• Journal of architectural history
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.53-63
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• 2003

Tree-ring chronologies can be used to date historical buildings by matching them with the chronologies of living trees or previously dated samples. Tree-ring dating gives a calendar year to each tree ring and produces the felling dates of logs or woods which had been used for buildings. In Korea, several chronologies of Japanese red pine(Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc., 'sonamu' in Korean), a major species for the wooden building materials, have been developed and used for dating historical buildings. In this study, Tongmyungjeon Hall of Changkyung Palace in Seoul was dated by tree rings. The present Tongmyungjeon Hall was known to be reconstructed in A.D. 1834 after burned-out in A.D. 1790. We sampled total of 122 wood samples which were replaced during the repair process in 2002-2003. Felling dates of the samples were determined by the dendrochronological crossdating method. Crossdating method employs graphic comparison of the master patterns (ring-width chronologies of known dates) with those of the sample chronologies of unknown dates. Tree-ring dates confirmed that the reconstruction of 1834 utilized second-handed timbers as well as fresh-cut ones. The felling dates of wooden floor frames were mostly A.D. 1913, indicating the 'Ondol' floors were changed to the wooden floors around 1914 when the Japanese rulers brutally destroyed the royal Korean Palaces and transformed palace buildings to their offices or exhibition halls after occupying Korea in 1910. This study proved that tree-ring dating was a useful and accurate method to identify the critical dates for the history of Korean traditional buildings.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.10
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• pp.63-74
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• 2009

During excavations of the historic sites in Bongnyong-dong, Sangju, a total of 81 ancient wells constructed during the Unified Silla (668 - 935), Goryeo (918 - 1392) and Joseon (1392 - 1910) periods were found. Wood was mainly used for the bottom structure of the well beneath the stone walls. A total of 136 pieces of wood from the wells were analyzed to ascertain their species, and six species were identified: 116 pieces, accounting for 85.9% of the total, of Pinus densiflora, one piece of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb.et Zucc., nine pieces of Castanea sp., three pieces of Quercus acutissima Carruth., one piece of Quercus serrata Thunb., and five pieces of Acer sp. The fact that most of the pieces of wood were pine indicates that pine was considered a suitable wood for the construction of wells in pre-modern period.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.23-38
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• 2006

During the repair and restoration of the Daewoongjeon Hall of Youngguksa Temple, species identification and tree-ring dating for both present wood elements and charred ones excavated under the Hall, were conducted. The species of 74 wood elements of Daewoongjeon Hall, were identified as Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. and only 1 was identified as exotic Pinus species. The latter wood, which was used in the laths, seems to have been replaced during past repairs. Many documentary records and various artifacts pertaining to Youngguksa Temple are being excavated, but none described precisely the construction date of the present Daewoongjeon Hall. Also, from beneath the Daewoongjeon Hall, cornerstone and foundation of previous building and several charred wood elements were excavated. In comparing the direction of the stone columns of foundation of the previous structure and the existing Daewoongjeon Hall, the previous structure was rotated in an angle of approximately $15^{\circ}$. Therefore, in order to find the association of the previous structure with the present Daewoongjeon Hall, tree-ring dating was conducted. The dating of 41 original timbers and 14 roof-filling timbers of the present construction elements revealed that the last annual ring was of A. D. 1703 with complete latewood, indicating that those woods was cut some time between the autumn of 1703 and spring of 1704, and the building was erected in 1704 when we assume no period of wood storage. The year of the last annual ring of the charred elements, which were excavated from beneath the Daewoongjeon Hall, was analyzed as 1674. The cutting year of the woods used for the present building began in 1698, therefore, it can be presumed that the Daewoongjeon Hall before the fire was a structure that was elected shortly after 1674 and that a catastrophic fire occurred some time between 1674 and 1698.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.208-217
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• 2016

Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (P. densiflora) contains several phenolic compounds that exhibit biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antihypertensive effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of P. densiflora on skin has rarely been reported. Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) is a commensal microbe that induces skin inflammation and is associated with several chronic disorders, such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, papillomatosis, and sepsis. The aim of our study was to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of P. densiflora needle extracts on skin health subjected to M. furfur-induced inflammation. The methanolic extract of the pine needles was partitioned into n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water layers. We measured the anti-inflammatory effects (in macrophages) as well as the antioxidant, antifungal, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of each of these layers. The antioxidant activity of the individual layers was in the order EtOAc layer > n-BuOH layer > water layer. Only the n-BuOH, EtOAc, and n-hexane layers showed antifungal activity. Additionally, all the layers possessed tyrosinase inhibition activity similar to that of ascorbic acid, which is used as a commercial control. The EtOAc layer was not cytotoxic toward the RAW 264.7 cell line. Interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression levels in M. furfur-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with the EtOAc layer were decreased markedly compared to those in cells treated with the other layers. Taken together, we believe that the needle extracts of P. densiflora have potential application as alternative anti-inflammatory agents or cosmetic material for skin health improvement.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Extracts of pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) have diverse physiological and pharmacological actions. In this study we show that pine needle extract alters pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) by modulating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels and that this effect is mediated by prostaglandins. In whole cell patches at $30^{\circ}C$, ICC generated spontaneous pacemaker potentials in the current clamp mode (I = 0), and inward currents (pacemaker currents) in the voltage clamp mode at a holding potential of -70 mV. Pine needle extract hyperpolarized the membrane potential, and in voltage clamp mode decreased both the frequency and amplitude of the pacemaker currents, and increased the resting currents in the outward direction. It also inhibited the pacemaker currents in a dose-dependent manner. Because the effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were the same as those of pinacidil (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel opener) we tested the effect of glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels blocker) on ICC exposed to pine needle extract. The effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were blocked by glibenclamide. To see whether production of prostaglandins (PGs) is involved in the inhibitory effect of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents, we tested the effects of naproxen, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, and AH6809, a prostaglandin EP1 and EP2 receptor antagonist. Naproxen and AH6809 blocked the inhibitory effects of pine needle extract on ICC. These results indicate that pine needle extract inhibits the pacemaker currents of ICC by activating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels via the production of PGs.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.14-20
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• 2001

On the bending process, metal-strap plays an important role in dispersing the stress generated in wood. Therefore, the metal-strap has more influence on the property of bentwood materials. The effect of the metal-strap thickness for bentwood was examined. The effect of metal-strap on the bending properties of Korean red pine(Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.)was investigated in this research. The metal-strap thickness is divided into 4 kinds such as 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4 mm. The specimens were selected by grain such as annual ring angles, flat grain and half-edge grain specimens. As a result of this study, the bending ability of 1.0, 0.8 mm, thickness of half-edge grain specimens was better than flat grain specimens but the result of 0.6, 0.4 mm were reversed. The bending ability of half-edge grain was better than flat grain and the grade was higher. When the processed specimens were dried, the radius of curvature(ROC) was decreased became drying-stress was not perfectly dispersed. An optimum drying-condition would deminish this phenomenon.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.E
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• pp.371-386
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• 1994

Ecological examinations of the radial growth Patterns of pine trees(Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc) growing on Mt. Namsan in central Seoul were made to test a Proposition that the pine trees decline due to the influence of air pollution and acid rain, which was proposed by some researchers in Korea, and the potential effects of current level of air pollutants to the growth of the Pine trees in central Seoul have been speculated. Tree-rings of 40 trees sampled at 3 sites of Mt. Namsan were prepared and examined using a Computer-aided Tree-Ring Measuring System at Kookmin University, Korea. Air Pollutant data collected by the Ministry of Environment( MOE ) and the Forestry Research Institute(FRI) were used to infer the general conditions of the environment. Correlation analysis was applied to the data set of tree growth and the other environmental factors. General information derived from the close examination of the tree-rings and the data on air pollution, drought and the other biological conditions suggested that the growth of the pine trees was severely affected by the occurrence of drought(climatic variation), the prevalence of the pine leaf gall midges(insects), and the suppression by the black locust trees(Robinia pseudo-acacia L.) (competition among trees). While the current condition of air pollution in Seoul cannot be categorized as good, the concentrations of air pollutants are not so high as to cause acute damages to the trees. In addition, while the data of rain acidity showed episodic low PHs of under 4.0, the average of them is far less acidic than those which were observed in either northeastern United States or central Europe, where the decline of trees were not solely attributed to any of the air pollutants. Considering the sequential facts that one of the most important environmental factors that affect the growth of trees is weather condition of the forest that the proposition of the decline of the pine trees was made without careful examination of the growth patterns and past growth history of them as well as the complex influences of many other factors including the weather conditions to the growth of trees, and that no objective explanation has been made on the causal relationships between the current condition of air pollution and the growth of the trees, such a proposition should be evaluated as invalid for the explanation of tree growth on Mt. Namsan in central Seoul, Korea. The author evaluates the factors of air pollution (including acid rain) as the predisposing factors, which may have the Potentials to chronically affect the tree growth at the forest ecosystem on Mt. Namsan for a long period of time. Ecosystem ecological studies should be further carried out to carefully explain both the functional and the structural aspects of the ecosystem processes, which include the biogeochemistry and the long-term changes of soil conditions as well as the growth of the other tree species on the mountain.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.376-383
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• 2006

Pine needle(Pinus densiflora sieb, et zucc) extract has been used to improve cardiovascular disorders, detoxification of nicotine, the infirmities of age and curing diseases of unidentified symptoms. It has various useful components including amino acids, vitamin C, terpenoids and chlorophyll. In this study we have identified 8 different yeast strains that are developed spontaneously causing self fermentation in the extract. The self-fermented pine extract(SFPE) inhibited the growth of some bacterial strains like E. coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The SFPE($0.2{\mu}{\ell}/ml{\sim}0.3{\mu}{\ell}/ml$) showed 90% NBT superoxide scavenging activities which is similar for all tested samples of different ages. The 7 years old SFPE(0.15 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml) caused relaxation of spontaneous contraction and relaxation rhythm of thoracic arterial tissues from rat. Therefore, SFPE has useful effects such as antibacterial, antioxidant and improved blood circulation and could be a good source of functional food development.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.230-241
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to seek the optimum condition for effective separation of the chemical constituents of wood biomass by means of hydrolysis of acetone solution in presence of acid salt as a catalyst. Out of diverse acid salts the catalytic effect of aluminum sulfate ($Al_2(SO_4)_3$) was the most excellent during the hydrolysis of wood biomass in the acetone solution and the optimum concentration was 0.01 M (6.3 wt%). In the condition of mixture ratio of acetone and water to 9 : 1 as well as optimum concentration of aluminum sulfate two wood biomass species, oak wood (Quercus mongolica Fischer) and Pine wood (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.), was hydrolyzed for 45 minutes at $200^{\circ}C$ and the degree of hydrolysis was determined to 92.7% and 92.4%, respectively. Extending the reaction time to 60 minutes in the mixture ratio of acetone and water to 8 : 2 the degree of hydrolysis of oak wood was also ca. 92.7%. In the case of Pinus, however, the similar hydrolysis ratio was obtained at $210^{\circ}C$. As the temperature and hydrolysis time increased, the quantitative amount of lignin recovered from the hydrolysate clearly increased, whereas the total amount of carbohydrates in the hydrolysate decreased rapidly. Considering the recoverable amount of lignin and carbohydrate in the hydrolysate, the best condition for the hydrolysis of wood biomasses were confirmed to the mixture ratio of acetone and water to 8 : 2, the concentration of aluminum sulfate of 6.3 wt%, hydrolysis temperature of $190^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes. In this condition the total amounts of carbohydrate in the hydrolysates of oak wood and pine wood were estimated to 47.6% and 51.4%, respectively. The amount of lignin recovered from the hydrolysates were ca. 18.2% for oak wood and 13.7% for pine wood.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1987

A kraft black liquor obtained from pulping of pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc) was used for producing three kinds of adhesive such as black liquor-phenol formaldehyde resin, methyloeated kraft lignin-phenol formaldehyde resin, and lignin cake-phenol resin. In case of producing black liquor-phenol formaldehyde resin, about 60 percent of the phenolic resin could be replaced by black liquor. Also the optimal press condition appeared to be $160^{\circ}C$ for 7 min. (l5.77Kg/$cm^2$ in dry test, 8.54Kg/$cm^2$ in 4 hr. boil test). Phenol could be substituted up to 80-90 percent by methylolated kraft lignin. The suitable conditions of factors affecting bond quality were pH to 2.6, methanol as solvent and 0.2ml formaldehyde per 1g of the adhesives, respectively. The optimal press condition was $150^{\circ}C$ for 4 min. (188.54Kg/$cm^2$ in dry test, 10.08Kg/$cm^2$ in 4 hr. boil test). In preparing lignin cake-phenol resin, a suitable mixing ratio of phenol to powered kraft lignin was one to one by weight. The optimal press condition was $150^{\circ}C$ for 4 min.(18.46Kg/$cm^2$ in dry test, 12.31Kg/$cm^2$ in 4 hr. hoil test).