• Title/Summary/Keyword: Horizontal distribution

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Biomass and distribution of Antarctic Krill, Euphausia superba, in the Northern part of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Ocean (남극 남쉐틀란드 군도 북부 해역의 크릴 분포 및 자원량)

  • KANG Donhyug;HWANG Doojin;KIM Suam
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.32 no.6
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    • pp.737-747
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    • 1999
  • To estimate biomass and distribution of the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), hydroacoustic survey was conducted on board of R/V Yuzhmorgeologiya, which was chartered by Korea Antarctic Research Program (KARP) group from 18 to 21 December 1998, in the northern part of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Ocean, The scientific echo sounder (towing body type) used was EK- 500 (SIMRAD, Norway) with echo integrator (BI-500) at 38 kHz frequency and recorded mean backscattering cross-section coefficient (SA) per 1 $mile^2$ of sea surface. Also, Bongo net sampling was carried out to determine the size of krill and CTD (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth) casting to understand physical structure. Water column was divided into 5 layers (22$\~$65 m, 65$\~$115 m, l15$\~$65 m, 165$\~$215 m and 215$\~$315 m) to know vertical distribution of krill biomass. The standard length of krill collected was between 30 mm and 51 mm, and adult krill had single mode (41 mm). Maximum horizontal length of krill patch was about 35 nautical mile and vertical thickness was about 275 m. High density of krill was appeared in frontal area between Circumpolar Deep Water (>$1^{\circ}C$) and very low temperature water mass (< $-0.5^{\circ}C$) that originate from Weddell Sea. According to the results calculated using target strength equation, krill density was totally higher in continental slope and open water areas than in coastal area. In the study area, krill seems to distribute in depth; density was low at first layer ($\={\rho}=17.0\;g/m^2$) and higher at fourth layer ($\={\rho}=40.19\;g/m^2$). The estimated krill biomass at total survey area and water column was about 2.77 million metric ion ($\={\rho}=151.0\;g/m^2$) and coefficient of valiance ( CV, $\%$) was 19.92. The proportions and biomass of krill biomass at each layer were as follows; layer 1 ($11.3\%$, 0.31 million metric ton, CV=16.24), layer 2 ($13.3\%$, 0.37 million metric ton, CV=34.91), layer 3 ($23.7\%$, 0.66 million metric ton, CV=41.5), layer 4 ($26.6\%$, 0.74 million metric ton, CV=27.84) and layer 5 ($25\%$, 0.69 million metric ton, CV= 26.83).

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Development of a split beam transducer for measuring fish size distribution (어체 크기의 자동 식별을 위한 split beam 음향 변환기의 재발)

  • 이대재;신형일
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.196-213
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    • 2001
  • A split beam ultrasonic transducer operating at a frequency of 70 kHz to use in the fish sizing echo sounder was developed and the acoustic radiation characteristics were experimentally analyzed. The amplitude shading method utilizing the properties of the Chebyshev polynomials was used to obtain side lobe levels below -20 dB and to optimize the relationship between main beam width and side lobe level of the transducer, and the amplitude shading coefficient to each of the elements was achieved by changing the amplitude contribution of elements with 4 weighting transformers embodied in the planar array transducer assembly. The planar array split beam transducer assembly was composed of 36 piezoelectric ceramics (NEPEC N-21, Tokin) of rod type of 10 mm in diameter and 18.7 mm in length of 70 kHz arranged in the rectangular configuration, and the 4 electrical inputs were supplied to the beamformer. A series of impedance measurements were conducted to check the uniformity of the individual quadrants, and also in the configurations of reception and transmission, resonant frequency, and the transmitting and receiving characteristics were measured in the water tank and analyzed, respectively. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. Average resonant and antiresonant frequencies of electrical impedance for four quadrants of the split beam transducer in water were 69.8 kHz and 83.0 kHz, respectively. Average electrical impedance for each individual transducer quadrant was 49.2$\Omega$ at resonant frequency and 704.7$\Omega$ at antiresonant frequency. 2. The resonance peak in the transmitting voltage response (TVR) for four quadrants of the split beam transducer was observed all at 70.0 kHz and the value of TVR was all about 165.5 dB re 1 $\mu$Pa/V at 1 m at 70.0 kHz with bandwidth of 10.0 kHz between -3 dB down points. The resonance peak in the receiving sensitivity (SRT) for four combined quadrants (quad LU+LL, quad RU+RL, quad LU+RU, quad LL+RL) of the split beam transducer was observed all at 75.0 kHz and the value of SRT was all about -177.7 dB re 1 V/$\mu$Pa at 75.0 kHz with bandwidth of 10.0 kHz between -3 dB down points. The sum beam transmitting voltage response and receiving senstivity was 175.0 dB re 1$\mu$Pa/V at 1 m at 75.0 kHz with bandwidth of 10.0 kHz, respectively. 3. The sum beam of split beam transducer was approximately circular with a half beam angle of $9.0^\circ$ at -3 dB points all in both axis of the horizontal plane and the vertical plane. The first measured side lobe levels for the sum beam of split beam transducer were -19.7 dB at $22^\circ$ and -19.4 dB at $-26^\circ$ in the horizontal plane, respectively and -20.1 dB at $22^\circ$ and -22.0 dB at $-26^\circ$ in the vertical plane, respectively. 4. The developed split beam transducer was tested to estimate the angular position of the target in the beam through split beam phase measurements, and the beam pattern loss for target strength corrections was measured and analyzed.

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Studies on the Breeding of Cold Hardiness and Technique of Overwintering Cultivation in Citrus (감귤(柑橘)의 내한성(耐寒性) 품종육성(品種育成) 및 내한(耐寒) 재배기술(栽培技術)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Chi-moon;Song, Ho-kyung;Kim, Chung-suk
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.126-140
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    • 1977
  • Present studies were carried out for breeding cold resistant clones of Citrus, improving overwintering techniques of Citrus in Jeju island as well as other southern region, Result obtained were as follows 1. In the vinyl house covered with two sheets of straw mat, 12 indivuals were found as non-injury and 15 were slightly injured by leaf freeging test at $-9^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours treatment. 2. In the condition of vinyl house covered with straw mat and viny film mulching and heat-in by sun-light, the inside temperature of vinyl house were not lowered below $-3^{\circ}C$ and the ground temperatura in vinyl house keeps above $0^{\circ}C$ during winter though outdoor temperature were lower by $-15^{\circ}C$(Daejeon area). 3. The vinyl tunnel inside the vinyl house and vinyl film mulching on ground position showed greater effectiveness for preventing heat loss from house but there were no significant difference between the color of vinyl film covered the tunnel. 4. In the vertical distribution of maximum temperature in vinyl house, the upper space was slightly higher than the lower position at high temperature condition, while minimum temperature was distributed as higher as the middle position, ground surface and upper position in order at low temperature condition 5. In the horizontal distribution of temperature in vinyl house, ground and surface-temperature of north side was lower than the other sides, and citrus planted within 30cm from north side wall died by cold injury and in the other side near wall appeared slight symptom of cold injury. 6. The insulating trench ($30{\times}30{\times}30cm$) packed with straw bundle installed under north wall might be effective to prevent heat loss of ground temperature. 7. In cloudy and snowy day, the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor were less, and the indoor temperature were maintained highly during night due to the effect of prevention of heat loss. 8. The highest temperature in a day was observed at about P.M. 3 both inside and outside of vinyl house and the lowest temperature was observed at about A.M. 6. The difference between the highest and lowest temperature of indoor in a sunny day was $19^{\circ}C$, compared with $9^{\circ}C$ on a cloudy or snowy day in late November. Especially, lowering of temperature in a snowy day was so less that the curve of temperature change was comparatively constant, 9. If the effective methods of citrus cultivation in vinyl house with improved clone such as hardiness. semi-dwarf and spur type are applied, it might be possible to cultivate the citrus tree safely in Jeju island as well as other southern rejion and to magnity the cultivation of citrus tree.

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A three-dimensional finite-element analysis of influence of splinting in mandibular posterior implants (스프린팅이 하악 구치부 임플랜트 보철물의 응력분산에 미치는 영향에 관한 삼차원 유한요소분석 연구)

  • Baik, Sang-Hyun;Jang, Ik-Tae;Kim, Sung-Kyun;Koak, Jai-Young;Heo, Seong-Joo
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.157-168
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    • 2008
  • Statement of problem: Over the past two decades, implant supported fixed prosthesis have been widely used. However, there are few studies conducted systematically and intensively on the splinting effect of implant systems in mandible. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in stress distributions in the mandibular implants with splinting or non-splinting crowns by performing finite element analysis. Materials and methods: Cortical and cancellous bone were modeled as homogeneous, transversely isotropic, linearly elastic. Perfect bonding was assumed at all interfaces. Implant models were classified as follows. Group 1: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 2: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type Group 3: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 4: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type An load of 100N was applied vertically and horizontally. Stress levels were calculated using von Mises stresses values. Results: 1. The stress distribution and maximum von Mises stress of two-length implants (8.5mm, 13mm) was similar. 2. The stress of vertical load concentrated on mesial side of implant while the stress of horizontal load was distributed on both side of implant. 3. Stress of internal connection type was spreading through abutment screw but the stress of external connection type was concentrated on cortical bone level. 4. Degree of stress reduction was higher in the external connection type than in the internal connection type.

Topoclimatological interpretation of the daily air temperature minima at 17 locations crossing over Yangpyeong basin in 1986 spring (봄철 양평지역(楊平地域)의 지형(地形) 및 고도(高度)에 따른 일최저기온(日最低氣溫)의 분포(分布))

  • Kang, An-Seok;Yun, Jin-Il;Jung, Yeong-Sang;Tani, No Bureru
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.339-344
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    • 1986
  • Frost damage which can reduce yields, impair fruit quality and cause loss of trees is closely related to the occurrence of daily minimum temperature. Horizontal distribution of air temperature minima can be characterized by conditions of radiational cooling and gravitational movement of cold air, which are influenced by the regional topographic features. Observations were made on the air temperature minima over Yangpyeong area, to delineate potential effects of topography on the temperature pattern during spring season. Two routes were selected for the observation. Liquid glass minimum thermometers were installed at 17 sites through the old peach orchards which had been closed due to the frequent freeze-frost hazards during the recent years. This route was 8.5km long and the highest point was 350m above mean sea level. The other route, which was 2.5km in distance, was run with a digital resistance thermometer during the hour just before sunrise. Observations were made both on a calm-clear day (April 30, 1986) and a windy-overcast day (May 1, 1986). The temperature on April 30 was in increasing trend with elevation but this was modified at near the riverside and the downtown area. An orchard lying on a hilltop showed the temperature $1^{\circ}C$ higher than near by lowland of which elevation was about 30m lower. The minimum temperature on the overcast day was little affected by terrestrial conditions but by the atmospheric lapse condition. The peach orchards severely damaged by cold air were found in the area where the lowest minimum temperature was observed. The results may be useful for selection of the proper orchard location to be developed in an area.

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Root Development end Branching farms of Norway Spruce(Picea abies) in the Differently Acidified Forest Soil (토양(土壤) 산성화(酸性化) 정도(程度)에 따른 독일가문비나무(Picea abies)의 뿌리 발달(發達)과 분지형태(分枝形態)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Lee, Do-Hyung
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.90 no.4
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    • pp.458-464
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    • 2001
  • In this study, the annual growth of roots and their branching forms of Norway spruce(Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were analysed to compare the development of their root in the differently acidified forest soils. And there was no significant difference among the stands for the modified roots and the non-modified roots depending on the root branch forms, and however in the most acidified Weidenbrunnen stand, the modified roots, the abnormal root branch form such as fork, gun and rake types were appeared. As a result of the ring of the root, the annual horizontal root growth were 6.3cm for Weidenbrunnen and Barbis stands and 9.5cm for Eberg$\ddot{o}$tzen stand. The average annual vertical root growth was 4.4cm, 5.4cm, and 6.7cm for Weidenbrunnen stand, Barbis stand, and Eberg$\ddot{o}$tzen stand, respectively. The cross section area by root distribution at 80cm deep showed that the thick and thin roots were evenly distributed in of Eberg$\ddot{o}$tzen stand and the sum of root cross section area was $32.6cm^2$. In Barbis stand, the thick roots were distributed in the center while the thin roots were comparatively rare. And the sum of root cross section area was $29.2cm^2$. In Weidenbrunnen stand, only a few thin roots were found, and the total root cross section area was $10.9cm^2$. The stability coefficient of roots were in the order of Eberg$\ddot{o}$tzen stand(1.04), Barbis stand (0.3), and Weidenbrunnen(0.08) stand. Among the investigated Norway spruce stands, the modified abnormal root branching form and the low root growth appeared in the Weidenbrunnen stand could be attributed by the soil acidification etc.

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Prevailing Subsurface Chlorophyll Maximum (SCM) Layer in the East Sea and Its Relation to the Physico-Chemical Properties of Water Masses (동해 전역에 장기간 발달하는 아표층 엽록소 최대층과 수괴의 물리 화학적 특성과의 상관관계)

  • Rho, TaeKeun;Lee, Tongsup;Kim, Guebuem;Chang, Kyung-Il;Na, TaeHee;Kim, Kyung-Ryul
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.413-430
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    • 2012
  • To understand the scales of the spatial distribution and temporal duration of the subsurface chlorophyll-a maximum (SCM) observed in the Ulleung Basin of the East Sea, we analyzed physical and chemical data collected during the East Asian Seas Time-series-I (EAST-I) program. The SCM layer occurred at several observation lines from the Korea Strait to $37.9^{\circ}N$ in the Ulleung Basin during August of 2008 and 2011. At each observation line, the SCM layer extended from the coast to about 200 km off the coast. The SCM layer was observed between 30 and 40 m depth in the Ulleung Basin as well as in the northwestern Japan Basin along $132.3^{\circ}E$ from $38^{\circ}N$ to $42.3^{\circ}N$ during July 2009, and was observed around 50 m depth in the northeastern Japan Basin ($135-140^{\circ}E$ and $40-45^{\circ}N$) during July 2010. From these observed features, we hypothesize that the SCM layer observed in the Ulleung Basin may exist in most of the East Sea and may last for at least half-year (from the early May to late October). The nutrient supply mechanism for prolonged the SCM layer in the East Sea was not known, but it may be closely related to the horizontal advection of the nutrient rich and low oxygen waters observed in the Korea Strait between a 50 m depth to near the bottom. The prolonged development of the SCM layer in the Ulleung Basin may result in high primary production and would also be responsible for the high organic carbon content observed in the surface sediment of the region.

Evolutionary Explanation for Beauveria bassiana Being a Potent Biological Control Agent Against Agricultural Pests

  • Han, Jae-Gu
    • 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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    • 2014.05a
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    • pp.27-28
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    • 2014
  • Beauveria bassiana (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota) is an anamorphic fungus having a potential to be used as a biological control agent because it parasitizes a wide range of arthropod hosts including termites, aphids, beetles and many other insects. A number of bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs) have been isolated from B. bassiana and functionally verified. Among them, beauvericin and bassianolide are cyclic depsipeptides with antibiotic and insecticidal effects belonging to the enniatin family. Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) play a crucial role in the synthesis of these secondary metabolites. NRPSs are modularly organized multienzyme complexes in which each module is responsible for the elongation of proteinogenic and non-protein amino acids, as well as carboxyl and hydroxyacids. A minimum of three domains are necessary for one NRPS elongation module: an adenylation (A) domain for substrate recognition and activation; a tholation (T) domain that tethers the growing peptide chain and the incoming aminoacyl unit; and a condensation (C) domain to catalyze peptide bond formation. Some of the optional domains include epimerization (E), heterocyclization (Cy) and oxidation (Ox) domains, which may modify the enzyme-bound precursors or intermediates. In the present study, we analyzed genomes of B. bassiana and its allied species in Hypocreales to verify the distribution of NRPS-encoding genes involving biosynthesis of beauvericin and bassianolide, and to unveil the evolutionary processes of the gene clusters. Initially, we retrieved completely or partially assembled genomic sequences of fungal species belonging to Hypocreales from public databases. SM biosynthesizing genes were predicted from the selected genomes using antiSMASH program. Adenylation (A) domains were extracted from the predicted NRPS, NRPS-like and NRPS-PKS hybrid genes, and used them to construct a phylogenetic tree. Based on the preliminary results of SM biosynthetic gene prediction in B. bassiana, we analyzed the conserved gene orders of beauvericin and bassianolide biosynthetic gene clusters among the hypocrealean fungi. Reciprocal best blast hit (RBH) approach was performed to identify the regions orthologous to the biosynthetic gene cluster in the selected fungal genomes. A clear recombination pattern was recognized in the inferred A-domain tree in which A-domains in the 1st and 2nd modules of beauvericin and bassianolide synthetases were grouped in CYCLO and EAS clades, respectively, suggesting that two modules of each synthetase have evolved independently. In addition, inferred topologies were congruent with the species phylogeny of Cordycipitaceae, indicating that the gene fusion event have occurred before the species divergence. Beauvericin and bassianolide synthetases turned out to possess identical domain organization as C-A-T-C-A-NM-T-T-C. We also predicted precursors of beauvericin and bassianolide synthetases based on the extracted signature residues in A-domain core motifs. The result showed that the A-domains in the 1st module of both synthetases select D-2-hydroxyisovalerate (D-Hiv), while A-domains in the 2nd modules specifically activate L-phenylalanine (Phe) in beauvericin synthetase and leucine (Leu) in bassianolide synthetase. antiSMASH ver. 2.0 predicted 15 genes in the beauvericin biosynthetic gene cluster of the B. bassiana genome dispersed across a total length of approximately 50kb. The beauvericin biosynthetic gene cluster contains beauvericin synthetase as well as kivr gene encoding NADPH-dependent ketoisovalerate reductase which is necessary to convert 2-ketoisovalarate to D-Hiv and a gene encoding a putative Gal4-like transcriptional regulator. Our syntenic comparison showed that species in Cordycipitaceae have almost conserved beauvericin biosynthetic gene cluster although the gene order and direction were sometimes variable. It is intriguing that there is no region orthologous to beauvericin synthetase gene in Cordyceps militaris genome. It is likely that beauvericin synthetase was present in common ancestor of Cordycipitaceae but selective gene loss has occurred in several species including C. militaris. Putative bassianolide biosynthetic gene cluster consisted of 16 genes including bassianolide synthetase, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, and putative Gal4-like transcriptional regulator genes. Our synteny analysis found that only B. bassiana possessed a bassianolide synthetase gene among the studied fungi. This result is consistent with the groupings in A-domain tree in which bassianolide synthetase gene found in B. bassiana was not grouped with NRPS genes predicted in other species. We hypothesized that bassianolide biosynthesizing cluster genes in B. bassiana are possibly acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from distantly related fungi. The present study showed that B. bassiana is the only species capable of producing both beauvericin and bassianolide. This property led to B. bassiana infect multiple hosts and to be a potential biological control agent against agricultural pests.

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A STUDY OF THE NORMAL & ABNORMAL OCCULSAL PATERNS IN ADULTS USING THE SUPERIMPOSED RUBBER PATTERN METHOD (Superimposed Rubber Pattern법에 의한 성인 정상 및 비정상 교합자의 교합 양상에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Dae-Gyun;Lee, Sung-Bok;Kwon, Young-Hyuk;Choi, Boo-Byung
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.467-491
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    • 1995
  • In order to analyze the occlusin of intercuspation with maximun bite force, fifteen healthy adult subjects with the ages 23 to 27 were studied(Group1 ; 5-normal occlusion with Angle's Class1, Group2 ; 5-Angle's Class2 malocclusion, Group3 ; 5-Angle’s Class3 malocclusion). Head Position was fixed with occlusal plane paralleling to horizontal line and occlusal registration r cord was made with polyether rubber impression material(Ramitec, ESPECo. West Germany). After all subject were trained for maximum intercuspation at least 5 times, occlusal registration procedure was repeated for this study. Lower posterior rubber occlusal registration records were sliced with 1mm thickness using precision metal sliding channel(Hitachi Ind. Co., Japan). Gross sectional drawings were traced from occluding view of upper and lower posterior teeth on the rubber slices using digitizer, and superimposed for the determination of each drawing distance(Superimposed Rubber Pattern Method). Based on superimposed rubber pattern drawings, total area of occlusal view, sum of each area of the 5 divided occlusal contact provinces and its ratio, total area and number of occlusal contact area were determined to elucidate occlusal stability in the normal and abnormal occlusion groups. The data were analysed by t-test(p=0.05) to determine statistical significance. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Group1 showed the largest standard area with occlusal view of the lower posterior teeth and Group3 showed the smallest area. There was a significant difference between Group2 and Group3(p=0.025), and Gropu1 was not statistically different for both Group2 and Group3. 2. Means and ratio of the under 2.0mm area(D) and ratio showed $197.49mm^2$, 59.76% in Group1, $188,69mm^2$, 56.10% in Group2, and $174.23mm^2$, 55.76% in Group3. The results that Group1 has the most area/ratio and Group3 has the least area/ratio can be considered Group1 is the most advantageous for masticatory effective area, and Group3 is the least adnantageous. 3. Means and ratio of the under 1.0mm area(C) were $198.96mm^2$, 42.65% in Group1, 123.06$mm^2$, 46.58% in Group2, and $92.24mm^2$, 29.52% in Group3. These data means that Group1 is the most advantageous in terms of masticatory effective area and Group3 is the least. 4. Means and ratio of the under 0.5mm area(B) were $86.68mm^2$, 26.68% in Group1, $62.98mm^2$, 18.71% in Group2, and $36.44mm^2$, 11.66% in Group3. These can also be considered Group1 is the most advantageous for masticatory effective area and occlusal stability. 5. Means and ratio of the under 0.05mm area(A) were $30.92mm^2$, 9.21% in Group1, $14.31mm^2$, 4.25% in Group2, and $7.59mm^2$, 2.43% in Group3. The area ratio of the each subject group was(4.1) : (1.9) : (1)and the data of the under 0.05mm area has the intimate relationship with inter-group and intra-group data/ratio. 6. First molar showed the most occlusal contact points in all subject group and Group1 showed somewhat uniformly distributed occlusal contact point except first premolar. In Group2, all contact point in posterior teeth showed significantly reduced distribution except first molar. Group3 showed evenly distributed contace points in first and second molars.

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Ecosysteme de I′Etang de Berre (Mediterranee nord-occidentale) : Caracteres Generales Physiques, Chimiques et Biologiques

  • Kim, Ki-Tai
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.247-258
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    • 2004
  • Climatological, hydrological and planktonical research studies, measurements of primary production and photosynthetic efficiency from December 1976 to December 1978 have been carried out in two brackish lakes: Lake Etang de Berre and Lake Etang de Vaine located in the French Mediterranean coast, in the region of Carry-le-Rouet located on the north-west Mediterranean near Marseilles, and in fresh water inflows from 4 Rivers (Touloubre, Durance, Arc, Durancole) to Lake Etang de Berre. Physico-chemical parameters were measured for this study: water temperature, salinity, density, pH, alcalinity, dissolved oxygen (% saturation), phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, silicate etc. Diverse biological parameters were also studied: photosynthetic pigments, phaeopigments, specific composition and biomass of phytoplankton, primary pelagic production etc. Climatical factors were studied: air-temperature, solar-radiation, evaporation, direction (including strength) of winds, precipitation and freshwater volume of the four rivers. The changes in Lake ‘Etang de Berre’ ecosystem depend on the quality of the water in the Durance River, and on the effects of seawater near the entrance of the Caronte Canal. The water quality of the lake varies horizontally and vertically as a result of atmospheric phenomena, maritime currents and tides. The distribution of water temperatures is generally heterogeneous. Southeasterly winds and the Northeasterly Mistral wind are important in the origins of circulated and mixed water masses. These winds are both frequent and strong. They have, as a result, a great effect on the water environment of Lake Etang de Berre. In theory, the annual precipitation in this region is well over eight times the water mass of the lake. The water of the Durance River flows into Lake Etang de Berre through the EDF Canal, amounting to 90% of the precipitation. However, reduction of rainfall in dry seasons has a serious effect on the hydrological characteristics of the lake. The temperature in the winter is partially caused by the low temperature of fresh water, particularly that of the Durance River. The hydrological season of fresh and brackish water is about one month ahead of the hydrological season of sea water in its vicinity. The salinity of Lake Etang de Berre runs approximately 3$\textperthousand$, except at lower levels and near the entrance to the Caronte Canal. However, when the volume of the Durance River water is reduced in the summer and fall, the salinity rises to 15$\textperthousand$. In the lake, the ratio of fresh water to sea water is six to one (6:1). The large quantities of seston conveyed by rivers, particularly the Durance diversion, strongly reduce the transparency in the brackish waters. Although the amount of sunshine is also notable, transparency is slight because of the large amount of seston, carried chiefly by Tripton in the fresh water of the Durance River. Therefore, photosynthesis generally occurs only in the surface layer. The transparency progressively increases from freshwater to open seawater, as mineral particles sink to the bottom (about 1.7kg $m^{-2}a^{-1}$ on the average in brackish lakes). The concentration of dissolved oxygen and the rate of oxygen saturation in seawater (Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 $m\ell$ㆍ.$1^{-1}$, and from 95 to 105%, respectively. The amount of dissolved oxygen in Etang de Berre oscillated between 2.9 and 268.3%. The monographs of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and silicate were published as a part of a study on the ecology of phytoplankton in these environments. Horizontal and vertical distributions of these nutriments were studied in detail. The recent diversion of the Durance River into Lake Etang de Berre has effected a fundamental change in this formerly marine environment, which has had a great impact in its plankton populations. A total of 182 taxa were identified, including 111 Bacillariophyceae, 44 Chlorophyceae, and 15 Cyanophyceae. The most abundant species are small freshwater algae, mainly Chlorophyceae. The average density is about $10^{8}$ cells $1^{-1}$ in Lake Etang de Berre, and about double that amount in Lake Etang de Vaine. Differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition at the various stations or at various depths are slight. Cell biovolume V (equivalent to true biomass), plasma volume VP (‘useful’ biomass) and, simultaneously. the cell surface area S and S/V ratio through the measurement of cell dimensions were computed as the parameters of phytoplankton productivity and metabolism. Pigment concentrations are generally very high on account of phytoplankton blooms by Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cryptophyceae. On the other hand, in freshwaters and marine waters, pigment concentrations are comparatively low and stable, showing slight annual variation. The variations of ATP concentration were closely related to those of chlorophyll a and phytoplankton blooms only in marine waters. The carbon uptake rates ranged between 38 and 1091 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average surface value of 256 mg; water-column carbon-uptake rates ranged between 240 and 2310 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average of 810, representing 290 mg$Cm^{-2}$, per year 45 000 tons per year of photosynthetized carbon for the whole lake. Gross photosynthetic production measured by the method of Ryther was studied over a 2-year period. The values obtained from marine water(Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 23 to 2 337 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 319, representing about 110 gCm$^{-2}$ per year. The values in brakish water (Etang de Berre) ranged from 14 to 1778 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 682, representing 250 mg$Cm^{-2}$ per year and 38 400 tons per year of photosynthesized carbon for the whole lake.