• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.253-261
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• 2019

PURPOSE. To evaluate the influence of cyclic loading on phase transformation of zirconia abutments and to compare the effectiveness of three different quantitative ageing assessment techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty two Y-TZP prostheses fabricated from two brands, InCoris ZI and Ceramill ZI, were cemented to titanium bases and equally divided into two subgroups (n=8): control group without any treatment and aged group with cyclic loading between 20 N and 98 N for 100,000 cycles at 4 Hz in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$. The tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was assessed by (i) conventional x-ray diffraction (XRD), (ii) micro x-ray diffraction (${\mu}XRD$), and (iii) micro-Raman spectroscopy. The monoclinic-phase fractions (M%) were compared by two-way ANOVA. RESULTS. InCoris Zi presented significantly higher M% than Ceramill Zi in both control and aged groups (P<.001). Both materials exhibited significant phase transformation with monoclinicphase of 1 to 3% more in aged groups than controls for all three assessment techniques. The comparable M% was quantified by both ${\mu}XRD$ and XRD. The highest M% was assessed with micro-Raman. CONCLUSION. Cyclic loading produced significant phase transformation in tested Y-TZP prostheses. The micro-Raman spectroscopy could be used as an alternative to XRD and ${\mu}XRD$.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.179-183
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• 2010

Ethylene is a key gaseous hormone that controls various physiological processes in plants including growth, senescence, fruit ripening, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In spite of some of these positive effects, the gas usually inhibits plant growth. While chemical fertilizers help plants grow better by providing soil-limited nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate, overusage often results in growth inhibition by soil contamination and subsequent stress responses in plants. Therefore, controlling ethylene production in plants becomes one of the attractive challenges to increase crop yields. Some soil bacteria among plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) can stimulate plant growth even under stressful conditions by reducing ethylene levels in plants, hence the term "stress controllers" for these bacteria. Thus, manipulation of relevant genes or gene products might not only help clear polluted soil of contaminants but contribute to elevating the crop productivity. In this article, the beneficial soil bacteria and the mechanisms of reduced ethylene production in plants by stress controllers are discussed.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2006

Effect of organic-C on immobilization and nitrification patterns in acidic soil was examined during 20 weeks incubation period to verify if organic amendments such as composted material can increase soil retention of N by stimulating microbial immobilization of $NH_4^+$. Four treatments were laid out: control without fertilizer N and glucose (treatment code: S), ammonium sulfate (SN), ammonium sulfate with single glucose at the commencement (0 week) of incubation (SNG), and ammonium sulfate with double glucose at 0 and 4 weeks of incubation (SNGG). Glucose application (SNG) significantly increased microbial immobilization of $NH_4^+$ within 1 week of incubation over SN. Immobilization was followed by remineralization thereafter; however, second-application of glucose (SNGG) restored $NH_4^+$ immobilization. At the same time, nitrification was significantly inhibited by glucose application as indicated by consistently low $NO_3^-$ concentration in SNG and SNGG soils, suggesting that microbial assimilation of $NH_4^+$ is predominant compared to nitrification when available C-source is abundant. These results suggest application of chemical fertilizer-N with organic amendment would have beneficial effect on soil-N retention and environmental conservation by reducing production of $NO_3^-$ which is likely to be lost through leaching or denitrification.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2015

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a perennial herb prone to various root diseases, with Phytophthora cactorum being considered one of the most dreaded pathogens. P. cactorum causes foliar blight and root rot. Although chemical pesticides are available for disease control, attention has been shifted to viable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective biological means such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for control of diseases. Methods: Native Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain HK34 was isolated from wild ginseng and assessed as a biological control agent for ginseng. Leaves from plants treated with HK34 were analyzed for induced systemic resistance (ISR) against P. cactorum in square plate assay. Treated plants were verified for differential expression of defense-related marker genes using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 78 native rhizosphere bacilli from wild P. ginseng were isolated. One of the root-associated bacteria identified as B. amyloliquefaciens strain HK34 effectively induced resistance against P. cactorum when applied as soil drench once (99.1% disease control) and as a priming treatment two times in the early stages (83.9% disease control). A similar result was observed in the leaf samples of plants under field conditions, where the percentage of disease control was 85.6%. Significant upregulation of the genes PgPR10, PgPR5, and PgCAT in the leaves of plants treated with HK34 was observed against P. cactorum compared with untreated controls and only pathogen-treated plants. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate HK34 as a potential biocontrol agent eliciting ISR in ginseng against P. cactorum.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2017

Phloridzin is a predominant member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones and mainly found in apple. The biological activity of phloridzin treated with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma was evaluated to investigate whether exposure to plasma can be used as a tools to enhance the biological activity of natural resources. DBD plasma treatment of phloridzin was carried out for three different exposure times. The antioxidant effects of degraded phloridzin for different reaction time were evaluated via radical scavenging assay using DPPH radical. In addition, the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties of the degraded phloridzin were measured based on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Phloridzin treated for 60 min showed significantly higher radical scavenging, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities compared to the tested positive controls. Degradation of phloridizin induced by DBD plasma might be responsible for enhancing the biological activity of phloridizin.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.189-196
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• 2020

Mosquitos serve as vectors for diseases, causing inconvenience as well as a threat to human life and health. Concern about mosquitos introducing and spreading new diseases has been intensifying. We observed a variety of mosquito habitats based on land cover classification from Korea's Ministry of Environment, and the mosquito species that could appear were classified according to the each habitat type. Finally, we suggested the best control methods for each type of habitat considering habitat characteristics and the ecological traits of mosquitos. Urban areas harbor various habitats for pests, contributing significantly to mosquito habitats. Control must be performed regarding larva and adults because various sources for habitats exist. Public mosquito control programs such as educational training, as well as information brochures can be effective in managing mosquito populations and public health. Agricultural areas show high densities of mosquito larva to lentic zones such as reservoirs, wetlands, paddy fields. So, biological control using natural predators may be effective in controlling mosquito populations. Forests are major habitats for Aedes albopctus, so physical controls should be deployed for residents living nearby, and excessive deforestation should be minimized. Other areas including aquatic ecosystems should be adopted regarding biological control using Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) and chemical control for eradicating mosquitos. We classified habitats into four types of land cover patterns considering ecological traits and habitat preference, and suggest adequate control methods for each habitat type. Our suggestion can be used to positively contribute toward effective managing mosquito's density and reducing the damage to public health.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2016

Large patch disease in Zoysia japonica Steud. is the most destructive disease in turfgrass. For large patch management, it has been dependent on chemical controls but pesticides are harmful to soil, water and biodiversity. In this study, we evaluated 4 Streptomyces spp. strains (S2, S5, S8 and S12) which were selected in previous studies using metagenome approaches. Root colonization of the strains, large patch suppressing effect and the pathogen density change in actual golf course were investigated to evaluate biological control potential of the strains. All strains exhibited reliable root colonization ability that strains populations were higher than $6log\;cfu\;g^{-1}$ in turfgrass rhizosphere. The pathogen density, with S8 treatment, was detected average of 0.7 after a week and average of 1.2 after 4 weeks. Disease control and suppressive the pathogen population by S8 strain showed higher efficiency than other strains. S8 was applied in an actual golf course for the large patch control and pathogen density. The pathogen density in S8 treatment plot was detected below 1.6 per toothpick and lower compared with untreated plot. The results indicated that pathogen density was suppressed by S8 and the stain has great potential as a biological control agent for the large patch.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2004

The high voltage electron microscope (HVEM) newly installed in KBSI is an advanced transmission electron microscope capable of atomic resolution (${\leq}1.2{\AA}$ point-to-point resolution) together with high titling function (${\pm}60^{\circ}$), which are suitable to do 3-dimensional atomic imaging of a specimen. In addition, the instrument can be controlled by remote operation system, named as 'FasTEM' for the HVEM, which is favorable to overcome some environmental obstacles resulting from the direct operation. The FasTEM remote operation system has been established between the headquarter of KBSI in Daejeon and the Seoul branch. The server system in the headquarter has been connected with a portable client console system in the Seoul branch using an advanced internet resource, 'KOREN' of 155 Mbps grade. Most of the HVEM functions essential to do remote operation are available on the portable client console. The experiment to acquire the high resolution image of [001] Au has been achieved by excellent transmission of control signals and communication with the HVEM. Real-time reaction like direct operation, such as controls of the illumination and projection parameters, acquisition and adjustment of each detector signal, and electrical steering of each motor-driven system has been realized in remote site. It is positively anticipated that the first remote operation of HVEM in conjunction with IT infraengineering plays a important role in constructing the network based e-Science Grid in Korea for national user s facilities.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.433-445
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• 2014

The objective of study was to analyze seasonal and inter-annual patterns of water chemistry of Miho Stream watershed during 2004 - 2007 along with some influences of tributaries and summer monsoon on the stream water quality. For the study, eight physico-chemical parameters such as nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, COD and chlorophyll-a (CHL) etc. were analyzed in relation to spatial and temporal variability of seven sampling sites of the mainstream and some tributaries in the watershed. In the upstream reach, Mean of BOD, COD and TP averaged 3.2 mg/L, 6.5 mg/L and $186{\mu}g/L$, respectively, indicating an eutrophic conditions as a III-rank in the stream water quality criteria from the Ministry of Environment, Korea(MEK). The eutrophic water was due to a combined effect of Chiljang tributary with high nutrients ($TP=844{\mu}g/L$, TN=8.087 mg/L) and the point sources from some wastewater treatment plants. In the meantime, BOD, TN, and TP in the downstream reach were about > 1.2-1.5 folds than the values of the midstream reaches. This was mainly attributed to effluents of nutrient rich-water (mean TN: 11.980 mg/L) from two tributaries of Musim Stream and Suknam Stream, which is directly influenced by nearby wastewater disposal plants. Seasonal analysis of water chemistry showed that summer monsoon rainfall was one of the important factors influencing the water quality, and water quality had a large spatial heterogeneity during the rainfall period. In the premonsoon, BOD in the downstream averaged $6.0{\pm}2.47mg/L$, which was 1.4-fold greater than the mean of upstream reach. Mean of CHL-a as an indicator of primary productivity in the water body, was > 2.2 - 2.9 fold in the downstream than in the upstream, and this was a result of the high phosphorus loading from the watershed. Overall, our data suggest that some nutrient controls in point-source tributary streams are required for efficient water quality management of Miho Stream.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.218-231
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physico-chemical water quality, trophic and tolerance guilds in the control ($C_o$) and impacted streams of the abandoned mine, along with the ecological health, using a multimetric health model and physical habitat conditions of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), during the period of three years, 2005~2007. Also, eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) enclosure tests were conducted to examine the toxic effects on the outflows from the mine wastewater, using the sentinel species of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, and we compared the biological responses of the control ($C_o$) and treatment (T) to the effluents through a Necropybased Health Assessment Index ($N_b$-HAI). Tissue impact analysis of the spleen, kidney, gill, liver, eyes, and fins were conducted in the controlled enclosure experiments (10 individuals). According to the comparisons of the control ($C_o$) vs. the treatment (T) in physicochemical water quality, outflows from the abandoned mine resulted in low pH of 3.2, strong acid wastewater, high ionic concentrations, based on an electrical conductivity, and high total dissolved solid (TDS). Physical habitat assessments, based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) did not show any statistical differences (p>0.05) in the sampling sites, whereas, the $M_m$-EH model values in a multimetric ecological health ($M_m$-EH) model of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), using fish assemblages, were 16~20 (fair condition) in the control and all zero (0, poor condition) in the impacted sites of mine wastewater. In addition, in enclosure eco-toxicity ($EE_t$) tests, the model values of $N_b$-HAI ranged between 0 and 3 in the controls during the three years, indicating an excellent~good condition (Ex~G), and were >100 (range: 100~137) in the impacted sites, which indicates a poor condition (P). Under the circumstances, organ tissues, such as the liver, kidney, and gills were largely impaired, so that efficient water quality managements are required in the outflow area of the abandoned mine watershed.