Search

SUMMARY The imaging of subsurface structures is an essential task in subsurface engineering projects; it provides information regarding the locations of active faults and layer boundaries. Among the methods available for imaging of subsurface structures, the body wave imaging method using urban traffic noise has recently attracted attention because it permits continuous measurement at low cost in urban areas. However, because the urban traffic noise signal used for imaging on the engineering scale has characteristics that differ from the ambient noise used on the crustal scale, the conventional crustal-scale data processing workflow should be modified through systematic data analysis. In this study, traffic noise sources were systematically analysed using field data obtained over the Xiadian fault in Hebei province, China. The traffic noise signals were recorded in various patterns because of diverse incoming directions and show marked amplitude changes depending on time of recording. The overlapping signals originating from opposite directions generate spurious events and noise in the seismic interferometry images; constant processing parameters cannot respond to the large amplitude changes. In this study, to remove surface waves with markedly changing amplitude, we applied actively varying threshold values to each set of traces using the moving average of amplitude changes within the trace. In addition, the signals originating from diverse directions were separated into negative and positive slopes through the f–k filter; the interference generated by overlapping signals was minimized by applying data processing (e.g. median filtering and high amplitude removal) separately to the negative and positive slopes of each simultaneously acquired trace gather. Due to the modified data processing workflow, most spurious events were successfully suppressed in the final stacked image compared with those produced using the conventional data processing workflow, and reflections were imaged more clearly. Fault spatial locations and layer boundary depth variation in the final image obtained by the modified processing workflow were similar to those reported in previous studies.

Various disasters have recently occurred in Korea because of weather changes caused by climate change, and the scale of the damage is also increasing. In terms of the weather phenomena and their socioeconomic impacts, weather-related disasters cause the most damage. Therefore, this study suggests a method of calculating rainfall thresholds to predict the impact of heavy rains. To calculate rainfall thresholds on the basis of a multimethod approach, this study divided Korea into a 1 km × 1 km grid and further split it into four categories: standard watershed, urban, river, and inundation trace maps. This study verified the results of the rainfall thresholds in the standard basin and city center by referring to the relevant data on the rainy season in summer 2020 and the Typhoon Haishen in September. Verification results showed that the flooding that occurred in the grid actually caused the urban flooding in Busan in July 2020. Moreover, the calculation on the grid that caused flooding in Gangneung, which was hit by Typhoon Haishen in September, reflected the actual damage. When used in impact forecasting, the proposed method of calculating rainfall thresholds and predicting rainfall information is expected to be able to provide data on the impact of heavy rains and facilitate rainfall forecasting.

In this study, water utilization status and water saving awareness investigation were analyzed through a survey in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Consequently, it was observed that most water is wasted when showering and doing laundry. Therefore, it is necessary to supply water-saving washing machines and dishwashers along with water-saving devices. A total of 64% of the respondents conserve water in their daily lives, and the reasons are worries about the future and economic reasons. Water saving is not practiced because it is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Therefore, methods are necessary to save water without inconvenience in daily lives. It is judged that the results of this study can be used to establish strategies for water demand management.

In this study, the camera angle of a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) was adjusted to take aerial photographs, and 2D and 3D models were constructed to evaluate the quantitative impact. The study area was Waryong Bridge, located in Dalseong-gun, Daegu Metropolitan City. The camera angles of the UAV were 90°, 75°, and 60°; DSM, orthophoto, and the 3D model were analyzed. As a result of the analysis of DSM and orthophoto, images were 1.05 times in 75° and 1.10 times in 60° compared to 90°, and matching was 1.09 times in 75° and 1.60 times in 60° compared to 90°. The point cloud for building 3D models increased analysis points to 1.17 times for 75° and 1.47 times for 60° compared to 90°. However, the area of an orthophoto of 1 pixel increased by 1.10 times for 75° and 1.34 times for 60° compared to 90°, resulting in a decrease in resolution. As the camera angle of the UAV decreases, the overlapping ratio of aerial photographs increases and the structure of wide areas can be implemented. However, since a large difference occurs in the precision of the 3D model, a shooting plan according to the purpose should be established.

Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used in various fields, such as military, logistics, transportation, construction, and agriculture, making it possible to apply the limited activities of humans to various and wide ranges. In addition, UAVs have been utilized to construct topographic data that are more precise than existing satellite images or cadastral maps. In this study, a monitoring point for preventing flood damage in an urban area was selected using a UAV. In addition, the topographic data were constructed using a UAV, and the flow of rainwater was examined using the watershed analysis in an urban area. An orthomosaic, a digital surface model (DSM), and a three-dimensional (3D) model were constructed for the topographic data, and a precision of 0.051 m based on the root mean square error (RMSE) was achieved through the observation of ground control points (GCPs). On the other hand, for the watershed analysis in the urban area, the point in which the flow of rainwater converged was analyzed by adjusting the thresholds. A monitoring point for preventing flood damage was proposed by examining the topographic characteristics of the target area related to the inflow of rainwater.

Purpose We aimed to explore the velocity waveform characteristics of the retinal artery associated with age and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) as a conventional arterial stiffness marker by applying the Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) flowmeter. Methods In this cross-sectional study, DOCT flowmeter imaging was performed in 66 participants aged 21 to 83 years (17 men, 49 women) with no history of eye diseases and no systemic diseases, except for hypertension. Retinal blood velocity waveform was analyzed where several parameters in time (upstroke time, T1, T2, T3, and T4) and area under the waveform (area elevation, area declination, A1, A2, A3, and A4) were extracted. Systolic blood pressure-adjusted Pearson's coefficients were calculated to determine the correlations of each parameter with age or CAVI. Results Corrected upstroke time (UTc) was the waveform parameter most positively correlated with age (r = 0.497, P < 0.001). Area declination was the waveform parameter most negatively correlated with age (r = -0.682, P < 0.001) and CAVI (r = -0.601, P < 0.001). Conclusions We extracted the waveform parameters associated with the risks of arterial stiffening. The velocity waveform analysis of the retinal artery with DOCT flowmeter potentially could become a new method for arterial stiffness identification. Translational Relevance DOCT flowmeter could evaluate arterial stiffening in a different way from the conventional method of measuring arterial stiffening using pressure waveform. Because the DOCT flowmeter can easily, quickly, and noninvasively provide a retinal blood velocity waveform, this system could be useful as a routine medical examination for arterial stiffening.

To evaluate choroidal volume and thickness changes after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Chronic CSC eyes with a history of PDT were selected. Average choroidal volume, average choroidal thickness, the maximum and minimum choroidal thickness of the macula irradiated area and peripheral non-irradiated areas before and after one and three months of treatment were examined. A total of 14 patients with chronic CSC and 9 controls without any eye pathology were enrolled. The mean choroidal volume in CSC before and, and after one and three months of treatment were 2.36 (standard deviation: 0.70), 1.90 (0.69), 1.86 (0.66) mm3 for the central area, 1.25 (0.38), 1.14 (0.35), 1.13 (0.34) mm3 for superior nasal area, 1.47 (0.41), 1.28 (0.43), 1.26 (0.43) mm3 for superior temporal area, 1.07 (0.49), 0.95 (0.38), 0.93 (0.35) mm3 for inferior nasal area, 1.17 (0.38), 1.04 (0.32), 1.03 (0.33) mm3 for inferior temporal area. This study revealed the choroidal volume changes in a short period after PDT and a decrease in unirradiated choroidal volume was also shown after the treatment. The algorithm provided on the ARI Network enables to evaluate the choroidal changes quantitatively and qualitatively.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of retinal blood flow (RBF) measured with the Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) segmental scanning method to distinguish between healthy and glaucoma eyes.Fifty-eight patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) who had a single-hemifield visual field defect and 44 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) was measured with swept-source OCT. Superior and inferior temporal arteries (TAs) and temporal veins (TVs) RBF were measured with Doppler OCT. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to compare the diagnostic performances in the damaged and normal hemispheres.Multivariate regression analysis showed TA RBF and TV RBF were significantly reduced in the damaged and normal hemispheres. The ROC analysis showed that the AUC for quadrant RNFLT, TA RBF, and TV RBF were 0.973, 0.909, and 0.872 in the damaged hemisphere, respectively. The AUC values in the normal hemisphere were 0.783, 0.744, and 0.697, respectively. The combination of quadrant RNFLT and TA/TV RBF had a greater AUC than quadrant RNFLT alone in both damaged (AUC = 0.987) and normal (AUC = 0.825) hemispheres.In NTG eyes with single-hemifield damage, the RBF was found to be significantly reduced in the damaged and normal hemispheres independent from structural changes. The combination of RNFLT and RBF could improve diagnostic performances for glaucoma.Combining morphological and blood flow measurements with Doppler OCT may be useful in glaucoma diagnosis.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of educational pressure on myopia. A less-intense school curriculum was introduced nationally in Japan beginning in 2012 based on a pressure-free education policy. In this retrospective observational study, a total of 1025 Japanese medical students of Asahikawa Medical University underwent measurements of the cycloplegic refractive error and axial length (AL), from 2011 to 2020. The spherical equivalent (SE) and AL were correlated significantly with the fiscal year of births (p = 0.004 and p = 0.034, respectively) only during enforcement of the system of high-pressure education. The SE and AL regression rates during the two educational approaches differed significantly (p = 0.004 and p = 0.037, respectively). The prevalence of high myopia was correlated significantly (p &lt, 0.001) only during the system of high-pressure education. The regression of the prevalence rate of high myopia during the two education approaches differed significantly (p = 0.010). The progression rates of myopia and increased prevalence of high myopia were observed only during high-pressure education, suggesting that not only ophthalmologists but also educators and the government should work on together to control the progression of myopia.

The current study aimed to address whether ripasudil, a Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor developed to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH), improves diabetic macular edema (DME) since it is known that ROCK upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor. We retrospectively investigated the foveal thickness (FT) measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, visual acuity (VA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) in 12 eyes with DME that received ripasudil treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma or OH and compared them with 14 eyes that received no treatment. One month after ripasudil therapy, the mean FT decreased significantly from 439 ± 72 µm to 395 ± 62 µm (P = 0.003); this change was significantly different from that in the controls, in which the mean FT increased by 1 ± 39 µm (P = 0.01). Ripasudil also caused a significant decrease in IOP from 17.3 ± 5.2 mmHg to 14.6 ± 4.0 mmHg (P = 0.02); this change was significantly greater than that in the controls, in which IOP changed by 0.0 ± 1.6 mmHg (P

Cu nanofoams are promising materials for a variety of applications, including anodes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The high specific surface area of these materials supports a high capacity and porous structure that helps accommodate volume expansion which occurs as batteries are charged. One of the most efficient methods to produce Cu nanofoams is the dealloying of Cu alloy precursors. This process often yields nanofoams that have low strength, thus requiring additional heat treatment to improve the mechanical properties of Cu foams. This paper provides the effects of heat treatment on the microstructures, mechanical properties, and electrochemical performance of Cu nanofoams. Annealing was conducted under both inert and oxidizing atmospheres. These studies ultimately reveal the underlying mechanisms of ligament coarsening during heat treatment.

How underlying mechanisms bias evolution toward predictable outcomes remains an area of active debate. In this study, we leveraged phenotypic plasticity and parallel adaptation across independent lineages of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to assess the predictability of gene expression evolution during parallel adaptation. Trinidadian guppies have repeatedly and independently adapted to high- and low-predation environments in the wild. We combined this natural experiment with a laboratory breeding design to attribute transcriptional variation to the genetic influences of population of origin and developmental plasticity in response to rearing with or without predators. We observed substantial gene expression plasticity, as well as the evolution of expression plasticity itself, across populations. Genes exhibiting expression plasticity within populations were more likely to also differ in expression between populations, with the direction of population differences more likely to be opposite those of plasticity. While we found more overlap than expected by chance in genes differentially expressed between high- and low-predation populations from distinct evolutionary lineages, the majority of differentially expressed genes were not shared between lineages. Our data suggest alternative transcriptional configurations associated with shared phenotypes, highlighting a role for transcriptional flexibility in the parallel phenotypic evolution of a species known for rapid adaptation.

Purpose It has been reported that peripapillary loops develop after central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Although cilioretinal anastomoses have been shown by fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography, these examinations cannot confirm the structural continuity between the retinal arteries and the posterior ciliary arteries. In the current report, we followed a patient with iatrogenic CRAO in which circumpapillary collaterals formed and assessed the connection between these two vascular systems using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Observation Iatrogenic CRAO developed in the left eye of a 30-year-old woman during preoperative embolization of a convexity meningioma. FA and OCTA showed complete impairment of the retinal circulation. Two weeks after this event, OCTA images showed flow in the retinal vessels and the beginning of collateral vessel development on the optic disc margin. Six months later, OCTA images showed that these circumpapillary collaterals connected branches of the retinal arteries with the vessels supplying the optic disc, which originate from the posterior ciliary arteries. Conclusion and importance OCTA aided our understanding of the three-dimensional configuration of the circumpapillary collaterals that developed after iatrogenic CRAO, which included anastomosis of the retinal and posterior ciliary artery systems. OCTA is useful for noninvasively monitoring the status of retinal circulatory dynamics after iatrogenic CRAO.

Background: Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) flowmeter can be used to measure retinal blood flow (RBF) parameters, including vessel diameter, blood velocity, and the absolute value of RBF within 2.0 s. We investigated the RBF parameters in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using a DOCT flowmeter. Methods: Seventeen patients with unilateral BRVO were enrolled. All subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations. The RBF parameters were assessed from three veins, i.e., (1) an occluded vein, (2) a non-occluded vein in the BRVO eyes, and (3) an equivalent (superior or inferior) vein in the fellow eye (non-affected vein), using prototype DOCT flowmeter (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Moreover, the correlation between RBF parameters and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was examined. We investigated the correlation between (1) the RBF parameters and the time from the initial visit, (2) the RBF parameters and the time from the last injection, and (3) the RBF parameters and the number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (VEGF). Results: The diameter of the occluded vein (95.9 &plusmn, 24.7 &micro, m) was smaller than that of the non-occluded vein (127.9 &plusmn, 23.7 &micro, m) and that of the healthy veins (116.4 &plusmn, 13.9 &micro, m). The RBF was lower in the occluded veins (4.7 &plusmn, 3.7 &micro, L/min) than that in the non-occluded veins (10.3 &plusmn, 5.1 &micro, L/min, p &lt, 0.01) and in the fellow eyes (8.6 &plusmn, 4.0 &micro, p = 0.013). In contrast, the blood velocity was not significantly different among the three types of veins. BCVA was correlated with the diameter of the occluded vein (&rho, = 0.711, p = 0.001) but not with the RBF and blood velocity. The time from the initial visit, the time from the last injection, and the total number of anti-VEGF injections were not associated with any RBF parameters on the occluded vein. Conclusions: The RBF was significantly lower in the occluded veins than that in the other veins, and the diameter of the occluded vein was significantly smaller than that of the other veins in patients with BRVO. However, neither the time from the initial visit, nor the time from the last injection, nor the number of anti-VEGF injections were correlated with the RBF parameters on the occluded vein.

Among natural disasters, droughts can affect a large area for a prolonged period of time. If a drought happens, an appropriate response requires a lot of time and manpower from beginning to end, and continuous management is necessary for further prevention. Using data on drought damages from 1900 to 2018 in 148 countries in six continents around the world, this study was able to set quantitative standards for mega-droughts. According to data on the status of annual drought damages, the frequency of drought damages (1900&ndash, 2018) and the subsequent damage costs (1965&ndash, 2018) are increasing, while human losses (1900&ndash, 2018) are decreasing. Additionally, Africa had the highest frequency of drought damages, while Africa and Asia were ranked at the top of the list in terms of human losses and damage costs, respectively. Droughts persisted for continuous periods ranging from 1 to 17 years, and the total number of cases involving drought damage was estimated to be 600 in total, with total human losses of 11,731,294 people and total accumulated damage costs of $17,367,007,000. This study provided quantitative standards for the frequency of drought damages, human losses, and damage costs for mega-droughts in consideration of continuous drought periods. This study set the quantitative standards for a mega-drought as follows: (1) if drought damages continue to occur in a country for more than seven years, (2) if human losses continue to occur in a country for more than seven years, and (3) if mean annual damage costs of $17,000,000 continue to occur in a country for more than seven years.

Inundation damage occurs in urban regions due to short flood reach time and increased surface runoff caused by urbanized impervious areas. Furthermore, heavy rainfall frequency has increased because of climate change, thus exceeding the design frequency and resulting in sewer pipes&rsquo, lack of flood control capacity, with damage expanding from low-lying areas. Despite many urban disaster-mitigation policies, complex causes and uncertainties make reducing urban inundation damage difficult. This study established a rainfall-related disaster-prevention standard by time duration considering rainfall characteristics targeting urban disaster-induced inundation damage. Based on the South Korean urbanization rate and population, seven target regions were selected. Rainfall by time duration was analyzed with respect to disaster length (number of days) from 2010&ndash, 2017. The average rainfall for durations from 1&ndash, 24 hours were analyzed according to disaster length (1&ndash, 13 days). Using the results, an equation was proposed for rainfall estimation by length of disaster resulting in urban inundation damage, through multiple regression analysis. An equation was developed for rainfall-related disaster-prevention in urban areas considering the length of disaster and rainfall duration. This was accomplished by selecting a duration whereby the average rainfall of duration corresponded to 50% of total rainfall during the disaster period.

Purpose We aimed to observe longitudinal changes in retinal blood flow (RBF) and structural transformations in capillaries using Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in a feline retinal blood occlusion (RVO) model. Methods RVO was induced by argon green laser photocoagulation (PC) in six eyes of six cats. RBF was measured at a first-order retinal artery and vein by a DOCT flowmeter, and structural changes in the capillaries around the occluded vessels (12 × 12 and 3 × 3 mm) were assessed by OCTA before (at baseline); immediately after PC; and on days 1, 4, 7, and 14 thereafter. Systemic and ocular parameters were monitored during the observation period. Results There were no significant differences in any systemic or ocular parameters before and after PC. Arterial RBF increased significantly on day 1 (160.6 ± 8.6% vs. baseline, P < 0.001) and decreased below baseline after day 1 through 14. Venous RBF decreased immediately after PC (17.4 ± 9.6% vs. baseline, P = 0.001) and then gradually increased afterwards, but did not return to baseline. OCTA showed dilatation of retinal venules immediately after PC to day 1. Collateral vessels began to form on day 4, had matured by day 7, and were pruned on day 14, which formed as mature as normal retinal venule diameters. Conclusions With increasing arterial RBF within 1 day after inducing RVO, venules gradually expanded to form collateral vessels, suggesting that collateral vessels originate from existing capillary networks, not neovascularization.

The agricultural drainage in rural area plays important roles in water supply and drainage for crop cultivation. Various kinds of debris near agricultural drainage, however, causes sedimentation in the drainage during rainfall. The debris introduced into the agricultural drainage moves out of the drainage under a high flow rate. This causes a reduction in the flow rate, which may affect the discharge capacity, resulting in crop damage. This study developed a reduction facility to reduce debris entering agricultural drainage and analyzed the performance by measuring the capture efficacy in the hydraulic experiment. A total of 648 runs were performed for 216 experiment conditions where three replications and error ranges were calculated depending on the inflow characteristics of debris. This study also evaluated the performance of the reduction facility and established the design criteria by developing a capture efficacy equation by flow rate and type of reduction facility.

This study aimed to evaluate whether long-term insulin treatment is associated with abnormalities in retinal circulation in type 2 diabetic patients. We evaluated 19 eyes of nondiabetic individuals and 68 eyes of type 2 diabetic patients. The eyes of diabetic patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of long-term insulin therapy. We used a Doppler optical coherence tomography flowmeter to measure diameter, velocity, and blood flow in the major temporal retinal artery. The pulsatility ratio (PR) and resistance index (RI), indices of vascular rigidity, were calculated from the blood velocity profile. PR and RI were significantly elevated in type 2 diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.05). In type 2 diabetes patients, PR and RI were significantly higher in patients receiving long-term insulin treatment than in those without (P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in velocity (P < 0.05), but not diameter and blood flow, between nondiabetic subjects and type 2 diabetes patients. No significant difference in diameter, velocity, or blood flow was observed between the groups with and without long-term insulin treatment. Long-term insulin treatment can affect PR and RI, which might be associated with vascular rigidity of the retinal artery in patients with type 2 diabetes.

AimsTo evaluate the associations between retinal blood flow (RBF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural measurements in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes with single-hemifield visual field (VF) damage by the Doppler OCT.MethodsThe Doppler OCT was used to measure temporal artery (TA) RBF and temporal vein (TV) RBF. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) was measured by spectral-domain OCT.ResultsForty-three consecutive eyes of 43 patients with NTG with VF defect confined to a single hemifield and 24 eyes of 24 age-matched healthy subjects were studied. TA and TV RBF and RNFLT were reduced in the damaged hemisphere compared with the normal hemisphere (mean (SD), 3.61 (1.68) vs 5.86 (2.59) µL/min, pConclusionIn NTG eyes with single-hemifield damage, the RBF was significantly reduced in the damaged hemisphere compared with the normal one. The RBF decreased in the normal and damaged hemispheres of NTG eyes compared with the healthy hemisphere independent from RNFLT.

PurposeTo investigate the changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) gene and protein expressions in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells in response to mechanical fluid flow stimulation.MethodsHTM cells were cultured on a glass plate and exposed to shear stress (0, 0.2, and 1.0 dyne/cm2) for 12 hours. Changes in gene expressions were evaluated using microarray analysis. The representative genes related to ECM metabolism underwent real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Fibronectin (FN) and collagen (COL) IV levels in the supernatant were evaluated using immunoassays. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) activity also was investigated.ResultsAfter stimulation, transforming growth factor β2 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of the static control (0 dyne/cm2 for 12 hours). Matrix metalloproteinase 2 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the static control. COL type 1 alpha 2 mRNA, COL type 4 alpha 2 mRNA, and COL type 6 alpha 1 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.05, < 0.01, and < 0.05, respectively) higher than the static control. The mean ± standard deviation FN levels (ng/mL) in the supernatant after stimulation (0, 0.2, 1.0 dyne/cm2) were 193.7 ± 7.6, 51.5 ± 21.8, and 34.9 ± 23.6, respectively (p < 0.01). The FN and COL IV levels and ROCK activity were significantly (p < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively) lower than the static control.ConclusionsChanges in gene and protein expressions related to ECM metabolism occurred in HTM cells after stimulation. Specifically, the suppression of FN and COL IV production might explain the importance of mechanical fluid flow stimulation on maintenance of the normal aqueous humor outflow.

How underlying mechanisms bias evolution toward predictable outcomes remains an area of active debate. In this study, we leveraged phenotypic plasticity and parallel adaptation across independent lineages of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to assess the predictability of gene expression evolution during parallel adaptation. Trinidadian guppies have repeatedly and independently adapted to high- and low-predation environments in the wild. We combined this natural experiment with a laboratory breeding design to attribute transcriptional variation to the genetic influences of population of origin and developmental plasticity in response to rearing with or without predators. We observed substantial gene expression plasticity as well as the evolution of expression plasticity itself across populations. Genes exhibiting expression plasticity within populations were more likely to also differ in expression between populations, with the direction of population differences more likely to be opposite those of plasticity. While we found more overlap than expected by chance in genes differentially expressed between high- and low-predation populations from distinct evolutionary lineages, the majority of differentially expressed genes were not shared between lineages. Our data suggest alternative transcriptional configurations associated with shared phenotypes, highlighting a role for transcriptional flexibility in the parallel phenotypic evolution of a species known for rapid adaptation.

The runoff from heavy rainfall reaches urban streams quickly, causing them to rise rapidly. It is therefore of great importance to provide sufficient lead time for evacuation planning and decision making. An efficient flood forecasting and warning method is crucial for ensuring adequate lead time. With this objective, this paper proposes an analysis method for a flood forecasting and warning system, and establishes the criteria for issuing urban-stream flash flood warnings based on the amount of rainfall to allow sufficient lead time. The proposed methodology is a nonstructural approach to flood prediction and risk reduction. It considers water level fluctuations during a rainfall event and estimates the upstream (alert point) and downstream (confluence) water levels for water level analysis based on the rainfall intensity and duration. We also investigate the rainfall/runoff and flow rate/water level relationships using the Hydrologic Engineering Center&rsquo, s Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) and the HEC&rsquo, s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) models, respectively, and estimate the rainfall threshold for issuing flash flood warnings depending on the backwater state based on actual watershed conditions. We present a methodology for issuing flash flood warnings at a critical point by considering the effects of fluctuations in various backwater conditions in real time, which will provide practical support for decision making by disaster protection workers. The results are compared with real-time water level observations of the Dorim Stream. Finally, we verify the validity of the flash flood warning criteria by comparing the predicted values with the observed values and performing validity analysis.

Damage caused by natural disasters produces the difference of damage size not only according to damage volume or size, but a national economic level. In addition, budgets and aids should be constantly acquired for disaster management since natural disasters sporadically or irregularly occur. This study proposed disaster management methods by countries considering natural disaster damage documents and economic indicators from 1900 to 2017 among 187 countries in the world. It developed a damage prediction formula considering damage documents of previous natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and basic indicators as disaster management methods by countries. Independent variables of the damage prediction formula include GDP, population, and area. It applied multiple regression analysis and calculated average human losses due to death, human losses affected, and damage costs by countries. Regarding the adjusted R&sup2, of the natural disaster damage prediction formula, the human losses from deaths mean was 0.893, the human losses affected mean was 0.915, and the damage costs mean was 0.946, which had higher explanatory powers. Therefore, results from this study are considered to calculate quantitative damage sizes considering uncertain damage sizes of natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and are used as indicators for disaster management.

Recently, the Republic of Korea has experienced natural disasters, such as typhoons and heavy rainfall, as well as social accidents, such as large-scale accidents and infectious diseases, which are continuously occurring. Despite repeated disasters, problems such as inefficient early response and overlapping command systems occur continuously. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of disaster management systems by foreign countries, and the status of the damages by disasters for the past 10 years in the Republic of Korea, to suggest possible measures to improve the Republic of Korea&rsquo, s integrated disaster management system. When a disaster occurs in the Republic of Korea, the Si/Gun/Gu Disaster Safety Measure Headquarters, under the command of the local governments, become the responsible agencies for disaster response while the central government supervises and controls the overall disaster support and disaster management. To improve the current disaster management system, we propose to incorporate all disaster types rather than dividing them by type into natural disasters and social disasters. To improve the disaster response and disaster management system, we propose to restructure the current administrative organization, revise the disaster-related laws, and overcome problems, such as inter-ministerial interconnectivity and overlapping regulation.