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This study evaluates the performance of deep learning approach in the prediction of the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) during magnetically quiet periods. Two deep learning techniques, long short‐term memory (LSTM) and convolutional LSTM (ConvLSTM), are employed to predict TEC values 24 hr ahead in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula (26.5°–40°N, 121°–134.5°E). The LSTM method predicts TEC at a single point based on time series of data at that point, whereas the ConvLSTM method simultaneously predicts TEC values at multiple points using spatiotemporal distribution of TEC. Both the LSTM and ConvLSTM models are trained using the complete regional TEC maps reconstructed by applying the Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network–Poisson Blending (DCGAN‐PB) method to observed TEC data. The training period spans from 2002 to 2018, and the model performance is evaluated using 2019 data. Our results show that the ConvLSTM method outperforms the LSTM method, generating more reliable TEC maps with smaller root mean square errors when compared to the ground truth (DCGAN‐PB TEC maps). This outcome indicates that deep learning models can improve the prediction accuracy of TEC at a specific point by taking into account spatial information of TEC. We conclude that ConvLSTM is a reliable and efficient approach for the prompt ionospheric prediction. Plain Language Summary: The total electron content (TEC) from global navigation and satellite system (GNSS) serves as a crucial ionospheric parameter for studying the Earth's ionosphere and space weather. Given its significance, considerable efforts have been devoted to worldwide TEC data acquisition and future TEC prediction. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, including neural network and deep learning, have been applied to generate global/regional TEC maps and to forecast TEC values. This study utilizes two deep learning techniques, namely long short‐term memory (LSTM) and convolutional LSTM (ConvLSTM), to forecast TEC values 24 hr in advance within the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula. While previous studies have utilized the LSTM method for single‐location TEC prediction, our study employs the ConvLSTM approach to simultaneously predict TECs across multiple points. Our results demonstrate the ConvLSTM method's superior performance over the LSTM method. This superiority is attributed to the ConvLSTM method's ability to use the spatiotemporal distribution of data in its prediction. We conclude that the ConvLSTM method is a reliable and efficient approach for accurately predicting future ionospheric conditions. Key Points: Long short‐term memory (LSTM) and convolutional LSTM methods are employed to predict total electron content (TEC) 24‐hr advancePrediction accuracy at a specific point improves when LSTM models incorporate the data around the given pointHowever, convolutional LSTM method outperforms LSTM method, generating more reliable TEC maps with smaller Root mean square errors (RMSEs) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reconstructs total electron content (TEC) maps in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula by employing a deep convolutional generative adversarial network and Poisson blending (DCGAN‐PB). Our interest is to rebuild small‐scale ionosphere structures on the TEC map in a local region where pronounced ionospheric structures, such as the equatorial ionization anomaly, are absent. The reconstructed regional TEC maps have a domain of 120°–135.5°E longitude and 25.5°–41°N latitude with 0.5° resolution. To achieve this, we first train a DCGAN model by using the International Reference Ionosphere‐based TEC maps from 2002 to 2019 (except for 2010 and 2014) as a training data set. Next, the trained DCGAN model generates synthetic complete TEC maps from observation‐based incomplete TEC maps. Final TEC maps are produced by blending of synthetic TEC maps with observed TEC data by PB. The performance of the DCGAN‐PB model is evaluated by testing the regeneration of the masked TEC observations in 2010 (solar minimum) and 2014 (solar maximum). Our results show that a good correlation between the masked and model‐generated TEC values is maintained even with a large percentage (∼80%) of masking. The performance of the DCGAN‐PB model is not sensitive to local time, solar activity, and magnetic activity. Thus, the DCGAN‐PB model can reconstruct fine ionospheric structures in regions where observations are sparse and distinguishing ionospheric structures are absent. This model can contribute to near real‐time monitoring of the ionosphere by immediately providing complete TEC maps. Plain Language Summary: Total electron content (TEC) is a parameter that represents the column number density of ionospheric plasma. This parameter is a valuable resource for the study of ionospheric phenomena and the prediction of space weather caused by the ionosphere. The dense ground‐based network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations provides the means to generate global TEC maps which are essential for the continuous monitoring of the ionosphere. However, data are always missing, especially in the ocean area, due to the geographical limitations of ground‐based GNSS stations. Recently, several studies applied deep learning techniques to overcome the shortcomings in the construction of global TEC maps. However, deep learning techniques have not yet been tested for the reconstruction of high‐resolution regional TEC maps. By applying the deep learning techniques developed in previous studies, we successfully reconstructed regional TEC maps in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula. Our results demonstrate that deep learning techniques can contribute to near real‐time monitoring of the ionosphere by immediately providing complete, high‐resolution TEC maps. Key Points: Local total electron content maps are completed with deep convolutional generative adversarial network and Poisson blending (DCGAN‐PB)The DCGAN‐PB model satisfactorily fills data gaps and reconstructs fine ionospheric structures in the vicinity of the Korean PeninsulaThe DCGAN‐PB model performance is not sensitive to observed data number and geophysical parameters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We developed a KIPM model that can predict the state of the ionosphere around the Korean Peninsula in near-real-time in three dimensions. • The KIPM model takes only about 5–7 min to predict the 3D ionosphere for 24 h. • The KIPM model shows about 8% and 15% (14% and 21%) better NmF2 (VTEC) predictions than the existing traditional SAMI3 and IRI-2016 models, respectively. We have recently developed a Korean ionosphere physics-based prediction model (KIPM) that can predict the state of the ionosphere over and around the Korean peninsula as a function of latitude, longitude, altitude, and time. The KIPM model is an extended version of the SAMI2-CNU model (Kim et al., 2016), which extended the SAMI2 model into a three-dimensional space. The KIPM model has a spatial resolution of 1° for longitude (120–140°E) and latitude (20–40°N) near the Korean Peninsula, with a height resolution of 10 km between 85 km and 1000 km. We upgraded the solar irradiance model and the thermospheric wind field and density models used in the SAMI2-CNU model to the latest versions. To evaluate the performance of the KIPM model, we compared its predictions with various ionospheric measurements (Ionosonde, GPS TEC) observed in Korea, along with the SAMI2, SAMI3, and IRI-2016 models. Through this comparison, we found the KIPM model showed 37% (10.2%), 8% (-4.6%), and 14.7% (1.1%) better predictive performance in terms of NmF2 (hmf2) at the Jeju location than the SAMI2, SAMI3, and IRI-2016 models, respectively. For vertical TEC, our model showed improvements of 14.2%, 20.7%, and 28.7% over the SAMI3, IRI-2016, and SAMI2 models, respectively, on average overall seasons. The SAMI3 model, a three-dimensional global model, can calculate the effect of plasma transport in the longitudinal direction, but it takes too long (several hours) to predict 24 h. On the other hand, the KIPM model only takes about 5–7 min, though it does not include the effect of longitudinal plasma transport. The fast calculation and performance of the KIPM should be significantly advantageous when estimating the 3-D regional ionosphere with data assimilation in near real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay that does not require Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) reagents was tested and validated for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the early stages of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Republic of Korea. Early diagnosis of COVID-19 enables timely treatment and the implementation of public health measures. We validated the sensitivity, specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, and robustness of the RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection and compared its performance with that of several EUA-approved kits. Our RT-qPCR assay was highly specific for SARS-CoV-2 as demonstrated by not amplifying 13 other viruses that cause respiratory diseases. The assay showed high linearity using a viral isolate from a patient with known COVID-19 as well as plasmids containing target SARS-CoV-2 genes as templates. The assay showed good repeatability and reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of 3%, and a SARS-CoV-2 limit of detection of 1 PFU/mL. The RT-qPCR-based assay is highly effective and can facilitate the early diagnosis of COVID-19 without the use of EUA-approved kits or reagents in the Republic of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kim, J.B.; Kim, H.C.; Hong, S., and Park, J.-I., 2018. Mixed Aquaculture of Anadara broughtonii and A. kagoshimensis (Bivalvia: Arcidae) in Jinju Bay on the South Coast of the Korean Peninsula. In: Shim, J.-S.; Chun, I., and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 341–345. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The biological characteristics and potential food resources of Anadara broughtonii and Anadara kagoshimensis were investigated from May 2013 to December 2014 to evaluate the effects of culturing the two species together (mixed aquaculture). There was no difference in sea water temperature between the surface and bottom layers, and salinity decreased after high rainfall. The three sites used as test shellfish farms had high mud contents and similar concentrations of chemical parameters in the sediment. To identify the potential food sources of the two species, carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed using a mixing model. The results revealed that coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) was the primary food for both species, comprising 88–89% of the total food source for A. broughtonii and 80–82% for A. kagoshimensis. There was no significant relationship between shell length, shell height, total weight, fresh tissue weight, dry tissue weight, or shell weight and A. broughtonii aquaculture type (mono or mixed), nor was there any significant relationship between shell length, shell height, or shell weight and A. kagoshimensis aquaculture type (mono or mixed). However, total weight, fresh tissue weight, and dry tissue weight were significantly higher in mixed aquaculture compared with those in A. kagoshimensis mono-aquaculture. Although A. broughtonii and A. kagoshimensis spats of similar weights were planted, the dry tissue weight of A. broughtonii was twice that of A. kagoshimensis after 5 months, and the difference increased to 3.8-fold upon harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the predominant Lactobacillus species types (LSTs) of vaginal microbiota in pregnant Korean women by quantifying five Lactobacillus species and two anaerobes.Methods: In all, 168 pregnant Korean women under antenatal care at Eulji University Hospital and local clinics were enrolled in the prospective cohort study during pregnancy (10-14 weeks). Vaginal samples were collected with Eswab for Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and stored in a -80 °C freezer. qPCR was performed for five Lactobacillus species and two anaerobes. To identify the predominant LSTs, quantifications were analyzed by the Cluster and Tree View programs of Eisen Lab. Also the quantifications were compared among classified groups.Results: L. crispatus and L. iners were most commonly found in pregnant Korean women, followed by L. gasseri and L. jensenii; L. vaginalis was nearly absent. Five types (four predominant LSTs and one predominant anaerobe type without predominant Lactobacillus species) were classified.Conclusions: Five predominant LSTs were identified in vaginal microbiota of pregnant Korean women. L. crispatus and L. iners predominant types comprised a large proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of persistent renal dysfunction (PRD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among 16 264 patients enrolled in a nationwide registry, we studied patients with AMI who had their estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline and 1 month later (n = 3606). We used multivariate regression and propensity score (PS)-matched Cox proportional hazards to evaluate the association between PRD and outcomes. Persistent renal dysfunction occurred in 1333 (37%) patients. Significant PRD contributors included old age, low body mass index (BMI), hypertension, Killip class, and the extent of vessel disease. Persistent renal dysfunction was associated with an increased 1-year major adverse cardiac events (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization) relative to no-PRD (entire cohort: 6.2% vs 4.5%, hazard ratio[HR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.25, P = .003; PS-matched cohort: 7.2% vs 4.9%, HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.08-2.58, P = .022). In conclusion, PRD occurred in approximately one-third of patients with AMI following PCI. It was associated with old age, hypertension, low BMI, initial hemodynamic instability, and extent of vessel disease and was a predictor of worse outcomes at 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental and energy problems confronting South Korea brought a paradigm shift in the urban development toward “low-carbon green city” since the declaration of “Green Growth Strategy” in 2008. The South Korean governments set the goal to increase urban energy self-sufficiency through renewable energy generation and implemented various urban energy projects. However, the outcome of those urban green energy projects showed a varying degree of success. While the top-down approach led by the government facilitated the spread of urban green energy strategies in a short period of time, it also showed some drawbacks, such as the gap of willingness between the central government and the local governments and low level of community involvement. Although the importance of citizen participation in the transition to urban energy self-sufficiency has been emphasized in a rhetoric, energy projects that residents played a key role were rare in Korea. The urban energy transition in the low carbon green city projects needs to be supplemented by reinforced bottom-up approaches with the momentum from local governments as well as active citizen participation during the planning and implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils of the leaves ofJuniperus chinensisvarieties (J. chinensisL.,J. chinensisvar. globosa,J. chinensisvar. horizontalis,J. chinensisvar. kaizuka,J. chinensisvar. sargentii) were extracted by hydrodistillation and then analyzed by GC and GC-MS in combination with retention indices. The approximately 21 components, representing 88.45-92.25 % of the total components, were identified. The simplest oil was found inJ. chinensisvar. kaizuka (13 components) and the most complex oil wasJ. chinensisvar. holizontalis (18 components). Furthermore, the essential oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes including bornyl acetate (15.26-44.31 %) and sabinene (3.61-28.35 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Oxytocin circuits are implicated in the regulation of appetite and weight. Variants in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene have been associated with bulimic behaviour. This study aimed to investigate the association between the OXTR gene and eating disorders. Method We genotyped six single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs53576, rs237879, rs2228485, rs13316193, rs2254298 and rs1042778, located within the OXTR gene in Korean patients with eating disorders using the single-base extension method. We studied a total of 262 women, including 69 patients with anorexia nervosa, 90 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 103 healthy women. Results We found a positive association between the G allele of OXTR rs53576 and BN. In the BN group, the G carriers showed a high score on the behavioural inhibition system. Conclusions These findings suggest the involvement of the oxytocinergic system in the mechanism that underlies BN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not clear whether the inverse relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and blood pressure (BP) could be generalizable to the general elderly population. We used data from the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study sample consisted of 8439 men and postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older. We evaluated the relationship between BMD and BP. When adjusted for covariates, femur neck T-score [coefficient = −0.391, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.766 to −0.016, p = 0.041] had an inverse relationship with diastolic BP (DBP), whereas lumbar spine BMD (coefficient = 0.395, 95% CI 0.058-7.752, p = 0.047) and T-score (coefficient = 0.458, 95% CI 0.005-0.911, p = 0.047) had a positive relationship with systolic BP (SBP). When adjusted for confounding factors, SBP (128.67 ± 0.979 mmHg versus 126.36 ± 0.545 mmHg, p = 0.026) and DBP (78.8 ± 0.622 mmHg versus 77.27 ± 0.283 mmHg, p = 0.016) were significantly higher in femur neck osteoporosis subjects than non-osteoporosis subjects. However, there were no differences in BP in relation to lumbar spine osteoporosis. Femur neck osteoporosis (odds ratio = 1.422, 95% CI 1.107-1.827, p = 0.006) had a significant and positive relationship with hypertension, whereas the other parameters of BMD were not significantly related to hypertension. In conclusion, higher BP and hypertension were significantly and positively correlated with femur neck osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonaceous species (organic carbon [OC] and elemental carbon [EC]) and inorganic ions of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were measured to investigate the chemical characteristics of long-range-transported (LTP) PM2.5at Gosan, Jeju Island, in Korea in the spring and fall of 2008–2012 (excluding 2010). On average, the non-sea-salt (nss) sulfate (4.2 µg/m3) was the most dominant species in the spring, followed by OC (2.6 µg/m3), nitrate (2.1 µg/m3), ammonium (1.7 µg/m3), and EC (0.6 µg/m3). In the fall, the nss-sulfate (4.7 µg/m3) was also the most dominant species, followed by OC (4.0 µg/m3), ammonium (1.7 µg/m3), nitrate (1.1 µg/m3), and EC (0.7 µg/m3). Both sulfate and OC were higher in the fall than in the spring, possibly due to more common northwest air masses (i.e., coming from China and Korea polluted areas) and more frequent biomass burnings in the fall. There was no clear difference in the EC between the spring and fall. The correlation between OC and EC was not strong; thus, the OC measured at Gosan was likely transported across a long distance and was not necessarily produced in a manner similar to the EC. Distinct types of LTP events (i.e., sulfate-dominant LTP versus OC-dominant LTP) were observed. In the sulfate-dominant LTP events, air masses directly arrived at Gosan without passing over the Korean Peninsula from the industrial area of China within 48 hr. During these events, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) increased to 1.63. Ionic balance data suggest that the long-range transported aerosols are acidic. In the OC-dominant LTP event, a higher residence time of air masses in Korea was observed (the air masses departing from the mainland of China arrived at the sampling site after passing Korea within 60–80 hr). Implications: In Northeast Asia, various natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to the complex chemical components and affect local/regional air quality and climate change. Chemical characteristics of long-range-transported (LTP) PM2.5 were investigated during spring and fall of 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. Based on air mass types, sulfate-dominant LTP and OC-dominant LTP were observed. A long-term variation and chemical characteristics of PM2.5 along with air mass and satellite data are required to better understand long-range-transported aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The correlation between allergic disease and Helicobacter pylori infection is still controversial in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori infection is related to allergic disease and/or immunoglobulin E (IgE) hypersensitivity in Korean adults. Materials and Methods: Consecutive Korean adults who visited our center for a routine checkup were enrolled. All subjects completed a questionnaire that was designed to ascertain their medical history pertaining to physiciandiagnosed allergic disease, allergy treatments, and H. pylori eradication therapy. Blood was sampled for serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody. IgE hypersensitivity was measured using a commercially available ImmunoCAP® Phadiatop (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Results: Of the 3376 Korean adults who were enrolled, 62 did not answer to the questionnaires adequately and were thus excluded. The proportion of noninfected subjects (p < .001) and the prevalence of IgE-related allergic disease (p < .001) were both highest among those aged <40 years, while the prevalence of non-IgE-related allergic disease was highest among those aged ⩾70 years (p < .001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that being younger than 40 years was significantly related to the absence of H. pylori infection (OR = 2.507, 95% CI = 1.621-3.878, p < .001). Conclusions: The statuses of H. pylori infection, IgE hypersensitivity, and allergic diseases differ with age group, there being a higher prevalence of IgE-related allergic disease and a lower H. pylori infection rate among young adults. The hygiene hypothesis might explain these findings in young Koreans, due to the rapid development and improvements in sanitation in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenic potentials of two sibling nematodes Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) and A. pegreffii were compared by in vitro and in vivo studies. Live third-stage larvae of each species were subjected to agar blocks made using PBS or RPMI-1640, overlaid with different supernatants (artificial gastric juice, PBS, and RPMI-1640), and their penetration ability was compared. Their tolerance of artificial gastric juice was also tested. Further, they were introduced into rats by gastric intubation, and the in vivo locations of them were investigated. A. pegreffii showed higher penetration ability than A. simplex (s.s.) in most of the experimental conditions, except for the RPMI-1640 agar block overlaid with artificial gastric juice. In an acid tolerance test, the mean survival times were 6.1 days for A. simplex (s.s.) and 4.2 days for A. pegreffii. In an animal experiment, A. simplex (s.s.) stayed for a shorter time in the stomachs of rats than A. pegreffii. Some A. pegreffii and A. simplex (s.s.) were embedded in the gastric mucosa or freely existed in the abdominal cavity. All of these results suggest that A. pegreffii has the pathogenic potential to cause anisakidosis in humans when ingested, as does A. simplex (s.s.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A recent genome-wide association study has identified 5-hydroxytrytamine (serotonin) receptor 7, adenylate cyclase-coupled ( HTR7) as a risk gene for alcohol dependence. In addition, the serotonergic system has been considered as a modulator that plays an important role in alcohol use disorders. Functional, pharmacological, and genetic studies of serotonin neurotransmission have revealed that serotonin receptors are potential targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether associations between HTR7 genetic polymorphisms and alcohol dependence could be replicated. Methods This study genotyped a total of 22 common single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in 459 alcoholic patients and 444 nonalcoholic controls. Results Logistic regression analysis of the case-control study, controlling for age and sex as covariates, showed nominal associations of 7 SNPs ( p = 0.02 to 0.04; odds ratio = 0.60 to 1.35). In further linear regression analysis based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score for alcohol dependence, 8 SNPs and 3 haplotypes showed relatively significant associations with alcohol dependence (minimum p = 0.001; p corr = 0.02). Conclusions Although further replications and functional evaluations are needed, our findings suggest that genetic variations of HTR7 may contribute to the predisposition for alcohol dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Vitamin D has immune modulatory functions, and thus its relationship with allergic disease has been evaluated in a number of studies. However, no concrete link between serum IgE level and vitamin D has been established. Thus, the purpose of study was to confirm the association of serum vitamin D level with the serum IgE (total and Dematophagoides farinae specific IgE) in Korean adolescents. Methods: A total of 365 subjects between 10 and 18 years of age were enrolled through the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Serum levels of vitamin D, total IgE, and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) specific IgE were measured, and data for potential confounding variables were collected. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the independent effects of these variables. Results: Levels of both total and Df specific IgE were positively correlated with serum concentration of vitamin D (Spearman's rho (R)=0.126, p =0.016; R =0.152, p =0.004, respectively). These results were confirmed by multivariate linear regression analysis after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index (coefficient (B): 10.45 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–20.31; B: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.31–1.80, respectively). And, the association between serum vitamin D and IgE showed the different results depending on the presence or absence of Df sensitization. Conclusions: Serum concentration of vitamin D was positively associated with levels of both total IgE and Df-specific IgE in Korean adolescents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the association of heart rate (HR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with left ventricular (LV) structure in a multi-rural cohort project in Korea. A total of 3215 subjects were analyzed for factors related to Echo-LV mass index (LVMI). eGFR was positively associated with both types of LVMI whereas HR was negatively associated with both. Odd ratios (ORs) (highest versus lowest quartiles) for LVMI by height2.7 were significant for HR (OR: 0.441, p = 0.0035 in males; OR: 0.638, p = 0.0226 in females), and for eGFR (OR:1.643, p = 0.0145) in females. In conclusion, in addition to age, systolic blood pressure and body mass index, eGFR is positively associated with echocardiographic LVMI and HR is negatively associated with echocardiographic LVMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to review the types of building materials that could present a hazardous risk to health of building occupants. The review is necessary as many countries including Korea and the UK have a policy target to make building sustainable and air-tight; therefore a strategy and guide is needed to address the possible hazards that could be found in existing structures of many buildings. For new buildings, the assessment should be at the beginning of building conception, which should be extended to all stages of construction, and the potential hazard should be registered in record to inform the future refurbishment procedures and end-of-life management of the building, for disposal and re-use of materials. The assessment of hazardous materials should be an important aspect of the green building certification such as those being developed in Korea. Various types of hazardous building materials are described. Guidance is provided to encourage precaution and remediation of risks when handling these materials during construction or refurbishment or with materials already in place in existing buildings. The good practice should include a checklist procedure including: survey, assess condition, assess presence, identify and analyse, record, evaluate, and finally develop a plan strategy for prevention and possible remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variations of water chemistry occurred in acid mine drainage receiving mine and leachate water. Sulfate and metal concentrations were low in winter but high in spring and summer. Mine waters were highly acidic (up to pH 3.4) in nature with high concentrations of manganese, copper and zinc but high electrical conductivity and sulfate in leachate. The blue and brownish yellow precipitates were formed under different chemical environments of acid mine drainage. Brownish yellow (Munsell color 7.5YR 8/12), blue (Munsell color 2.5B 9/7) and light blue (Munsell color 2.5B 9/3) precipitates deposited on the stream bottom receiving acid mine water. The brownish yellow precipitates formed in the acid mine water, whereas the blue and light blue precipitates formed in the leachate water. The brownish yellow precipitates consisted mainly of ferrihydrite, whereas the blue and light blue precipitates consisted of glaucocerinite and/or woodwardite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease ( MELD) has been widely used for predicting short-term mortality in patients with cirrhosis in the U. S. A modification of the MELD score was published in 2011. This was validated for Korean patients with cirrhosis. Methods The medical records of patients with cirrhosis who were admitted to Konkuk University Hospital from 2006 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The predictive value for 3-month mortality was compared between the Refit MELD, Refit MELD- Na, MELD, MELD- Na, and Child- Pugh score. The comparison was performed by calculating the area under the receiver operating curve ( AUROC). Results A total of 882 patients were enrolled and 77 (8.7%) died within 3 months. The most common etiology was alcohol (45.4%) followed by hepatitis B (34.2%). The AUROCs of the Refit MELD, Refit MELD- Na, MELD, MELD- Na, and Child- Pugh score were 0.842, 0.817, 0.844, 0.848, and 0.831, respectively. The Refit MELD- Na showed a lower value than MELD- Na ( P = 0.0005), MELD ( P = 0.0190), and the Refit MELD ( P = 0.0174). When the patients with hepatitis B, C, and alcoholic cirrhosis were analyzed, the AUROCs were 0.960, 0.920, 0.953, 0.951, 0.896, 0.959, 0.956, 0.947, 0.956, 0.943, and 0.746, 0.707, 0.752, 0.747, 0.755. Conclusions The improvement in predictive value for 3-month mortality was not definite. The Refit MELD- Na especially showed the lowest value. This result may have been due to differences in underlying etiology of cirrhosis between Korea and the U. S. Thus, a larger prospective study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The use of carbon dioxide ( CO2) laser-mediated ablative fractional resurfacing ( AFR) is currently under extensive clinical investigation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are unclear. Objectives To determine the early expressed genes that are upregulated in human skin after treatment using a CO2 fractional laser. Methods Whole human skin was irradiated using an AFR CO2 laser, and changes in gene expression after 2 and 24 hours were analyzed using microarray analysis. The results were validated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR). Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to investigate the expression of the validated proteins after AFR CO2 laser treatment of skin that had been biopsied from seven Korean patients. Results Gene expression profiling showed that the most significantly upregulated genes in these skin samples were those encoding Wnt5a, cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 ( CYR61), and heat shock protein ( HSP) 90. These results were confirmed using real-time RT-PCR and LSCM. Conclusions Irradiation using an AFR laser may induce the expression of Wnt5a, CYR61, and HSP90 in human skin during the early remodeling phases, suggesting that the induction of proteins may be the preceding event that is associated with the clinical effects of laser treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Laminaria japonica is a brown alga, which is consumed widely in Korea, Japan, and China. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of L. japonica against oral microbial species to assess the possible application of L. japonica extracts in dental care products. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined in culture medium using a microdilution method. The MICs of ethanol extracts of L. japonica with oral streptococci were 62.5–500 μg/ml and the MBCs were 125–1000 μg/ml. The MICs of Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus were 250 and 62.5 μg/ml, respectively. The MBCs of A. naeslundii and A. odontolyticus were 500 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. The MICs were 250 and 62.5 μg/ml for Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. The killing of Streptococcus mutans and P. gingivalis was dependent on the incubation time. The killing of S. mutans, A. odontolyticus, and P. gingivalis was significantly dependent on the extract concentration. Bacterial treatment with L. japonica extracts changed the cell surface texture of S. mutans, A. odontolyticus, and P. gingivalis. The results of this study suggest that L. japonica extracts may be useful for the development of antimicrobial agents to combat oral pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Population-based studies for olfactory dysfunction are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of subjective olfactory dysfunction and its risk factors in the Korean general population. Methods: The data were obtained from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which was a cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized population all around the country (n = 10,533). All interviewees underwent medical interviews, physical examinations, endoscopic examination and blood/urine tests. Whether sense of smell has been normal or abnormal during the last 3 months was asked. Complete olfaction data were obtained from 7,306 participants and the participants were divided into normosmic and hyposmic group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify its risk factors. Results: The weighted prevalence of subjective olfactory dysfunction was 4.5%. Its increased prevalence was significantly associated with the increasing age for both men and women. In the multivariate analyses, low income (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.01–2.03), habitual exposure to air pollutants (adjusted OR = 2.18, CI = 1.33–3.55), a history of hepatitis B (adjusted OR = 3.10, CI = 1.25–7.68), rhinitis (adjusted OR = 1.78, CI = 1.26–2.51) and chronic sinusitis (adjusted OR = 14.55, CI = 10.06–21.05) were risk factors of olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion: Our population-based study showed that olfactory dysfunction was quite prevalent and several risk factors were associated with impaired sense of smell. Given its prevalence, further researches for its prevention and management are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition of historical actors from forgotten figures to subjects of reproach for their deeds is central to understanding the power of memory movements. In this article, we examine the public recollection of national “traitors” in Korea, focusing on the recent attempt of a South Korean research institute to create a biographical encyclopedia of pro-Japanese collaborators during the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945; the purpose of this enterprise is to establish a “patriotic” history of this period in Korean collective memory. Why and how did such a revisiting of history take place in the first decade of the twenty-first century? To answer this question, we examine not only the historical context that affects national memory but also the efforts of various groups to revive or suppress memory in light of nationalistic ideologies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a nonallergic clinical syndrome characterized by a severe decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) following the ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin. The effects of genetic variants have not fully explained all of the observed individual differences to an aspirin challenge despite previous attempts to identify AERD-related genes. In the present study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) and targeted association study in Korean asthmatics to identify new genetic factors associated with AERD. A total of 685 asthmatic patients without AERD and 117 subjects with AERD were used for the GWAS of the first stage, and 996 asthmatics without AERD and 142 subjects with AERD were used for a follow-up study. A total of 702 SNPs were genotyped using the GoldenGate assay with the VeraCode microbead. GWAS revealed the top-ranked variants in 3′ regions of the HLA-DPB1 gene. To investigate the detailed genetic effects of an associated region with the risk of AERD, a follow-up targeted association study with the 702 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 14 genes was performed on 802 Korean subjects. In a case-control analysis, HLA-DPB1 rs1042151 (Met105Val) shows the most significant association with the susceptibility of AERD ( p = 5.11 × 10; OR = 2.40). Moreover, rs1042151 also shows a gene dose for the percent decline of FEV1 after an aspirin challenge ( p = 2.82 × 10). Our findings show that the HLA-DPB1 gene polymorphism may be the most susceptible genetic factor for the risk of AERD in Korean asthmatics and confirm the importance of HLA-DPB1 in the genetic etiology of AERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to apply health performance indicators to actual apartments in order to evaluate the health performance of high-rise and high-density Korean apartments and their environment. In addition, this study analysed factors that are perceived as affecting the residents’ satisfaction. To this end, two apartment complexes that are in a similar location and environment, but with a 10-year difference in their age, were examined and evaluated. Both apartment complexes were assessed as healthy in all dimensions, but unhealthy in the attribute of information management in the managerial dimension. The study also identified that residents were positive and enthusiastic about the performance evaluation. Both groups of residents responded positively and showed satisfaction with their housing environment with no significant differences between the two groups. However, using different evaluation dimensions and attributes could affect their observed satisfaction levels based on residence duration. Therefore, in order for these apartments to be recorded as healthy environments, evaluation indicators would need to be validated and illustrate a healthy housing quality, which reflects the characteristics and current status. The evaluation results can then be utilised to develop guidelines to manage and maintain healthy housing environments for apartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess how occupants perceived their visual environments of diverse luminous ambiences created by daylight in apartment buildings. Daylighting can have a large influence on environmental condition to improve ambience, visual comfort, well-being and health of occupants. Thus, it is essential to understand what visual adaptive actions for the satisfaction of occupants and how they respond to given visual environments. A purpose-built living room with balcony extension was situated at Kyung Hee University in Korea (latitude 37.17N, longitude 127.01E) to monitor data throughout a 1-month period in winter. Thirty-two subjects participated and each subject spent a day in the test room. All subjects were given the opportunity to have artificial lighting and blinds control over the lighting ambience appropriate for their activity. Physical measurements such as illuminance levels of vertical and floor-planes, window luminance were monitored simultaneously which were cross-linked to the subjective assessment of blinds control. Experimental results revealed the factors affecting the occupant use of shading systems; visual comfort, seating orientation and blinds types could have an effect. The results of this study should provide useful information on daylighting as a function of photometrical and behavioural factors for future application in building design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild mullet ( Mugil cephalus) with white cysts on their scales were obtained from Yeosu on the south coast of Korea in 2009. Cyst-like plasmodia consisted of a large number of mature myxosporean spores and numerous sporogonic stages. Spores were oval-shaped in their front view, tapering anteriorly to a blunt apex, and lenticular in their lateral view. They measured 7.0 μm (6.2-7.6) in length, 5.2 μm (4.0-6.2) in width, and 4.9 μm (3.8-6.0) in thickness. Polar capsules contained a polar filament with five to six turns and measured 3.5 μm (2.5-4.5) in length and 2.0 μm (1.6-2.3) in width. Nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the myxosporean parasites in our study showed 99.8 % identity with Myxobolus episquamalis Egusa, Maeno and Sorimachi, 1990 from mullet in Tunisia. These results suggest that the Myxobolus sp. found on the scales of wild mullet is M. episquamalis. In the histopathological examination, spores were observed not only in the plasmodia on the scales, but also in the intestine, pancreas, heart, kidney, stomach, gill, skin, spleen, and liver, suggesting the possibility of the coinfection by different Myxobolus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to increasing trends in sulfur deposition in Northeast Asia, three countries in the region (China, Japan, and Korea) agreed to devise abatement strategies. The concepts of critical loads and source-receptor (S-R) relationships provide guidance for formulating such strategies. Based on the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollutants in Northeast Asia (LTP) project, this study analyzes sulfur deposition data in order to optimize acidic loads over the three countries. The three groups involved in this study carried out a full year (2002) of sulfur deposition modeling over the geographic region spanning the three countries, using three air quality models: MM5-CMAQ, MM5-RAQM, and RAMS-CADM, employed by Chinese, Japanese, and Korean modeling groups, respectively. Each model employed its own meteorological numerical model and model parameters. Only the emission rates for SO and NO obtained from the LTP project were the common parameter used in the three models. Three models revealed some bias from dry to wet deposition, particularly the latter because of the bias in annual precipitation. This finding points to the need for further sensitivity tests of the wet removal rates in association with underlying cloud-precipitation physics and parameterizations. Despite this bias, the annual total (dry plus wet) sulfur deposition predicted by the models were surprisingly very similar. The ensemble average annual total deposition was 7,203.6 ± 370 kt S with a minimal mean fractional error (MFE) of 8.95 ± 5.24 % and a pattern correlation (PC) of 0.89-0.93 between the models. This exercise revealed that despite rather poor error scores in comparison with observations, these consistent total deposition values across the three models, based on LTP group's input data assumptions, suggest a plausible S-R relationship that can be applied to the next task of designing cost-effective emission abatement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate the factors associated with parricide in patients with schizophrenia who committed homicide. The factors that led to parricide were untreated psychotic symptoms including Capgras syndrome (CS) and offense-provoking events. It highlights that domestic violence by patients with schizophrenia needs to be a primary concern in the mental health field. Psychiatric problems of other family members should be investi­gated.

Conclusion: Acoustic characteristics of snoring sound, such as pitch and formant, differed according to the site of upper airway obstruction determined by sleep videofluoroscopy (SVF). Snoring sound analysis can complement determination of the site of obstruction in snoring and sleep apnea patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic characteristics of snoring according to obstruction site determined by SVF. Methods: Ninety patients who underwent simultaneous snoring sound recording during SVF were included in this study. Acoustic parameters of snoring such as pitch (min, mean, max) and formant (1,2) were analyzed. Site of obstruction was determined by SVF and classified according to anatomic structure and level of obstruction. Results: Mean value of peak frequency showed significant difference between soft palate and isolated tongue base or epiglottis obstruction and combined obstruction involving soft palate and tongue base or epiglottis. Peak frequency of velopharyngeal obstruction showed difference only with hypopharyngeal obstruction. First formant showed similar results in the structure classification whereas velopharyngeal obstruction showed significant difference compared with other levels of obstruction. Other parameters (intensity, jitter, shimmer) did not show significance according to site of obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mite (HDM) extracts in school-age children and adolescents seems to be as effective as in adults. SLIT could be recommended as a therapeutic modality in pediatric allergic rhinitis (AR) patients sensitized to HDMs. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of HDM SLIT in pediatric patients with AR. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six patients treated with HDM SLIT for at least 1 year between November 2007 and February 2010 were enrolled in this study. A young age group ( n = 54) between 6 and 18 years old was compared with an adult group ( n = 22). Standardized extract of HDM (Pangramin® SLIT) was used. Total symptom scores (TSS) and anti-allergic medication scores (AMS) were evaluated before and 1 year after SLIT. Results: TSS improved in both groups, and the change was comparable in the 2 groups (ΔTSS, 5.1 vs 5.3; p = 0.538). Also among the young age group, ΔTSS did not significantly differ between school-age children and adolescents (5.2 vs 4.9, p = 0.429). Thirty-five out of 54 youngsters (64.8%) and 11 out of 22 adults (50.0%) showed improvement in TSS over 30%. AMS were significantly decreased in both groups. ΔAMS tended to be higher in the young age group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (57.2 vs 35.7, p = 0.060). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Genetic dysregulation may be associated with development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Objectives: Genetic expression was investigated in the soft palate of patients with OSA to evaluate the biomolecular characteristics of the tissue where airway obstruction actually occurs. Methods: Soft palate mucosa was obtained during uvulopalatal flap surgery. Three patients with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) >30/h and three simple snoring patients with AHI < 5/h were enrolled. After total RNA was extracted and amplified, gene expression levels were determined by microarray analysis, and relative signal intensities for each gene were evaluated. Results: Of the 45,034 genes analyzed, 137 were up-regulated in OSA patients compared with simple snorers and 95 were down-regulated. Gene network analysis showed that genes related to RNA interference and transcription were most commonly involved in the functional pathophysiology of OSA. In particular, genes encoding proliferating cell nuclear antigen and proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 6 were functionally connected with other genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution of groundwater by seawater intrusion poses a threat to sustainable agriculture in the coastal areas of Korea. Therefore, seawater intrusion monitoring stations were installed in eastern, western, and southern coastal areas and have been operated since 1998. In this study, groundwater chemistry data obtained from the seawater intrusion monitoring stations during the period from 2007 to 2009 were analyzed and evaluated. Groundwater was classified into fresh (<1,500 μS/cm), brackish (1,500-3,000 μS/cm), and saline (>3,000 μS/cm) according to EC levels. Among groundwater samples ( n = 233), 56, 7, and 37% were classified as the fresh, brackish, and saline, respectively. The major dissolved components of the brackish and saline groundwaters were enriched compared with those of the fresh groundwater. The enrichment of Na and Cl was especially noticeable due to seawater intrusion. Thus, the brackish and saline groundwaters were classified as Ca-Cl and Na-Cl types, while the fresh groundwater was classified as Na-HCO and Ca-HCO types. The groundwater included in the Na-Cl types indicated the effects of seawater mixing. Ca, Mg, Na, K, SO, and Br showed good correlations with Cl of over r = 0.624. Of these components, the strong correlations of Mg, SO, and Br with Cl ( r ≥ 0.823) indicated a distinct mixing between fresh groundwater and seawater. The Ca/Cl and HCO/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased and approached those of seawater. The Mg/Cl, Na/Cl, K/Cl, SO/Cl, and Br/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased, and were similar to or lower than those of seawater, indicating that Mg, Na, K, SO, and Br, as well as Cl in the saline groundwater can be enriched by seawater mixing, while Ca and HCO are mainly released by weathering processes. The influence of seawater intrusion was evaluated using threshold values of Cl and Br, which were estimated as 80.5 and 0.54 mg/L, respectively. According to these criteria, 41-50% of the groundwaters were affected by seawater mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND:The functional role of the human diffuse panbronchiolitis critical region 1 (DPCR1) gene, located in the major histocompatibility complex class I, has not been widely investigated. However, this gene is a well known genetic marker for diffuse panbronchiolitis, a disease affecting human respiratory bronchioles. In this study we explored the association between polymorphisms in DPCR1 and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), an asthma phenotype. METHODS: Genotyping of 6 polymorphisms was carried out in a total of 189 Korean asthmatic patients stratified into 93 AERD cases and 96 aspirin tolerant asthma controls. Subjects who exhibited significant decrease of FEV1 by aspirin provocation were identified as AERD subjects. Logistic and regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between DPCR1 polymorphisms and the risk of AERD as well as FEV1 decline. RESULTS: Initial analysis revealed significant association of rs2517449 with AERD, with a P value of .03 via a recessive model; however, the association signal disappeared after multiple testing corrections. In addition, rs2517449 and rs2240804 also showed association signals with decline of FEV1 after aspirin provocation (P = .007 and .03, respectively, in a recessive model). After testing for multiple comparisons, only the association signal from rs2517449 was retained (Pcorr = .04), while other polymorphisms showed no associations with the risk of AERD and FEV1 decline. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that polymorphisms in DPCR1 are not associated with the risk of AERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When operating oyster farms, the major factor that influences sustainable productivity is the suitable site selection. In the present study, site selection was performed for oyster farms in Geoje-Hansan Bay, one of the largest oyster farms in Korea, by applying Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) to the Geological Information System (GIS). We also applied HSI which had no consideration for weights in order to exclude subjective judgment or non-feasible hypotheses. Main factors were grouped into three sub-models (the growth of oysters, the survival of oysters, and the surrounding environment of farms). The HSI ranged from 0.0 to 0.7 in Geoje-Hansan Bay and the oyster farms (6.0 km2) could be rearranged in zones (7.5 km2) with the highest 0.6–0.7 HSI, indicating that the area offers the optimal conditions for oyster farming. Our results showed a high correlation between HSI and the productivity of oyster farms. This could be a scientific basis to decide the efficient measures for fishery management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the past 30 years, Korea has adopted structural frames with bearings for apartment buildings. The unit planning flexibility of such a structural system is inadequate, when compared to the column-beam system. The system would allow renovation easily and would provide various other legal benefits to constructors in Korea. For this reason, a column-beam system, named by green frame (GF), implemented with composite precast concrete (PC) members was previously developed. However, since the scheme would require a performance improvement to increase its economic effects and constructability, a further improved system has been developed. In the case of structural construction, it is a construction process that emits the most CO2. Along with the constructability and economic feasibility of a construction system, a reduction in CO2 is also critical. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the CO2-reduction effect of the improved system constructed with enhanced composite PC members. The improved system would greatly contribute to CO2 reduction with an average of 25.0% as compared with the bearing wall structure; and 2.8% compared to the existing GF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lighting in buildings can exert a large influence on the comfort, well-being, and health of occupants. A window plays a major role in providing both natural lighting in buildings and a view out, so that occupants can keep in touch with the external environment. Thus, it is essential to understand what the visual requirements are to meet occupants’ needs and how window views could affect those requirements. This study aims to reveal occupant perception on window views and to identify its effects on the assessment of glare from windows. This paper presents the results from the experiment conducted in a chamber with a simulated window, which can render various window views and luminance conditions. Forty-eight subjects participated in the experiment. The results show the evidence that the glare sensation of occupants could vary with the occupant’s perception on window views under the same luminous conditions. A discomfort glare index that predicts a subjective discomfort glare as a function of background and window luminances, position index, and perception on window views, has been developed by this study. A comparison between the developed and existing glare prediction models was discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the optimal illuminance for each lighting colour of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources among the seven major lighting colours (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow and white); the focus was on the optimal combination of these colours for enhancement of occupant comfort and communication indoors. The evaluation of optimal illuminance for LED lighting colours found that the occupants felt the cyan LED light source was similar to a white light source, and that the relative brightness of the green lighting colour was higher than that for other colours. The evaluation of the permissible range of illuminance for LED lighting colours found that occupants believed the red lighting colours to be relatively darker; again, the relative brightness of green lighting was considered to be higher. An experiment with subjects for LED lighting colours (consisting of 19 patterns of 7 colours in the living room of a house) found that the optimal illuminance for occupants’ comfort was 32[lx]–119[lx], and for occupants’ communication was 107[lx]–584[lx]. These results satisfied the illuminance criteria of Korean Standards as the optimal illuminance for occupants’ comfort and communication in the living room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comfortable indoor environment is an essential condition for establishing a healthy housing environment. The indoor comfort is influenced by not only architectural conditions, but also residents’ psychological adaptation and behavioural adjustments. Moreover, specific information about adjusting behaviours, such as opening windows, closing blinds and adjusting clothing, is important to enhance indoor comfort effectively and reduce energy consumption at home.The purpose of this study is to explore residents’ evaluation and adjusting behaviour related to the indoor comfort of apartments in Korea. This study collected residents’ evaluations of thermo, sound, light and air conditions through surveys on their satisfaction, and the study identified factors affecting residents’ evaluations. In addition, this study investigated adjusting behaviours that would improve levels of indoor comfort based on the unique attributes of apartments and residents’ living culture, and it analysed the relationship between such behaviour and their satisfaction. The questionnaire survey was collected from apartment residents. Frequency analyses, t-test and multiple linear regression analysis were employed.The results of this study would contribute to developing plans and management guidelines for enhancing indoor comfort and satisfaction as specific and practical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating comfortable indoor climates is one of fundamental functions of buildings and buildings use a large amount of energy to fulfill their function. Therefore, it is important to understand how and under what thermal environments, the occupants can achieve their comfort in their normal lives. This paper reports the results from a longitudinal field investigation, which has been conducted to reveal the comfort temperatures of occupants in open plan offices in summer, autumn and winter in Seoul, Korea and to identify the environmental factors that could affect comfort temperatures. The survey results confirm that comfort temperature would vary with seasons. This research provides the evidence to link the indoor and outdoor temperatures along with past thermal experience with comfort temperatures. An adaptive comfort model has been developed by this study for building occupants in Seoul, Korea based on the field investigation. Comparisons between the new adaptive comfort model and existing models have been also made. The establishment of an adaptive thermal comfort model for Seoul would have a significant impact on energy saving and for setting of thermal comfort standard for office buildings in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the appropriate allocation of resources for the future restoration of the abandoned mining district of Kangwon in Korea, identification of the main pollutants and the main sources discharging these pollutants is crucial. Therefore, a 2-year study was undertaken to quantify the amount of pollutants in the Uchen stream (a potential sink for contamination), which runs through the district, and to determine the potential sources of these pollutants, including mine drainage and soil. Arsenic (As) was the main pollutant in mine drainage and soils showing concentrations above the Korean regulated standard levels of 50 μg L and 50 mg kg for water and soil, respectively. In addition, the pollution index (PI) showed that mine drainages were polluted by As to a moderate (2 ≤ PI < 3) or strong (4 ≤ PI < 5) degree. Consequently, As load in mine drainage and soil contributed to increased amounts of As in the stream. The As loads in mine drainages (11 and 587 g month for mine adit 1 and 2, respectively) accounted for only 9% of the total As load to the stream (6,378 g month); and the influence of mine drainages on As contents in the stream was more reliant on the total volume of mine drainage generated rather than the As concentration in the mine drainage. Approximately 91% of the As in the stream was derived from the soils within the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 2,500 well-preserved bird tracks associated with theropod and sauropod tracks are recorded from a dense assemblage in lacustrine deposits of the Early Cretaceous Haman Formation of the Gajin area, Jinju, Korea. These tracks are preserved in the recently constructed Fossil Heritage Hall at the Gyeongsangnamdo Institute of Science Education. Bird tracks are attributed to Ignotornis gajinensis ichnosp. nov., Koreanaornis hamanensis, Goseongornipes markjonesi, and ?Aquatilavipes. Like G. markjonesi, I. gajinensis is a semi-palmate bird track, similar to Hwangsanipes (ichnofamily Ignotornidae) with a postero medially directed hallux and characterized by interdigital angles between digits II and III larger than III and IV. However, Hwangsanipes is a larger morphotype than Ignotornis with a more pronounced semipalmate web. I. gajinensis has associated arcuate to semi-circular, double-grooved, or paired impressions resulting from spoonbill-like feeding behavior. Similar rare but more linear traces occur in one Ignotornis specimen from the Cretaceous of Colorado. The Gajin site represents a record of the world's most-dense assemblage of bird tracks (up to ∼600 per m2) at a single locality and provides striking evidence of the diversity of avian ichnotaxa during the Cretaceous. The Gajin tracksite provides new insight into the morphology of four of the eight ichnogenera known from the Cretaceous of Korea. The Goseongornipes sample is the largest and best-preserved available. In the case of Ignotornis, feeding traces shed new light on behavior and paleoecology of the trackmakers, which appear to have been remarkably convergent with modern shore birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird tracks are abundant and ubiquitous in many Cretaceous formations in Korea. To date, in order of discovery and description, the following six ichnogenera have been reported: Koreanaornis, Jindongornipes, Uhangrichnus, Hwangsanipes, Ignotornis, Goseongornipes and ?Aquatilavipes. As more bird tracks are discovered it has become possible to amend descriptions of existing ichnotaxa to better understand track morphology (and ichnotaxonomic relationships), trackway patterns and associated feeding traces and gain further insight into the behavior and ecology. We review and re-evaluate the most important bird tracksites in Korea, with special reference to sites not previously fully or adequately described in accessible English language journals. We pay special attention to material from the Uhangri Dinosaur Museum, Haenam area, and the Gyeongsangnamdo Institute of Science Education, Gajin area, presenting revised descriptions, illustrations and information on Uhangrichnus and Goseongornipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebrate tracks were first reported from the Cretaceous of South Korea in 1969 by B. K. Kim. His discovery of bird tracks, appropriately named Koreanaornis hamanensis, not only signaled the first bird tracks discovered in Asia and the second formally named avian ichnogenus from the Mesozoic, but it also was an indication of the vast wealth of vertebrate tracks that would be discovered a generation later in the Haman Formation and other Cretaceous formations of Korea, particularly in the large Gyeongsang Basin. This landslide of discovery has resulted in a proliferation of papers on vertebrate tracks from the Cretaceous of South Korea and the growing recognition that as a region it reveals multiple track-rich sequences of unique quality and scientific utility. Because of the outstanding ichnological resources in this region, it has been dubbed the Korean Cretaceous Dinosaur Coast (KCDC). Many sites of national and international significance have been designated as national natural landmarks, and the best of these have been nominated for World Heritage Inscription. In this editorial introduction, we attempt to summarize the present state of tetrapod ichnology after four decades of vertebrate track research. This synopsis serves as an introduction to a dozen short papers that focus attention on new discoveries at key sites. These reports, in turn, provide a promise of abundant material for future decades of research. At the present time, there are at least five ichnological research groups working on vertebrate tracks from the Cretaceous of Korea, both independently and collaboratively. Almost all researchers from these groups have contributed to this volume. The result has been the naming of five new tetrapod ichnospecies (Fig. 1), adding to the ten previously named. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cretaceous bird tracks assigned to the ichnogenera Aquatilavipes and Koreanaornis are reported for the first time from Sado Island in the Yeosu Island archipelago, Korea, an area already known for multiple dinosaur track-bearing horizons. The Koreanaornis tracks are associated with many small Cochlichnus trails attributed to nematode worms, on which the birds were likely feeding in a lake shoreline environment. The Koreanaornis and Aquatilavipes assemblages occur at different, albeit close, stratigraphic levels. The Aquatilavipes report is the first from Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trackways ascribed to Lithographus hieroglypichus and attributed to pterygote insects are described from the Cretaceous Uhangri Formation of Korea. The locality is part of the Haenam Tracksite at the Uhangri Dinosaur Museum Complex, which is famous for dinosaur, pterosaur and bird tracks. This represents the first report of the arthropod trackway Lithographus from the Cretaceous of Korea. The trackways are preserved in cherty mudstones that formed in the margins of an alkaline lake in the vicinity of active volcanoes. Numerous trackways are preserved at a single horizon. This probably reflects a brief period of exposure of balanced-fill lake margin sediments, which provided a window of opportunity for the production and preservation of trackways of insects that inhabited the region rather than a sudden influx of insects into the area related to volcanism and a productivity bloom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Korean species of the genus Cleptes Latreille were taxonomically reviewed, and seven species were confirmed. Among them, C. fudzi and C. japonicus were new to Korea, and C. metallicorpus was new to science. A C. seoulensis male was described for the first time. Cleptes nitidulus was tentatively excluded from Korean fauna. A key to Korean Cleptes species, diagnostic descriptions for all treated species and digital images are provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]