• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1169-1175
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• 2011

The soil chemical properties, microbial community structures and biochemical properties of lettuce or cucumber-cultivated greenhouse soil samples were analyzed to assess soil health and characterize microbial distribution in 8 locations in Korea. Although most of chemical properties were within the soil management guidelines, the available phosphate, and the contents of exchangeable potassium and calcium were higher than those of recommended levels. In the culture-dependent analysis, 841 bacterial strains were isolated from the greenhouse soils and were identified at the genus level by 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis. The dominant bacterial genera were Bacillus (35.7%), Microbacterium (9.3%), Arthrobacter (5.7%) and Lysobacter (5.1%). The abundance of pseudomonads was highly variable depending on the soil samples. In the culture-independent analysis, soil microbial community was investigated by using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that a specific grouping for microbial community structure in the greenhouse soils was not observed based on cultivated crops and investigated sites. The results revealed that the greenhouses soils examined are relatively sound managed in terms of soil chemical contents and microbial properties.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

Seasonal fluctuations of physico-chemical and biological aspects of the environment were studied in Vladivostok harbour (Golden Horn Bay, the East Sea/Sea of Japan). The benthic community structure was described with a focus on size-spectra (bacteria, meio- and macrofauna) related with the chemical environment and chemical fluxes in sediment and to reveal their possible ecological role in the process of bioremediation of the environment. Samples from two sites with different concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni Cd, Co) and petroleum hydrocarbon were assessed by a number of methods. These included plate counts of culturable bacteria, observation through a scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These approaches were complemented with microscopic assessments of the diversity of the benthic community. The specific communities had a limited number of species, tolerant to abnormally high levels of toxic compounds. The dominant species were presented by several sho.1-lived small polychaetes (Capitella capitata) and nematodes (Oncholaimium ramosum). The highest population density was recorded in microbenthos, in various diatoms, various physiological groups of bacteria which participate in biomineralization: marine heterotrophic bacteria, which oxidized oil, black oil in addition to groups resistant to heavy metals. They have the entire set of mechanisms for neutralizing the negative effect of those compounds, forming the detrital food web and biogeochemical circulation of material in sediments, which results in the biological self-recycling of sea basins. Macro- and meiobenthic organisms were more sensitive to a greater extent of $H_2S$ and petroleum hydrocarbons than to metal content, but the within-site rankings were the same as those achieved for microbiological analyses.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.115-140
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• 2010

Great concerns about atmospheric aerosols are attributed to their multiple roles to atmospheric processes. For example, atmospheric aerosols influence global climate, directly by scattering or absorbing solar radiations and indirectly by serving as cloud condensation nuclei. They also have a significant impact on human health and visibility. Many of these effects depend on the size and composition of atmospheric aerosols, and thus detailed information on the physicochemical properties and the distribution of airborne particles is critical to accurately predict their impact on the Earth's climate as well as human health. A single particle analysis technique, named low-Z particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis (low-Z particle EPMA) that can determine the concentration of low-Z elements such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in a microscopic volume has been developed. The capability of quantitative analysis of low-Z elements in individual particle allows the characterization of especially important atmospheric particles such as sulfates, nitrates, ammonium, and carbonaceous particles. Furthermore, the diversity and the complicated heterogeneity of atmospheric particles in chemical compositions can be investigated in detail. In this review, the development and methodology of low-Z particle EPMA for the analysis of atmospheric aerosols are introduced. Also, its typical applications for the characterization of various atmospheric particles, i.e., on the chemical compositions, morphologies, the size segregated distributions, and the origins of Asian dust, urban aerosols, indoor aerosols in underground subway station, and Arctic aerosols, are illustrated.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2008

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of kinases involved in the transduction of cellular signals that promote lipid hydrolysis. PKC plays a pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to extracellular stimuli involved in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Comparative analysis of the PKC-${\alpha},{\beta},{\varepsilon}$ isozymes of 200 recently sequenced microbial genomes was carried out using variety of bioinformatics tools. Diversity and evolution of PKC was determined by sequence alignment. The ser/thr protein kinases of Streptomyces coelicolor A3 (2), is the only bacteria to show sequence alignment score greater than 30% with all the three PKC isotypes in the sequence alignment. S.coelicolor is the subject of our interest because it is notable for the production of pharmaceutically useful compounds including anti-tumor agents, immunosupressants and over two-thirds of all natural antibiotics currently available. The comparative analysis of three human isotypes of PKC and Serine/threonine protein kinase of S.coelicolor was carried out and possible mechanism of action of PKC was derived. Our analysis indicates that Serine/ threonine protein kinase from S. coelicolor can be a good candidate for potent anti-tumor agent. The presence of three representative isotypes of the PKC super family in this organism helps us to understand the mechanism of PKC from evolutionary perspective.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.178-187
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Spent coffee grounds are the most valuable resource for agriculture and industry. However, it is almost thrown untreated into landfills or incineration. Composting is an efficient process for converting spent coffee to fertilizer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Composting was conducted in the compost pile (40 ㎥) equipped with a forced aeration system. Physical and chemical properties containing temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and moisture were measured through the composting period. Moreover, biological changes were examined for the composting phase using Illumina Miseq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We found 7-14 phyla comprising 250-716 species from a variety phase of compost. During the composting period, Firmicutes were dominated, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. CONCLUSION: The result indicated that the use of spent coffee improved the quality of organic fertilizer and changed the microbial communities, unique to the thermal composting stage, which could enhance the composting process. These findings suggest that spent coffee composted material can provide a significant amount of nutrients, thereby supporting plant growth.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.56-65
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• 2019

This study investigated the perceptions of the relationship among the three acid-base models of chemistry teachers. In addition, we examined how the perception of the relationship between models affected on the interpretation of concepts in each model. To investigate teachers' perceptions and interpretations, a questionnaire and interviews were conducted for 24 chemistry teachers. As results, most of the chemistry teachers recognized the three models as cumulative extension relationships. The perceptions were related to the contents of textbooks. The perception of the relationship of these models influenced on interpretations of the models' acid-base concept. In this study, we suggested that science teachers need to be aware of diverse models' roles.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.109-118
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• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities of Quercus spp. roots in the limestone area. We identified 45 generd of ECM using next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. Soil chemical composition analysis confirmed soil pH, substitution calcium concentration, total nitrogen content, organic phosphate, and organic matter content. Shannon's Index was calculated according to the changes in soil chemical composition. The results of cluster analysis showed that Sebacina, Tomentella, Tuber, Densospora, Inocybe, Suillus, and Piloderma were the main genera of symbiotic ECM fungi that thrived in soil with high pH and calcium content.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.15-25
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• 2019

The study was conducted to compare the chemical properties and microbial activity of soil and the crop productivity by applying homemade liquid fertilizers (LF) used in leading cucumber farms as well as to evaluate the eco-friendly LFs to substitute for a chemical fertilizer. Three homemade LFs, EM, starfish, and native microbes, and a chemical LF were regularly fertigated per three days during the growing season. Chemical LF contained the highest pH, EC (electrical conductivity), and concentrations of T-N, $P_2O_5$, K, Ca, and Mg, while the lowest EC level was observed for EM LF. Soil EC was the highest to the 3.0 dS/m for chemical LF-plots, with lowering soil pH, OM (organic matter), and Mg concentration. Soil chemical properties mostly increased in native microbes LF-plots. However, soil microbial properties were not significantly different among the LF treatment plots. OTU (operational taxonomic units), richness estimator, and diversity index of bacteria and fungi increased in the chemical LF and EM LF based on the pyrosequencing analysis. SPAD and PS II values on the treated-cucumber leaves were seasonally decreased from 32 to 60 days after transplanting, with the rapid decline observed at 45 days after transplanting. Number of leaves and crop height increased in the treatments with EM and native microbes LF. LF treated-cucumber crops were not significantly different for total fresh weight and fruit yield.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.649-659
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• 2017

Extremophilic microorganisms have established a diversity of molecular strategies in order to survive in extreme conditions. Biocatalysts isolated by these organisms are termed extremozymes, and possess extraordinary properties of salt allowance, thermostability, and cold adaptivity. Extremozymes are very resistant to extreme conditions owing to their great solidity, and they pose new opportunities for biocatalysis and biotransformations, as well as for the development of the economy and new line of research, through their application. Thermophilic proteins, piezophilic proteins, acidophilic proteins, and halophilic proteins have been studied during the last few years. Amylases, proteases, lipases, pullulanases, cellulases, chitinases, xylanases, pectinases, isomerases, esterases, and dehydrogenases have great potential application for biotechnology, such as in agricultural, chemical, biomedical, and biotechnological processes. The study of extremozymes and their main applications have emerged during recent years.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.345-360
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• 1991

Benthic macroinvertebrates were collecte in the middle reaches of the paenae stream, a tributary of th naktong river in korea, in four seasons from August 1989. To may 1990, during the study period, 125 species, 81 genera and 41 families were collected. Overall, the most dominant species was lepidostoma sp. 1 followed by heptagenia kihada, neoperla quadrata, diamesa sp. 1, ect.. the community was most diverse in autumn, However the number of collectd individuals was highest in winter. Species of chironomids including diamesa sp. 1 and mayflies including paraleptophlebia chocorata were collected exceptionally in a large number in winter. Seasonal occurrence of funtional groups such as collectors, shredders and scrapers was related with the availadlity of food sourses in the stream. The abundance of predators was relatively stable in four seasons with 17% on average. Diversity, tbi and chandler's biotic score(bs) in the paenae strem were 3.75, 14.5, and 100 on average, respectively. Based on biological and chemical indices the paenae stream was clean in the range of xeno- and oligo- saprobity.