This research was performed to supplement the previous research about the driving rain index (DRI) for Korea determined by using daily weather data for 30 years. The average annual driving rain index (AADRI) was calculated from the hourly weather data, and the magnitude of DRI was investigated according to wind directions. The hourly climate data were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) for the period 2009 to 2017. Of 82 locations investigated, seven were classified into regions where the level of exposure of walls to rain was high. The result showed quite a difference from the previous results, in which no high exposure regions were observed. Since the hourly-based and the daily-based annual driving rain index (ADRI) values showed only a slight difference, the result may be explained by the length of the periods used in both studies. The change of DRI according to wind directions showed that there was a certain range of wind directions in which driving rain easily approached building walls. It suggests that the consideration of wind directions with high DRI would be useful to develop a good design of wooden buildings from the point of wood preservation and maintenance.

The air permeability of yellow poplar log cross section before and after organosolv pretreatment was investigated, and the moisture absorption of control and organosolv pretreated rectangular parallelepiped specimens was investigated in this study. It was revealed that the diameters of through pores were enlarged and the number of bigger pore was increased by the organosolv pretreatment. The air permeabilities of the cross sections of yellow poplar log were changed from 1.61 darcy to 23.30 darcy, but their weights were reduced by 5 percent. The equilibrium moisture content of control wood specimen at the exposed relative humidity were 5.9 % at 32 %, 9.7 % at 58 %, 14.8 % at 80.5 %, 19.7 % at 90 %, 25.7 % at 95 % and 29.9 % at 100%. The equilibrium moisture content of the specimens pretreated with the parameter of sulfuric acid catalyst of 0.5 % (w/w) were 19.5 % at 32 %, 29.3 % at 58 %, 39.6 % at 80.5 %, 59 % at 90 %, 111.3 % at 95 % and 111.3 % at 100 %, while those pretreated with the parameter of sulfuric acid catalyst of 1.0 % (w/w) were 17.4 % at 32 %, 23.9 % at 58 %, 27.7 % at 80.5 %, 40.6 % at 90 %, 68.8 % at 95 % and 110.0 % at 100 %. The moisture absorption of organosolv pretreated rectangular parallelepiped specimens was higher than that of control specimen.

The use of wood waste as substrate for plant growth exemplifies a strategy for turning waste into resources. The overall objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of wood-based growing media on plant cover in a slope area. Moreover, we tried to find out what physicochemical properties affect plant cover on a slope. For treatments, we tested natural soil, soil mixed with wood-based growing medium (1:1, w/w), and wood-based growing medium by itself. Physical and chemical characteristics were evaluated after four months from the date of treatment application to the experimental slope site. Soil coverage with seedlings of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya was measured for plant growth evaluation. Physicochemical properties were altered by mixing the natural soil with wood-based growing medium. Particularly, soil moisture and organic matter contents were significantly changed in soils treated with wood-based growing medium compared to soil alone. We confirmed that plant coverage rate was high when wood-based growing medium was mixed with the natural soil. There was a significant linear relationship between moisture content and CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) of all growth media tested and plant coverage. This result was expected, as moisture content tends to increase with organic matter content, such as in wood-based growing medium. In conclusion, the high moisture content of the wood-based growing medium was considered effective for plant growth in the experimental slope site, and this wood-based growing medium provides a means to improve the harmony between the slope and the surrounding environment.

Tropical bamboo species, which have a very rapid growth rate, are considered as a promising non-timber forest product capable of exhibiting new functionality by carbonization technology. This study was conducted to compare the characteristics of carbonized bamboos from Andong (G. pseuudoarundinacea (Steudel) Widjaja), Hitam (G. atrovialacea), Tali (G. apus), Kuning (B. vulgaris Var. striata (Lodd. Ex Lindl)), and Ampel (B. vulgaris Scharad. ex Wendland), and Betung (D. asper). Each bamboo was carbonized at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 ℃, respectively, and their physical and anatomical characteristics were investigated. The result showed that the volume and weight of carbonized bamboo decreased with increasing carbonization temperature and showed the substantial changes of volume and weight between 200 and 400 ℃. The highest and the lowest density of carbonized samples were found in Ampel bamboo and Betung bamboo, respectively. The density of all carbonized bamboos tended to decrease after carbonization at 200 and 400 ℃ and relatively become constant afterwards. The carbonized bamboo prepared at 800 and 1,000 ℃ showed better refining degree. The results of the anatomical observation showed that the vascular diameter of carbonized bamboo decreased with increasing carbonization temperature, and the shrinkage in radial and tangential direction showed similar tendency. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant correlation between physical contraction and anatomical contraction. Based on the results of this study, comprehensive data about Indonesian bamboo charcoals could be obtained and it will be useful for future application studies.

Acanthophysium sp. KMF001, a wood rotting fungus, produces a strong crude enzyme complex that efficiently produces simple sugars from wood. The transcriptomic analysis of Acanthophysium sp. KMF001 identified 14 genes for putative glycoside hydrolases. Among them, isotig01043 was expressed heterogeneously in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and the expressed protein exhibited an endo-β-1,4-xylanase activity which showed the optimum reaction at pH 5.0 and 30°C. The enzyme kinetic values of Km and Vmax were 25.92 mg/ml and 0.628 μmole/mg/ml, respectively. The enzymatic characteristics of the expressed xylanase showed a typical fungal xylanase. However, the bioinformatics analysis suggested that the protein encoded by isotig01043 was a novel xylanase based on a low identity when it was compared with the closest protein in the NCBI database and a similar protein domain with GH16_fungal_Lam16A_glucanase, which had not been earlier suggested as a xylanase.

The typical methods of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and capillary flow porometry (CFP) were used to evaluate the pore size of cross-section of wood and the effect of the pore structure on the permeability of wood was analyzed in this study. The results of this study were as followings: The pore size of wood measured by CFP was larger than that measured by MIP except for Lime tree, Korean red pine and Paulownia. Among the three pore types of porous materials defined by IUPAC (through pores, blind pores, and closed pores), only through pores are related to permit fluid flow. MIP measures the pore size of both through pores and blind pores, while CFP measures the pore size of only constricted through pores. Therefore, pore size measured by MIP was not related to gas permeability, however pore size measured by CFP had a proportional relationship with gas permeability.

Streptococcus mutans causes oral diseases, including tooth decay, by producing a biofilm called plaque. Therefore, inhibition of biofilm formation is essential for maintaining oral health. Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites, which act as starting sources for the discovery of new bioactive chemicals that inhibit biofilm formation of S. mutans. Previous studies have reported on chemicals with antibiotic activity for the inhibition of biofilm formation by S. mutans. In this study, nine plant extracts from Melonis Pedicellus, Agastachis Herba, Mori Cortex Radicis, Diospyros kaki leaves, Agrimoniae Herba, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Lycopi Herba, Elsholtziae Herba, and Schizonepetae Spica were screened for the inhibition of biofilm formation from a plant extract library. The water-soluble compounds of the extracts did not affect cell growth but selectively inhibited biofilm formation. These results suggest that the selected plant extracts constitute novel biofilm formation inhibitors, with a novel biological mechanism, for improving oral hygiene.

The sound absorption property, hand feel, air permeability and pore size of 25 kinds of traditional Korean natural wallpapers (Hanji) were measured and analyzed in this study. The sound absorption rate of Hanji became larger with increasing of frequency beginning from 3.2 kHz, reached 2 times in frequency range of nearby 4 kHz. The sound absorption rate of Hanji was increased as the permeability was lowered and the pore size was decreased. The sound absorption property of Hanji wallpaper could be improved by manufacturing process such as super calendering process.