• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.137-137
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• 2019

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.221-233
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• 2024

Lignin, a prominent constituent of woody biomass, is abundant in nature, cost-effective, and contains various functional groups, including hydroxyl groups. Owing to these characteristics, they have the potential to replace petroleum-based polyols in the polyurethane industry, offering a solution to environmental problems linked to resource depletion and CO₂ emissions. However, the structural complexity and low reactivity of lignin present challenges for its direct application in polyurethane materials. In this study, Kraft lignin (KL), a representative technical lignin, was fractionated with ethanol, an eco-friendly solvent, and mixed with conventional polyols in varying proportions to produce polyurethane films. The results of ethanol fractionation showed that the polydispersity of ethanol-soluble lignin (ESL) decreased from 3.71 to 2.72 and the hydroxyl content of ESL increased from 4.20 mmol/g to 5.49 mmol/g. Consequently, the polyurethane prepared by adding ESL was superior to the KL-based film, exhibiting improved miscibility with petrochemical-based polyols and reactivity with isocyanate groups. Consequently, the films using ESL as the polyol exhibited reduced shrinkage and a more uniform structure. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope observations confirmed that lignin aggregation was lower in polyurethane with ESL than in that with KL. When the hydrophobicity of the samples was measured using the water contact angle, the addition of ESL resulted in higher hydrophobicity. In addition, as the amount of ESL added increased, an increase of 7.4% in the residual char was observed, and a 4.04% increase in Tmax the thermal stability of the produced polyurethane was effectively improved.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2017

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common gram-positive bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and animals. With the continuous emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, antibiotics have limited efficacy in treating MRSA infections. Accordingly, novel agents that act on new targets are desperately needed to combat these infections. S. aureus alpha-hemolysin plays an indispensable role in its pathogenicity. In this study, we demonstrate that sclareol, a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage, can prominently decrease alpha-hemolysin secretion in S. aureus strain USA300 at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Hemolysis assays, western-blotting, and RT-PCR were used to detect the production of alpha-hemolysin in the culture supernatant. When USA300 was co-cultured with A549 epithelial cells, sclareol could protect the A549 cells at a final concentration of $8{\mu}g/ml$. The protective capability of sclareol against the USA300-mediated injury of A549 cells was further shown by cytotoxicity assays and live/dead analysis. In conclusion, sclareol was shown to inhibit the production of S. aureus alpha-hemolysin. Sclareol has potential for development as a new agent to treat S. aureus infections.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2008

Salinity stress is a major limiting factor in cereal productivity. Many studies report improvements in salt tolerance using model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana or standard varieties of rice, e.g., the japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare. However, there are few reports on the enhancement of salt tolerance in local rice cultivars. In this work, we used the indica rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar BR5, which is a local cultivar in Bangladesh. To improve salt tolerance in BR5, we introduced the Escherichia coli catalase gene, katE. We integrated the katE gene into BR5 plants using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method. The introduced katE gene was actively expressed in the transgenic BR5 rice plants, and catalase activity in $T_1$ and $T_2$ transgenic rice was approximately 150% higher than in nontransgenic plants. Under NaCl stress conditions, the transgenic rice plants exhibited high tolerance compared with nontransgenic rice plants. $T_2$ transgenic plants survived in a 200 mM NaCl solution for 2 weeks, whereas nontransgenic plants were scorched after 4 days soaking in the same NaCl solution. Our results indicate that the katE gene can confer salt tolerance to BR5 rice plants. Enhancement of salt tolerance in a local rice cultivar, such as BR5, will provide a powerful and useful tool for overcoming food shortage problems.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2010

Recently, IPTV population is growing by leaps and bounds. and We performed FGI(Focus Group Interview) with various experts related to agriculture field to establish Agriculture and Fisheries special channel. this growth has social background that is change of paradigm caused by the convergence of broadcasting, demand for Agriculture and Fisheries special channel using new media thanks to interests in Wellbeing, Green food. so we think that we need to consider the way to establish Agriculture and Fisheries special channel and its validity from all angles. that is why we are having a heated discussion with Agriculture and Fisheries marketing experts, farmer, fisher(Korean Cyber Farmer Association), broadcasting experts. Concretely, government budget is needed to establish Agriculture and Fisheries special channel, so we are just about to examine its validity and find business model. to make this discussion detailed, we made 4 subjects. First, Do we need agro-fishery products distribution channel using media? Second, After establishing of Agriculture and Fisheries special channel, how many demands will occur? Third, Should we make Agriculture and Fisheries special channel public channel? Fourth, What would be profit model of Agriculture and Fisheries special channel?

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.19 no.spc
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• pp.127-128
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• 2011

Vinegar has been considered as a potential organic herbicide, but more knowledge is needed about acetic acid concentration, application volume and use of adjutants on weed control. In this study, we determined optimum acetic acid concentration and spraying time on several weed species. Vinegar is more effective in broadleaf weeds than grasses. Vinegar is also effective in controlling younger weeds such as $3^{rd}$ to $4^{th}$ weeks after emergency. For example, $3^{rd}$ weeks after emergency weeds were easily controlled at 2-3% of vinegar solution. But $4^{th}$ weeks after emergency weeds were controlled at 4-5% of vinegar. Therefore vinegar concentration was recommended about 5%, and application time was when the weeds were young-within 3 leaf stage.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.475-489
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to understand the conversion characteristics of glucose and xylose using the major monosaccharide standards for lignocellulosic biomass. The acid-catalyzed organosolv pretreatment conducted using ethanol was significantly different from the acid-catalyzed process conducted in an aqueous medium. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), levulinic acid and furfural were produced from glucose conversion. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was 5.5%, at 200℃, when 0.5% sulfuric acid was used. The maximum yield of levulinic acid was 21.5%, at 220℃, when 1.0% sulfuric acid was used. Furfural was produced from xylose conversion and under 0.5% sulfuric acid, furfural reached the maximum yield 48.5% at 210℃. Ethyl levulinate and methyl levulinate were also formed from the glucose standard following the esterification reaction conducted under conditions of the combined conversion method, which proceeded under both ethanol-rich and water-rich conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.21-33
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• 2015

Recently, the Korean government announced a new development plan for a large-scale greenhouse complex in reclaimed lands. Wind environments of reclaimed land are entirely different from those of inland. Many standard books for ventilation design didn't include qualitative standard for natural ventilation. In this study, natural ventilation rates were analyzed to suggest standard for ventilation design of venlo type greenhouse built on reclaimed land. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation models were designed according to the number of spans, wind conditions and vent openings. The wind profile at a reclaimed land was designed using ESDU (Engineering Sciences Data Unit) code. Using the designed CFD simulation model, ventilation rates were computed using mass flow rate and tracer gas decay method. Additionally computed natural ventilation rates were evaluated by comparing with ventilation requirements. As a result of this study, ventilation rates were decreased with increasing of the number of spans. Ventilation rates were linearly increased with increasing of wind speed. When the wind speed was $1.0\;m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, only side vent was open and wind direction was $45^{\circ}$, homogeneity of ventilation rate at 0~1 m height is the worst. Finally, chart for computing natural ventilation rate was suggested. The chart was expected to be used for establishing standard of ventilation design.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Organic Agriculture Conference
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• 2009.12a
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• pp.3-26
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• 2009

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.11-27
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to categorize agriculture, to analyze perception of sustainable agriculture and to suggest the directions for improving farming practices in Korea. This study was conducted by review of literature and mail survey. The data was collected from 225 purposively sampled agricultural students by questionnaire. Major findings of the study were as follows; 1) According to the respondents, sustainable agriculture may bring positive effects on the betterment of land conservation, water management and animal protection. 2) The respondents expected that the sustainable agricultural practices may diminish the use of agricultural chemicals and increase safe agricultural products. 3) Sustainable agriculture needs more labor power, however, the number of small and middle-size farms in Korea would not be increased. 4) Even though the price of sustainable agriculture products increases, the respondents expected that rural economic condition would not be much improved because of sustainable agriculture. 5) Agricultural students responded that number of farmers in sustainable agriculture would be increased in the future.