• Title/Summary/Keyword: Systems Biotechnology

Search Result 1,493, Processing Time 0.025 seconds

The Role of the Surface Oxide Layer on Ru Nanoparticles in Catalytic Activity of CO Oxidation

  • Kim, Sun-Mi;Qadir, Kamran;Jin, Sook-Young;Jung, Kyeong-Min;Reddy, A. Satyanarayana;Joo, Sang-Hoon;Park, Jeong-Young
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
    • /
    • 2010.08a
    • /
    • pp.304-304
    • /
    • 2010
  • The study on the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) using the noble metals has long been the interest subject and the recent progress in nanoscience provides the opportunity to develop new model systems of catalysts in this field. Of the noble metal catalysts, we selected ruthenium (Ru) as metal catalyst due to its unusual catalytic behavior. The size of colloid Ru NPs was controlled by the concentration of Ru precursor and the final reduction temperatures. For catalytic activity of CO oxidation, it was found that the trend is dependent on the size of Ru NPs. In order to explain this trend, the surface oxide layer surrounding the metal core has been suggested as the catalytically active species through several studies. In this poster, we show the influence of surface oxide on Ru NPs on the catalytic activity of CO oxidation using chemical treatments including oxidation, reduction and UV-Ozone surface treatment. The changes occurring to UV-Ozone surface treatment will be characterized with XPS and SEM. The catalytic activity before and after the chemical modification were measured. We discuss the trend of catalytic activity in light of the formation of core-shell type oxide on nanoparticles surfaces.

  • PDF

Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Bisimwa, Patrick N.;Dione, Michel;Basengere, Bisimwa;Mushagalusa, Ciza Arsene;Steinaa, Lucilla;Ongus, Juliette
    • Journal of Veterinary Science
    • /
    • v.22 no.3
    • /
    • pp.35.1-35.13
    • /
    • 2021
  • Background: African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs. Methods: We sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: The majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4-82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5-65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6-93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5-22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12-6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99-5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91-15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system. Conclusion: Local pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms.

Application of plasma lighting for growth and flowering of tomato plants

  • Park, Kyoung Sub;Kim, Sung Kyeom;Lee, Sang Gyu;Lee, Hee Ju;Kwon, Joon Kook
    • Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
    • /
    • v.59 no.6
    • /
    • pp.827-833
    • /
    • 2018
  • Plasma lighting systems have been engineered to simulate sunlight. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of plasma lighting on tomato plant growth, photosynthetic characteristics, flowering rate, and physiological disorders. Tomato plants were grown in growth chambers at air temperatures of $25/23^{\circ}C$ (light/dark period), in a $16h\;day^{-1}$ light period provided by four different light sources: 1 kW and 700 W sulfur plasma lights (1 SPL and 0.7 SPL), 1 kW indium bromide plasma light, and 700 W high pressure sodium lamp (0.7 HPS) as a control. The totaldry weight and leaf area at 0.7 SPL were approximately 1.2 and 1.3 times greater, respectively, than that of 0.7 HPS at the 62 days after sowing (DAS). The maximum light assimilation rate was observed at 1 SPL at the 73 DAS. In addition, the light compensation and saturation points of the plants treated with plasma lighting were 98.5% higher compared with HPS. Those differences appeared to be related to more efficient light interception, provided by the SPL spectrum. The percentage of flowering at 0.7 SPL was 30.5%, which was higher than that at 0.7 HPS; however, there were some instances of severe blossom end rot. Results indicate that plasma lighting promotes tomato growth, flowering, and photosynthesis. Therefore, a plasma lighting system may be a valuable supplemental light source in a greenhouse or plant factory.

International Certification Marks Trends and Current Regulation Situation of Bio Plastics (국내외 바이오 플라스틱 규제현황, 인증마크 및 식별 표시 동향)

  • Yu, Ji-Ye;Lee, So-Young;You, Young-Sun
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    • /
    • v.24 no.3
    • /
    • pp.131-140
    • /
    • 2018
  • As global environmental problems become more serious, bio plastic suppliers in developed countries are expected to drive demand for eco friendly packaging materials due to recycling regulations and consumer's attention. To catch up with this demand, various types of bio plastics have been introduced using plants such as corn and domestic companies are increasingly interested in this. Industrial interest in bio plastics is increasing to solve the recent environmental problems. The critical disadvantages of the weak mechanical strength and expensive product cost were gradually solved by extensive researches. In order to promote the active use of bio plastics, countries around the world are operation certification marks and standard systems. In this article, we have summarized recent trends in domestic and overseas bio plastics regulations, certification marks and identification labels.

Hydrogen sulfide, a gaseous signaling molecule, elongates primary cilia on kidney tubular epithelial cells by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase

  • Han, Sang Jun;Kim, Jee In;Lipschutz, Joshua H.;Park, Kwon Moo
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
    • /
    • v.25 no.6
    • /
    • pp.593-601
    • /
    • 2021
  • Primary cilia on kidney tubular cells play crucial roles in maintaining structure and physiological function. Emerging evidence indicates that the absence of primary cilia, and their length, are associated with kidney diseases. The length of primary cilia in kidney tubular epithelial cells depends, at least in part, on oxidative stress and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) activation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in antioxidant systems and the ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of H2S in primary cilia elongation and the downstream pathway. In cultured Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells, the length of primary cilia gradually increased up to 4 days after the cells were grown to confluent monolayers. In addition, the expression of H2S-producing enzyme increased concomitantly with primary cilia length. Treatment with NaHS, an exogenous H2S donor, accelerated the elongation of primary cilia whereas DL-propargylglycine (a cystathionine γ-lyase inhibitor) and hydroxylamine (a cystathionine-β-synthase inhibitor) delayed their elongation. NaHS treatment increased ERK activation and Sec10 and Arl13b protein expression, both of which are involved in cilia formation and elongation. Treatment with U0126, an ERK inhibitor, delayed elongation of primary cilia and blocked the effect of NaHS-mediated primary cilia elongation and Sec10 and Arl13b upregulation. Finally, we also found that H2S accelerated primary cilia elongation after ischemic kidney injury. These results indicate that H2S lengthens primary cilia through ERK activation and a consequent increase in Sec10 and Arl13b expression, suggesting that H2S and its downstream targets could be novel molecular targets for regulating primary cilia.

3D printing technology and its applications in the future food industry: a review (3D 프린팅 기술과 미래식품산업의 응용)

  • Yoon, Hyung-Sun;Lee, Mihyun;Jin, Xuanyan;Kim, Su-Jin;Lee, Soyeon;Kim, Yeon-Bi;You, Young-Sun;Rhee, Jin-Kyu
    • Food Science and Industry
    • /
    • v.49 no.4
    • /
    • pp.64-69
    • /
    • 2016
  • The potentialities of 3D printing technology are discussed from technical and research-oriented perspectives for industrial manufacturing of a variety of food products. Currently, 3D printing technology has advanced to enable us to process or cook innovative foods. However, food-based materials for 3D printing are still limited in terms of eating qualities, nutritional values and functionality as well as industrial production. Therefore, this uprising issue on alternative food processing techniques especially focused on the exploration of new food materials combined with these 3D printing technologies needs to be re-spotlighted, and then solved to pave the way to this innovative and sensational area of investigation with more accessibility. In this review, previous research work and industrial applications conducted by frontier research groups in this field are covered, then to open discussion for future research on the 3D printing of food.

Proteomic and Phenotypic Analyses of a Putative Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Required for Virulence in Acidovorax citrulli

  • Kim, Minyoung;Lee, Jongchan;Heo, Lynn;Lee, Sang Jun;Han, Sang-Wook
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
    • /
    • v.37 no.1
    • /
    • pp.36-46
    • /
    • 2021
  • Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) in watermelon, a disease that poses a serious threat to watermelon production. Because of the lack of resistant cultivars against BFB, virulence factors or mechanisms need to be elucidated to control the disease. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is the enzyme involved in glycerol production from glucose during glycolysis. In this study, we report the functions of a putative glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in Ac (GlpdAc) using comparative proteomic analysis and phenotypic observation. A glpdAc knockout mutant, AcΔglpdAc(EV), lost virulence against watermelon in two pathogenicity tests. The putative 3D structure and amino acid sequence of GlpdAc showed high similarity with glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenases from other bacteria. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed that many proteins related to various metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, were affected by GlpdAc. Although AcΔglpdAc(EV) could not use glucose as a sole carbon source, it showed growth in the presence of glycerol, indicating that GlpdAc is involved in glycolysis. AcΔglpdAc(EV) also displayed higher cell-to-cell aggregation than the wild-type bacteria, and tolerance to osmotic stress and ciprofloxacin was reduced and enhanced in the mutant, respectively. These results indicate that GlpdAc is involved in glycerol metabolism and other mechanisms, including virulence, demonstrating that the protein has pleiotropic effects. Our study expands the understanding of the functions of proteins associated with virulence in Ac.

Three-dimensional evaluation of stone models made of various gypsum products (다양한 석고제품으로 제작한 석고 모형의 정확성의 평가: 3차원 이미지의 컴퓨터 지원 분석)

  • Kim, Wook Tae
    • Journal of Technologic Dentistry
    • /
    • v.42 no.4
    • /
    • pp.321-325
    • /
    • 2020
  • Purpose: This study is to evaluate the accuracy of gypsum replica models made from various gypsum products. Methods: One main model was made of stainless steel by CNC milling process. Molds were formed from the main model, and the gypsum replica models were made using 8 types of type IV gypsum, 10 pieces each. The main model was digitized by a contact scanner (Incise; Renishaw) and the gypsum replicas were digitized by an optical scanner (E4; 3Shape A/S). The difference between the main model and the gypsum replicas were measured by inspection software (3D Systems). One-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate the statistical significance of differences between groups. In addition, the independent sample T test was performed to determine the difference between the conventional and scannable stone group (n=10, α=0.05). Results: The root mean square of the stone models were 7.24 ㎛ to 10.78 ㎛, and statistical significance was found between the two groups (SR, FR) and the other 6 groups (IS, SG, CA, CS, ER, EBG) (p<0.05). The accuracy of the gypsum replicas was 9.04 ㎛ and 7.62 ㎛ in the conventional and scannable stone group, respectively. There was statistical significance between the two groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: In the limited results of this study, the product with low setting expansion and the scannable showed high accuracy. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable and accurate scan model, it is more effective in terms of accuracy to use a scannable stone with a low setting expansion.

Trends and Prospects of Microalgae used for Food (식품에 이용되는 미세조류와 이를 이용한 식품 연구개발 동향 및 전망)

  • Kwak, Ho Seok;Kim, Ji Soo;Lee, Ja Hyun;Sung, Dong Eun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
    • /
    • v.36 no.1
    • /
    • pp.66-75
    • /
    • 2021
  • Microalgae are unicellular microorganisms inhabiting various ecosystems of the world, including marine and freshwater systems and extreme environments. Only a few species have been actively used as food. Microalgae are attracting attention as a means of biological CO2 reduction because they play an important role in absorbing atmospheric CO2 through their rapid growth by photosynthesis in water. Besides, microalgae are considered to be an eco-friendly energy source because they can rapidly produce biomass containing a large quantum of lipids that can be converted into biodiesel. Several microalgae, such as Chlorella spp., Spirulina spp. and Haematococcus spp. have already been commercialized as functional health supplements because they contain diverse nutrients including proteins, vitamins, minerals, and functional substances such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), β-glucan, phycocyanin, astaxanthin, etc. Moreover, they have the potential to be used as food materials that can address the protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) which may occur in the future due to population growth. They can be added to various foods in the form of powder or liquid extract for enhancing the quality characteristics of the foods. In this review, we analyzed several microalgae which can be used as food additives and summarized their characteristics and functions that suggest the possibility of a role for microalgae as future food.

Capillary Bundle Model for the Estimation of Air-water Interfacial Area and the Gas-filled Pore Size Distribution in Unsaturated Soil (모세관 모델을 이용한 불포화토양의 물-가스 접촉면적 및 가스공극 크기분포의 계산 및 검증)

  • Kim, Heonki
    • Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
    • /
    • v.26 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-7
    • /
    • 2021
  • Air-water interfacial area is of great importance for the analysis of contaminant mass transfer processes occurring in the soil systems. Capillary bundle model has been proposed to estimate the specific air-water interfacial areas in unsaturated soils. In this study, the measured air-water interfacial areas of a soil (loam) using the gaseous interfacial tracer technique were compared to those from capillary bundle model. The measured values converged to the specific solid surface area (7.6×104 ㎠/㎤) of the soil. However, the simulated air-water interfacial areas based on the capillary bundle model deviated significantly from those measured. The simulated values were substantially over-estimated at low end of the water content range, whereas the model under-estimated the air-water interfacial area for the most of the water content range. This under-estimation is considered to be caused by the nature of the capillary bundle model that replaces the soil pores with a bundle of glass capillaries and thus no surface roughness at the inner surface of the capillaries is taken into account for the estimation of the air-water interfacial area with the capillary bundle model. Subsequently, appropriate correction is necessary for the capillary bundle model to estimate the air-water interfacial area in soils. Since the soil-moisture release curve data is the basis of the capillary bundle model, the model can be of use due to its simplicity, while the gaseous tracer technique requires complicated experimental equipment followed by moment analysis of the breakthrough curves. The size distribution profile of the pores filled with gas estimated by the water retention curve was found to be similar to that of particle size at different size range. The shifted distribution of gas-filled pores toward smaller size side compared to the particle size distribution was also found.