• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.103-112
• /
• 2011

The main objective of this research was to estimate Nitrogen budget of South Korea in 2008. Input-output budgets for nitrogen fluxes were categorized into three sections: cities, agricultural area, and forest. Chemical and biological fixation, dry and wet deposition, imported food and feed were used as the nitrogen input. Crop uptake, volatilization, denitrification, leaching, runoff, and forest consumption were used as the nitrogen outputs. Annual total nitrogen input was 1,294,155 ton/yr, and output was 632,228 ton/yr. Comparison with a previous research in 2005 indicates that nitrogen input was decreased by 1.9% due to the decrease in nitrogen fertilizer while nitrogen output was decreased by 6.3%. Non-point source (NPS) pollution was also estimated by mass balance approach, which increased by 22% than the previous research in 2005. The emission of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) caused by denitrification was newly examined in this research. About 8,289 ton/yr of $N_2O$ was released from agriculture area and domestic wastewater treatment plant.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.31-44
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and variability of the oak pollen concentrations over the Seoul metropolitan region (SMR) simulated by the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ)-based pollen dispersion model, which is the CMAQ-pollen model integrated with the improved oak pollen emission model(PEM-oak). The PEM-oak model developed is based on hourly emission flux parameterization that includes the effects of plant-specific release, meteorological adjustment, and diurnal variations of oak pollen concentrations. A 33 day-run for oak pollen simulation was conducted by the CMAQ-pollen model with a 3 km spatial resolution for the SMR during the 2014 spring pollen season. Modeled concentrations were evaluated against the hourly measurements at three Burkard sampling sites. Temporal variations of oak concentrations were largely well represented by the model, but the quantitative difference between simulations and measurements was found to be significant in some periods. The model results also showed that large variations in oak pollen concentrations existed in time and space and high concentrations in the SMR were closely associated with the regional transport under strong wind condition. This study showed the effective application of the CMAQ-pollen modeling system to simulate oak pollen concentration in the SMR. Our results could be helpful in providing information on allergenic pollen exposure. Further efforts are needed to further understand the oak pollen release characteristics such as interannual variation of the oak pollen productivity and its spatio-temporal flowering timing.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.288-298
• /
• 2004

Benzimidazole pesticide carbendazim that is effective against a wide range of fungal plant pathogens is a protective, eradicant, and systemic fungicide. For genetic toxicity evaluation of carbendazim on DNA, genes and chromosome, were investigated with chromosome aberration, bacterial reverse mutation, micronucleus test in mouse born marrow and DNA damage assay by single cell microgel electrophoresis. Substitution and frameshift mutation were not induce at variable concentration of carbendazim on Ames test with or without rat liver microsomal activation. For the result of chromosome aberration test, numerical changes of chromosome were detected at the concentrations higher than $4.0{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, but structural aberration was not induced. Positive control, Mitomycin-C and captafol made a structural aberration, but numerical change of chromosome did not appear. In the micronucleus test for mouse born marrow, carbendazim was negative, but was weak positive in DNA damage assay by single cell microgel electrophoresis because of increased DNA moving length of 20% to control.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.258-263
• /
• 2013

The primary goal of this study was to compute sample sizes required to achieve the each aim of a variety of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) surveillance programs, using a statistically valid technique that takes the following factors into account: sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of diagnostic test system, desired minimum detectable prevalence, precision, population size, and desired power of the survey. In addition, sample sizes to detect FMD if the disease is present and also as proof of freedom were computed. The current FMD active surveillance programs consist of clinical, virological, and serological surveillance. For the 2012 serological surveillance, annual sample sizes (n = 265,065) are planned at four separate levels: statistical (n = 60,884) and targeted (n = 115,232) at breeding pig farms and slaughter house, in together with the detection of structural proteins (SP) antibodies against FMD (n = 88,949). Overall, the sample size was not designed taking the specific aims of each surveillance stream into account. The sample sizes for statistical surveillance, assuming stratified two-stage sampling technique, was based to detect at least one FMD-infected case in the general population. The resulting sample size can be used to obtain evidence of freedom from FMD infection, not for detecting animals that have antibodies against FMD virus non-structural proteins (NSP). Additionally, sample sizes for targeted surveillance were not aimed for the population at risk, and also without consideration of statistical point of view. To at least the author's knowledge, sampling plan for targeted, breeding pig farms and slaughter house is not necessary and need to be included in the part of statistical surveillance. Assuming design prevalence of 10% in an infinite population, a total of 29 animals are required to detect at least one positive with probability of 95%, using perfect diagnostic test system (Se = Sp = 100%). A total of 57,211 animals needed to be sampled to give 95% confidence of estimating SP prevalence of 80% at the individual animal-level with a precision of ${\pm}5%$, assuming 800 herds with an average 200 heads per farm, within-farm variance of 0.2, between-farm variance of 0.05, cost ratio of 100:1 of farm against animals. Furthermore, 779,736 animals were required to demonstrate FMD freedom, and the sample size can further be reduced depending on the parameters assumed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.464-469
• /
• 2007

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of Artemisia fukudo extracts. The 80% ethanol extract of A. fukudo was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and butanol. In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first examined the extracts’ inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines activated with lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory effects of the A. fukudo extracts on pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_{2}$) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Of the sequential solvent fractions, the n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6), production of NO and $PGE_{2}$, and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that A. fukudo may have signifIcant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic plant.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.179-185
• /
• 2018

In this study, the optimal fermenting conditions of sugar extracts of Artemisia annua L. (Aa), Houttuynia cordata Thunb (Hc), and Saururus chinensis Baill (Sc) were determined to develop fermented beverages. The sugar extracts ($50{\pm}5^{\circ}Bx$) were diluted to 10, 15, and $20^{\circ}Bx$, and fermented with 2% (v/v) of Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 ($5{\times}10^9CFU/mL$) at $37^{\circ}C$ for 4 days. According to the lactic acid bacteria population, pH, titratable acidity, and reducing sugar content, $20^{\circ}Bx$ for Aa, $10^{\circ}Bx$ for Hc and $15^{\circ}Bx$ for Sc were the maximum concentrations for the fermentation. There were no changes in total polyphenol content in the extracts of Aa, Hc, and Sc, whereas the radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power were increased during the fermentation. Lactic acid fermentation resulted in improvement of sensory evaluation scores on unfavorable plant taste and overall acceptability of the sugar extracts of medicinal plants.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.798-806
• /
• 2013

Precise, fast, and cost-effective identification of crop cultivars is essential for plant breeder's rights. Traditional methods for identification of persimmon cultivars are based on the evaluation of sets of morphological characteristics. However, it is difficult to distinguish closely related cultivars using only morphological traits. This study was conducted to develop DNA markers for identification of the 32 persimmon cultivars in Korea and Japan. A total of 309 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were identified using 40 different random primers. Various number of polymorphic bands ranged from 4 (OPP-08) to 14 (UBC159) were detected with an average of 7.7. Resulting 57 RAPD fragments were selected, and their sequences were determined for developing sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. As a result, 15 of 57 RAPD fragments were successfully converted to SCAR markers. Single polymorphic bands of the same size as or smaller than the RAPD fragments were amplified depending on SCAR markers. Among these markers, a combination of eight SCAR markers (PS225_200, PSN05_420, PSF13_523, PSN11_540, PS372_567, PS485_569, PSP08_635, and PS631_735) provided sufficient polymorphisms to identify 32 persimmon cultivars. These newly developed markers will be a fast and reliable tool to identify persimmon cultivars.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.12
• /
• pp.1370-1376
• /
• 2015

The 1, 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) is a well-known radical and a trap (scavenger) for other radicals. Hyaluronidase (HAase) is an enzyme that depolymerizes the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme was reported to convert the arachidonic, linoleic and other polyunsaturated fatty acid into biologically active metabolites involved in the inflammatory and immune responses. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate plant extracts as sources of natural antioxidants and to examine whether Achyranthes japonica having significant DPPH, HAase and LOX inhibitory activity. The inhibitory effect of HAase by A. japonica was assayed using a Morgan microplate assay. The antioxidant activity of the A. japonica extracts was measured on the basis of the scavenging activity of the stable 1, 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) free radical. DPPH scavenging activity of matured roots of A. japonica was evaluated at 4.0 mg/ml was 87.8% and that of young roots was 86.2% at same concentration. The roots of A. japonica showed maximum inhibition of HAase activity (IC₅₀ = 27.7 μg/ml). The highest LOX inhibition was recorded in the root extract among three vegetative parts. Inhibition of HAase activity of roots may contribute towards the development of herbal medicines. Although percent inhibition of lipoxygenase by Achyranthes japonica for all young and matured groups for leaves, stems, and roots at different concentrations, there were not show a statistically significant difference (p<0.05).

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1446-1457
• /
• 2016

Wetlands exhibit intermediate characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the biodiversity is rich in these unique biological habitats. The symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi that inhabit these wetlands play an important role in natural resource management, biodiversity, and conservation. Accordingly, the mujechi, having academic value for the study of the natural environment, was investigated in terms of genetic diversity of endophytic fungi, which inhabit the roots of wild plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified to identify fungal strains. In total, 226 strains were isolated and categorized into three phyla, seven classes, 10 orders, 22 families, and 31 genera. In plants by endophytic fungi were classified in Isachne globosa (Ig) to 19 genera, Scirpus karuisawensis (Sk) to 11 genera, Utricularia racemosa (Ur) to 19 genera, and one incertae sedis, Eriocaulon decemflorum (Ed) to 11 genera. The fungal taxa was identified the genera Acephala (19.9%), Tolypocladium (16.3%), Neopestalotiopsis (11.5%), and Perenniporia (7.1%). The fungal group isolated from Isachne globosa (Ig) grew the largest number of isolated fungal strains. After comprehensive evaluation, the endophytic fungal group from Utricularia racemosa (Ur) ranked highest in diversity analyses. From the roots of wild plant in mujechi-neup, it confirmed the distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi. This study provides the basic data to understand fungal community structure in peat wetlands.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 2014

Block copolymers including ABA triblock architectures are useful as thermoplastic elastomers and toughened plastics depending on the relative glassy and rubbery content. These materials can be blended with other polymers and utilized as additives, toughening agents, and compatibilizers. Most of commercially available block copolymers are derived from petroleum. Renewable alternatives are attractive considering the finite supply of fossil resources on earth and the overall economic and environmental expenses involved in the recovery and use of oil. Furthermore, tomorrow's sustainable materials are demanding the design and implementation with programmed end-of-life. The present review focuses on the preparation and evaluation of new classes of renewable ABA triblock copolymers and also emphasizes on the use of carbohydrate-derived poly(lactide) or plant-based poly(olefins) having a high glass transition temperature and/or high melting temperature for the hard phase in addition to the use of bio-based amorphous hydrocarbon polymers with a low glass transition temperature for the soft components. The combination of multiple controlled polymerizations has proven to be a powerful approach. Precision-controlled synthesis of these hybrid macromolecules has led to the development of new elastomers and tough plastics offering renewability, biodegradability, and high performance.