• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2023

The value of lithium has significantly increased due to the rising demand for electric cars and batteries. Lithium is primarily found in pegmatites, hydrothermally altered tuffaceous clays, and continental brines. Globally, groundwater-fed salt lakes and oil field brines are attracting attention as major sources of lithium in continental brines, accounting for about 70% of global lithium production. Recently, deep groundwater, especially geothermal water, is also studied for a potential source of lithium. Lithium concentrations in deep groundwater can increase through substantial water-rock reaction and mixing with brines. For the exploration of lithim in deep groundwater, it is important to understand its origin and behavior. Therefore, based on a nationwide preliminary study on the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of thermal groundwater in South Korea, this study aims to investigate the distribution of lithium in the deep groundwater environment and understand the geochemical factors that affect its concentration. A total of 555 thermal groundwater samples were classified into five hydrochemical types showing distinct hydrogeochemical evolution. To investigate the enrichment mechanism, samples (n = 56) with lithium concentrations exceeding the 90th percentile (0.94 mg/L) were studied in detail. Lithium concentrations varied depending upon the type, with Na(Ca)-Cl type being the highest, followed by Ca(Na)-SO₄ type and low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type. In the Ca(Na)-Cl type, lithium enrichment is due to reverse cation exchange due to seawater intrusion. The enrichment of dissolved lithium in the Ca(Na)-SO₄ type groundwater occurring in Cretaceous volcanic sedimentary basins is related to the occurrence of hydrothermally altered clay minerals and volcanic activities, while enriched lithium in the low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type groundwater is due to enhanced weathering of basement rocks by ascending deep CO₂. This reconnaissance geochemical study provides valuable insights into hydrogeochemical evolution and economic lithium exploration in deep geologic environments.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.847-870
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• 2023

The safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste requires accurate predictions of the long-term geochemical behavior of radionuclides. To achieve this, the present study was conducted to model geochemical behaviors of uranium (U), plutonium (Pu), and palladium (Pd) under different hydrogeochemical conditions that represent deep groundwater in Korea. Geochemical modeling was performed for five types of South Korean deep groundwater environment: high-TDS saline groundwater (G1), low-pH CO₂-rich groundwater (G2), high-pH alkaline groundwater (G3), sulfate-rich groundwater (G4), and dilute (fresh) groundwater (G5). Under the pH and Eh (redox potential) ranges of 3 to 12 and ±0.2 V, respectively, the solubility and speciation of U, Pu, and Pd in deep groundwater were predicted. The result reveals that U(IV) exhibits high solubility within the neutral to alkaline pH range, even in reducing environment with Eh down to -0.2 V. Such high solubility of U is primarily attributed to the formation of Ca-U-CO₃ complexes, which is important in both G2 located along fault zones and G3 occurring in granitic bedrocks. On the other hand, the solubility of Pu is found to be highly dependent on pH, with the lowest solubility in neutral to alkaline conditions. The predominant species are Pu(IV) and Pu(III) and their removal is predicted to occur by sorption. Considering the migration by colloids, however, the role of colloid formation and migration are expected to promote the Pu mobility, especially in deep groundwater of G3 and G5 which have low ionic strengths. Palladium (Pd) exhibits the low solubility due to the precipitation as sulfides in reducing conditions. In oxidizing condition, anionic complexes such as Pd(OH)₃^-, PdCl₃(OH)₂^-, PdCl₄^2-, and Pd(CO₃)₂^2- would be removed by sorption onto metal (hydro)oxides. This study will improve the understanding of the fate and transport of radionuclides in deep groundwater conditions of South Korea and therefore contributes to develop strategies for safe high-level radioactive waste disposal.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2023

This study investigated the microstructure and water absorption characteristics of the Korean adzuki bean (Vigna angularis L.) cultivar under accelerated storage. The germination rate, acid value, redness (a^*), and yellowness (b^*) values showed no significant differences after three months of storage compared to pre-storage under low temperatures (4℃). However, a statistically significant difference was observed under accelerated high temperatures (45℃). In particular, after storage for three months, the germination rate and acid value were 0% and 33.63 mg KOH/100g, respectively, under accelerated high temperatures. After storage for three months, the holes, hilum damage, and spaces between the seed coat and cotyledon shortened the time and speed of water absorption under accelerated high temperatures compared to that under low temperatures. Conversely, further research is required to investigate the reason for the low rate of parallel water absorption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.868-875
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• 2023

Kinesin-1 is a motor protein identified as the first member of the kinesin superfamily (KIF), which plays a role in intracellular cargo transport by acting as microtubule-dependent motor proteins within cells. Kinesin-1 consists of two heavy chains (KHCs, also known as KIF5s) and two light chains (KLCs). The 93 amino acids in the carboxyl (C)-terminal tail region of KIF5A are not homologous to the C-terminal tail region of KIF5B or the C-terminal tail region of KIF5C. In this study, we used a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify the binding proteins that interacted with the C-terminal region of KIF5A. We found an association between KIF5A and CUE domain containing 2 (CUEDC2), which is proposed to function as an adaptor protein involved in ubiquitination pathways and protein trafficking. CUEDC2 bound to the C-terminal region of KIF5A and did not interact with KIF5B (the motor of kinesin-1), KIF3A (the motor of kinesin-2), or kinesin light chain 1 (KLC1). KIF5A specifically bound to the C-terminal region of CUEDC2. Furthermore, KIF5A did not interact with another isoform: CUEDC1. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-downs showed that KIF5A directly bound GST-CUEDC2 but did not interact with GST-CUEDC1 and GST alone. When myc-KIF5A and EGFP-CUEDC2 were co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, CUEDC2 co-immunoprecipitated with kinesin-1, and myc-KIF5A and FLAG-CUEDC2 colocalized in the cells. These results suggest that in intracellular cargo transport by kinesin-1, CUEDC2 serves as an adaptor protein connecting kinesin-1 and cargo by binding to KIF5A.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.4
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• pp.393-404
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• 2023

The Natural Monument Forest (NMF) is a form of natural and cultural heritage that has symbolized the harmony between nature and culture in Korea for a long time. Recently, the NMF has deteriorated due to industrialization and reckless city expansion. Given this situation, it is necessary to preserve and manage the ecosystem of the NMF through preferential research regarding the forest community structure. Accordingly, this study sought to identify the community structure by analyzing the vegetation classification, stratum structure,and species diversity using vegetation data collected from the Forest of Japanese Torreyas in Pyeongdae-ri, Jeju and the Subtropical Forest of Nabeup-ri, Jeju. The results classified the forest vegetation as a Litsea japonica community group divided into two communities: a Torreya nuciferacommunity and a Quercus glauca community. The T. nuciferacommunity was subdivided into the Idesia polycarpa group and Dryopteris erythrosora group, while the Q. glauca community was subdivided into the Mercurialis leiocarpa group and Arachniodes aristata group. The T. nucifera species showed the highest level of importance in vegetation units 1 (Litsea japonicacommunity group-Torreya nucifera community-Idesia polycarpa group) and 2 (Litsea japonica community group-Torreya nucifera community-Dryopteris erythrosora group), whereas Q. glauca showed the highest level of importance in vegetation units 3 (Litsea japonica community group-Quercus glauca community-Mercurialis leiocarpa group) and 4 (Litsea japonica community group-Quercus glauca community-Arachniodes aristata group). In terms of the species diversity, vegetation units 1, 2, 3, and 4 had 2.866, 2.716, 2.222, and 2.326 species, respectively. These findings suggest that it is necessary to prepare a differentiated management plan for each vegetation unit.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.132-158
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• 2023

The five-story and seven-story stone pagodas at Cheongnyangsaji temple site in Gongju are located under the Sambulbong peak of Gyeryongsan mountain, and are known to have been built of the middle in Goryeo dynasty. As the two pagodas in which two types of Baekje stone pagoda coexist in one era, their historical and academic value are recognized. The seven-story pagoda was overturned by robbery in 1944, and as a result, the five-story pagoda was tilted. Although the two pagodas were restored in 1961, structural instability was continuously raised. In this study, measurement data accumulated from May 2021 to March 2022, and seasonal characteristics were reviewed, and the micro behavior of pagodas were analyzed according to temperature and precipitation during the same period. As a result, the micro thermoelastic behavior was repeated according to the daily temperature change in all sensors, and both the slope and the displacement showed microscale behavior. In the inclinometer, moisture containing the surface and inside of the stones repeated expansion and contraction due to temperature change, showing the micro movements. In particular, the upper part of the five-story pagoda moved up to 3.89° to the northwest, and the seven-story pagoda tilted up to 0.078° to the northeast. The maximum displacements were recorded as 0.127 and 0.149 mm in the five-story and the seven-story pagoda, respectively. These values tended to return to the original position at the end of the measurement, but did not recover completely, indicating a state requiring precise monitoring. The result obtained through the study can be used as basic data for the stable conservation of the two stone pagodas. Based on the behavioral characteristics considering various environmental factors should be analyzed, and the preventive conservation through the maintenance of measurement system built this time should be continued.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.94-108
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• 2023

Onyanghaenggung Palace(temporary palace at Onyang) is an important cultural heritage that can substantially confirm the king's onhaeng(溫行) base on literature records such as <Ongungyeonggoedae(溫宮靈槐臺)>, <Oncheonhaenggungdo(溫泉行宮圖)> of 『Ongungsasil(溫宮事實)』『, Younggoedaegi(靈槐臺記)』and cultural property such as Yeonggoedae(靈槐臺) and Shinjeong Monument(神井碑). As the Onyang Tourist Hotel is located in the presumed site of the Onyanghaenggung Palace, even the identity of the Onyanghaenggung Palace site is being threatened without restoration efforts. The purpose of this study is to estimate the location of Onyanghaenggung Palace based on <Oncheonhaenggungdo> before the damages during the Japanese colonial period. To achieve these purposes, records related to Onhaeng during successive kings' terms in the Joseon Dynasty are first reviewed, before changes in the architecture of Onyanghaenggung Palace that took place in the Joseon Dynasty and damage suffered during the Japanese colonial period are summarized, and finally <Oncheonhaenggungdo>, <Eupji>, <Ancient Maps>, <Jijeokwondo> are reviewed. Based on these processes, the location of Onyanghaenggung Palace is estimated by comparing the current Onyang Tourist Hotel and the surrounding area. The results of this study are as follows. First, if the 1,758 cheok(尺) of 「Onyanggun eupji」 and 「Hoseo eupji」 are converted in Jucheok(周尺), the scope of Onyanghaenggung Palace is close to the inner circumference of the site(垈) in Jijeokwondo(1914). Second, the streamlet leading to Oncheoncheon(溫泉川) from the southern side of Onyanggwan(溫陽館), the hot spring hole in use of <Distribution Map of Hot Spring(溫泉分布見取圖)>(1925, 1928), and considering the relationship of the inner east gate(內東門), Bigak(碑閣), Sinjeong(神井) of <Oncheonhaenggungdo>, the building of Hermann Gustav Theodor Sander and the Copyright Commission's Onyang Hot Springs photograph can be estimated as the Onyanghaenggung Palace Hot-spring, namely Tangsil(湯室). Third, in the process of developing to amusement park, the transfer and relocation of the Yeonggaedae site(a governmentowned property) was requested by Gyeongnam Railway Company, but Chungcheongnam-do denied transfer and relocation of the Yeonggaedae because of the importance in the history of Onyang Hot Springs, so the government-owned Yeonggaedae Monument site were permanently preserved at the current location together with the hoe tree(Sophora japonica L.). Also, Yeonggoedae in <Tourists Attractions around Gyeongnam Railway in Joseon (朝鮮京南鐵道沿線名所交通図絵)> (1929) is shown to exist in its current location, and it can be seen that the Shinjeong Monument Pavilion was moved to the front of Shinjeonggwan (神井館). Based on the circumference of Onyanghaenggung Palace, the location of Onyanghaenggung Palace Hot Spring (Tangsil) and Yeonggaedae Monument Pavilion, changes in roads and lots of land during the Japanese colonial period and the modern period, as well as the location of Onyanghaenggung Palace and other major buildings, can be estimated to extend to the current Shimin-ro and Onyang Hot Spring Market.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.75-93
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• 2023

As non-face-to-face contact was activated due to the progress of the 4th Industrial Revolution and COVID-19, the government's civil service was also rapidly reflecting this phenomenon. However, there were cases in which it was quite burdensome and rather uncomfortable for the elderly who were relatively alienated from the digital culture. Therefore, in this study, we tried to empirically analyze the factors that affect the use of government 24(a government civil integration service) by the elderly. For this purpose, the characteristics of the elderly and the characteristics of services were paid attention. As the characteristic factors of the elderly, cognitive characteristics, psychological characteristics, and physical characteristics were derived, and as service characteristics, usefulness, ease of use, security, and government support were derived when using government 24. The effect of these factors on the intention to use Government 24 was empirically analyzed. For empirical analysis, a survey was conducted targeting the elderly in their 60s and older, and 250 valid sample were used for analysis. The analysis results were as follows. Among the characteristics of the elderly, cognitive characteristics, psychological characteristics, and physical characteristics were all found to had a significant negative (-) effect on the intention to use Government 24. On the other hand, usefulness, ease of use, and government support were found to had a significant positive (+) effect on the intention to use government 24. On the other hand, security was not tested for a significant relationship with government 24 use intention. Among the variables that have a significant impact, the psychological characteristics of the elderly had the greatest impact on the intention to use Government 24. Usefulness, cognitive characteristics, physical characteristics, ease of use, and government support were in order. The fact that this study conducted an empirical analysis by combining the characteristics of the elderly and the characteristics of services was meaningful at the academic level. In addition, considering that psychological characteristics appeared to be the most important factor, it seemed necessary to consider these points to promote the use of Government 24 by the elderly.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.3
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• pp.114-120
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• 2023

Soybean is the one of the most important crops for providing quality vegetable protein to umans and livestock. Soybean cultivars with a brown seed coat have a wide range of antioxidant benefits because of the flavonoid components. However, they also contain lectin, 7S α′ subunit, lipoxygenase, and Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) proteins that can be allergenic and digestive inhibitors and reduce processing aptitude. Genetic removal of these four proteins is necessary in soybean breeding. Therefore, this study was conducted to select a new line with brown seed coat, green cotyledon, and tetra-null genotype (lecgy1lox1lox2lox3ti) for lectin, 7S α′ subunit, lipoxygenase, and KTI proteins in the mature seed. Five germplasms were used to create breeding population. From a total of 58 F₂ plants, F₂ plants with lele genotype were selected using a DNA marker, and F₃ seeds with a brown seed coat, green cotyledon, and the absence of 7S α′ subunit protein were selected. Three lines (S1, S2, and S3) were developed. Genetic absence of lectin, 7S α′ subunit, lipoxygenase, and KTI proteins was confirmed in F₆ seeds of the three lines, which had a brown seed coat, green cotyledons, and a white hilum. The 100 seed weights of the three lines were 26.4-30.9 g, which were lower than 36 g of the check cultivar - 'Chungja#3'. The new S2 line with 30.9 g hundred seed weight can be used as a parent to improve colored soybean cultivars without antinutritional factors such as lectin, 7S α′ subunit, lipoxygenase, and KTI proteins.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.483-495
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dietary quality of food consumed by the elderly is influenced by the consumption of healthy functional foods using Nutrition Quotients for the Elderly (NQ-E). Methods: The study subjects were 250 adults aged ≥ 65 living in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do. Those who had consumed healthy functional food for more than 2 weeks within the previous year were classified as healthy functional food consumers, and the quality of their meals was evaluated using the NQ-E. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4, and sex and age-associated differences were adjusted before comparing differences based on healthy functional food intake. Results: The average age of the study subjects was 70.8. The scores for each area and the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) score were as follows: balance 43.3 points, moderation 56.7 points, practice 65.7 points, and NQ 52.5 points. When comparing differences according to healthy functional food intake status, healthy functional food consumers had significantly higher balance and NQ scores than non-consumers. When considering each NQ item score, healthy functional food consumers had significantly higher scores than non-consumers for fruit, fish and seafood, eggs, nuts, and whole grain rice, and a higher score for effort to maintain a healthy diet. Conclusion: Dietary quality as assessed by Nutrition Quotients for the Elderly was better for healthy functional food consumers than non-consumers.