Four new species of the genus Alloclubionoides collected from mountain litter and hillock litter around the agricultural ecosystem of Korea are described in the present work with appropriate body measurements and morphological illustrations; A. hwaseongensis sp. nov., A. imi sp. nov., A. namhansanensis sp. nov. and A. nasuta sp. nov. Females of A. hwaseongensis sp. nov., A. namhansanensis sp. nov. and A. nasuta sp. nov. can be distinguished based on the epigyne shape and structure of internal genitalia from previously described species. Males of A. imi sp. nov. can also be distinguished based on the shapes of retrolateral tibial apophysis, embolus tip and conductor from previously described species. Also, a key to the Korean Alloclubionoides spiders is provided. Alloclubionoides gajiensis Seo, 2014 is newly synonymized with Alloclubionoides cochlea (Kim et al. 2007).

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes were fabricated using a new class of UV-curable PDMS (UV-PDMS) and conventional heat-curable PDMS (Heat-PDMS) materials for n-butanol recovery. In addition, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared using silicalite-1 particles as a additive to improve the recovery efficiency of n-butanol. To understand the structure-performance relationship, the surface/cross-sectional morphology and roughness of the PDMS membranes and MMMs were characterized using SEM and AFM, respectively. Consequently, when 20 % of silicalite-1 particles was loaded, the UV-curable MMM exhibited 58 % increased flux with similar separation factor compared to the heat-curable MMM, which is attributed to enlarged the effective membrane surface area resulting from its unique morphology.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered an alternative source of neuronal lineage cells, which are difficult to isolate from brain and expand in vitro. Previous studies have reported that MSCs expressing Nestin (Nestin+ MSCs), a neuronal stem/progenitor cell marker, exhibit increased transcriptional levels of neural development-related genes, indicating that Nestin+ MSCs may exert potential with neurogenic differentiation. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of the presence of Nestin+ MSCs in bone-marrow-derived primary cells (BMPCs) on enhanced neurogenic differentiation of BMPCs by identifying the presence of Nestin+ MSCs in uncultured and cultured BMPCs. The percentage of Nestin+ MSCs in BMPCs was measured per passage by double staining with Nestin and CD90, an MSC marker. The efficiency of neurogenic differentiation was compared among passages, revealing the highest and lowest yields of Nestin+ MSCs. The presence of Nestin+ MSCs was identified in BMPCs before in vitro culture, and the highest and lowest percentages of Nestin+ MSCs in BMPCs was observed at the third (P3) and fifth passages (P5). Moreover, significantly the higher efficiency of differentiation into neurons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells and astrocytes was detected in BMPCs at P3, compared with P5. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that neurogenic differentiation can be enhanced by increasing the proportion of Nestin+ MSCs in cultured BMPCs.

For the development of processed food for hypoglcemia, it is important to construct model system to confirm factors that reduce the glycemic index in real food. This study was to investigate the relationship between the gel model system and real food the high amylose type of segoami using response surface methodology. The independent variables were concentration (X1; 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30%) and steaming time (X2; 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 min). The predicted glycemic index (Y1) was analyzed as a dependent variable. The regression of pGI was 0.7343, indicating that the model fits the data well in the prediction test. The predict glycemic index of the gel was in the range of 71.38 ~ 83.78, depending on the gel preparation conditions and predicted optimum condition was 23.7% gel concentration and 43.8 minutes of gelatinization. The predict glycemic index of rice gel were decreased with an increase of gel concentration, rather than the steaming time. In order to confirm the effect on in vitro digestibility in real food, the real food (Garraedduk) was prepared by applying the optimal conditions. As a result, there was no significant difference between the predicted value (77.1) and the experiment value (76.6). This result showed that the in vitro digestibility in real food can be predicted by applying the gel model system.

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the bakery products is important in order to establish healthy consumption patterns. Aronia and blackberry extract at different levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were used to investigate their comparative effects on the physical properties and antioxidant capacity of cookies. The final cookies were evaluated for physicochemical and sensory properties as well as total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and FRAP assay. Substitution of aronia and blackberry extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased the moisture content and spread ratio compared to the control that did not contain the extract. However, types of the extract (aronia or blackberry) did not significantly affects the moisture and spread ratio of cookies at the same concentrations (p>0.05). The lightness and yellowness values of cookies were decreased while the redness value was increased by the amount of the extract compared to control (p<0.05). For textural properties, the hardness and chewiness of cookies were increased by the concentration of extract, and highest at 20% of both extracts. Polyphenol content in the cookies was increased with the concentration of the extract added into the cookies. Consistently, the antioxidant activity was significantly increased as the concentration of the extract was increased (p<0.05). Cookies with aronia extract showed higher antioxidant activity compared to that with blackberry (p<0.05), due to the presence of higher content of polyphenol. In terms of appearance, flavor, taste, texture and overall acceptability, the sensory evaluation scores of cookies with 20% aronia and 10% blackberry were significantly higher compared to the control (p<0.05). Based on above result, using more than 10% of the aronia or blackberry extracts would appropriate for making cookies.

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.

The nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal pathogen of pine wilt disease in Korea. Currently, it is reported that B. mucronatus also has a low pathogenicity. Despite this difference in pathogenicity, it is very difficult to differentiate these two species due to similarity in morphological characters. The sequence variation of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and intergenic spacer (IGS) regions of ribosomal DNA has been used for species identification and phylogeny of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus. But, the IGS region sequence data of B. mucronatus has been only reported in Portugal. In this study, We analyzed genetic variation on ITS and IGS regions of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus (Asian genotype, European genotype) based on rDNA gene sequences, and conducted phylogeography using TCS network. When the each isolates was determined the phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method, Bursaphelenchus species were divided into each groups, and showed low variation within each species. In the TCS analysis, The isolate of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus (Asian genotype and European genotype) were divided into each groups and confirmed slightly genetic distance within species. B. mucronatus European genotype has possibility of new species different with Asian genotype.

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.

This study was conducted to investigate the community structure and species distribution of ground beetle assemblages in western part of Yeongwol-gun, Korea. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps from 9 study sites during July to October in 2013. A total of 30 species were identified from 4,439 collected ground beetles. Two dominant species, Synuchus nitidus (1,916 individuals) and Synuchus cycloderus (1,900 individuals) were occupied 85.8% of total. Interestingly, Pterostichus orientalis orientalis and Synuchus melantho were only collected in relative high altitude above 350 m, such as Beopheung-ri, Unhak-ri, and Yongseok-ri. Large-sized beetles, such as Damaster, Leptocarabus, and Carabus species, were generally more collected from Suju-myeon (Beopheung-ri and Unhak-ri) and Jucheon-myeon (Docheon-ri and Yongseok-ri) as well-conserved area, but not occurred in Yeongwol-eup and Hanbando-myeon, which forests may have lower habitat quality for these species. These differences also lead to increasing of dissimilarity among study sites, which were diverged into 3 groups at 53.0% of similarity. In particular, species composition of Samok-ri was significantly different at 8.2% of similarity because of difference in habitat characteristics as river side. This study has an important value to provide the fundamental information of inventory and monitoring in Yeongwol-gun. For detail mapping of species distribution in Yeongwol-gun, however, further studies are necessary, especially eastern parts of Yeongwol-gun.

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.

Selecting surrogated species is the first step for environmental risk assessment of GM crop on non-target arthropods. To select surrogated species considering the domestic environment, we surveyed the arthropod fauna in five main localities (Changnyeong-gun in Gyeongsangnam-do, Goesan-gun in Chungcheongbuk-do, Gokseong-gun in Jeollanam-do, Hongcheon-gun in Gangwon-do and Hwaseong-si in Gyeonggi-do) in which maize was cultivated with large scale. Maize is one of the main imported GM crop in Korea. Arthropods were surveyed with yellow sticky traps and pitfall traps from May to August with a week interval considering the crop growing season in 2012 and 2013. A total of 135 species of 51 families in 13 orders were identified from the 17,470 arthropods. Six orders (Coleoptera, Araneae, Hemiptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera) were dominant in species richness and three orders (Collembola, Thysanoptera and Diptera) in abundance, representing 84% and 86% of the total, respectively. In the composition of fuctional guilds, herbivore group was the most dominant followed by predator group occupying 40% and 37% of the total abundance.

In apple orchards under different farming practices (organic and conventional), arthropod community structure was investigated. Arthropods were collected with pitfall traps, band traps, yellow sticky traps and pheromone traps from May to December, 2012 in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. Biodiversity was analyzed with species richness and Shannon diversity index (H΄). Sampled arthropods were identified 37 families in 14 orders from 21,618 individuals in organic orchard-1 and 33 families in 10 orders from 11,318 individuals in organic orchard-2 and 35 families in 13 orders from 27,711 individuals in conventional orchard. Species richness was relatively highest in organic orchard-1, intermediate in conventional orchard and lowest in organic orchard-2. In ecologically functional group, abundance of pests was higher in conventional orchard than in organic orchards due to the high occurrence of Phyllonorycte ringoniella (Gracillariidae) and Lyonetia prunifoliella (Lyonetiidae). Organic orchards showed higher abundance, species richness and species diversity of epigeic predators and those of parasitoids above ground than conventional orchard. Abundance of detritivores, mainly collembola, were higher in organic orchard than in conventional orchard.

Paromius exiguus (Distant, 1883) is a serious insect pest in rice field adjacent to reclaimed land. They suck young ear of rice causing empty head of grain or pecky rice grain. During 2010 to 2012, we conducted to investigate the host-plant change of P. exiguus in Siwha reclaimed land, Hwaseong-si. In 2012, we also studied dispersal ability of P. exiguus from reclaimed land to adjacent rice fields. In early May, the adults aggregated on the grain parts of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) (Poales: Poaceae) after overwintering, and laid their eggs and nymphs developed into adults on the same host plants from middle May to late June. Second generation was observed at wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigeios) (Poales: Poaceae) from late June to late July. At shooting stage of rice, adults moved to adjacent rice fields and third generation might be started. Although dispersal ability of adult of P. exiguus penetrated about 10 km into inland areas of Hwaseong-si, number of individuals of P. exiguus population was significantly declined with increasing distance from reclaimed land (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r=-0.7357, p<0.0001). Unfortunately, further studies on population dynamics of P. exiguus in rice fields could not investigated, because pesticides were widely sprayed by aerial application in 14 August, 2012. Nevertheless, this results will be a useful information for management and control of P. exiguus in rice fields adjacent to reclaimed land.

Food web of main arthorpods in 3 differently managed rice fields (low input, duck, apple snail farming) was investigated in Hongseong area, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Main arthropods were selected by their abundance during the rice growing season in 2010. Food web was analyzed with stable isotope, δ15N and δ13C according to rice growth satges (seedling, tillering, booting, blooming/heading, and ripening stage). Rates of δ15N and δ13C in soil (F=5.72; df=2, 6; P=0.0407, F=40.86; df=2, 6; P=0.0003, respectively) and δ13C in rice (F=6.46; df=2, 6; P=0.0319) were statistically different. Rate of δ13C in Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (F=9.50; df=2, 6; P=0.0138), Pirata subpiraticus (F=11.00; df=2, 6; P=0.0098), and Pachygnatha clercki (F=6.33; df=2, 6; P=0.0333) were statistically different among farming methods. Stable isotope structures in food web were slightly different among 3 farming methods seasonally. Rates of δ15N and δ13C of rice pests such as Nephotettix cincticeps, Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus, and Sogatella furcifera were related to rice plant. Those of Tomoceridae sp. and Chironomidae sp., however, were not related to rice plant. Spiders as main natural enemy group were ranked on the top of food web and were thought to have life cycle based on the rice field from stable isotope structure.

We investigated the spatial distribution of ground beetle species from the edge of secondary forests in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. Nine secondary forests were selected, and 81 pitfall traps for collecting ground beetles were placed along forest interior―forest edge―forest exterior gradients during 14 June to 9 November, 2011. A total of 32 species belonging to 13 genera of 8 subfamilies were identified from 3710 collected ground beetles. Ten dominant species were selected for analysis. Five species such as Chlaenius micans (ANOVA, with Tukey's test, F2, 78=3.11, P=0.0502), Chlaenius ocreatus (F2, 78=2.76, P=0.0692), Dolichus halensis halensis (F2, 78=9.80, P=0.0002), Harpalus eous (F2, 78=2.73, P=0.0712), and Harpalus tridens (F2, 78=6.74, P=0.0020) were abundant at forest exterior. Three species such as Synuchus cycloderus (F2, 78=7.91, P=0.0007), Synuchus nitidus (F2, 78=9.72, P=0.0002), and Synuchus sp.1 (F2, 78=4.50, P=0.0142) were abundant at forest edge and forest interior. Coptolabrus smaragdinus branickii (F2, 78=3.24, P=0.0444) was abundant at forest edge and exterior. Finally, Chlaenius naeviger (F2, 78=1.39, P=0.2542) showed a wide distribution in this study. This study showed a significant edge effect on dominant ground beetles. Many environmental variables and prey items may be important factors for the spatial pattern of ground beetles. Because forest edges are generally important for many predaceous arthropods including ground beetles, the conservation and management of forest edges are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Community structure of ground beetles in Seokmun- and Siwha-reclaimed lands was investigated with pitfall traps from 21 May to 1 November, 2010. Survey areas were divided by the status of reclamation, vegetation, and flooding frequency. Status of the Seokmun-reclaimed land in Chungcheongnam-do is the progress of conversion to rice paddy after completion, and then dominant plant is Secale cereals. For the Siwha reclaimed land in Gyeonggi-do, reclamation is ongoing, and thus Imperata cylindrica and Calamagrostis pigeios are dominant plants. Flooding was more frequent in Seokmun than in Siwha as 4 times and none, respectively. A total of 3,352 epigeic insects of 9 orders and 22,981 epigeic insects of 9 orders were collected from the Seokmun- and Siwha-reclaimed land, respectively. Collembola was the most abundant in each site. In ground beetle assemblage, 11 species belonging to 7 subfamilies Seokmun and 8 species belonging to 5 subfamilies in Siwha were identified from 183 and 101 collected ground beetles. Chlaenius pallipes (107 individuals, 58.5%) and Pheropsophus javanus (52 individuals, 28.4%) was dominant in Seokmun, while Harplus jureceki (37 individuals, 36.6%), Synuchus arcuaticollis (17 individuals, 16.8%), and Dolichus halensis halensis (17 individuals, 16.8%) was dominant in Siwha. The Shannon's index value was 1.147 and 1.671 in Seokmun and Siwha, respectively. Similarity by the Sørensen index between Seokmun and Siwha was 0.3158. In conclusion, community structure and seasonality of ground beetles were significantly different between two reclaimed lands, and this difference appears to be due to their different habitat conditions such as flooding frequency and progress of reclamation.

Field studies were conducted to assess potential effects of transgenic rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) CryIAc1 protein, which is highly effective the rice leafroller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, on the rice insect community in 2007 and 2008. Insects were sampled in non-Bt and Bt rice plots with a sweep net and a suction devise. A total of 64,256 individuals in 45 families and 11 orders (30,860 individuals in 43 families and 11 orders in the Bt-rice plots, and 33,396 individuals in 40 families and 11 order in the non-Bt rice plots) were captured and grouped by ecological functional guilds. Species diversity and richness were not significantly different between Bt-rice and non-Bt rice plots. The seasonal pattern of the insect community and the seasonal population fluctuation of insects were very similar between two plots. Collectively, the rice insect community was not influenced by the Bt-rice in the present study.

This study was conducted to investigate the altitudinal distribution of the ground beetle community in a mountain area during 2007 to 2009, and to examine what habitat characters are most relevant to the distribution of mountain ground beetle species, and finally to identify potential biological indicators for monitoring in forest. The study area was Mt. Sobaeksan National Park (1439 m elevation), in Punggi-up, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps, which were installed along the altitudinal gradient 437, 757, 1100 and 1420 m. In total, 3,259 individuals were identified as 32 species in 18 genera. The dominant species were Synuchus cycloderus (29.4%), Eucarabus sternbergi sobaeksanensis (15.4%) and Pterostichus orientalis (9.7%) in order. Overall, the ground beetle community structure was different along the altitude (similarity 65.2%) by NMDS ordination, but also were clustered into 2 groups, 437 and 757 m, and 1100 and 1420 m (similarity 57.9%). Therefore, the ground beetle assemblage could provide basic information for forest management. In this study, some ground beetle species were suggested to potential biological indicators along altitudinal gradient.