• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2016

Climate change affects plant responses on physiological characteristics and growth, and Pinus densiflora, one of the major tree species in Korea, are expected to be particularly vulnerable to rising temperature and increased precipitation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of an open-field warming and precipitation manipulation on physiological characteristics and growth of P. densiflora seedlings. Seedlings of 2-year-old P. densiflora were planted in April, 2013, in open-field nursery located at Korea University. The air temperature of warmed plots had been set to be $3^{\circ}C$ higher than the control plots using infrared lamps. Precipitation was manipulated to be 30% lower or higher than the control, using transparent panels and drip irrigation. Net photosynthetic rate, total chlorophyll content, seedling height, root collar diameter and biomass were measured from April, 2014 to April, 2015. The increase in new shoot biomass from warming was statistically significant, with the biomass in warmed plots about 2-fold higher than in the control plots in 2014 and 2015. This result might be related to advanced bud burst and increased occurrence of abnormal new shoots in warmed plots. Meanwhile, the results of net photosynthetic rate, total chlorophyll content, seedling height, root collar diameter and total biomass from warming and precipitation manipulation were not statistically significant, but tendencies of lower net photosynthetic rate and higher seedling height and biomass in warmed plots compared to the control were shown. Such might be speculated as results of the extended growth period. When root to shoot (R/S) ratio was calculated from the biomass data obtained in April 2014 and April 2015, increased R/S ratio was observed regardless of the treatments applied. Drought tolerance of P. densiflora and particularly low annual precipitation observed in 2014 were suggested as the possible reasons.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 1999

Background: Resting pulmonary function tests(PFTs) are routinely used in the evaluation of pulmonary impairment/disability. But the significance of the cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPX) in the evaluation of pulmonary impairment is controvertible. Many experts believe that dyspnea, though a necessary part of the assessment, is not a reliable predictor of impairment. Nevertheless, oxygen requirements of an organism at rest are different from at activity or exercising, and a clear relationship between resting PFTs and exercise tolerance has not been established in patients with chronic pulmonary disease. As well, the relationship between resting PFTs and dyspnea is complex. To investigate the relationship of dyspnea, resting PFTs, and CPX, we evaluated the patients of stabilized chronic pulmonary disease with clinical dyspnea rating(baseline dyspnea index, BDI), resting PFTs, and CPX. Method: The 50 patients were divided into two groups: non-severe and severe group on basis of results of resting PFTs(by criteria of ATS), CPX(by criteria of ATS or Ortega), and dyspnea rating(by focal score of BDI). Groups were compared with respect to pulmonary function, indices of CPX, and dyspnea rating. Results: 1. According to the criteria of pulmonary impairment with resting PFTs, $VO_2$max, and focal score of BDI were significantly low in the severe group(p<0.01). According to the criteria of $VO_2$max(ml/kg/min) and $VO_2$max(%), the parameters of resting PFTs, except $FEV_1$ were not significantly different between non-severe and severe(p>0.05). According to focal score($FEV_1$(%), FVC(%), MW(%), $FEV_1/FVC$, and $VO_2$max were significantly lower in the severe group(p<0.01). However, in the more severe dyspneic group(focal score<5), only $VO_2$max(ml/kg/min) and $VO_2$max(%) were low(p<0.01). $FEV_1$(%) was correlated with $VO_2$max(%)(r=0.52;p<0.01), but not predictive of exercise performance. The focal score had the correlation with max WR(%) (r=0.55;p<0.01). Sensitivity and specificity analysis were utilized to compare the different criteria used to evaluate the severity of pulmonary impairment, revealed that the classification would be different according to the criteria used. And focal score for dyspnea showed similar sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion : According to these result, resting PFTs were not superior to rating of dyspnea in prediction of exercise performance in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases and less correlative with focal score for dyspnea than $VO_2$max and max WR. Therefore, if not contraindicated, CPX would be considered to evaluate the severity of pulmonary impairment in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, including with severe resting PFTs. Current criteria used to evaluate the severity of impairment were insufficient in considering the degree of dyspnea, so new criteria, including the severity of dyspnea, may be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.986-995
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to analyze the distribution of endangered fish species and elucidate their relations on chemical water quality, physical habitat conditions and ecological stream health. The dominant species in the watershed was Pseudopungtungia nigra (Pn), Gobiobotia macrocephala (Gm), Gobiobotia brevibarba (Gb), Liobagrus obesus (Lo), and Iksookimia choii (Ic) in the order. The species of Pn designated as "critical endangered species (I) (CER)", was most widely distributed species among the endangered species, so the designation of the species should be re-evaluated. The endangered species was most popular (4 species, 384 individuals) in the Cho-River region of eighteen lotic regions. According to the analysis of chemical tolerance limits in the habitats with endangered fish species, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total phosphorus (TP) was analyzed as "very good" (Ia) and "good condition" in the chemical criteria of the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Also, chemical conditions, based on ammonia-N ($NH_{4+}$), total nitrogen (TN), phosphate-P ($PO_{4^-}P$) were much better in the habitat with endangered species (Hw) than the habitat without endangered species (Ho). In the meantime, the species of Ic showed wide ranges on the chemical tolerance, so physical habitat conditions, such as the size of substrate particles (sand) and hydrological regime, were considered as more important factors than the chemical water quality, if the water quality is not largely degraded. The endangered species were also more distributed in the high-order (4-6) streams than the low-order (1-3) streams. The evaluation of ecological stream health, based on multi-metric model of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), showed the large difference between the Hw (21.6, fair condition)and Ho (30.5, good condition), indicating that the habitat maintained well chemically and physically had higher distributions of endangered species. Overall, the designation of CER on the Pn should be re-evaluated due to wide-distributions, and the protections from water pollution and the habitat conservations on the endangered species are necessary in the watershed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2010

Abies holophylla Maxim. is a shade tolerant species that has potential to be used for continuous cover forestry system. Stand structure and natural regeneration of A. holophylla stands in Yong-In area located in the central part of Korea was investigated to estimate the self sustainability of A. holophylla plantation. Species composition, diameter at breast height (DBH) and height distribution of trees larger than 2 cm DBH were measured in ten stands in three study sites of Jeongsu-ri, Daedae-ri, and Hodong. Species and coverage of shrub layer, and A. holophylla seedlings were also investigated. While A. holophylla in non-managed stands (Jengsuri and Daedae-ri study sites) had the importance value of 40% and showed continuous diameter and age distribution, A. holophylla in Hodong site had narrow bell-shaped DBH distribution mostly concentrating between 25-35 cm DBH classes, and single canopy structure. Abies holophylla stands in Hodong have experienced occasional thinning and selective cutting. The correlation coefficient between age-DBH was significant but low ($R^2$=0.2, P=0.03), and similar aged A. holophylla had diverse DBH values. Continuos DBH distribution and multi-canopy structure of A. holophylla stands in Jeongsu-ri site show that natural regeneration of A. holophylla has been continuously occurred in this area. Seedling density of A. holophylla was between 2000 and 33000/ha, however, the number of trees in 2-5 cm DBH class was only 40-150 trees/ha, implying that the survival rate of seedlings is not high. Continuous natural regeneration and 0.6 cm/year of diameter growth rate of A. holophylla indicate that this area could be an appropriate habitat for this species, and A. holophylla plantation in this region seem to persist suggesting the possibility of managing the stands for continuous cover forestry system as well as selective harvesting practices.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 1997

This study was carried out to find the physico-chemical properties of soils and the rice growth at the pilot project rice farm of Buchanan city, Liberia. The results were as follows. Soils were classified as Plinthic Ferralsols. Real tropical soils had an oxic B horizon of 30cm thick with diffused horizon boundaries. The surface soils have Ochric A horizon with low organic matter. Plinthite was distributed throughout the whole soil profile unevenly. Exposed to sun light, Plinthite was dried out, hardened, and developed irreversibly into ironstone. There were 286 termite hills in 20ha in the project area. The pH value of the termite hills was higher than that of the ordinary soil two units. Soils of the termite hills had higher contents of carbon, nitrogen, available phosphate and exchangeable bases, especially calcium(2,000mg/kg). Available Fe contents was 230~330mg/kg in the surface soil, and 2,200mg/kg in the subsoil. This caused bronzing of rice in a few days after transplanting. The tolerance of Fe toxicity was lower in Korean cultivars than in Liberian cultivars. The tolerant cultivar was Hangang among Korean cultivars and Nizersail and Suakoko 8 among Liberian cultivars. Area weighted average percolation rate was 8.3mm/day and infiltration rate was 2~2.5mm/hr.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 1994

Issues of declining growth and vigor in forests are major concerns in many areas around the world, especially in response to predictions in the 1980s of widespread forest declines. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge for forests in North America, Europe, and East Asia. Forest declines near point-sources of pollution(such as metal smelters) have been well recognized for a century, but evidence of widespread impacts away from point-sources remains relatively uncommon. In North America, significant forest decline has resulted from high concentrations of ozone near Los Angeles, California, and around Mexico City. Some high-elevation forests of red spruce in the eastern U.S. have declined in the past 20 years ; evidence indicates a role of low-pH fog in reducing they cold-tolerance of spruce. In Europe. most attention has focused on Norway spruce stands that developed yellow foliage, needle loss, and in some cases mortality. This syndrome appears to be related generally to an inadequate supply of magnesium, perhaps coupled with a very high supply of nitrogen. Despite localized areas that show declining trees, overall stand growth and standing biomass in Europe increased from. 1970 to 1990. Much less information is available for East Asia. Many industrialized regions in China have a pH of rain <4.5, and some connections between pollution and forest decline have been suggested. Pollution impacts on forests near cities in Korea include needle chlorosis, reduced needle retention, and declining species diversity. Overall, temperate forests show no widespread declines, and no evidence of substantial effects of pollutants on forest growth or vigor. Small areas showing declining forests may indeed demonstrate pollution impacts, and may provide cause for concerns about future impacts on larger areas.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.464-471
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• 2016

To investigate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in both elderly and younger patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Of the MI patients who received hospital-based CR between February 2012 and December 2015, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who continued a follow-up through the outpatient clinic. A total of 46 patients (18 elderly patients (${\geq}60years$) and 28 younger patient (< 60)) were included in this study. The subjects visited the clinic to perform aerobic exercises with ECG monitoring based on their initial exercise tolerance test outcome. The exercise capacity was measured by symptom-limited exercise tests before and after hospital-based CR. Before CR, the elderly group had a significantly lower exercise capacity in peak VO2, METs, anaerobic threshold, exercise time, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) than the younger group. After CR, elderly groups showed a significantly improved exercise capacity in exercise time, HRmax, HRrest, peak VO2, METs, anaerobic threshold, and RER. Both elderly and younger groups showed similar improvement of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity after hospital-based CR. There is a very low cardiac rehabilitation participation and referral rates with MI patients in Korea. It is considered necessary to further expand the participation of cardiac rehabilitation in elderly MI patients.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2019

The primary objective of this study was to determine the content of biogenic amines in Korean traditional fermented soybean pastes (doenjang) and to isolate potential probiotic Bacillus sp. with the ability to inhibit biogenic amines accumulation. There were significant differences in the bacterial cell counts, pH value, titratable acidity, salinity, and biogenic amine content between the samples. Among Bacillus strains isolated from doenjang, Bacillus (B.) licheniformis DB102, B. subtilis DB203, B. stearothermophilus DB206, Bacillus sp. DB209, Bacillus sp. DB310, B. coagulans DB311, B. cereus DB313, B. amyloliquefaciens DB714, Bacillus sp. DB917, B. cereus DB 915, B. subtilis DB1020, and Bacillus sp. DB1022 were found to be able to produce biogenic amines. On the other hand, biogenic amine-degrading strains were identified as Bacillus sp. DB403, Bacillus sp. DB407, B. subtilis DB517, B. licheniformis DB612, and B. subtilis DB821. In particular, Bacillus sp. DB407 and B. subtilis DB821 showed probiotic properties including tolerance to artificial digestive juices, adherence to intestinal epithelial cells, resistance to antibiotics, and antibacterial activity against biogenic amine-producing strains. In conclusion, the two probiotic Bacillus strains may be considered as the suitable starter for manufacture of fermented soybean foods with low biogenic amines content.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.311-322
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• 2008

The objectives of the study were to analyze chemical water quality and physical habitat characteristics in the urban streams (Miho and Gap streams) along with evaluations of fish community structures and ecosystem health, throughout fish composition and guild analyses during 2006$\sim$2007. Concentrations of BOD and COD averaged 3.5 and 5.7 mg L$^{-1}$, in the urban streams, while TN and TP averaged 5.1 mg L$^{-1}$ and 274 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$, indicating an eutrophic state. Especially, organic pollution and eutrophication were most intense in the downstream reach of both streams. Total number of fish was 34 species in the both streams, and the most abundant species was Zacco platypus (32$\sim$42% of the total). In both streams, the relative abundance of sensitive species was low (23%) and tolerant and omnivores were high (45%, 52%), indicating an typical tolerance and trophic guilds of urban streams in Korea. According to multi-metric models of Stream Ecosystem Health Assessments (SEHA), model values were 19 and 24 in Miho Stream and Gap Stream, respectively. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI (Qulatitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values were 123 and 135 in the two streams, respectively. The minimum values in the SEHA and QHEI were observed in the both downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions, as shown in the water quality parameters. The model values of SEHA were strongly correlated with conductivity (r=-0.530, p=0.016), BOD (r=-0.578, p< 0.01), COD (r=-0.603, p< 0.01), and nutrients (TN, TP: r>0.40, p<0.05). This model applied in this study seems to be a useful tool, which could reflect the chemical water quality in the urban streams. Overall, this study suggests that consistent ecological monitoring is required in the urban streams for the conservations along with ecological restorations in the degradated downstrems.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

Regardless of the recent observed warmer winters in Korea, more freeze injuries and associated economic losses are reported in fruit industry than ever before. Existing freeze-frost forecasting systems employ only daily minimum temperature for judging the potential damage on dormant flowering buds but cannot accommodate potential biological responses such as short-term acclimation of plants to severe weather episodes as well as annual variation in climate. We introduce 'dormancy depth', in addition to daily minimum temperature, as a complementary criterion for judging the potential damage of freezing temperatures on dormant flowering buds of grape vines. Dormancy depth can be estimated by a phonology model driven by daily maximum and minimum temperature and is expected to make a reasonable proxy for physiological tolerance of buds to low temperature. Dormancy depth at a selected site was estimated for a climatological normal year by this model, and we found a close similarity in time course change pattern between the estimated dormancy depth and the known cold tolerance of fruit trees. Inter-annual and spatial variation in dormancy depth were identified by this method, showing the feasibility of using dormancy depth as a proxy indicator for tolerance to low temperature during the winter season. The model was applied to 10 vineyards which were recently damaged by a cold spell, and a temperature-dormancy depth-freeze injury relationship was formulated into an exponential-saturation model which can be used for judging freeze risk under a given set of temperature and dormancy depth. Based on this model and the expected lowest temperature with a 10-year recurrence interval, a freeze risk probability map was produced for Hwaseong County, Korea. The results seemed to explain why the vineyards in the warmer part of Hwaseong County have been hit by more freeBe damage than those in the cooler part of the county. A dormancy depth-minimum temperature dual engine freeze warning system was designed for vineyards in major production counties in Korea by combining the site-specific dormancy depth and minimum temperature forecasts with the freeze risk model. In this system, daily accumulation of thermal time since last fall leads to the dormancy state (depth) for today. The regional minimum temperature forecast for tomorrow by the Korea Meteorological Administration is converted to the site specific forecast at a 30m resolution. These data are input to the freeze risk model and the percent damage probability is calculated for each grid cell and mapped for the entire county. Similar approaches may be used to develop freeze warning systems for other deciduous fruit trees.