• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.282-289
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• 2022

Background: Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the air and exposure to an airborne fungus can be a significant risk factor. The composition of fungi has been potentially important for human health, especially for respiratory diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we attempted to ascertain what kind of airborne fungi affect human health at a nationwide level. Objectives: This study was carried out to provide information on indoor fungi distribution at multi-use facilities throughout South Korea. Methods: We classified our data by region and public facility after collection, cultivation, and identification via the sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. We investigated whether or not the proliferation of HaCaT cells was affected by the identified airborne fungi. Results: In our data, the most isolated airborne fungi by region were Penicillium spp (Seoul, Daegu), Periconia sp (Gyeonggi-do), Iprex sp (Gangwon-do), Phanerochaete sp (Busan), Bjerkandera sp (Gwangju), and Aspergillus sp (Jeju-do). In the public facilities, the most detected fungi were Cladosporium sp (public transport), Penicillium sp (apartment house, retail market, financial institution, karaoke room), Bjerokandera sp (underground parking lot, public toilet, medical institution), Periconia sp (retail store), and Fusarium sp (general restaurant). Next, we selected twenty airborne fungi to examine their cytotoxicity and proliferation of human skin cells. In this experiment, the proliferation of the cells was influenced by most of the identified fungi. In case of the cytotoxicity test, most genera except for Rhodotorula sp and Moesziomyces sp showed cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. Conclusions: The distribution of mold in the indoor air in multi-use facilities in South Korea differs from region to region, and this is an indicator that should be considered in future health impact studies. In addition, as a result of culturing about 20 types of bacteria dominant in indoor air, it was found that most (90%) inhibit the growth of skin cells, which can be harmful to health. An in-depth study of the health effects of floating fungi is needed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.234-243
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• 2022

In Korea, hail damage occurs every year, and in the case of agriculture, it causes severe field crop and cultivation facility losses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a hail information service system customized for Korea's primary production and crop-growing areas to minimize hail damage. However, the observation of hail is relatively more difficult than that of other meteorological variables, and the available data are also spatially and temporally variable. A hail information service system was developed to understand the temporal and spatial distribution of hail occurrence. As part of this, a hail observation database was established that integrated the observation data from Korea Meteorological Administration with the information from newspaper reports. Furthermore, a hail risk map was produced based on this database. The risk map presented the nationwide distribution and characteristics of hail showers from 1970 to 2018, and the northeastern region of South Korea was found to be relatively dangerous. Overall, hail occurred nationwide, especially in the northeast and some inland areas (Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Chungbuk province) and in winter, mainly on the north coast and some inland areas as graupel (small and soft hail). Analyzing the time of day, frequency, and hailstone size of hail shower occurrences by region revealed that the incidence of large hail stones (e.g., 10 cm at Damyang-gun) has increased in recent years and that showers occurred mainly in the afternoon when the updraft was well formed. By integrating multidisciplinary data, the temporal and spatial gap in hail data could be supplemented. The hail risk map produced in this study will be helpful for the selection of suitable crops and growth management strategies under the changing climate conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.3
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• pp.374-384
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• 2022

There is an increasing demand for Tetradium daniellii seedlings due to their uses as alternative energy, for ecological restoration, and as a honey plant. This study was conducted to determine the optimum container for superior seedling production of T. daniellii. Experiments were performed using five plastic container types (500, 350, 320, 300, and 250 ml) for forestry facility cultivation. The height and root collar diameter growth of T. daniellii seedlings were significantly high in the 350-ml container. High growth appeared primarily in the container with a larger cavity volume and lower growing density. Root development was most active in full sunlight. The maximum dry matter production was observed in the 350-ml container, which was similar to the results of height and root collar diameter growth. QI, an index showing the quality of a seedling, was maximum at 0.97 in the 350-ml container. In conclusion, the 350-ml container is optimum for superior seedling production of T. daniellii.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.8
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• pp.355-363
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• 2017

Jeju-do was designated as the 'first horse industry special zone' in 2014, followed by additional designation of horse industry special zones in Icheon, Yongin of Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2015. As a result, horses have become no more synonymous with Jeju-do. Jeju-do may see its competitive edge becoming blunt, compared to other local governments, due to its environmental characteristics and accessibility. The Korean proverb, "Send people to Seoul and horses to Jeju-do", has become an old saying that does not match reality. However, Jeju-do, designated as the first horse industry special zone, is expected to play a leading role in cultivation of domestic horse industry and faces a challenge of creating exemplary cases of success in transforming horse industry into the senary (6th) industry. In addition, KRW 114.2 billion is planned to be invested into 35 projects covering 9 sectors, including supply of elite domestic racing horses, expansion of demand basis for horse-riding, cultivation of horse meat industry, etc., by 2017 as envisioned by the horse industry special zone promotion plan. Despite expansion of facilities and demand base for horse-riding, those at the sites point out that government support at policy level has not come home to their hearts and criticism has been mounting that project efficiency remains low. Factors hindering the growth of horse industry, which have come to the fore, include inadequate supply of horse-riding facilities, limitation to expansion of demand for horse-riding, etc., due to excessive regulation. Advancement of horse industry requires wide-ranging deregulation on investment related to horse industry, including horse breeding and horse-riding facility installation, etc. Regulation which is deemed to be the biggest stumbling block to advancement of horse industry is related to the regulation requiring formation of farmland at horse-riding facilities in farming and fishery villages. Along with improvement in such regulations, horse-riding facilities without license should be legalized to promote qualitative growth of horse-riding industry. Moreover, efforts should be made to develop and deploy instructors with horse-riding license in order to develop horse-riding into a full-fledged leisure beyond simple experience auxiliary to tourism, thus ensuring that people can enjoy leisure style horse-riding regularly in safe and healthy manners. It would be necessary to add fresh momentum into efforts to turn Jeju-do into the hub of well-being leisure horse-riding by pooling our wisdom.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2018

In the present study, we compared the effects of 50% ethanolic extracts of Chinese and Korean Wolfiporia cocos (CPE and KPE) on in vitro lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and their anticancer activities in Sarcoma 180 cells. We further compared the anticancer activities and the 50% inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of CPE with KPE with cultivated for one and two years in a landfill and a facility (LPE and FPE), respectively. In addition, the single oral dose toxicities of CPE and KPE were evaluated in mice. Lipid accumulation was inhibited after 48 hours, in CPE and KPE treated 3T3-L1 cells; however, no significant difference was observed between CPE and KPE in their lipid accumulation inhibitory activities. The anticancer activity of KPE was higher than that of CPE at $300{\mu}g/mL$ (p<0.05), revealing the possibility of an auxiliary biological means for origin identification. The anticancer activities of LPE and FPE were significantly stronger than that of CPE (p<0.05) but there was no difference between extracts from one- and two-year-old W. cocos, irrespective of the cultivation method. In single oral dose toxicity tests, CPE and KPE did not induce mortality during the 14-day observation. Thus, the 50% of lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of CPE and KPE were estimated to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg. Taken together, our results indicate that the anticancer assay could be an auxiliary means of identifying the origin of W. cocos. In addition, artificial cultivation could be an alternative way to reduce the import of W. cocos. Lastly, 50% ethanolic W. cocos extracts could be potential candidates for obesity and cancer managements.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.124-133
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• 2017

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of high temperature on the stem, leaf and grain of barley during the ripening period and to provide information for the development of high-temperature cultivation techniques and adaptive varieties. We used an artificial climate control facility, to provide a temperature $3^{\circ}C$ higher than the normal average temperature during the ripening stage. Although the maximum rate of starch synthesis was increased at high temperature by approximately 11%, the starch content was decreased, because the period of starch synthesis ended 4 days earlier. As in the case of starch synthesis, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis was increased at the early ripening stage in the high temperature treatment, however, the duration of expression tended to decrease rapidly. Furthermore, the partitioning rate of assimilation products in the panicle increased to a greater extent in the high temperature treatment than in the control. In contrast, for the stem and leaf, the partitioning rate of assimilation products decreased more rapidly in the high temperature treatment than in the control. On the basis of these results, it can be considered that the translocation rate of assimilation products increased to a greater extent in the high temperature treatment than in the control at the early ripening stage. These results indicate that the decrease in grain weight at high temperature during the ripening stage is attributable to an increase in the speed of starch synthesis at high temperature, but the increase in ripening speed does not compensate for the shortening of the ripening period. Finally to develop varieties and cultivation techniques suited to high temperature, we need to focus on physiological characteristics related to the duration of starch synthesis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.240-240
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• 2017

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is one of the ancient crops cultivated in the Andes region at an altitude of 3,500-4000m in Chile and Bolivia from 5000 BC. It contains a large amount of protein, minerals and vitamins in comparison with other crops. The cultivation area has been increasing worldwide because of its excellent resistance to various abiotic stress such as salinity, drought and low temperature. ${\gamma}$-Ray radiation of high dose is often used as a tool to induce mutations in plant breeding, but it has a deleterious effect on organisms. However, the radiation may have a positive stimulatory effect of 'hormesis' in the low dose range. This experiment was carried out to investigate the optimum dose range for creating the quinoa genetic resources and to investigate the hormesis effect at low dose on the quinoa. This experiment was performed for 120 days from November, 2016 to February, 2017 in the greenhouse of Gyeongsang National University. ${\gamma}$-Ray radiation was irradiated to seeds at 0 Gy, 50 Gy, 100 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy, 600 Gy, 800 Gy and 1000 Gy for 8 hours. (50 Gy) using the low level radiation facility ($Co^{60}$) of Cooperative Research Institute of Radiation Research Institute, KAERI. Fifty seeds were placed on each petri dish lined with wet filter paper and germination rate was measured at a time interval of 2 hours for 40 hrs. The length of the root length was measured one week after germination. Each treatment was carried out in 3 replicates. The growth of seedlings were investigated for 10 days after transplanting of 30 day-old seedlings. The plant height, NDVI, SPAD, Fv/Fm, and panicle weight were measured. The germination rate was highest at 50Gy and 0Gy and the rate of seeds treated with 400Gy or higher rate decreased to 25% of the seeds treated with 50Gy. The emergence rate of seedling in pot experiment was higher at the dose of 200 Gy, 300 Gy and 400 Gy than at 0 and 50Gy. However, the rate was lower at strong radiation higher than 600Gy at which $1^{st}$ leaf was not expanded fully and dead due to extreme overgrowth at 44 days after treatment (DAT). The highest value of panicle weight was observed at 50Gy (6.15g) and 100Gy (5.57g). On the other hand, the weight at high irradiated dose of 300Gy and 400Gy was decreased by about 55% compared to low dose (50 Gy). NDVI measurement also showed the highest value at 50 Gy as the growth progressed. SPAD was the highest at 400 Gy and showed positive correlation with irradiation dose except 0 Gy. Fv/Fm was high at 50 Gy up to 30 DAT and no difference between treatments was observed except for 400 Gy from 44 DAT. The plant height was the highest in 50Gy during the growing period and was higher in the order of 50Dy, 100Gy, 0Gy, 200Gy, 300Gy and 400Gy in 88 DAT. In this experiment, the optimal radiation dose for hormesis was 50Gy and 100Gy, and the optimal radiation dose for mutagenesis seems to be 400 Gy.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.620-637
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• 2008

$Che{\breve{o}}n$ (提堰) refers to the irrigation facilities used to provide water to the land on which rice is farmed. As the maintenance of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ required great amounts of capital, labor, and technology, the construction and maintenance of such facilities was controlled by the government. $Che{\breve{o}}n$ was perceived as being of particular importance during the $Che{\breve{o}}n$ era, which adopted agriculture as the basis of state management. Therefore, the management of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ was considered to be one of the main state policies. This is why $Che{\breve{o}}n$-related records can often be found in the historical documents written during the $Che{\breve{o}}n$ era. As such historical documents in the form of Jiriji (地理誌, geographical descriptions) include detailed descriptions of the number, size, and location of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ in individual counties($kunby{\breve{o}}n$), these help to conduct comprehensive analysis of the state of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ during the $Che{\breve{o}}n$ era. Based on these facts, this study attempts to establish a database of the $Che{\breve{o}}n$-related contents included in the <$Y{\breve{o}}jitos{\breve{o}}$(與地圖書)> published during the latter period of $Che{\breve{o}}n$, and using the established database, to identify the regional characteristics of $Che{\breve{o}}n$. More precisely, by analyzing the state of the distribution of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ at the national level, an effort was made to review the regional characteristics of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ in terms of their distribution and of the natural geographical conditions found in the locales where $Che{\breve{o}}n$ were located, as well as of the interrelation between such $Che{\breve{o}}n$ and socioeconomic factors such as the scale of the population and the size of the area under cultivation. Other factors which were delved into included matters related to the size of $Che{\breve{o}}n$ such as their perimeter, length, and scale of the area which they irrigated, the characteristics of the locales where $Che{\breve{o}}n$ were located, and the regional differences in the characteristics of $Che{\breve{o}}n$.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.130-140
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• 2020

This study was conducted in order to closely examine about optimum shading for superior seedling production a container seedling of Tetradium daniellii, which is being increased the demand for a seedling due to being used for alternative energy, ecological restoration and honey plant. The experiment of investigating the optimum shading on T. daniellii was carried out by using plastic container types (350 ml/cavity) for the forestry facility cultivation. The shading level was treated with full sunlight and with 35%, 55%, 75% of the full sunlight. As a result of having surveyed height and root collar diameter growth of a containerized seedling in T. daniellii, a case of the shading experiment showed a noticeably high value was indicated in the full sunlight. It was surveyed that the stronger shading level leads to the lower growth value. Root development was most active in full sunlight. Dry matter production, it was investigated to be the highest in full sunlight. It was surveyed to be the similar tendency to the outcome of height and root collar diameter growth. QI, which is index of showing the quality of a seedling, stood at 0.98 in full sunlight, thereby having been investigated to be the highest. As for the chlorophyll content in a seedling, the highest chlorophyll content was indicated in the 75% shading treatment with the relatively highest shading level. The photosynthetic rate and the water use efficiency were surveyed to be the highest in full sunlight with 8.48 μmolCO₂·m^-2s^-1, 1.40 μmolCO₂·mmolm^-1H₂O, respectively. As a result of surveying the whole experiment, optimum shading level for superior seedling production a container seedling of T. daniellii is determined in full sunlight (0%). It is expected that this will be used as a basic data for mass production.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.344-352
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• 2019

Drought stress caused by global climate change is a serious problem for rice cultivation. Increasingly frequent abnormal weather occurrences could include severe drought, which could cause water stress to rice during the seedling stage. This experiment was conducted to clarify the effects of drought during the seedling period on yield and quality of rice. Drought conditions were created in a rain shelter house facility. The drought treatment was conducted at 3, 10, and 20 days after transplanting. Soil water content was measured by a soil moisture sensor during the whole growth stage. In this study, we have chosen 3 rice cultivars which are widely cultivated in Korea: 'Haedamssal' (Early maturing), 'Samkwang' (Medium maturing), and 'Saenuri' (Mid-late maturing). The decrease in yield due to drought treatment was most severe 3 days after transplanting because of the decrease in the number of effective tillers. The decrease in grain quality due to drought treatment was also most severe 3 days after transplanting because of the increased protein content and hardness of the grains. The cultivar 'Haedamssal' was the most severely damaged by water stress, resulting in about a 30% yield loss. Drought conditions diminished the early vigorous growth period and days to heading in early-maturing cultivars. The results show that drought stress affects yield components immediately after transplanting, which is a decisive factor in reducing yield and grain quality. This study can be used as basic data to calculate damage compensation for drought damage on actual rice farms.