• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.245-255
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• 2017

There are a number of pieces of evidences that suggest a link between marine diatoms and microorganisms, but knowledge about related microbial communities is greatly lacking. The present study investigated the microbial community structures related to the growth of the marine diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana. We collected free-living bacteria (FLB) and particle-associated bacteria (PAB) at each growth stage (e.g., lag, exponential, stationary and death) of the diatom, and analyzed their bacterial 16S rDNA using pyrosequencing. Metagenomics analysis showed that community structures of FLB and PAB differed considerably with the progress of growth stages. FLB showed higher diversity than PAB, but variation in the different growth stages of C. meneghiniana was more evident in PAB. The proportion of the genus Hoeflea, belonging to the order Rhizobiales, was dominant in both FLB and PAB, and it gradually increased with the growth of C. meneghiniana. However, Enhydrobacter clade tended to considerably decrease in PAB. In addition, Marinobacter decreased steadily in FLB, but first increased and then decreased in PAB. These results suggest that Hoeflea, Enhydrobacter, and Marinobacter may be closely related to the growth of diatom C. meneghiniana.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.351-353
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• 2013

Until recently, Pacific equatorial tropical island states were subject of only very limited interest by scientists, government officials, industry and policy makers of Korea. And, comprehensive information and data on these island regions is not very detailed to help better understand their social backgrounds as well as their natural environment. However, these island regions are now in the middle of diplomatic tug-of-war among super powers as well as becoming nucleus of various science-based ocean issues including marine biodiversity, shifting ecosystem, global environmental change including sea level rise and ocean acidification, fisheries, etc. Therefore, rising political and scientific importance of these areas call for better understanding of these regions, in social aspects as well as natural scientific knowledge of the region. To be provocatively prepared to more actively role in these regions, "A study on Establishing Research Infrastructures in the Tropical Pacific" has been supported during 2012-2013 as a mission-oriented in-house project of the KIOST. This project aims to provide various research infrastructure for Pacific island states, to reinforce cooperation with these nations, and to enhance Korea's national prestige. This special issue contains 10 research articles based on the studies conducted in 2012~2013.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2005

Recently there has been a rapid accumulation of knowledge of microbial life in cold and frozen ecosystems. This understanding has revealed the extensive diversity of psychrophilic prokaryotes. Cultivation-based and molecular-based surveys have been performed in Antarctic habitats ranging from glacial ice to continental shelf sediments. Results indicate that psychrophilic taxa permeate throughout the Bacteria while they represent a more mysterious element of diversity in the Archaea owing to a notable lack of cultured strains. In certain cold climate ecosystems the diversity of psychrophilic populations reach levels comparable to the richest temperate equivalents. Within these communities must exist tremendous genetic diversify that is potentially of fundamental and of practical value. So far this genetic pool has been hardly explored. Only recently have genomic data become available for various psychrophilic prokaryotes and more is required. This owes to the fact that psychrophilic microbes possess manifold mechanisms for cold adaptations, which not only Provide enhanced survival and Persistence but Probably also contributes to niche specialisation. These mechanisms, including cold-active and ice-active proteins, polyunsaturated lipids and exopolysaccharides also have a great interest to biotechnologists.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2015

Antifreeze proteins and glycoproteins [AF(G)Ps] constitute a group of proteins that lower the freezing but not the melting points of aqueous solutions, enabling polar and north-temperate fish to survive in ice-laden environments. However, little is known about antifreeze activity in temperate fish; such work would extend our knowledge on the functions and evolution of AF(G)Ps. In the present study, we screened for antifreeze activity in temperate fish caught off the coast of Jumunjin ($37.89^{\circ}N$), Gangneung, Korea. Thermal hysteresis (TH) and the ability to inhibit ice recrystallization (IR) in blood, liver, and muscle samples from nine fish were examined to assess antifreeze activity. As the East Sea off the coast of Jumunjin is ice-free year round, we thought it most unlikely that the fish would express antifreeze proteins. Surprisingly, the blood of Pleurogrammus azonus and three types of tissue from Gymnocanthus herzensteini, Zoarces gilli and Kareius bicoloratus exhibited measurable TH values together with the ability to trigger characteristic morphological changes in ice crystals. Blood samples from the three species also evidenced ice recrystallization (IR) inhibition. This implies that AF(G)Ps or other antifreeze-like substances are present in temperate fish even under nonfreezing conditions. These results contribute to our understanding of the functions and origins of antifreeze activity in fish.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-50
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• 2010

The Arctic climate change for the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM) occurred at 21,000 years ago (21ka) was investigated using simulation results of atmosphere-ocean coupled models from the second phase of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Program(PMIP2). In the analysis, we used seven models, the NCAR CCSM of USA, ECHAM3-MPIOM of German Max-Planxk Institute, HadCM3M2 of UK Met Office, IPSL-CM4 of France Laplace Institute, CNRM-CM3 of France Meteorological Institute, MIROC3.2 of Japan CCSR at University of Tokyo, and FGOALS of China Institute of Atmospheric Physics. All the seven models reproduces the Arctic climate features found in the present climate at 0ka(pre-industrial time) in a reasonable degree in comparison to observations. During the LGM, the atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration and other greenhouse gases were reduced, the ice sheets were expanded over North America and northern Europe, the sea level was lowered by about 120m, and orbital parameters were slightly different. These boundary conditions were implemented to simulated LGM climate. With the implemented LGM conditions, the biggest temperature reduction by more than $24^{\circ}C$ is found over North America and northern Europe owing to ice albedo feedback and the change in lapse rate by high elevation. Besides, the expansion of ice sheets leads to the marked temperature reduction by more then $10^{\circ}C$ over the Arctic Ocean. The temperature reduction in northern winter is larger than in summer around the Arctic and the annual mean temperature is reduced by about $14^{\circ}C$. Compared to low mid-latitudes, the temperature reduction is much larger in high northern altitudes in the LGM. This results mirror the larger warming around the Artic in recent century. We could draw some information for the future under global warming from the knowledge of the LGM.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2016

Detailed knowledge on maskelynite, a glassy phase of plagioclase found in shocked meteorites and impact craters, is essential to understand a shock metamorphism. Here, we explore an inhomogeneous shock metamorphism in the lunar meteorite Mount DeWitt (DEW) 12007 with an aim to understand the formation mechanism of maskelynite. Most plagioclase grains in the DEW 12007 partially amorphized into maskelynite with a unidirectional orientation. Back-scattered electron (BSE) images of maskelynite show a remnant of planar deformation fracture possibly indicating that the maskelynite would be formed by solid-state transformation(i.e., diaplectic glass). Plagioclase with flow texture is also observed along the rim of maskelynite, which would be a result of recrystallization of melted plagioclase. Results of Raman experiments suggest that shock pressure for plagioclase and maskelynite in the DEW 12007 is approximately 5-32 GPa and 26-45 GPa, respectively. The difference in shock pressures between plagioclase and maskelynite can be originated from 1) external factors such as inhomogeneous shock pressure and/or 2) internal factors such as chemical composition and porosity of rock. Unfortunately, Raman spectroscopy has a limitation in revealing the detailed atomic structure of maskelynite such as development of six- or five-coordinated aluminum atom upon various shock pressure. Further studies using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are necessary to understand the formation mechanism of maskelynite under high pressure.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 2019

While a fairly large amount of organic matter is produced daily via phytoplankton photosynthesis in Lake Paldang, South Korea, knowledge of the role of algal-derived organic matter (OM) as a refractory OM source is not adequate. To understand the contribution of algal-derived OM to the refractory pool, biodegradation experiment and $KMnO_4$ oxidation experiment were conducted for 60 days using $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ labeled natural phytoplankton assemblage. The assemblage was collected from Lake Paldang on May 20, 2010. The photosynthetically produced total organic carbon ($TO^{13}C$), particulate organic carbon ($PO^{13}C$), and particulate nitrogen ($P^{15}N$) remained at 26%, 20%, and 17% of the initial concentrations, respectively, in the form of non-biodegradable organic matter. In addition, 12% and 38% of $PO^{13}C$ remained after $KMnO_4$ treatment on Day 0 and 60, respectively. These results indicate that photosynthetic products could be an important source of refractory organic matter after microbial degradation. Moreover, the microbially transformed algal-derived OM could contribute to the oxidation rate of the chemical oxygen demand.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.259-272
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• 2013

One of the factors influencing the climate around Korea is the oceanic-atmospheric variability in the tropical region between the eastern Indian and the western Pacific Oceans. Lack of knowledge about the air-sea interaction in the tropical Indo-Pacific region continues to make it problematic forecasting the ocean climate in the East Asia. The 'Tropical Indo-Pacific water transport and ecosystem monitoring EXperiment (TIPEX)' is a program for monitoring the ocean circulation variability between Pacific and Indian Oceans and for improving the accuracy of future climate forecasting. The main goal of the TIPEX program is to quantify the climate and ocean circulation change between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The contents of the program are 1) to observe the mixing process of different water masses and water transport in the eastern Indian and the western Pacific, 2) to understand the large-scale oceanic-climatic variation including El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)/Warm Pool/Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)/Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and 3) to monitor the biogeochemical processes, material flux, and biological changes due to the climate change. In order to effectively carry out the monitoring program, close international cooperation and the proper co-work sharing of tasks between China, Japan, Indonesia, and India as well as USA is required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2007

The callipyge mutation in sheep is a polar overdominant mutation that results in post-natal muscle hypertrophy in the loin and hindquarters of paternal heterozygotes (+/CLPG). Sheep that are homozygous for the callipyge allele (CLPG/CLPG) do not express the muscle hypertrophy phenotype, but serve as carriers for the mutation. Callipyge sheep are characterized by improved feed efficiencies and leaner carcasses. Leptin is a protein hormone secreted from adipose tissue and has been found to affect appetite and serve as an indicator of body fat mass. To date, very little knowledge is available as to the effect of the callipyge mutation on circulating leptin levels. Due to the interaction of leptin with feed intake and energy availability, and the fact that the majority of fetal growth occurs in late gestation, it is important to understand if the callipyge mutation interacts with leptin production in late gestational ewes. Therefore, our objective was to characterize serum concentrations of leptin in late gestational callipyge ewes vs. non-callipyge ewes. We evaluated genetically verified callipyge (n=6), homozygous (n=8) and normal (n=8) ewes weekly during the last eight wks of gestation through one wk post-partum. Weights were taken and body condition scores were assigned by trained personnel weekly. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture on each sampling date and subjected to an ovine-specific leptin RIA. Genotype influences on peripheral concentrations of leptin were found to be highly significant (p=0.0005). Total leptin means for +/CLPG were 5.41${\pm}$0.40 ng/ml, CLPG/CLPG 8.11${\pm}$0.70 ng/ml, and +/+ 9.13${\pm}$0.93 ng/ml. Sampling date was also significant (p=0.0098) with all ewes showing a decrease in leptin levels throughout gestation and parturition. Using repeated measures, we were able to detect lower levels of plasma leptin in callipyge ewes, which may be indicative of their lower overall body fat content. These results indicate that the callipyge phenotype decreases the levels of adipose tissue and leptin production in gestating ewes.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.52.1-52.1
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• 2012

It is often said that there is little geometrical mind in Korean history. However, a method to project the surface of a sphere onto 2-dimensional plain was applied to the representative Korean star chart or Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (天象列次分野之圖). The method, called the equi-distant polar projection, was explained in detail in ancient Chinese history book of the Tang dynasty, which was originated from older history. Another method of the Mercator projection was introduced by the famous engineer Su Song (蘇頌) of the Song dynasty. The description has quite geometrical thoughts, especially the concept of infinity or convergence appears, However, this type of sky projection method was not widely used in east Asia. When the European Jesuits came to China to evangelize the Chinese people, they found that the Chinese people paid much attention to advanced European astronomical knowledge. Thus, they introduced the European astronomical knowledges into China, and the star chart was one of them. The projection method of the new charts were quite different from the Chinese tradition. When the Koreans brought those new star chart from China, they must have known the geometrical description of the method. The method was described in detail in a volume of Chongzhen Lishi (崇禎曆書) or Xiyang Xinfa Lishu (西洋新法曆書). The explanation consists of three part. One is the quantitative way; another is a geometrical way using axiomatic systems; and the other is the practical method to draw star chart with the geometical projection. However, when we see the Honcheon Jeondo (渾天全圖) that is thought to be duplicated by Kim Jeongho (金正浩), the new geometrical method was not so widely known to the Koreans. I will discuss the reason why the geometrical minds have not been widely adopted in the Korean civilization.