• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1242-1251
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• 2020

Objective: The 3×3 factorial arrangement was used to investigate if either high water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) cultivars or suitable time of day that the grass cut could improve nutrient values and in vitro fermentation characteristics. Methods: The 3 cultivars were mowed at 3 diurnal time points and included a benchmark WSC ryegrass cultivar 'Premium', and 2 high WSC cultivars AberAvon and AberMagic, which contained, on average, 157, 173, and 193 g/kg dry matter (DM) of WSC, and 36.0, 36.5, and 34.1 g/kg DM of N during 7th regrowth stage, respectively. The fermentation jars were run at 39℃ with gas production recorded and sampled at 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 22, 28, 36, and 48 h. The rumen liquid was collected from 3 rumen fistulated cows grazing on ryegrass pasture. Results: High WSC cultivars had significantly greater WSC content, in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and total gas production (TGP), and lower lag time than Premium cultivar. Methane production for AberMagic cultivar containing lower N concentration was marginally lower than that for AberAvon and Premium cultivars. Grass cut at Noon or PM contained greater WSC concentration, IVDMD and TGP, and lower N and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents, but CH₄ production was also increased, compared to grass cut in AM. Meanwhile, the effects of diurnal cutting time were influenced by cultivars, such as in vitro CH₄ production for AberMagic was not affected by cutting time. The IVDMD and gas production per unit of DM incubated were positively related to WSC concentration, WSC/N and WSC/NDF, respectively, and negatively related to N and NDF concentrations. Conclusion: These results imply either grass cut in Noon or PM or high WSC cultivars could improve nutrient values, IVDMD and in vitro TGP, and that AberMagic cultivar has a slightly lower CH₄ production compared to AberAvon and Premium. Further study is necessary to determine whether the increase of CH₄ production response incurred by shifting from AM cutting to Noon and/or PM cutting could be compensated for by high daily gain from increased WSC concentration and DM digestibility.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1070-1083
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• 2015

A gene (GT-SM3B) encoding a thermostable secreted oligoendopeptidase (GT-SM3B) was cloned from the thermophile Geobacillus thermoleovorans DSM 15325. GT-SM3B is 1,857 bp in length and encodes a single-domain protein of 618 amino acids with a 23-residue signal peptide having a calculated mass of 67.7 kDa after signal cleavage. The deduced amino acid sequence of GT-SM3B contains a conservative zinc metallopeptidase motif (His⁴⁰⁰-Glu⁴⁰¹-X-XHis⁴⁰⁴). The described oligopeptidase belongs to the M3B subfamily of metallopeptidases and displays the highest amino acid sequence identity (40.3%) to the oligopeptidase PepF_Ba from mesophilic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 23-7A among the characterized oligopeptidases. Secretory production of GT-SM3B was used, exploiting successful oligopeptidase signal peptide recognition by Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant enzyme was purified from the culture fluid. Homodimerization of GT-SM3B was determined by SDS-PAGE. Both the homodimer and monomer were catalytically active within a pH range of 5.0–8.0, at pH 7.3 and 40℃, showing the K_m, V_max, and k_cat values for carbobenzoxy-Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ala-OH peptidolysis to be 2.17 ± 0.04 × 10^-6 M, 2.65 ± 0.03 × 10^-3 µM/min, and 5.99 ± 0.07 s^-1, respectively. Peptidase remained stable at a broad pH range of 5.0–8.0. GT-SM3B was thermoactive, demonstrating 84% and 64% of maximum activity at 50℃ and 60℃, respectively. The recombinant oligopeptidase is one of the most thermostable M3B peptidase, retaining 71% residual activity after incubation at 60℃ for 1 h. GT-SM3B was shown to hydrolyze a collagenous peptide mixture derived from various types of collagen, but less preferentially than synthetic hexapeptide. This study is the first report on an extracellular thermostable metallo-oligopeptidase.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.2133-2139
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• 2012

A new system using $TiO_2$ (nano-sized, band-gap 3.14 eV)-impregnated spherical ZnS (micro-sized, band-gap 2.73 eV) nano/micro-composites (Ti 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.05 mol %/ZnS) was developed to enhance the production of hydrogen from methanol/water splitting. The ZnS particles in a spherical morphology with a diameter of about 2-4 mm which can absorb around 455 nm were prepared by hydrothermal method. This material was used as a photocatalyst with loading by nano-sized $TiO_2$ (20-30 nm) for hydrogen production. The evolution of $H_2$ from methanol/water (1:1) photo splitting over the $TiO_2$/ZnS composite in the liquid system was enhanced, compared with that over pure $TiO_2$ and ZnS. In particular, 1.2 mmol of $H_2$ gas was produced after 12 h when 0.005 mol % $TiO_2$/ZnS nano/micro-composite was used. On the basis of cyclic voltammeter (CV) and UV-visible spectrums results, the high photoactivity was attributed to the larger band gap and the lower LUMO in the $TiO_2$/ZnS composite, due to the decreased recombination between the excited electrons and holes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.193-201
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• 2022

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key phenomenon in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced cell death. However, the role of ROS in necroptosis remains mostly elusive. In this study, we show that TNF-α induces the mitochondrial accumulation of superoxide anions, not H₂O₂, in cancer cells undergoing necroptosis. TNF-α-induced mitochondrial superoxide anions production is strictly RIP3 expression-dependent. Unexpectedly, TNF-α stimulates NADPH oxidase (NOX), not mitochondrial energy metabolism, to activate superoxide production in the RIP3-positive cancer cells. In parallel, mitochondrial superoxide-metabolizing enzymes, such as manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and peroxiredoxin III, are not involved in the superoxide accumulation. Mitochondrial-targeted superoxide scavengers and a NOX inhibitor eliminate the accumulated superoxide without affecting TNF-α-induced necroptosis. Therefore, our study provides the first evidence that mitochondrial superoxide accumulation is a consequence of necroptosis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.326-334
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• 2016

This study was carried out to develop jerky product utilizing spent hen meat. Manipulation of water activity (a_w) of semi-dried meat with the addition of humectants (glycerol and sorbitol at the concentration of 0, 10, and 15%) and roasting process were applied to enhance quality of jerky product. After spent hen meat was ground, formulated, reformed and then dried in convection oven at 85℃ for 2 h followed by 60℃ for 1 h, all jerky samples showed values of a_w ≤0.85 with total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold and Staphylococcus aureus counts were reduced to undetectable levels. Moreover, the results showed that the 15% glycerol added jerky showed superior quality, indicated by the lowest a_w, low protein aggregation as evaluated by sorption isotherm and the lowest shear value as compared to sorbitol added and control samples (p<0.05). Regardless effect of humectant, roasting could improve the quality of the jerky via enhanced sensory attributes by increasing color, appearance, flavor and overall acceptability scores (p<0.05). Therefore, spent hen meat could be used as a potential raw material for jerky in which soft product texture obtained by the addition of glycerol and intense flavor resulted from roasting process after drying, leading to sensory acceptance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.10-15
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• 2020

This study is about the changes in mechanical and combustion properties after the production of the combustion catalysts FeOOH and Fe₂O₃ having the same manufacturing method and application to the solid propellant. In order to make the FeOOH and Fe₂O₃ having the same manufacturing method, FeOOH was calcined at 200, 300, 400, 500℃ for 2 h, and the XRD results were confirmed. In addition, after applying the prepared catalyst to a solid propellant, it exhibited change in mechanical and combustion properties. As result of XRD, FeOOH was confirmed to change the crystal phase from Geothtie to Hematite between 200 and 300℃. The stress of the propellant hardly changed as the calcination temperature of the combustion catalyst incredsed, but the elongation increased when catalyst was calcined. the maximum value at 300℃. The burning rate confirmed that FeOOH without calcination was about 3~5% faster than other catalysts.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2023

Holmium-doped TiO₂ nanotubes (Ho-TNTs) were manufactured through anodization treatment and electrochemical deposition, and optimization experiments were conducted using various Holmium doping concentrations and time as variables. Surface as well as electrochemical characteristics were analyzed to study the prepared photocatalysts. Ho-TNTs were found to exist only in anatase phase through X-ray diffraction analysis. Ho-TNTs with 0.01 wt% 100 seconds shows a photocurrent density of 3.788 mA/cm² and an effective photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.30%, which is more efficient than pure TiO₂ nanotubes (pure-TNTs) (at bias potential 1.5 V vs. Hg/HgO). The photocatalytic activity of the aforementioned Ho-TNTs for hydrogen production was evaluated with the result of -29.20 µmol/h·cm².

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2021

Rare earth magnets with excellent magnetic properties are indispensable in the electric device, wind turbine, and e-mobility industries. The demand for the development of eco-friendly recycling techniques has increased to realize sustainable green technology, and the supply of rare earth resources, which are critical for the production of permanent magnets, are limited. Liquid metal extraction (LME), which is a type of pyrometallurgical recycling, is known to selectively extract the metal forms of rare earth elements. Although several studies have been carried out on the formation of intermetallic compounds and oxides, the effect of oxide formation on the extraction efficiency in the LME process remains unknown. In this study, microstructural and phase analyses are conducted to confirm the oxidation behavior of magnets pulverized by a jaw crusher. The LME process is performed with pulverized scrap, and extraction percentages are calculated to confirm the effect of the oxide phases on the extraction of Dy during the reaction. During the L ME process, Nd is completely extracted after 6 h, while Dy remains as Dy₂Fe₁₇ and Dy-oxide. Because the decomposition rate of Dy₂Fe₁₇ is faster than the reduction rate of Dy-oxide, the importance of controlling Dy-oxide on Dy extraction is confirmed.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.41-49
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• 2023

This study examined the effect of input substrate concentration on hydrogen production of microbial electrolysis cells. To compare the performance of MEC according to the input substrate concentration, six laboratory-scale MEC reactors were operated by sequentially increasing the input substrate concentration from 2 g/L of sodium acetate, to 4 g/L, and 6 g/L. The current density, hydrogen production, and SCOD removal rate were analyzed, and energy efficiency and cathodic hydrogen recovery were calculated to compare the performance of MEC. The maximum volumetric current density was obtained at 4 g/L condition (76.3 A/m³) and it decreased to 19.0 A/m³, when the input concentration was increased to 6 g/L, which was a 75% decrease compared to the 4 g/L input condition. Maximum hydrogen production was obtained also at 4 g/L condition (47.3 ± 16.8 mL), but maximum hydrogen yield was obtained at 2 g/L input condition (1.1 L H₂/g COD_in). Energy efficiencies were also highest in 2 g/L condition; the lowest result was observed at 6 g/L condition. Maximum electrical energy efficiency was 76.4%, and the maximum overall energy efficiency was 39.7% at 2 g/L condition. However, when the substrate concentration increased to 6 g/L, the performance was drastically decreased. Cathodic hydrogen recovery also showed a similar tendency with energy efficiency, with the lowest concentration condition showing the best performance. It can be concluded that operating at low input substrate concentration might be better when considering not only hydrogen yield but also energy efficiency.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.182-187
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• 2021

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a lipid mediator of inflammation that is generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Previous studies have reported that the receptors of LTB4, BLT1, and BLT2 play mediatory roles in the allergic airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA). However, considering that house dust mites (HDMs) are the most prevalent allergen and well-known risk factor for asthmatic allergies, we are interested in elucidating the contributory roles of BLT1/2 in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether BLT1/2 play any roles in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. In this study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT1/2 [LTB4 and 12(S)-HETE (12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid)] were significantly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after HDM challenge. Blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 as well as of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) or 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) markedly suppressed the production of TH2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and alleviated lung inflammation and mucus secretion in an HDM-induced eosinophilic airway-inflammation mouse model. Together, these results indicate that the 5-/12-LO-BLT1/2 cascade plays a role in HDM-induced airway inflammation by mediating the production of TH2 cytokines. Our findings suggest that BLT1/2 may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with HDM-induced allergic asthma.