• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1622-1631
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• 2022

Carotenoids, which are natural pigments found abundantly in wide-ranging species, have diverse functions and high industrial potential. The carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is very complex and has multiple branches, while the accumulation of certain metabolites often affects other metabolites in this pathway. The DsLCYB gene that encodes lycopene cyclase was selected in this study to evaluate β-carotene production and the accumulation of β-carotene in the alga Dunaliella salina. Compared with the wild type, the transgenic algal species overexpressed the DsLCYB gene, resulting in a significant enhancement of the total carotenoid content, with the total amount reaching 8.46 mg/g for an increase of up to 1.26-fold. Interestingly, the production of α-carotene in the transformant was not significantly reduced. This result indicated that the regulation of DsLCYB on the metabolic flux distribution of carotenoid biosynthesis is directional. Moreover, the effects of different light-quality conditions on β-carotene production in D. salina strains were investigated. The results showed that the carotenoid components of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were 1.8-fold and 1.23-fold higher than that in the wild type under red light stress, respectively. This suggests that the accumulation of β-carotene under red light conditions is potentially more profitable.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 2014

Ruby is one of the most favor colored gem, for beautiful red tone, be high in scarcity value. However, rubies with high quality are produced in restricted regions, such as in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Tanzania etc., and they have been gradually exhausted by mining for a long period. Therefore, improving qualities of low level rubies with various treatments is arising an alternative way to obtain better rubies. Gemological and mineralogical properties of the natural ruby from Tanzanian were studied with heat treatments. Those characteristics were compared between only heat and adding flux materials under heating. Tanzanian raw rubies were applied a heat treatment ($1,600^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours). However, chromameter and UV-Vis analyses found that a simple heat treatment is inappropriated for the Tanzanian ruby. Although $Cr^{3+}$ containing for red color in the ruby increased with heat treatment, the ruby displays dark medium red because of Fe in the ruby as a form of $Fe_2O_3$. The low transparency after heat treatment is attributed to the recrystallization of $SiO_2$ which has a low melting point. Chromameter confirmed adding Pb-containing flux under heating greatly improves the clarity and color of Tanzanian rubies with micro-fractures and cavities on the surface. EMPA results show that Pb as an additive fills the cavities and cracks on raw Tanzanian rubies during the heat treatment. As a rewult of it, the quality of the Tanzanian ruby raw dramatically improved. These results indicate that the heat treatment with an additive (Pb in this study) is an effective way to obtain better quality of the Tanzanian ruby. Consequently, this study suggests a suitable method to improve the properties of the Tanzanina ruby. The result of this study would provide useful information to upgrade the qualities of similar gem stones such as corundum and sapphire.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

The effects of $MgB_4$ addition on the superconducting properties and the microstructure of in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk superconductors were studied. $MgB_4$ powder of 1-20 wt.% was mixed with (Mg + 2B) powder and then pressed into pellets. The pellets of (Mg + 2B + $xMgB_4$) were heat-treated at $650^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in flowing argon. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the heat-treated samples showed that the major formed phase in all samples was $MgB_2$ and the minor phases were $MgB_4$ and MgO. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) values showed that the grain size of $MgB_2$ decreased as the amount of $MgB_4$ addition increased. $MgB_4$ particles included in a $MgB_2$ matrix is considered to suppress the grain growth of $MgB_2$. The onset temperatures ($T_{c,onset}$) of $MgB_2$ with $MgB_4$ addition (0-10 wt.%) was between 37-38 K. The 20 wt.% $MgB_4$ addition slightly reduced the $T_{c,onset}$ of $MgB_2$ to 36.5 K. This result indicates that $MgB_4$ addition did not influence the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of $MgB_2$ significantly. On the other hand, the small additions of 1-5 wt.% $MgB_4$ increased the critical current density ($J_c$) of $MgB_2$. The $J_c$ enhancement by $MgB_4$ addition is attributed not only to the grain size refinement but also to the possible flux pinning of $MgB_4$ particles dispersed in a $MgB_2$ matrix.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.474-480
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• 2009

We have investigated optical properties of InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on GaAs (100) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy, by means of photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL spectroscopy. InAs QDs were grown by using In interruption growth technique, in which the In flux was periodically interrupted by a closed In shutter during InAs QDs growth. The shutter of In source was opened for 1 s and then closed for 0, 9, 19, 29, or 39 s. This growth sequence was repeated 30 times during QDs growth. For each sample, the total amount of In contributing to the growth was the same (30 s) but total growth time was varied during the InAs growth. As the In interruption time is increased from 0 to 19 s, the PL peak position of the QDs is red-shifted from 1096 to 1198 nm, and the PL intensity is increased. However, the PL peak is unchanged and the intensity is decreased as the In interruption time is increased further to 39 s. The PL decay times measured at the PL peak position for all the InAs QDs are independent on the QD growth conditions and showed about 1 ns. The red-shift of PL peak and the increase of PL intensity can be explained due to increased QD size and the enhancement in the migration of In atoms using In interruption technique. These results indicated that the size and shape of InAs QDs can be controlled by using In interruption growth technique. Thus the emission wavelength of the InAs QDs on GaAs substrate can also be controlled.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1971

The excretion of uric acid in man has been of great interest because of its importance as an end product in purine metabolism as well as of its role in causing gout. There are many differences in the modes of renal handling of urate among various species of animals. Uric acid actively secreted by the renal tubules of most vertebrate including amphibians, reptiles, and birds. On the other hand, in most mammals net tubular reabsorption of urate appears to be occurred with some exception, such, as Dalmatian dog. In the rabbits, however, the mechanism of renal excretion of uric acid has long been a subject of controversial results. Within a given group it was possible to find individuals with either net secretion or net reabsorption of urate depend on the experimental conditions. Excretion of urate can be depressed or enhanced by a variety of drugs belonging mainly to the aromatic acid group. Diodrast, probenecid, cinchophen and salicylates have been reported as uricosuric agents, on the other hand, lactate, benzoate, pyrazinoic acid, acetazolamide and chlorothiazide are known to be contraindicated to use for the patient with gout since these agents depress the excretion of uric acid from the kidney. However, complex and sometimes the paradoxical effects on the urate excretion by those above mentioned drugs are not uncommon. The experiments were designed to investigate the mechanisms of renal handling of urate as well as the effects of variety of drugs on the tubular transport of uric acid in the rabbits. Male or female white rabbits, from 1.5 to 2.5 kg in weight, were used. The experimental methods used in these studies were clearance, stop-flow, and retrograde injection techniques. The effects of saline, salicylate, chlorothiazide and probenecid were investigated in each experimental conditions. Results of the experiments were summarized as follows; 1. In the rabbits, the rate of urate clearance was always lower than the rate of inulin clearance. The filtration fraction of the urate was one third on an average, therefore, it is estimated that approximately two thirds of filtered urate was reabsorbed. 2. In the kidneys of rabbits, the urate clearance was increased significantly by administration of chlorothiazide and decreased by probenecid. The administration of salicylate had no effect on the rate of urate clearance. The filtration fraction of urate was increased by chlorothiazide and decreased by probenecid. 3. In the stop-flow studies, the U/P ratio of urate was higher than the U/P ratio of inulin in the proximal region, indicating the secretion of uric acid in the proximal tubules. The proximal peak was increased by chlorothiazide and inhibited by probenecid.4. In the retrograde injection studies, the reabsorption of urate in the proximal region was observed, and these reabsorptive transport of urate was depressed by either probenecid or by chlorothiazide. 5. No distal tubular activity was observed under any of these experimental conditions concerning urate transport. The results of these experiments show that probenecid inhibits both secretory and reabsorptive transport of uric acid in the kidney of the rabbits. The enhancement of secretory transport of urate by chlorothiazide in the clearance study was due to the secondary action of chlorothiazide which inhibits the reabsorptive transport of urate in the proximal tubules. It is evident that the urate transport in the kidneys of rabbits is bidirectional nondiffusive flux both secretory and reabsorptive directions in the proximal tubules.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.164-172
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• 2012

This study was aimed to increase the solubility, dissolution and permeation rates of atorvastatin calcium (ATC) using bile salt and/or 2-hydroxypropyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin ($HP{\beta}CD$). From solubility studies, sodium deoxycholate (SDC) among bile salts studied was found to have the highest solubilizing effect on ATC ($4.4{\pm}0.4$ mg/ml), and the order of increasing solubility was SDC>sod. cholate>sod. glycocholate>sod. taurodeoxycholate>sod. taurocholate>conjugated bile acid. ATC solid dispersions were prepared at various ratios of drug to SDC and/or $HP{\beta}CD$, and evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dissolution studies and dissolution-permeation studies. DSC curves showed amorphous state of ATC in the physical mixture and solid dispersion. Dissolution rates of ATC-SDC solid dispersions and physical mixture were markedly increased at pH 6.8, but decreased at pH 1.2 with greater proportions of SDC due to the precipitation of SDC, compared with that of drug alone. On the other hand, dissolution rates of ATC-$HP{\beta}CD$ solid dispersion and physical mixture at pH 1.2 were varied with the ratio of drug to carriers. From duodenal permeation studies, it was found that fluxes of ATC (donor dose: 0.5 mg/3.5 ml) in the presence of 25 mM sodium glycocholate, SDC, sod. cholate and sod. taurocholate $(5.7{\pm}0.9$, $5.6{\pm}0.9$, $4.8{\pm}0.7$ and $4.6{\pm}0.9\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$, respectively) were enhanced, compared with drug alone ($3.4{\pm}0.9\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$). In the dissolution-permeation studies, 1 : 9 : 10 (w/w) ATC-SDC-$HP{\beta}CD$ solid dispersion increased the flux 2.2 times, compared with 1 : 5 : 4 (w/w) ATC-lactose-corn starch mixture as control. In conclusion, solid dispersions with bile salt and $HP{\beta}CD$ were found to be an effective means for increasing the dissolution and permeation rates of ATC.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2018

The epidermis which is stratified by epithelial tissue renewal based on keratinocyte differentiation protects the organism from various environmental insults by forming a physical barrier. Autophagy is a mechanism which mediates lysosomal delivery and degradation of protein aggregates, damaged organelles and intracellular microorganisms. Recent reports have shown that autophagy has critical roles for proper terminal differentiation to stratum corneum via removing metabolic organelles and nuclei. However, whether increasing autophagy can activate epidermal differentiation is unknown. Here, we screened a library of natural single compounds and discovered that betaine specifically increased the LC3 positive cytosolic punctate vesicles and LC3-I to LC3-II conversion in HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line, indicating increased autophagy flux. mTOR pathway, which negatively regulates autophagy, was not affected by betaine treatment, suggesting betaine-induced autophagy through an mTOR-independent pathway. Betaine-induced autophagy was also observed in primary human keratinocyte and skin equivalent. Furthermore, epidermal thickness was increased in skin equivalent under betaine treatment. Overall, our finding suggests that betaine as a novel regulator of autophagy may induce epidermal turnover and improve the skin barrier abnormality of the aged epidermis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

The effect of the migration of nanoparticles near the wall of a channel on the convective heat transfer in a laminar flow of $SiO_2$ nanoparticle suspensions (nanofluids) under constant wall heat flux boundary conditions was numerically and experimentally investigated in this study. The dynamic thermal conductivity of the aqueous $SiO_2$ nanofluids was measured using T-type thermocouples attached to the outer surface of a stainless steel circular tube (with a length of 1 m and diameter of 1.75 mm). The nanofluids used in this study were synthesized by dispersing $SiO_2$ spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 24 nm in de-ionized water (DIW). The enhancement of the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids (e.g., an increase of up to 7.9 %) was demonstrated by comparing the temperature profiles in the flow of the nanofluids with that in the flow of the basefluids (i.e., DIW). However, this trend was not demonstrated in the computational analysis, because the numerical models were based on continuum assumptions and flow features involving nanoparticles in a stable colloidal solution. Thus, to explore the non-continuum effects, such as the modification of the morphology caused by nanoparticle-wall interactions on the heat exchanging surfaces (e.g., the isolated and dispersed precipitation of the nanoparticles), additional experiments were performed using DIW right after the measurements using the nanofluids.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 1986

The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/. Primary production by nano-phytoplankton(〈20$\mu\textrm{m}$) ranged from 43 to 97% in the surface layer. Optimum light intensity(Iopt)was around 300 to 700${\mu}$Es$\^$-1/m$\^$-1/. Surface primary production from 9:00 to 15:00 h was evidently inhibited by strong light intensity beyond the Iopt. Phytoplankton near the base of euphotic zone(30-40m) showed extremely low Iopt suggesting adaptation to a low light environment. Since Iopt represents the history of light experience of phytoplankton at a given depth, the extent of variation in I of phytoplankton at different depth seems to be related to the in tensity of turbulence mixing in the surface mixed layer. From the present study, ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (〉350$\mu\textrm{m}$) contributes from 3 to 19% of daily total nitrogen requirement by phytoplandton in this area. Calculation of upward flux of nitrate to the surface mixed layer from the lower layer, based on the simple diffusion model, approximates 3% of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. However, large portion of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton remains unexplained in this area. In upwelling area near the coast, adjective flux might be the major source for the nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. This study suggests that the major nitrogen source for the phytoplankton growth might come from the pelagic regeneration by nano-and micro-sized heterotrophic plandkon. Enhancement of primary production during the passage of the warm Tsushima Current is discussed in relation with nutrient dynamics and hydrlgraphic processes in this area.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2003

Surface energy and $CO_2$ fluxes have been measured over a farmland in Haenam, Korea since July 2002. Eddy covariance technique, which is the only direct flux measurement method, was employed to quantitatively understand the interaction between the farmland ecosystem and the atmospheric boundary layer. Maintenance of eddy covariance system was the main concern during the early stage of measurement to minimize gaps and uncertainties in the dataset. Half-hourly averaged $CO_2$ concentration showed distinct diurnal and seasonal variations, which were closely related to changes in net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of $CO_2$. Daytime maximum $CO_2$ uptake was about -1.0 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in August whereas nighttime $CO_2$ release was up to 0.3 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ during the summer. Both daytime $CO_2$ uptake and nighttime release decreased gradually with season. During the winter season, NEE was from near zero to 0.05 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ . FK site was a moderate sink of atmospheric $CO_2$ until September with daily NEE of 22 g $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ d$^{-1}$ . In October, it became a weak source of $CO_2$ with an emission rate of 2 g $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ d$^{-1}$ . Long-term flux measurements will continue at FK site to further investigate inter-annual variability in NEE. to better understand these exchange mechanism and in-depth analysis, process-level field experiments and intensive short-term intercomparisons are also expected to be followed.