• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2011

In order to develop the environmental-friendly new materials based on soybean protein which is plantable macromolecule, thermal characteristics of the soybean protein resin (SPI) modified by plasticizers (1,3-propandiol, glycerol) and cross linking agents (glutaraldehyde, epichlorohydrin, glyoxal, urea) were analyzed by TGA. Mechanical properties of modified SPI were investigated and fracture was observed by SEM. As the result, flexibility of SPI film was increased by adding plasticizers; 1,3-propandiol and glycerol. Plasticization effect of glycerol was relatively greater than that of 1,3-propandiol. With the application of crosslinking agents (glycerol, epichlorohydrin and glyoxal), strength and thermal stability of SPI increased with their content. On the other hand, in case of addition of urea, thermal stability of SPI decreased and its strength was reduced because cross-linking between urea and SPI was somewhat difficult. Fracture surfaces and domain interfaces of the modified SPI resins were observed with SEM.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2001

The antifibrotic effects of hot water extract (WEC), intracellular biopolymer (IPC) and extracellular biopolymers (EPC) from mycelial liquid culture of Cordyceps militaris on liver fibrosis were studied. Liver fibrosis was induced by a bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) operation, duration of 4 weeks in rats. In BDL/S rats, the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin in serum and hydroxyproline content in liver were dramatically increased. The WEC or IPC treatment (30mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, p.o.) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP levels significantly (p<0.01). The EPC treatment (30 mg/kg /day for 4 weeks, p.o.) reduced the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels significantly (p<0.01). Malondialdehyde contents in liver treated with WEC, IPC or EPC were significantly reduced (p <0.05). But Liver hydroxyproline content was decreased only in EPC treated BDL/S rats to 55% that of BDL/S control rats (p < 0.01). The morphological characteristics and expression of alpha smooth muscle like actin in fibrotic liver, which appeared in BDL/S control group were improved in EPC treated fibrotic liver. These results indicate that IPC (30 mg/kg /day for 4 weeks, p.o.) has an antifibrotic effect on fibrotic rats induced by BDL/S.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2019

Lichens are generally known as self-sufficient, symbiotic life-forms between fungi and algae/cyanobacteria, and they also provide shelter for a wide range of beneficial bacteria. Currently, bacterial-derived biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is grabbing the attention of many researchers as a promising alternative to non-degradable plastics. This study was conducted to develop a new method of PHA production using unexplored lichen-associated bacteria, which can simultaneously degrade two ubiquitous industrial toxins, anthracene and naphthalene. Here, 49 lichen-associated bacteria were isolated and tested for PHA synthesis. During the GC-MS analysis, a potential strain of EL19 was found to be a 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3-HHx) accumulator and identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on the 16S rRNA sequencing. GC analysis revealed that EL19 was capable of accumulating 30.62% and 19.63% of 3-HHx from naphthalene and anthracene, respectively, resulting in significant degradation of 98% and 96% of naphthalene and anthracene, respectively, within seven days. Moreover, the highly expressed phaC gene verified the genetic basis of $PHA_{mcl}$ production under nitrogen starvation conditions. Thus, this study strongly supports the hypothesis that lichen-associated bacteria can detoxify naphthalene and anthracene, store energy for extreme conditions, and probably help the associated lichen to live in extreme conditions. So far, this is the first investigation of lichen-associated bacteria that might utilize harmful toxins as feasible supplements and convert anthracene and naphthalene into eco-friendly 3-HHx. Implementation of the developed method would reduce the production cost of $PHA_{mcl}$ while removing harmful waste products from the environment.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.645-653
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• 2021

Biopolymer is a general concept for high molecular compounds produced by living organisms. Among them, the xanthan and β-glucan, which are organic polymer mixture produced by micro-organisms, are mainly used to increase the viscosity of a substance. And diluting in water and mixing with sand or clay can increase compressive strength and shear strength. In this study, mixed soil prepared by mixing soil with xanthan and beta-glucan based biopolymers specially developed for the purpose of increasing soil strength was applied to the river bank revetment, and changes during winter were measured using ground LiDAR. As a result of analyzing winter changes in major sections using three-dimensional point cloud data obtained through ground LiDAR, there were no changes to the extent that it was difficult to confirm with the naked eye in the two sections coated with biopolymer blended soil. However, soil loss due to Rill erosion was confirmed in the natural embankment section where biopolymer blended soil was not used.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Developmental technique is mixed bio-polymer and riprap to protect the breaking of a levee. Purpose of new technique is restraint from scour and failure of bankside. Technique of this research can apply shore protection and embankment overflow reinforcement works. Because This technique is easy for construction. In order to apply the technique in fields, It is need to conduct the test-bed or real scale experiment study for stability-guaranteed. In case of embankment overflow reinforcement works, It is difficult to conduct test bed in the field. Real scale experiment was conducted in River Experiment Center. Purpose of real scale experiment is to reappear disaster scene by embankment overflow and verify restraint from scour and failure about the technique. In this experiment results, We can find the strength effect of mixed bio-polymer and riprap.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2022

Panax polysaccharides are biopolymers that are isolated and purified from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of Panax L. plants, which have attracted considerable attention because of their immunomodulatory activities. In this paper, the composition and structural characteristics of purified polysaccharides are reviewed. Moreover, the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides are described both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, Panax polysaccharides exert immunomodulatory functions mainly by activating macrophages, dendritic cells, and the complement system. In vivo, Panax polysaccharides can increase the immune organ indices and stimulate lymphocytes. In addition, this paper also discusses the membrane receptors and various signalling pathways of immune cells. Panax polysaccharides have many beneficial therapeutic effects, including enhancing or activating the immune response, and may be helpful in treating cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Panax polysaccharides have the potential for use in the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with beneficial immunomodulatory properties.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.78-85
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• 2023

In this study, synthetic fibers were applied to reduce shrinkage cracks that may occur in mortar produced by 3D printer. We used a biopolymer in powder form made from cactus stem (CS) as an admixture. The material properties of 3D printed mortar were experimentally evaluated. Replacing methylcellulose(MC) with 10% CS increases compressive strength by 9.84-23.92% regardless of the casting method. In addition, regardless of the casting method, shrinkage change, freeze-thaw resistance, and crack resistance are more effective than Plain. Incorporation of CS increases the polysaccharide macromolecular structure and improves durability. Mortars reinforced with synthetic fibers do not affect compressive strength and freeze-thaw. It is also effective for shrink deformation and crack resistance. Incorporating CS and fibers from 3D-printed mortar was found to be effective for durability and crack resistance.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2024

This study employed field measurements and biogeochemical analysis to examine the effects of seasonal conditions (e.g., temperature and precipitation) and human intervention (e.g., dam or weir construction) on the chemical composition of dissolved organic matter, flocculation kinetics of suspended particulate matter, and formation of the fluid mud layer on riverbeds. The results indicated that a water environment with a substantial amount of biopolymers offered favorable conditions for flocculation kinetics during an algal bloom period in summer; a thick fluid mud layer was found to be predominated with cohesive materials during this period. However, after high rainfall, a substantial influx of terrigenous humic substances led to enhanced stabilization of the particulate matter, thereby decreasing flocculation and deposition, and the reduced biopolymer composition served to weaken the erosion resistance of the fluid mud on the riverbed. Moreover, a high-turbulence condition disaggregated the flocs and the fluid mud layer and resuspended the suspended particulate matter in the water column. This study demonstrates the mutual relationship that exists between biogeochemistry, flocculation kinetics, and the formation of the fluid mud layer on the riverine area during different seasons and under varying hydrological conditions. These findings are expected to eventually help inform the more optimal management of water resources, which is an urgent task in the face of anthropogenic stressors and climate change.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.138-146
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• 2008

The chemical compositions, cell wall biopolymers and non-isothermal behavior of the stem biomass of Nicotiana Tabacum originated from tobacco industry were investigated in depth. On a weight basis, the contents of total ash and total sugar are 19.1% and 20.7% respectively. Lignin content was around 3% of tobacco stem biomass while pectin was over 7%. The holo-cellulose content in cell wall biopolymer was around 13% and the $\alpha$-cellulose constitutes 60% of the total holo-cellulose. The thermal behavior of stem biomass showed different patterns depending on either inert (nitrogen) or oxidizing (air) atmospheric condition. In the air atmosphere, the rapid thermal decompositions at around $473^{\circ}C$ and $581^{\circ}C$ were recorded as the peaks in DTG curve, while the peaks were not shown in the nitrogen atmosphere condition. The thermal analysis of the freeze dried soluble obtained from hot water extraction of tobacco stem biomass showed that the rapid thermal decomposition at around $581^{\circ}C$ in the air atmosphere was due to the residual char originated from the soluble fraction. The distinct difference in thermal decomposition between hemicellulose and cellulose were easily found in the DTG curve obtained in the nitrogen atmosphere.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2011

Quantum beam technology has been expected to develop breakthroughs for nanotechnology during the third basic plan of science and technology (2006~2010). Recently, Green- or Life Innovations has taken over the national interests in the fourth basic science and technology plan (2011~2015). The NIMS (National Institute for Materials Science) has been conducting the corresponding mid-term research plans, as well as other national projects, such as nano-Green project (Global Research for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials science). In this lecture, the research trends in Japan and NIMS are firstly reviewed, and the typical achievements are highlighted over key nanotechnology fields. As one of the key nanotechnologies, the quantum beam research in NIMS focused on synchrotron radiation, neutron beams and ion/atom beams, having complementary attributes. The facilities used are SPring-8, nuclear reactor JRR-3, pulsed neutron source J-PARC and ion-laser-combined beams as well as excited atomic beams. Materials studied are typically fuel cell materials, superconducting/magnetic/multi-ferroic materials, quasicrystals, thermoelectric materials, precipitation-hardened steels, nanoparticle-dispersed materials. Here, we introduce a few topics of neutron scattering and ion beam nanofabrication. For neutron powder diffraction, the NIMS has developed multi-purpose pattern fitting software, post RIETAN2000. An ionic conductor, doped Pr2NiO4, which is a candidate for fuel-cell material, was analyzed by neutron powder diffraction with the software developed. The nuclear-density distribution derived revealed the two-dimensional network of the diffusion paths of oxygen ions at high temperatures. Using the high sensitivity of neutron beams for light elements, hydrogen states in a precipitation-strengthened steel were successfully evaluated. The small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) demonstrated the sensitive detection of hydrogen atoms trapped at the interfaces of nano-sized NbC. This result provides evidence for hydrogen embrittlement due to trapped hydrogen at precipitates. The ion beam technology can give novel functionality on a nano-scale and is targeting applications in plasmonics, ultra-fast optical communications, high-density recording and bio-patterning. The technologies developed are an ion-and-laser combined irradiation method for spatial control of nanoparticles, and a nano-masked ion irradiation method for patterning. Furthermore, we succeeded in implanting a wide-area nanopattern using nano-masks of anodic porous alumina. The patterning of ion implantation will be further applied for controlling protein adhesivity of biopolymers. It has thus been demonstrated that the quantum beam-based nanotechnology will lead the innovations both for nano-characterization and nano-fabrication.