• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2008

Light therapy (also called light treatment or phototherapy) involves scheduled exposure to bright artificial light. Evidence-based treatments for sleep disorders especially for circadian rhythm sleep disorders include light therapy and pharmacotherapy. In clinical practice, many of patients with sleep problems tend to impair circadian rhythmicity. Considering that light is the most potent entraining agent of circadian rhythm, careful use of light therapy can be recommended for patients with several kinds of sleep disorders. I briefly review the possible therapeutic mechanisms and clinical applications of light therapy, focusing on circadian sleep disorders.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.13-16
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• 2002

A comparison of the functional components underlying photoperiodism and circadian rhythmicity in the same species is an interesting issue in the context of unravelling clock mechanisms. In the present study, covering or surgical removal of the compound eyes was performed to localize photoreceptors for photoperiodism to control reproductive diapause and for entrainment of circadian locomotor rhythms in the blow fly Protophormia terraenovae. Intact flies showed a long-day photoperiodic response. When the compound eyes were covered by silver paint, diapause incidence increased under diapause-averting conditions of a long-day photoperiod and constant light, as if flies were kept under constant darkness. Covering of a medial region of the head capsule or solvent painting of the compound eyes gave no significant effects. When the compound eyes were removed, flies did not distinguish the photoperiod, whereas removal of antennal lobes or ocelli did not affect the photoperiodism. Intact flies showed a freerunning rhythm under constant darkness. The rhythm entrained to light-dark (LD) cycles with light of high and low intensity. When the compound eyes and ocelli were surgically removed, the rhythm entrained to LD cycles with light of high intensity but freeran under LD cycles with light of low intensity. The results suggest the retinal pathways are involved in photoperiodism and that flies use both retinal and extraretinal pathways for rhythm entrainment. Under dim light-LD cycles, the retinal pathways mainly mediate rhythm entrainment. Retinal photoreceptors seem to be used both for photoperiodism and entrainment of the rhythm.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2024

Light is a major external environmental factor that influences the circadian rhythm of photosynthetic organisms and various physiological phenomena, such as growth, maturation, and behavior. The number of light-reaching organisms changes depending on the season and atmospheric conditions, and the intensity and wavelength of light differ depending on the organisms inhabiting the environment. Altered light changes the circadian rhythm of fish, which is controlled by clock genes, such as period 2 (Per2), cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), and melatonin. In this study, we set the zeitgeber time (ZT; 14 light-10 dark, LD) based on the actual sunrise and sunset times and examined Per2 and Cry1 activities, levels of aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and melatonin in Pholis nebulosa, a drifting seaweed species exposed to irregular light. Per2 and Cry1 levels increased during the daytime and decreased after sunset. The AANAT levels decreased during the daytime and increased during the night. Melatonin concentration was highest around midnight (ZT21, 23:30), but exhibited similar concentrations during the daytime. While the activity of Per2, Cry1, and AANAT levels exhibited a typical circadian rhythm observed in most vertebrates, melatonin concentrations did not show a significant difference between the daytime and nighttime. These findings provide insights into the circadian rhythm patterns of organisms exposed to irregular light environments, such as P. nebulosa, which differ from those of typical fish species.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2008

Diel rhythm of oxygen consumption (OC) of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus was measured at different water temperatures in a closed recirculating seawater system with a respiratory chamber. The fish consumed 70.5, 79.7, and 90.6 mg $O_2/kg/hr$ at 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively, showing a linear increase in OC with water temperature. The OC of fish showed a clear diel rhythm, with lower values during the day and higher values at night, in accordance with the light (09:00-21:00) and dark (21:00-09:00) phases of the diel cycle (12L:12D) in water at 15 and $20^{\circ}C$. However, the OC of the fish showed an unclear diel rhythm with the light and dark phases of the diel cycle at $25^{\circ}C$. The respective OC at 15, 20 and $25^{\circ}C$ was 63.8, 72.4, and 88.4 mg $O_2/kg/hr$ during the light phases and 77.2, 87.1, and 92.8 mg $O_2/kg/hr$ during the dark phase. The starry flounder is thought to be a nocturnal fish with a higher OC at night, while it rests during the day. Its OC was the most stable in the light, when it did not feed. Consequently, the night-time OC is the active OC and the day-time OC is the resting OC in the starry flounder.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Mobile digital devices are very familiar and useful devices in the daily life of modern people, and are used for various tasks such as communication, reading, writing, and playing media. As the use of mobile digital devices has become more prevalent, user time has also been increasing. In particular, the number of people who use digital devices before sleep is growing. The light pollution associated with these devices is classified into four categories: urban sky glow, glare, light trespass, and clutter. The pattern in which modern people use digital devices corresponds to light pollution caused by light trespass and clutter from light exposure to artificial light at night. The light pollution caused by digital devices can cause melatonin secretion suppression, delayed sleep onset, reduction of sleepiness before bedtime, and periodic rhythm and cognitive function disturbances. In addition, a study of children and adolescents showed there may be disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm, deterioration of sleep quality, and daytime fatigue due to light pollution caused by artificial light at night from mobile digital devices. A multi-faceted research effort is also necessary to investigate the healthy use of mobile digital devices based on research evidence and insights with an accurate evaluation of the influence of mobile digital devices as a form of light pollution.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.78-87
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• 2015

This study aims to grasp the vital rhythm of the Chapel at Ronchamp by analyzing its rhythm through Henri Lefebvre's 'rhythmanalysis' in an effort to show the possibility of approaching the presence of this chapel. For the purpose of this study, Lefebvre's thought of rhythmanalysis was first contemplated, and a case study analysis was conducted on the concept and presence of the chapel in the design process. On this basis, examples of the chapel's rhythms were analyzed through Lefebvre's dialectical analysis of the triad of time(melody), space(harmony) and energy(rhythm). The results of analysis are as follows: First, the concept intended by Le Corbusier in the process of designing the Chapel at Ronchamp is expressed as the acoustic form, the modulor corresponding to the scale of the music, the light and shadow of counterpoint, and the opposite composition of musical changes. Consequently, the concept-mediated presence of this chapel is the presence of music. Second, at the Chapel at Ronchamp, a Lefebvre's rhythmanalyst experiences, or rather senses, two vital rhythms of an antithetical unity (i.e., acoustic curved rhythm and modulor-generated linear rhythm), with reference to his/her own rhythms. These rhythms are a dialectical union of spatiality of melodies temporalized through continuity, (i.e., acoustic curved form and modulor-generated linear form), and temporality of harmonies spatialized through simultaneity (i.e., light and shadow, materials and color, form of interpenetration, and stairs or windows/doors). These rhythms carry the measures generated by music-specific repetitions and differences in movements(energy). Consequently, the rhythm-mediated presence of this chapel is also the presence of music. In conclusion, the Chapel of Ronchamp indicates that an approach toward its presence can be realized through vital rhythms derived from Lefebvre's 'rhythmanalysis'. This study holds significance as an analysis of spatial rhythm and presence, employing a philosophical thought.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.10 no.3_4
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• pp.7-13
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• 1995

The most periodlengths($\tau$) of conidiation of Neurospora were shortened in the medium with Li$^+$, Rb$^+$, and Cs$^+$ under the blue or green light. The higher the concentration of the heavy metal elements are, the shorter the circadian lengths are. The largest differences between the maxima- and minima circadian lengths showed in the medium with LiCI, RbCl, and CsCI under the blue lights at 150 Lux, while the little differences of circadian lengths presented in 1 mM heavy metal elements at the 270Lux blue light. Li$^+$ under the blue light effected extremely much and in the order of Rb$^+$ and Cs$^+$ on the conidiation of Neurospora. Under the green lights at 270Lux, the smallest changes of the circadian lengths are resulted in the medium with heavy metal elements. The other way at the green light 150Lux, the conidiation is stimulated by lmM LiCI or RbCl for the average 0.71h and 0.29h longer than the periodlength of control 28.34h. The medium with Li$^+$ under the green light has less effect on the conidiation rhythm of Neurospora than with Rb$^+$ or Cs$^+$.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Design Studies Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.126-127
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• 2004

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2002

There are several factors which are more likely to have sleep disorders in fertile women with menstruation than adult men. Menstrual cycle plays an important role in them. We describe herein the overview about the association of menstrual cycle and sleep disorders by viewing the interactions of menstrual cycle and circadian rhythm. We review how menstrual cycle affects sleep-wake cycle by reviewing menstrual cycle and estrous cycle to understand these interactions. Menstrual cycle and estrous cycle are mainly affected by hormonal cycle and light-dark cycle, respectively and they are generally determined in monthly rhythm and annual rhythm, respectively. The determination of estrous cycle is also affected by cyclic changes of hormones besides light-dark cycle. Although sleep-wake cycle almost alternates according to estrous cycle in non-primate mammals, it is hardly affected by menstrual cycle in primate mammals as compared with estrous cycle. But menstrual cycle affects sleep-wake cycle via desynchronization of sleep-wake cycle and temperature rhythm. The decrease of amplitude and phasic change during luteal phase in the daily fluctuation of body core temperature can partially contribute to the induction of sleep disorders in fertile women. In addition to this, premenstrual syndrome which nearly happens during luteal phase commonly have sleep problems. Therefore, we suggest that menstrual cycle and PMS can partially contribute the increase of sleep disorders in fertile women.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2014

A 'circadian rhythm' is a self-sustained biological rhythm (cycle) that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms are generated by an internal clock, or pacemaker, and persist even in the absence of environmental time cues, collectively termed 'zeitgebers.' Although organisms generate circadian rhythms internally, they are entrained by environmental stimuli, particularly the light-dark cycle. Measurement of the endogenous melatonin rhythm provides relatively reliable surrogate way of assessing the timing of the internal circadian clock. Also, core body temperature and cortisol can be used as markers of circadian rhythms. The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and melatonin rhythm have a stable internal phase relationship in humans and other diurnal species. They play an important role in controlling daily behavioral rhythms including task performance, blood pressure, and synthesis and secretion of several hormones. In this review, we address not only the properties, methods of measurement, and markers of circadian rhythms, but also the physiological and psychological importance of human circadian rhythms.