• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.424-428
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• 2013

To identify risk factors for Legionella contamination, water quality variables routinely measured in examination of natural and city waters were meta-analyzed for significance of correlation to Legionella incidences. For evaluation of abundance of Escherichia coli as a risk factor, which is currently used as an indicator of Legionella contamination in an official guideline in Korea, odds ratio (OR) of above-cutoff total coliform counts for Legionella presence/absence was used as the effect size in the meta-analysis. The OR was estimated as 1.05 (0.36-3.12, 95% CI), and the probability of having identical odds reached 0.92. Also, ORs from individual studies showed significant heterogeneity (P=0.008), which contributed to 63% of total variance of the ORs. In the case of heterotrophic plate count (HPC), the OR for Legionella presence/absence was 2.72 (2.04-3.63) with highly significant deviation from identical odds (P<0.0001). ORs from different studies were seemingly homogeneous ($Q_{df=8}$=12.7, P=0.12). Turbidity and concentrations of chlorine, iron ion and cupper ion were other routine variables that could be considered as risk factors. However, statistical measures from different studies were not uniform enough to develop an appropriate effect size while the number of studies reporting the variables was also small (3-5). In conclusion, HPC appeared to be appropriate as indicator of Legionella contamination, rather than fecal bacteria contamination. HPC may imply abundance of habitats (amoebas and biofilms) of Legionella in water. This result warrants further studies for standardizing protocols and cutoff values to infer Legionella risks from HPC.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2014

To quantitatively evaluate the influence of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as a supplementary cementitious material on the life-cycle environmental impact of concrete, a comprehensive database including 3395 laboratory mixes and 1263 plant mixes was analyzed. The life-cycle assesment studied for the environmental impact of concrete can be summarized as follows: 1) the system boundary considered was from cradle to pre-construction; 2) Korea life-cycle inventories were primarily used to assess the environmental loads in each phase of materials, transportation and production of concrete; and 3) the environmental loads were quantitatively converted into environmental impact indicators through categorization, characterization, normalization and weighting process. The life-cycle environmental impacts of concrete could be classified into three categories including global warming, photochemical oxidant creation and abiotic resource depletion. Furthermore, these environmental impacts of concrete was significantly governed by the unit content of ordinary portland cement (OPC) and decreased with the increase of the replacement level of GGBS. As a result, simple equations to assess the environmental impact indicators could be formulated as a function of the unit content of binder and replacement level of GGBS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Quaternary Association Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.49-50
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• 2004

푸른 진주라 불리는 훕스굴호는 러시아 국경에 인접한 몽고 북부의 청정호수로 해발 약 1,645m 지점에 위치한다. 훕스굴호의 길이는 약 136km이고, 폭은 20-40km이며, 최대수심은 약 262m 이다. 이 호수의 물은 세계에서 가장 깨끗한 담수 중 하나로 몽고 지표수원의 약 70%를 공급하고 있다. 훕스굴호는 바이칼 열곡대내에 형성된 일종의 구조호로 약 240만년 내지 400만년전에 형성된 것으로 추정되고 있다. 훕스굴호는 자연공원으로 지정되어 보호되고 있으며, 따라서 호수의 유역은 다행스럽게도 인간활동에 오염되거나 교란되지 않아 다양하고 흥미로운 육상/수성 생물상을 보유하고 있으며, 퇴적물 기록 역시 후기 신생대 동안의 중앙아시아의 지구환경 및 기후변화 연구에 매우 적합하다. 바이칼 시추사업 (Baikal Drilling Project)은 신생대 후기 동안의 중앙아시아의 지구조진화 및 전지구적 기후변화를 규명하기 위해 미국, 러시아, 일본, 독일 등이 참여한 다국가 공동사업이다. 바이칼 시추사업 연구팀은 지난 15년간 많은 노력과 예산을 투자하여 바이칼 호로부터 총 1,600m에 이르는 방대한 양의 퇴적물 코아를 성공적으로 회수하였고, 이 시료를 이용하여 후기 신생대 동안의 중부 유라시아 대륙의 고기후/고환경 진화과정을 성공적으로 규명하였다. 바이칼 시추사업이 성공적으로 진행됨에 따라, 이 사업에 참여했던 러시아와 일본의 과학자들은 바이칼호의 서쪽에 위치한 몽고 북부의 훕스굴에도 많은 관심을 가지게 되었으며, 동시에 바이칼 시추사업의 후속사업으로 훕스굴 시추사업을 새롭게 추진하게 되었다. 한편, 대륙내부에서의 제4기 지구환경 및 기후 변화 과정에 많은 관심을 가지고 연구해 오던 한국지질자원연구원도 2003년에 정식 회원으로 훕스굴 시추사업에 합류하였다. 훕스굴 시추사업 연구팀은 몽고의 지질광물자원연구소 (대표연구기관), 러시아의 지구화학연구소, 일본의 나고야대학교 그리고 한국의 지질자원연구원 등 4개국의 연구기관으로 구성되어 있다. 이들 4개 연구기관은 시추획득 및 기초연구 수행에 필요한 연구비를 현금 혹은 현물 (장비 포함)의 형태로 공동부담하고 있으며, 따라서 획득한 시추코아에 대해서도 각 연구기관이 전 구간에 대해 동일하게 25%의 소유권을 가지고 있다. 훕스굴 시추사업은 2008년까지 수행될 계획이며, 시추작업은 2005년까지 완료될 계획이다. 연구 진행과 관련하여, 공동연구의 명분을 높이고 분석의 효율성을 높이기 위해서 시료채취 및 기초자료 획득은 4개국의 연구원이 모여 공동으로 수행한 후의 결과물을 서로 공유하고, 자세한 전문분야 연구는 각 국의 대표기관이 독립적으로 수행하는 방식을 택하였다. 훕스굴에 대한 제1차 시추작업은 2004년 3월 말에 실시하였다. 시추작업 결과, 약 80m의 시추 코아가 성공적으로 회수되어 현재 러시아 이르쿠츠크 지구화학연구소에 보관중이다. 이 시추코아는 2004년 8월 중순경에 4개국 연구팀원들에 의해 공동으로 기재된 후에 분할될 계획이다. 분할된 시료는 국내로 운반되어 다양한 전문분야별 연구에 이용될 것이다. 한편, 제2차 시추작업은 2004년 12월에서 2005년 2월 사이에 실시될 계획이다. 수백만년에 이르는 장기간에 걸쳐 지구환경변화 기록이 보존되어 있는 훕스굴호에 대한 시추사업은 후기 신생대 동안 유라시아 대륙 중부에서 일어난 지구환경 및 기후변화를 이해함과 동시에 이러한 변화가 육상생태계 및 지표지질환경에 미친 영향을 이해하는데 크게 기여할 것이다.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5-11
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• 2014

In this study, chemical analysis and ecotoxicity tests of leachate from disposal site for foot-and-mouth disease carcasses (FMD leachate) were conducted to collect fundamental data that will be used to develop environmental risk assessment tools for FMD leachate. For chemical analysis, concentration of $Cl^-$, $NH{_4}{^+}-N$, Korea standard method indicators for detection of leachate released from animal carcasses burial site into groundwater and NRN (Ninhydrin-Reactive Nitrogens), a newly suggested screening test indicator to detect groundwater contamination by FMD leachate, were assessed. For ecotoxicity tests, luminescent bacteria (V. fischeri), micro-algae (P. subcapitata) and water flea (D. magna) were selected as test species. Correlation analysis between the concentration of $Cl^-$, $NH{_4}{^+}-N$, NRN and the toxicity to V. fischeri was performed to identify the better indicators to monitor FMD leachate contamination. From regression analysis, the concentration of the indicators in FMD leachate contaminated sample that induced halfmaximal toxic effect to V. fischeri was evaluated. Results obtained from this study can be applied to assess the risk by FMD leachate and to establish the guideline to manage risk in relation to FMD leachate.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2016

The stabilities of bioactive compounds in cinnamon or derris extract were investigated in commercial agricultural organic materials (biopesticide) during storage on different temperature conditions ($0^{\circ}C$, $23^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$, and $54^{\circ}C$). The selected bioactive compounds were cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamyl alchol in cinnamon extract and deguelin, and rotenone in derris extract. Half-lives of the total cinnamyl derivatives in biopesticide (A, B, C, and D) ranged from 15.1 to 46.2 days on the different temperature and cinnamaldehyde was more stable than cinnamyl alcohol in the biopesticide. The half-lives of total rotenoid ranged from 1.7 to 173 days on the different temperature in the tested biopesticide (E, F, and G) containing derris extract. The stabilities of deguelin, and rotenon in the biopesticide showed similar values in the same condition.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 1997

We investigated the immunological function of cheese whey protein concentrate (CWPC), which is a by-product of cheese production, using mitogenic activity in murine splenocytes as an index. A fraction isolated by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography of CWPC showed high mitogenic activity, comparable to the activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The fraction was detected as a single band on SDS-PAGE. It contained calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and carbo-hydrate, indicating the active component to be a glycophosphopeptide (GPP) Since pronase digestion of GPP did not reduce its mitogenic activity, carbohydrate rather than peptide may be important in the activity, When applied on an anti-${\beta}$-caseinophosphopeptide (${\beta}$-CPP ) antibody affinity column, the GPP was separated into two components, one with affinity to ${\beta}$-CPP and the other without such affinity. Both the components contained N-linked oligosaccharide chains and had the mitogenic activity. These results demonstrate that cheese whey contains a GPP having strong mitogenic activity

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2000

Lichen flora of 'Backwoon' mountain, Korea, was investigated during the summer of 1998 and 1999 to screen out lichen species which can be used as a biomonitor for atmospheric ozone. The identified foliose or fructicose lichens in the area were classified into 9 families, 20 genera and 34 species. The dominant lichen species in the area were found to be Leptogium sp., Parmelia sp., Parmotrema sp., Phaeophyscia sp. and Cladonia sp. It was also found that lichen species showing a wide range of sensitiveness to air pollution were distributed in 'Backwoon' mountain. The Parmotrema austrosinense, P. tinctorum, Certrelia braunsiana and Ramalina yasudae collected in the area were exposed to ozone at the level of 200ppb, 8hr/day in controlled growth chamber for 2 weeks. Malondialdehyde(MDA), hydroperoxy conjugated dienes(HPCD), soluble protein content and OD435nm/OD415nm ratio for phaeophytinization of chlorophyll were measured and a pollution index(PI) was calculated for each lichen. Ozone exposure severely damaged to the lichens in the order of P. austrosinense>P. tinctorum>C. braunsiana>R. yasudae. P. austrosinens easily identified and widely distributed in Korea is likely to be a very useful biomonitor of air pollution, especially for ozone. These results indicate that Korean lichen species can be used as a biomonitor for air pollution to evaluate air quality contaminated with ozone.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

The changes in pH, titratable acidity, chromaticity, total count, coliform group and organoleptic properties of the whole market milks (UHT, LTLT) that sold currently on the domestic market were stored after their production at 0, 10, 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ to predict their quality during distribution, and examined prior to the analysis on the correlation of their quality properties and organoleptic preference level and discovery of optimal quality indicator. The investigation of correlation between pH, acidity and preference level of milks depending on respective storage temperature showed significant correlation (p<0.01) for the milk stored at 10, 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$, and the higher temperature was directly proportional to the higher correlation coefficient. The correlation between total count and preference level for LTLT milk stored at 0, 10, 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ showed high correlation coefficient at every high temperature condition respectively as R=0.81, R=0.91, R=0.96, R=0.90 & R=0.99, and the correlation coefficients were also significant level for the UHT milk irrespective of their storage temperature except $0^{\circ}C$. Accordingly, the changes in total colonies turned out to be suitable to be the quality indicator for the quality prediction of the milk on the distribution.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.681-686
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of soil biota across forest types and soil depths in Gwangneung Experimental Forest. We selected 5 sites, which are 3 deciduous- and 2 coniferous forests. The abundance of microflora in these areas was analyzed by the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) indicators, and the density of mesofauna was measured by the abundance of nematodes and microarthropods. The abundance of soil microflora was higher in the A layer than in the B layer based on the PLFA indicators, but there were no differences between deciduous and coniferous forests. Average density of nematodes was higher in the A horizon than in the B horizon. The density of fungivorous nematodes was higher in the deciduous forests. Mean densities of Collembola and Oribatida were 44% and 42% of microarthropods in soil samples, respectively. The results of microbial PLFA indicators were significantly correlated with the density of their consumers, which reflected that the food web in fungi- and bacteria-based soil developed in this forests. This study suggested that the distribution of soil organisms largely separated by soil depths and was slightly affected by the forest type in the Gwangneung Experimental Forest.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.119-135
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• 2021

Korea has stepped up efforts to investigate and catalog its flora and fauna to conserve the biodiversity of the Korean Peninsula and secure biological resources since the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits (ABS) in 2010. Thus, after its establishment in 2007, the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) of the Ministry of Environment of Korea initiated a project called the Korean Indigenous Species Investigation Project to investigate indigenous species on the Korean Peninsula. For 15 years since its beginning in 2006, this project has been carried out in five phases, Phase 1 from 2006-2008, Phase 2 from 2009-2011, Phase 3 from 2012-2014, Phase 4 from 2015-2017, and Phase 5 from 2018-2020. Before this project, in 2006, the number of indigenous species surveyed was 29,916. The figure was cumulatively aggregated at the end of each phase as 33,253 species for Phase 1 (2008), 38,011 species for Phase 2 (2011), 42,756 species for Phase 3 (2014), 49,027 species for Phase 4 (2017), and 54,428 species for Phase 5(2020). The number of indigenous species surveyed grew rapidly, showing an approximately 1.8-fold increase as the project progressed. These statistics showed an annual average of 2,320 newly recorded species during the project period. Among the recorded species, a total of 5,242 new species were reported in scientific publications, a great scientific achievement. During this project period, newly recorded species on the Korean Peninsula were identified using the recent taxonomic classifications as follows: 4,440 insect species (including 988 new species), 4,333 invertebrate species except for insects (including 1,492 new species), 98 vertebrate species (fish) (including nine new species), 309 plant species (including 176 vascular plant species, 133 bryophyte species, and 39 new species), 1,916 algae species (including 178 new species), 1,716 fungi and lichen species(including 309 new species), and 4,812 prokaryotic species (including 2,226 new species). The number of collected biological specimens in each phase was aggregated as follows: 247,226 for Phase 1 (2008), 207,827 for Phase 2 (2011), 287,133 for Phase 3 (2014), 244,920 for Phase 4(2017), and 144,333 for Phase 5(2020). A total of 1,131,439 specimens were obtained with an annual average of 75,429. More specifically, 281,054 insect specimens, 194,667 invertebrate specimens (except for insects), 40,100 fish specimens, 378,251 plant specimens, 140,490 algae specimens, 61,695 fungi specimens, and 35,182 prokaryotic specimens were collected. The cumulative number of researchers, which were nearly all professional taxonomists and graduate students majoring in taxonomy across the country, involved in this project was around 5,000, with an annual average of 395. The number of researchers/assistant researchers or mainly graduate students participating in Phase 1 was 597/268; 522/191 in Phase 2; 939/292 in Phase 3; 575/852 in Phase 4; and 601/1,097 in Phase 5. During this project period, 3,488 papers were published in major scientific journals. Of these, 2,320 papers were published in domestic journals and 1,168 papers were published in Science Citation Index(SCI) journals. During the project period, a total of 83.3 billion won (annual average of 5.5 billion won) or approximately US $75 million (annual average of US $5 million) was invested in investigating indigenous species and collecting specimens. This project was a large-scale research study led by the Korean government. It is considered to be a successful example of Korea's compressed development as it attracted almost all of the taxonomists in Korea and made remarkable achievements with a massive budget in a short time. The results from this project led to the National List of Species of Korea, where all species were organized by taxonomic classification. Information regarding the National List of Species of Korea is available to experts, students, and the general public (https://species.nibr.go.kr/index.do). The information, including descriptions, DNA sequences, habitats, distributions, ecological aspects, images, and multimedia, has been digitized, making contributions to scientific advancement in research fields such as phylogenetics and evolution. The species information also serves as a basis for projects aimed at species distribution and biological monitoring such as climate-sensitive biological indicator species. Moreover, the species information helps bio-industries search for useful biological resources. The most meaningful achievement of this project can be in providing support for nurturing young taxonomists like graduate students. This project has continued for the past 15 years and is still ongoing. Efforts to address issues, including species misidentification and invalid synonyms, still have to be made to enhance taxonomic research. Research needs to be conducted to investigate another 50,000 species out of the estimated 100,000 indigenous species on the Korean Peninsula.