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Background Standing biomass, litter production, rate of litter decomposition, amount of litter on forest floor, and amount of soil organic carbon distribution were investigated from March 2016 to November 2018 in order to evaluate the ecosystem value through organic carbon distribution in the Pinus densiflora forest at Namsan, Seoul Metropolitan City. Results The amount of organic carbon in the Pinus densiflora forest was 261.09 ton C ha−1 during the research period, and fixed organic carbon in plant through net photosynthesis was 3.2 ton C ha−1 year−1. The organic carbon in plant was 62.77 ton C ha−1 (24.04%), in litter on the forest floor was 3.65 ton C ha−1 (1.40%), and in soil was 194.67 ton C ha−1 (74.56%). The value of plant, litter on forest floor, and soil organic carbon distribution were each 6,277,000 won ha−1, 365,000 won ha−1, and 19,467,000 won ha−1. The value per ton of fixed organic carbon in plant through net photosynthesis was 320,000 won ha−1 year−1 and the value of ecosystem services stored in carbon in the Namsan forest ecosystem was about 26.1 million won ha−1 for 3 years. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the pine forests of Namsan rapidly decompose leaves due to the high atmospheric temperature and accumulate a large amount of organic carbon in the soil to provide climate control regulatory service function.

This research aims to study the effect of climate change on the phenology, growth, and physiological traits of Silene capitata Kom., a Korean endangered species II. This study increased CO2 concentration in a closed glass greenhouse, with the daily mean temperature and CO2 concentration respectively being 4.61 °C and 93.63 ppm higher than the outside temperature (ambient conditions, control). The seeds of S. capitata were sown in control and treatment environments in March 2013 while seedlings were transplanted into individual pots in May 2013. To research phenological changes, the first day of the flowering and ripening of the plants transplanted in 2013 and first day of leafing in 2014 were observed. The growth and physiological responses of mature leaves were also studied in 2013. There was no difference in the first day of flowering, but the first day of ripening was earlier in the treatment group than the control group. There was no difference in the number of rosette leaves between the two groups, but leaf area was wider in the treatment group than the control group. Transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were higher in the treatment group than the control group, chlorophyll content decreased, and photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency were the same for both groups. As a result of simple regression analysis among the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and water use efficiency, stomatal conductance increased when transpiration rate increased. Stomatal conductance increased with photosynthetic rate in the control unlike in the treatment group. The photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency increased with transpiration rate in the control group unlike in the treatment group. Furthermore, water use efficiency increased as photosynthetic rate increased in both groups. Due to high CO2 concentration, the photosynthetic rate was no longer controlled by the stomata, which appeared to suppress the excessive production of photosynthetic products by reducing chlorophyll content. It is believed that the phenological responses of S. capitata under climate change conditions will advance and that stable growth will be difficult in regions lacking moisture due to the high transpiration rate.

In this study, we observed their growth and physiological responses using a variety of duty ratio under the mixed light using red, blue, and white lights. The red+blue mixed light was treated with 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, and 75% duty ratios and red+blue+white mixed light with 85% and 70% duty ratios. We examined the width and length of leaves, total number of leaves, and number of shoots to examine their growth responses. The physiological responses were studied by measuring their photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, and fluorescence (Fo, Fm, and Fv/Fm). We found that lower duty ratio caused the length and width of the leaves to grow longer under red+blue mixed light but that it did not cause any difference in the red+blue+white mixed light condition. In addition, there was no difference in the number of leaves and shoots among all treatments. In the red+blue mixed light condition, the photosynthetic rate was no difference, but both transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were the highest at 95% duty ratio than in other ratios. Water use efficiency pattern was similar to that of photosynthetic rate; water use efficiency was no difference. Chlorophyll content was the highest at 95% duty ratios, and it was the least at 90%, 85%, and 75% duty ratio. Fo and Fm values were relatively high at 85% and 80% duty ratio and low at 90% duty ratio while Fv/Fm showed no difference. Under the red+blue+white mixed light, all physiological items showed no difference between 70 and 85% treatments. But, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, and Fv/Fm were relatively greater in the red+blue+white mixed light than in the red+blue mixed light. Therefore, red+blue+white mixed light treated with 70% duty ratio could lessen the environmental stress and save more power when cultivating Silene capitata in a plant factory.

This study was conducted from March 2011 to February 2013 in order to evaluate the ecosystem value by examining the organic carbon distribution and cycling in the Quercus glauca forest, evergreen oak community at Seonheul-Gotjawal, Jeju Island. The amount of organic carbon distribution was 124.5 ton C ha− 1 in 2011 and 132.63 ton C ha− 1 in 2012 for aboveground biomass. And it was 31.13 ton C ha− 1 in 2011 and 33.16 ton C ha− 1 in 2012 for belowground biomass. In total, the amount of organic carbon distribution in plants was 155.63 and 165.79 ton C ha− 1 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2011 and 2012 respectively, the amount of organic carbon distribution was 3.61 and 6.39 ton C ha− 1 in the forest floor and it was 78.89 and 100.71 ton C ha− 1 in the soil. As shown, most carbon was distributed in plants. Overall, the amount of organic carbon distribution of the Q. glauca forest was 238.13 ton C ha− 1 in 2011 and 272.89 ton C ha− 1 in 2012. In 2011, the amount of organic carbon fixed in plants through photosynthesis (NPP) was 14.22 ton C ha− 1 year− 1 and the amount of carbon emission of soil respiration was 16.77 ton C ha− 1 year− 1. The net ecosystem production (NEP) absorbed by the Q. glauca forest from the atmosphere was 5 ton C ha− 1 year− 1. The carbon storage value based on such organic carbon distribution was estimated about 23.81 mil won ha− 1 in 2011 and 27.29 mil won ha− 1 in 2012, showing an annual increment of carbon storage value by 3.48 mil won ha− 1. The carbon absorption value based on such NEP was estimated about 500,000 won ha− 1 year− 1.

In this study, the growth and reproductive response of seedlings, grown in plastic pots with sand, to moisture and nutrients were analyzed in order to study the environmental conditions required to create an alternative habitat for Epilobium hirsutum L., an endangered plant. Vegetative and reproductive growths of Epilobium hirsutum L. are accelerated with increase in moisture and organic matter content in the soil. Among vegetative organs, the number of runners related to asexual reproduction was the highest when the moisture content was over 25% and nutrient content between 7 and 14% in the soil. But the number of flowers related to flowering responses, among reproductive organs, was the highest when the moisture content was maintained at 75% and when nutrient content was 21% in the soil. The number of seeds, related to sexual reproduction, was the highest when the moisture content was over 25% and nutrient content between 14 and 21%. The study results show that a place with high moisture and nutrient content in the soil is advantageous to asexual and sexual reproduction of Epilobium hirsutum L. Therefore, we must serve periodically nutrient and seeds to sustain population in in situ conservation. Furthermore, it is advisable to create in riverside where abundant nutrient content have, making alternative habitat of Epilobium hirsutum L. Also, we must find species that have high contribution degree index through vegetation survey.

The Siemens Biograph TruePoint TrueV (B-TPTV) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner performs 3D PET reconstruction using a system matrix with point spread function (PSF) modeling (called the True X reconstruction). PET resolution was dramatically improved with the True X method. In this study, we assessed the spatial resolution and image quality on a B-TPTV PET scanner. In addition, we assessed the feasibility of animal imaging with a B-TPTV PET and compared it with a microPET R4 scanner. Spatial resolution was measured at center and at 8 cm offset from the center in transverse plane with warm background activity. True X, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) without PSF modeling, and filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstruction methods were used. Percent contrast (% contrast) and percent background variability (% BV) were assessed according to NEMA NU2-2007. The recovery coefficient (RC), non-uniformity, spill-over ratio (SOR), and PET imaging of the Micro Deluxe Phantom were assessed to compare image quality of B-TPTV PET with that of the microPET R4. When True X reconstruction was used, spatial resolution was

Some cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) may be associated with vascular malformations that occur on the capillary-venous side of the cerebral circulation. The association between CCMs and dural arteriovenous shunts (DAVSs) is not well known. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between CCMs and DAVSs. We retrospectively analyzed 179 patients diagnosed as intracranial DAVSs and performed with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The DSA images were investigated for the location, cortical venous reflux (CVR), multiplicity, and treatment method/result of DAVS. MR images were investigated for the location, number, and size of CCMs and correlated with the DSA images. Six of the 179 patients with DAVSs presented with coexistent CCMs (3.4 %; M/F = 3:3; mean age, 38 ± 22 years). Five of the six DAVS patients with CCMs were associated with CVR (83 %). The total number of CCMs associated with DAVS was 20. Multiple CCMs (range, 2–7) were seen in four (66 %) of six patients. Eighteen (90 %) of the 20 CCMs were located on the ipsilateral hemisphere of the CVR (n = 10) or adjacent to the deep venous reflux (n = 8). Five de novo CCMs were detected in two patients. All de novo CCMs were located on the ipsilateral hemisphere of the DAVS with CVR or juxtapositioned to abnormally dilated deep vein. CCMs may develop in association to DAVSs. The relationship between CCMs and DAVSs suggests the venous pathogenic origin of CCMs and the role of venous hypertension in the de novo development of CCMs.

The accuracy of forensic age estimation based on the chronology of second (M2) and third molar (M3) development was investigated using 2,087 orthopantomograms of Korean men and women aged between 3 and 23 years. The developmental stages of M2s and M3s in these subjects were classified using the criteria of Demirjian. Inter-observer reliability and statistical data on each stage of mineralization of M2s and M3s were evaluated. The left-right symmetries of the maturation degrees in the M2s and M3s were observed in both sexes, between which no arch differences were found, but statistically significant sex-specific differences were observed in some stages of M2 and M3 development. In multiple regression analysis, a strong positive relationship was observed between age and mineralization of M2s and M3s. The regression formulas for estimating the age of Koreans were presented based on sex and combination of teeth. These results suggest that the developments of second and third molars can be considered as valuable age indicators in Korean adolescents and young adults.

This study examined whether palm cooling (PC) could reduce heat strain, measured through changes in core, mean skin, mean body temperatures, and thermal sensation in resting hyperthermic subjects wearing chemical protective garments. Ten male subjects performed three exercise bouts (6.1 km h(-1), 2-4% grade) in a hot, dry environment [mean (SD) air temperature 42.2 (0.5 degrees C), relative humidity 36.5 (1%)] until core temperature reached 38.8 degrees C. Subjects then simulated transport in an armoured vehicle by resting in a seated position for 50 min with either no cooling (NC), (PC at 10 degrees C) or palm cooling with vacuum application around the hand (PCVAC, 10 degrees C, 7.47 kPa negative pressure). Core, skin, and mean body temperatures with PC and PCVAC were lower (P0.05) than NC from 15 to 50 min of cooling, and thermal sensation was lower (P0.05) from 30 to 50 min, with no differences in any variables between PC and PCVAC. Maximal heat extraction averaged 42 (12 W), and core temperature was reduced by 0.38 (0.21 degrees C) after 50 min of PC. Heat extraction with PC was modest compared to other cooling approaches in the literature.

Korean montmorillonite was intercalated with Al-hydroxypolycation solution aged for 1, 4 and 7 days and then calcined at 400 ‡C, 600 ‡C and 760 ‡C, respectively. Basal spacings by XRD, pore structure (micro- and mesopore distributions and surface areas) by nitrogen (or argon) adsorption at liquid nitrogen (or argon) temperature and acidity (distribution and acid-amount) by NH3-TPD were investigated for the samples. The basal spacing formed by intercalation appeared at about 17 a and decreased with the heating temperature for the sample intercalated with the Alhydroxypolycation solution aged for 1 day. However, for the one aged for 7 days, the spacing remained constant. The total surface area and pore-volume also increased with aging time of the Al-solution, in which micro-pore area increased more rapidly. Argon adsorption indicated that three modal distributions of 3.3, 3.7 and 4.3 a in micropore radius appeared, in which 3.3 a readily was reduced by heating. NH3-TPD showed that two ammonia-desorption peaks appeared at 230 ‡C and 430 ‡C, respectively. The maximum acid-amount for the intercalated sample appeared as 86 meq./100 g-solid, and the values decreased with the heating temperature, especially for the peak at 430 ‡C.

Kyungdon Ryu, Young-Sub Byun, Byoung Kwon Lee, Choong-Won Goh, Kun-Joo Rhee. Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital Background: Individuals with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mmHg should be considered as pre-hypertensive. however limited evidence exists on whether the early drug intervention is needed according to identification of other cardiovascular risk factors except diabetes. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an index of aortic stiffening is known recently as a new predictor for future cardiovascular events. We examined the relation between PWV and blood pressure response during exercise in the patients with pre-hypertension, because exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise even in asymptomatic normotensive individuals is associated with other established cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: 96 consecutive patients with pre-hypertension were monitored during symptom-limited incremental exercise testing with treadmill. Cuff blood pressure was measured every minute during exercise testing with automatic indirect manometer. Results: Although there were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure at rest and at the peak exercise between the patients with high PWV ( 15% higher than age-matched average value, nZ39) and those with low PWV(