• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2012

$Kalopanax$ $pictus$ is a long-lived deciduous perennial tree in the family Araliaceae mainly distributed in the East Asia. In Korea, this species is of ecological and medical importance. Because typical populations of this species are small and distributed in patches, $K.$ $pictus$ has been considered as a narrow habitat species. To understand the genetic diversity and population structure of this species, the sequence variation of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was analyzed among 18 different $K.$ $pictus$ populations in the present investigation. The nrDNA ITS sequences of Korean populations investigated in this study showed identical of 616 bp in length, and no any nucleotide variation was found in the entire nrDNA ITS region sequence. This result suggested that the $K.$ $pictus$ populations in Korea might belong to the same isolate, and no mutation was found in the nrDNA ITS region. Compared with other known ITS sequence sources from $K.$ $pictus$ populations, only four variable nucleotide sites were found within the entire ITS region. Very narrow genetic diversity appearing in the population level of $K.$ $pictus$ makes us hypothesize that their relatively isolated habitats. The long-lived traits might be one main reason. However, another probability was that the nr-DNA ITS region might be noneffective in classifying populations of $K.$ $pictus$. Thus, to further understand the phylogenetic relationship of $K.$ $pictus$ populations, more samplings should be performed based on more DNA sequences.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2019

China has become the second largest economy since 2010. China's economy is supported by the rapid growth of its automobile industry. The rapid growth of the automobile and tire industry will increase the natural rubber (NR) demand as its primary raw materials. Although as a significant producer, China cannot fulfill the consumption by its domestic production. Thus China relies heavily on import from Southeast Asia countries as the primary producers of natural rubber in the world. China and Southeast Asia are dependent on their economy in terms of the availability of natural rubber as raw materials. But the economic slowdown in China since 2008 is expected to affect the international trading between China and Southeast Asia countries. This research aims to analyze the determinants of NR export from Southeast Asia to China using panel data analysis. The results show NR price, exchange rate, and China's economic slowdown significantly affect NR export to China, while Southeast Asian NR production has no significant effect. China as the main importer of NR from Southeast Asia has a big role in growing NR export in Southeast Asia. If China's economy doesn't improve soon, it will affect the economy in Southeast Asia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2010

Objectives : The original plant species of Schisandrae Fructus (O-mi-ja) is prescribed as Schisandra chinensis $B_{AILL.}$, in Korea, but S. chinensis $B_{AILL.}$ and S. sphenanthera $R_{EHD.}$ et $W_{ILS.}$ in China. Moreover, fruit of several other species in genus Schisandra also have been used as the same herbal medicines. To develop a reliable method for correct identification of Schisandrae Fructus and to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship of S. chinensis and its related species, we analyzed internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). Methods : Twenty-four plant samples of three Schisandra species and one Kadsura species, S. chinensis $B_{AILL.}$, S. spenanthera $R_{EHD.}$ et $W_{ILS.}$, S. nigra $M_{ax.}$ and Kadsura japonica $D_{UNAL}$ were collected from each different native habitate and farm in Korea and China. The nrDNA-ITS region of each samples were amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primer and nucleotide sequences were determined after sub-cloning into the pGEM-Teasy vector. Authentic marker nucleotides were estimated by the analysis of ClastalW based on the entire nrDNA-ITS sequence. Results : In comparative analysis of the nrDNA-ITS sequences, we found specific nucleotide sequences including indels (insertions and deletions) and substitutions to distinguish C. chinensis, S. spenanthera, S. nigra, and K. japonica. These sequence differences at corresponding positions are avaliable nucleotide markers to determine the botanical origin of O-mi-ja. Moreover, we evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of four plant species by the analysis of nrDNA-ITS sequences. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by the providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish it from unauthentic adulterants for O-mi-ja.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.359-365
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• 2000

Three lactic acid bacteria (C-1 K-3 and T-1 strain) were isolated from Nuruk and characterized subsequently. They were useful strains for production of lactic acid and their growth was inhibited at 10% ethanol pH 4 These strains were identified as lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NR C-1 Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenterides NR K-3 and pediococcus pentosaceus NR T-1 respectively by morphological physiological and biochemical characterization Lac lactis subsp lactis NR C-1 showed the highest lactic acid productivity. Leu measenteroides subsp mesenteroides NR K-3 showed stable lactic acid productivity and its growth was inhibited at pH 4. P pentosaceus NR T-1 had lower lactic acid productivity than the other two bacteria but it could not grow at 10% ethanol pH 4 The lactic acid productivity of these three strains in MRS broth were higher than that in Skim milk media the optimum pH and temperature for the lactic acid production of the three strains were 30-32$^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0∼6.8 Glucose was the optimal carbon souorce for the lactic acid production. In terms of antagonism lac lactis subsp lactis NR c-1 showed somewhat inhibitory efects against some Gram positive rod and cocci such as Lactobacillus brevis and Streptococcus mitis. And Leu mesenteroides subsp mesenteroides NR K-3 showed the inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mitis but P. pentosaceus NR T-1 didn't show any inhibitory effects against tested strains.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2019

The research and development of high-performance polymer materials with excellent gas barrier properties has gained considerable attention from the viewpoint of expanding their applications in various fields, including tire automobile parts and the polymer film industry. Natural rubber (NR) has been widely used as a rubber material in real-life, but its application is limited owing to its poor gas barrier properties. In this paper, we study the gas barrier properties of NR, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), and their blend compositions by using molecular simulation. The results show that ENR-50 has superior oxygen barrier properties than those of NR. Moreover, the oxygen barrier properties of a blend of NR/ENR-50 improve with increasing volume fraction of ENR-50. The trend of improved oxygen barrier properties of NR, ENR-50, and their blend is in good agreement with experimental observations.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.659-665
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• 2022

Chlorella vulgaris is an important freshwater alga that is widely used as a food source by humans and animals. Recently, Chlorella has received considerable attention with regard to its potential application in aquaculture and the production of biofuels, nutrients, and therapeutic proteins. Recently, our laboratory acquired a new strain of C. vulgaris, PKVL7422, characterized by fast growth, ease of culture, and cultivability under dark conditions. However, the genes involved in its nitrogen assimilation are unknown. In this work, we identified the nitrate reductase (NR) gene of C. vulgaris PKVL7422 using rapid amplification of cDNA ends and genome walking. The NR gene of C. vulgaris PKVL7422 is approximately 8 kb long and composed of 18 introns and 19 exons, which encode 877 amino acids. An alignment analysis of the NR gene showed that it possesses the five domains and several invariant residues found in plant NRs. These results provide new insight into the molecular organization of the NR gene in algae.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.344-360
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• 2017

Zoysiagrasses are important turf plants used for school playgrounds, parks, golf courses, and sports fields. The two most popular zoysiagrass species are Zoysia japonica and Zoysia sinica. These are widely distributed across different growing zones and are morphologically distinguishable from each other; however, it is phenotypically difficult to differentiate those that grow along the coastal line from those in beach area habitats. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches is desirable to efficiently identify these two plant cultivars. In this study, we used a rapid identification system based on DNA barcoding of the nrDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The nrDNA-ITS regions of ITS1, 5.8S nrDNA, and ITS2 from Z. japonica, Z. sinica, Agrostis stolonifera, and Poa pratensis were DNA barcoded to classify these grasses according to their molecular identities. The nrDNA-ITS sequences of these species were found at 686 bp, 687 bp, 683 bp, and 681 bp, respectively. The size of ITS1 ranged from 248 to 249 bp, while ITS2 ranged from 270 to 274 bp. The 5.8S coding region ranged from 163 - 164bp. Between Z. japonica and Z. sinica, nineteen (2.8%) nucleotide sites were variable, and the G+C content of the ITS region ranged from 55.4 to 63.3%. Substitutions and insert/deletion (indel) sites in the nrDNA-ITS sequence of Z. japonica and Z. sinica were converted to cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers, and applied to the Zoysia grasses sampled to verify the presence of these markers. Among the 62 control and collected grass samples, we classified three groups: 36 Z. japonica, 22 Z. sinica, and 4 Z. japonica/Z. sinica hybrids. Morphological classification revealed only two groups; Z. japonica and Z. sinica. Our results suggest that used of the nrDNA-ITS barcode region and CAPS markers can be used to distinguish between Z. japonica and Z. sinica at the species level.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2011

The genus Paeonia belongs to the family Paeoniaceae having significant medicinal and ornamental importance. The present investigation was undertaken with an aim to understand phylogenetic relationships of three Paeonia species (P. lactiflora, P. obovata, and P. suffruticosa) that are widely distributed in China, Korea, and Japan, using nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence and to compare the phylogeny results with investigations reported earlier using existed sequences of the same species. The size variation obtained among sequenced nrDNA ITS region was narrow and ranged from 722 to 726 bp. The highest interspecific genetic distance (GD) was found between P. lactiflora and P. suffruticosa or P. obovata. The phylogram obtained using our nrDNA ITS sequences showed non-congruence with previous hypothesis of the phylogeny between section Paeonia and section Moutan of genus Paeonia. This result was supported by the phylogenetic relations showed in the phylogram constructed with existed sequences in NCBI. The present study suggested that P. obovata belonging to section Paeonia was phylogenetically closer to P. suffruticosa representing section Moutan of genus Paeonia than P. lactiflora belonging to section Paeonia. The main reason of the paraphyly of section Paeonia is thought to be nucleotide additivity directly caused by origin hybridization. This study provides more sequence sources of genus Paeonia, and will help for further studies in intraspecies population, and their phylogentic analysis and molecular evolution.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2009

Organo bifunctional silane (TESPD) is added into silica containing NR and its effects are investigated with respect to the vulcanization properties, the processability, and the physical properties. The addition of the TESPD into silica filled NR compound increases the degree of crosslinking by formation of a strong 3-dimensional network structure with silica surface via coupling reaction, which results in an improved mechanical property. It also improves the processabilities compared to the Control compound.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

To improve the adhesive strength of natural rubber (NR) for a seismic isolation damper, citraconic acid-g-NR (CCA-g-NR) was synthesized via the melt grafting of citraconic acid (CCA) onto NR using an azobisisnomerobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator. Subsequently, the influence of CCA and AIBN concentrations on the graft ratio G/R (%) and graft efficiency G/E (%) of the CCA-g-NR was investigated. The optimum CCA and AIBN concentrations required to achieve the desired G/R (3.49%) and G/E (49.8%) were found to be 7 phr and 0.13 phr, respectively. Additionally, we studied the influence of CCA-g-NR concentration on the mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus at 300%), adhesive strength, and cure characteristics of the rubber compound in the seismic isolation damper. As the concentration of CCA-g-NR increased, the elongation at break and adhesive strength of the compound increased, whereas its tensile strength and modulus at 300% decreased. Moreover, as the concentration increased, the maximum torque decreased and the scorch time was delayed to obtain an optimal vulcanization time.