• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

The health benefits associated with consumption of fresh produce have been clearly demonstrated and encouraged by international nutrition and health authorities. However, since fresh produce is usually minimally processed, increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has also led to a simultaneous escalation of foodborne illness cases. According to the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 people suffer from foodborne diseases and 420,000 die every year globally. In comparison to other processed foods, fresh produce can be easily contaminated by various routes at different points in the supply chain from farm to fork. This review is focused on the identification and characterization of possible sources of foodborne illnesses from chemical, biological, and physical hazards and the applicable methodologies to detect potential contaminants. Agro-chemicals (pesticides, fungicides and herbicides), natural toxins (mycotoxins and plant toxins), and heavy metals (mercury and cadmium) are the main sources of chemical hazards, which can be detected by several methods including chromatography and nano-techniques based on nanostructured materials such as noble metal nanoparticles (NMPs), quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles or nanotube. However, the diversity of chemical structures complicates the establishment of one standard method to differentiate the variety of chemical compounds. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables contain high nutrient contents and moisture, which promote the growth of unwanted microorganisms including bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) and non-bacterial pathogens (norovirus and parasites). In order to detect specific pathogens in fresh produce, methods based on molecular biology such as PCR and immunology are commonly used. Finally, physical hazards including contamination by glass, metal, and gravel in food can cause serious injuries to customers. In order to decrease physical hazards, vision systems such as X-ray inspection have been adopted to detect physical contaminants in food, while exceptional handling skills by food production employees are required to prevent additional contamination.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.251-259
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Various culture media have been used for hydroponic cultures of horticultural plants under the smart greenhouses with natural and artificial light types. Management of the culture medium for the control of medium amounts and/or necessary components absorbed by plants during the cultivation period is performed with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and/or IoT (Internet of Things) in a smart farm system. This study was conducted to develop the cloud-based data analysis system for effective management of culture medium applying to hydroponic culture and plant growth in smart greenhouses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Conventional inorganic Yamazaki and organic media derived from agricultural byproducts such as a immature fruit, leaf, or stem were used for hydroponic culture media. Component changes of the solutions according to the growth stage were monitored and plant growth was observed. Red and green lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa L.) which developed 2~3 true leaves were considered as plant materials. The seedlings were hydroponically grown in the smart greenhouse with fluorescent and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lights of $150{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ light intensity for 35 days. Growth data of the seedlings were classified and stored to develop the relational database in the virtual machine which was generated from an open stack cloud system on the base of growth parameter. Relation of the plant growth and nutrient absorption pattern of 9 inorganic components inside the media during the cultivation period was investigated. The stored data associated with component changes and growth parameters were visualized on the web through the web framework and Node JS. CONCLUSION: Time-series changes of inorganic components in the culture media were observed. The increases of the unfolded leaves or fresh weight of the seedlings were mainly dependent on the macroelements such as a $NO_3-N$, and affected by the different inorganic and organic media. Though the data analysis system was developed, actual measurement data were offered by using the user smart device, and analysis and comparison of the data were visualized graphically in time series based on the cloud database. Agricultural management in data visualization and/or plant growth can be implemented by the data analysis system under whole agricultural sites regardless of various culture environmental changes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.447-452
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• 2018

Water is an important component in the production of fresh produce. It is mainly used for irrigation and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Several outbreaks cases related to fresh produce have been reported and water has been identified as the most likely source. On the other hand, wildlife has been identified as a possible source of the waterborne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wildlife access on irrigation water used in the cultivation of Chinese cabbage in Goesan. The frequency of wild animals access to upstream water source and the contamination level of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Enterococci of irrigation water used in Chinese cabbage farm was examined. A total of 37 wildlife including the wild bear and water deer were observed in upstream of water source during the cultivation of Chinese cabbage. The result indicated the presence of hygienic indicator bacteria from the upstream where there is no human access. The contamination range of coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp. Detected in the irrigation water were 2.13~4.32 log MPN / 100 mL, 0.26~2.03 log MPN / 100 mL, and 1.43~3.49 log MPN / 100 mL, respectively. Due to low water temperatures, the contamination levels of coliform bacteria and E. coli in the irrigation water during harvesting time was lower compared to those recorded during transplanting of Chinese cabbage. However, no significant difference was detected in the number of Enterococci during the cultivation of Chinese cabbage. The results indicated the need to manage the microbial risk in irrigation water to enhance safety in cultivation of Chinese cabbage.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2018

This study was conducted to develop the manufacturing method of biochar using pruned stems of pear tree and its application effect on the crop growth and soil physico-chemical properties. In this study, biochar derived from pruned stems of pear tree at heating temperature of $300^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$ in heating times of 2, 3 and 4 hours, were tested in the changes of their chemical properties during biochar processing. The pH, Exch. K, Exch. Mg and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased as the pyrolysis temperature increased during the production of biochar, and the change of these properties rapidly occurred at $500^{\circ}C$. However, as the pyrolysis temperature increased, ash content increased and total carbon (T-C), yield decreased. And the change of the properties in response to the heating time was not shown. It was thought that it would be desirable to set the production conditions of biochar at $500^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours in consideration of the change of chemical properties and the ash content and yield. And also, were conducted the experiments to establish manufacturing method of farm-made biochar using drum biochar manufacturing machine and investigate the application effects of biochar on the cultivation of chinese cabbage and tomato. Application of biochar derived from pruned stems of pear tree could enhance pH, organic matter (OM), total carbon (T-C) of soil. On the other hand, soil electrical conductivity (EC), NO3-N were lowered compared to the control which has no application. The bulk density, porosity and aggregate formation of soil were improved by biochar application. The fresh matter yields of chinese cabbage and tomato were significantly increased in proportion to the application rate of biochar. This study demonstrated the effect of the biochar derived from agricultural byproduct to be as a low cost potential soil ameliorant by physico-chemical properties in eco-friendly greenhouse cultivation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2019

A goal for swine farming is the improvement in the number of live-born and weaned piglets per sow. Hence, the effect of parities should consider the correlation between the component traits of reproductive performance, weaning, and duration. Sows were housed in farrowing pens (W 2.2 ${\times}$ D 1.8 ${\times}$ H 1.2 m) on a partially slatted plastic floor. Twenty sows used in this study were between the first and sixth parity in gilts (P1), parity 2-5 (P3), and parity 6-9 (P6). Data collection by parity was classified into three categories: (1) reproduction performance (gestation length, total number of piglets born, number of piglets live born, number of piglets stillborn, total piglet birth weight; (2) weaning traits (weaning period, number of piglets weaning, total piglets weaning weight); (3) duration traits (farrowing duration, placenta expulsion duration, time from last piglet to first placenta, average birth interval, and tail wagging behavior). Gestation length was higher in P6 than P1 and P3 of different parity sows. The maximum value in P1 and P3 was 117 days, but the median value in P6 was 117 days (p < 0.05). The total number of piglets born (p = 0.113), number of piglets live born (p = 0.118), number of still piglets born (p = 0.151), and total piglet birth weight (p = 0.117) were not affected by parity. The number of live piglets was higher than the other parities by an average of $15.6{\pm}2.1$ in P1. The duration of farrowing was the lowest at 22.2 min in P6, but the maximum value was 42.2 min more than other parities (p = 0.355). Weaning traits of sows also did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), but the weaning period from P1 was lower than that of the other parities (p = 0.170). The number of piglets weaned was 10 heads on average in P1, P3, and P6 (p < 0.05). However, the mean values of the total piglet weaning weight (p = 0.377) of P6 (62.0 10.4 kg) were higher than those of P1 (54.9 10.2 kg) and P3 (58.4 13.6 kg). The placenta expulsion duration was higher in P6 than that in P1 and P3 (p = 0.447). The time from the last piglet to first placenta was be lower in P3 than that of the other parities (p = 0.206). The average birth interval was higher in P3 than that of the other parities (p = 0.156). Tail wagging (count) behavior was higher in P6 than in the other parities (p = 0.065). The data showed that the reproduction performance, total piglets born, and weight were higher in the gilts group, and higher in the weaning trait than that in the P6 group. This study examined the relationship between reproductive performance, birth interval and tail motion according to sow parity. Regarding duration, farrowing duration was lower in P6 than that in the other parities, but placenta expulsion and tail wagging were higher in P6 than in the other parities. Therefore, it is possible that the results from these sows could be used as basic data for effective farm management.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.647-658
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the seasonal changes of phytoplankton communities based on the environmental changes in a dense oyster farming area (Hansan-Geoje Island) from June to December 2016. The water temperature varied from $14^{\circ}C$ to $28.8^{\circ}C$ and its salinity ranged from 29.4 to 34.2 psu. Nitrate+nitrite was kept at c.a. $3.0{\mu}M$ on the surface layer from June to July, below the concentration limit in August and early September, and then gradually increased from late September. Ammonia was high on July 20 and August 10, and its seasonal characteristics were not clear. Phosphate ranged from 0.01 to $0.7{\mu}M$ on the surface layer, and its seasonal changes were similar to those of nitrate+nitrite. Mean silicate concentrations were $10.7{\mu}M$ on the surface and $15.7{\mu}M$ in the bottom layer, and it was not acted as a limiting factor for the growth of phytoplankton. Among the phytoplankton community, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae and Cryptophyceae was 61.2%, 22.5%, and 13.6%, respectively. In late June, dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense was dominant in the outer waters(St. T1), later on, Cryptomonas spp. and Chaetoceros spp. were dominant, respectively. From late September to October, diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and Chaetoceros spp. were stimulated under non-stratified condition after the typhoon. In December, A. sanguinea was found to be $1.7{\times}10^5cells\;L^{-1}$. Seasonally, relative high phytoplankton biomass may be favorable to maintain high production of filter feeder oyster in the dense oyster farming areas of Hansan and Geoje Island.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2019

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of pH on the mineral nutrient uptake and growth of the four Chinese chives species. The Chinese chives species used in the experiment were the cultivated species grown in the farm (cultivated Allium tuberosum) and three wild species of wild Allium tuberosum, A. thunbergii and A. senescens. The pH levels of soil medium were set to be 4.5, 6.5, and 7.5. Fresh weight(FW) of cultivated A. tuberosum was highest at all pH levels. The increase of soil pH increased the FW of the wild A. tuberosum and A. thunbergii, but no difference was noted for the A. tuberosum and A. senescens. Plant height was higher in the order of wild A. tuberosum, A. thunbergii, and cultivated A. tuberosum and A. thunbergii. Notably plant height of the wild A. tuberosum increased significantly by the pH increase. The Zn content of the wild A. tuberosum was shown to be significantly higher than that of the other species and increased with the increase of soil pH. This indicates that there is a close relationship between the plant height and Zn content in Chinese chives plant. Principal component analysis for characterizing closely related A. species using the factors of plant growth and amounts of nutrients uptake showed that the cultivated A. and wild A. tuberosum were in the $4^{th}$ quadrant of the graph which are classified as the same species, while A. senescens and thunbergii was in $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ quadrant indicating different species, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2019

A process-oriented crop growth model can simulate the biophysical process of rice under diverse environmental and management conditions, which would make it more versatile than an empirical crop model. In the present study, we examined chronology and background of the development of the rice growth models in Korea, which would provide insights on the needs for improvement of the models. The rice crop growth models were introduced in Korea in the late 80s. Until 2000s, these crop models have been used to simulate the yield in a specific area in Korea. Since then, improvement of crop growth models has been made to take into account biological characteristics of rice growth and development in more detail. Still, the use of the crop growth models has been limited to the assessment of climate change impact on crop production. Efforts have been made to apply the crop growth model, e.g., the CERES-Rice model, to develop decision support system for crop management at a farm level. However, the decision support system based on a crop growth model was attractive to a small number of stakeholders most likely due to scarcity of on-site weather data and reliable parameter sets for cultivars grown in Korea. The wide use of the crop growth models would be facilitated by approaches to extend spatial availability of reliable weather data, which could be either measured on-site or estimates using spatial interpolation. New approaches for calibration of cultivar parameters for new cultivars would also help lower hurdles to crop growth models.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.175-186
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• 2019

Efforts have been made to introduce the climate smart agriculture (CSA) for adaptation to future climate conditions, which would require collection and management of site specific meteorological data. The objectives of this study were to identify requirements for construction of agricultural meteorology information service system (AMISS) using technologies that lead to the fourth industrial revolution, e.g., internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The IoT sensors that require low cost and low operating current would be useful to organize wireless sensor network (WSN) for collection and analysis of weather measurement data, which would help assessment of productivity for an agricultural ecosystem. It would be recommended to extend the spatial extent of the WSN to a rural community, which would benefit a greater number of farms. It is preferred to create the big data for agricultural meteorology in order to produce and evaluate the site specific data in rural areas. The digital climate map can be improved using artificial intelligence such as deep neural networks. Furthermore, cloud computing and fog computing would help reduce costs and enhance the user experience of the AMISS. In addition, it would be advantageous to combine environmental data and farm management data, e.g., price data for the produce of interest. It would also be needed to develop a mobile application whose user interface could meet the needs of stakeholders. These fourth industrial revolution technologies would facilitate the development of the AMISS and wide application of the CSA.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2019

In order to investigate the characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Gihwa stream, a tributary of the Dong River, we surveyed the community and environmental factors in April and November 2013 at 6 sites. The benthic macroinvertebrate taxa represented total 63 species belonging to 29 families, 12 orders, 5 classes and 4 phyla. Total 48 (10~28 in each site) species were collected in April and 44 (13~24 in each site) in November. The number of individuals increased slightly from $560{\sim}2,290m^{-2}$ in April to $806{\sim}3,674m^{-2}$ in November. Chironomidae spp. was dominant species in April and Stenopsyche bergeri was dominant species in November. In the Functional Feeding Groups, Gathering-collector(53.9%) was dominant in April, while Filtering-collector (44.3%) increased in November. Intolerant order category (i.e. EPT species richness) in St.1, St.5 and St.6 increased in November compared to April due to the increase of Trichoptera. St.2, St.3 and St.4, which were located near the fish farm, were low EPT as a whole, but Benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMI) was good state in November than April due to decrease of Chironomidae spp.. The environmental factors in the survey site showed similar tendency except for St.1 between both seasons, and electrical conductivity, salinity, and water width showed seasonal differences. Cluster analysis and Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) based on benthic macroinvertebrate community data were divided into two groups according to season. Electrical conductivity, salinity and substrate composition were the most influential factors determining the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate communities.