About 1 billion cases of vector-borne infectious diseases occur every year, of which more than 1 million is dead in worldwide. Japanese encephalitis and malaria continue to occur, and infectious diseases such as dengue fever being imported aborad have been increasing significantly due to the increasing number of overseas travelers in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established local centers to monitor pathogen vector population density related to chimate change at 16 locations. We collected 59,389 mosquitoes in traps at 36 collection sites in 30 urban regions and migratory bird habitats in 2023. The trap index was 34.6, and the predominant mosquito species were the Culex pipiens complex, Aedes albopictus, Armigeres subalbatus, Aedes vexans, and Ochlerotatus Koreacus. The mosquitoes were pooled into 4,371 pools to monitor flavivirus infection. In flavivirus dietection, no virus was detected.
대파(Allium fistulosum L.)는 동양에서 옛날부터 중요한 식재료로 재배되어온 중국 원산지의 향신 채소이다. 적어도 통일신라시대부터 재배되어 온 기록이 있으며 현재에도 식재료로 수요가 많아 전국적으로 재배면적이 넓어지고 있고, 종자의 유통량 또한 많다. 대파에는 파굴파리(Liriomyza chinensis), 파좀나방(Acrolepiopsis sapporensis), 파밤나방(Spodoptera exigua) 등이 주요 해충으로 알려져 있다. 전남 진도군은 국내 대파 주산단지로 파밤나방의 발생이 많고 다이아마이드 계통 농약의 저항성이 발현되고 있어 계대사육에 따른 저항성 감소를 실험하고자 한다. 실험은 진도군의 대파밭에서 파밤나방 개체를 채집하여 실내에서 약제처리를 통해 살충률과 섭식률을 검정, 몇세대에 걸쳐 저항성이 감소되는지 알고자 한다.
Grammatical complexity constitutes an indispensable subconstruct of L2 writing ability. Nonetheless, rating scale descriptors for grammatical complexity have heavily relied on degree modifiers or adjectives. Thus, this study attempts to explore the potential for the use of nominal modifiers as discriminators for adjacent levels of L2 writers in the context of an English Placement Test. This study analyzed 374 argumentative essays written by international undergraduates. Seven nominal modifiers in the developmental stages of grammatical complexity were examined and a cumulative ordinal logistic regression model with proportional odds was fitted to explore the relative effects of those grammar features on placement decisions. Four nominal modifiers were found to be positively associated with placement decisions, after adjusting for the effects of other variables. One educational implication is for the use of nominal modifiers to be incorporated into rating scale descriptors as discriminators for L2 writers who are not advanced enough to be exempted from an English Placement Test.
Usage-based approaches to language acquisition explain language development as a gradual process of generalizing constructions through language experience. This study investigated second language learners’ development of constructional knowledge from the perspective of usage-based language development. A total of 169 Korean EFL students at five grade levels completed a sentence-sorting and a translation task. Results of the sorting task showed stronger constructional sorting as the learners’ grade level increased. Additionally, the sorting of intermediate-level learners was influenced by verb semantics such that the sentences including light verbs were more strongly clustered according to constructions than the sentences with heavy verbs, suggesting learners’ reliance on light verbs in the early stages of constructional development. Results of the translation task demonstrated a higher translation accuracy with increasing proficiency, but with a significant amount of variation across individual constructions contingent on the constructions’ syntactic and semantic complexity. Overall, our findings confirm the usage-based development of L2 learning.
사용자를 360°로 둘러싼 VR 환경은 콘텐츠에 대한 몰입도를 높여준다. 그리고 HMD를 사용할 때 디스플레 이를 통해 볼 수 있는 Field of view(FOV)가 넓을수록 몰입감이 넓어진다. 하지만 사용자가 사람 또는 그래픽 시스템의 FOV에 의해서 360° 환경을 한번에 인식할 수 없기 때문에 VR 환경에서 발생한 이벤트가 시야 밖 에 있다면 사용자는 인식 못할 수 있다. 이런 이벤트가 콘텐츠의 내러티브에 중요할 경우 사용자가 이를 인식할 수 있는 방법을 찾아야한다. 사람의 시야는 인식 가능한 정보가 각도에 따라 제한되므로 마커가 문자 또는 의미있는 형태 인 경우 사용자가 인식 할 수 있도록 화면 중앙에 위치해야 한다. 우리는 움직임에 대한 시각적 인지반응을 통해서 VR 환경에서 사용자에게 시야 밖의 정보를 제공한다. 우리는 고화질 콘텐츠 영상을 활용하기 위해서 EAC 영상을 활용하였다. Equi-angular cubemap(EAC)라 불리는 이 방법은 Cubemap 투영을 개선하여 왜곡을 줄이고 적도 영역에 할당되는 픽셀을 늘려서 질을 높이는 방법이다. 또 구형의 공통 투영면을 사용하고 유도 표지가 시간의 흐름에 따라 투영면을 따라 물결처럼 퍼지도록 하였다. 우리는 움직임을 가지는 약한 표지를 제안한다. 이 표지는 움직임에 대한 시각적 인지반응을 통해서 VR 환경에서 사용자에게 시야 밖의 정보를 제공한다. 이 유도 표지는 사용자의 몰입을 방해하지 않으며 중요 이벤트 또는 Point of interest(POI)에 대한 힌트를 사용자가 제공하며 HMD를 사용하는 VR에 적합하다.
Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito that can be found in all continents. This species, considered as secondary vector of Dengue virus, has recently been suggested to play a role in the transmission of Zika virus in several countries bordering Brazil. In this study, We surveyed the distribution, abundance and main micro habitats of Ae. albopictus in Koera. The main bloodmeal source of this mosquito was mammals (71%) followed by birds (26%), and fish (1%). In flavivius detection, no virus was detected in this mosquito, but a total of six Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) positive pools were detected from Culex orientalis and Culex pipiens. To investigate the possibility of using Wolbachia, as one of biological control strategy, we investigated the distribution of Wolbachia infection in Ae. albopicutus according to geographical distribution. Over 99% of the collected this mosquitoes harbored Wolbachia.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Vector mosquitoes usually acquire these pathogens fromfeeding on an infected host, and transmit the pathogens to a naive host during feeding events. To understand the virustransmission dynamics and to survey WNV throughout country, the present study has been conducted. We collected mosquitoesat urban parks in Seongnam, Wonju, Gunsan, Daegu, and Tongyeong using CDC light trap with Dry ice from April toSeptemper in 2017 (mosquito collecting is on going). Among collected mosquitoes, blood-fed mosquitoes were conductedblood meal identification assay and the other mosquitoes were subjected to virus detection using real-time PCR method.A total of 2,290 mosquitoes representing 6 genera and 15 species were collected. The most dominant species was Culexpipiens complex (42.1%) followed by Aedes albopictus (15.1%), Ae. vexans nipponii (14.6%), Ochlerotatus koreicus (9.8%),Cx. orientalis (6.5%), and Armigeres subalbatus (4.4%). The blood meal source were of mammal (93.3%), and birds (6.7%).So far, no WNV has been detected in any mosquitoes.
Through density functional theory calculations, to provide insight into the origins of the catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles (NPs) toward oxidation reactions, we have scrutinized the oxygen adsorption chemistry of 9 types of small unsupported Au NPs of around 1 nm in size (Au13, Au19, Au20, Au25, Au38, and Au55) looking at several factors (size, shape, and coordination number). We found that these NPs, except for the icosahedral Au13, do not strongly bind to O2 molecules. Energetically most feasible O2 adsorption that potentially provides high CO oxidation activity is observed in the icosahedral Au13, our smallest Au NP. In spite of the chemical inertness of bulk Au, the structural fluxionality of such very small Au NP enables strong O2 adsorption. Our results can support recent experimental findings that the exceptional catalytic activity of Au NPs comes from very small Au species consisting of around 10 atoms each.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Vector mosquitoes usually acquire these pathogens from feeding on an infected host, and transmit the pathogens to a naive host during feeding events. To understand the virus transmission dynamics and to survey WNV throughout country, the present study has been conducted. We collected mosquitoes in Jeju, Busan, Gunsan, and Incheon using CDC light trap and BG Sentinel trap from April to October in 2016. Among collected mosquitoes, blood-fed mosquitoes were conducted blood meal identification assay and the other mosquitoes were subjected to virus detection using real-time PCR method. A total of 29,603 mosquitoes representing 8 genera and 19 species were collected. The most dominant species was Culex pippins complex (35.0%) followed by Cx. bitaeniorhynchus (12.2%), Armigeres subalbatus (11.2%), Aedes albopictus (10.8%), Ae. vexans nipponii (10.3%), and Ochlerotatus dorsalis (8.4%). The blood meal source were of mammal (70.4%), birds (29.0%) and amphibian (0.6%). WNV was not detected in any mosquitoes.
West Nile Fever is one of most serious disease spreading throughout world since 1990. West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The possibility of overseas inflow of this virus seems to be high in Korea. To know the WNV infection of mosquitoes, we collected mosquitoes in Jeju, Busan, Gunsan, and Incheon using CDC light trap and BG Sentinel trap from April to August in 2016. Collected mosquitoes were conducted virus detection using real-time PCR method. A total of 22,632 mosquitoes representing 9 genera and 18 species were collected. The most dominant species was Culex pippins complex (36%) followed by Aedes vexans (13%), Ae. albopictus (10%) and Ochlerotatus koreicus (10%). WNV was not detected in any mosquitoes until now.
There are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world; currently 56 species are reported in Korea. Mosquitoes can act as vectors for many disease-causing viruses and parasites during blood sucking. Various species of mosquitoes are estimated to transmit various types of disease to more than 700 million people annually in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, Russia, and much of Asia, with millions of resultant deaths. At least two million people annually die of these diseases, and the morbidity rates are many times higher still. To prevent the spread of diseases, KNIH (Korea National Institute of Health) used three categorized methods; identifying or taxonomic analysis of mosquitoes, detecting virus caring mosquitoes, and detecting malaria from Anopheline mosquitoes. We have proved that taxonomic analysis using DNA barcording method (COI gene) is useful to complement identification of mosquito species. In detecting virus, we have reported Cx. orientalis as a new potential Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vector. We also reported that the Anopheline mosquito species composition and Plasmodium vivax infection rates in malaria hot spot in Korea.
Aedes albopicuts, known as asian tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is characterized by its black and white strips on legs and body. Ae. albopictus is an important vector mosquito for the transmission of many viral pathogens such as dengue fever and chikungunya fever. Unlike other mosquito, Ae. albopictus attacks people mainly during the daytime in the forest. To evaluate the diel activity of Ae. albopictus, three times mosquito collecting were conducted using BG Sentinel trap with dry ice in bamboo forest in Damyang-gun, Jeoullanam-do, in South Korea from August to September, 2009. Captured mosquitoes were counted and released every one hour during 25 hours experiment time. The result showed that Ae. albopictus activity began with sun rising at approximately 09:00, with peak in the early evening between 16:00 to 19:00, and ended with sunset at 21:00. Among the several factors affecting on the mosquito activity, light intensity seems to be a main factor. Especially, if the light intensity is over some threshold, it negatively effects on the activity of Ae. albopictus.
Habitats for migratory birds provide good blood source for blood sucking insects including mosquitoes, which may lead to high population mosquito species. This study was intended to know mosquito fauna in habitats for migratory birds that have preference for bird’s blood. We selected 7 locations for migratory birds (Ansan: a great reedy marsh in lake of Shihwa; Cheonan, Gyeongju, and Pyeongtaek: pine forest; Seosan: a reclaimed land near bay of Cheonsu ; Ulsan: great bamboo forest around Teahwa river) and subdivided each location with four habitats (forest, swamp, cow shed and downtown area) as mosquito collecting site. We used two types of trap for mosquito collection such as CDC black light trap and BG Sentinel trap. Additionally, we use black light and dry ice as an attractive source, respectively. A total of 27,615 mosquitoes representing 9 genera and 18 species were collected. In Ansan, 9 genera and 17 species were collected and in the other locations only 11 to 12 species. Representing by habitats shows this; in forest 9 genera and 17 species, in swamp 8 genera and 16 species, in cow shed 6 genera and 12 species, in downtown 8 genera and 17 species. The dominant species was Culex pipiens (60%) followed by Aedes vexans (11%), Anopheles spp. (8%), Aedes albopictus (7%), and Armigeres subalbatus (5%).
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne pathogen, is the most important cause of viral encephalitis worldwide. The major vector mosquito of this virus, known as Culex tritaeniorynchus, is mainly live in paddy rice field in Korea. So Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a disease of rural areas. During urbanization, rice cultivated land has decreased also resulting the number of JE patients has decreased. However, recent outbreak of JE in Korea 2010, the patients distribution was not related with that of the mosquito. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate involving other mosquito species in the transmission of JEV. Five localities, JE reported in 5 years, have been selected to collect mosquitoes according their habitats (mountain, swap, cow shed, and downtown area) in 2012. Total 22,774 collected mosquitoes were pooled by species, date and site of collection. Of the 1,282 pools, eight (five were from Culex orientalis, one from Culex pipiens complex, and two from Aedes vexans) were found positive for flavivirus RNA in SYBR Green I-based real-time RT-PCR assay. The results of sequences blasting on NCBI showed that the flaviviruses from Cx. orientalis and Cx. pipiens complex were identified as JEV genotype V.