• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.223-246
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• 2023

This paper summarized the research papers on weather extremes that occurred in the Republic of Korea, which were published in the domestic and foreign journals during 1963~2022. Weather extreme is defined as a weather phenomenon that causes serious casualty and property loss; here, it includes typhoon, heavy rain, drought, heat wave, cold surge, heavy snow, and strong gust. Based on the 2011~2020 statistics in Korea, above 80% of property loss due to all natural disasters were caused by typhoons and heavy rainfalls. However, the impact of the other weather extremes can be underestimated rather than we have actually experienced; the property loss caused by the other extremes is hard to be quantitatively counted. Particularly, as global warming becomes serious, the influence of drought and heat wave has been increasing. The damages caused by cold surges, heavy snow, and strong gust occurred over relatively local areas on short-term time scales compared to other weather hazards. In particularly, strong gust accompanied with drought may result in severe forest fires over mountainous regions. We hope that the present review paper may remind us of the importance of weather extremes that directly affect our lives.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.1209-1215
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• 2022

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is known as a very efficient method to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the catalyst performs reduction from nitrogen oxides (NOx) to nitrogen (N₂) and water vapor (H2O). The catalyst, which is one of the factors determining the performance of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) ruduction method, is known to increase catalyst efficiency as cell density increases. In this study, the reduction characteristics of nitrogen oxides (NOx) under various engine loads investigated. A 100CPSI(60Cell) catalysts was studied through a laboratory-sized simulating device that can simulate the exhaust gas conditions from the power generation engine installed in the training ship SEGERO. The effect of 100CPSI(60Cell) cell density was compared with that of 25.8CPSI(30Cell) cell density that already had NOx reduction data from the SCR manufacturing. The experimental catalysts were honeycomb type and its compositions and materials of V₂O₅-WO₃-TiO₂ were retained, with only change on cell density. As a result, the NOx concentration reduction rate from 100CPSI(60Cell) catalyst was 88.5%, and IMO specific NOx emission was 0.99g/kwh satisfying the IMO Tier III NOx emission requirement. The NOx concentration reduction rate from 25.8CPSI(30Cell) was 78%, and IMO specific NOx emission was 2.00g/kwh. Comparing the NOx concentration reduction rate and emission of 100CPSI(60Cell) and 25.8CPSI(30Cell) catalysts, notably, the NOx concentration reduction rate of 100CPSI(60Cell) catalyst was 10.5% higher and its IMO specific NOx emission was about twice less than that of the 25.8CPSI(30Cell) catalysts. Therefore, an efficient NOx reduction effect can be expected by increasing the cell density of catalysts. In other words, effects to production cost reduction, efficient arrangement of engine room and cargo space can be estimated from the reduced catalyst volume.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.253-264
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the occurrence of viral diseases in the early growth stage of soybean to establish management practices. We collected 83 soybean samples showing abnormal symptoms, approximately 3-4 weeks after seeding in the breeding field of the National Institute of Crop Science. Viruses were detected in the collected samples using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and metatranscriptome analysis of all those samples. The incidence of viral diseases in the field was less than 1% overall and up to 50% in certain cultivars and lines. RT-PCR and metatranscriptome analysis detected Soybean yellow mottle mosaic virus (SYMMV), Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), Soybean yellow common mosaic virus, Peanut stunt virus, and soybean geminivirus A (SGVA). Among these detected viruses, SYMMV and SMV were identified as major viruses causing infection in the early growth stage of soybean, with detection rates of 53.7% and 42.6%, respectively. Soybeans infected with SYMMV showed typical mosaic symptoms, whereas those infected with SMV showed a variety of symptoms such as mosaic, mottle, stunt, and chlorotic spots. Transmission characteristics of these viruses are variable, such that SMV is primarily transmitted by seeds, whereas SYMMV could be transmitted by insects, soil, and seeds. In this study, SGVA was detected in the early growth stage of soybean, and research on the current status and its effects on soybean after the early growth stage should be conducted.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.264-274
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• 1993

This study was carried out to assess the agronomic characters and physicochemical properties of floury and chalky-endosperm mutant lines induced by chemical mutagen treatment to rice varieties, Hwacheongbyeo and IR24. Linkage analysis of a floury-endosperm gene was carried out using linkage testers. The grain size of brown rice of the mutants was smaller than that of the original varieties. The l, 000-grain and 1$\ell$ weight were lighter in the mutants compared with those in the original varieties. The compound starch granules in the endosperm cell of the mutants showed a loosely-packed crystalline structure. Amylose contents in mutants ranged from 16.9 to 28.5%. Crude protein contents of the mutants were not significantly different from the original rice variety, Hwacheongbyeo, but white core mutant(line 47106) derived from IR24 showed higher protein(l1.32%) compared with IR24(8.30%). The mutants showed slightly harder gel characteristics, and much lower viscosity in Amylograph than original varieties. Steamed rice-cakes from mutant lines showed greater volume than those from original varieties. During the process of alcohol fermentation, Brix in the mutants(especially floury mutants) decreased faster and the alcohol production after 10-day fermentation was much greater in the mutants than in the original varieties. Three different gene loci for floury endosperm characteristics were identified from the allelism test among mutant lines, and the genes were tentatively symbolized as flo-a, flo-b and flo-c, respectively. A floury gene, flo-a, was linked with lg(liguleless) gene in the linkage group N, with R.V. 5.76$\pm$1.72%.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 1997

This study was carried out to develop and investigate integrated mechanization system on polyethylene(P.E.) film mulching culture in sesame. Field trials were carried out to develop optimum mechanics for each step of manual operation in sesame culture and demonstrated those developed mechanics of sesame dibbling vinyl mulcher, sesame binder, sesame thresher and sesame grader at the farmer, s field of Hwasong (Kyunggi-do) in 1994 and 1995. Newly developed sesame dibbling vinyl mulcher brought saving manpower 280 hrs /ha for sowing and P.E. film mulching with it's 98％ of labour saving for the harvesting operation of sesame. Sesame Binder showed 93％ labour saving for cutting and binding with only 22 hrs /ha compared to 330 hrs /ha that of conventional. Sesame thresher was appeared to have 85％ effects of labour saving for threshing with completely dry sesame bundles at one time by 23 hrs /ha compared to 151 hrs /ha that of conventional. Sesame grader was appeared to have 72％ effects for sesame grain grading with 12 hrs /ha compared to that of conventional 54 hrs /ha. Grain yield of integrated mechanization culture system showed 6％ higher than that of coventional. Integrated mechanization culture system (sesame dibbling vinyl mulcher ＋ sesame binder ＋ sesame thresher ＋ sasame grader) showed 62％ of labour saving effects through whole steps of sesame culture by 472 hrs /ha compared to that of conventional 1, 230 hrs /ha.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in a variety of cellular physiological phenomena. The present study assessed the signaling axis that mediates the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced migration of SKOV-3 cells. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulated SKOV-3 cell migration in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Similarly, LPA stimulated SKOV-3 cell migration and the phosphorylation of Akt in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The pharmacological inhibition of LPA receptors (LPA₁/LPA₃) significantly suppressed LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration. However, IGF-1-induced SKOV-3 cell migration was not affected by the inhibition of LPA1 and LPA3. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) significantly suppressed LPA-induced migration, whereas the inhibition of MAPK kinase (MEK) had no effect. Inhibition of PI3K or ROCK completely suppressed LPA-induced ROS generation, and suppression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) or chelation of ROS by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) blocked LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration. LPA-induced ROS generation was suppressed by silencing Rictor or Akt1 but not Raptor or Akt2. Silencing Rictor or Akt1 significantly suppressed LPA-induced SKOV-3 cell migration, whereas silencing Raptor or Akt2 had no effect. Finally, the overexpression of the constitutively active form Akt1 (CA-Akt1) significantly enhanced the LPA-induced migration of SKOV-3 cells. Given these results, we suggest that LPA stimulates SKOV-3 cell migration by ROS generation, which is mediated by the mTORC2/Akt1/NOX signaling axis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2023

In this study, two cases of food poisoning caused by Salmonella that occurred in Gyeongsangnam-do in September 2021 are reported. One of the outbreaks occurred in a school and the other in a company. The molecular epidemiological characteristics of the isolated strains in the two outbreaks were analyzed. In the case of the school outbreak, 29 (4.9%) of 588 individuals experienced diarrhea and abdominal pain. As a result of a test of 36 individuals (patients, n=29; cook workers, n=7), Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was detected in 17 (47.2%) patients, suggesting this serotype was the principal cause. Meanwhile, Salmonella spp. were not detected in 35 food and environmental samples. In the company outbreak, 87 (3.0%) of 2,900 individuals who had intaked from the same source experienced diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In a test of 50 individuals (patients, n=40; cook workers, n=10), S. Enteritidis was detected in 28 patients (56.0%). Also, Vibrio cholerae (NAG) was detected in four patients with S. Enteritidis, and V. cholerae (NAG) only was detected in one patient. Salmonella spp. were not detected in 118 preserved foods, but S. Enteritidis was detected in one eaten food (toast) delivered in group by the company. Through PFGE genetic homology analysis of the isolated strains, all S. Enteritidis detected in patients and consumed foods were the same type. It seems that these S. Enteritidis isolates were the same type as detected in a previous school outbreak and in patients of group food poisoning in other regions, leading to an enhanced problem of food poisoning and epidemiology. Our analytic results can provide data for epidemiological management and food poisoning prevention based on molecular characteristics.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.399-408
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• 2022

There has been much debate on the morphometric divergence between the recently identified Apis cerana koreana and Apis cerana honey bees. The aim of this study was to obtain phenotypic information that can be used to compare A. c. koreana data with other A. cerana subspecies data from open resources and determine breeding results on the basis of morphometric traits. To differentiate A. c. koreana, we investigated 22 classic morphological characteristics; royal jelly secretion; and the weight of workers, queens, and drones of A. c. koreana bred in Korea. To define the selection results, we used the geometric morphometric method. The artificially selected A. c. koreana secreted significantly more royal jelly (1.18 times) than the naturally selected A. c. koreana, which positively influenced the health of the colonies. These honey bees were identified more clearly with the geometric morphometric method than with the classic morphometric method, which is traditionally used to determine the subspecies. Large trends were noted for A. c. koreana on the basis of our results and literature from the 1980s regarding A. cerana sizes in Korea (tarsal index, length of forewing, and cubital index were measured). The cluster analysis revealed the proximity of A. c. koreana, A. cerana in China, and A. c. indica on the basis of eight classic characters, which, perhaps, relay the origin of the honey bees. The results of this study defined the morphometric responses of A. c. koreana honey bees to geographic isolation, climate change, and selection, which are important to identify, protect, and preserve honey bee stock in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

We analyzed the distribution area of debris slopes in Mudeungsan (Mt. Mudeung) National Park by comparing aerial photos of the past (1966) and the present (2017) and identified the vegetation characteristics that affect the change in the area of the debris slopes by investigating the vegetation status of the debris slopes and the surrounding areas. The area of debris slopes in Mt. Mudeung appears to have been reduced to a quarter of what it used to be. Debris slopes here have decreased at an average rate of 2.3 ha/yr over 51 years by vegetation covers. Notably, most of the small-area debris slopes in the low-inclination slopes disappeared due to active vegetation coverage. However, there are still west-facing, south-west-facing, south-facing, and large-area debris slopes remaining because the sun's radiant heat rapidly raises the surface temperature of rock blocks and dries moisture, making tree growth unfavorable. Because of these locational characteristics, the small-scale vegetation in the middle of Deoksan Stony Slope, which is the broadest area, showed distinct characteristics from the adjacent forest areas. Sunny places and tree species with excellent drying resistance were observed frequently in Deoksan Stony Slope. However, tree species with high hygropreference that grow well in valleys with good soil conditions also prevailed. In some of these places, the soil layer has been well developed due to the accumulation of fine materials and organic matter between the crevices of the rock blocks, which is likely to have provided favorable conditions for such tree species to settle and grow. At the top of Mt. Mudeung, on the other hand, the forest covered the debris slopes, where Mongolian oaks (Quercus mongolica) and royal azaleas (Rhododendron schlippenbachii), which typically grow in the highlands, prevailed. This area was considered favorable for the development of vegetation for the highlands because the density of rock blocks was lower than in Deoksan Stony Slope, and the soil was exposed. Moreover, ash trees (Fraxinus rhynchophylla) and Korean maple trees (Acer pseudosieboldianum) that commonly appear in the valley areas were dominant here. It is probably due to the increased moisture content in the soil, which resulted from creating a depressive landform with a concave shape that is easy to collect rainwater as rock blocks in some areas fell and piled up in the lower region. In conclusion, the area, density of the rock blocks, and distribution pattern of rock block slopes would have affected the vegetation development and species composition in the debris slope landform.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.66-77
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• 2023

Background: Along with the increase in consumer interest in and consumption of tattoo products, the controversy over harmful heavy metals associated with the use of tattoo cosmetics is also increasing. Therefore, investigation of hazardous metals in these tattoo products is needed. Objectives: This study was performed to provide useful data for establishing reasonable standards to securely manage tattoo cosmetics, tattoo stickers, and tattoo inks distributed in the market. Methods: Thirteen kinds of hazardous metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Se, Ba, Zn, Sn, and Hg) were analyzed for 23 tattoo cosmetics, ten tattoo stickers, and 16 tattoo inks. Hg was measured through the combustion-gold amalgamation method, and other hazardous metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acidic decomposition using a microwave apparatus. Results: The detected ranges of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in tattoo cosmetics were 0.07~1.18, 0.06~0.41, ND~0.07, 0.01~3.44, 0.12~2.75, and ND~0.01 ㎍/g, respectively. All of the hazardous metals detected were below the recommended maximum standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The mean amount of Pb detected in tattoo stickers for children was 0.24 ㎍/kg and Cd was not detected, meaning both metals met the recommended criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in all measured metals between children's tattoo stickers and adults' tattoo stickers. In the results of the study on the hazardous metal content of tattoo inks, four products (25%) for Pb, one product (6%) for As, 13 products (81%) for Ni, four products (25%) for Cu, and five products (31%) for Zn exceeded the recommended standards approved by the government. The highest predicted exposure amount for hazardous metals exceeding the recommended level of tattoo inks in a single tattooing was 5.69 ㎍/kg for Ni, 8.51 ㎍/kg for Zn, 0.44 ㎍/kg for Pb, 8.07 ㎍/kg for Cu, 0.44 ㎍/kg for As, and 71.36 ㎍/kg for Ba. Conclusions: It is necessary to prepare criteria for content limitation for the management of Co, Cr, Ba and Se tattoo cosmetics, and tattoo inks require thorough quality control.