Utilizing a new version of the sunspot number and group sunspot number dataset available since 2015, we have statistically studied the relationship between solar activity parameters describing solar cycles and the slope of the linear relationship between the monthly sunspot numbers and the monthly number of active days in percentage (AD). As an effort of evaluating possibilities in use of the number of active days to predict solar activity, it is worthwhile to revisit and extend the analysis performed earlier. In calculating the Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient r, the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient rs, and the Kendall’s τ coefficient with the rejection probability, we have calculated the slope for a given solar cycle in three different ways, namely, by counting the spotless day that occurred during the ascending phase and the descending phase of the solar cycle separately, and during the period corresponding to solar minimum ± 2 years as well. We have found that the maximum solar sunspot number of a given solar cycle and the duration of the ascending phase are hardly correlated with the slope of a linear function of the monthly sunspot numbers and AD. On the other hand, the duration of a solar cycle is found to be marginally correlated with the slope with the rejection probabilities less than a couple of percent. We have also attempted to compare the relation of the monthly sunspot numbers with AD for the even and odd solar cycles. It is inconclusive, however, that the slopes of the linear relationship between the monthly group numbers and AD are subject to the even and odd solar cycles.

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 ㎎ of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 ㎎/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 ㎎/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 ㎎/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the ECFA impacted the efficiency of banks in China and Taiwan from 2008 to 2017. This study follows Seiford and Zhu (2002), who recommend using the standard data envelopment analysis model to measure performance by increasing the desirable outputs and decreasing the undesirables. The finding was that overall technical efficiency increased from 2012 to 2017, reaching 0.575, 0.652, 0617, 0.689, 0.701 and 0.74, respectively. This result implies bank efficiency did indeed improve after China and Taiwan signed the ECFA cooperation agreement. The study found that the mean technical efficiency was 0.8756 in China, greater than Taiwan’s mean of 0.3511, implying that Chinese banks experienced a greater increase in efficiency after signing the EFCA. One possible reason explored in this study is that China’s economy is currently growing at the highest rate in the world, and the banks’ efficiency has benefited from greater economic growth. This suggests that cross-strait sustained negotiations to consummate an agreement on trade in the services will be a very important mission in the future. This result also provides significant evidence suggesting that not accounting for undesirable output while estimating the evolution of the model may seriously distort efficiency results.

We explore the associations between the total sunspot area, solar north-south asymmetry, and Southern Oscillation Index and the physical characteristics of clouds by calculating normalized cross-correlations, motivated by the idea that the galactic cosmic ray influx modulated by solar activity may cause changes in cloud coverage, and in turn the Earth’s climate. Unlike previous studies based on the relative difference, we have employed cloud data as a whole time-series without detrending. We found that the coverage of high-level and low-level cloud is at a maximum when the solar north-south asymmetry is close to the minimum, and one or two years after the solar north-south asymmetry is at a maximum, respectively. The global surface air temperature is at a maximum five years after the solar north-south asymmetry is at a maximum, and the optical depth is at a minimum when the solar north-south asymmetry is at a maximum. We also found that during the descending period of solar activity, the coverage of low-level cloud is at a maximum, and global surface air temperature and cloud optical depth are at a minimum, and that the total column water vapor is at a maximum one or two years after the solar maximum.

In this study, we investigate the associations between the solar variability and teleconnection indices, which influence atmospheric circulation and subsequently, the spatial distribution of the global pressure system. A study of the link between the Sun and a large-scale mode of climate variability, which may indirectly affect the Earth’s climate and weather, is crucial because the feedbacks of solar variability to an autogenic or internal process should be considered with due care. We have calculated the normalized cross-correlations of the total sunspot area, the total sunspot number, and the solar North–South asymmetry with teleconnection indices. We have found that the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) index is anti-correlated with both solar activity and the solar North–South asymmetry, with a ∼3-year lag. This finding not only agrees with the fact that El Niño episodes are likely to occur around the solar maximum, but also explains why tropical cyclones occurring in the solar maximum periods and in El Niño periods appear similar. Conversely, other teleconnection indices, such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index, the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) index, and the Pacific-North American (PNA) index, are weakly or only slightly correlated with solar activity, which emphasizes that response of terrestrial climate and weather to solar variability are local in space. It is also found that correlations between teleconnection indices and solar activity are as good as correlations resulting from the teleconnection indices themselves.

본 연구는 CT를 이용한 지방측정(Fat measurement)에 반복 재구성법(IR)이 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보기 위하여 기존의 필터보정 역투영법(FBP)과 비교하여 고급 모델링 반복 재구성법(ADMIRE)은 어떠한 차이가 있는지 알아보고자 한다. CT Fat measurement에 ADMIRE가 미치는 영향에 대해 알아본 결과 기존의 Filtered back projection과 비교하여 Visceral fat area, Subcutaneous fat area, V/S Ratio, Visceral fat area의 HU 그리고 Subcutaneous fat area의 HU는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 하지만 ADMIRE Strength가 커질수록 Visceral fat area의 Noise는 최대 12%, Subcutaneous fat area의 Noise는 최대 19% 감소하였다. 그리고 CT를 이용한 Fat measurement에서 내장지방과 피하지방 측정에 ADMIRE 알고리즘은 아무런 영향을 주지 않았다.

Understanding solar influences on extreme weather is important. Insight into the causes of extreme weather events, including the solar-terrestrial connection, would allow better preparation for these events and help minimize the damage caused by disasters that threaten the human population. In this study, we examined category three, four, and five tropical cyclones that occurred in the western North Pacific Ocean from 1977 to 2016. We compared long-term trends in the positions of tropical cyclone occurrence and development with variations of the observed sunspot area, the solar North-South asymmetry, and the southern oscillation index (SOI). We found that tropical cyclones formed, had their maximum intensity, and terminated more northward in latitude and more westward in longitude over the period analyzed; they also became stronger during that period. It was found that tropical cyclones cannot be correlated or anti-correlated with the solar cycle. No evidence showing that properties (including positions of occurrence/development and other characteristics) of tropical cyclones are modulated by solar activity was found, at least not in terms of a spectral analysis using the wavelet transform method.

The solar magnetic field plays a central role in the field of solar research, both theoretically and practically. Sunspots are an important observational constraint since they are considered a discernable tracer of emerged magnetic flux tubes, providing the longest running records of solar magnetic activity. In this presentation, we first review the statistical properties of the latitudinal distribution of sunspots and discuss their implications. The phase difference between paired wings of the butterfly diagram has been revealed. Sunspots seem to emerge with the exponential distribution on top of slowly varying trends by periods of ~11 years, which is considered multiplicative rather than additive. We also present a concept for the center-oflatitude (COL) and its use. With this, one may sort out a traditional butterfly diagram and find new features. It is found that the centroid of the COL does not migrate monotonically toward the equator, appearing to form an ‘active latitude’. Furthermore, distributions of the COL as a function of latitude depend on solar activity and the solar North-South asymmetry. We believe that these findings serve as crucial diagnostic tools for any potential model of the solar dynamo. Finally, we find that as the Sun modulates the amount of observed galactic cosmic ray influx, the solar North-South asymmetry seems to contribute to the relationship between the solar variability and terrestrial climate change.

지금까지 추진해 오던 제외지 중심의 하천복원에서 벗어나 최근에는 제내지까지 복원하고자 하는 노력이 시도되고 있다. 이의 일환으로 구하도의 복원이 추진되고 있으나 이로 인한 수리적 연결성 및 생태적 연결성 향상을 정량적으로 평가할 적합한 모형의 개발은 미진한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 구하도 복원을 통한 생태적 연결성 회복을 평가할 수 있는 격자기반의 수리해석 모형을 개발하였다. 본 모형의 적용성을 검토하기 위하여 노탑리 일원의 청미천 하천복원 사업지를 대상으로 수리생태적 연결성을 평가하였다. 본 모형으로 수리 및 생태적 특성의 시 ․ 공간적 분포를 신속하고 간단하게 해석할 수 있었으며 향후 수리적 생태적 연결성을 평가하는 적절한 도구로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

하도홍수추적 방법에서 많이 사용되고 있는 Muskingum 방법의 가장 중요한 매개변수는 저류상수와 가중인자이다. Muskingum 방법은 상류 유입지점에서 하류 유출지점까지 측방유입량이 고려되지 않지만, 실제 유역에는 강우로 인하여 측방유입유량이 발생한다. 이로 인해 상하류 실측 자료를 이용하여 저류상수 및 가중인자를 산정하는 것이 매우 어려운 상황이다. 이에 본 연구는 HEC-RAS 1차원 부정류 해석모형을 이용한 수리학 적 홍수추적을 통해 측방유입유량이 제외된 상태에서의 하도에서 전파되는 유량을 산정하였고, 이를 이용하여 저류상수 및 가중인자를 산정하는 방법을 제시하였다. 이와 함께 저류상수가 유하시간과 관계있음을 감안하여 국내 하천기본계획 수립 시 사용되는 유하시간 경험 공식들을 저류상수로 적용한 결과를 비교 분석하였다. 마지막으로 유량이 고려된 유하시간 산정식을 개발하고, 유입량의 변화에 맞춰 유하시간을 업데이트하여 모의를 수행하는 방법을 제시하였다. 유량을 고려한 유하시간을 저류상수로 적용한 경우, 유량의 상승 및 하강 과정, 첨두 유량, 그리고 첨두 시간에 대해서 잘 모의하는 것으로 분석되었다.

Solar activity is known to be linked to changes in the Earth’s weather and climate. Nonetheless, for other types of extreme weather, such as tropical cyclones (TCs), the available evidence is less conclusive. In this study the modulation of TC genesis over the western North Pacific by the solar activity is investigated, in comparison with a large-scale environmental parameter, i.e., El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). For this purpose, we have obtained the best track data for TCs in the western North Pacific from 1977 to 2016, spanning from the solar cycle 21 to the solar cycle 24. We have confirmed that in the El-Niño periods TCs tend to form in the southeast, reach its maximum strength in the southeast, and end its life as TSs in the northeast, compared with the La-Niña periods. TCs occurring in the El-Niño periods are found to last longer compared with the La-Niña periods. Furthermore, TCs occurring in the El-Niño periods have a lower central pressure at their maximum strength than those occurring in the La-Niña periods. We have found that TCs occurring in the solar maximum periods resemble those in the El-Niño periods in their properties. We have also found that TCs occurring in the solar descending periods somehow resemble those in the El-Niño periods in their properties. To make sure that it is not due to the ENSO effect, we have excluded TCs both in the El-Niño periods and in the La-Niña periods from the data set and repeated the analysis. In addition to this test, we have also reiterated our analysis twice with TCs whose maximum sustained winds speed exceeds 17 m/s, instead of 33 m/s, as well as TCs designated as a typhoon, which ends up with the same conclusions.

To characterize the female or male transcriptome of the Pacific abalone and further increase genomic resources, we sequenced the mRNA of full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries derived from pooled tissues of female and male Haliotis discus hannai by employing the Iso-Seq protocol of the PacBio RSII platform. We successfully assembled whole full-length cDNA sequences and constructed a transcriptome database that included isoform information. After clustering, a total of 15,110 and 12,145 genes that coded for proteins were identified in female and male abalones, respectively. A total of 13,057 putative orthologs were retained from each transcriptome in abalones. Overall Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analyzed in each database showed a similar composition between sexes. In addition, a total of 519 and 391 isoforms were genome-widely identified with at least two isoforms from female and male transcriptome databases. We found that the number of isoforms and their alternatively spliced patterns are variable and sex-dependent. This information represents the first significant contribution to sex-preferential genomic resources of the Pacific abalone. The availability of whole female and male transcriptome database and their isoform information will be useful to improve our understanding of molecular responses and also for the analysis of population dynamics in the Pacific abalone.

Background : The organic matter content of land clearing or soil brought from an other place is very low, less than 0.5%. However, the organic matter content of natural habitat soil and leader farmhouse soil was two to three times higher than that of general farmhouse soil. As a result, the yield of Gastrodia elata was higher than that of general farmhouse. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to investigate the yield of G. elata according to the application of green manure crops (GMCs). Methods and Results : This experiment was carried out in a soil with organic matter content of 0.5% in rain shelter greenhouse. The kind of GMCs are corn, Sudan grass, sorghum and oats, and the throughputs per 10 a were 2,000 ㎏, 2,200 ㎏, 1,500 ㎏ and 700 ㎏ of each. The soil preparation was carried out after treated of GMCs at least one month before G. elata was formally planted. As the results of these experiment, organic matter content in soils increased 4 - 5 times compared with before treatment. As a result, the yield of G. elata increased by 21 - 41% in all treatments of GMCs. In addition, there was 2 - 5% more G. elata of good merchantable quality. However, the soil temperature in the summer season period of 2016 (7.1 - 8.31) was 1.2 - 1.6℃ higher than the previous year. The day when the outside temperature was above 30℃ was 41 days. It doubled from the previous year. Soil moisture content showed similar tendency according to treatments. As a result, 20 - 30% of high temperature damage and 20 - 50% of putrefaction occurred, and the total yield also decreased by 20 - 30% compared to normal year. Conclusion : In conclusion, some organic matter is needed for cultivation of G. elata. Therefore, it is considered that it would be better to keep the organic matter content at 2 - 3% when the destination are managed, and to use corn or Sudan grass as the GMCs.

Background : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of split application and adapted fertilization application cultivation in stable medicinal herbs production of Angelica acutiloba K. And it accomplished one’s purpose to GAP guide manual established standard method of cultivation technology, contribute to the enlargement of farm’s income. Methods and Results : Method of fertilization application were conducted under four condition compose to standard application (N-P-K-Compost: fermented mixed oil cake fertilizer applied at 14-10-10-600 ㎏․10 a−1cultivation. Compost and fused phosphate applied at 100% of basal fertilizer in April 14. The split application level of standard application (N-K) applied at 100%, 50%, 40%, 30% of basal fertilizer in April 14, 50%, 40% and 30% of top dressing were two, three times application (N-K) in June 1, July 15, August 15, 25% and 20% respectively. Sowing dates with Jangsung varieties in April 28 of the year 2015. Planting density were spaced 30 ㎝ apart in rows 15 ㎝ apart with black color non-woven cloth covering open cultivation by level row 90 ㎝. Plot design randomized block 3 repetition. Conclusion : Growth characteristics by 50%, 70% and 60% of top dressing were two, three times application (N-K) in June 1, July 15, August 15 compared to standard application (N-K) applied at 100% basal fertilizer, aerial part as a result were so many such amount of growth as number of leaf per plant, etc., Length of leaf and main root of aboveground, subterranean part growth increment rising highest. Dried roots yields compared to standard fertilizer 100%application (217 kg․10 a−1) treatment. 50%, 70% and 60% of top dressing were two, three times application (N-K) increased by 6%, 14%, and 18%. respectively.

Background : The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to high quality medicinal vegetables, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of different green manures crop and application culture stable foliage production in Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg. Methods and Results : Method of application with green manure crop were conducted under four condition compose to control (non application), single cropping in barley, hairy vetch and mixed cropping in hairy vetch (60%) + barley (40%)culture. Sowing dates of green manure crop were October 14 in 2014. Transplanting with Jeonam Yeosu varieties in Junel 28 by growing pot seedling for 45 days in 2015. Method of application were standard application (N-P-K-Compost applied at 20-12-10-600 ㎏․10 a−1). Plants were spaced 10 ㎝ apart in rows 10 ㎝ apart with open cultivation. Conclusions : The utilization effect of nitrogen supplied by green manure crop was highest with the hairy vetch by 21.1% in single cropping and hairy vetch + barley by 29.8% in mixed cropping. Organic matter, available phosphate, K2O, CaO, and MgO of soil increased in plots with the mixed cropping hairy vetch + barley culture. Non application < barley < hairy vetch < hairy vetch + barley in mixed cropping, aerial part as a result were so many such amount of growth as number of leaf per plant, etc., green leaf yields is untreated control plot (1,876 kg․10 a−1) compared to 7% from using barley culture, hairy vetch culture 10% higher and hairy vetch + barley culture increased to 15% of the most.

An analysis of light curves and spectra of observed gamma-ray bursts in gamma-ray ranges is frequently demanded because the prompt emission contains immediate details regarding the central engine of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We have revisited the relationship between the collimation-corrected peak luminosity and the spectral lag, investigating the lag-luminosity relationships in great detail by focusing on spectral lags resulting from all possible combinations of channels. Firstly, we compiled the opening angle data and demonstrated that the distribution of opening angles of 205 long GRBs is represented by a double Gaussian function having maxima at ~ 0.1 and ~ 0.3 radians. We confirmed that the peak luminosity and the spectral lag are anti-correlated, both in the observer frame and in the source frame. We found that, in agreement with our previous conclusion, the correlation coefficient improves significantly in the source frame. It should be noted that spectral lags involving channel 2 (25-50 keV) yield high correlation coefficients, where Swift/Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) has four energy channels (channel 1: 15-25 keV, channel 2: 25-50 keV, channel 3: 50-100 keV, channel 4: 100-200 keV). We also found that peak luminosity is positively correlated with peak energy.

Background : Ancanthopanax senticosus Fruits Extracts were studied in order to develop as functional pigment. The extracts were evaluated for physicochemical properties and biological activity. Methods and Results : Ancanthopanax senticosus fruits extracts were extracted by the rate of ethanol and distilled water in 1% citric acid. The extracts were evaluated for physicochemical properties by chromaticity, total sugar content, free sugar content, acidity, total anthocyanin contents. Total sugar and acidity were 0.10 brix and 0.44% respectively. Fructose and glucose were 1.54% and 0.36% respectively. The 60% ethanol extracts showed the highest extraction yield and total anthocyanin content. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of 60% and 80% ethanol extracts higher than other extracts. Conclusion : These results suggest that Ancanthopanax senticosus fruits extracts may be useful purple pigment for anti-diabetes activity.

Background : Aerial parts of Angelica gigas were studied in order to develop as functional pigment. The extracts were evaluated for physicochemical properties and biological activity. Methods and Results : Aerial parts of Angelica gigas were extracted by the rate of ethanol and distilled water. The extracts were evaluated for physicochemical properties by chromaticity, total sugar content, free sugar content, acidity, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents. Total sugar and acidity were 0.90 brix and 2.84% respectively. Chlorophyll and carotenoids contents were 0.24 and 0.04% respectively. The extracts were evaluated for biological activity by anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetes activity. Cell viabilities were measured by MTT assay. Effect of extracts on nitric oxide (NO) production from RAW264.7 cells was accessed by Griess reagent assay. Extracts to RAW 264.7 cells reduced amounts of nitrite by 76.0%. Conclusion : These results suggest that aerial parts of Angelica gigas Nakai may be useful pigment for anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetes activity.

Background : The hypoglycemic effects of mulberry leaves extract were evaluated by comparing the abilities on glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Glucose uptake of the extracts were identified to be enhanced by bio-conversion using cellulolytic enzyme like Viscozyme. Methods and Results : The mulberry (Morus alba L) leaves were extracted with 30% ethanol or hot water. The hypoglycemic compounds such as Moracin C and, Quercetin and 1-Deoxynojirimycin were identified from the extracts of mulberry leaves. The extracts were fermented using kinds of celluolytic enzymes, which were vicozyme, pectinase, β-glucosidase and xylanase, in order to increase the contents of hypoglycemic constituents in the extracts. The hypoglycemic effects of the fermented extracts were evaluated by comparing the abilities on glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocyte. The extracts of mulberry leaves fermented with only Viscozyme were identified to increase glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocyte by supplement of the concentration of 10 μM extracts, compared to insulin as control. However, bio-conversion effects by other enzymes were not shown in the treatments, suggesting hypoglycemic constituents in the extracts of mulberry leaves can be conversed to more active compounds by cellulolytic enzyme treatment like viscozyme. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that the hypoglycemic constituents in mulberry leaves extracts can be conversed to more active compounds by cellulolytic enzymes.

Background : Recently, many studies to seek for medicinal herb compounds from natural products have been attempted capable of being free from harmful side effects and reducing the economic burden. This study was conducted to investigate whether Morus alba L.(MAL) water extracts has a biological safety, and an inhibitory potential against the mutagenicity induced by cigarette smoke condensates(CSC). Methods and Results : MAL was extracted with 70% ethanol and the yield of the extract was 35.1%. The 70% ethanol MAL extract was fractionated sequentially by diethylether, chloroform, dichloromethane, and water, respectively. Crude MAL 70% ethanol extract itself and its solvent fractions did not show any mutagenic effect up to 1 mg/plate toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 with or without the microsomal S-9 mixture of liver metabolic activations. On the other hand, the crude MAL extract showed an inhibitory activity against the mutagenicity of CSC with S-9 mixture. Diethyl ether layer among five solvent fractions showed the highest inhibitory activity at the same dose. The inhibitory activity of diethyl ether layer was also increased dose-dependently and the inhibitory rate was about 97.1% at the concentration of 1 mg/plate. Conclusion : In this study, we concluded that all of the crude MAL 70% ethanol extract and its solvent layers are potentially safe for mutagenicity and the diethyl ether layer among the crude MAL 70% ethanol extract has an inhibitory effect against the mutagenicity of CSC.