• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.693-710
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• 2013

This study investigates the distribution of suspended particulates during the Asian dust period in Busan, Korea in the spring of 2009. Weather map and automatic weather system (AWS) data were used to analyze the synoptic weather conditions during the period. Particulate matter 10, laser particle counter data, satellite images and a backward trajectories model were used to analyze the aerosol particles distribution and their origins. In Case 1 (20 February 2009), when the $PM_{10}$ concentration increased, the aerosol volume distribution of small ($0.3-1.0{\mu}m$) particles decreased, while the concentration of large ($1.0-10.0{\mu}m$) particles increased. When the $PM_{10}$ concentration decreased, the aerosol volume distribution was observed to decrease as well. The prevailing winds changed from weak northerly winds to strong southwesterly winds when the concentration of the large particles increased. The correlation coefficient between the $PM_{10}$ concentration and aerosol volume distribution of large particles showed a high positive value of over 0.9. The results from the trajectory model show that the Asian dust originated in the Gobi desert and the Nei Mongol plateau. In Case 2 (25 April 2009), when the $PM_{10}$ concentration increased, the aerosol volume concentration of small ($0.3-0.5{\mu}m$) particles decreased, but the concentration of large ($0.5-10.0{\mu}m$) particles increased. The opposite was observed when the $PM_{10}$ concentration decreased. The prevailing winds changed from northeasterly winds to southwesterly and northeasterly winds. The correlation coefficient between the $PM_{10}$ concentration and aerosol volume distribution of large particles ($1.0-10.0{\mu}m$) showed a high positive value of about 0.9. The results from the trajectory model show that the Asian dust originated in Manchuria and the eastern coast of China.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2005

Background : Ambient particles during Asian dust events are usually less than $10{\mu}m$ in size, and known to be associated with the adverse effects on the general population. There is little evidence linking Asian dust to adverse effects on the airways. In 2002, the authors found that particulate matter during Asian dust events had an effect on the symptoms and pulmonary function of patients with bronchial asthma. An aggravating factor might be that of a viral infection, but this remains unclear. Conversely, it has been speculated that African dust may carry the virus responsible for foot and mouth disease. Asian dust events are also likely to be responsible for transporting viruses, some of which are pathogenic, and common in many environments. Therefore, in this study, air samples were screened for the presence of viruses. Methods : Air samples were collected 20 times each during Asian dust events and under non-dust conditions, for at least 6 hours per sample, using a high volume air sampler (Sibata Model HV500F), with an airflow rate of 500L/min, between April and August 2003, and between April and August 2004. The samples were then screened for the presence of targeted viruses (Influenza A, B, Hog cholera virus, and Aphthovirus) using a polymerase chain reaction method. Results : One Asian dust event occurred between April and August 2003, and 3 between April and August 2004, with a 24 hour average PM10 level of $148.0{\mu}g/m^3$. The 24 hour average PM10 level was $57{\mu}g/m^3$. There was a significant difference in the PM10 concentration between dusty and clear days. No viruses (Influenza virus, Aphthovirus, and Hog cholera virus) were identified in the air samples obtained during the dusty days. Conclusions : Although no virus was detected in this study, further studies will be needed to identify suspected viruses carried during Asian dust events, employing more appropriate virus detection conditions.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2015

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] grows well in harsh environmental conditions, and is cultivated as one of the top seven food crops in the world. Recently, sweetpotato is drawing interest from people as a healthy food because it is high in dietary fiber, vitamins, carotenoids and overall nutrition value. However, few studies have been conducted on sweetpotato genome sequencing in spite of its importance. This review is aimed at increasing the efficiency of sweetpotato genome sequencing research as well as establishing a base for gene utilization in order to control useful traits. Recently, animal and plant genome sequencing projects increased significantly. However, sweetpotato genome sequencing has not been performed due to polyploidy and heterogeneity problems in its genome. Meanwhile research on its transcriptome has been conducted actively. Recently, a draft of the diploid sweetpotato genome was reported in 2015 by Japanese researchers. In addition, the Korea-China-Japan Trilateral Research Association of Sweetpotato (TRAS) has conducted research on gene map construction and genome sequencing of the hexaploid sweetpotato Xushu 18 since 2014. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the 'sweetpotato genomic sequencing to develop genomic tools for Sub-Sahara Africa breeding program'. The chloroplast genome sequence acquired during sweetpotato genome sequencing is used in evolutionary analyses. In this review, the trend of research in the sweetpotato genome sequencing was analyzed. Research trend analysis like this will provide researchers working toward sweetpotato productivity and nutrient improvement with information on the status of sweetpotato genome research. This will contribute to solving world food, energy and environmental problems.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2014

In this study, 2-stage recirculation membrane process was developed for purification of high purity bio-methane for the vehicle fuel application. Pure gas permeation and mixture gas permeation test were done as a function of methane content and pressure in the feed using polysulfone membrane modules. 2-stage membrane plant was designed, constructed in a food waste treatment cite. Dehumidification, dry desulfurization, and desiloxane plants are installed for the removal of $H_2O$, $H_2S$ and siloxane in the biogas. Permeation test were done with the pre-treated methane mixture in terms of methane purity and recovery by adjusting the ratio of membrane area (1:1, 1:3, 2:2) in the first and second membrane modules in the plant. When membrane area of 2 stage increased to $3m^2$ from $1m^2$ at 1-stage membrane area of $1m^2$, the feed rate and $CH_4$ recovery at 95% methane purity were increased from 47.1% to 92.5% respectively. When the membrane area increased two-fold (1:1 to 2:2), $CH_4$ recovery increased from 47.1% to 88.3%. When the feed flow rate was increased, in 1:3 ratio, final purity of the methane is reduced, the methane recovery is increased. When operating pressure was increased, the feed rate was increased and recovery was slightly decreased. From this result, membrane area, feed pressure and feed rate could be the important factor to the performance of the membrane process.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.194-200
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of newly developed Large Pore Micro-Filtration (LPMF) membrane in Lab size for the application of water treatment, and to find its problems with solutions. The out-to-inside filtration hollow fiber LPMF membrane of which average pore size was $5{\mu}m$ was used at this study and its material was the PET braid reinforced PVDF. Filtration tests were done through gravity with 30 cm water head difference or pressure below 1.5 bar, and the backwash was done instantaneously with the filtrate after pressurizing it to about 4 bar. The water flux of the LPMF membrane with 0.2 bar TMP (Trans Membrane Pressure) was 2 times higher than $0.4{\mu}m$ MF membrane with $0.05{\mu}m$ UF filtrate of the tap water and it was measured also with 20~30 cm water head difference which showed over 800 LMH at 30 cm water head difference. And Time-To-Filter (TTF) was performed by using $5{\mu}m$ filter paper to optimize coagulants and dosage which enhanced filtrate's turbidity and stabilized filtration flux. When the LPMF was operated with 30 cm gravity with very high dose of inorganic coagulants, the flux was maintained over 80 LMH with 93.5~99.5% turbidity removal. Especially, the filtration was maintained stably in the flux and about 97% of the recovery rate by instantaneous pressurized backwash with about 4 bar of the filtrate when the packing density was about 19%. But there was instability in filtration, since the TMP was continuously going up by inefficient backwash when the packing density was 43%.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.151-160
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• 1998

Tangerine peel is mostly discarded as waste in citrus processing. However, tangerine peel contains besides dietary fibers bioflavonoids such as naringin and hesperidin which act as antimicrobials and blood pressure depressants, respectively. A continuous membrane separation process was optimized for the production of bioflavonoids relative to feed flow rate, transmembrane pressure, temperature, and pH. The tangerine peel was blended with 7.5 times water volume and the extract was prefiltered through a prefiltration system. The prefiltered extract was ultrafiltered in a hollow fiber membrane system. The flux and feed flow rate didn't show any apparent correlation, but we could observe a mass-transfer controlled region of over 8 psi. When temperature increased from $9^{\circ}C\;to\;25^{\circ}C$, the flux increased about $10\;liters/m^2/min\;(LMH)$ but between $25^{\circ}C\;and\;33^{\circ}C$, the flux increased only 2 LMH. At every transmembrane pressure, the flux of pH 4.8 was the most highest and the flux at pH 3.0 was lower than that of pH 6.0, 7.0, or 9.0. Therefore, the optimum operating conditions were 49.3 L/hr. 10 psi, $25^{\circ}C$, and pH 4.8. Under the optimum conditions, the flux gradually decreased and finally reached a steady-state after 1 hr 50 min. The amount of dietary fibers in 1.0 g retentate in each separation step was analyzed and bioflavonoids concentration in each permeate was measured. The contents of total dietary fiber in the 170 mesh retentate and soluble dietary fiber in the prefiltered retentate were the highest. Naringin and hesperidin concentration in the permeate were $0.45{\sim}0.65\;mg/g\;and\;5.15{\sim}6.86\;mg/g$ respectively, being $15{\sim}22$ times and $79{\sim}93$ times higher than those in the tangerine peel. Therefore, it can be said that PM 10 hollow fiber membrane separation system may be a very effective method for the recovery of bioflavonoids from tangerine peel.

• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Conference
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.1-24
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• 2014

This study uses geo-spatial crop modeling to quantify the biophysical impact of weather extremes. More specifically, the study analyzes the weather extreme which affected maize production in the USA in 2012; it also estimates the effect of a similar weather extreme in 2050, using future climate scenarios. The secondary impact of the weather extreme on food security in the developing world is also assessed using trend analysis. Many studies have reported on the significant reduction in maize production in the USA due to the extreme weather event (combined heat wave and drought) that occurred in 2012. However, most of these studies focused on yield and did not assess the potential effect of weather extremes on food prices and security. The overall goal of this study was to use geo-spatial crop modeling and trend analysis to quantify the impact of weather extremes on both yield and, followed food security in the developing world. We used historical weather data for severe extreme events that have occurred in the USA. The data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition we used five climate scenarios: the baseline climate which is typical of the late 20th century (2000s) and four future climate scenarios which involve a combination of two emission scenarios (A1B and B1) and two global circulation models (CSIRO-Mk3.0 and MIROC 3.2). DSSAT 4.5 was combined with GRASS GIS for geo-spatial crop modeling. Simulated maize grain yield across all affected regions in the USA indicates that average grain yield across the USA Corn Belt would decrease by 29% when the weather extremes occur using the baseline climate. If the weather extreme were to occur under the A1B emission scenario in the 2050s, average grain yields would decrease by 38% and 57%, under the CSIRO-Mk3.0 and MIROC 3.2 global climate models, respectively. The weather extremes that occurred in the USA in 2012 resulted in a sharp increase in the world maize price. In addition, it likely played a role in the reduction in world maize consumption and trade in 2012/13, compared to 2011/12. The most vulnerable countries to the weather extremes are poor countries with high maize import dependency ratios including those countries in the Caribbean, northern Africa and western Asia. Other vulnerable countries include low-income countries with low import dependency ratios but which cannot afford highly-priced maize. The study also highlighted the pathways through which a weather extreme would affect food security, were it to occur in 2050 under climate change. Some of the policies which could help vulnerable countries counter the negative effects of weather extremes consist of social protection and safety net programs. Medium- to long-term adaptation strategies include increasing world food reserves to a level where they can be used to cover the production losses brought by weather extremes.