• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.285-288
• /
• 2008

We analyzed evaporation data in the Japanese Ocean Flux Data Sets with Use of Remote Sensing Observations (J-OFURO) Ver.2. There exists huge evaporation in Gulf Stream, Kuroshio Extension, the ocean dessert and the southern part of the Indian Ocean. The temporal variation of evaporation is overwhelmingly large, of which the standard deviation is more than 120(mm), in the Kuroshio Extension region. Also, the result of harmonic analysis gives that this large variation is closely related to annual variation. In addition, the first EOF mode shows long-term variation showing the maximum amplitude between 1992 and 1994 and remarkable decrease after 1994, and large amplitude in the equatorial region and northeast of Australia. The second and third modes were strongly influenced by El Nino. Moreover, we compared J-OFURO2 evaporation product with other products. We used six kinds of data sets (HOAPS3 and GSSTF2 of satellite data, NRA1, NRA2, ERA40 and JRA25 of reanalysis data) for comparison. Most products show underestimation in the most regions, in particular, in the northern North Pacific, mid-latitudes of the eastern South Pacific, and high-latitudes of the South Pacific compared with J-OFUR02. On the other hand, JRA25 and NRA2 show large overestimation in the equatorial regions. RMS difference between NRA2 and J-OFURO2 in the Kuroshio Extension was significantly large, more than 120(mm).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.979-984
• /
• 2016

The incidence rate of stomach cancer in Bali, Indonesia, is estimated to be strikingly lower than that in Japan. We conducted an on-site ecological study to investigate the association between the stomach cancer incidence and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Recruiting 291 healthy persons (136 men and 155 women) from the general population in Bali, Indonesia, we conducted a urea breath test (UBT) to examine H. pylori infection, along with a pepsinogen test to detect chronic atrophic gastritis and urine analysis to estimate sodium and potassium excretion. UBT positivities were 9% (2-15, 95% confidence interval) for men and 7% (1-12) for women, and positive cases for H. pylori IgG antibodies were 1% (0-3) for men and 3% (0-5) for women, significantly lower than the respective values in Japan. Positive pepsinogen tests in Bali were 0% (0-0) for men and 1% (0-4) for women, also significantly lower than the Japanese figures. Computed values for daily salt excretion were $13.3{\pm}4.1g$ (mean${\pm}$SD) for men and $11.1{\pm}3.1g$ for women, as high as corresponding Japanese consumption values. Moreover, the estimated potassium excretion was $3.2{\pm}0.7g$ for men and $2.8{\pm}0.6g$ for women in Bali, significantly higher than the figures in Japan. There were no associations across genetic polymorphisms of IL-beta, TNF-alpha, and PTPN11 with UBT positivity. The low incidence of stomach cancer in Bali may thus mainly be due to the rare H. pylori infection. Namely, the bacterium infection seems to be a critical factor for gastric cancer rather than host or other environmental factors.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture International Edition
• /
• no.2
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2004

The objective of our research was an international comparison focusing on studies conducted on parks and green spaces undertaken in Japan and Korea. We also aim to clarify the similarities and differences between the two countries and consider the key features of the researches on the field of landscape architecture. We compared the recent trends of Japanese institute with Korean observed in the theme of research papers adopt title of them. The research period spanned approximately twenty years, from 1980 to 2003. We employed the Table of Contents information search system to research academic journal articles and to select the journals that included articles with the key words [park(s)] or [green space(s)] in their title. We chronologically arranged the journals for each country, based on the total number of journals and classification categories. We then conducted a comparative examination among the two countries. We also contributed information on the circumstances behind the formulation or amendment of some policies and laws and we checked the results against the research trend. Among the selected journals, the number of papers was the highest by the Institute of Landscape Architecture. But the reason for increase of the number of papers on green spaces in Japanese journals was not published by the Institute of Landscape Architecture but by the City Planning Institute and the Architecture Institute. In Japan, the papers on parks categorized under historical study were the highest among all categories. On the other hand, in Korean journals, papers on parks categorized under historical study were few. A similar trend was recognized in papers on green spaces. Every society is concerned with the study of function and effect. However, some exact differences have been observed by category classification. In Japan, the percentage of function and effect papers on parks was less than those on green spaces. In Korea, both percentages for these groups were high. The category of system and policy accounted for $17\%$ of the papers on green spaces in Korea. This result was higher than the number of papers on green spaces and parks in Japan and parks in Korea. Recently, the number of papers focusing on large-scale green space system has decreased in Japan. The trend in the study of parks and green spaces on a regional scale or at an individual level will be closely monitored. Systems and modeling studies have been focusing in Korea. The understanding between the administration and the citizens was peculiar to each country.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.775-789
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relevance of the school science contents that have been implemented for the 7-10th grade students in Korea since 2001. To fulfill the purpose of the study, we 1) analyzed the 7th national science curriculum of Korea, California science standards, the national science curriculum of England, Japanese national science curriculum, and current Korean and Japanese science textbooks, 2) conducted a nationwide survey in order to gather opinions from students, teachers, and science specialists. The main findings of this research were as follows: First, the number of topics presented at each grade level should be reduced and similar topics and themes should be integrated for students' deeper understanding. Second, science contents were excessive compared to the allotted teaching time and to foreign countries. Thus, the excessive overlapping and repetition of science contents should be avoided among the primary, middle and high school level, and the number of science concepts and activities should be reduced to an appropriate level considering time allotment for science classes, teachers' workload, laboratory conditions, etc. Third, to cope with the decreasing students' understanding and interests in science as school level and school year goes up, the science curriculum and textbooks should be developed to allow for student to learn science concepts by solving problems confronted in their daily lives. Fourth, a differentiated curriculum such as in-depth and supplementary course should be described not in science contents, but in teaching and learning strategy.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.214-225
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the content relevance of the 7th national primary science curriculum and textbooks. To fulfill the purpose of the study, we 1) analyzed the 7th national science curriculum of Korea, Californian science standards, the national science curriculum of England and Japan, and current Korean and Japanese science textbooks, 2) conducted a nationwide survey to gather opinions from students, teachers, and professors of teachers colleges about the relevance of the science curriculum and textbooks. Main findings of this study are as follows: First, the science contents at each grade level should be determined by the students' characteristics, not by an equal portion rule among physics, chemistry, biology and earth science. Second, the excessive overlapping and repetition of contents due to the spiral curriculum should be avoid. Third, the number of topics at each grade level should be reduced, and the similar topics and themes should be integrated for students' deeper understanding. Fourth, the number of science concepts and activities should be reduced to an appropriate level considering the time allotment for science classes, teachers workload, laboratory conditions, etc. Fifth, differentiated curriculum, such as in-depth and supplementary course, should be described not in science contents, but in teaching and learning strategy.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.11
• /
• pp.777-784
• /
• 2014

Epidemiologic studies have shown that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a strong risk factor, whilst high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, strategies to manage dyslipidemia in an effort to prevent or treat CHD have primarily attempted at decreasing LDL-C and raising HDL-C levels. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester for triglycerides between HDL and VLDL and LDL. We have published the first report indicating that a group of Japanese patients who were lacking CETP had extremely high HDL-C levels, low LDL-C levels and a low incidence of CHD. Animal studies, as well as clinical and epidemiologic evidences, have suggested that inhibition of CETP provides an effective strategy to raise HDL-C and reduce LDL-C levels. Four CETP inhibitors have substantially increased HDL-C levels in dyslipidemic patients. This review will discuss the current status and future prospects of CETP inhibitors in the treatment of CHD. At present anacetrapib by Merck and evacetrapib by Eli Lilly are under development. By 100mg of anacetrapib HDL-C increased by 138%, and LDL-C decreased by 40%. Evacetrapib 500 mg also showed dramatic 132% increase of HDL-C, while LDL-C decreased by 40%. If larger, long-term, randomized, clinical end point trials could corroborate other findings in reducing atherosclerosis, CETP inhibitors could have a significant impact in the management of dyslipidemic CHD patients. Inhibition of CETP synthesis by antisense oligonucleotide or small molecules will produce more similar conditions to human CETP deficiency and may be effective in reducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. We are expecting the final data of prospective clinical trials by CETP inhibitors in 2015.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to determine the endorcrine disruption effects of the several major pharmaceutical residues in water using adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Four frequently used pharmaceuticals including caffeine, ketoconazole, acetaminophen, and diltiazem were investigated for the vitellogenin(Vtg) induction in the medaka using Western blotting and ELISA. $17\beta$,-estradiol was used as a positive control. Vtg was qualified and quantified through Western blot and ELISA. Following SDS gel electrophoresis, the dominant protein band was identified to molecular weight approximately 205 kDa in whole body samples of vitellogenic female. With female medaka exposed to $17\beta,-estradiol$, no significant difference in total protein induction was noted. In contrast, three to five day exposure of male fish to $17\beta,-estradiol$ resulted in $63.07\%o$, increase of total protein comparing to that of control males (p<0.01). Vtg induction in male fish was observed with all the test pharmaceuticals: At concentrations greater than 1ppm of diltiazem, 2 ppm of caffeine, 4 ppm of acetaminophen, and 10 ppm of ketoconazole, Vtg induction was monotonously increased in a dose dependent manner. This study is one of the first reports suggesting potential endocrine disruption mechanism of common human pharmaceutical products in aquatic ecosystem. Although the effect concentrations obtained from this investigation are environmentally unrealistically high, endocrine disruption should be considered as one of the important consequences of pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic environment, and warrants due attention in future researches.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.307-313
• /
• 2011

Although lizards are important hosts for hard ticks (Ixodidae), very few studies have been conducted in South Korea. To determine whether or not hard ticks can infest lizards endemic to South Korea, we examined 77 lizards of four species (Eremias argus, Sincella vandenburghi, Takydromus amurensis, and Takydromus wolteri) that were collected at 22 different sites between April and October 2010. We confirmed that all four lizard species can be infested by Ixodes nipponensis larvae or nymphs. Of the 62 E. argus examined, we found an average of 12.5 larvae on two lizards and an average of one nymph on one lizard. We found seven nymphs on one S. vandenburghi. We found an average of two nymphs on two of the five T. amurensis and an average of one nymph on four of the nine T. wolteri. Ixodes nipponensis larvae and nymphs were found most frequently on the foreleg axillae (87.8%), followed by the forelegs (7.3%), the eyelids (2.4%), and the ears (2.4%) of the lizards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of I. nipponensis infestations of lizards endemic to South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.93-104
• /
• 2009

Objectives: Although Asian immigrants have lower rates of smoking and binge drinking than other ethnics in the US, Korean Americans have the highest rate of Asian immigrants. This study, therefore, compared with the rates and examined the predictors of smoking and binge drinking by gender and ethnicity among Asian immigrants in California. Methods: In 2001 and 2003, California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were conducted in English and their original languages with Asian immigrants residing in 58 Counties and 3 Cities, California. We performed analysis to find out the differences of smoking and binge drinking rates using the secondary data, CHIS 2001 and 2003. Multiple logistic regression analysis for survey data identified predictors of smoking and binge drinking behaviors by gender and ethnicity. Results: Korean American males (35.4%) and Japanese American females (15.4%) had higher rates of smoking prevalence compared with other Asian immigrants in California. In binge drinking, 26.5% of male and 8.1% of female among Korean Americans were binge drinker, and the rates were the top with Asian Americans who had lived in California. It showed the remarkable gap between gender of smoking and binge drinking among Vietnamese immigrants, whereas not the striking difference among Japanese Americans. In multiple regression models, age, educational level, occupation, marital status, English proficiency, and health insurance coverage remained significant for smoking and binge drinking behaviors(P<0.05). Even though the time in the US was not significant, it seemed to be related to educational level and English proficiency. In particular among female, smoking and binge drinking behaviors were associated with acculturation. Conclusion: Although Asian Americans had shared with American culture since they had immigrated in the US, they had significantly different prevalence rates of smoking and binge drinking based on gender and ethnicity. Therefore, future efforts should be focused on understanding differences by ethnicity and target at high-risk subgroups. To achieve this, it needs to develop the educational materials in Korean and their original languages.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture International Edition
• /
• no.1
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2001

The case for study in this paper is the Main Plan and Management for the Fukutoshin; the restructure of Nishi Shinjuku, This plan was first outlines in 1960, and includes a vast area of 96 ha for redevelopment. It aims to create a totally new center in the city. This was the first case in Japan, and in the world of a plan of these magnitudes. involving urban landscape restructuring from three points: Landscape (open spaces for public use: the Shinjuku Central Park and the surrounding area of the buildings), transport and commercial building developments. The Landscape plan for the green areas was decided in a way to compensate the population of the area and the visitors. As a rule, high-rise building constructions are placed each one in single lots and are surrounded by open spaces and greenery. Pedestrain areas are widened and also connected by bridges in a way to allow free circulation, and interconnection between the constructions and the green areas. Another important factor is the role that Private Corporation, and public interest plays. Joining these two forces has allowed the concretization of this project. This interpolation between public and private roles was an innovation in Japan, and it also the key for the concretion of the project. The historical review of the process and management of this project help us to put into perspective the introduction of new concepts and ideas, which were not related at that time to traditional Japanese Landscaping. Furthermore we are better able to understand the substantial increase in the percentage of land dedicated to green areas in contrast to the typical standards of Japanese cities.