Development of a Rapid and Accurate Vapor Generation System for Real-Time Monitoring of a Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) by Coupling Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy.

Developing an accurate chemical warfare agent (CWA) vapor generator is critical for homeland security because it enables real-time monitoring of target agent concentration for testing and evaluation. We designed and built an elaborate CWA vapor generator that offers reliable long-term stability and real-time monitoring capabilities by coupling it with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. We evaluated the reliability and stability of the vapor generator using a gas chromatography-flame ion detector (GC-FID) and conducted a comparison between the experimental and theoretical results of sulfur mustard (HD, bis-2-chloroethylsulfide), a real CWA, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 ppm.

Detection of hazardous chemical using dual-wavelength Raman spectroscopy in the ultraviolet region.

This study proposes a stand-off Raman spectroscopy system using dual-wavelength in the ultraviolet (UV) region to detect hazardous chemicals. The Raman spectrum generated by the UV excitation source avoids solar background noise during daytime for chemical detection as the spectrum is in the solar blind range. Wavelengths of 213 and 266 nm by 5th and 4th harmonics are generated from Nd:YAG laser.

Identification of strA-strB Genes in Streptomycin-Resistant Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Biovar 2 Strains Isolated in Korea.

Bacterial canker is a devastating disease of kiwifruit caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringe pv. actinidiae. Canker disease of kiwifruit in Korea has been controlled using streptomycin for more than two decades.

Genomic analyses of pv. actinidiae isolated in Korea suggest the transfer of the bacterial pathogen via kiwifruit pollen.

The bacterial pathogen, pv. actinidiae (Psa), has emerged as a major threat to kiwifruit cultivation throughout the world. One pandemic strain (from the Psa3 group) has occurred in various geographical regions.

An Integrated Modeling Approach for Predicting Potential Epidemics of Bacterial Blossom Blight in Kiwifruit under Climate Change.

The increasing variation in climatic conditions under climate change directly influences plant-microbe interactions. To account for as many variables as possible that may play critical roles in such interactions, the use of an integrated modeling approach is necessary. Here, we report for the first time a local impact assessment and adaptation study of future epidemics of kiwifruit bacterial blossom blight (KBB) in Jeonnam province, Korea, using an integrated modeling approach.

Genetic Diversity of the Pear Scab Fungus in Korea.

Scab disease caused by is of agroeconomic importance in cultivation of Asian pear. However, little is known about the degree of genetic diversity in the populations of this pathogen. In this study, we collected 55 isolates from pear scab lesions in 13 major cultivation areas in Korea and examined the diversity using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, β-tubulin (TUB2), and translation elongation factor-1 (TEF-1) genes as molecular markers.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Scab of Japanese Apricot in Korea.

Scabs caused by greatly reduce the quality of the fruits of the Japanese apricot () when the disease is not properly managed. The disease produces a superficial blemish that is unlikely to affect the overall yield of processed fruit, but reduce the value of fruit intended for the fresh market. Incidence rates of scab at sprayed and unsprayed orchards range from 0% to 21.

Incidence Rates of Major Diseases of Kiwiberry in 2015 and 2016.

Incidence rates of diseases in kiwiberry orchards were investigated monthly from late June to late September in Gwangyang and Boseong in 2015 and 2016. The impact of postharvest fruit rot was investigated during ripening after harvest. Bacterial canker was only observed on one single tree in 2015, but black rot, powdery mildew, leaf spot and blight, and postharvest fruit rot diseases were problematic throughout the study period in both 2015 and 2016.

Occurrence and Epidemics of Bacterial Canker of Kiwifruit in Korea.

Bacterial canker is the largest limiting factor in the cultivation and production of kiwifruit worldwide. Typical symptoms comprise necrotic spots on leaves, canker and dieback on canes and trunks, twig wilting, and blossom necrosis. pv.

Development of Carrot Medium Suitable for Conidia Production of .

The causal fungus of pear scab, , grows slowly and rarely produces conidia on artificial media in the laboratory, but it produced conidia on the Cheongah medium containing Cheongah powder. grew too slow to produce conidia until 15 days after cultivation but produced conidia with 4 × 10 conidia/plate 30 days after cultivation on the Cheongah medium containing 1% Cheongah powder. showed a peak production of conidia with 4.

Outbreak and Spread of Bacterial Canker of Kiwifruit Caused by pv. Biovar 3 in Korea.

A bacterial pathogen, pv. (Psa), is a causal agent of kiwifruit bacterial canker worldwide. Psa biovar 3 (Psa3) was first detected in 2011 at an orchard in Dodeok-myeon, Goheunggun, Jeonnam Province in Korea.

Development of Specific Markers for Identification of Biovars 1 and 2 Strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the causal agent of canker in kiwifruit, can be divided into three biovars (biovars 1, 2, and 3). Strains belonging to biovar 1 produce phaseolotoxin and were isolated in Japan and Italy before 2008.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophages Against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Causing Bacterial Canker Disease in Kiwifruit.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causes bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit. Owing to the prohibition of agricultural antibiotic use in major kiwifruit-cultivating countries, alternative methods need to be developed to manage this disease.

Outbreaks of Yuzu Dieback in Goheung Area: Possible Causes Deduced from Weather Extremes.

Starting in 2012, severe diebacks usually accompanied by abundant gum exudation have occurred on yuzu trees in Goheung-gun, Jeonnam Province, where severely affected trees were occasionally killed. On-farm surveys were conducted at 30 randomly-selected orchards located at Pungyang-myeon, Goheung-gun, and the resulting disease incidences were 18.5% and 39.

Molecular Characteristics of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Strains Isolated in Korea and a Multiplex PCR Assay for Haplotype Differentiation.

The molecular features of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae strains isolated in Korea were compared with strains isolated in Japan and Italy. Sequencing of eight P.

Root Rot of Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) Caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum.

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) is a kind of mountain herbs whose roots have restorative properties and the cultivating acreage of balloon flower has been steadily increasing in Korea. More frequent rain and high amount of rainfalls as a result of climate changes predisposed balloon flower to the outbreaks of root rot at high-density cultivation area in recent years. Root crowns were usually discolored into brown to blackish brown at first and the infected plants showed slight wilting symptom at early infection stage.

Specific and Sensitive Detection of Venturia nashicola, the Scab Fungus of Asian Pears, by Nested PCR.

The fungus Venturia nashicola is the causal agent of scab on Asian pears. For the rapid and reliable identification as well as sensitive detection of V. nashicola, a PCR-based technique was developed.

The lichen genus sticta in South Korea.

Sticta (Schreber.) Ach. is one of the common lichen genera in tropical and subtropical regions, but not in the Korean Peninsula.

Coffee consumption and bone mineral density in korean premenopausal women.

Background: Although Asian people are known to have lower bone mass than that of Caucasians, little is known about coffee-associated bone health in Asian. This study aimed to assess the relationship between coffee consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean premenopausal women.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2009.

Functional characterization of the sucrose isomerase responsible for trehalulose production in plant-associated Pectobacterium species.

Fifty-three plant-associated microorganisms were investigated for their ability to convert sucrose to its isomers. These microorganisms included one Dickeya zeae isolate and 7 Enterobacter, 3 Pantoea, and 43 Pectobacterium species. Eleven out of the 53 strains (21%) showed the ability to transform sucrose to isomaltulose and trehalulose.

Lichen mycota in South Korea: the genus usnea.

Usnea Adans. is a somewhat rare lichen in South Korea, and, in nearly two decades, no detailed taxonomic or revisionary study has been conducted. This study was based on the specimens deposited in the lichen herbarium at the Korean Lichen Research Institute, and the samples were identified using information obtained from recent literature.

Leiorreuma exaltatum and Trapelia coarctata, New to Korean Lichen Flora.

The present account briefly describes two crustose lichen species new to South Korea. Detailed taxonomic descriptions of Leiorreuma exaltatum and Trapelia coarctata, supported by distribution, ecology and illustrations, are provided. Both species were collected from warm-temperate, humid forests of Jeju Island.

The lichen genus parmotrema in South Korea.

Parmotrema A. Massal. is a common lichen genus scattered throughout the Korean Peninsula; however, no detailed taxonomic or revisionary study of this genus has been conducted for nearly two decades.

Notes on the lichen genus hypotrachyna (parmeliaceae) from South Korea.

Hypotrachyna (Vainio) Hale is a somewhat rare lichen genus found on the Korean Peninsula. Since it was first recorded more than two decades ago, no detailed taxonomic or revisionary study of the genus has been conducted. Thus, the present study was conducted to carry out a detailed taxonomic and revisionary study of Hypotrachyna in South Korea.

Biruloquinone, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor produced by lichen-forming fungus Cladonia macilenta.

At present, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are the first group of drugs to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although beneficial in improving cognitive and behavioral symptoms, the effectiveness of AChE inhibitors has been questioned since they do not delay or prevent neurodegeneration in AD patients. Therefore, in the present study, in order to develop new and effective anti-AD agents from lichen products, both the AChE inhibitory and the neuroprotective effects were evaluated.