Background: Although various conventional approaches have been employed to reduce spasticity in neurological rehabilitation, only a few studies have shown scientific evidence for its effectiveness. Thus, we introduced a different concept (Ueda method) of rehabilitation therapy that can complement the limitations of conventional therapy. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of the application of the Ueda method on patients with spasticity after stroke via an electrophysiological study. Methods: We conducted a randomized double-blind pilot study in two rehabilitation hospitals involving 30 stroke patients who were randomly allocated to the Ueda (n = 15) and convention (n = 15) groups. Electromyographic data of six examined muscles in both upper extremities of all patients were recorded. The A-ApA index and activation ratios of upper extremity muscles were evaluated and compared between the groups to confirm post-intervention changes in upper-extremity flexor spasticity and flexion synergies. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to confirm the therapeutic effect (2 × 2) as a function of group (Ueda vs. convention) and time (pre-/post-intervention) on all outcome measures (p < 0.05). Results: In the Ueda group, the mean A-ApA index values differed significantly before and after the intervention (p = 0.041), indicating a weak evidence level; however, the effect size was medium (d = –0.503). The interaction effects of the A-ApA index between the Ueda and convention groups and between pre-intervention and post-intervention stages were significant (p = 0.012). The effect size was large (np 2 = 0.220). In the Ueda group, the activation ratios of the anterior deltoid fiber significantly decreased after the intervention in all reaching tasks. Conclusion: The Ueda method reduces upper-extremity flexor spasticity and changes its synergy in stroke patients and should be considered a rehabilitation therapy for spastic stroke patients.

As the number of aging nuclear power plants increases, the market for dismantling nuclear power plants is growing rapidly. About 40% of the cost of dismantling nuclear power plants is the waste treatment cost incurred during the dismantling process, of which concrete waste accounts for a significant portion of the total waste. Securing technology for reducing and recycling concrete waste is very important not only in terms of economy but also in terms of environment. The objective is to synthesize geopolymer using inorganic materials from cement fine powder in concrete waste. Cement fine powder in concrete waste has a large amount of inorganic elements necessary for filing materials for radioactive waste treatment such as CaO and SiO2. In particular, Ca(OH)2 is synthesized by extracting Ca2+ from concrete waste. It can be used as an alkali activator to synthesize geopolymer. The mortar from crushed concrete was used as a source of calcium. The first step is to react with concrete waste and hydrochloric acid to extract ions. The second step is to react with NaOH and synthesize Ca(OH)2. The product was divided into two stages according to the reaction method and order. The first and second products were washed and dried, and then XRD and XRF were performed. The second product was matched only Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 at the XRD peak. In the case of XRF, it was analyzed to have a purity of 67.80–78.73%. Synthesis of geopolymer by recycling materials extracted from concrete waste can reduce disposal costs and improve the utilization rate of disposal sites.

농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원에서는 2018년 오리엔탈-트럼펫(OT) 종간잡종나리 ‘Pink Bella’를 개발하였다. 2008년 연노란색 OT 종간잡종나리 ‘Valparadiso’와 붉은색의 오리엔탈나리 ‘Scalini’를 각각 모본과 부본으로 화주 절단 수분법과 주 두교배법으로 각 3화를 인공교배하였고, 교배 후 미숙한 3개의 꼬투리를 수확하여 배가 형성된 배주를 기내에서 배양하여 잡종을 획득한 후 재배하였다. 육묘한 배양묘로부터 2011년 분홍색의 OT 종간잡종 나리 ‘OTO-11-43’ 계통을 개체 선발하였다. 2012년부터 2017년까지 선발된 계통은 자구와 인편번식, 조직배양을 이용하여 번식 및 양구한 후 1, 2차 생육특성 검정을 실시하였다. 2018년 3차 생육특성검정 및 소비자 기호도 평가를 수행한 결과 화색 및 화형에 대한 기호도가 높은 분홍색(RHS, RP62C)의 조기개화성 절화용 OT 종간잡종 나리 ‘Pink Bella’를 육성하였다. 3배체의 OT 종간잡종 나리로 초장은 131.7cm로 초장신장성이 우수하였다. ‘Pink Bella’의 화폭은 18.6cm이며 대조품종 ‘Table Dance’의 18.4cm와 유사한 크기였으며, 내화피의 폭, 길이 역시 대조품종과 통계적인 차이가 없었다. ‘Pink Bella’의 개화기는 6월 15일로 대조품종 ‘Table Dance’의 6월 28일에 비교하여 개화기가 13일 단축된 것으로 나타났으며 통계적으로 유의하였다.

Rose is one of the most economically important ornamental crops worldwide. Although rose products are widely used, limited genetic and genomic data from this species is available. Fundamental genetic knowledge can accelerate the development of superior rose germplasms. In the present study, we explored the genetic data (e.g., chromosome numbers, total chromosome length, and ploidy level) of 39 rose cultivars using conventional cytogenetic methods. Of the 39 rose cultivars tested, 36 (92.3%) were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28). ‘Rosada,’ ‘Rosemarin,’ and ‘Hanmaum’ were diploid (2n = 2x = 14), triploid (2n = 3x =21), and tetraploid-based aneuploid (2n = 4x = 28 + 2), respectively. The total chromosome length ranged from 46.03 ± 0.55 μm in ‘Rosada’ (2x) to 138.51 ± 0.92 μm in ‘Christoper’ (4x). The chromosome information obtained in this study will be useful for rose breeding and germplasm evaluation.