Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute’s Post Irradiated Examination Facility safely stores spent nuclear fuel using a wet storage method to conduct research. Here, in order to remove the radioactivity released into the water, the stored water is passed through an ion exchange resin tower, and the radionuclides are exchanged with the bead-shaped ion exchange resin filled inside to lower the radioactivity concentration. At this time, because the stored water passes in one direction, clogging of the ion exchange resin occurs. If this phenomenon continues, the flow rate of the water treatment process decreases and operation efficiency decreases, so a backwashing process is necessary to re-mix the ion exchange resin and secure the flow rate again. In this study, the flow rate reduction trend according to the lifespan of the ion exchange resin and the flow rate recovery according to the backwash process operation amount were analyzed. The flow rate reduction trend of the ion exchange process was analyzed immediately after the backwashing process was started. In addition, the amount of flow recovery according to the backwash process operation amount was evaluated by the amount of waste generated during the backwash process and the number of days of operation until the backwash process was needed again. As a result, the flow rate of the ion exchange process decreased rapidly right after the backwash process until the position of the ion exchange resins was stabilized, and then stabilized. After that, it gradually decreased and reached the point where the backwash process was necessary. However, the decline trend was analyzed to be the same regardless of the lifespan of the ion exchange resin. In addition, the amount of waste generated during the operation of the backwash process was increased in the order of 400 L, 600 L, 1,100 L, 1,400 L, 3,500 L, and 4,200 L to increase the amount of operation of the backwash process. As a result, the number of days of ion exchange resin operation was 285 days, 338 days, and 342 days, was analyzed as 422 days, 322 days, and 720 days. Based on this study, it was confirmed that the flow rate reduction trend is the same regardless of the lifespan of the ion exchange resin, and as the backwash process operation increases, the number of days the ion exchange process can be operated increases, but there is a turning point where the waste treatment cost exceeds the number of days of operation.

Following the previous study, the toxicity of a single subcutaneous administration of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) and the side effects that may occur at therapeutic doses were confirmed. The Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was administered subcutaneously once at a dose of 0, 2.0, 6.0, and 18.0 mCi/kg, 5 male and female rats per group, and mortality, general symptom observation, and weight measurement were performed for 2 weeks, followed by observation of autopsy findings. There were no deaths, and no statistically significant weight change was observed. Mild hair loss, fissures, and crusting were observed by general symptom observation, but it was not a toxic change related to the Thyrokitty injection (I-131). Gastric atrophy and a decrease in the size of the spleen were observed by the autopsy. As a results of single subcutaneous administration of the Thyrokitty Injection (I-131) to rats at a maximum dose of 18.0 mCi/kg, a decrease in the size of the spleen and gastric atrophy were observed as the dose of the Thyrokitty Injection (I-131) increased, which may be related to the test substance. No abnormal findings related to the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) were observed. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was 18.0 mCi/kg or more. In addition, as reported for the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism with radioiodine (131I), side effects of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) are expected to be extremely rare. Temporary dysphagia and fever may occur, but it will recover naturally. It should be administered with caution in cats with diseases such as urinary system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and endocrine system, especially with kidney disease. And it should not be used in cats who are pregnant, lactating, or likely. It is expected that the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) can be used for clinical treatment in Korea as a veterinary drug.

Radioiodine (131I) has been used for the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism since the 1990s in the USA and Europe, and it is recommended as the most effective treatment for feline hyperthyroidism because it has a high therapeutic effect, small side effects, and does not require anesthesia. In this study, the pharmacological properties of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131), which is being developed as a treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, using radioiodine (131I) as an active ingredient, was tested. The %cell uptake of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) in FRTL- 5 thyroid cells was 0.410 ± 0.016%, which was about 18 times higher compared to Clone 9 hepatocytes, and it was decreased by 30.7% due to the competitive reaction with iodine (sodium iodide). In addition, the %cell growth of the FRTL-5 thyroid cells was reduced by 25.0% by treatment with the Thyrokitty injection (I-131). As a result of the tissue distribution test, the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was distributed at the highest concentration at 0.083 hours (5 minutes) after subcutaneous administration to animals in most organs except the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, muscle and thyroid gland, and it was excreted mainly through the kidneys. The stomach and thyroid gland showed a typical distribution pattern observed when radioiodine (131I) was administered. In addition, about 78.45% of the total amount of excretion was excreted within 48 hours, of which more than 85% was excreted in urine. In conclusion, the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) has the same mechanism of action, potency, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion characteristics as radioiodine (131I) reported in connection with the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. In the future, using the results of this study, it is expected that the Thyrokitty (I-131) could be safely used in the clinical treatment of feline hyperthyroidism.

본 연구는 울진 바다목장해역에 서식하는 생물을 대상으로 바다목장 관리를 위한 해양생태계의 영양구조와 에너지흐름을 파악하기 위한 목적으로 2013년 3월부터 10월까지 총 4회 현장조사를 실시하였다. 본 연구에서 개별 생물종들의 생태학적 특징에 따라 유사도에 근거한 비계량형다차원척도법을 사용하여 최고포식자, 바다새, 대형 및 소형유영어류, 볼락류, 가자미류, 저서어류, 반저서어류, 두족류, 저서섭이자, 표서동물, 이매패류, 전복, 자포동물, 동물플랑크톤, 부착성해조류, 미소해조류, 식물플랑크톤, 유기쇄설물 등 총 19가지로 생물그룹핑되었다. Ecopath 모델의 입력변수인 각 생물군들의 생체량, 생산량/생체량의 비, 섭식량/생체량의 비, 피식-포식관계 자료를 사용하여 울진 바다목장해역의 영양구조와 에너지 흐름을 추정하였다. 연구해역에서 각 생물군들의 영양단계는 1 ~ 5.687 범위로 파악되었다. 울진 바다목장 해역에 서식하는 모든 생물그룹들의 전체 소비량의 합은 229.7 t/㎞²/yr, 생물그룹들의 전체 이출량은 3,432.4 t/㎞²/yr이었다. 모든 생물그룹들의 총 에너지량은 6,796.2 t/㎞²/yr, 전체 생산량은 3,613.1 t/㎞²/yr로 추정되었다. 울진 바다목장 해역에서의 순 생태계 생산량은 3,490.3 t/㎞²/yr, 전체 생물군의 생체량은 167.3 t/㎞²/yr으로 추정되었다.

Feeding effects of the honeybee pollen products from both domestic, China, Spain and mixture of different origin on the colony development of earth bumblebee, Bombus terrestris L., were surveyed to evaluate efficient nutritional resources for commercial bombiculture in Korea. As the results, the domestic pollen was most effective to achieve high rates of oviposition (88%), colony foundation (70%), and queen production. While feeding with domestic pollens during the egg-laying period, and domestic+Chinese mixture (5:2) during the breeding period (Plot-2), it revealed high oviposition rate of 75%, colony foundation of 65%, and large numbers of adult queen production, indicating its suitability for generation subculturing. In the Plot-3, the same high oviposition rate (75%) was obtained except for feeding with the domestic+Chinese mixture (2:5) during the breeding period, which produced large number of workers.

This studies was conducted to compare functional diversity of terrestrial arthropods in commercial apple orchards under conventional and organic practices. We collected terrestiral arthropods using pitfall traps in four conventional and seven organic apple orchards from April to October, 2012-2014. Sampled arthropods were identified at the species level and then classified three functional groups (detritivores, herbivores and beneficial arthropods included pollinators, parasitoids and predators). Biodiversity was analyzed with species richness, abundance and shannon index for each group and compared between conventional and organic orchards. In results, species richness of detritivores and benefical arthropods were higher in organic orchards than in conventional orchards (detritivores: t=-2.68, df=9, P=0.03; beneficial arthropods: t=-3.98, df=9, P=0.003). Organic orchards showed significant difference at abundance of beneficial arthropods (t=-3.33, df=9, P=0.008) and higher shannon index at detritivores (t=-2.36, df=9, P=0.04) than conventional orchards. However, all biodiversity indices of herbivores were not significantly different between conventional and organic orchards at 95% confidence level.

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.

Epigeic spiders (Araneae) were surveyed in apple orchards under different farming practices (organic and conventional) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. The study was conducted from April to October in 2013 with 2 weeks interval using pitfall traps. Collected spiders were identified as 20 species of 6 families from 819 individuals in organic orchardⅠ, 19 species of 10 families from 759 individuals in orchardⅡ and 16 species of 8 families from 209 individuals in conventional orchard for from 1,787 captured spiders. Biodiversity was analyzed with species richness, abundance and Shannon diversity index (H΄). Species richness was statistically higher in organic orchard than in conventional orchard. Organic orchardⅡ comprised the greatest abundance followed by organic orchard and conventional. But species diversity was the highest in organic orchardⅡ, intermediate in conventional orchard and the lowest in orchardⅠ. Lycosidae was the most dominant family in all orchards regardless farming practices. However, Linyphiidae dominated in organic orchards only. The most dominant species were Erigone koshiensis (Linyphiidae) in organicⅠ, Pardosa laura (Lycosidae) in organicⅡ and Arctosa pungcheunensis (Lycosidae) in conventional orchard.

Urbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss, habitat degradation, and fragmentation. Urban development negatively affects biodiversity. This study aimed to clarify the change of butterfly communities on effect of urbanization in urban green areas. Butterfly survey was conducted using the line transect methods from April to October in 2012. A total of 59 species and 1,465 individuals of butterflies were observed in four urban green areas: Namsan Park (NS), Ewha Womans University (EW), Bukseoul Dream Forest (BD), and Hongneung Forest (HF), and natural forest: Gwangneung Forest (GF). The category of land use around study site was determined based on GIS data. Species richness and abundance of niche breadth and habitat type in urban green areas differed significantly from those in GF. Estimated species richness and species diversity (H’) in four urban green areas were significantly lower than those in GF. Species richness and abundance of forest interior species and specialist were positively correlated with paddy, field, and forest, whereas those of forest interior species and specialist were negatively correlated with urban area and road. Butterfly communities in four urban green area differed from that in GF. The result suggests that the decrease of paddy, field, and forest associated with increase of urban area and road negatively influences species composition and changes butterfly communities.

에멀션 기반의 계면활성제를 이용한 주형합성법을 이용하여 산촉매로서 염산과 실리카의 전구체인 테 트라에톡시실란을 사용함으로써 메조다공성 실리카 마이크로스피어를 합성하였다. 테트라에톡시실란의 농도 증가에 의해 구형의 입자 형태가 파괴되었고, 기공구조도 크게 변하였다. 산촉매 농도 증가에 의한 구형의 입자형태 파괴 현상은 적었지만 상대적으로 작은 크기의 구형의 마이크로입자가 더 많이 생성되 었다. 하지만, 산성조건에서 입자들 간의 강한 응집현상이 나타남에 따라 낱개의 분리되어 있는 단일입자 를 얻기 위해서는 초음파 등의 후처리 과정이 필요하였다.

Mamestra brassicae (cabbage moth) is a common European moth of the order Lepidoptera and the family Noctuidae. The larval stage is highly polyphagous and is known to feed on more than 70 species of host plants from 22 families, including Brassica species, lettuce, onion, potato, pea, tomato and apple. M. brassicae has become a significant pest also in Asia due to the damage caused to agriculturally and economically important Brassica crops. It is difficult to control M. brassicae using chemical insecticide because of its rapid development of resistance. The objective of our study, therefore, was the mass production and formulation of a local strain of M. brassicae nucleopolyhedrovirus-K1 (MabrNPV-K1) for the development of viral insecticide to control it. In production efficiency of MabrNPV-K1 using M. brassicae larvae, the mortality of the 3rd instar larvae was 100% when inoculated with 1.0 × 105 PIBs/larva and the yield of MabrNPV-K1 was maximal. Regarding the mortality, yield of polyhedra, inoculation doses and required time, the 1.0 × 104 PIBs/larva at 30°C was determined as optimal conditions producing polyhedra efficiently. To formulate MabrNPV-K1, feeding toxicities of various supplements including spreader and ultraviolet (UV) -protectant were determined. Tinopal UNPA-GX which is UV-protectants was effective for protection of polyhedra from UV and showed the increased mortality when added with 1% concentration. Other supplements did not influence significantly the mortality of MabrNPV-K1. Formulated MabrNPV-K1 with several supplements showed higher pathogencity than un-formulated MabrNPV-K1.

To determine the characteristics of the Korean porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), CA, which was isolated from the serum of an infected pig in 2006, we investigated the nucleotide sequence and expression of the structural ORFs (ORFs 2 to 7) using the bApGOZA system. We found that the structural ORFs 2 to 7 of CA consisted of 3188 nucleotides that were the same as those formed from VR-2332. Comparison of the CA with the other strains revealed nucleotide sequence identity ranging from 89.8 to 99.5%. To better understand the genetic relationships between other strains, phylogenetic analyses were performed. The CA strain was closely related to the other North American genotype strains but formed a distinct branch with high bootstrap support. Additionally, expression levels of the PRRSV proteins in Sf21 cells were strong or partially weak. The results of this study have implications for both the taxonomy of PRRSV and vaccine development.

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has six structural proteins which encoded by ORFs 2 to 7 are designated as GP2, 3, 4, 5, M and N, repectively. In this study, we determined the expression of each protein using novel transfer vector, pBmKSK4 which has the polyhedrin promoter of BmNPV and 6xHis tag. The recombinant transfer vector was co-transfected into Bm5 cells along with bBpGOZA DNA. Recombinant virus was purified by plaque assay and amplified in Bm5 cells. Expression of each protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using anti-6xHis monoclonal antibody. The expression levels of the structural proteins in Bm5 cells were stronger than the expression system using pBacPAK9 transfer vector in Sf21 cells. As expected, GP5 was expressed at low levels from its structural properties and its toxicity for cells. In addition, each recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA spin columns. The ability to produce each protein in the baculovirus system indicates that these could be major candidates for the development of a vaccine against PRRSV.

Pine wilt is the most important disease of pine trees in Korea, Japan and China. The pathogen causing this disease, the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophylus), is transmitted vectored by adults of some cerambycid beetle species and the Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus, is the major vector species in Korea. Although chemical insecticides have been used to kill vector insect and thus prevent transmission of the pathogen, the efficacy is not good. In Japan, to control this insect, an entomopathogenic fungus was studied and developed as an insecticide. This is thought to be the convenient and effective method to control M. alternatus. Recently, there are several reports about the pinewood nematode is vectored by also the pine sawyer, M. saltuarius, in Korea. The objective of this study, therefore, was to isolate and identify entomopathogenic fungi from M. saltuarius cadaver to control it. We collected the cadaver of M. saltuarius and then screened several fungi colonies. The pathogenicity of each fungus was tested using oak longicorn beetle, Moechotypa diphysis, as substitutive insect. M. diphysis is also serious pest to various trees in forest. As the result, only one of them showed high pathogenicity against M. diphysis. Selected fungus was identified by microscopic examination and DNA analysis. Pathogenicity was also evaluated to M. saltuarius.

Recent release of whole genome draft sequences in legume species have led comparative genome studies among legume plants including Glycine max, G. soja, Cajanus cajan and Medicago truncatula. The majority of comparative genomic researches have been conducted based on synteny of coding sequences and coding sequence variations may be one of major forces for speciation and evolution. However, non-coding sequences have been also reported to be important phenotypic regulators. Especially, since short sequence motifs in the promoter regions are highly conserved, they are suggested to be another resources of interests in comparative studies. In this study, we predicted the conserved short sequence motifs by BLASTN algorithm using dicot promoter database from Softberry (http://www.softberry.com). A total of 37,396 conserved short sequence motifs were identified onto 2 kb upstreams of 46,367 high confident gene model of G. max (cv. Williams 82). Meanwhile, whole genome of 7 soybean landraces (G. max) and 7 wild soybean genotypes (G. soja) were sequenced at low depth of less than ten using Illumina Hiseq 2000. Among these genotypes, nucleotide variations were identified in predicted conserved regulatory motifs by mapping of short reads to the reference genome sequence using the Samtools program (http://samtools.sourceforge.net/). Fifteen and two genes, which have SNPs in regulatory motifs and no SNP in coding sequence, were identified by comparisons of inter-species and intra-species, respectively. qRT-PCR experiments are in progress for investigating differences of these 17 genes expressions at transcriptional level.

As soybean (Glycine max) is known for its high nutritional value of oil and protein, soybean has been domesticated and cultivated by one specific character trait based on human selection. Importantly, tracing back in time where G. max and G. soja, the undomesticated ancestor of G. max have diverged plays an important role in studying of genetic diversity and in investigating the common ancestor of soybean. In this study, we sequenced 6 G. max and 6 G. soja using Illumina’s Hiseq 2000 with a low coverage sequencing technology to estimate the divergence of times between genotypes and populations. A total of the 12 genotypes were sequenced at the average depth of 6.5 and resulted 892.5 Mb and 903.3 MB consensus sequences with the coverage of 91.54% and 92.65% for G. max and G. soja, respectively. The whole genome SNP analysis showed that G. max had lower frequency levels of polymorphism (~0.1%) than G. soja (~0.25%). And, a high number of SNPs located in introns were found among 6 G. soja genotypes as SNPs were approximately twice than those found in 6 G max. The number of SNPs in G. max intronic regions was 53,134, whereas a total of 133,329 SNPs were discovered in G. soja introns. Almost an equal number of SNPs were discovered in 5’ UTR and exon regions; however, different numbers of SNP in CDS and 3′ UTR were identified. By the rate of nonsynonymous change, divergence of time between G. soja and G. max would be investigated.