• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.117-128
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• 2023

Tree dieback in Geumgang pine forest has occurred in Uljin and Bonghwa since the 2010s. In order to identify status of tree dieback and prevent further damages, a monitoring project for tree dieback in Geumgang pine forest had been launched by Southern regional office of forest service in 2020. This study was conducted to understand the characteristics of tree dieback occurrence and assess the high risk areas using the occurrence data in the project. Pine tree dieback occurred frequently in areas with mountain ridges in high elevation, dry south-facing slopes, mature stands, and high temperature rise in winter. Furthermore, the result of risk assessment showed that 6.2 percent(5,294ha) of Geumgang pine forest(85,000 ha) in total study area are at high risk of tree dieback. As the pine trees in the high risk area are prone to experience the dieback due to temperature and drought-related extreme weather events, regular forest management activities are needed to reduce the drought stress of pine trees. Forest health management for the pine forest with high protection priority can be also useful strategy to counter the risk of decline. This results can be used as the basic information for the adaptive forest management to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.67-82
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not the increased availability of legalized gambling leads to increase in the prevalence of gambling-related problems, and the relationship between gambling behaviors and gambling-related problems and residents' perceptions of their own satisfaction with life among the residents who live at the location of casinos. Three casino communities, designated by a special law as run-down mining areas, were chosen for the survey research. One community consisted of two towns, Kohan and Sabuk in Chongsun county at which the casino is located. The other communities were Taeback city and other rural areas in Chongsun county. 559 samples from three communities completed self-administered questionnaires(gambling behavior participation, K-NODS, perceived impacts coward casino development, and scales of the satisfaction with life). Results were as follows; it was found that there was a positive relationship between gambling behaviors and gambling-related problems, and a negative relationship between gambling-related problems and the satisfaction with life. While residents who live Kohan and Sabuk community were likely to perceive negative impacts of the casino development, the residents in Taeback city were likely to perceive the casino development positively. It was found that the increased casino accessibility led co the increase in the gambling problems; the prevalence rates of pathological gambling in Kohan and Sabuk community were higher than both in Taebak city and in more rural areas in Chongsun county. The nagative impacts of legalized casino industry on community where the casino located were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.318-326
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• 2023

The floristic target species (FTS) has been widely used as a important tool for environmental assessment in Korea. Here the floristic district is a key criterion for the selection and evaluation of FTS. The aim of this study is to clarify the intellectual meaning of the floristic district i.e. a sort of phytogeographical subunit. We reviewed 7 main literatures related to the floristic district. Nakai's 1919 Ulleungdo flora survey report was first to mention a region and/or province in terms of general geographical divisions. In 1977, the floristic district map of the Korea vascular plants was first described by Oh. In 1978, Lee & Yim proposed a new floristic district map dividing the central and southern regions, and the district boundaries have been adjusted by many other researchers. In the end, the floristic district map modified slightly from Lee & Yim's map was nationally recognized in 2018. However, the boundaries of floristic districts were inconsistent, both in their setting and adjustment, as well as the indicator species of the district. No basis for this inconsistency could be confirmed. We concluded that all district maps depend on arbitrary lines drawn a priori, and finally proposed the following two ecological strategies to ensure the effectiveness and practicality of the FTS as a scientific means for environmental impact assessment and national flora evaluation: (i) designing to achieve the flora list and the floristic district based on nativeness of plant distribution, (ii) constructing a habitat-based floral monitoring system.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.361-365
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• 2023

On May 12, 2023, a juvenile specimen (37.6 mm in standard length) belonging to the order Aulopiformes was collected from southern Yokjido, Tongyeong, Korea, using a Bongo net. The specimen was identified as the member of the family Scopelarchidae in having a slender body, a large mouth, large tube-like eyes, a long anal fin base, a developed adipose fin and no photophores on body. Finally, we identify the specimen as Scopelarchoides danae Johnson, 1974 in having 8 dorsal fin rays, 20 pectoral fin rays, 9 pelvic fin rays, 26 anal fin rays, dorsal fin located anteriorly than pelvic fin, and two large pigments below the pectoral fin and posterior to the pelvic fin. Scopelarchoides danae is distinguished from Scopelarchoides signifer in having less dorsal fin rays (8 vs. 9~10) and pectoral fin rays (20 vs. 22~25). The species differs from Scopelarchus guentheri and Scopelarchus analis in that it has no stripes along the both upper and lower of lateral line, and from Scopelarchus michaelsarsi in that it has more anal fin rays (26 vs. 18~21). Because this is the first occurrence among Korean fish fauna, we present its detailed morphological traits, and its new Korean name as "Nun-bang-ul-mae-tung-i".

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.287-295
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• 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. The chemotherapeutic agents used to treat HCC patients are toxic and have serious side effects. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of anticancer drugs that reduce side effects by targeting tumor cells without causing cytotoxicity in healthy hepatocytes. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from plant compounds, has emerged as a potential candidate for cancer treatment due to its diverse pharmacological properties. The effect of berberine on HepG2 cell viability was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. HepG2 cell proliferation was determined through a colony-forming assay. The effects of berberine on HepG2 cell migration were evaluated using a wound-healing assay. Berberine inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, as well as colony formation and migration. Berberine treatment increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins, including Beclin-1 and LC3-II, and elevated the activities and mRNA expression of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3. Additionally, in experiments utilizing the Cell-Derived Xenograft animal model, berberine treatment reduced tumor size and weight in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the potential of berberine as a versatile anticancer agent with efficacy in both cellular and animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings herein shed light on berberine's efficacy against HCC, presenting opportunities for targeted and personalized therapeutic interventions.

• Bangmulgwan gwa yeongu (The National Museum of Korea Journal)
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• v.1
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• pp.198-233
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• 2024

On April 28, 2021, the bereaved family of the late Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-Hee made a gift of 9,797 items (in 21,693 pieces) from his estate to the National Museum of Korea. Among the donated cultural heritage are 535 mirrors (in 555 pieces), which constitute the largest proportion of the metal art in the donation. This article discusses a group of mirrors from the donated collection dating to the Western Han and Samhan periods - a total of twenty-three mirrors (twenty-two from the Western Han Dynasty and one from the Samhan Period) - that are presumed to have been found together. However, there is no known case of such a large number of Western Han mirrors being discovered together, raising doubts about whether this group should be considered to have been buried all together. Furthermore, the presence of a Samhan mirror among the group suggests that this one at least must have been found together with a Western Han mirror. Additionally, considering that early Samhan mirrors have been found in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula, particularly in the region occupied by Jinhan Confederacy (in present-day Gyeongsangbuk-do Province), it is likely that these mirrors were also excavated somewhere in Jinhan. Also, -18 is a repurposed imitation of a jade eye cover. No similar examples have been found in Korea, China, or Japan, but there are instances of bronze mirrors being used as substitutes for jade burial ornaments that have been identified in China. The repurposing and use of Western Han mirrors as circular ornaments have been observed only in Jinhan in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, indicating that this item was likely used in Jinhan as well. Further research and discoveries are anticipated in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.309-315
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• 2024

The Study In order to obtain a Clear Image of fractures in Atlas and Axis of Cervical Spin, this Study obtained Images examined using a Cervical Spin Pantom and a Radiation device, and then Commissioned five Radiologists and three Orthopedic Regent Doctors for Subjective Psychological ROC (Receiver, Operation, Characteristic) Evaluation. As aRresult, the X-ray Tube was Tilted 15° toward the leg to Receive a high score of 29 Points during the Eamination, and the Objective Evaluation Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) was 6.032 points, which was high. In Addition, by Tilting the X-ray tube 10° toward the head, it received a high score of 33 points during the Examination, and a high score of 7.840 Points in the objective evaluation. And as a result of Subjectively and Objectively Statistically Evaluating the Examined Images, the Cronbach Alpha value was Calculated as 0.791. Since the Cronbach Alpha value was 0.7 or higher, the Reliability could be Evaluated as 'very good', and the significance probability (p) was Statistically Significant at 0.042 points.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2024

During ichthyoplankton survey in the southwestern sea of Korea, we collected six individuals of noodlefish larvae and juveniles between April and May 2023. They were identified as Neosalanx anderssoni by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I or 16S ribosomal RNA sequences, and their external morphological traits were described for the first time. All six individuals have a slender and elongated body. When preflexion and flexion larval stages (10.24 mm notochord length, NL and 15.47 mm total length, TL, respectively), oval-shaped black melanophores were distributed in a row along the ventral side of the gut. However, when postflexion larval and juvenile stages (23.58~25.90 mm TL, and 29.20~31.26 mm TL, respectively), melanophores on the ventral side of the gut were disappeared, and dark spot-shaped melanophores appeared along the dorsal side of the gut in a single row. Also, from the postflexion larval stage (23.58 mm TL), two large black spots began to appear symmetrically on the caudal fin. Our results suggest that N. anderssoni may use coastal area as spawning and/or nursery ground unlike previous study (Kim and Park, 2002).

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2024

Recently, the vulnerability of water resources has been increasing owing to climate change, highlighting the importance of groundwater. In particular, the Nakdong River Basin, located in the southern part of Korea, experiences frequent water scarcity phenomena, such as droughts. This study analyzed the hydrogeological characteristics of the study area by examining groundwater and stream water in the Gwangrye Stream, downstream of the Nakdong River Basin, in August and October 2023. Therefore, we collected samples from 54 groundwater wells and five streams for water quality analysis. The results of the field tests indicated an increasing trend in electrical conductivity from upstream to downstream in the study area. Laboratory analyses confirmed that the concentration of Na increased from upstream to downstream more than that of Ca. In conclusion, both stream water and groundwater were influenced by anthropogenic contamination. These changes were closely related to land use in the study area. The upstream areas are primarily composed of forests, whereas the downstream areas are composed of industrial complexes, wastewater treatment facilities, and agricultural areas, which are likely to affect both stream water and groundwater.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2024

This experiment was conducted to breed a very early-maturing variety of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at the Grassland and Forage Crops Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Cheonan, Korea, from 2022 to 2023. The new variety, named "Earlybird," is a diploid variety characterized by green leaf color, a semi-erect growth habit in late autumn/fall, and an erect growth habit in early spring. With a heading date of April 30, Earlybird is categorized as a very early-maturing variety. Compared to the "Kowinearly" control variety, Earlybird's flag-leaf width is wider by 0.2 mm, its flag-leaf length is longer by 1.4 cm, and its plant height is greater by 10.5 cm. Additionally, Earlybird's ear length is 1.4 cm longer than Kowinearly's, and it exhibits lodging resistance. Although the dry matter yield of Earlybird (7,469 kg/ha) is smaller than that of Kowinearly, the difference is not statistically significant. The total digestible nutrient and crude protein content of Earlybird are 63.5% and 8.6%, respectively, which are higher than those of Kowinearly by 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively. The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content of Earlybird are 56.9% and 32.0%, respectively, which are lower than those of Kowinearly by 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively.