• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.568-574
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• 2018

Microlite is crystallized under the supercooled condition of volcanic magma. This study reports the morphology and texture of microlites included in the obsidians from the Baekdusan (Mt. Baekdu), Kyushu (Japan), Hokkaido (Japan) and Lipari Island (Italy) by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Morphology and texture observed from the back scattered electron (BSE) image could give more detailed information on the microlite crystallization which cannot be acquired from the conventional optical microscope. Ten types of microlites are newly described according to the 14 morphological types of microlites by Clark (1961): Lath, Crenulite, Bacillite, Margarite, Belonites, Trichites, Arculites, Furculite, Scopulites, Scopulitic growth. Detailed description of the ten microlites can be used to interpret the crystallization and paragenetic relations of crystals during the cooling of acidic volcanic magma.

• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2018

Purpose: Naftopidil ((${\pm}$)-1-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2-ol) is prescribed in several Asian countries for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous animal experiments showed that intrathecal injection of naftopidil abolished rhythmic bladder contraction in vivo. Naftopidil facilitated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in spinal cord slices. These results suggest that naftopidil may suppress the micturition reflex at the spinal cord level. However, the effect of naftopidil on evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SG neurons remains to be elucidated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 to 8 weeks old were used. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made using SG neurons in spinal cord slices isolated from adult rats. Evoked EPSCs were analyzed in $A{\delta}$ or C fibers. Naftopidil or prazosin, an ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptor blocker, was perfused at $100{\mu}M$ or $10{\mu}M$, respectively. Results: Bath-applied $100{\mu}M$ naftopidil significantly decreased the peak amplitudes of $A{\delta}$ and C fiber-evoked EPSCs to $72.0%{\pm}7.1%$ (n=15) and $70.0%{\pm}5.5%$ (n=20), respectively, in a reversible and reproducible manner. Bath application of $100{\mu}M$ prazosin did not inhibit $A{\delta}$ or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. Conclusions: The present study suggests that a high concentration of naftopidil reduces the amplitude of evoked EPSCs via a mechanism that apparently does not involve ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptors. Inhibition of evoked EPSCs may also contribute to suppression of the micturition reflex, together with nociceptive stimulation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has regulated the definition and requirements of the exposure index (EI). In this study, we calculated the EI of several image receptors in digital radiography system of two different manufacturers according to the method as per IEC, and evaluated the relationship with incident air kerma. To calculate the EI, w e obtained the characteristics curve of each image receptor by increasing the incident air kerma at RQA 3, 5, 7 and 9, respectively. As a result, there was no significant difference in the EI values between different image receptors of the same manufacturer, but EI values of different manufacturer was different despite the same air kerma was incident. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of the digital radiography systems is important in order to use EI as a tool for measuring and managing the radiation dose.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.481-489
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• 2018

In this study, the succession and stand dimension attributes related to the disaster prevention function of Pinus thunbergii coastal forests were examined after damage from Diplodia tip blight. In 2015, 101 years after the Taisho eruption, field investigations were performed on the vegetation, soil thickness, and pH of surface soil of P. thunbergii coastal forests in western Sakurajima (Hakamagoshi plot) and Taisho lava flows in southeastern Sakurajima (Seto plot). The Hakamagoshi plot had more woody plant species with larger basal areas than that in the Seto plot. The mean age and height, maximal age and height of plant species, and H/D ratio were all larger in the Hakamagoshi plot than in the Seto plot. These results may be explained by the relatively smaller effect of volcanic ash and gas on forests in the Hakamagoshi plot compared to the Seto plot, resulting in a more suitable environment for many plant species. Although P. thunbergii coastal forests in Sakurajima are currently recovering from damages owing to Diplodia tip blight, there has not yet been a sufficient recovery compared to the results from a 1997 study. Furthermore, the results of assessment based on the H/D ratio and abundance of trees in P. thunbergii forests indicate that both regions are not yet effective in disaster prevention. Thus, it is necessary to establish Pinus trees, which can adjust to harsh environments like coastal areas and are resistant to volcanic ash and gas, to enhance the disaster prevention function of P. thunbergii coastal forests in volcanic regions. It may also be helpful to establish coastal forests with ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungi and organic matter coverage. Additionally, it is necessary to ensure the continuous maintenance of stand density and soil quality, and further develop efforts to prevent Diplodia tip blight and promote forest recovery.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.338-343
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• 2019

The water transport and water content of the electrolyte membrane greatly affect the performance of the membrane in PEMFC(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell). In this study, the parameters (electroosmotic coefficient, water diffusion coefficient) of polymer membranes for water transport were measured by a simple method, and water flux and ion conductivity were simulated by using a model equation. One dimensional steady state model equation was constructed by using only the electro-osmosis and diffusion as the driving force of water transport. The governing equations were simulated with MATLAB. The electro-osmotic coefficient of $144{\mu}m$ thick polymer membranes was measured in hydrogen pumping cell, the value was 1.11. The water diffusion coefficient was expressed as a function of relative humidity and the activation energy for water diffusion was $2,889kJ/mol{\cdot}K$. The water flux and ion conductivity results simulated by applying these coefficients showed good agreement with the experimental data.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2021

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)-related hand lesions are one of the complications following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with CRPS-related hand lesions following ARCR. Methods: Altogether, 103 patients with ARCR were included in this study (mean age, 63.6±8.2 years; 66 males and 37 females; follow-up period, preoperative to 12 months postoperative). Clinical assessment included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant score, 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score from preoperative to 12 months postoperatively. The patients were either assigned to the CRPS group or non-CRPS group depending on CRPS diagnosis until the final follow-up, and clinical outcomes were then compared between the groups. Results: Of 103 patients, 20 (19.4%) had CRPS-related hand lesions that developed entirely within 2 months postoperatively. Both groups showed significant improvement in JOA, UCLA, and Constant scores preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively (p<001). Comparisons between the two groups were not significantly different, except for SF-36 "general health perception" (p<0.05) at 12 months postoperatively. At final follow-up, three patients had residual CRPS-related hand lesions with limited range of motion and finger edema. Conclusions: CRPS-related hand lesions developed in 19.4% of patients following ARCR. Shoulder or upper-limb function improved in most cases at 12 months, with satisfactory SF-36 patient-based evaluation results. Patients with residual CRPS-related hand lesions at the last follow-up require long-term follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.451-462
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• 2020

There are 82 volcanoes active during the 48 weeks of 2019 (January 30 to December 31, 2019; USGS data) Approximately 80~90 volcanoes are active on the Earth for a year. More than 91% of these volcanoes are took place in the circum-Pacific volcanic belt, which is commonly called 'Ring of Fire'. This status coincides with the distribution maps of active volcanoes on the earth: about 80 percent on subduction zone of the convergent plate boundaries; 15 percent on divergent plate boundaries; 5 percent on intra-plate zone. Typically five volcanoes are most active during the survey period (48 weeks); Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia) 48 times, Aira (Kyushu, Japan) 47 times, Ebeko (Paramushir Island, Russsia) 46 times, Merapi (Central Java, Indonesia) 37 times, Krakatau (Indonesia) 33 times. The comparison of volcanic activity between 2018 and 2019 showed no significant difference. It is assumed that volcanic activity remains stable.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1947-1953
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• 2022

As the plasma facing material in the nuclear fusion reactor, tungsten has to bear the irradiation impact of high energy particles. The surface quality of tungsten may affect its irradiation resistance, and even affect the service life of fusion reactor. In this paper, tungsten samples with different surface quality were polished by mechanical processing, subsequently conducted by D₂⁺ implantation and thermal desorption. D₂⁺ implantation was performed at room temperature (RT) with the irradiation dose of 1 × 10²¹ D₂⁺/m² by 5 keV D₂⁺ ions, and thermal desorption spectroscopy measurements were done from RT to 900 K. In addition, He irradiation was also performed by 50 eV He⁺ ions energy with the fluxes of 5.5 × 10²¹ m^-2s^-1 and 1.5 × 10²² m^-2s^-1, respectively. Results reveal that the hydrogen/helium irradiation behavior are both related to surface quality. Samples with high surface quality has superior D₂⁺ retention behavior with less D₂ retained after implantation. However, such samples are more likely to generate fuzzes on the surface after helium irradiation. Different morphologies (smooth, wavy, pyramids) after helium irradiation also demonstrates that the surface morphology is related to tungsten crystallographic orientation.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2020

This study focuses on the comparative and quantitative analysis of the epidemiologic trends and aspects of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) outbreaks between Korea and Japan from 2013 to 2017. The following factors were analyzed; cumulative incidence rate (CIR), cases-fatality rate (CFR), and the epidemic aspects, including cases related to gender, male-to-female morbidity ratio (MFMR), age, seasonal, and geographical distributions. We observed 607 SFTS cases with CIR in Korea during the period 2013 to 2017 were as 0.24 per 100,000 populations and with a 127 fatal-cases (F.C.s), corresponding to a CFR of 20.9%, respectively. During the same period in Japan, 319 SFTS cases with a CIR of 0.05 and with 60 F.C.s to a CFR of 18.8% observed. When compared, the CIR of SFTS in Korea was significantly higher than in Japan (P<0.01), but there were no significant differences levels of the CFR and MFMR between Korea and Japan. Also, a higher incidence of SFTS was observed in people aged over 50-years or elders in Korea and those of 60-years or elders in Japan (P<0.01). The seasonal distribution of SFTS outbreak cases showed that the incidence in summer through autumn in Korea (92.4% of total cases) was higher than in Japan (65.2%), while the outbreaks of SFTS in spring was much higher in Japan (31.0%) than in Korea (7.4%), (P<0.01). The regional distribution revealed no significant difference between the eastern area (44.8%) and the western area (46.8%) of the Korean peninsula except Jeju-island (8.4%). However, in Japan, the incidence only occurred in Chubu-Kinki-Chugoku (30.3%), Shikoku (25.7%), Kyushu (42.6%) and Okinawa (0.3%), which are the western and southern areas of Japan. These differences in SFTS occurrence may reflect the influences of vector/hosts, climate, and geographical and cultural characteristics between the two countries.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.141.1-141
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• 2003

Forty six isolates of bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) collected from azuki bean, mungbean, kidney bean, cowpea, broad bean and peanut were classified into three groups based on biological, serological, cytopathological, and molecular characteristics. Group I induced vein-banding symptoms in cowpea which was similar to those produced by the BCMV-cowpea strain. Group II caused mosaic symptoms in azuki bean but not in peanut and tobacco. Since this character was different from that of previously described BCMV strain, group II may not belong to BCMV GroupIII induced vein-clearing symptoms in azuki bean, kidney bean and peanut, which are typical symptoms for BCMV-peanut stripe virus strain. Virus inclusion patterns of BCMV groups were similar to those of Potyvirus subdivision III with the scroll, pinwheel and long laminated inclusions. However, the inclusions of laminated aggregates were never observed in mungbean isolates. Multiple alignment as well as cluster dendrograms of 3'noncoding region (3'-NCR) and a part of coat protein gene (CP) suggested that group I belongs to the BCMV-cowpea strain, group II to the BCMV-azuki bean strain, and group III to the BCMV-peanut stripe virus strain. Since molecular phylogenesis of BCMV based on nucleotides of 3'-NCR and coat protein differed from the grouping based on virulence differentiation, and BCMV groups are more closely related to each other with the same host origin, other characteristics of those strains are under investigation.