Forbush Decreases (FD) are transient, sudden reductions of cosmic ray (CR) intensity lasting a few days, to a week. Such events are observed globally using ground neutron monitors (NMs). Most studies of FD events indicate that an FD event is observed simultaneously at NM stations located all over the Earth. However, using statistical analysis, previous researchers verified that while FD events could occur simultaneously, in some cases, FD events could occur non-simultaneously. Previous studies confirmed the statistical reality of non-simultaneous FD events and the mechanism by which they occur, using data from high-latitude and middle-latitude NM stations. In this study, we used long-term data (1971-2006) from middle-latitude NM stations (Irkutsk, Climax, and Jungfraujoch) to enhance statistical reliability. According to the results from this analysis, the variation of cosmic ray intensity during the main phase, is larger (statistically significant) for simultaneous FD events, than for non-simultaneous ones. Moreover, the distribution of main-phase-onset time shows differences that are statistically significant. While the onset times for the simultaneous FDs are distributed evenly over 24- hour intervals (day and night), those of non-simultaneous FDs are mostly distributed over 12-hour intervals, in daytime. Thus, the existence of the two kinds of FD events, according to differences in their statistical properties, were verified based on data from middle-latitude NM stations.

꾸지뽕 열매의 부가가치를 증대하기 위해 꾸지뽕 발효식 초를 제조하고 그의 발효조건을 확립하였다. 전통발효식품 으로부터 초산내성, 초산 고생산능, ethanol 내성 및 아황산 내성이 우수한 49종의 초산 균주를 분리하였고, 16S rRNA 유전자 염기서열의 해독 결과, Acetobacter indonesiensis, A. cerevisiae, A. orientalis, A. tropicalis, A. fabarum, A. pasteurianus 및 A. syzygii으로 동정되었다. 이들 중 GRAS 균주인 A. pasteurianus SCMA5와 SCMA6를 발효 균주로 최종 선정하였다. 최적 발효는 꾸지뽕 열매 함량이 40%(v/v)인 즙액과 5%(v/v) ethanol을 첨가하여 25℃에서 72시간 발효가 가장 적절하였다. 관능평가 결과, SCMA06 균주를 적용한 발효액의 선호도가 SCMA05 균주를 적용한 발효액보다 높았다. SCMA06 균주를 사용한 발효식초에서 항산화 능력을 측정하는 DPPH 라디컬 소거활성의 경우 대조구에 비해 53.02±0.78%이상 높게 나타났고, 항당뇨 능력을 측정하는 AGI활성은 발효 72시간에 91.40±2.43% 저해능을 보여 시판중인 acarbose보다 활성이 높았다. 이번 연구는 꾸지뽕 열매를 활용한 발효식초 제조를 위한 산업화 연구에 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

Potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV) are among the most damaging potato viruses and prevalent in most potato growing areas. In this study, cryopreservation was used to eradicate PVY and PLRV using two cryogenic methods. Potato shoot tips proliferated in vitro were cryopreserved through droplet-vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification using plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2; 30% glycerol + 15% dimethyl sulfoxide + 15.0% ethylene glycol + 13.7% sucrose) and modified PVS2. Both cryogenic procedures produced similar rates of survival and regrowth, which were lower than those from shoot tip culture alone. The health status of plantlets regenerated from shoot tip culture alone and cryopreservation was checked by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of virus-free plants regenerated directly from highly proliferating shoot tips reached 42.3% and 48.6% for PVY and PLRV, respectively. In comparison, the frequency of PVY and PLRV eradication after cryopreservation was 91.3~99.7% following shoot-tip culture. The highest cryopreserved shoot tip regeneration rate was observed when shoot tips were 1.0~1.5 mm in length, but virus eradication rates were very similar (96.4~99.7%), regardless of shoot tip size. This efficient cryotherapy protocol developed to eliminate viruses can also be used to prepare potato material for safe long-term preservation and the production of virus-free plants.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is crucial legume crop as source of high quality vegetable protein and oil, and Korea is regarded as a part of center of soybean origin. To expand the information of conserved genetic diversity, we analyzed the genetic variability of soybean collection mainly introduced Korean accessions using 75 microsatellite markers. A total of 1,503 alleles with an average value of 20.0 alleles were detected among 644 accessions. Korean collection revealed average allele number of 13.4 while Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian accessions showed 9.0, 5.4 and 6.5 mean alleles, respectively. Especially, Korean accessions showed more number of private allele per locus as 3.4 contrary to other geographical groups. The mean expected heterozygosity and polymorphic information content was 0.654 and 0.616, respectively, and expected heterozygosity values were not significantly distinguished according to the geographical groups. The phylogenetic dendrogram and deduced population structure based on DNA profiles of 75 SSR loci showed Korean accessions formed distinct gene pool against Chinese accessions, and could be divided into five subpopulations. Korean soybean accessions have specific genetic diversity and might be serve the valuable alleles for bio-industry as a part of the center of soybean origin.

Nesfatin-1, an anorexic nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2)-derived hypothalamic peptide, controls appetite and energy metabolism. Recent studies show that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is expressed not only in the brain but also in gastric and adipose tissues. Thus, we investigated the distributions of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various tissues of male and female mice by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Real-time PCR analyses showed that NUCB2 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the pituitary and at lower levels in the hypothalamus, spleen, thymus, heart, liver, and muscle of both male and female mice. Expression was much higher in reproductive organs, such as the testis, epididymis, ovary, and uterus, than in the hypothalamus. Western blot analysis of the nesfatin-1 protein level showed similar results to the real-time PCR analyses in both male and female mice. These results suggest that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 have widespread physiological effects in endocrine and non-endocrine organs. In addition, immunohistochemical staining revealed that nesfatin-1 was localized in interstitial cells, including Leydig cells and in the columnar epithelium of the epididymis. Nesfatin-1 was also expressed in theca cells and interstitial cells in the ovary and in epithelial cells of the endometrium and uterine glands in the uterus. These results suggest that nesfatin-1 is a novel potent regulator of steroidogenesis and gonadal function in male and female reproductive organs. Further studies are required to elucidate the functions of nesfatin-1 in various organs of male and female mice.

Lactic acid bacteria were cultivated from the gut of insects and analyzed. The gut samples were obtained from Anoplocnemis dallasi, Apis mellifera, Diestrammena coreana, Gonolabis marginalis, and Mycalesis gotama. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the culture-dependent lactic acid bacteria isolated from the insect gut samples belonged to the genera Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, and Weissella. The genera Enterococcus and Lactococcus were dominant, constituting 57% and 25% of the isolated strains, respectively. The distribution of lactic acid bacteria was found to differ according to the insect species. However, because culture-dependent methods identify only a portion of lactic acid bacterial communities, the use of culture-independent methods in future studies will be required to complement the methods used in the present study.

The aim of this study was to develop PCR primer sets for the rapid classification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Published gene sequences for LAB carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were collected from the NCBI GenBank, and 45 primer sets were designed using the gene sequences. Twelve species of LAB were used as reference strains: Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus farciminis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella cibaria, Weissella confusa, Weissella kimchii, Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc lactis, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Pediococcus pentosaceus. PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis were performed to verify the specificities of the designed primers. The results showed that the primer set No. 1 of 5'-aacaacaaaatcaccgcaca-3' & 5'- gtcgtcaatgttgtcgatgc-3' for phosphofructokinase amplified PCR products from 5 species of heterofermenter with different molecular weight depending on the genus. Primer set No. 8 of 5'-gcgtcgccgtctcg-3' & 5'- gcctgcggcttttcg-3' produced specific PCR products from three heterofermentative lactobacilli such as L. brevis, L. fermentum, and L. hilgardii. Primer set No. 18 of 5'-gtgacggtgctgtaggttca- 3' & 5'-gcagtcgcttacgccatatt-3' was specifically reacted to homofermentative species including L. farciminis, P. acidilactici, and P. pentosaceus. Hence, the primer sets which were developed in this study could be used as a tool for the classification and differentiation of homo- and hetero fermentative species in lactic acid fermented foods, like as kimchi.

Next Generation Small Satellite-1 (NEXTSat-1) is scheduled to launch in 2017 and Instruments for the Study of Space Storm (ISSS) is planned to be onboard the NEXTSat-1. High Energy Particle Detector (HEPD) is one of the equipment comprising ISSS and the main objective of HEPD is to measure the high energy particles streaming into the Earth radiation belt during the event of a space storm, especially, electrons and protons, to obtain the flux information of those particles. For the design of HEPD, the Geometrical Factor was calculated to be 0.05 to be consistent with the targets of measurement and the structure of telescope with field of view of 33.4° was designed using this factor. In order to decide the thickness of the detector sensor and the classification of the detection channels, a simulation was performed using GEANT4. Based on the simulation results, two silicon detectors with 1 mm thickness were selected and the aluminum foil of 0.05 mm is placed right in front of the silicon detectors to shield low energy particles. The detection channels are divided into an electron channel and two proton channels based on the measured LET of the particle. If the measured LET is less than 0.8 MeV, the particle belongs to the electron channel, otherwise it belongs to proton channels. HEPD is installed in the direction of 0°,45°,90° against the along-track of a satellite to enable the efficient measurement of high energy particles. HEPD detects electrons with the energy of 0.1 MeV to several MeV and protons with the energy of more than a few MeV. Thus, the study on the dynamic mechanism of these particles in the Earth radiation belt will be performed.

In this study, a star identification algorithm which utilizes pivot patterns instead of apparent magnitude information was developed. The new star identification algorithm consists of two steps of recognition process. In the first step, the brightest star in a sensor image is identified using the orientation of brightness between two stars as recognition information. In the second step, cell indexes are used as new recognition information to identify dimmer stars, which are derived from the brightest star already identified. If we use the cell index information, we can search over limited portion of the star catalogue database, which enables the faster identification of dimmer stars. The new pivot algorithm does not require calibrations on the apparent magnitude of a star but it shows robust characteristics on the errors of apparent magnitude compared to conventional pivot algorithms which require the apparent magnitude information.

With the purpose of improving ginsenoside production in Korean wild ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) mutant adventitious root lines, a synthetic gene encoding squalene synthase (PgSS2) was placed under the control of 35S promoter and transferred to Panax ginseng. Embryogenic callus obtained from ginseng adventitious root lines were transformed by infection with A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 containing the PgSS2 gene. Ten phosphinothricin-resistant plants were generated on selection medium, and the transgene integration and expression in these plants were confirmed by PAT test strip, RT-PCR and Southern hybridization. Ginsenoside analysis by HPLC revealed that the total contents of the 8 ginsenoside types (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rh1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rd) in transgenic adventitious root lines were about 1.6-fold higher than that of the mutant control line (MCL1). This transformation method may facilitate the improvement of Panax ginseng in terms of the accumulation levels of ginsenoside.

The whitebacked planthopper(WBPH), Sogatella furcifera is a serious pest of rice. The nymphs and adults suck phloem sap which causes reduced plant vigor, stunting, yellowing of leaves, delayed tillering in rice. This study was conducted to identify the optimum screening time for improved WBPH-associated QTL analysis and to develop the markers for use in breeding WBPH resistance. Resistance after 7 days infestation was observed in 100 lines(83.3%), after infestation for 14 days, resistance was observed in 14 lines(11.7%), and after infestation for 21 days, resistance was observed in 10 lines(8.3%). However, no after 14 days infestation was as similar as normal distribution in WBPH resistance. QTLs associated of the resistance detected in four regions on qWBPH1 and qWBPH8 in the intervals marker. After 7 days of infestation, the qWBPH1 was located in the interval RM3482-RM11966 and RM3709-RM11694 with LOD 4.0 and RM3709-RM11694 with LOD 3.5. After 14 days of infestation, The qWBPH1 was located in the interval RM3709-RM11694 with LOD 3.3. and RM3709-RM11694 with LOD 3.3. After 21 days of infestation, The qWBPH8 was located in the interval RM17699 with LOD 3.3. The QTLs on chromosome 1 was the most effective RM11694-RM11669 (LOD 3.3, variance 30%). The resistance lines were collected 10 plants of phenotye variation with genotype. The ratios of coincidence were used to determine resistance in 10 plants with phenotypic variation and a genotype of 8 markers. 3 markers were used: RM3482 on chr.1 represented 100%, RM8235 and RM11694 represented 80%, 90%, respectively, RM17699 on chr.8 represented 80% of the coincident ratio. These selected markers will be useful to rice breeding programs interested in new sources of WBPH resistance

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is important crop as a staple carbohydrate sources and was regarded as domesticated in Asia region. The seed dormancy is one of the domesticated traits, and this character allows that plants survive in various environment. The degree of dormancy have been targeted for controling in breeding program while weak dormancy cause pre-harvest sprouting contrary to the nonuniform seed germination by strong dormancy. In this study, we surveyed the variation of germiability in diverse rice genetic resources including japonica and indica ecotype. Overall, the degree of seed dormancy of rice germplasm was distinguished into four groups and admixed types; first group(G-1) included accessions revealing high germiability, the accessions of second group(G-2) acquired the high germiability by after-ripening process, third group(G-3)’s accessions showed high germiability after dormancy breaking process and the accessions of last group(G-4) maintained the low germiability in spite of the dormancy breaking process. Among the 51 japonica accessions G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4 included 15, 15, 11 and 10 accessions, respectively, and among 40 indica accessions, G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4 groups included 15, 15, 9 and 1 accessions, respectively. Based on these primary test, we plan to detail examine the seed germiability and survey the genetic factors affecting the degree of germiability in representative accessions of each group

Recently, cave candidates have been discovered on other planets besides the Earth, such as the Moon and Mars. When we go to other planets, caves could be possible human habitats providing natural protection from cosmic threats. In this study, seven cave candidates have been found on Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons in Tharsis Montes on Mars. The cave candidates were selected using the images of the Context Camera (CTX) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The Context Camera could provide images with the high resolution of 6 meter per pixel. The diameter of the candidates ranges from 50 to 100m. Cushing et al. (2007) have analyzed the temperature change at daytime and nighttime using the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) for the sites of potential cave candidates. Similarly, we have examined the temperature change at daytime and at nighttime for seven cave candidates using the method of Cushing et al. (2007). Among those, only one candidate showed a distinct temperature change. However, we cannot verify a cave based on the temperature change only and further study is required for the improvement of this method to identify caves more clearly.

Lava caves could be useful as outposts for the human exploration of the Moon. Lava caves or lava tubes are formed when the external surface of the lava flows cools more quickly to make a hardened crust over subsurface lava flows. The lava flow eventually ceases and drains out of the tube, leaving an empty space. The frail part of the ceiling of lava tube could collapse to expose the entrance to the lava tubes which is called a pit crater. Several pit craters with the diameter of around 100 meters have been found by analyzing the data of SELENE and LRO lunar missions. It is hard to use these pit craters for outposts since these are too large in scale. In this study, small scale pit craters which are fit for outposts have been investigated using the NAC image data of LROC. Several topographic patterns which are believed to be lunar caves have been found and the similar pit craters of the Earth were compared and analyzed to identify caves. For this analysis, the image data of satellites and aerial photographs are collected and classified to construct a database. Several pit craters analogous to lunar pit craters were derived and a morphological pit crater model was generated using the 3D printer based on this database.

A package of space science instruments, dubbed the Instruments for the Study of Space Storms (ISSS), is proposed for the Next Generation Small Satellite-1 (NEXTSat-1), which is scheduled for launch in May 2016. This paper describes the instrument designs and science missions of the ISSS. The ISSS configuration in NEXTSat-1 is as follows: the space radiation monitoring instruments consist of medium energy particle detector (MEPD) and high energy particle detector (HEPD); the space plasma instruments consist of a Langmuir probe (LP), a retarding potential analyzer (RPA), and an ion drift meter (IDM). The space radiation monitoring instruments (MEPD and HEPD) measure electrons and protons in parallel and perpendicular directions to the geomagnetic field in the sub-auroral region, and they have a minimum time resolution of 50 msec for locating the region of the particle interactions with whistler mode waves and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. The MEPD measures electrons and protons with energies of tens of keV to ~400 keV, and the HEPD measures electrons with energies of ~100 keV to > ~1 MeV and protons with energies of ~10 MeV. The space plasma instruments (LP, RPA, and IDM) observe irregularities in the low altitude ionosphere, and the results will be compared with the scintillations of the GPS signals. In particular, the LP is designed to have a sampling rate of 50 Hz in order to detect these small-scale irregularities.

The fermented food Shindari is a low-alcohol drink that is indigenous to Jeju island, South Korea. In this study,the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in Shindari was determined using a culture-dependent method. LAB were culti-vated from Shindari samples using two different LAB culture media. Twenty-seven strains were randomly selected and iden-tified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The identified LAB strains comprised 6 species within the Enterococcus,Lactobacillus and Pediococcus genera. Five of the species, namely Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus fermentum, L. plan-tarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus and P. acidilactici were isolated from MRS medium, while 1 species, L. pentosus, was iso-lated from Rogosa medium. Most of the isolated strains were identified as members of the genus Lactobacillus (78%). Thisstudy provides basic microbiological information on the diversity of LAB and provides insight into the ecological roles ofLAB in Shindari.

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is associated with the control of appetite and energy metabolism, was reported for the first time to be expressed in the hypothalamus. However, recent studies have shown that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed not only in the hypothalamus, but also in various tissues including digestive and reproductive organs. We also demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs, pituitary gland, heart, lung, and gastrointestinal tract of the adult mouse. However, little is known about nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in fetal and neonatal mice. Therefore, we examined here the distribution of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various organs of fetal and neonatal mice and compared them with the distribution in adult mice. As a result of immunohistochemical staining, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was expressed relatively higher in the lung, kidney, heart, and liver compared to other organs in the fetus. Western blot results also showed that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was detected in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach. Next, we compared the expression levels of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the fetus and neonate with the expression levels in both male and female adult mice. The expression levels in heart, lung, stomach, and kidney were higher compared with other organs in fetal and neonatal mice and in both male and female adult mice. Interestingly, the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the kidney was dramatically increased in male and female adult mice compared to fetal and neonatal mice. These results indicate that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 may regulate the development and physiological function of mouse organs. In the future, we need more study on the function of nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is highly expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney during mouse development.