• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.1258-1263
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to reclassify Asan series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy and to discuss the formation of Asan series distributed on the rolling to hilly areas. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Asan series were investigated and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil survey laboratory methods manual. The typifying pedon of Asan series has dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) gravelly loam Ap horizon (0-18 cm), strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) gravelly clay loam BA horizon (18-30 cm), red (2.5YR 4/6) gravelly clay loam Bt1 horizon (30-52 cm), red (2.5YR 4/8) gravelly clay loam Bt2 horizon (52-98 cm), and red (2.5YR 4/8) gravelly clay loam C horizon (98-160 cm). The typifying pedon has an argillic horizon from a depth of 30 to 98 cm and a base saturation (sum of cations) of less than 35% at 125 cm below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon. It can be classified as Ultisol, not as Inceptisol. It has udic soil moisture regime, and can be classified as Udult. Also that meets the requirements of Typic Hapludults. It has 18-35% clay at the particle-size control section, and has mesic soil temperature regime. Therefore Asan series can be classified as fine loamy, mesic family of Typic Hapludults, not as fine loamy, mesic family of Typic Dystrudepts. Asan series occur on rolling to hilly areas in residual materials derived from granite gneiss, schist, and gneiss rocks. They are developed as Ultisols with clay mineral weathering, translocation of clays to accumulate in an argillic horizon, and leaching of base-forming cations from the profile for relatively long periods under humid and temperate climates in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.336-340
• /
• 2009

The issue of acid precipitation and related environmental problems in East Asia has been emerging. To evaluate the acidity and chemical characteristics of rainwater in Korea, its chemical properties during cultivation season from April to October were investigated at Taean in 2007. Also, to estimate the contribution of ions on its acidity, ion composition characteristics and neutralization effects by cation ions were determined. The ion balance between cations and anions values showed high correlation. The mean values of pH and EC were 4.9 and $32.9{\mu}S\;cm^{-1}$, respectively. The EC of rainwater showed seasonal characteristic, which was $91.4{\mu}S\;cm^{-1}$ with relatively low rainfall compared with other monitoring periods. $Na^+$ was the main cation followed by $NH_4{^+}$ > $Ca^{2+}$ > $H^{+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ > $K^+$. Among these ions, $Na^{+}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ covered over 70% of total cations. In the case of anion, the order was $SO_4{^{2-}}$ > $NO_3{^-}$ > $Cl^{-}$. The mean value of sulfate, which is main anion component in the samples was $152.1{\mu}eq\;L^{-1}$. Also, 90% of soluble sulfate in rainwater was $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$(non-sea salt sulfate). With fractional acidity and theoretical acidity of rainwater samples, $NH_4{^+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ contributed greatly in neutralizing the rain acidity.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.174-183
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate difference of somatic symptoms of anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder and domainal association with suicidal idealization, plan, and attempts. Methods : A total of 359 adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder of last one year participated. Participants interviewed with certain sections of Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic interview of CIDI. Sections of interests includes questionnaires regarding somatic symptoms and suicidal idea, plan and attempts of last one year. Results : Chest pain shows more prevalence in major depressive disorder. Symptoms of Headache and loose stool are more prevalent in anxiety disorder. Difficulty in equilibrium and fainting spells are more common somatic complaints of co-diagnosis states of anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Comparing 3 domains of pain symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms and pseudo-neurological symptoms, pain symptom domains, gastrointestinal symptoms domain shows significant statistic difference between diagnosis. Average somatic symptom numbers of each symptom domains increase through suicidal idealization, plan and attempt, accordingly. Conclusions : Our finding shows some of somatic symptoms are more prevalent at certain diagnosis. Since increasing numbers of somatic complaints of each symptom domains goes with the suicidal idealization to suicidal attempts, proper psychiatric evaluation and consultations are crucial for patients with numerous somatic complaints in non-psychiatric clinical settings.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.484-491
• /
• 2019

Proanthocyanidins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds abundant in many vegetables, plant skins (rind/bark), seeds, flowers, fruits, and nuts. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated myriad effects potentially beneficial to human health, such as antioxidation, immunomodulation, DNA repair, and antitumor activity. Among immune cells, macrophages are crucial players in a variety of inflammatory responses to environmental conditions. However, it has been widely reported that macrophages cause chronic inflammation and are involved in a variety of diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. In this study, we report the suppressive effect of proanthocyanidins via the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-related system, on the immune response of the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Increased HO-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels were found in proanthocyanidins-treated RAW264.7 cells. Further, proanthocyanidins enhanced nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 translocation into the nucleus. RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without proanthocyanidins, and inflammatory mediator expression levels were assessed. Proanthocyanidins treatment resulted in the attenuation of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6, was inhibited by proanthocyanidins treatment in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These findings support proanthocyanidins as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2019

Pintail (Anas acuta) is the major wintering bird in South Korea and known as a major mediator of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Pintail migrates long distances between Russian Siberia and Korea. This species prefers a rice paddy area as their winter habitat. The purpose of this study is to provide the data necessary for the conservation and management of bird habitats in Korea by understanding the wintering home-range and habitat of pintail in Korea. We captured six pintails using a cannon-net in the winter of 2015 and attached the GPS-mobile phone based telemetry (WT-300) on them to study the wintering home-range and wintering habitat. We analyzed the tracking location data using ArcGIS 9.0 Animal Movement Extension and calculated Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP). The average home-range in the wintering ground analyzed by MCP was $677.3km^2$ (SD=130.2, n=6) while the maximum and minimum were $847.7km^2$ and $467.5km^2$, respectively. Extents of home-range analyzed by KDE were $194.7km^2$ (KDE 90%), $77.4km^2$ (KDE 70%), and $35.3km^2$ (KDE 50%). The pintails mostly used both sea and paddy field as habitat in the winter season and utilized paddy fields more during the nighttime and than the daytime. We concluded that the home-range and habitat of pintails in the winter could be used as the reference data for the preservation of species, management of habitats, and coping with a breakout of HPAI.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.289-292
• /
• 2019

Lachnospiraceae bacterium KGMB03038 (=KCTC 15821) belonging to the class Clostridia in phylum Firmicutes, was isolated from a stool sample of a healthy Korean. Herein, we report the complete genome sequence of strain KGMB03038 analyzed using the PacBio Sequel platform. The genome comprises of 3,334,474 bp with G + C content of 47.8%, which includes 3,099 predicted protein-coding genes, 12 ribosomal RNAs, 54 transfer RNAs, and 4 ncRNAs. Genome analysis revealed that strain KGMB03038 possesses a number of genes involved in hydrolysis of carbohydrates, including mono-, di-, and oligo-saccharides, and biosynthesis of various amino acids.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.274-277
• /
• 2019

Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was isolated from fecal samples obtained from a healthy Korean. The whole-genome sequence of Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was analyzed using the PacBio Sequel platform. The genome comprises a 2,707,502 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 43.09%, 2,484 total genes, 2,367 protein-coding gene, 14 rRNA genes, and 53 tRNA genes. In the draft genome, genes involved in the hydrolysis enzyme, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolite, antibiotic biosynthesis, and antibiotic resistance have been identified. Those genes of KGMB03662 may be related to the regulation of human health and disease.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.316-335
• /
• 2021

This study reviewed the change of theory of ecological niche(concepts and definitions) over time to provide a theoretical basis for habitat-related studies of animals and plants. Accordingly, it analyzed and summarized the major discussion trends of ecological niche worldwide in each period from the 1900s to the present. Countries advanced in ecological studies, such as the EU and the USA, have conducted theoretical and empirical studies on the ecological niche since the early 1990s. The concept of the ecological niche was introduced in the early 1900s, developed in the mid-1900s, and advanced from the mid-1900s to the late 1900s. Since the 2000s, the advanced concept has diversified with new developments in technologies and research methods. The factors suggested by theoretical and empirical studies in defining the ecological niche of a species include 1) population dynamics of the target species, 2) all biotic conditions to sustain a population (food relationship and material flow in the food chain), 3) all non-biotic conditions to sustain a population (physical environmental conditions), 4) all direct and indirect interactions between these environmental factors, and 5) response and adaptation mechanisms that include the migratory ability of the target species or genetic diversity and adaptability to change. Unlike such international advancement, there have not been sufficient theoretical, philosophical, and empirical studies of ecological niche in Korea. The concepts and definitions by Greennell, Elton, and Hutchinson were selectively and partially borrowed for empirical studies without full description. Considering that the theory of ecological niche becomes the foundation for habitat-based species conservation and restoration, it is necessary to seek diversification and advancement of theoretical and empirical research and research methods and technological development. It will provide an important foundation for the academic advancement of ecology and for establishing and implementing policies to preserve and restore ecology and biodiversity effectively and successfully in Korea.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.345-353
• /
• 2022

A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a major gateway for the engineered nano-particles (ENPs) entering the water bodies. However existing studies have reported that many WWTPs exceed the No Observed Effective Concentration (NOEC) for ENPs in the effluent and thus they need to be designed or operated to more effectively control ENPs. Understanding and predicting ENPs behaviors in the unit and \the whole process of a WWTP should be the key first step to develop strategies for controlling ENPs using a WWTP. This study aims to provide a modeling tool for predicting behaviors and removal efficiencies of ENPs in a WWTP associated with process characteristics and major operating conditions. In the developed model, four unit processes for water treatment (primary clarifier, bioreactor, secondary clarifier, and tertiary treatment unit) were considered. Additionally the model simulates the sludge treatment system as a single process that integrates multiple unit processes including thickeners, digesters, and dewatering units. The simulated ENP was nano-sized TiO₂, (nano-TiO₂) assuming that its behavior in a WWTP is dominated by the attachment with suspendid solids (SS), while dissolution and transformation are insignificant. The attachment mechanism of nano-TiO₂ to SS was incorporated into the model equations using the apparent solid-liquid partition coefficient (Kd) under the equilibrium assumption between solid and liquid phase, and a steady state condition of nano-TiO₂ was assumed. Furthermore, an MS Excel-based user interface was developed to provide user-friendly environment for the nano-TiO₂ removal efficiency calculations. Using the developed model, a preliminary simulation was conducted to examine how the solid retention time (SRT), a major operating variable affects the removal efficiency of nano-TiO₂ particles in a WWTP.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.109-122
• /
• 2022

Currently, most of the pig manure generated from pig farms in Korea is in the form of a slurry with a moisture content of about 97%. Pig manure slurry is a mixture of pig manure and cleaning water in the pig house. In this study, changes in properties of pig manure liquid fertilizer according to whether air was supplied or not and with the passage of storage period were analyzed for 120 days. During the experimental period, the degree of maturity of the pig manure liquid fertilizer was higher in the experimental closed batch reactors supplied with air than in the same type reactors not supplied with air. As the liquid fertilizer storage period elapsed, there was a tendency that liquid fertilizer was converted to a state of complete maturity. In the batch reactor in which air was supplied, the moisture content of pig manure slurry, which had a moisture content of 97.90%, was reduced to 96.82% at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, the moisture content in the reactor without air was reduced to 97.33%. The pH of the liquid fertilizer, which was 8.82 at the start of the experiment, changed to 7.57 in the reactor with air supplied and 8.75 in the reactor without air at the completion of the experiment. The nitrogen content in the liquid fertilizer was 0.198 mg/L on average at the start of the experiment and it was lowered to 0.076 mg/L in the air supplied reactor at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, the nitrogen content of the liquid fertilizer was lowered to 0.121 mg/L in the reactor to which air was not supplied. The phosphoric acid (P₂O₅) concentration in the liquid decreased higher in the liquid fertilizer filled in the reactor without air than the liquid fertilizer filled in the reactor with air supplied as the storage period elapsed. Considering the experimental results, it is considered that the quality of pig manure liquid fertilizer is improved when air is supplied to pig manure slurry and the storage period of pig manure slurry is longer.