Abies koreana Wilson, a Korean endemic species, is facing challenges in a clonal seed orchard established for the conservation of genetic resources and the production of superior seeds. The orchard has poor flowering and fruiting, which hampers the production of viable seeds. Cone analysis, a technique used to evaluate seed orchards, was conducted on 71 clones for three years (2021-2023) to assess seed potential and recommend better management practices. In 2021, 20 clones produced cones, with an average of 15 cones per clone, while 13 clones averaged 11 cones in 2022, and 25 clones produced an average of 27 cones in 2023. The year 2022 had the longest, widest, and heaviest cones. However, there were no significant differences in cone morphology among years. The number of infertile scales were highest in 2022 and it also had the most aborted ovules. In contrast, the year 2023 had fewer aborted ovules and infertile scales. Significant difference in pest-damaged seeds was noted between years, and there was a positive correlation between cone morphology and seed potential. The findings offer valuable information for improving seed orchard management and conserving genetic resources through better tree breeding and sexual propagation practices.

Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) is a bottom-up process that selectively deposits thin films onto specific areas of a wafer surface. The surface reactions of AS-ALD are controlled by blocking the adsorption of precursors using inhibitors such as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) or small molecule inhibitors. To increase selectivity during the AS-ALD process, the design of both the inhibitor and the precursor is crucial. Both inhibitors and precursors vary in reactivity and size, and surface reactions are blocked through interactions between precursor molecules and surface functional groups. However, challenges in the conventional SAM-based AS-ALD method include thermal instability and potential damage to substrates during the removal of residual SAMs after the process. To address these issues, recent studies have proposed alternative inhibitors and process design strategies.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of somatotype on the VO2max and hormone (adrenaline and noradrenaline) during treadmill walking. Forty healthy men participated and were randomized to four groups: Male 1 (M1) group, Male 2 (M2) group, Male 3 (M3) group, and Male 4 (M4) group. M4 group is the largest body type, and M1 group is the smaller the body type. Participants walked at a speed of 3.5 km/h for five minutes at an incline angle of 0°, 5°, and 10° in the treadmill. Maximum oxygen consumption and hormone (adrenaline and noradrenaline) were measured. In the results, VO2max has significantly increased according to the degree of the treadmill inclination, and M4 group (larger body type) consumed more oxygen than the M1 group (smaller body type). In the hormone, there was a significant increase in adrenaline concentration after walking in all groups, and there was a significant difference in M1-M4, M2-M4 and M3-M4. The noradrenaline concentration significantly increased after treadmill gait in all groups, and there was no significant difference in noradrenaline between groups. This study suggests that the larger body type consumes more oxygen during walking, and treadmill walking contributes to an increase in the concentration of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the thoracic spine manipulation on spinal alignment (Cobb angle), pain, and trunk range of motion (ROM) in a patient with mild thoracic scoliosis. The Cobb angle was 11.0° and there was a right deviation of the thoracic spine. The subject had thoracic and lumbar pain, and had felt stiffness during turning of the trunk for about 3 years. Thoracic manipulation was applied at the upper thoracic spine as a therapeutic intervention three times per week for 5 weeks. After intervention, the Cobb angle decreased from 11.0° to 5.5° and the pain score decreased from 4.0 to 1.5, and the trunk left rotation ROM increased from 30.0° to 41.5°, and trunk right rotation ROM increased from 26.0° to 39.0°. These results suggest that the thrust thoracic manipulation technique had a positive effect on the spinal alignment, pain and trunk rotation ROM in patients with mild scoliosis.

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobilization and manipulation on a patient with upper thoracic pain. The subject had been complaining of upper thoracic pain for the last 4 months. On the X-ray, T3 and T4 spinous process were located on the left side of the vertical axis. First, transverse mobilization was applied from left to right at the T3-T4 and then thoracic manipulation was performed. The intervention methods of mobilization and manipulation were based on the concept of Maitland manual therapy. The subject underwent a total of 20 sessions (five times per week for four weeks). The thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle were measured to examine the effect of the intervention. The thoracic pain score decreased (from 4.0 to 1.5) and the angle of thoracic vertebral rotation decreased (from 7.0º to 4.0º). These results suggest that applied mobilization and manipulation in patients with a primary complaint of thoracic pain decreasing the thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the health conditions of occupation group and hobby group related to visual display terminal (VDT) syndrome. The VDT occupation group was mainly composed of the worker in banks, telephone companies, and general offices. The VDT-related hobby group was composed of high school students, and Internet cafe users. A questionnaire survey was conducted to classify the subjects according to hours of computer usage. The results indicated that the occupation group represented a higher level of subjective symptoms than VDT-related hobby group. In the VDT occupation group, ‘Poor body condition’, ‘Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the neck’‘, Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the back’‘, Feeling stressed out’, and‘ Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the shoulder’ items indicated a high level of subjective symptoms. In the VDT-related hobby group, ‘Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the neck’, and‘ Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the back’ items indicated a high level of subjective symptoms. According to the hours of computer usage, 4-6 hours and 6 hours or more groups represented a higher level of subjective symptoms than 2-4 hours group. These findings suggest that Visual display terminal (VDT) work effects the individual's health conditions.

The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects of posteroanterior (PA) mobilization on the cervical spine in a patient with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). The subject of this study was a 58-year-old woman who sustained a chronic WAD as a result of a motor vehicle accident two years prior. The subject has progressively worsening neck pain and stiffness. The subject was determined to have a grade Ⅱb WAD the use of the Modified Quebec Classification. The intervention was central and unilateral PA mobilization on the spinous process of C4 and C5. The PA mobilizations were performed at the end of range to Maitland grade Ⅳ. The PA mobilization was conducted once daily for a total of eight days. Two sets of measurements were done one before and one after the intervention. Neck pain, cervical stiffness, range of motion and lordosis of the cervical spine were measured. Experimental intervention decreased the neck pain, and increased the neck stiffness and cervical ROM (range of motion) such as flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. X-ray photographs also represented that cervical curvature increased from 35° to 40°. This study suggested that PA cervical mobilization applied to hronic WAD is effective in decreasing pain, increasing cervical ROM and cervical curvature.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise on the muscle tone, stiffness, ROM, and cervical lordosis in patient with forward head posture( FHP). This study was a case study of a single patient with forward head posture. This study used a ABA' design, A and A' were the baseline phases and B was the intervention phase. The intervention was occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilization exercise. It was administered once daily for 7 days. The therapist kept hands together, and placed the two index fingers under the subject's occipital bone. The subject performed the chin-in exercise with a maximum isometric contraction for 20 sec.The exercise was implemented by performing the movements 10 times as a set and repeating the set three times. The muscle tone was not significantly changed after intervention. However, the stiffness was decreased and lasted the effect lasted without intervention. The cervical flexion angle was increased, but the cervical extension angle was not significantly changed after the intervention. The left and right lateral flexion angles were increased and the effect lasted without any intervention. However, the left and right rotation angles were significantly changed after the intervention. Cervical lordosis increased not from 37° to 41° after the intervention. These results suggest that occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise had a positive effect on cervical stiffness, flexion and lateral flexion ROM, and lordosis in a patient with forward head posture.

Vital pulpotomy is a very useful method for disarming of canine tooth, tooth fracture, periodontitis, and malocclusion in veterinary dentistry. Calcium hydroxide is the material commonly used as a liner during vital pulpotomy. This creates a mineralized barrier by stimulating osteoblastic hard tissue repair, arrests the inflammatory response, and soothes dentin. However, the powder or mix type calcium hydroxide materials have many disadvantages due to complicated procedures for use and are hard to handle when vital pulpotomy is followed under general anesthesia in animals. This study was conducted in order to compare the effect of mix and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide as a liner in vital pulpotomy. Six beagle dogs underwent hemisection on the mesial root of the mandibular first molar and vital pulpotomy on the distal root of the first molar. On the distal root of the left and right mandibular first molar, mix type (DYCAL®, Dentsply, USA) and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide (VITAPEX®, Morita, Japan) were used as liners, respectively. Radiological evaluation was performed at immediate, 4, 12, and 20 weeks after vital pulpotomy. According to the results, all teeth had well-formed dentinal bridges, and there were no periradicular lucency, lamina dura loss, or anomalies of the pulp cavity. According to these results, on vital pulpotomy in animals, premixed paste type calcium hydroxide was easy to handle and decreased the anesthesia period due to a more convenient application procedure. A further study of many clinical cases is needed for evaluation of side effects and other problems.

The roots of Rosa multiflora Thunberg have been used in traditional oriental medicine as remedies for rheumatic arthralgia and scabies. In this study, the anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of a supercritical extract of Rosa multiflora root were investigated in vitro. To investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the supercritical extract, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and the inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were examined, respectively. In addition, the anti-fungal activities of the extract were assessed. The results showed a concentration-dependent, increase in ABTS radical scavenging activity. The supercritical fluid extracts of Rosa multiflora root exhibited low toxicity to RAW 264.7 cells at 100 μg/mL the highest concentration tested. Cells stimulated with LPS produced more nitric oxide than normal control cells; however, cells treated with the supercritical fluid extract decreased this production in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, the supercritical fluid extracts showed significant anti-fungal activity. These results suggest that extracts of the roots of Rosa multiflora might be used to develop potent anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents, and may be useful as ingredients for related new functional cosmetic materials.