This study examined the effects of learner-initiated noticing through comparison and teacher-initiated noticing through grammar instruction on EFL middle school learners' English writing process and uptake. For the study, 18 second-year middle school students with intermediate-high English proficiency were divided into three groups. After the first writing composition, one group (Group C) underwent a comparison stage, in which they compared their original writings and reformulated versions. Another group (Group I) received reactive grammar instruction on the four most frequent types of grammar errors, while the other group (Group IC) underwent both stages. All three groups revised their original writings in the next stage. To examine the learners' cognitive processes, think-aloud protocols were analyzed. The results showed that Group IC performed better in uptake than the other two groups, while no major differences were found between Groups I and C. This suggests that a mixture of learner-initiated noticing and teacher-initiated noticing influenced the learners' uptake.

Proteinaceous insecticidal proteins, Cry proteins, from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are insecticidal proteins that are highly active against several species of Lepidoptera. Thus, cry genes encoding these Cry proteins have been widely applied for construction of transgenic crops resistant to pest insects. In this study, through the 3D structure prediction and accompanying mutagenesis study for the Mod-Cry1Ac, 7 and 16 amino acid residues from domain I and II, respectively, responsible for its insecticidal activity against larvae of Spodoptera exigua and Ostrinia furnacalis were identified. We used site-directed mutagenesis to improve the insecticidal activity of Mod-Cry1Ac, resulted 31 mutant cry genes. These mutant cry genes encodes potent insecticidal proteins in the form of crystalline protoxins of 95 kDa. SDS-PAGE analysis of the recombinant polyhedra revealed that expressed Cry proteins was occluded into polyhedra and activated stably to 65 kDa by trypsin. When the insecticidal activities of these mutant Cry proteins against to larvae of P. xylostella, S. exigua and O. furnacalis were assayed, they showed higher or similar insecticidal activity compared to those of Cry1Ac and Cry1C. Especially, Mutant-N16 is considered to have the potential for the efficacious biological insecticide since it showed the highest insecticidal activity.

Crystals of proteinaceous insecticidal proteins, Cry proteins, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been generally used to control insect pests. In this study, through the 3D structure prediction and accompanying mutagenesis study for the Mod-Cry1Ac, 7 and 16 amino acid residues from domain I and II, respectively, responsible for its insecticidal activity against larvae of Spodoptera exigua and Ostrinia furnacalis were identified. To construct novel cry genes with enhanced insecticidal activity, we randomly mutated these 23 amino acid sequences by in vitro muti site-directed mutagenesis, resulting in totally 24 mutant cry genes. For further characterization, these mutant cry genes were expressed as a fusion protein with polyhedrin using baculovirus expression system. SDS-PAGE analysis of the recombinant polyhedra revealed that expressed Cry proteins was occluded into polyhedra and activated stably to 65 kDa by trypsin. When the insecticidal activities of these mutant Cry proteins against to larvae of P. xylostella and S. exigua were assayed, they showed higher or similar insecticidal activity compared to those of Cry1Ac and Cry1C. Especially, among them Mutant-N16 showed the highest insecticidal activity against to both of P. xylostella and S. exigua. Therefore, Mutant-N16 is considered to have the potential for the efficacious biological insecticide.

Varieties of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal proteins, Cry proteins, have so far been found as one of the most successful biological control agents which are safe to natural environments for a long time. Recently, cry genes encoding these Cry proteins have been widely applied for construction of transgenic crops resistant to pest insects. In this study, through the 3D structure prediction and accompanying mutagenesis study for the Mod-Cry1Ac, 7 and 16 amino acid residues from domain I and II, respectively, responsible for its insecticidal activity against larvae of Spodoptera exigua and Ostrinia furnacalis were identified. To construct novel cry genes with improved insecticidal activity, we randomly mutated these 23 amino acid sequences by in vitro muti site-directed mutagenesis, resulting in totally 24 mutant cry genes. For further characterization, these mutant cry genes were expressed as a fusion protein with polyhedrin using baculovirus expression system. SDS-PAGE analysis of the recombinant polyhedra revealed that expressed Cry proteins was occluded into polyhedra and activated stably to 65 kDa by trypsin. In the further study, we plan to investigate their insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella, S. exigua and O. furnacalis larvae.

Background : This study aimed to determine the use of proper organic fertilizer through side dressing application in the environmental cultivation of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. to improve farming income. Methods and Results : In the cultivation of eco-friendly and environmental medicinal plant like Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara., it is necessary to use organic instead of chemical fertilizer. Organic fertilizers such as HL, CK, OK were applied three (3) times during the last ten days of July, August, and September. There was no significant difference between CF and NT, in terms of the number of rooting per 1㎡ which was 12.1 -12.9. There were also no significant differences in plant length, leaf length, leaf width and dry weight. The root length was 19.9 ㎝, which was the longest in CK, and 16.8 ㎝, the shortest in ST, but described as no significant difference. The root width was 14.8 – 5.5 ㎜, and the number of rootlet was 5.7 - 7.1, but was considered not a significant difference. The dry weight was 16.6 g in HL, 16.3 g in CK and ST, and 15.6 g in OK, but still there were no significant differences observed. However, it was 14.6 g in NT, which was considered the lowest, thus there was a significant difference. The number of dry root per 10 a was 149 ㎏ which is considered the most in HL, 141 ㎏ in CK, 140 ㎏ in ST, and 138kg in OK yet there were no significant differences observed. While NT only had 123 ㎏ hence, there was a significant difference on the number of dry root per 10a as compared with the group applied with the three organic fertilizers. Conclusion : In conclusion, it is proper to use Organic Fertilizer HL and CK through side dressing application in growing Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara.

Background : This project was conducted to determine proper seed harvest time and seed storage methods of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. Methods and Results : When Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. transplanted this year, seeding can only be done the following year. Therefore, the seeds harvested in the interval of ten (10) days were investigated for seed harvest amount, germination rate, seed storage temperature and storing on container, between the period late August and mid-October. It is when the seed fructification started and ended. The seeds harvested from the first ten (10) days of October to mid October were 87.9% in whole seeds. The proper seed harvesting time was mid October which has a germination rate of 75% in whole seed harvest time. The lowest germination rate of 27.3% was at the germination temperature of 15℃. As the temperature rises, the germination rate increases. In 29℃, the germination rate was at 79% which is the highest; and from 30℃, the germination rate decreased to 71%. When the storage temperature was at 0℃ after storage of 5 months, the germination rate was at 83%. However, after storage of 12 months, it decreased by 7% that was 76%. When in 4℃, after storage of 5 months the germination rate was at 85%. However, after storage of 12 months it decreased by 8% which was 77%. In room temperature after storage of 5 months, germination rate was at 77%, but after storage of 12 months it decreased by 22% which was 55%. When seeds were stored in vinyl container, it was observed that the germination rate was at 86% after 5 months of storage, which was 9% higher than seed stored in paper which was 77%. After 12 months storage, seed in vinyl container had a germination rate of 71%, which was 3% higher than seed in paper at 68%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the proper time of seed gathering of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is during the first ten (10) days of October to mid-October. When the long time storage is needed, below zero temperature with vinyl container is more appropriate.

Background : Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is one of the important oriental medicinal herbs being used to cure lung/respiratory diseases. It belongs to the five Sam (ginseng) including Panax ginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Sophora flavescens, and Scrophularia buergeriana. In 2015, Korea produced 72 tons of medicinal herbs in a 14-hectare area and imported 24 tons valued at US$95,000. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of several biopesticides to control leaf spot of A. triphylla var. japonica Hara. Methods and Results : One year plants at the Department of Herbal Crop Research, NIHHS, RDA were used. The treatments used biopesticides such as plant extracts (BP), microbial agent (DM), microbial agent (PJ), sulfur powder (HS), and controlled chemicals (ST), while non treatment (NT) was used as control. After the early part of disease outbreak, the plants were treated four times with 7 days interval. The incidence of leaf spot, efficacy, phytotoxicity and control value were investigated. Based on the efficacy test, incidence of leaf spot is lowest at 15.6% in plant extracts (BP). Other biopesticides showed higher incidence - 16.7% for microbial agent (DM), 17.8% for microbial agent (PJ), 18.9% for sulfur powder (HS) and 71.1% for non treatment (NT), compared with 11.1% in controlled chemicals (ST). The microbial agent (PJ), sulfur powder (HS), plant extracts (BP) and microbial agent (DM) were not damaged in the phytotoxicity test. In the test of application dose, time and methods, the control value was highest in plant extracts (BP) at 78.1%, followed by microbial agent (DM) at 76.6%, microbial agent (PJ) at 75.0%, and sulfur powder (HS) at 73.4% , compared with controlled chemicals (ST) at 84.4%. Conclusion : It is possible to use biopesticides at the proper time to prevent leaf spot in Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara.

Background : Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is used to cure respiratory/ lung diseases, which makes it an important oriental medicinal herb. It is one of the five Sam (ginseng), which includes Panax ginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Sophora flavescens, and Scrophularia buergeriana. In 2015, Korea imported 24 tons of medicinal herbs worth US$95,000. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of several mulching materials on the growth and root yield of A. triphylla var. japonica using organic fertilizer. Methods and Result : Seeds of A. triphylla var. japonica were collected at the nursery of the Department of Herbal Crop Research, NIHHS, RDA in 2015. Mulching materials used are black plastic, black woven fabric, and biodegradable plastic. Hand weeding was done to serve as control. The soil was fertilized two months before planting. Seeds of A. triphylla var. japonica were sowed in tray in early March and were allowed to grow for two months. It was planted in early May with planting density of 30 ㎝ x 15 ㎝ and was covered with various mulching materials. Parameters investigated are survival rate, aerial part and root growth characteristics, and yield at harvest time. Results showed that biodegradable plastic is most favorable for plant growth with height of 17.2cm, leaf length of 13.4cm and leaf width of 5.6 ㎝. Dry plant weight was heaviest in biodegradable plastic treatment at 2.8 g, and lightest at 2.5 g when planted without mulch. Biodegradable plastic has the highest dry root weight of 19.3 g, followed by black vinyl (18.4 g), woven fabric (18.3 g) and without mulch (17.9 g). The yield obtained per 10 a was highest in biodegradable plastic treatment at 174 ㎏, while black vinyl and woven fabric treatments produced 169 ㎏ and 160 ㎏, respectively. Plants without mulch had the lowest yield of 157 ㎏. Conclusion : In the above results, biodegradable plastic and woven fabric are considered suitable mulching materials for the cultivation of A. triphylla var. japonica.