• Title/Summary/Keyword: Energy Supply-Chain

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Requirements for Meeting Consumer Expectations to Expand the Market for Organic Products (유기식품 시장의 확대를 위한 소비자 기대 충족 요건)

  • Pearson, David;Jung, Man-Chul
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.491-502
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    • 2012
  • The world's food production systems are becoming an area of great concern for both human and ecological health. Research has identified that one of the greatest threats to sustainability is conventional industrial agricultural systems and the high energy and material cost they require to function. The organic food movement is contributing as promising alternative to the current dominant model. Over the last 50 years it has developed into the most visible brand for a healthier and more environmentally sustainable food system. However, to achieve its full potential there are still a number of hurdles which must be overcome to make organic products a more viable and appealing option for consumers. This paper provides an overview of key research that has been conducted on why consumers are buying organic products, what they are buying and what is preventing them from purchasing more. It concludes that the key challenge is for the organic food movement to convince existing consumers of the superior 'value' of its products. In addition there are a number of methodological issues associated with analysing the market for organic products as well as issues of limited distribution, intermittent availability and high prices that are currently preventing increases in sales. Recognition and management of these barriers could contribute to more effective targeted research into consumer food purchasing motivations and subsequently the development of more sophisticated marketing strategies that assist in maintaining integrity with consumers and fending off challenges from conventional as well as other complementary food systems such as local food movement. And finally to achieve these market growth strategies the organic food movement will need to cope with its diverse constituency - ranging from global corporates through to local production and consumption - and provide attractive opportunities to individuals and business at all stages in supply chain whilst retaining credibility with government to ensure ongoing policy support.

Modelling Study on Sustainable Resources Management System Using Material Flow Analysis(MFA) in Korea (물질흐름분석을 이용한 국내 지속가능한 자원관리 시스템 모형 연구)

  • Kim, Yu-Jeong;Kim, Seong-Yong;Heo, Eun-Nyeong
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.253-265
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    • 2008
  • Sustainable resource management(SRM) is regarded as the core strategy to achieve Dematerialisation and Decoupling of economic growth from the use of natural resources and environmental degradation. This paper presents status SRM policy and research in worldwide, and analyzes decoupling of economic activity from energy consumption of domestic manufacturing, using decoupling factor. Also This paper suggests methodologies and strategies of SRM in Korea. SRM is established through various analysis and survey as following; forecasting of resource demand, material flow analysis and value chain analysis, resource market structure analysis. Through these analysis, we can obtain hot-spot and solution of environmental burden, recycling market management, recycling technology and best-optimal supply rate of primary and secondary resource. In Korea, resource management system must be linked with national and regional material flow analysis, and it is necessary to make SRM-law of national dimension for effective run of sustainable resource management system.

siRNAs Derived from Cymbidium Mosaic Virus and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus Down-modulated the Expression Levels of Endogenous Genes in Phalaenopsis equestris

  • Lan, Han-hong;Wang, Cui-mei;Chen, Shuang-shuang;Zheng, Jian-ying
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.35 no.5
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    • pp.508-520
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    • 2019
  • Interplay between Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV)/Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and its host plant Phalaenopsis equestris remain largely unknown, which led to deficiency of effective measures to control disease of P. equestris caused by infecting viruses. In this study, for the first time, we characterized viral small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) profiles in P. equestris co-infected with CymMV and ORSV through small RNA sequencing technology. CymMV and ORSV small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) demonstrated several general and specific/new characteristics. vsiRNAs, with A/U bias at the first nucleotide, were predominantly 21-nt long and they were derived predominantly (90%) from viral positive-strand RNA. 21-nt siRNA duplexes with 0-nt overhangs were the most abundant 21-nt duplexes, followed by 2-nt overhangs and then 1-nt overhangs 21-nt duplexes in infected P. equestris. Continuous but heterogeneous distribution and secondary structures prediction implied that vsiRNAs originate predominantly by direct Dicer-like enzymes cleavage of imperfect duplexes in the most folded regions of the positive strand of both viruses RNA molecular. Furthermore, we totally predicted 54 target genes by vsiRNAs with psRNATarget server, including disease/stress response-related genes, RNA interference core components, cytoskeleton-related genes, photosynthesis or energy supply related genes. Gene Ontology classification showed that a majority of the predicted targets were related to cellular components and cellular processes and performed a certain function. All target genes were down-regulated with different degree by vsiRNAs as shown by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, CymMV and ORSV siRNAs played important roles in interplay with P. equestris by down modulating the expression levels of endogenous genes in host plant.

Pig production in Latin America

  • Luciano Roppa;Marcos Elias Duarte;Sung Woo Kim
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.37 no.4_spc
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    • pp.786-793
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    • 2024
  • Latin America is a culturally, geographically, politically, and economically diverse region. Agriculture in Latin America is marked by a remarkable diversity of production systems, reflecting various agroecological zones, farm sizes, and technological levels. In the last decade, the swine industry increased by 30.6%, emerging as a great contributor to food security and economic development in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico dominate the pig production landscape, together accounting for 70% of sow inventory in the region. The swine industry in Latin America is predominantly comprised of small and medium-sized farms, however, in the past 30 years, the number of pig producers in Brazil dropped by 78%, whereas pork production increased by 326%. Similar to the global pork industry, the growing demand for pork, driven by population growth and changing dietary habits, presents an opportunity for the industry with an expected growth of 16% over the next decade. The export prospects are promising, however subject to potential disruptions from global market conditions and shifts in trade policies. Among the challenges faced by the swine industry, disease outbreaks, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), present significant threats, necessitating enhanced biosecurity and surveillance systems. In 2023, ASF was reported to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, feed costs, supply chain disruptions, and energy expenses have affected mainly the smaller and less efficient producers. The swine industry is also transitioning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including efficient feed usage, and precision farming. Ensuring long-term success in the swine industry in Latin America requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and consumer preferences, ultimately positioning the industry to thrive in the evolving global market.

Comparison of Construction Cost Applied by RC and PC Construction Method for Apartment House and Establishment of OSC Economic Analysis Framework (공동주택 RC 및 PC공법 적용 공사비 비교 및 OSC의 포괄적 경제성 분석 프레임워크 구축)

  • Yun, Won-Gun;Bae, Byung-Yun;Kang, Tai-Kyung
    • Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.30-42
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    • 2022
  • OSC is a type of supply chain and value chain that spans the entire process of construction production (planning, design, construction, maintenance, etc.). It is a method of producing the final object by manufacturing it in a factory, transporting it to the site, installing and construction. This research as is the construction cost was compared for each case A, which applied the PC method, and case B, which applied the RC method. In the case of applying the PC method (excluding the PC design cost), compared to the case where only the RC method was applied, the frame construction cost per unit quantity (m3) increased by about 70% (50% based on the total RC construction type). Of the total frame construction cost of PC method application, PC accounted for 90.2%, 'PC manufacturing cost' 54.8%, 'PC assembly cost' 28.5%, and 'transportation cost' accounted for 6.89%. Also a decision-making framework that can consider both costs and benefits was established. In the case of benefits, the construction period, defect repair, disaster occurrence, energy efficiency, noise/dust/waste, and greenhouse gas emission indicators reflecting OSC technical advantages were presented. It can contribute to providing a basis for helping decision-making on the introduction of PC apartment houses using OSC.

Implications of Shared Growth of Public Enterprises: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Case (공공기관의 동반성장 현황과 시사점: 한국수력원자력(주) 사례를 중심으로)

  • Jeon, Young-tae;Hwang, Seung-ho;Kim, Young-woo
    • Journal of Venture Innovation
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.57-75
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    • 2021
  • KHNP's shared growth activities are based on such public good. Reflecting the characteristics of a comprehensive energy company, a high-tech plant company, and a leading company for shared growth, it presents strategies to link performance indicators with its partners and implements various measures. Key tasks include maintaining the nuclear power plant ecosystem, improving management conditions for partner companies, strengthening future capabilities of the nuclear power plant industry, and supporting a virtuous cycle of regional development. This is made by reflecting the specificity of nuclear power generation as much as possible, and is designed to reflect the spirit of shared growth through win-win and cooperation in order to solve the challenges of the times while considering the characteristics as much as possible as possible. KHNP's shared growth activities can be said to be the practice of the spirit of the times(Zeitgeist). The spirit of the times given to us now is that companies should strive for sustainable growth as social air. KHNP has been striving to establish a creative and leading shared growth ecosystem. In particular, considering the positions of partners, it has been promoting continuous system improvement to establish a fair trade culture and deregulation. In addition, it has continuously discovered and implemented new customized support projects that are effective for partner companies and local communities. To this end, efforts have been made for shared growth through organic collaboration with partners and stakeholders. As detailed tasks, it also presents fostering new markets and new industries, maintaining supply chains, and emergency support for COVID-19 to maintain the nuclear power plant ecosystem. This reflects the social public good after the recent COVID-19 incident. In order to improve the management conditions of partner companies, productivity improvement, human resources enhancement, and customized funding are being implemented as detailed tasks. This is a plan to practice win-win growth with partner companies emphasized by corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ISO 26000 while being faithful to the main job. Until now, ESG management has focused on the environmental field to cope with the catastrophe of climate change. According to KHNP is presenting a public enterprise-type model in the environmental field. In order to strengthen the future capabilities of the nuclear power plant industry as a state-of-the-art energy company, it has set tasks to attract investment from partner companies, localization and new technologies R&D, and commercialization of innovative technologies. This is an effort to develop advanced nuclear power plant technology as a concrete practical measure of eco-friendly development. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing a social taxonomy to focus on the social sector, another important axis in ESG management, following the Green Taxonomy, a classification system in the environmental sector. KHNP includes enhancing local vitality, increasing income for the underprivileged, and overcoming the COVID-19 crisis as part of its shared growth activities, which is a representative social taxonomy field. The draft social taxonomy being promoted by the EU was announced in July, and the contents promoted by KHNP are consistent with this, leading the practice of social taxonomy

Nitrogen Utilization of Cell Mass from Lysine Production in Goats

  • Seo, S.;Kim, H.J.;Lee, S.Y.;Ha, Jong K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.561-566
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    • 2008
  • Two experiments were conducted to evaluate nutritive value of cell mass from lysine production (CMLP) as a protein supplement for ruminants. In each experiment, animals were fed a diet containing 40% of forages and 60% of concentrates, mainly composed of rice straw and ground corn, respectively, to meet the maintenance requirements, and the diets were formulated to supply equal amounts of energy and nitrogen among treatments. In order to investigate the effect of CMLP on ruminal fermentation (Experiment 1), three Korean native goats weighing $26.1{\pm}1.4kg$ were allotted into individual cages with a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Each animal was fed one of three protein sources (CMLP, soybean meal (SBM), and urea). Rumen pH, bacterial and fungal counts, volatile fatty acid concentrations and acetate to propionate ratio were not significantly different among treatments. Concentration of propionate, however, was higher in SBM treatment (14.1 mM) than in CMLP (8.7 mM) or urea (9.3 mM) treatments. There was significantly more branch-chain volatile fatty acid production in CMLP (1.9 mM) and SBM (1.8 mM) treatments than in urea (1.3 mM) treatment. The number of protozoa was the highest in urea treatment, followed by CMLP and SBM treatment with significant differences. A metabolic trial (Experiment 2) was conducted to measure in vivo nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Korean native goats fed CMLP and SBM. Two heavy ($35.0{\pm}1.2kg$) and two light ($25.0{\pm}0.9kg$) Korean native goats, caged individually, were used in this experiment. A heavy and a light animal were paired and supplemented with either CMLP or SBM. The animals fed CMLP showed a trend of lower total tract digestibility in all the nutrients measured; however, there was no statistical significance except for digestibility of ether extract. Nitrogen digestibility of CMLP was estimated to be about 7% units lower than that of SBM. There was a tendency for lower nitrogen retention in CMLP treatment (35.9%) compared to SBM treatment (42.3%). In summary, CMLP can be a good protein source for ruminant animals from nutritional and economic perspectives and may replace some, if not all, of SBM in a diet without losing nitrogen utilization efficiency. Further research is warranted for investigating the effect of CMLP fed with easily fermentable forage and the effective level of CMLP for replacing SBM.

Directions towards sustainable agricultural systems in Korea

  • Kim, Chang-Gil
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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    • 2017.06a
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    • pp.3-3
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    • 2017
  • The question of how to establish sustainable agricultural systems has become as prominent as questions related to water, energy and climate change. High input/high output agriculture has brought with it many adverse effects; the massive deterioration of soil and water in both quantity and quality, increased greenhouse gas emissions and an increased prevalence of unsafe foods. Additionally, urbanization and climate change has worsened the shortage of farmland and reduced the supply of agricultural water. Given these challenges, maintaining, conserving and efficiently using agri-environmental resources, through fostering of sustainable agriculture, have emerged as key tasks in solving these problems. What is needed therefore is research, based on systematic and comprehensive empirical analyses, that can propose plans and methods for establishing an appropriate sustainable agricultural system. The empirical analysis of sustainable agricultural system is approached separately from economic, environmental and social aspects. An analysis of environment effect reveals that the available phosphate level is 1.3~2.1 times greater than the optimal amount in rice paddies, upland fields and orchards. Further examination has revealed that the excess nutrient is polluting both ground water and surface water. Analytical results for economic feasibility show that factors of production have been invested heavily in the rice crop. Under these conditions, sustainable agriculture, including low-input agriculture, appears to be a possible alternative that will facilitate simultaneous improvements in both economic feasibility and environment effects. Analysis results for sociality reveal that social factors include the value of producer, association and interior networks. Social conditions are comprised of leadership, consumers' awareness, education and conflict solutions. In addition, analysis as to the degree investments contribute to improving agricultural value added has revealed that the direct payment program is the most effective instrument. Experts confirm that economic feasibility can be improved by scientific and well-reasoned nutrient management on the basis of soil testing. Farmers pointed to 'economic factors' as being the largest obstacle to switching to the practice of sustainable agriculture. They also indicate 'uncertainty with regards to sustainable agriculture technology' as an impediment to practicing sustainable agriculture. Even so, farmers who believe environmental and regional issues to be the most pressing problems have expanded their practice of sustainable agriculture. The keys to establishing sustainable agriculture system are classified into the following four aspects. Firstly, from an economic aspect, the research indicates that agricultural policy needs to be integrated with environmental policy and that the function of market making based on the value chain needs to be revitalized. Secondly, from an environmental aspect, there is a need for an optimal resource management system to be established in the agricultural sector. In addition, sustainable agriculture practice will need to be extended with attendant environmentally-friendly and sustainable intensive technology also requiring further development. Thirdly, from a social aspect, green agriculture management needs to be fostered, technology and education extended, and social conflict mediated. Lastly, from a governance aspect, it will be necessary to strengthen good governance, assign and share suitable roles and responsibilities, build a cooperation system and utilize community supported agriculture.

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Flotation for Recycling of a Waste Water Filtered from Molybdenite Tailings (몰리브덴 선광광미 응집여과액 재활용을 위한 부유선별 특성)

  • Park, Chul-Hyun;Jeon, Ho-Seok;Han, Oh-Hyung;Kim, Byoung-Gon;Baek, Sang-Ho;Kim, Hak-Sun
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.235-242
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    • 2010
  • Froth flotation using the residual water in the end of flotation process has been performed through controlling of pH. IEP (isoelectric point) of molybdenite and quartz in distilled water was below pH 3 and pH 2.7, respectively and the stabilized range was pH 5~10. In case of a suspension in reusing water, zeta potential of molybdenite decreased to below -10 mV or less at over pH 4 due to residual flocculants. As result of pH control, flotation efficiency in the alkaline conditions was deteriorated by flocculation, resulting from expanded polymer chain, ion bridge of the divalent metal cations ($Ca^{2+}$), and hydrophobic interactions between the nonpolar site of polymer/the hydrophobic areas of the particle surfaces. However, the weak acid conditions (pH 5.5~6) improved the efficiency of flotation as hydrogen ions neutralize polymer chains and then weakened its function. In cleans after rougher flotation, the Mo grade of 52.7% and recovery of 90.1% could be successfully obtained under the conditions of 20 g/t kerosene, 50 g/t AF65, 300 g/t $Na_2SiO_3$, pH 5.5 and 2 cleaning times. Hence, we developed a technique which can continuously supply waste water filtered from tailings into the grinding-rougher-cleaning processes.

Current Status and Prospect of Seaweed-based Biofuels as Renewable Energy Resource (재생가능 에너지원으로서의 해조류 유래 바이오 연료의 현황과 전망)

  • Liu, Jay
    • Clean Technology
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.163-173
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    • 2022
  • Research and development of biofuels as one of the means to mitigate global warming and to avoid fossil fuel depletion has occurred for more than 30 years. However, there has only been limited distribution of a few first- and second-generation biofuels, and widespread supply and consumption of biofuels is still far from a reality. Although a relatively recently studied third-generation biofuel derived from seaweed biomass has been shown to have many advantages, it is yet to be deployed in commercial-scale seaweed biorefineries. This review paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of seaweed biorefineries for the entire value chain covering from seaweed and its cultivation to biofuel production based on an extensive literature search and the author's experience of conducting feasibility studies pertaining to seaweed biorefineries for over 10 years. For this purpose, the literature survey will cover the current status of seaweed production and its research and development worldwide, conversion technologies for biofuel production from seaweed based on bench-scale experiments, and large-scale techno-economic feasibility studies for seaweed conversion to biofuels and bioenergy. In addition, the main problems expected with the commercialization of seaweed-based biofuels will be identified. Finally, the current status of seaweed biorefinery technology and the author's views on its promising future will be summarized.