• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.631-636
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• 2019

A new nitric oxide-induced (NOI) gene was isolated by screening ESTs from a cDNA library of dehydration-treated fibrous roots of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). The 720 bp cDNA fragment, IbNOI, was sequenced, from which a 77 amino acid residue protein was deduced. A search of the protein BLAST database identified significant similarity to other plant NOI protein sequences. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed diverse expression patterns of IbNOI in various tissues of the intact sweetpotato plant, and in leaves exposed to different stresses. The IbNOI gene was highly expressed in storage roots and suspension-cultured cells. In leaf tissues, IbNOI showed strong expression during sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced NO accumulation and chemical stress treatments. Expression of IbNOI was also induced under various abiotic stress conditions, such as dehydration, salt, and bacterial pathogen infection. These results suggest that IbNOI is involved in plant responses to diverse abiotic stresses and pathogen infection through a NO-related pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Based on the land system of Joseon Dynasty and contemporary perception of land, this study analyzed the reason Yun seon-do entered Bogildo Island and a characteristic of Buyong-dong garden. According to this analysis, this study interpreted the purpose that Yun seon-do had built Buyong-dong garden at a socio-economic perspective. The land such as Sarlimchontack(山林川澤) is recognized as a commonland in the Joseon Dynasty. Except the reserved area(禁山), however, actions to make commonland private through Ib-an(立案) and protecting graves was frequent. Bogildo Island was a place difficult to build a private garden because the island had been appointed a reserved forest to protect pine trees. Right after Byungjahoran, Yun seon-do entered the island on the pretext of protecting forests, and built Buyong-dong garden. The island was easy to move to manage private farms as well as possessed abundant forest resources and resources that have economic value such as fish and salt. It indicates that, unlike his pretext, economic benefits have also been considered.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2019

Candida albicans is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes infections. Candidiasis is often related to antifungal resistance because the pathogen has the ability to form biofilms. In a previous study, we found that the Salvia miltiorriza ethanol extract demonstrated anticandidal activity by altering membrane permeability and inhibiting the cell wall synthesis in C. albicans. Our results here demonstrate that $78{\mu}g/ml$ of the S. miltiorriza extract significantly diminished the early stage biofilms formed by 10 clinical C. albicans isolates by 51.3%; this was analyzed by 2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide salt (XTT) reduction assay. The effect of the S. miltiorrhiza extract on the adhesion of C. albicans cells to polystyrene plates and germ tube formation was examined via microscopic investigation. Although the density of the adhered cells was remarkably reduced up on incubation with $39{\mu}g/ml$ S. miltiorrhiza extract, germ tube formation by C. albicans was rarely affected. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the S. miltiorrhiza extract downregulated the expression of C. albicans hypha-specific genes, EAP1 by 34.7% (p < 0.001), ALS1 by 45.0% (p < 0.001), ALS3 by 48.1% (p < 0.001), and ECE1 by 21.3% (p = 0.006), respectively. Our data suggest that the S. miltiorrhiza ethanol extract significantly inhibited the early stage of biofilm formation by C. albicans by interfering with cell adhesion, by downregulating EAP1, ALS1 and ALS3, and presumably by modifying the cell wall and membrane structure.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.229-239
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• 2019

Rapid economic development has changed the dietary habits and patterns. Especially, western style diet has increased the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Korea. To provide more specific and appropriate diet guideline for the prevention and for the treatment of T2DM, the investigation on the characteristics of diebetic patients related to the diet needs to be done. In this study, we therefore analyzed eating behaviors, dietary attitudes, and intake of food and nutrients of normal subjects (control, n=26) and diabetic patients (case, n=18) diagnosed T2DM within one year in Daegu Gyeongbuk area. Body mass index of the patients were significantly higher than the control (p<0.05). Overeating, high fried food and low whole grain intake were revealed as risk factors for T2DM. From the food frequency questionnaire analysis, salty foods such as fermented soybean paste (Doenjang) and watery Kimch intake were associated with T2DM. Intake of vegetable lipid, ${\beta}$-carotene, calcium, copper, and vitamin K were also shown to be associated with T2DM. Taken together, these findings suggest that maintaining ideal body weight and intake the foods with low salt, fat, and refined grain in appropriate amount may help to prevent and to manage T2DM.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.180-188
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• 2019

Auxin plays a crucial regulatory role in plant growth and development processes. Three major classes of auxin-responsive transcription factors controlled by the Auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA), Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3), and small auxin up RNA (SAUR) genes regulate auxin signaling. Aux/IAA, in particular, encodes short-lived nuclear proteins that accumulate rapidly in response to auxin signaling. In this study, we isolated a PagAux/IAA1 gene from poplar (Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa) and investigated its expression characteristics. The PagAux/IAA1 cDNA codes for putative 200 amino acids polypeptide containing four conserved domains and two nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Utilizing Southern blot analysis, we confirmed that a single copy of the PagAux/IAA1 gene was present in the poplar genome. The expression of this gene is specific to leaves and flowers of the poplar. PagAux/IAA1 expressed in the early exponential growth phase of cell-cultured in suspension. PagAux/IAA1 expression level reduced in drought and salt stress conditions, and the presence of plant hormones such as abscisic acid. However, expression enhanced in cold stress, cambial cell division, and presence of plant hormones such as gibberellic acid and jasmonic acid. Thus, these results suggest that PagAux/IAA1 participates in cold stress response as well as developmental processes in the poplar.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Soil salinity causes reduction of crop productivity. Rhizosphere microbes have metabolic capabilities and ability to adaptation of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) could play a role as elicitors for inducing tolerance to stresses in plants by affecting resident microorganism in soil. This study was conducted to demonstrate the effect of selected strains on rhizosphere microbial community under salinity stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: The experiments were conducted in tomato plants in pots containing field soil. Bacterial suspension was inoculated into three-week-old tomato plants, one week after inoculation, and -1,000 kPa-balanced salinity stress was imposed. The physiological and biochemical attributes of plant under salt stress were monitored by evaluating pigment, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and ion concentrations. To demonstrate the effect of selected Bacillus strains on rhizosphere microbial community, soil microbial diversity and abundance were evaluated with Illumina MiSeq sequencing, and primer sets of 341F/805R and ITS3/ITS4 were used for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. As a result, when the bacterial strains were inoculated and then salinity stress was imposed, the inoculation decreases the stress susceptibility including reduction in lipid peroxidation, enhanced pigmentation and proline accumulation which subsequently resulted in better plant growth. However, bacterial inoculations did not affect diversity (observed OTUs, ACE, Chao1 and Shannon) and structure (principle coordinate analysis) of microbial communities under salinity stress. Furthermore, relative abundance in microbial communities had no significant difference between bacterial treated- and untreated-soils under salinity stress. CONCLUSION: Inoculation of Bacillus strains could affect plant responses and soil pH of tomato plants under salinity stress, whereas microbial diversity and abundance had no significant difference by the bacterial treatments. These findings demonstrated that Bacillus strains could alleviate plant's salinity damages by regulating pigments, proline, and MDA contents without significant changes of microbial community in tomato plants, and can be used as effective biostimulators against salinity stress for sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2022

Sinsu Island in Korea National Marine Park is suitable for geological learning and geotourism as various geological structures, geological activities, and fossils can be observed. In this study, eight geosites were developed by analyzing 2015 revision science curriculum. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips were developed according to the three-step outdoor learning model. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips, which consist of 8 classes, are composed of cooperative learning by group, enabling autonomous inquiry activities. It is designed to realize convergence education that can learn not only geology but also creativity and humanity through nodular Limestones, exfoliation, salt weathering, perforated shell holes, sedimentary structures and environments, dinosaurs habitats, and volcanic activity. Five experts revised and supplemented the Delphi analysis method to verify the validity of the development purpose and direction. The satisfaction with the geological field for Sinsu Island course was 4.52, indicating that the overall satisfaction with the field course was high. By reflecting on the opinions of each student and reinforcing safety education, we completed the 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips for Sinsu Island. The 3D panoramic geological virtual field trips in Sinsu Island in Korea National Marine Park will be a good example of geology learning tourism where you can make memories and enjoy while studying geology.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

The corrosion of reinforcement is the main reason for the performance degradation of concrete structures. The pre-rusted parts of rebar in concrete structures are vulnerable to the corrosion, especially if the structure is exposed to wet or chlorinated environments. In this study, effects of different curing solution on corrosion behavior of the pre-rusted rebars in the cement composites were investigated. HCl(3%) and CaCl₂(10%) solution were utilized to accelerate the pre-rust of the rebar, and each pre-rust condition rebar including reference (RE) were placed in mortar cylinder. Three kinds of samples then were cured in CaCl₂ (3%) solution and tap water respectively for 120 days. Electrochemical polarization and half-cell potential measurement were used to monitor the influence of curing water on the corrosion behavior of pre-rusted steel bar in cement composite. The surface morphology and composition of corroded steel bar were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. The results show that the corrosion rates of pre-rusted samples in both curing water are higher than that of non-pre-rusted samples. The corrosion rates of RE, CaCl₂ and HCl pre-rusted samples in salt water were 8.14, 4.48, 13.81 times higher than those in tap water respectively, on the 120th day.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2022

This study investigates the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Acer tegmentosum Maxim (EATM) against Staphylococcus aureus. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging effect, and reducing power of the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method were measured to verify the antioxidant activity of the EATM. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus using the EATM was verified by the paper disc method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 266.66 ㎍ GAE/mg and 6.46 ㎍ QE/mg, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity showed a concentration-dependent scavenging activity. The RC₅₀ values of the EATM were 21.49 and 12.81 ㎍/mL, respectively. A FRAP analysis was conducted for evaluating the reducing power of the EATM and an efficacy of 0.73 ± 0.19 mM FeSO₄ E/mg was observed. The antibacterial activity of EATM against S. aureus, determined using the paper disc method, showed an inhibitory ring of 3 mm at 2 mg. The MIC was confirmed at a concentration of ≥ 16 mg/mL, while the MBC was confirmed at 32 mg/mL. As the EATM shows antioxidant and antibacterial activities against S. aureus, it can be used as an effective antidote against atopic dermatitis.

• Clean Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

Methane was produced from the anaerobic digestion of marine macro-algae. Elemental analysis was first performed to estimate the theoretical methane production of three macro-algae (Undaria pinnatifida, Laminaria japonica, Hizikia fusiformis). Three algae were found to contain C 34 ~ 36%, H 5%, O 37 ~ 43%, N 2 ~ 4%, S 0.4 ~ 0.7%, and ash 14~21%, and the theoretical methane content was in the range of 56 ~ 60%, which can produce 442 ~ 568 mL $CH_4$ per g of volatile solid (VS). Using the biological methane potential (BMP) test, we found that L. japonica resulted in the highest yield of methane (52%). Moreover, various operational conditions, such as algae amount, pH, salinity, particle size, and pre-treatment, were investigated in order to find an optimal condition of anaerobic digestion. At pH 8.0, the autoclaved L. japonica (5g VS/200 mL), when used without washing salt, produced 268.5 mL/g VS which is 65% of the theoretical methane productions. Furthermore, using a CSTR (with the working volume of 7 L out of the total volume of 10 L), we have successfully operated the reactor for 65 days and obtained maximum methane production rate of 1.4 L/day with purity of 70%.