• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ¹⁴C). Many studies have reported Δ¹⁴C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ¹⁴C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ¹⁴C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The ¹⁴C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM_2.5, providing new insights. The ¹⁴C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.5_1
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• pp.563-576
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• 2023

In this study nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), formaldehyde (HCHO) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), OMI/ Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) tropospheric column ozone (TCO), and Airkorea ground-based O₃ data were analyzed to examine the photochemical reaction relationship between tropospheric ozone and its precursors nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As a result of analyzing the trend of long-term changes from 2006 to 2020 using OMI satellite data, TCO showed an increasing trend, NO₂ steadily decreased, and HCHO continued to increase in Northeast Asia. In addition, formaldehyde nitrogen dioxide ratio (FNR; HCHO/NO₂ ratio), an indicator of ozone sensitivity, is gradually increasing, which means that the VOC-limited regime is decreasing. This study conducted a sensitivity analysis of ozone generation using TROPOMI FNR and ground-based ozone (O₃) over the recent years (2019~2022) to identify the possible cause for the continuous increase of ozone in Korea. Similar to the previous studies, VOC-limited and transitional regimes appeared in megacities, and VOC-limited regimes also appeared in areas where major power plants were located. In VOC-limited regimes, in other words, areas where NOx is excessively saturated, the reduction in NOx emissions may have weakened the ozone titration and thus led to the increase of ozone. Therefore, VOC emissions should be reduced in the short term rather than NOx emissions to reduce ozone concentrations under the VOC-limited regime.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1015-1024
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• 2023

Antibiotics have greatly contributed to the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases in humans, animals, and fish. However, antibiotic misuse has led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In addition to antibiotic discovery research, efforts are being made to combat such multidrug-resistant bacteria using antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, host immune enhancement, probiotics, and bacteriophages, as well as various symptomatic therapies. To discover novel bioactive compounds, it is crucial to adopt approaches that incorporate fresh ideas, new targets, innovative techniques, and untapped resources. Halophytes are plants that grow in high-salt soils and are known to adapt to salt-induced stress through unique metabolic processes that produce secondary metabolites. This study aimed to investigate the effects of extracts of halophytes native to Korea on oxidative stress and to determine whether they exert inhibitory activity against biofilms, which are major pathogenic factors of infectious bacteria. The Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978, a representative drug-resistant bacterium, was used to measure anti-biofilm activity. The results showed that Aster spathulifolius, Carex kobomugi, Rosa rugosa, and Asparagus cochinchiensis exerted strong antioxidant and anti-biofilm effects without affecting bacterial growth itself. The halophytes used in this study are promising candidates for the development of pharmaceutical agents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.367-391
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• 2023

This study was conducted for 10 years from 2012, which is a year before the forest road construction in Minjujisan, to 2022 to analyze annual changes in flora and vegetation before and after the forest road construction and to provide strategies for management. The plant communities in the research sites along the forest road showed the differentiation between slopes with Quercus mongolica community on the northwestern slope and Quercus variabilis and Larix kaempferi communities on the southwestern slope. A total of 212 taxa have increased for number 7 between before and after the construction from a total of 66 taxa (44 families, 59 genera, 51 species, 13 varieties, and 2 forma) in 2012 and 207 taxa (71 families, 153 genera, 176 species, 27 varieties, and 4 forma) in 2015 to 278 taxa (78 families, 172 genera, 242 species, 1 subspecies, 31 varieties, and 4 forma) in 2022. It is noteworthy that the vegetation cover and the introduction of new taxa had been expanded in the sites adjacent to the construction, which is likely caused by the significantly increased amount of light and the introduction of annual herbaceous and naturalized plants after the construction. The results of 10 years of current study reveal that the vegetation cover and the number of new taxa had rapidly increased in earlier years after the construction, slowly decreased later on, and finally formed a stable forest with the increase in the ratio of dominant species. The vegetation cover of the herbaceous layer immediately increased on the slopes along the forest road for a few years after the construction although it had continuously decreased while that of the shrub layer quickly increased. It was shown that on the hillslope the vegetation cover of tall- and low-tree layers increased whereas that of herbaceous and shrub layers rapidly decreased.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.193-203
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• 2023

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC₅₀ values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9g m^-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC₅₀ value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m^-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0g m^-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m^-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

The Northern Song Dynasty, the heyday of cultural and artistic achievements, brought significant changes to the history of gardens in China. The developments and contemplations that had evolved during the previous Tang Dynasty became intertwined with literature, painting, and art, leading to garden being perceived as works of art. In particular, the emergence of Su Shi(蘇軾) that permeated literature and art during the Northern Song Dynasty, had an impact beyond individual garden creation, influencing the development of public gardens and the diversification of garden. His long exile periods served as an opportunity to understand and reflect the local culture and characteristics, influencing the development of the garden. This study focuses on the ideology of Su Shi(蘇軾) that managed various gardens, examining the relationship between his exlie life and ideology. To do so, the study examines the form of the literati's gardens managed by Su Shi(蘇軾), with a particular emphasis on the Baiheju(白鶴居) garden in Huizhou, revealing the following characteristics and values. First, Su Shi(蘇軾), who was proficient in the Three Houses: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, combined his philosophy and unique perspective techniques with the location and composition elements of Baiheju(白鶴居) to enjoy the landscape. Although the ancient residence has a simple form, it possesses expansiveness through the combination of internal and external views. The interior is designed to be perceived as a single space, but it allows overlapping experiences of space and simultaneous appreciation of different sceneries. On the other hand, the spatial layout incorporates a hierarchical order to establish a sense of order. Second, the garden reflects the local characteristics, featuring numerous tropical plants and presenting vibrant and contrasting colors with structures. The planting forms embrace the concept of "huosei seikou" (活色生香) to enhance the color harmoniously. Additionally, the garden incorporates the poet's spiritual world, projecting it onto the garden as a contemplative place for spiritual nourishment and exploration of the ideal realm. For the pursuit of serenity and profound contemplation, the selected plantings are simple yet distinctive, providing rhythm and depth to the garden space. Third, Baiheju(白鶴居) has undergone changes over the years, but fundamentally, the form and elements of the garden shaped by Su Shi(蘇軾)'s descendants persist, confirming its heritage value.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the optimal light conditions for the in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration of Osmanthus insularis, a rare plant species in South Korea. Evaluations included the growth performance, leaf morphological features, photosynthetic characteristics, and photosynthetic pigment contents of seedlings grown from April to November under different light conditions (100%, 55%, 20%, and 10% relative light intensity). The shoot lengths and root collar diameters did not differ significantly with relative light intensity. The dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots and the leaf number were highest at 55% relative light intensity. The leaf shape showed morphological acclimation to light intensity, with leaf area decreasing and thickness increasing as the relative light intensity increased. Several leaf parameters, including photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at light saturation point, net apparent quantum yield, and dark respiration, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, were all highest at 55% relative light intensity. Under full light conditions, the leaves were the smallest and thickest, but the chlorophyll content was lower than at 55% relative light intensity, resulting in lower photosynthetic ability. Plants grown at 10% and 20% relative light intensity showed lower chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, as well as decreased photosynthetic and dark respiration rates. In conclusion, O. insularis seedlings exhibited morphological adaptations in response to light intensity; however, no physiological responses indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in shade were evident. The most favorable light condition for vigorous photosynthesis and maximum biomass production in O. insularis seedlings appeared to be 55% relative light intensity. Therefore, shading to approximately 55% of full light is suggested for the growth of O. insularis seedlings.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2023

Nitrogen is a major and essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. However, excessive nitrogen application can lead to ecological pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, consequently resulting in climate change. In this study, we used 153 genetic resources of rice to evaluate the effects of the levels of nitrogen application on grain yield and yield-related traits. Significant differences were noted in the yield and yield-related traits of genetic resources between two nitrogen application levels, namely, 4.5 kg/10a (NN: normal nitrogen condition) and 9.0 kg/10a (LN: low-nitrogen condition). Among the tested traits, days to heading (DTH), clum length (CL), grain yield per plant (GYP), number of panicles per plant (NPP), and number of spikelets per panicle (NSP) decreased by 1.8 to 17.9% when the nitrogen application levels decreased from NN to LN. The 1,000-grain weight (TWG) and percentage of ripened grain (PRG) increased by 2.6 to 11.2% under these conditions. Based on nitrogen application levels, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant differences in GYP, NPP, and PRG but not in NSP and TGW. NPP exhibited negative correlations with NSP (-0.44) and TGW (-0.44), and TGW displayed a negative correlation with PRG (-0.34), whereas, GYP exhibited a positive correlation with PRG (0.37) and NSP (0.38). A similar pattern was recorded under the LN condition. NPP, TGW, and PRG were clustered as PA (principle axis) 1 under the LN condition by factor analysis. NSP and GYP were clustered as PA (principle axis) 2. These results demonstrated NPP and NSP as the primary factors contributing to the decrease in grain yield under LN conditions. In conclusion, we selected eight genetic resources that exhibited higher GYP under both NN and LN conditions with higher NPP or NSP. These genetic resources can be considered valuable breeding materials for the adaptation of plants to nitrogen deficiency.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.260-276
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to explore whether pre-service teachers majoring in earth science improve their perception of computational thinking through STEAM classes focused on engineering-based wave power plants. The STEAM class involved designing the most efficient wave power plant model. The survey on computational thinking practices, developed from previous research, was administered to 15 Earth science pre-service teachers to gauge their understanding of computational thinking. Each group developed an efficient wave power plant model based on the scientific principal of turbine operation using waves. The activities included problem recognition (problem solving), coding (coding and programming), creating a wave power plant model using a 3D printer (design and create model), and evaluating the output to correct errors (debugging). The pre-service teachers showed a high level of recognition of computational thinking practices, particularly in "logical thinking," with the top five practices out of 14 averaging five points each. However, participants lacked a clear understanding of certain computational thinking practices such as abstraction, problem decomposition, and using bid data, with their comprehension of these decreasing after the STEAM lesson. Although there was a significant reduction in the misconception that computational thinking is "playing online games" (from 4.06 to 0.86), some participants still equated it with "thinking like a computer" and "using a computer to do calculations". The study found slight improvements in "problem solving" (3.73 to 4.33), "pattern recognition" (3.53 to 3.66), and "best tool selection" (4.26 to 4.66). To enhance computational thinking skills, a practice-oriented curriculum should be offered. Additional STEAM classes on diverse topics could lead to a significant improvement in computational thinking practices. Therefore, establishing an educational curriculum for multisituational learning is essential.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2009

In the present study, ultrastructural features of the mesophyll tissue have been investigated in Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)-performing succulent Orostachys. A large central vacuole and numerous small vacuoles in the peripheral cytoplasm were characterized at the subcellular level in both developing and mature mesophyll cells. The most notable feature was the invagination of vacuolar membranes into the secondary vacuoles or multivesicular bodies. In many cases, tens of single, membrane-bound secondary vacuoles of various sizes were found to be formed within the central vacuole. multivesicular bodies containing numerous small vesicles were also distributed in the cytoplasm but were better developed within the central vacuole. Occasionally, electron-dense prevacuolar compartments, directly attached to structures appearing to be small vacuoles, were also detected in the cytoplasm. One or more huge central vacuoles were frequently observed in cells undergoing differentiation and maturation. Consistent with the known occurrence of morphologically distinct vacuoles within different tissues, two types of vacuoles, one representing lytic vacuoles and the other, most likely protein storage vacuoles, were noted frequently within Orostachys mesophyll. The two types coexisted in mature vegetative cells but did not merge during the study. Nevertheless, the coexistence of two distinct vacuole types in maturing cells implies the presence of more than one mechanism for vacuolar solute sorting in these species. The vacuolar membrane is known to be unique among the intracellular compartments for having different channels and/or pumps to maintain its function. In CAM plants, the vacuole is a very important organelle that regulates malic acid diurnal fluctuation to a large extent. The membrane invagination seen in Orostachys mesophyll likely plays a significant role in survival under the physiological drought conditions in which these Orostachys occur; by increasing to such a large vacuolar volume, the mesophyll cells are able to retain enormous amounts of acid when needed. Furthermore, the mesophyll cells are able to attain their large sizes with less energy expenditure in order to regulate the large degree of diurnal fluctuation of organic acid that occurs within the vacuoles of Orostachys.