• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.1660-1670
• /
• 2024

The aim of this study was to modify phytase YiAPPA via protein surficial residue mutation to obtain phytase mutants with improved thermostability and activity, enhancing its application potential in the food industry. First, homology modeling of YiAPPA was performed. By adopting the strategy of protein surficial residue mutation, the lysine (Lys) and glycine (Gly) residues on the protein surface were selected for site-directed mutagenesis to construct single-site mutants. Thermostability screening was performed to obtain mutants (K189R and K216R) with significantly elevated thermostability. The combined mutant K189R/K216R was constructed via beneficial mutation site stacking and characterized. Compared with those of YiAPPA, the half-life of K189R/K216R at 80℃ was extended from 14.81 min to 23.35 min, half-inactivation temperature (T₅₀³⁰) was increased from 55.12℃ to 62.44℃, and T_m value was increased from 48.36℃ to 53.18℃. Meanwhile, the specific activity of K189R/K216R at 37℃ and pH 4.5 increased from 3960.81 to 4469.13 U/mg. Molecular structure modeling analysis and molecular dynamics simulation showed that new hydrogen bonds were introduced into K189R/K216R, improving the stability of certain structural units of the phytase and its thermostability. The enhanced activity was primarily attributed to reduced enzyme-substrate binding energy and shorter nucleophilic attack distance between the catalytic residue His28 and the phytate substrate. Additionally, the K189R/K216R mutant increased the hydrolysis efficiency of phytate in food ingredients by 1.73-2.36 times. This study established an effective method for the molecular modification of phytase thermostability and activity, providing the food industry with an efficient phytase for hydrolyzing phytate in food ingredients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2011.08a
• /
• pp.146-147
• /
• 2011

Processing a large area substrate for liquid crystal display (LCD) or solar panel applications in a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) reactor is becoming increasingly challenging because of the size of the substrate size is no longer negligible compared to the wavelength of the applied radio frequency (RF) power. The situation is even worse when the driving frequency is increased to the Very High Frequency (VHF) range. When the substrate size is still smaller than 1/8 of the wavelength, one can obtain reasonably uniform process results by utilizing with methods such as tailoring the precursor gas distribution by adjustingthrough shower head hole distribution or hole size modification, locally adjusting the distance between the substrate and the electrode, and shaping shower head holes to modulate the hollow cathode effect modifying theand plasma density distribution by shaping shower head holes to adjust the follow cathode effect. At higher frequencies, such as 40 MHz for Gen 8.5 (2.2 m${\times}$2.6 m substrate), these methods are not effective, because the substrate is large enough that first node of the standing wave appears within the substrate. In such a case, the plasma discharge cannot be sustained at the node and results in an extremely non-uniform process. At Applied Materials, we have studied several methods of modifying the standing wave pattern to adjusting improve process non-uniformity for a Gen 8.5 size CCP reactor operating in the VHF range. First, we used magnetic materials (ferrite) to modify wave propagation. We placed ferrite blocks along two opposing edges of the powered electrode. This changes the boundary condition for electro-magnetic waves, and as a result, the standing wave pattern is significantly stretched towards the ferrite lined edges. In conjunction with a phase modulation technique, we have seen improvement in process uniformity. Another method involves feeding 40 MHz from four feed points near the four corners of the electrode. The phase between each feed points are dynamically adjusted to modify the resulting interference pattern, which in turn modulate the plasma distribution in time and affect the process uniformity. We achieved process uniformity of <20% with this method. A third method involves using two frequencies. In this case 40 MHz is used in a supplementary manner to improve the performance of 13 MHz process. Even at 13 MHz, the RF electric field falls off around the corners and edges on a Gen 8.5 substrate. Although, the conventional methods mentioned above improve the uniformity, they have limitations, and they cannot compensate especially as the applied power is increased, which causes the wavelength becomes shorter. 40 MHz is used to overcome such limitations. 13 MHz is applied at the center, and 40 MHz at the four corners. By modulating the interference between the signals from the four feed points, we found that 40 MHz power is preferentially channeled towards the edges and corners. We will discuss an innovative method of controlling 40 MHz to achieve this effect.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.526-532
• /
• 2013

The effect of CNT dispersion method on rheological and electrical properties of polystyrene/carbon nanotube (PS/CNT) nanocomposites via latex technology was compared. The nanocomposites were prepared through freeze-drying the dispersed suspension comprised of CNTs and PS particles. In this study, physical dispersion method, either sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) addition or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) wrapping, was employed to prevent the deterioration of intrinsic properties of CNT caused by chemical modification. The physical method applied to latex technology was very effective in CNT dispersion. With SDS addition, the enhancement of rheological properties was low compared to PVP wrapping because the properties of matrix were deteriorated due to the incorporation of low molecular weight SDS. The electrical percolation threshold of PS/SDS-stabilized CNT and PS/PVP-wrapped CNT nanocomposites was 0.23 and 0.90 wt%, respectively. The enhancement of electrical conductivity was low in the case of PVP wrapping because the non-conducting PVPs wrapped around CNT restricted the electrical connection between CNTs.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.99-114
• /
• 2005

In Part I of this paper, a conceptual approach of the stress path method was newly proposed for a rational estimation of settlements of saturated clay deposits. A detailed procedure for effective evaluation and use of settlement-related characteristic deformation behaviors was developed in order to provide practicality to the new approach. In this Part II, on the basis of the results of Part 1, the concept of the new approach was embodied in the form of a detailed settlement estimation procedure. The applicability and usefulness of the new procedure were strongly supported by various application examples. In addition, possible errors of other conventional settlement estimation methods were investigated by comparing with the new procedure. Because of its flexible applicability for wide range of field conditions, the new procedure will have great usefulness in the practical side. For example, a reasonable foundation design based on allowable settlement criteria can be easily performed and modification of design factors can be readily reflected even during the subsequent construction stage. Especially, the new procedure will be of great use for preliminary work in a large scale construction site where various structures are planned to be constructed on a nearly identical ground condition.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.349-365
• /
• 2006

State of problem : A number of investigation about increase of surface area via various surface treatments and modification of surface constituent have been carried out. Purpose : The surface characteristics and stability of implants treated with anodic oxidation, fluoride ion incorporation, and groups treated with both methods were evaluated. Material and method : Specimens were divided into six groups, group 1 was the control group with machined surface implants, groups 2 and 3 were anodic oxidized implants (group 2 was treated with 1M $H_2SO_4$ and 185V, group 3 was treated with 0.25M $H_2SO_4$ and $H_3PO_4$ and 300V). Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with fluoride. Group 4 was machined implants treated with 0.1% HF, and groups 5 and 6 were groups 2 and 3 treated with 10% NaF respectively. Using variable methods, implant surface characteristics were observed, and the implant stability was evaluated on rabbit tibia at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Result : 1. In comparison of the surface characteristics of anodic oxidized groups, group 2 displayed delicate and uniform oxidation layer with small pore size containing Ti, C, O and showed mainly rutile, but group 3 displayed large pore size and irregular oxidation layer with many crators. 2. In comparison of the surface characteristics of fluoride treated groups 4, 5, 6 and non-fluoride treated groups 1, 2, 3, the configurations were similar but the fluoride treated groups displayed rougher surfaces and composition analysis revealed fluoride in groups 4, 5, 6. 3. The fluoride incorporated anodic oxidized groups showed the highest resonance frequency values and removal torque values, and the values decreased in the order of anodic oxidized groups, fluoride treated group, control group. 4. According to implant stability tests, group 2 and 3 showed significantly higher values than the control group (P<.05). The fluoride treated groups showed relatively higher values than the non fluoride treated groups and there were significant difference between group 4 and group 1 (P<.05). Conclusion : From the results above, it can be considered that the anodic oxidation method is an effective method to increase initial bone stability and osseointegration and fluoride containing implant surfaces enhance new bone formation. Implants containing both of these methods should increase osseointegration, and reduce the healing period.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 1997

To develope more effective extraction methods for paraquat in soil, some modification methods were accomplished in two different types of soil. For extraction of tightly bound-paraquat, conc. HCl 70ml were added with different shaking times, and then $H_2SO_4$ reflux were performed for an hour. In this case, 60 minutes shaking were optimum and recovery were increased more $1.09{\sim}1.50$ folds(84.0% in high clay contents soil, but 96.7% in low clay contents soil) and the long-time consuming step, filtration were easily done, with decreasing filtration time were shorter 4.6 folds(ca. $11{\sim}14min.$). than general paraquat analytical method(ca. $55{\sim}65min.$). And only $H_2O_2$ digestion with different volume and refluxing time resulted in recovery increasing. Nevertheless, considering analyst's safety, 30ml of $H_2O_2$ addition and 30 minutes reflux were regarded as optimum condition. Although, Kjeldahl digestion with $H_2O_2$ showed relatively high recovery, it is not significant statistically. For extraction of loosely bound-paraquat, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0M of $NH_4Cl$ and of $CaCl_2$ compared with $1.5{\sim}24hr$ of different shaking time. There were no loosely bound residues of paraquat.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.242-256
• /
• 2012

QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method has been a lot of research for pesticide analysis, because it is very simple and fast. However, this method requires high sensitivity instrument such as LC-MS/MS because of the use of small sample volume and many impurities compared to the conventional method. So, QuEChERS method needs to be modified for using with HPLC and GC-ECD/NPD. The aim of this work was to study the application of the QuEChERS method as well as its modification for the extraction and preconcentration of 5 groups of 61 pesticides from 4 fruits prior to their determination by HPLC-PDA, GC-ECD/NPD, and LC-MS/MS. The method was validated using spiking levels at 0.1 mg/kg (or 0.01 mg/kg) in apple, grapes, pear and persimmon. The average recovery by QuEChERS AOAC Official 2007. 01 version using the LC-MS/MS varied from 71.1127.4% for 61 pesticides. The average recovery rates using modified QuEChERS varied from 70.9~126% for 61 pesticides by HPLC-PDA and GC-ECD/NPD. The results satisfied the criteria of multiple pesticide residue analysis, setting 70~130% for recovery rates and below 30% for CV.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.491-500
• /
• 2015

In order to improve the runoff estimation accuracy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) curve number (CN) model, this study incorporated rainfall and maximum potential retention as contributors for initial abstraction. The modification was proposed based on 658 rank-order data of rainfall and subsequent runoff from 15 watersheds. The NRCS-CN model (M1), one of its inspired modified model (M2), and the proposed model (M3) were analyzed employing different CN approaches. Using tabulated, calculated and least squares fitted CNs ($CN_T$, $CN_C$, $CN_{LSF}$, respectively), the models' performances were evaluated based on Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), and Percent Bias (PBIAS). Applications of model M1, M2, and M3, respectively exhibited watershed cumulative mean [RMSE (23.60, 18.12, 16.04), NSE (0.54, 0.73, 0.79), and PBIAS (36.54, 20.25, 12.00)]. Similarly, using CNC (for M1 and M2 model) and $CN_{LSF}$ (for M3 model), the performance of three models respectively were assessed based on watershed cumulative mean [RMSE (17.17, 15.88, 13.82), NSE (0.76, 0.80, 0.85), and PBIAS (3.06, 4.47, 0.11)]. The proposed model (M3) that linked all of the NRCS-CN variants showed more statistically significant agreement between the observed and estimated data.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.33-47
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate weight control practices and cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women. 304 middle-aged women were selected as subjects from thirties to fifthies living at J city in Chung-Buk Do. Data were collected using a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, BP & total cholesterol level in serum from April 1, to June 30, 2003. The results of this study were as follows: The middle-aged woman's age is average $43.95{\pm}7.09yr$ and mean BMI(body mass index) was $23.54{\pm}3.09\;kg/m^2$. Underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese women were 3.0%, 39.5%, 27.9% and 29.6%respectively. Subjects perceived own as 'Slim' 5.9%, 'ordinary' 45.7%, 'Fat' 48.4%. Their weight perception coincide their own actual body weight but as many as 41.8% of overweight and 9.0% of obese perceived themselves as being 'ordinary'. Middle age women with past weight control experience were 55.6%, and only 35.5% was doing weight control at present. Of these subjects, 71.4% reported wanting to lose weight and the primary reason of weight control was to improve their appearance(39.53%). The most frequently reported weight control behavior was 'exercise' followed 'dieting', but 39.6% reported using 'diet food', 12.4% 'behavior modification', 12.4% 'fasting', and 'diet-drug'(3.6%) or 'smoking'(3.6%). Effective weight control methods were thought regular exercise(97.1%) & dieting (79.3%). And behavior modification(71.4%) or diet camp(60%) were effective, too. An average waist circumference was $79.80{\pm}9.47cm$, waist/hip ratio was $86.63{\pm}6.78$, waist/height ratio was $50.43{\pm}6.10$. In the index of abdominal obesity, 79.7 % of middle-aged women was waist/height ratio over 0.46, 65.3% was waist/hip ratio over 0.85, 28.4% was waist circumference over 85cm. There were significant differences in the degree of abdominal obesity according to age and BMI. In the index of cardiovascualr risk, 10.9% of middle aged women was systolic hypertension over 140mmHg, 18.7% was diastolic hypertension over 90mmHg and 10.6% was hypercholesterolemia over 200mg/dl. There was significant difference in systolic hypertension ratio according to age. There was significant difference in diastolic hypertension ratio according to age and obesity. There were significant differences in hypercholesterolemia accorting to obesity. The abdominal obesity indices and the levels of T-cholesterol in the serum, systolic and diastolic BP increased significantly according to age. T-cholesterol in serum was predicted 2.6% by waist/height ratio. And systolic BP was predicted 15.2% by waist/height, add BMI to 16.8%. Subject's diastolic BP was predicted 12.1% by BMI. Therefore waist/height ratio and BMI were significant factors for the predictors of cardiovascular risk. There was significant correlation between index of obesity and cardiovascular risk. T-cholesterol in serum had correlation with waist/eight ratio(r=0.174) and waist circumference(r=0.48). Systolic BP had correlation with waist/height ratio(r=0.387), and BMI(=0.371). diastolic BP correlation had correlation with BMI(r=0.343) and waist/height ratio(r=0.327). In conclusion, The prevalence of obesity was 29.6% in 304 cases, and increased as age after menopause increased. Middle-aged women's weight perception and actual BMI coincide but some of them did not. Trial to reduce weight was attempted. But most of them did not actually. Undesirable weight control method such as using drugs, fasting, smoking was used by some women. It is important to educate about health weight control methods and raise their awareness of exact body figures. High frequency of abdominal obesity in middle-aged women had correlation with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal index such as waist/height ratio, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio was used. Women's hypertension, hypercholesterolemia significantly related to body mass index and abdominal obesity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.179-184
• /
• 2018

Resin infiltration has been used as a treatment option for the management of early caries lesions recently. However, the etching procedure with hydrochloric acid might be somewhat stressful for the clinicians due to safety problem especially for young children, leading to less utility. This study aims at searching for some alternative surface pretreatment methods of resin infiltration for the early caries lesions in primary anterior teeth by comparing penetration depth of various methods. No significant difference was found in penetration ratio between etched surface with 15% hydrochloric acid and 35% phosphoric acid. However, the penetration ratio was significantly higher in groups pretreated either with dental pumice or abrasive metal strip (p < .05). By the result of this study, etching with phosphoric acid as an alternative of hydrochloric acid was thought clinically acceptable as a pretreatment method for resin infiltration in early caries lesions for primary anterior teeth. It was notable that surface conditioning with dental pumice or metal strip before etching was effective in increasing the penetration. This procedural modification might be much more correspondent with minimally invasive concept and hopefully contribute to increased safety and utility in pediatric dentistry.