• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.987-995
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• 2018

In this study, a relationship between small-strain shear modulus ($G_{max}$) and overconsolidation ratio (OCR) based on shear wave velocity ($V_S$) measurement was established to identify the stress history of centrifuge model ground. A centrifuge test was conducted in various centrifugal acceleration levels including loading and unloading sequences to cause various stress histories on centrifuge model ground. The $V_S$ and vertical effective stress were measured at each level of acceleration. Then, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using testing data to ensure the suitability of OCR function for the tested cohesionless soils and found that OCR can be estimated based on $V_S$ measurements irrespective of normally-consolidated or overconsolidated loading conditions. Finally, the developed $G_{max}$-OCR relationship was applied to centrifuge models constructed and tested under various induced stress-history conditions. Through a series of tests, it was concluded that the induced stress history on centrifuge model by compaction, g-level variation, and past overburden load can be analysed quantitatively, and it is convinced that the OCR evaluation technique will contribute to better interpret the centrifuge test results.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.5-14
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• 1988

A probabilistic model for the progressive failure in a homogeneous soil slope consisting of strain-softening material is presented. The local safety margin of any slice above failure surface is assumed to follow a normal distribution. Uncertainties of the shear strength along potential failure surface are expressed by one-dimensional random field models. In this paper, only the case where failure initiates at toe and propagates up to the crest is considerd. The joint distribution of the safety margin of any two adjacent slices above the failure surface is assumed to be bivariate normal. The overall probability of the sliding failure is expressed as a product of probabilities of a series of conditional el.eats. Finally, the developed procedure has been applied in a case study to yield the reliability of a cut slope.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.646-649
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• 1999

A thermophilic bacterium producing D-stereospecific dipeptidase was isolated from Korean soil samples. The enzyme hydrolyzed the peptide bond between D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala). The isolated bacterial strain was rod shaped, gram-positive, motile, and formed an endospore. Morphological and physiological characteristics suggested this microorganism a thermophilic Bacillus species, and was named as Bacillus sp. BCS-l. The production of D-stereospecific dipeptidase was growth-associated and optimal at $55^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was applied for the synthesis of D-amino acid-containing peptide, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartyl-D-alanine benzyl ester (Z-L-Asp-D-AlaOBzl), as a model reaction. A thermodynamically controlled synthesis of Z-L-Asp-D-AlaOBzl was achieved in an organic solvent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.188-191
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• 2005

Abstract Cyclosporins are a family of clinically-important immunosuppressive cyclic peptides produced by Tolypocladium inflatum. The structural modification of cyclosporins via hydroxylation at various positions of N-methyl leucines in cyclosporin A leads to a dramatic change of their bioactive spectra. Among over 100 soil actinomycetes screened, two actinomycetes species, Sebekia benihana and Pseudonocardia autotrophica, were identified to contain superior cyclosporin A hydroxylation activities. A HPLC-based cyclosporin A hydroxylation assay revealed that each strain possesses distinctive hydroxylation specificity and regiospecificity; mono-hydroxylation at the 4th N-methyl leucine of cyclosporin A by S. benihana, and di-hydroxylations at both 4th and 9th N-methyl leucines of cyclosporin A by P. autotrophica. The conversion yields for cyclosporin A hydroxylation by both S. benihana and P. autotrophica were significantly improved from less than 10% and 18% up to 58% and 45%, respectively, in the optimized culture containing molybdenum with 0.05 g/l of cyclosporin A concentration. An ancymidol-specific inhibition of cyclosporin hydroxylation also suggested that the regiospecific cyclosporin hydroxylation might be catalyzed by a putative cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase enzyme.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2018

A total of 22 bacterial strains belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes were isolated primarily from aquatic environments such as seawater, freshwater, lagoon and tidal flat. One of these 22 strains was isolated from ginseng soil. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that 21 strains showed the high sequence similarities(${\geq}98.7%$) to the closest type strains and formed robust phylogenetic clades with closely related species in the phylum Bacteroidetes. One strain, which had been previously classified as Balneola vulgaris in the phylum Bacteroidetes, was identified as a member of the newly described phylum Rhodothermaeota. These strains had not been previously reported in Korea. Here, we report 21 species of 13 genera in the phylum Bacteroidetes and one species in the phylum Rhodothermaeota which were not reported in Korea. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics, isolation sources, and NIBR deposit numbers are described in the species descriptions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1597-1602
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• 2010

Chitinase is one of the most important mycolytic enzymes with industrial significance. This enzyme is produced by a number of organisms including bacteria. In this study, we describe the optimization of media components with increased production of chitinase for the selected bacteria, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, isolated from soil. Different components of the defined media responsible for influencing chitinase secretion by the bacterial isolate were screened using Plackett-Burman experimental design and were further optimized by Box-Behnken factorial design of response surface methodology in liquid culture. Maximum chitinase production was predicted in medium containing 4.94 g/l chitin, 5.56 g/l maltose, 0.62 g/l yeast extract, 1.33 g/l $KH_2PO_4$, and 0.65 g/l $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ using response surface plots and the point prediction tool of the DESIGN EXPERT 7.1.6 (Stat-Ease, USA) software.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 1994

A bacterial strain, which showed the high protease activity at low temperature and the high tolerance for the surfactant, was isolated from soil and identified as Xanthomonas sp. YL-37. The optimal temperature, initial pH, and cultivation time for the production of the alkaline protease by Xanthomonas sp. YL-37 were 20$\circC , 11.0, and 84 hours, respectively. In the jar fermenter culture of Xanthomonas sp. YL-37, the alkaline protease activity was about 15,000 DU/ml/-broth after cultivating for 108 hours. The optimal pH and temperature for the protease activity were 70$\circC and 11.0, respectively. The protease was relatively stable at the pH range of 7.0~12.0 and at the temperatures below 50$\circC . The protease activity at 20$\circC was about the level of 40% of its activity at 70$\circC . The enzyme was suggested as a serine protease because the enzyme activity was inhibited by phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride, a serine modifier.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.665-671
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• 1994

For the production of pyrogallot from gallic acid, about 100 strains of bacteria capable of assimilating gallic acid as a sole carbon and energy source were isolated from the soil. JH- 004 strain showing the highest activity of gallate decarboxy#lase was selected from them and identi- fied as Erwinia sp. The optimal conditions for the production of pyrogallol from gallic acid were examined. The resting cells of JH-004 cultured in a complex medium containing 0.2%(w/v) gallic acid were prepared after the treatment of the pellet with a freezing and thawing, and used as a enzyme source. The reaction mixtures for the maximal production of pyrogallol were shown to be 6 g/l of resting cells and 15 g/l of gallic acid in 25 mM potassium phosphate buffer. The optimal pH for the reaction was 5.0 and the optimal temperature was 35$\circ$C . Additionally, Triton X-100(0.01%, w/v) was found to be most effective for the production of pyrogallol. Under the above conditions, 10.27 g/l of pyrogallol was produced from 15 g/l of gallic acid after incubation of 35 hrs. This amount of pyrogallol corresponds to a 92.37% yields, based on gallic acid.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 1998

A Penicillium strain which produces $eta$-galactosidase with high transgalactosylation activity, was isolated from soil and registered as Penicillium sp, KFCC 10888. When $eta$-galactosidase from Penicillium sp. KFCC 10855 reacted with 40% lactose, transgalactosylation ratio reached up to 70% at the 73% conversion of initial lactose. The biosynthesis of the enzyme in Penicillium sp. KFCC 10888 was not induced by lactose. The soybean meal was an effective component of the culture medium. The optimum pH and temperature for transgalactosylation were 4.0 and 55$^{\circ}C$, respectively. The production of galactooligosaccharides was in proportion to the initial lactose concentration. When the enzyme reacted with 40% lactose (pH 4.0) at 55$^{\circ}C$, the concentration of galactooligosaccharides increased up to 40% of total solid concentration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.184-192
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• 2006

Six-hundred bacterial strains from human milk and milk from Sahiwal cows, Holstein Friesian cows, and buffaloes were screened for their ability to suppress phytopathogenic fungi under in vitro conditions. A consortium of 3 strains, viz., Bacillus lentimorbus B-30486 (B-30486), B. subtilis B-30487 (B-30487), and B. lentimorbus B-30488 (B-30488), isolated from Sahiwal cow milk resulted in better biological control and plant-growth promotion than single-strain treatments. For commercial-scale production of a bioinoculant, the solid-state fermentation of sugarcane agro-industrial residues, i.e., molasses, press mud, and spent wash, using the consortium of B-30486, B-30487, and B-30488, resulted in a value-added product, useful for enhancing plant growth. The application of the consortium to sugarcane fields infested with Fusarium moniliforme and Colletotrichum falcatum resulted in a reduction of mortality and significantly higher (P=0.05) plant height, number of tillers, and cane girth when compared with the control. Furthermore, under field conditions, the treatment of sugarcane with the consortium resulted in significantly (P=0.05) greater plant growth compared with nonbacterized plants. Accordingly, this is the first report on the effective use of bacteria isolated from milk for biological control and enhancing plant growth under field conditions. Furthormore, a solid-state fermentation technology was developed that facilitates the economic utilization of agro-industrial residues for environmental conservation and improving plant and soil health.