Simultaneous observations of MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) onboard the Aqua and Terra satellites and weather station at ground near the Inchon International Airport (37.2-37.7 N, 125.7-127.2 E) during the period from December 2002 to September 2004 have been utilized in order to analyze the characteristics of satellite-observed infrared (IR) and visible data under fog and clear-sky conditions, respectively. The differences (T3.7-11) in brightness temperature between 3.75μm and 11.0μm were used as threshold values for remote-sensing fog (or low clouds) from satellite during day and night. The T3.7-11 value during daytime was greater by about 21 K when it was foggy than that when it was clear, but during nighttime fog it was less by 1.5 K than during nighttime clear-sky. The value was changed due to different values of emission of fog particles at the wavelength. Since the near-IR channel at 3.7μm was affected by solar and IR radiations in the daytime, both IR and visible channels (or reflectance) have been used to detect fog. The reflectance during fog was higher by 0.05-0.6 than that during clear-sky, and varied seasonally. In this study, the threshold values included uncertainties when clouds existed above a layer of fog.

경북 문경지역의 사동층과 고방산층 셰일에서 산출되는 클로리토이드와 white mica에 대한 연구를 수행하여, 사동층과 고방산층이 경험한 변성환경을 규명하였다. 사동층 셰일에서는 두 종류의 white mica가 산출되는데, 백운모 성분이 우세한 white mica (Mu76.1Pa18.1Ma5.8)와 마가라이트가 우세한 white mica가 산출된다(Ma52.9Mu31.6Pa15.5). 이들 white mica는 각각 Na 성분이 풍부한 일라이트의 속성작용과 일라이트에서 분리된 파이로필라이트가 방해석과 반응하여 생성된 것으로 판단된다. 고방산층 셰일의 경우, 클로리토이드가 백운모, 파이로필라이트, 녹니석과 함께 산출되며, 클로리토이드는 파이로필라이트와 녹니석의 반응에 의해 생성된 것으로 보인다. White mica가 200℃ 이상의 온도에서 생성되는 점과 클로리토이드-파이로필라이트-녹니석 조합이 280℃ 이하에서 안정되는 점을 감안할 때, 문경지역 사동층과 고방산층은 저온의 변성작용(anchizone)을 경험한 것으로 판단된다.

To assess parameters of mating system in seed orchard, such as outcrossing rates, number of potential pollen contributors, and degree of pollen contamination, seeds, produced in '77 plot of the Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora S et Z) seed orchard at Anmyeon island, were collected in 2007 and analysed by nSSR and cpSSR markers. Estimates of outcrossing rates ranged from 91.2 to 100% (mean 97.7%) on the basis of the analysis of cpSSR haplotypes and from 81.6 to 100% (mean 95.3%) on the basis of the analysis of nSSR genotypes. By cross checking of both DNA markers, seeds, presumed to be products of self pollination on the basis of single marker, were confirmed as outcrossed seeds, which resulted in cumulative outcrossing rates of 98.9%. On the basis of pooled cpSSR haplotype of each seed, the number of pollen contributors and paternal contribution rates were estimated as 14.8 and 0.512, respectively. In conclusion, considering pretty high level of outcrossing rates observed in a seed orchard, good genetic potential of the seeds, produced in '77 plot of the seed orchard of Japanese red pines at Anmyeon island, may be guaranteed. Investigated results from the analysis of mating system of Japanese red pines in a '77 plot of the seed orchard may also be expected to provide useful information for the management and establishment of the seed orchard of the progressive generation.

Complementary and alternative medicines are considered as a promising research field to develop new therapies for various allergic diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (AP) by using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice and its mechanism of action in mast cells. The extract of AP reversibly inhibited degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). AP also suppressed the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis inducing by IgE and antigen (Ag) in a dose-dependent manner. In the study to find its mechanism of action, AP inhibited the phosphorylation of Syk kinase, a pivotal protein which is regulated by Src-family kinase for activation of mast cells. In addition, AP also suppressed activation of Akt and Erk1/2 that are critical for the production of cytokines in mast cells. The results strongly suggest that AP exerts anti-allergic activity in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of activation of Syk in mast cells.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-allergic activity and the mechanism of action of Crassirhizomae rhizoma (CR). The extract of CR exhibited potent inhibitory activity in mast cells; its IC50 values were 31.2±1.5μg/ml for rat basophile leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and 51.5±2.1μg/ml for bone marrow-derived mast cells by antigen stimulation. It also suppressed the expression of TNF-α and IL-4 mRNAs in RBL-2H3 cells. In an in-vivo animal allergy model, it inhibited a local allergic reaction, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), in a dose-dependent manner. With regard to the mechanism of action, CR inhibited the activating phosphorylation of Syk kinase, a key signaling protein for the activation of mast cells. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that the anti-allergic activity of CR is mediated through the inhibition of histamine release and allergic cytokine production by the inhibition of Syk in mast cells.