• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.126-137
• /
• 2023

Paddy fields provide important habitats for biodiversity conservation within the agricultural ecosystem. Their importance is gradually increasing as their ecological value is better understood. Benthic macroinvertebrates dominate paddy fields. They play an essential role in maintaining the biodiversity of paddy ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and main environmental factors affecting the distribution of golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata). Results showed that the diversity index (H') of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was the highest at the Sangju site (St. 12) but the lowest at the Sancheong site (St. 18). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values were the highest in Gimhae and Yeongam based on Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Numbers of P. canaliculata (m-2) were relatively low in Gunsan and Iksan where water temperatures were high. Therefore, changes in geographical characteristics and environmental factors might affect the distribution of P. canaliculata and characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Results of this study can be used as primary data for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service evaluation in agroecosystems.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.134-151
• /
• 2011

The strategy for brand alliance is a new type of franchise to iron out the problems like the hotel restaurant's structural contradiction and decreasing profits caused by keen competition with external restaurants. This study is purposed to present the decisive factors for the brand alliance throughexamining the correlations between the brand restaurant designation standards and the expected effects from local low- and mid-priced hotel's brand alliance. The questionnaires were distributed to instructors and professors who have experience in teaching the food and beverage sections at college's hotel and tourism departments and 100 specialists at managerial level of a hotel's food and beverage parts.This survey was conducted for 20 days from December 2 to 22, 2004 and analyzed by independent t-test and canonical correlation analysis. The findings of this survey are as follows.Firstly, the service of the expected effect factors of the brand alliance was recognized relatively high by the specialists in hotel industry, while the sales effect factor of restaurant designation standards was recognized higher by the academic experts.The specialists of the hotel industry recognized the factors of menu and corporate culture higher than the academic experts. Secondly, the entire factors of the brand restaurant designation standards showed a correlation with the whole factors of the restaurant designation standards.In particular, the 'menu' factor presented the most influential to the expected effects of brand alliance.The factors of 'risk reduction' and 'synergy effect' exerted the strongest effect on the restaurant designation standards, which indicated the mutual correlation between the expected effect of brand alliance and the restaurant designation standards. Based on this study, the correlation between the expected effect of brand alliance and brand restaurant designation standards may play a primary role to choose a partner for the brand alliance, a decisive factor for the success.The execution of the brand alliance or the method to designate the alliance partner may vary from the hotel's desirable effects when the brand alliance is determined.In other words, the partner designation standards should be corresponding to the expected effects from the brand alliance between hotel and brand restaurant, and the academic and industrial experts' perceived differences in the expected effects of brand alliance and restaurant designation standards should be clarified to display the direction of decision-making and find the potential risks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.31-44
• /
• 2024

The coastal dune ecosystem is one of the ecosystems under the most development pressure in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to study the ecological location and related ecological phenomena of coastal dune plants, but related studies are lacking. Through this study, we intend to conduct research on the structure and restoration of dune plants, focusing on the coastal dunes in Jeju Island, which are affected by artificial development pressure and the continuous increase in tourists among many coastal dunes in Korea. Ecosystems of coastal sand dunes for vegetation survey in Jeju Island are selected based on naturalness and preservation. In this study, 23 major coastal dunes on Jeju Island including Udo were selected. In the coastal dunes of Jeju Island, a whole species survey and quadrat survey were carried out. The vegetation survey at study sites were conducted on May to September 2022, when the vegetation is clearly visible. At the survey site, the dune area was identified at the beginning and the plant species were recorded until no more new species appeared. Vegetation survey in the field was performed by 103 quadrat establishments and was conducted using Braun-Blanquet method. A total of 277 species appeared, and the most common species were Vitex rotundifolia and Calystegia soldanella. The frequency of both Vitex rotundifolia and Calystegia soldanella was approximately over 90%. The proportion of woody and herbaceous in all emerging species was 7.2% and 92.8%, respectively. The total number of species found in the quadrat survey was 98. As a result of classifying plant communities based on species dominance in the quadrats, it was analyzed into 30 plant communities. The plant communities that appeared with a frequency of 2 or more on the main island of Jeju were Vitex rotundifolia, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii, Ischaemum antephoroides, Wedelia prostrata, Elymus mollis, Calystegia soldanella, Artemisia scoparia, and Tetragonia tetragonoides. The DCCA(detrended canonical correspondence analysis) based on the vegetation and environment factor matrix showed that the height and covers of the dominant plant species explain significantly the variation and distribution of coastal sand dune species on Jeju island. Thus, we may propose a plan to restore the coastal dunes of Jeju island as helping colonization and establishment of mainly sand dune native perennials and trees, preserving native plant communities that are declining and preserving present tree strips of Pinus thunbergii, Litsea japonica, Pittosporum tobira and Vitex rotundifolia.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.156-162
• /
• 2024

Nerve conduction study (NCS) is an essential test for the diagnosis and follow-up of peripheral neuropathy. NCS can objectively quantify peripheral nerve function. NCS is affected by physiological factors such as height, age, body mass index, etc. Hence, the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnosis Medicine (AANEM) is currently forming a Normal Data Task Force (NDTF) to present the normal value, but the number is significantly less. Currently, no research has been carried out on the correlation between nerve conduction speed and height and lower limb length in Koreans. Hence, this study sought to compare the nerve conduction velocity of the lower limbs according to the height and lower limb length. A total of 49 subjects were recruited. When the motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity were compared according to the height and leg length, there was a statistically significant negative correlation of the peroneal and left tibial motor nerves with the height. Also, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed with the superficial peroneal sensory nerve and the sural nerve and the leg length. However, in this study, all the subject are in twentys age, whereas the NDTF is divided by age. Hence, additional studies involving subjects of various age groups are needed.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.319-329
• /
• 2024

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a large GTP-regulated serine/threonine kinase, is well-known for its mutations causing late-onset Parkinson's disease. However, the role of LRRK2 in glioblastoma (GBM) carcinogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we discovered that LRRK2 was overexpressed in 40% of GBM patients, according to tissue microarray analysis, and high LRRK2 expression correlated with poor prognosis in GBM patients. LRRK2 and stemness factors were highly expressed in various patient-derived GBM stem cells, which are responsible for GBM initiation. Canonical serum-induced differentiation decreased the expression of both LRRK2 and stemness factors. Given that LRRK2 is a key regulator of glioma stem cell (GSC) stemness, we developed DNK72, a novel LRRK2 kinase inhibitor that penetrates the blood-brain barrier. DNK72 binds to the phosphorylation sites of active LRRK2 and dramatically reduced cell proliferation and stemness factors expression in in vitro studies. Orthotopic patient-derived xenograft mouse models demonstrated that LRRK2 inhibition with DNK72 effectively reduced tumor growth and increased survival time. We propose that LRRK2 plays a significant role in regulating the stemness of GSCs and that suppression of LRRK2 kinase activity leads to reduced GBM malignancy and proliferation. In the near future, targeting LRRK2 in patients with high LRRK2-expressing GBM could offer a superior therapeutic strategy and potentially replace current clinical treatment methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.84 no.2
• /
• pp.266-274
• /
• 1995

Vegetational data from 62 quadrats of Pinus densiflora for. erecta and Chunyang-type of Pines densiflora forests were analyzed by using two multivariate methods : TWo-way INdicator Species ANalysis(TWINSPAN) for classification and Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis(DCCA) for ordination. The dominant tree species of Pinus densiflora for. erecta communities were found in the order of Pines densiflora for. erecta, Quercus mongolica, Quercus variabilis, Lindera obtusiloba, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, and Rhus trichocapa. The dominant tree species of Chunyang -type of Pinus densiflora communities were Quercue variabilis. Quercue mongolica, Fraxiraus sieboldiana, Styrax obassia, and Quercus serrata. The forest vegetation of Pinus densiflora was classified into Quercars variabilis-Styrax obassia. Quercus variabilis Quercus variabilis-Quercus mongolica, and Quercue mongolica communities according to TWINSPAN. Pinus densiflora for. erecta community was distributed in the good nutrition area of total nitrogen. organic matter, $K^+$, $Ca^{{+}+}$, $Mg^{{+}+}$, and canon exchange capacity, while Chunyang type of Pinus densiflora community in the good nutrition area of $P_2O_5$. The relationship between the distribution of dominant communities for forest vegetation and soil condition in Pinus densiflora communities was investigated by analysing the elevation and soil nutrition gradients. Quercus mongolica community was distributed in the high elevation and good nutrition area of total nitrogen, organic matter, and ration exchange capacity, while Quercus variabilis community was distributed in the low elevation and poor nutrition area of total nitrogen, organic matter, and ration exchange capacity. Quercus variabilis Styrax obassia and Quercus variabilis-Quercus mongolica community was distributed en the medium elevation and medium nutrition area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.16-26
• /
• 2007

To study the succession of epilithic diatoms on the artificial substrate, we investigated environmental factors and the diatom assemblages biweekly from Mar. 2004 to Feb. 2005 at 2 stations in the lower part of the Han River. A total of 60 taxa, representing 2 orders, 3 suborders, 8 families, 17 genera, 51 species, 7 varieties and 2 forms were identified, and mean number of species were 19 species in spring, 20 in summer, 22 in autumn and 22 in winter. Standing crops of epilithic diatoms varied extensively by months and stations; mean values of those were $3.2{\times}10^4$ cells $cm^{-2}$ in spring, $1.9{\times}10^4$ in summer, $1.7{\times}10^4$ in autumn and $1.8{\times}10^5$ in winter. Chlorophyll a concentrations were also similarly showed as variations of the diatom assemblages. Succession of the diatoms in St. 1 was as follows; Melosira varians, Fragilaria capucina, Cyclotella comta, Nitzschia palea in spring, Fragilaria capucina in summer, Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima in autumn, Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima and Melosira varians, Cymbella minuta in winter. In station 2, Aulacoseira granulata and Nitzschia palea dominated in spring as a pioneer in early stage of succession, Fragilaria capucina in summer, and Nitzschia palea in winter. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), there showed similar to that of succession of epilithic diatoms within St. 1 and St. 2, and they were not changed by stations but seasons. Nitzschia palea belonged to saprophilous taxa correlated with nitrogen sources and suspended solids. Meanwhile, Fragilaria capucina and Cymbella minuta included in xenosaprobic taxa show correlation with DO and pH. Eurysaprobic taxa correlated with all environmental factors.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2008

The main purpose of this work is the development of water quality level model using the data such as DO, EC, BOD, $COD_{Cr},\;NH_3-N,\;NO_3-N,\;PO_4-P$, T-N, T-P, and SS in 88 agricultural streams of the Han river watersheds. To grant water quality level for each parameters, it divided into 20% respectively in the order of water quality level. On the basis of the lowest water quality level, water quality of streams was assigned. As the result, number of stream corresponding to Level Ⅰ was 0, Level II was 1 stream, Level III was 3 streams, Level IV was 22 streams, and Level V was 62 streams. By standardized canonical discriminant function coefficient, $NO_3-N$ was the highest in 0.427 at the discriminant power. According to discriminant function for water quality level, it was equal to $-4.648+3.246{\times}[NO_3-N],\;-5.084+3.456{\times}[NO_3-N],\;-4.298+3.067{\times}[NO_3-N],\;and\;-7.369+4.396{\times}[NO_3-N]$ from Level II to Level V, respectively. As a result of test at real data of the Han river watersheds in 2007, the suitability of water quality level model was high to 88.4%.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.23 no.2 s.58
• /
• pp.191-199
• /
• 2005

The community structure, vertical distribution and harpacticoids composition of the meiofauna community were observed from five stations in Marian Cove, King George Island and one station on the northeastern side of Nelson Island. Sample was taken by a free-fall corer in December 2002. Generally, 11 taxa of meiofauna were found, and meiofauna abundance ranged from 322 to 1575 indiv. $10cm^{-2}$ (mean 781 indiv. $10cm^{-2}$). Nematodes were the most dominant group, making up $89\%$ of total meiofauna, followed by harpacticoids $(6.8\%)$. Benthic harpacticoids appeared 19 species of nine families at all the stations, and most various taxa appeared at station B (13 species of seven families). For vertical distribution, more than $70\%$ of meiofauna was concentrated in the upper $0\~2cm$ sediment layers, and the density abruptly decreased with depth in all the stations. Total biomass of meiofauna varied between 41 and $360{\mu}gC\;10cm^{-2}$, and overall mean biomass was $205{\mu}gC\;10cm^{-2}$. Also nematodes had the highest percentage of total maiofauna biomass $(62.4\%)$. The analysis results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis between meiofauna community and sediment grain size showed that polychaets, oligochaets and cumaceans were influenced by silt&cray, and sand, granule and pebble had a influence on harpacticoids, kinorhynchs and ostracods respectively. But nematodes were not affected by sediment grain size.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2014

A survey was carried out to understand the influence of hydrology on the composition, abundance and adaptive strategies of phytoplankton in artificial Lake Hwaseong, an estuarine reservoir with seawater exchange through a sluice. Samples were collected seven times from May to October 2012. Hydrological events (seawater exchange, rainfall) resulted in a wide variation in salinity along with nutrients and turbidity. Shifts in the dominant phytoplankton composition occurred on every survey. Chlorophyll-a ranged from 9.7 to $104.1{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Multivariate analysis allowed us to identify the four phases on phytoplankton community change. Phase I (May~June) was characterized by small-sized Gymnodinium sp. and Heterosigma akashiwo dominated in warm temperature and high salinity derived from seawater exchange, and followed by Cylindrotheca closterium blooms due to rainfall and winds during phase II (July and September). During phase III (August), the dominance of Oscillatoria spp. was correlated with high temperature and low salinity. Abundant cryptomonads were associated with lower temperature during phase IV (October). Adaptive strategies were identified in the phytoplankton as morphological and physiological characteristics. These strategies identified small-sized flagellates as CR-strategists, fast-growing opportunistic species, which might favor the weak stratification of lake due to the seawater exchange during phase I and IV. Dominant species during phase II and III were characterized with R-strategists, medium-sized stress-tolerant species, which might favor turbulence by river flow. The results indicate that stronger stratification following the termination of seawater exchange for the freshening might intensify the predominance of smaller flagellates. In conclusion, this study suggests that hydrology may drive phytoplankton community change and blooms through the controls of salinity, turbulence and nutrients.