• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.555-564
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenosides of Panax ginseng are used to enhance skin health and beauty. The present study aimed to investigate the potential use of ginsenoside Rf (Rf) from Panax ginseng as a new anti-pigmentation agent. Methods: The anti-melanogenic effects of Rf were explored. The transcriptional activity of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and tyrosinase-related proteins (Tyrps) were evaluated in melanocytes and UV-irradiated ex vivo human skin. Results: Rf significantly inhibited Forskolin (FSK) or UV-stimulated melanogenesis. Consistently, cellular tyrosinase activity and levels of MITF, tyrosinase, and Tyrps were downregulated. Furthermore, Rf suppressed MITF promoter activity, which was stimulated by FSK or CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 3 (CRTC3) overexpression. Increased CREB phosphorylation and protein kinase A (PKA) activity induced by FSK were also mitigated in the presence of Rf. Conclusion: Rf can be used as a reliable anti-pigmentation agent, which has a scientifically confirmed and reproducible action mechanism, via inhibition of CREB/MITF pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.296-305
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• 2024

Peach tree gummosis is a botanical anomaly distinguished by the secretion of dark-brown gum from the shoots of peach trees, and Botryosphaeria dothidea has been identified as one of the fungal species responsible for its occurrence. In South Korea, approximately 80% of gummosis cases are linked to infections caused by B. dothidea. In this study, we isolated microbes from the soil surrounding peach trees exhibiting antifungal activity against B. dothidea. Subsequently, we identified several bacterial strains as potential candidates for a biocontrol agent. Among them, Bacillus velezensis KTA01 displayed the most robust antifungal activity and was therefore selected for further analysis. To investigate the antifungal mechanism of B. velezensis KTA01, we performed tests to assess cell wall degradation and siderophore production. Additionally, we conducted reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis based on whole-genome sequencing to confirm the presence of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of lipopeptide compounds, a well-known characteristic of Bacillus spp., and to compare gene expression levels. Moreover, we extracted lipopeptide compounds using methanol and subjected them to both antifungal activity testing and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The experimental findings presented in this study unequivocally demonstrate the promising potential of B. velezensis KTA01 as a biocontrol agent against B. dothidea KACC45481, the pathogen responsible for causing peach tree gummosis.

• 컴퓨터교육학회논문지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

이 연구의 목적은 모바일 장비에 탑재된 학습용 에이전트의 사실성 수준이 학습자의 의인화 효과 및 인지부하에 미치는 영향을 검증하기 위한 것이다. 82명의 대학생이 실험에 참여했으며, 남학생 25명과 여학생 57명이었다. 에이전트의 이미지는 세 수준(라인드로잉, 일러스트, 실사)으로 구분되었고 제스처의 적용유무에 따른 $3{\times}2$요인설계를 적용했다. 의인화 효과의 학습개입(engaging)에서 이미지와 제스처에 의한 유의미한 상호작용이 나타났다. 단순주효과 분석에 의하면 에이전트의 이미지가 라인드로잉이고 제스처를 적용하지 않는 것이 학습개입에 긍정적인 효과를 주었다. 인지부하에 대한 분석에서는 자기평가요인(self-evaluation)에서 이미지에 의한 주효과가 있었으며, 라인드로잉 조건이 나머지 조건(실사와 일러스트)보다 더 높았다. 또한 자기평가요인은 이미지와 제스처에 의한 유의미한 상호작용효과를 보였다.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.506-510
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• 2003

A Zn ion-coated nanosilica filler has been developed and tested, in chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene (CR), as a vulcanizing activator, cum was reinforcing filler. In this study, ZnO was replaced by the Zn ion-coated nanosilica filler with an aim of studying the dual role of this nanofiller in CSPE and CR. In the case of CSPE vulcanizates, the presence of MgO deteriorated the state and rate of cure when the Zn ion-coated nanosilica filler was used, but in the case of CR it improved the state of cure and enhanced the modulus and tensile strength. The Zn ion-coated filler proved to be a better reinforcing-cum-curing agent than was externally added ZnO and NA-22 also proved to be a better curative in the presence of the Zn ion-coated nanosilica filler for both CSPE and CR.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권11호
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• pp.1954-1959
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• 2015

Bacillus subtilis HM1 was isolated from the rhizosphere region of halophytes for its antifungal activity against Colletotrichum acutatum, the causative agent of anthracnose. Treatment of postharvest apples with the cell culture or with a cell-free culture supernatant reduced disease severity 80.7% and 69.4%, respectively. Both treatments also exhibited antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. The antifungal substances were purified and analyzed by acid precipitation, gel filtration, high-performance liquid chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Three compounds were identified as fengycin, iturin, and surfactin. The MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrum revealed the presence of cyclized fengycin homologs A and B, which were distinguishable on the basis of the presence of either alanine or valine, respectively, at position 6 of the peptide sequence. In addition, the cyclized structure of fengycin was shown to play a critical role in antifungal activity.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2004

The development of high tenacity, high modulus monofilaments from Polypropylene/Clay nanocomposite has been investigated. Pure sodium montmorillonite nanoclay was modified using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB) via an ion exchange reaction. Pure and modified clay were characterized through X-ray diffraction, FTIR and TGA. The modified clay was melt blended with polypropylene (PP) in presence of a swelling agent. Composite filaments from PP/Clay nanocomposite were prepared at different weight percentages of nanoclay and the spinning and drawing conditions were optimized. The filaments were characterized for their mechanical, morphological and thermal properties. The composite PP filaments with modified clay showed improved tensile strength, modulus and reduced elongation at break. The composite filaments with unmodified clay did not show any improvement in tensile strength but the modulus improved. The sharp and narrow X-ray diffraction peaks of PP/nanoclay composite filaments indicate increase in crystallinity in presence of modified clay at small loadings (0.5 %). The improved thermal stability was observed in filaments with modified as well as unmodified clays.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.387-393
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• 1998

The formation of titanium diboride ($TiB_2$ ) via the reduction of $TiO_2$ with boric oxide and carbon was studied in a partially reducing atmosphere of argon mixed with 4 vol.%H2. The effect of reaction time, temperature, partial pressure of nitrogen and $TiO_2/B_2_O3$ stoichiometric ratio on the reducibility of oxides has been studied. The phases formed were analysed by using X-ray rowder diffraction and scanning sosctron microscopic techniques. In this paper, we also investigated the presence of $CaC_2$ as a reducing agent on the reducibility of oxide mixtures and on the Ti-B-C-Ca-O phase equilibria. The morphology of $TiB_2$ formed in the presence of $CaC_2$ is compared with the microstructure of $TiB_2$ formed as a consequence of carbothermic reduction. The observed variation in $TiB_2$ crystals formed is also explained.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.930-934
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• 2005

A chloroform membrane system containing a given mixture of benzylaza-12-crown-4 and oleic acid is introduced for the selective and efficient transport of $Pb^{2+}$ ion. The transport was capable of moving metal ions ‘up-hill’. In the presence of ${S_2O_3}^{2-}$ion as a suitable metal ion acceptor in the receiving phase, the amount of lead ion transport across the liquid membrane after 150 minutes is (95.0 ${\pm}$ 1.7)%. The selectivity and efficiency of lead transport from aqueous solution containing $Tl^+,\;Ag^+,\;Mg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+},\;Co^{2+},$ $Ni^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Zn^{2+},\;Hg^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$were investigated. In the presence of thiosulfate as a suitable masking agent in the source phase, the interfering effects of $Ag^+\;and\;Cu^{2+}$ were diminished drastically.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 제어로봇시스템학회 2001년도 ICCAS
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• pp.30.5-30
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• 2001

This paper describes a new design of blimp having wheeled vehicle part. This system can work both on the ground using wheeled vehicle and in the air using the floating capability of the blimp part. The passive wheeled mechanism in the vehicle part enables the stable taking off, landing on as well as it is greatly helpful to keep a stationary position on the floor. On the other hand, the floating capability enables the wheeled blimp to fly freely regardless of the ground condition or obstacles. The wheeled blimp can be used as an agent robot for the tole-presence application. Using multimedia devices such as camera, speaker, LCD and microphone mounted on the blimp surface, this system can get necessary information at the local site and communicate with person from a distance. As a typical tele-presence application, the wheeled blimp is currently being developed to a tole-guidance robot working in public indoor areas such 35 exhibition halls, departments, hospitals, etc ...

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.30-33
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• 1995

UV photolysis of the titled polysilane (Me3Si)3SiMe (I) in the presence of a trapping agent of 2-propenol has been performed to investigate the interaction of short-lived silicon species formed from the photolysis of I with 2-propenol. Product studies show that the Me(Me3Si)Si: (II) and (Me3Si)3Si${\cdot}$(III) are primarily formed as the major reactive species which saturate their valencies via O-H insertion and H-abstraction, respectively. Some products are unstable toward further secondary reaction such as photodissociation and intermolecular reaction. The PM3 semiempirical calculations are performed to deduce the energetics of the photoinduced chemical reactions of I with the substrate.