The Tribe Pulvinariini Ashmead, 1891 in Korea is reviewed with a newly reported genus Leptopulvinaria Kanda, 1960. The tribe Pulvinariini is revised as 8 species of 2 genera from Korean peninsula including three new records, Leptopulvinaria kawaii Tanaka & Amano, 2008, Pulvinaria hydrangea Steinweden, 1946 and P. photiniae Kuwana, 1914. In this study, the morphological data about adult females of the species are redescribed from Korean specimens and diagnosis, descriptions and illustrations are also provided.

Vespa crabro and V. analis are social hornet species commonly found in Asia, including Korea. Mastoparan is one of the major venom peptides of these two hornets but its amino acid sequence defers substantially. To examine the differences in the potential toxicity and bioactivity of mastoparans between these two social hornets, differential toxicological and pharmacological activities of synthesized mastoparan were investigated. V. analis mastoparan showed a 7-fold higher hemolytic activity, suggesting its higher cytotoxic potential compared with V. crabro mastoparan. Mastoparans from both hornet species exhibited similar levels of antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Botrytis cinerea, whereas the mastoparan from V. analis showed more potent antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial activities of mastoparans of V. crabro and V. analis were relatively lower compared with those of other wasps. Both mastoparans also exhibited some levels of antitumor activity but the activity was significantly higher in V. analis mastoparan. In summary, the hemolytic, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities of synthesized V. analis mastoparan were higher than those of V. crabro mastoparan. These differential bioactivities are likely due to the amino acid sequence differences in the mature peptides. In particular, the additional Lys residue present in V. analis mastoparan may contribute to the higher levels of bioactivity as proposed by secondary structure prediction.

Four new species of the genus Cacopsylla Ossiannilsson are described and illustrated based on adults and fifth instar immatures. Cacopsylla spp. nov. are associated with Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. (Rosaceae), Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge (Rosaceae), Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (Araliaceae), Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) W. T. Aiton (Pittosporaceae) respectively. Short biological notes are provided.

This study was conducted to investigate the community structure and species distribution of ground beetle assemblages in Yeongwol-gun (19 sites) and Donggang river basin area (6 sites). Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps from 19 study sites from 2013 to 2014. A total of 67 species were identified from 9,710 collected ground beetles. Species richness in mountainous forests of Yeongwol-gun (55.8±1.90) estimated by rarefaction curves was higher than those in Donggang river areas (28.0±0.06). Four dominant species, Synuchus nitidus (3,974 individuals) and Synuchus cycloderus (2,595 individuals), Synuchus sp.1 (830 individuals), and Eucarabus cartereti cartereti (434 individuals) were occupied 80.7% of total, but their relative abundance were different according to geographical locations. Species richness of total carabid beetles was positively related to elevation (linear regression, F1, 23 = 22.41, adj. r2=0.47, P < 0.001) and it showed a U-shaped curve with longitudinal gradient (curvilinear regression, F2, 22 = 10.82, adj. r2=0.50, P < 0.001). And species richness maps that are focused on south-western areas of Gangwon-do including Yeongwol-gun, Jeongseon-gun, and Pyeongchang-gun were generated using ArcGIS 10.1. In species composition, longitude and elevation were best predictors to determine the distribution of carabid beetles by MRT analysis (Error = 0.517, CV Error = 1.04). These results indicated that habitat management regimes for biodiversity conservation should be conducted in considering geography and topography, although further studies are still necessary on the distributional pattern of other insect taxa and the relationship between biodiversity and more environmental variables.

Leptotrombidium pallidum is the major vector mites for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus. To understand the molecular mechanism of L. pallidum, we sequenced the whole genome using Illumina sequencing technology. Totally four genomic libraries with different insert sizes ranging from 280 bp to 8 kb were used to generate 45.1 Gb of genome in the combination of paired-end and mate-pairs sequencing reads. Quality filtering and correction of paired-end reads for very small and/or bad-quality sequences yielded 26.9 Gb of high-quality sequences, which are used to estimate the genome size as 175 Mbusing kmer methods and assembled into a 193.7 Mb genomic sequence scaffolds with N50 length of 92,945 bp. Furthermore, 94% of CEGMA completeness score were obtained from genome scaffold assembly. To facilitate gene annotation, we used a combination of de novo and homology based tools to predict gene models in the chigger mite genome. A combination of evidence-based and de novo approaches predicted 15,842 high-confidence protein-coding genes with an average transcript length of 1,511 bp and 2.4 exons per gene which corresponds to about 12.4% total gene length. Bacterial endosymbiosis are very common in mite species and can range from mutualistic to pathogenic associations. Henceforth, the endosymbionts in L. pallidum were predicted using the NCBI microbial draft genomes and mitochondrial genome. Besides, this L. pallidum draft genome can be used as a significant reference for comparative genomic studies across mite species.

Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) is a grapevine pest and distributed worldwide. This study was conducted to identify grapevine damage related to density of C. vitis and to suggest an effective control time. The damaged flower buds displayed retarded growth and became dried up, and symptoms of damaged leaves such as malformed and bronzed leaves were observed. Flower cluster and leaves were collected and density of the grape rust mite were observed by using a washing and sieving method. The highest mean density (±SE) of C. vitis was found to be 672.6±112.9 per flower cluster with mid-level damage, and 450.1±66.5 per 2 leaves was found on the damaged leaves. These severe damage symptoms were observed in the early spring, and the density of the grape rust mite was significantly higher as 80 times in damaged vineyard than in the undamaged at the early growth stages of the grapevine. To determine the emergence time of the grape rust mite from lower part of a winter bud the ratio of density of C. vitis on upper-bud to lower-bud was observed. On 13 April 2015, 80% of the grape rust mites were observed on upper-bud where the mite could feed at the bud burst stage. Therefore, once the symptoms of damaged flower clusters and leaves are observed, acaricides should be sprayed before inflorescence emergence, and at the early growth stage between bud burst and leaf development in following year. This would allow the decrease of the density of C. vitis in early spring, and the progression of severe damage could be prevented.

In this paper we introduce the Plasma Physics of Active Galactic Nuclei project, which is an ongoing experiment with Korean VLBI Network (KVN) and KVN and VERA Array (KaVA) to study multi- frequency polarimetric properties on parsec scales of active galaxies. The goal of the project is to improve our understanding of fundamental jet physics, especially evolution of the relativistic out ow coupled with the large-scale magnetic field. We selected six radio-loud AGN as our targets. So far we (i) detected resolved emissions regions at 86 and 129 GHz on VLBI scales, (ii) constructed 2D spectral index maps of the out ows, and (iii) found polarizations at 22 and 43 GHz for a few targets. Here we present spectral index distributions of 3C 120 between 22 and 43 GHz and a linear polarization map of BL Lac at 43 GHz obtained with KVN.

미이라병은 Diaporthe/Phomopsis complex에 의해 유발되는병으로 콩 재배기간 중 따뜻하고 습한 환경에서 종자가 성숙되면 감염률이 높아지며 감염된 콩 종자는 외관상 품질뿐만아니라 종자 활력이 저하된다. 미이라병에 대한 연구를 수행하기 위하여 대만에 위치한 아시아채소개발연구센터(AVRDC)의 콩 시험포장에서 미이라병 병징을 보이는 콩 줄기를 채집하고 이로부터 3개의 곰팡이 균주(isolate)를 분리하였다. 배지위에서의 곰팡이 균사의 생육특성, 현미경하에서 관찰된 알파,베타 분생자(conidia)의 모양 그리고 PCR-RFLP 분석으로, 3개의 균주는 Diaporthe phaseolorum var. sojae 으로 확인되었다. 한편, 미이라병 저항성 육종을 위해서는 유전자원과 계통의 검정이 선행되어야 하는데, 인공접종을 위해서 분생자의최적 배양조건을 탐색하였다. 그 결과 배지는 PDA, 온도는24oC에서 잘 배양되었으며, 일장은 암조건에서는 균사체만 유도되고 분생자는 유도되지 않았으며, 24시간과 15시간의 일장에서는 균사체 유도 및 분생자의 유도 정도에 차이가 없었다.또한 잎-줄기와 꼬투리, 두 개의 접종 부위에 따른 미이라병감염률을 조사하였는데, 두 접종 부위에 따른 미이라병 감염정도는 통계적인 유의차는 나타나지 않았으나 잎-줄기에 접종한 개체 보다 꼬투리에 접종한 개체의 종자 감염률이 높은 경향을 보였다.

Biofilms of oral microbes can cause various diseases in the oral cavity, such as dental caries, periodontitis and mucosal disease. Electrolyzed water generated by an electric current passed via water using a metal electrode has an antimicrobial effect on pathogenic bacteria which cause food poisoning. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of electrolyzed waters using various metal electrodes on the floatage and biofilms of oral microbes. The electrolyzed water was generated by passing electric current using copper, silver and platinum electrodes. The electrolyzed water has a neutral pH. Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were cultured, and were used to form a biofilm using specific media. The floatage and biofilm of the microbes were then treated with the electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water using platinum electrode (EWP) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against the floatage and biofilm of the oral microbes. However, the electrolyzed water using copper and silver electrodes had no effect. The EWP disrupted the biofilm of oral microbes, except the S. mutans biofilm. Comparing the different electrolyzed waters that we created the platinum electrode generated water may be an ideal candidate for prevention of dental caries and periodontitis.

Jabon tree(Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.) is a native and fast growing species in Indonesia that is preferred by the local community because of its good adaptability and economic profitability. However, information on this tree and its appropriate silvicultural practices are still lacking. Therefore, the aims of this study were to (1) document the existing silvicultural practices used by local communities, (2) investigate tree growth performance among different sites, and (3) examine the linkage between silvicultural practices and soil fertility and their effects on stand quality in West Java. The results obtained from interviews indicated that most of the jabon plantations are owned by outsiders from Jakarta or other cities. In addition, there are three types of management: partnership, hiring employees and direct management. There are only a few practitioners with silvicultural training; however, all practitioners have implemented basic silvicultural practices. Jabon plantations in West Java were inventoried and 53 plots were established across 19 sites. This species was introduced into Java in 2008; therefore, tree age ranges from 0.5 to 3.5years. The mean diameter ranges from 2.45 to 14.57cm with a maximum of 29.3cm, and the mean height ranges from 1.29 to 12.62m with a maximum of 18.68m in Situgede. Regression modeling was performed using dominant height, and the Chapman model was selected to generate a site index curve: Hd=10.6982(1-exp(-0.8915t))1.3078, with an R2 value of 0.6513. This model divided the 19sites into three categories, i.e., good, medium and poor. Based on these results, there are 2 good, 11 medium and 6 poor sites. Three DBH-age equations were generated based on site classification. A comparison between good and poor sites suggests that site conditions and soil fertility have more significant effects on the growth of jabon than silvicultural practices such as fertilization and site maintenance.

Dietary and lifestyle modifications are widely prescribed to prevent recurrence of urolithiasis, although little is known about the clinical and demographic factors associated with patient compliance and urinary metabolic changes. The present study assessed the clinical and demographic factors influencing compliance with a modified diet and lifestyle in first-time ureteric stone formers as well as determined the effects of compliance on urinary stone risk factors. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 53 patients presenting with ureteric calcium stones. Using a self-completed questionnaire, patients were classified according to compliance with seven recommendations for modifying diet and lifestyle into good compliance group (complied with ≥ three recommendations) and poor compliance group. Before (on a random diet) and after prescribing the modifications, 24 hour urine samples were collected from those in the good and poor compliance group. The stone size at presentation and initial treatment modality were closely associated with patient compliance (P=0.019, P=0.027, respectively). Citrate excretion significantly increased in the good compliance group after adopting modifications (P=0.012), whereas the poor compliance group did not show a statistically significant difference. Moreover, patients in the poor compliance group showed significantly increased urinary calcium excretion by the end of the study (P=0.040). After adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, and metabolic abnormality status, poor compliance was found to be an independent risk factor for persistence or development of hypocitraturia (OR: 3.885; 95% CI: 1.102~13.694; P=0.035). In conclusion, our results imply that patient education programs regarding diet and lifestyle should be tailored to the individual’s clinical and demographic characteristics.

Purpose: To assess the effect of orthokeratoly lenses on axial elongation in children compared with those wearing spectacles as control. Methods: We enrolled 100 subjects (aged 7-16 years; ortho-k, 50; control, 50) with myopia of -0.50 to -5.00 diopters (D), and with-the-rule astigmatism of -0.25 to -3.00 D. History of eye disease or surgery, strabismus and amblyopia were excluded from the study. The OK lenses used in this study were four-zone, reverse-geometry lenses with a nominal Dk of 140 Fatt unit. The corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth and axial length were measured by noncontact optic biometric device Lenstar LS900 and subjective and objective refraction, visual acuity and corneal curvature were measured before lens wear and the next day, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6months, 9months and 12months after lens wear. Results: There were no significant differences in age between groups (p>0.37). In the OK group, the spherical equivalent refractive error and central corneal thickness decreased significantly from -3.78±1.17 D at baseline -0.03±0.1 D, 1.17±0.57 LogMAR at baseline 0.00±0.01 LogMAR, 546.12±22.24 μm at baseline 527.88±23.26 μm 12 months after the treatment (p<0.001), whereas anterior chamber depth remained unchanged (p>0.15). In the spectacle group, anterior chamber depth was significantly increased by 0.04±0.03 mm (p=0.008). In 12 months, axial length increased from 24.99±0.68 to 25.21±0.72mm in the OK group and from 24.99±0.68 to 25.35±0.69 mm in the spectacle group that axial length increase was significantly different between groups (p=0.021). Conclusion: One year of OK in myopic children reduced anterior chamber depth and axial length elongation significantly compared with distance single-vision spectacle wear.

Yongneup wetland protected area, the only high moor in Korea, is a core area to conserve biodiversity. Even though the Yongneup wetland protected area is relatively small, various plant species are distributed in the Yongneup wetland protected area because it includes various habitats showing different environmental gradients. Vascular plants distributed in the Yongneup wetland protected area were identified as a total of 376 taxa that is composed of 73 families, 217 genera, 322 species, 3 subspecies, 44 varieties and 7 forms. For endangered plants designated by the Ministry of Environment, 5 species including Trientalis europaea var. arctica, Lilium dauricum, Halenia corniculata, Lychnis wilfordii and Menyanthes trifoliata were found and 34 taxa were confirmed to be distributed only in the mountainous wetland habitats. Regarding naturalized plants, a total of 11 taxa were distributed, but most of them were distributed in the areas where artificial interference has occurred. And in areas inside the wetlands that are relatively well preserved, 2 species of Bidens frondosa and Erigeron annuus were observed. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of Pseudostellaria baekdusanensis M. Kim, which was recently found in Mt. Baekdu and reported as a new species, were identified in the Yongneup wetland protected area. A wetland is a very vulnerable area to drastic environmental changes and damages to its ecosystem could cause the extinction of rare plant species which are distributed only in the wetlands. Therefore, it is mandatory that current status of the Yongneup wetland protected area is evaluated and actions to prevent rapid environmental changes are taken. Fourteen separate investigations were conducted in 2013 and another four in 2014, to evaluate current status of the Yongneup wetland protected area. These investigations have provided us the basic information for future actions of conservation and restoration.

White-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is known as a long-range migratory pest in Asia. Although exact primary source of S. furcifera in Korea remains unknown. We used twelve microsatellite markers (SSR) to analyze the population genetic structure of the pest. We collected S. furcifera from Asia in 2012 (Korea, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and four different sites of Bangladesh), 2013 (China, Nepal, Thailand, two different sites of Bangladesh, and fifteen different sites of Korea), and 2014 (four different sites of China and ten different sites of Korea). To verify the genetic variance, we used STRUCTURE program to obtain structure analysis of K and K showed in three components in genetic clustering. Result in sample 2012, similar genetic structure showed in Korea and Vietnam. In 2013 and 2014, various genetic structure revealed in different sites of Korea and Asian population genetic structure appeared as on large panmictic population. Furthermore, we tested migration pathway to see the probable source and reciplent populations of first generation migrants in S. furcifera. In 2012, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and four different sites of Bangladesh showed the potential source of S. furcifera. In 2013, we observed S. furcifera in Korea was more likely originated from Nepal and Bangladesh. Various migration pathway showed in fifteen different sites of Korea as panmictic population. Lastly in 2014, the migration pathway indicated that S. furcifera migrates from China to Korea. Seemingly, S. furcifera in Asia display as large panmictic population and more study is acquire to verify the origin source.

The pine wilt disease that blocks the path for water and nutrition in pine trees is caused by the nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae). The nematode relies on the longhorn pine sawyer beetle Monochamus alternatus and Monochamus saltuaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) as vectors. Recently, 2-(undecyloxy)ethanol was identified as a male-produced aggregation pheromone of Monochamus species. In this study, we investigated the effect of 2-(undecyloxy) ethanol along with host plant volatiles -pinene and ethanol on attracting M. alternatus at a pine forest in Pohang, Korea from May, 2014 to July, 2014. To sustain the volatility of 2-(undecyloxy)ethanol and host plant volatiles, a superabsorbent polymer based on polyacrylic acids and water were added to the pheromone mixture. A total of 46 M. alternatus were collected from two field bioassays. Our results indicate that 2-(undecyloxy)ethanol is effective in attracting M. alternatus in Korea. Our study suggests that the aggregation pheromone could be used for detection and population monitoring of the beetles as well as for the effective mass trapping in outbreak situations.

This studies was conducted to define community structure and diversity of epigeal spiders in apple orchards under different farming practices (organic and conventional). In 11 commercial apple orchards, epigeal spider community structure was investigated during 2012-2014 (3 orchards, 2012; 3 orchards, 2013, 5 orchards, 2014). Epigeal spiders were collected by pitfall traps from April to October, 2012 in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do; 2013 in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do; 2014 in Cheongsong-gun and Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Sampled spiders were identified to the species level. Biodiversity was analyzed with species richness (total numbers of spider species), abundance (total numbers of individuals) and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H΄) for each site and compared between organic and conventional orchards. In all regions, abundance of the spider communities were relatively higher in organic orchards than in conventional orchards. But, no significant difference in species richness and specie diversity (H΄) between organic and conventional orchards. Lycosidae was the most dominant family in all orchards regardless farming practices. However, Linyphiidae dominated in organic orchards only. The most dominant species were Pardosa laura (Lycosidae), Erigone koshiensis (Linyphiidae) in organic, Piratula procurvus (Lycosidae) in conventional orchards.

Psyllids are small sap sucking insects. Around 4,000 species are described worldwide. They show their greatest diversity in the tropical and south temperate zones. Several psyllid species are pest of crops such as citrus, pear, potato and tomato. They has been also responsible for extensive damage to ornamental trees. In this study, we report four psyllids species, new to Korea: Cacopsylla satsumensis (Kuwayama, 1908) on Raphiolepis indica (Rosaceae), Calophya nigridorsalis Kuwayama, 1908 on Rhus spp. (Anacardiaceae), Carsidara limbata Enderlein, 1926 on Firmiana simplex (Sterculiaceae) and Trioza machilicola Miyatake, 1968 on Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae). All of them were found as large colonies, severely feeding on host plants, excreting sticky honeydew on which blackish sooty mold grows. Carsidara limbata secrete pale wax masses. Cacopsylla satsumensis cause leaf distortion and Trioza machilicola make galls underside of the leaves.

Vespa crabro is a cosmopolitan social wasp species whereas Vespa analis is commonly found in Asia. Both species are widely distributed in Korea and known to be aggressive when disturbed, resulting in frequent sting accidents. Although major venom components of well known Vespa wasps have been reported, no comparative transcriptomic analysis of venom gland between V. crabro and V. analis has been conducted to date. To investigate the differences in venom properties between these two wasps, total RNA was extracted from each venom gland and used for RNA-sequencing. A total of 31 venom-specific genes were identified in both venom gland transcriptomes but their expression profiles were different between V. crabro and V. analis. Venom allergen 5, premastoparan A and phospholipase A were the top three genes that were most prevalently transcribed in the venom gland of V. crabro, and their transcription rates were 902-, 112- and 4164-fold higher compared with V. analis, respectively, as judged by FPKM values. Their differential transcription profiles were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. In the venom gland of V. analis, however, premastoparan A was most abundantly transcribed gene, followed by calponin and tropomysin. In general, most venom-specific genes were more abundantly expressed in V. crabro but some genes exhibited higher transcription rates in V. analis, including muscle LIM protein, troponin, paramyosin, calponin, etc. Our findings suggest that V. crabro produce venom with much more enriched venom components, thereby with higher toxicity compared with V. analis.

Species diversity of ant fauna inhabiting the university campus in the Seoul Metropolitan city, Hanyang University is documented in this investigation. Totally, 14 species of 8 genera belong to 3 subfamilies discovered in study area. Our results are compared with the previous works on ant fauna in the forest and urban habitats based on species number difference. In study area, site 12 and 13 contain wide forest area and diverse environmental elements such as rotten wood, leaf mold and group of living tree. Site 7 has small forest area, but show wide variety of environments like site 12 and 13. Urbanized region like site 8, 10 or area in construction like site 1 show the most lowest diversity. Aside from diversity, Four ant species, Paratrechina flavipes, Lasius spp., Camponotus japonicas, Tetramorium caespitum, appear at almost all habitat, seems to have strong tolerance to environmental change.