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Simultaneous Oxidation of NO, CO, and CH4 over Mn-Cu/Al2O3 Catalyst (Mn-Cu/Al2O3 촉매 상에서 NO, CO 및 CH4 동시 산화)

  • Ji Eun Jeong;Chang-Yong Lee
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2024
  • Mn-M/Al2O3 (M = Cu, Fe, Co, and Ce) catalysts were prepared for simultaneous oxidation of NO, CO, and CH4, and their oxidation activities were compared. The Mn-Cu/ Al2O3 catalyst with the best simultaneous oxidation activity was characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, and O2-TPD analysis. The result of XRD indicated that Mn and Cu existed as complex oxides in the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst. Raman and XPS results showed that electron transfer between Mn ions and Cu ions occurred during the formation of the Mn-O-Cu bond in the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst. The XPS O 1s and O2-TPD analyses showed that the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst has more adsorbed oxygen species with high mobility than the Mn/Al2O3 catalyst. The high simultaneous oxidation activity of the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst is attributed to these results. Gas-phase NO promotes the oxidation reactions of CO and CH4 in the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst while suppressing the NO oxidation reaction. These results were presumed to be because the oxidized NO was used as an oxidizing agent for CO and CH4. On the other hand, the oxidation reactions of CO and CH4 competed on the Mn-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst, but the effect was not noticeable because the catalyst activation temperature was different.

Heading Ecology of Rice Varieties Adaptable to the Temperature and Day-Length Conditions in North Korean Regions (북한 지역 기온과 일장 환경 적응 벼 품종의 출수생태 특성 분석)

  • Woonho Yang;Shingu Kang;Dae-Woo Lee;Mi-jin Chae
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.68 no.4
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    • pp.236-245
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    • 2023
  • We investigated the basic vegetative phase (BVP), photoperiod-sensitivity (PS), and thermo-sensitivity (TS) of 40 rice varieties to characterize their heading ecology that is adaptable to North Korean rice production areas. The ranges were 12 - 43 days for BVP, 0 - 74 days for PS, and 15 - 33 days for TS, depending on the variety. The number of days from transplanting to the heading stage (DTH) was significantly correlated with PS in the 13 major rice production regions where all 40 varieties (including early-, middle-, and mid-late-maturing varieties) were tested. DTH was significantly correlated with BVP and TS but not with PS in the 10 low-temperature regions where only 28 early-maturing varieties were tested. The heading ecology of the adaptable varieties for each region could be characterized by an exponential equation between the BVP and PS of varieties that headed at the border of the safe marginal heading date (SMHD) for each of the seven regional environments (Kaesong, Haeju, Yongyon, Singye, Sariwon, Nampo, and Pyongyang). A PS of 25 - 30 days or less was an additional adaptive trait in the Sariwon and Pyongyang environments. The varieties that reached the heading stage not later than the SMHD in six regional environments (Anju, Kusong, Sinuiju, Changjon, Wonsan, and Supung) and those that reached the heading stage not later than the late marginal heading date (LMHD) in four regional environments (Hamhung, Pyonggang, Huichon, and Kanggye) had both a PS of 26 days or less and a BVP of 25 - 28 days or less. In the Yangdok, Sinpo, and Chunggang environments, varieties that reached the heading stage not later than the LMHD for each region had a BVP of 15 - 20 days or less. The results suggested that a shortened BVP trait should be introduced to existing early-maturing rice varieties to reduce the duration of growth period to reach the heading stage.

Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Adolescents: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Studies and Observational Studies

  • Soo-Han Choi;Su-Yeon Yu;Jimin Kim;Miyoung Choi;Youn Young Choi;Jae Hong Choi;Ki Wook Yun;Young June Choe
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.12-24
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    • 2024
  • The number of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide are increasing compared to the early phase of the pandemic, along with highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus variant and the increase in adult COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of the COVID-19 vaccines and the observational retrospective studies on adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents. Seventeen studies were finally included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis showed that although vaccination in adolescents was significantly effective to prevent COVID-19 infection in retrospective studies (risk ratio [RR], 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.37; I2 =100%), however the effect of preventing COVID-19 infection was lower than in RCTs (RR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.27). In five retrospective studies, the pooled estimated proportion of participants with myocarditis and/or pericarditis was 2.33 per 100,000 of the population (95% CI, 0.97-5.61 per 100,000). Sub-group analysis with sex and vaccine doses showed that male (5.35 per 100,000) and the second dose (9.71 per 100,000) had significantly higher incidence of myocarditis and/or pericarditis than female (1.09 per 100,000) and the first dose (1.61 per 100,000), respectively. Our study showed that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in adolescent recipients were favorable and effective against COVID-19 in RCT as well as observational studies. The safety findings of BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents were explored and we found the difference of safety according to sex and vaccine doses. The occurrence of adverse events after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination should be monitored.

Influence of Increased Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Bioluminescence and Cell Density of Marine Bacteria Vibrio fischeri (이산화탄소 농도 증가에 따른 발광미생물의 상대발광량과 밀도변화에 대한 연구)

  • Sung, Chan-Gyoung;Moom, Seong-Dae;Kim, Hye-Jin;Choi, Tae-Seob;Lee, Kyu-Tae;Lee, Jung-Suk;Kang, Seong-Gil
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.8-15
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    • 2010
  • An experiment was conducted to evaluate the biologically adverse effect of increased carbon dioxide in seawater on marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri. We measured the bioluminescence and cell density at every 6 hours for 24 hours of the whole incubation period after exposing test microbes to a range of $CO_2$ concentration such as 380(Control), 1,000, 3,000, 10,000 and 30,000 ppm, respectively. Significant effect on relative luminescence(RLU) of V. fischeri was observed in treatments with $CO_2$ concentration higher than 3,000 ppm at t=12 h. However, the difference of RLU among treatments significantly decreased with the incubation time until t=24 h. Similar trend was observed for the variation of cell density, which was measured as optical density using spectrophotometer. The results showed that a significant relationship between $CO_2$ concentration and bioluminescence of test microbes was observed for the mean time. However, the inhibition of relative bioluminescence and also cell density could be recovered at the concentration levels higher than 3,000 ppm. The dissolved $CO_2$ can be absorbed directly by cell and it can decrease the intracellular pH. Our results implied that microbes might be adversely affected at the initial growing phase by increased $CO_2$. However, they could adapt by increasing ion transport including bicarbonate and then could make their pH back to normal level. Results of this study could be supported to understand the possible influence on marine bacteria by atmospheric increase of $CO_2$ in near future and also by released $CO_2$ during the marine $CO_2$ sequestration activity.

Sources Identification of Anthropogenic Pb in Ulleung Basin Sediments using Stable Pb Isotope Ratios, East/Japan Sea (동해 울릉분지 시추 퇴적물에서 안정 Pb 동위원소를 이용한 Pb의 기원 추정)

  • Choi, Man-Sik;Uoo, Jun-Sik;Kim, Dong-Seon
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.315-327
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    • 2007
  • This study investigated temporal and spatial variation of Pb and stable Pb isotopes accumulated in Ulleung Basin core sediments (4) using MC ICP/MS in order to identify the sources of anthropogenic Pb in the East/Japan Sea. Leached (1M HCl) Pb concentration and isotope ratios ($^{207}Pb/^{206}Pb\;and\;^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb$) were nearly constant during 300 yrs past than 1930, but increased up to twice in concentration and as much as 3.41% (1.70%) after 2000. On the other hand, residual Pb concentrations were nearly constant for past 400 yrs. The accumulation rates of anthropogenic Pb in the basin area were in the range of $3.1-3.5mg/m^2/yr$, which were similar levels to total atmospheric Pb deposition fluxes from 1990s to the present. In the slope area, more increase of anthropogenic Pb accumulation than the levels expected from mass accumulation rate could be found after the middle of 1990s. From the detailed evaluation for the temporal and spatial variation of accumulation rate and isotope ratios of anthropogenic Pb, we proposed probable sources and pathways of anthropogenic Pb. Pb emmision by coal burning from the China and Korea initiated the accumulation of anthropogenic Pb in the sediments of East/Japan Sea from 1930s. The accumulation of Pb increased by the addition of anti-nocking agents from both countries untill the beginning of 1990s, but from the middle of 1990s to the present, the phase-out of gasoline additives and the rapid increase of coal burning from the China maintained the atmospheric Pb levels in the Ulleung basin nearly similar to before. However, the local sources within this basin might take an important role in the rapid increase of anthropogenic Pb accumulation in slope areas from the middle of 1990s.

Mineral Nutrition of the Field-Grown Rice Plant -[I] Recovery of Fertilizer Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Relation to Nutrient Uptake, Grain and Dry Matter Yield- (포장재배(圃場栽培) 수도(水稻)의 무기영양(無機營養) -[I] 삼요소이용률(三要素利用率)과 양분흡수량(養分吸收量), 수량(收量) 및 건물생산량(乾物生産量)과(乾物生産量)의 관계(關係)-)

  • Park, Hoon
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.99-111
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    • 1973
  • Percentage recovery or fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by rice plant(Oriza sativa L.) were investigated at 8, 10, 12, 14 kg/10a of N, 6 kg of $P_2O_5$ and 8 kg of $K_2O$ application level in 1967 (51 places) and 1968 (32 places). Two types of nutrient contribution for the yield, that is, P type in which phosphorus firstly increases silicate uptake and secondly silicate increases nitrogen uptake, and K type in which potassium firstly increases P uptake and secondly P increases nitrogen uptake were postulated according to the following results from the correlation analyses (linear) between percentage recovery of fertilizer nutrient and grain or dry matter yields and nutrient uptake. 1. Percentage frequency of minus or zero recovery occurrence was 4% in nitrogen, 48% in phosphorus and 38% in potassium. The frequency distribution of percentage recovery appeared as a normal distribution curve with maximum at 30 to 40 recovery class in nitrogen, but appeared as a show distribution with maximum at below zero class in phosphorus and potassium. 2. Percentage recovery (including only above zero) was 33 in N (above 10kg/10a), 27 in P, 40 in K in 1967 and 40 in N, 20 in P, 46 in Kin 1968. Mean percentage recovery of two years including zero for zero or below zero was 33 in N, 13 in P and 27 in K. 3. Standard deviation of percentage recovery was greater than percentage recovery in P and K and annual variation of CV (coefficient of variation) was greatest in P. 4. The frequency of significant correlation between percentage recovery and grain or dry matter yield was highest in N and lowest in P. Percentage recovery of nitrogen at 10 kg level has significant correlation only with percentage recovery of P in 1967 and only with that of potassium in 1968. 5. The correlation between percentage recovery and dry matter yield of all treatments showed only significant in P in 1967, and only significant in K in 1968, Negative correlation coefficients between percentage recovery and grain or dry matter yield of no or minus fertilizer plots were shown only in K in 1967 and only in P in 1968 indicating that phosphorus fertilizer gave a distinct positive role in 1967 but somewhat' negative role in 1968 while potassium fertilizer worked positively in 1968 but somewhat negatively in 1967. 6. The correlation between percentage recovery of nutrient and grain yield showed similar tendency as with dry matter yield but lower coefficients. Thus the role of nutrients was more precisely expressed through dry matter yield. 7. Percentage recovery of N very frequently had significant correlation with nitrogen uptake of nitrogen applied plot, and significant negative correlation with nitrogen uptake of minus nitrogen plot, and less frequently had significant correlation with P, K and Si uptake of nitrogen applied plot. 8. Percentage recovery of P had significant correlation with Si uptake of all treatments and with N uptake of all treatments except minus phosphorus plot in 1967 indicating that phosphorus application firstly increases Si uptake and secondly silicate increases nitrogen uptake. Percentage recovery of P also frequently had significant correlation with P or K uptake of nitrogen applied plot. 9. Percentage recovery of K had significant correlation with P uptake of all treatments, N uptake of all treatments except minus phosphorus plot, and significant negative correlation with K uptake of minus K plot and with Si uptake of no fertilizer plot or the highest N applied plot in 1968, and negative correlation coefficient with P uptake of no fertilizer or minus nutrient plot in 1967. Percentage recovery of K had higher correlation coefficients with dry matter yield or grain yield than with K uptake. The above facts suggest that K application firstly increases P uptake and secondly phosphorus increases nitrogen uptake for dry matter yied. 10. Percentage recovery of N had significant higher correlation coefficient with grain yield or dry matter yield of minus K plot than with those of minus phosphorus plot, and had higher with those of fertilizer plot than with those of minus K plot. Similar tendency was observed between N uptake and percentage recovery of N among the above treatments. Percentage recovery of K had negative correlation coefficient with grain or-dry matter yield of no fertilizer plot or minus nutrient plot. These facts reveal that phosphorus increases nitrogen uptake and when phosphorus or nitrogen is insufficient potassium competatively inhibits nitrogen uptake. 11. Percentage recovery of N, Pand K had significant negative correlation with relative dry matter yield of minus phosphorus plot (yield of minus plot x 100/yield of complete plot; in 1967 and with relative grain yield of minus K plot in 1968. These results suggest that phosphorus affects tillering or vegetative phase more while potassium affects grain formation or Reproductive phase more, and that clearly show the annual difference of P and K fertilizer effect according to the weather. 12. The correlation between percentage recovery of fertilizer and the relative yield of minus nutrient plat or that of no fertilizer plot to that of minus nutrient plot indicated that nitrogen is the most effective factor for the production even in the minus P or K plot. 13. From the above facts it could be concluded that about 40 to 50 percen of paddy fields do rot require P or K fertilizer and even in the case of need the application amount should be greatly different according to field and weather of the year, especially in phosphorus.

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Larvae Growth and Biochemical Composition Change of the Pacific Oyster Crassostra gigas, Larvae during Artificial Seed Production (참굴 Crassostrea gigas 인공종묘생산 시 유생의 성장과 체성분 변화)

  • Hur, Young-Baek;Min, Kwang-Sik;Kim, Tae-Eic;Lee, Seung-Ju;Hur, Sung-Bum
    • Journal of Aquaculture
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.203-212
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    • 2008
  • A nutritional demand of oyster, Crassostrea gigas larva as part of research for improving of utilization of microalgae being used for the artificial oyster seed production. The change of body growth and biochemical compositions of larvae were investigated during larvae rearing in hatchery. The larvae were cultured in 60 M/T tank and fed mixture 6 different phytoplankton species, Isochrysis galbana (30%), Cheatoceros gracilis (20%), Pavlova lutheri (20%), Phaeodactylum triconutum (10%), Nannochryis oculata (10%) and Tetraselmis tetrathele (10%). The initial feeding amount was $0.3{\times}10^4cells/mL$ at three times a day to D-shaped larva and the feeding amount had been increased 30% gradually every two day since the larvae were raising. The larvae were developed from D shape to pediveliger stage for 12 days. The daily growth of shell length and hight were $5.8{\sim}30.8\;{\mu}m$ and $8.7{\sim}31.4\;{\mu}m$, respectively and weight gains were changed from D shape to pediveliger as follow: wet weight was $0.52{\sim}15.0\;{\mu}g/larva$, dry weight was $0.2{\sim}6.5\;{\mu}g/larva$, and ash free dry weight was $0.1{\sim}8.5\;{\mu}g/larva$. The larvae growth pattern shown a logarithmic phase from D shape to umbone stage but after that stage shown a exponential growth aspect. The crude protein, crude lipid and nitrogen free extract (NFE) of larvae during rearing periods were analyzed as $6.1{\sim}10.6%$, $0.6{\sim}1.1%$ and 1.0-2.7%, respectively. And the total amino acid contents of the larvae during rearing periods were in order as glutamic acid $1.26{\sim}2.24%$, aspartic acid $0.97{\sim}1.70%$, and methionine $0.12{\sim}0.33%$. Of the total fatty acid in the analyzed larvae, the saturated fatty acid (SSAFA) was decreased from 54.3% (D shaped larvae) to 17.1 % (pediveliger) as larvae development but the total mono-unsaturated fatty acid (${\Sigma}MOFA$) and Poly-unsaturated fatty acid (${\Sigma}PUFA$) were increased from 29.9% and 7.8% to 40.6% and 45.6%, respectively. By the way the each fatty acid of the larvae were composed of palmitic acid $9.89{\sim}36.95%$, oleic acid $12.17{\sim}32.29%$, linoleic acid $1.96{\sim}33.55%$, EPA $2.17{\sim}11.58%$ and DHA $1.95{\sim}4.51%$. As a result of this study, the larvae of oyster were demanded a various nutrients for healthy growth and the feeding control, expecially after umbone stage larvae are a rapidly growing time, is very important for success of artificial seed production.

The Effects of Hypercapnia and High Flow on Cerebral Metabolism During Cardiopulmonary Bypass (심폐바이패스 시 고탄산분압과 고관류법이 뇌대사에 미치는 영향)

  • 강도균;최석철;윤영철;최국렬;정신현;황윤호;조광현
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.36 no.7
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    • pp.472-482
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    • 2003
  • Recent studies have demonstrated that cerebral desaturation during rewarming period of CPB was associated with postoperative neurologic dysfunction. The prevention of cerebral desaturation during CPB may reduce the incidences of neurologic and neuropsychological complications. The present study was prospectively undertaken to compare the clinical effects between two strategies (hypercapnic CPB and high flow CPB) to prevent cerebral desaturation for establishing a proper CPB technique. Material and Method: Thirty-six adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomized into either hypercapnic (Pa$CO_2$ 45~50mmHg, n=18) or high flow group (flow rate 2.75 L/ $m^2$/min and Pa$CO_2$ 35~40mmHg, n=18) during rewarming period of CPB. In each patient, middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity ( $V_{MCA}$), cerebral arteriovenous oxygen content difference (C(a-v) $O_2$), modified cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (MCMR $O_2$), cerebral oxygen transport rate ( $T_{E}$ $O_2$), incidence of cerebral desaturation (internal jugular bulb blood oxygen saturation $\leq$ 50%), increased rate of S-100 $\beta$ concentration, and arterial and internal jugular bulb blood gas were measured during the five phases of the operation; Pre-CPB, CPB-10 min (steady-state CPB, nasopharyngeal temperature 29~3$0^{\circ}C$), Rewarm-1 (rewarming phase, nasopharyngeal temperature 33$^{\circ}C$), Rewarm-2 (nasopharyngeal temperature 37$^{\circ}C$), and CPB-off. Incidence of postoperative delirium and duration were assessed in all patients. All variables were compared between the two groups. Result: $V_{MCA}$ (157.88$\pm$10.87 vs 120.00$\pm$6.18%, p=0.006), internal jugular bulb $O_2$ saturation (68.01$\pm$2.75 vs 61.28$\pm$2.87%, p=0.03) and $O_2$ tension (41.01$\pm$2.25 vs 32.02$\pm$ 1,67 mmHg, p=0.03), and $T_{E}$ $O_2$(110.84$\pm$7.41 vs 81.15$\pm$8.11%, p=0.003) at rewarming periods were higher in the hypercapnic group than in the high flow group. C(a-v) $O_2$ (4.0$\pm$0.30 vs 4.84$\pm$0.38 mg/dL, p=0.04), COE (0.36$\pm$0.03 vs 0.42$\pm$0.03, p=0.04), increased rate of S- 100$\beta$ (391.67$\pm$23.40 vs 940.0$\pm$17.02%, p=0.003), and incidence of cerebral desaturation (2 vs 4 patients, p=0.04) at rewarming periods, and duration of postoperative delirium (18 vs 34 hr, p=0.02) were low in the hypercapnic group compared to the high flow group. Conclusion: These results indicate that hypercapnic CPB may provide relatively diminished cerebral injury and beneficial effects for cerebral metabolism relatively compared to high flow CPB.low CPB.

Psychotherapy for Somatoform Disorder (신체형 장애의 정신치료)

  • Lee, Moo-Suk
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.269-276
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    • 1996
  • A theroretical study was made on the psychodynamism of somatoform disorder. Somatoform disorder is caused by a defense mechanism of somatization. Somatization is the tendency to react to stimuli(drives, defenses, and conflict between them) physically rather than psychically(Moore, 1990). Ford(1983) said it is a way of life, and Dunbar(1954) said it is the shift of psychic energy toward expression in somatic symptoms. As used by Max Shur(1955), somatization links symptom formation to the regression that may occur in response to acute and chronic conflict. In the neurotic individual psychic conflict often provokes regressive phenomena that may include somatic manifestations characteristic of an earlier developmental phase. Schur calls this resomatization. Pain is the most common example of a somatization reaction to conflict. The pain has an unconscious significance derived from childhood experiences. It is used to win love, to punish misdeeds, as well as a means to amend. Among all pains, chest pain has a special meaning. Generally speaking, 'I have pain in my chest' is about the same as 'I have pain in my mind'. The chest represent the mind, and the mind reminds us about the heart. So we have a high tendency to recognize mental pain as cardiac pain. Kellner(1990) said rage and hostility, especially repressed hostility, are important factors in somatization. In 'Psychoanalytic Observation on Cardiac Pain', psychoanalyst Bacon(1953) presented clinical cases of patients who complained of cardiac pain in a psychoanalytic session that spread from the left side of their chests down their left arms. The pain was from rage and fear which came after their desire to be loved was frustrated by the analyet. She said desires related to cardiac pain were dependency needs and aggressions. Empatic relationship and therapeutic alliances are indispensable to psychotherapy in somatoform disorder. The beginning of therapy is to discover a precipitating event from the time their symptoms have started and to help the patient understand a relation between the symptom and precipitating event. Its remedial process is to find and interpret a intrapsychic conflict shown through the symptoms of the patient. Three cases of somatoform disorder patients treated based on this therapeutic method were introduced. The firt patient, Mr. H, had been suffering from hysterical aphasia with repressed rage as ie psychodynamic cause. An interpretation related to the precipitating event was given by written communication, and he recovered from his aphasia after 3 days of the session. The second patient was a dentist in a cardiac neurosis with agitation and hypochondriasis, whose psychodynamism was caused by a fear that he might lose his father's love. His symptom was also interpreted in relation to the precipitating event. It showed the patient a child-within afraid of losing his father's love. His condition improved after getting a didactic interpretation which told him, to be master of himself, The third patient was a lady transferred from the deparment of internal medicine. She had a frequent and violent fit of chest pains, whose psychodynamic cause was separation anxiety and a rage due to the frustration of dependency needs. Her symptom vanished dramatically when she wore a holler EKG monitor and did not occur during monitoring. By this experience she found her symptom was a psychogenic one, and a therapeutic alliance was formed. later in reguar psychotherapy sessions, she was told the relaton between symptoms and precipitating events. Through this she understood that her separation anxiety was connected to the symptom and she became less terrifide when it occurred. Now she can travel abroad and take well part in social activities.

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Business Relationships and Structural Bonding: A Study of American Metal Industry (산업재 거래관계와 구조적 결합: 미국 금속산업의 분석 연구)

  • Han, Sang-Lin;Kim, Yun-Tae;Oh, Chang-Yeob;Chung, Jae-Moon
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.115-132
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    • 2008
  • Metal industry is one of the most representative heavy industries and the median sales volume of steel and nonferrous metal companies is over one billion dollars in the case America [Forbes 2006]. As seen in the recent business market situation, an increasing number of industrial manufacturers and suppliers are moving from adversarial to cooperative exchange attitudes that support the long-term relationships with their customers. This article presents the results of an empirical study of the antecedent factors of business relationships in metal industry of the United States. Commitment has been reviewed as a significant and critical variable in research on inter-organizational relationships (Hong et al. 2007, Kim et al. 2007). The future stability of any buyer-seller relationship depends upon the commitment made by the interactants to their relationship. Commitment, according to Dwyer et al. [1987], refers to "an implicit or explicit pledge of relational continuity between exchange partners" and they consider commitment to be the most advanced phase of buyer-seller exchange relationship. Bonds are made because the members need their partners in order to do something and this integration on a task basis can be either symbiotic or cooperative (Svensson 2008). To the extent that members seek the same or mutually supporting ends, there will be strong bonds among them. In other words, the principle that affects the strength of bonds is 'economy of decision making' [Turner 1970]. These bonds provide an important idea to study the causes of business long-term relationships in a sense that organizations can be mutually bonded by a common interest in the economic matters. Recently, the framework of structural bonding has been used to study the buyer-seller relationships in industrial marketing [Han and Sung 2008, Williams et al. 1998, Wilson 1995] in that this structural bonding is a crucial part of the theoretical justification for distinguishing discrete transactions from ongoing long-term relationships. The major antecedent factors of buyer commitment such as technology, CLalt, transaction-specific assets, and importance were identified and explored from the perspective of structural bonding. Research hypotheses were developed and tested by using survey data from the middle managers in the metal industry. H1: Level of technology of the relationship partner is positively related to the level of structural bonding between the buyer and the seller. H2: Comparison level of alternatives is negatively related to the level of structural bonding between the buyer and the seller. H3: Amount of the transaction-specific assets is positively related to the level of structural bonding between the buyer and the seller. H4: Importance of the relationship partner is positively related to the level of structural bonding between the buyer and the seller. H5: Level of structural bonding is positively related to the level of commitment to the relationship. To examine the major antecedent factors of industrial buyer's structural bonding and long-term relationship, questionnaire was prepared, mailed out to the sample of 400 purchasing managers of the US metal industry (SIC codes 33 and 34). After a follow-up request, 139 informants returnedthe questionnaires, resulting in a response rate of 35 percent. 134 responses were used in the final analysis after dropping 5 incomplete questionnaires. All measures were analyzed for reliability and validity following the guidelines offered by Churchill [1979] and Anderson and Gerbing [1988]., the results of fitting the model to the data indicated that the hypothesized model provides a good fit to the data. Goodness-of-fit index (GFI = 0.94) and other indices ( chi-square = 78.02 with p-value = 0.13, Adjusted GFI = 0.90, Normed Fit Index = 0.92) indicated that a major proportion of variances and covariances in the data was accounted for by the model as a whole, and all the parameter estimates showed statistical significance as evidenced by large t-values. All the factor loadings were significantly different from zero. On these grounds we judged the hypothesized model to be a reasonable representation of the data. The results from the present study suggest several implications for buyer-seller relationships. Theoretically, we attempted to conceptualize the antecedent factors of buyer-seller long-term relationships from the perspective of structural bondingin metal industry. The four underlying determinants (i.e. technology, CLalt, transaction-specific assets, and importance) of structural bonding are very critical variables of buyer-seller long-term business relationships. Our model of structural bonding makes an attempt to systematically examine the relationship between the antecedent factors of structural bonding and long-term commitment. Managerially, this research provides industrial purchasing managers with a good framework to assess the interaction processes with their partners and, ability to position their business relationships from the perspective of structural bonding. In other words, based on those underlying variables, industrial purchasing managers can determine the strength of the company's relationships with the key suppliers and its state of preparation to be a successful partner with those suppliers. Both the supplying and customer companies can also benefit by using the concept of 'structural bonding' and evaluating their relationships with key business partners from the structural point of view. In general, the results indicate that structural bonding gives a critical impact on the level of relationship commitment. Managerial implications and limitations of the study are also discussed.

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