage induced consolidation test apparatus consists of a modified triaxial cell, differential pressure transducer, flow pump, and displacement transducer. The test continuously proceeds with starting seepage forces induced consolidation, loading consolidation, and permeability test on the same sample. In addition, this test result was compared with the standard oedometer test result to make this method valid. From this study it was found that this method is a convenient and time saving effective method for obtaining data required for calculation of consolidation settlement of unformed soft soils.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2024

Bismuth is a promising anodic for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its adequate operating voltage and high-volume capacity (3,765 mAh cm^-3). Nevertheless, inevitable volume expansion during Bi alloy reactions leads to severe capacity loss and cell destruction. To address this, a complex of bismuth alloy nanoparticles (Bi@NC) embedded in an N doping-carbon coating is fabricated via a simple pyrolysis method. Nano-sized bismuth alloys can improve the reaction dynamics through a shortened Li⁺-ion diffusion path. In addition, the N-doped carbon coating effectively buffers the volume change of bismuth during the extended alloy/dealloy reaction with Li⁺ ions and maintains an effective conductive network. Based on the Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high bismuth alloy loading (80.9 wt%) and maintained a high gravimetric capacity of 315 mAh g^-1 up to 100 cycles with high volumetric capacity of 845.6 mAh cm^-3.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.663-672
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• 2024

The use of nanoparticles as a delivery system for a specific antigen could solve many limitations of mucosal vaccine applications, such as low immunogenicity, or antigen protection and stabilization. In this study, we tested the ability of nasally administered chitosan nanoparticles loaded with glycoprotein B of murine cytomegalovirus to induce an immune response in an animal model. The choice of chitosan nanoparticle type was made by in vitro evaluation of sorption efficiency and antigen release. Three types of chitosan nanoparticles were prepared: crosslinked with tripolyphosphate, coated with hyaluronic acid, and in complex with polycaprolactone. The hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, stability, loading efficiency, and release kinetics with ovalbumin were evaluated. Balb/c mice were immunized intranasally using the three-dose protocol with nanoparticles, gB, and adjuvants Poly(I:C) and CpG ODN. Subsequently, the humoral and cell-mediated antigen-specific immune response was determined. On the basis of the properties of the tested nanoparticles, the cross-linked nanoparticles were considered optimal for further investigation. The results show that nanoparticles with Poly(I:C) and with gB alone raised IgG antibody levels above the negative control. In the case of mucosal IgA, only gB alone weakly induced the production of IgA antibodies compared to saline-immunized mice. The number of activated cells increased slightly in mice immunized with nanoparticles and gB compared to those immunized with gB alone or to negative control. The results demonstrated that chitosan nanoparticles could have potential in the development of mucosal vaccines.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2015

Quercetin and its glycoside, rutin, are flavonoids, which are well known as natural antioxidants. In this study, cationic liposomes loaded with flavonoids (quercetin or rutin) were investigated for their effects on cell and skin permeability, and protective effects against UVA. The particle size of the empty cationic liposomes was in the range of 100~130 nm, and the zeta potential was + 33.05 mV. The entrapment efficiency of 0.5R/CL was higher than that of 0.5 Q/CL. The cellular uptake of the cationic liposomes was five-fold higher than that of liposomes. The skin permeability of quercetin and rutin was investigated using Franz diffusion cells. Compared to the initial loading dose, the amount of quercetin or rutin delivered to the skin by cationic liposomes was higher than that delivered by conventional liposomes or phosphate-buffered saline. From the protective effect of cationic liposomes against UVA ($25J/cm^2$), we found that the cell viability in cationic liposomes containing flavonoids was higher than that of using UVA irradiation only. These results indicate that cationic liposomes provide enhanced delivery of flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) into the skin and may be used for antiaging and antioxidant cosmetics.