Efficiently detecting the nearest navigational dangers in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) remains pivotal for maritime safety. However, the software implementation of ADMAR(Automatic Distance measurement and Ranging) functionality faced challenges, necessitating extensive computations across ENC cells and impacting real-time performance. To address this, we present a novel method employing dynamic programming. Our proposed algorithm strategically organizes nodes into a tree structure, optimizing the search process towards nodes likely to contain navigational hazards. Implementation of this method resulted in a notable sevenfold reduction in computation time compared to the conventional Brute Force approach. Our study established a direct correlation between the ADMAR functionality and node count, achieving error margins deemed acceptable for practical navigation scenarios. Despite this theoretical progress, minor errors in results prompt further refinement. Consequently, future iterations will explore varying values for N, considering hierarchy and cell sizes to enhance algorithmic precision. This research signifies a potential advancement in optimizing navigational danger detection within ECDIS, offering a promising avenue for improved efficiency. By introducing a dynamic programming-based approach, we have streamlined the detection process while acknowledging the scope for algorithmic refinement in subsequent studies. Our findings underline the feasibility of employing dynamic programming to enhance navigational danger detection, emphasizing its potential in ensuring maritime safety. This work lays a foundation for future research endeavors, aiming to fine-tune algorithms and advance navigational safety measures in ECDIS.

Echeveria is a genus belonging to the Crassulaceae family that comprises approximately 170 species. It is a representative plant known as a succulent with economic potential in the floriculture industry. Echeveria plants are widely distributed in dry environments and endemic to Mexico. These plants have a rosette formation and varied leaf colors and shapes, which are characteristics of interest for landscaping, cut flowers, or interior decoration. Given their range of locations in different climates or indoor conditions, it is important to have an understanding and knowledge of their leaf morphology and anatomy and how they function to provide optimum care and management. Owing to high demand in horticultural markets, many breeders have crossed their desired species. However, this method has progressively increased the number of species without proper records of parents or other natural unintended crossings, creating phylogenetic problems and identification issues. The use and understanding of phenotypes, anatomical data, and/or research to aid in taxonomic issues and improve cultural management practices have been reviewed and discussed in this paper. In this review, we have provided a brief background of Echeveria species, focusing on the challenges and studies that have attempted to address these issues.

Veronica L., the largest genus in the family Plantaginaceae, is widespread in various habitats. Due to their long-blooming flowers, Veronica species have high horticultural value as indoor potted, garden, and landscape plants. Furthermore, Veronica plants are extremely important owing to their notable diversity in habitat usage, ploidy level, and evolution. Several native taxa, which are of key interest in breeding programs and phylogenetic studies, have been identified in Korea. The genome sizes and chromosomal characteristics are basic cytogenetic features of all taxa, and their knowledge is a prerequisite when commencing genome sequencing projects. It can provide essential information for cytogenetic, taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies. Thus, cytogenetic analysis and genome size estimation of seven Veronica taxa native to Korea were conducted in this study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) karyotype analysis and chromosome counting was conducted using metaphase chromosomes probed with 5S and 45S rDNA. Nuclear DNA content and genome size were determined using flow cytometry. FISH karyotype analysis revealed a common number of 5S loci and varying 45S signals that create distinctive rDNA distribution patterns in each taxon. The results indicated that the seven investigated Veronica taxa have calculated genome sizes (1C values) ranging from 517.1 to 862.0 Mbp. This study is the first to report the chromosome number and karyomorphology of seven Veronica taxa native to Korea, as well as the use of rDNA markers for identifying individual chromosomes. These findings contribute to the crucial understanding the genomic characteristics of species within the genus Veronica, serve as a basis for studying Veronica phylogeny and evolution, and provide valuable information for future breeding programs.

Background: Kinesiology taping (KT)’s therapeutic effect on dysphagia is insufficient, and method of KT application is not yet clear. Objectives: To review the considerations for the clinical application of KT for dysphagia rehabilitation. Design: A systematic review. Methods: The present study involved a systematic search of electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science) to identify relevant studies published on the use of KT for dysphagia rehabilitation between 2010 and 2020. Results: Four articles (on child dysphagia, adult dysphagia, and healthy adult) were selected. It was found that when KT was applied with 15% tension to the orbicularis oris, mylohyoid, sternohyoid, and masseter muscles in children with dysphagia, lip closure and sucking function were improved. In addition, when KT with 80% tension was applied below the hyolaryngeal complex in healthy adults, significant activation of the suprahyoid muscle was reported. Application of KT with 50% tension to the digastric posterior bellies and the mylohyoid, geniohyoid, sternocleidomastoid, and upper trapezius muscles in adults with dysphagia showed an immediate improvement in vertical excursion and epiglottis rotation of the hyoid bone. Finally, application of KT with 70% tension to the hyolaryngeal complex in adults with dysphagia showed increased thickness of the suprahyoid and the tongue muscles. Conclusion: The present review indicates that KT has significant potential as a therapeutic exercise method for patients with dysphagia in the future. However, the application of KT in such patients should take into account the shape, design, and degree of tension of the tape and the patient's capability and swallowing function.

Because of their attractive and colorful flowers, many species from the genus Aster serve as garden plants. Chrysanthemum owes its popularity to its ornamental and medicinal herb value. It can be used as a cut flower, potted plant, vegetable, and herbal tea. Plant breeders have attempted to identify the available species and produce new cultivars to improve the quality of chrysanthemum for commercial purposes. The use of cytogenetic studies has paved the way for identifying compatibility, ancestry, and other useful information for this undertaking. Thus, an investigation was conducted into the chromosome numbers of 23 wild Asteraceae species in Republic of Korea to determine their genetic characteristics and variations. The somatic chromosome spread has been used for chromosome counting. The results revealed that Asteraceae species have a chromosome range from 18 (diploid) to 54 (hexaploid). These findings provide primary and important information on the chromosome numbers in chrysanthemum plants that can be used to select the right variety for cultivation.

Chrysanthemum is a valuable ornamental plant worldwide, and several of its species are used as herbal tea, medicinal plants, and dietary supplements, among others. Commercial cultivars have been developed through interspecific hybridization and artificial selection to improve the characteristics, production quality, and environmental adaptation for enhancing ornamental value. To better understand the recent research in cytogenetic studies of chrysanthemum, we examined studies concerning polyploidy, karyotyping, banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, and inter/intraspecific hybridization. Ploidy level is important in genomic characteristics and has a significant value to horticulturists and plant breeders. Studies have reported that flow cytometry analysis and single-dose molecular markers can be used to determine the chrysanthemum ploidy level. As for karyotyping, a better understanding of karyomorphological relationships and evolution of chrysanthemum and its closely related genera has already been gained. Moreover, karyotype parameters in chrysanthemum studies play a critical role in cultivar identification, classification, and genetic analysis. The FISH technique in chrysanthemum research provides more information on chromosome identification, sequences distribution, and evolution for expediting the development and improvement of plant species. The genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) technique can also be used to test hybridization in chrysanthemum breeding. Hence, this review of molecular cytogenetic studies of chrysanthemum will help us to have a better understanding and knowledge of the taxa breeding and the development and improvement of new cultivars.

The popularity of succulents as ornamental plants has increased in recent years. This is primarily because of their unique geometric shapes, which form a rosette, coupled with their ability to retain high levels of moisture. These features make ornamental succulents suitable as landscape plants as they can withstand extreme conditions and as potted plants for indoor spaces as they require minimal watering. Appropriate propagation techniques are important to increase production rates and plant quality in the shortest time possible. These ornamental plants may be propagated in various ways, both sexually, via seeds, and vegetatively, through a number of methods, such as stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and micropropagation. In this review, methods for the propagation of ornamental succulents are described, including post-propagation care and management. Propagation aspects on which limited information is available are also highlighted. Potential areas for research required to produce data to further improve techniques, conservation, and rapid propagation efforts are discussed.

Considering that the effectiveness of ads varies according to the credibility of consumers, it is necessary to establish data regarding consumer credibility in relation to online reviews. To conduct a successful study on the marketing strategies of online reviews, it is also necessary to analyze the relationship between credibility and the various factors that influence the purchase intentions of consumers. Therefore, this study attempted to examine the relationship between consumer trust of on-line reviews, brand preference, ads credibility, and purchase intentions in relation to cosmetics. The study was conducted through a normative descriptive survey method using stimuli and a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of the structural equation model was conducted for the data analysis. The results revealed that consumer reliance on online reviews of cosmetics influences brand preference, credibility of brand ads and purchase intentions. The results also revealed that consumers’ on-line reviews, brand preference, and trust of brand ads are important factors for increasing the purchase intentions. The mediation effect of brand preference and brands’ ads credibility were found in the process where on-line reviews exercise an influence on the purchase intentions. It was also found that brand preference has a stronger influence on purchase intention than credibility of brand ads. It was discovered that the credibility of on-line reviews directly influences purchase intentions more than indirectly influences. Considering the results of this study, programs that encourage customers to post on-line reviews, and strategies to promote brand preference by targeting groups that exhibit high trust in online reviews would be recommended.

Use of ICT in Government has ability to improve service delivery to its citizens, and yet many developing countries have lagged behind in the implementation of e-Government. Many e-Government initiatives also failed to achieve their objectives in developing countries. This paper therefore aims to identify critical failure or success factors in Kenya, using Heeks’ Factor Model. A survey questionnaire was developed and data were collected and analyzed from officials and interested citizens. The analysis results enabled to highlight seven specific success and failure factors, and their constituent elements in Kenya. The Kenyan overall e-Government implementation score belongs to the Zone of Improvement (3.52 of total 5.0), which means partial success or failure. The enablers of e-Government projects are good strategy formulation, and internal and external drive, whereas main failures of e-Government are weak ICT infrastructure. The areas for improvement are project management, design, competencies and funding. Data analysis highlights both strengths and weaknesses for each factor or variable. In particular, Kenyan government excels at the drive for change by top to bottom government officers as well as external stakeholders, while the government officers who are using e-Government are satisfied with the availability of vision, strategy and plan of e-Government implementation. Both technologies and e-transactions laws were the worst of all the variables in e-Government implementation. Two areas should be improved using immediate corrective action. In-depth study reveals that government officers and citizens can’t fully use their laptop and mobile devices due to the lack of both ICT network and its operating technology, and legal system associated with the transaction of business information. Finally, the study ends up with recommendations for policy makers to shape the future of e-Government system in both developing and developed countries.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considers the western/lowland bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus to be a threatened species, and the eastern/mountain bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci an endangered species［1］. Although extinction is considered by many biologists to be a natural process during evolution, the exponential growth of the human population has drastically and prematurely reduced the numbers and genetic diversity of many species［2］. Species have evolved to adapt to a specific habitat or environment that meet their survival needs. Alteration or destruction of their habitat results in a species becoming incapable of adapting and hence becoming threatened with extinction. A widespread scientific and public consensus has emerged suggesting that governments should assign high priority to the maintenance of biological diversity via habitat preservation and management far species conservation［3］. Unfortunately, the loss of biological diversity far surpasses the available conservation resources and species are lost forever on a daily basis［4］. Notwithstanding the focus on habitat preservation and wildlife management, conservation biologists have also become increasingly interested in using the technologies of reproductive and developmental biology to help manage or rescue endangered species［5］.

To verify the sex steroids which are involved in oocyte maturation of the blacktip grouper, , we incubated vitellogenic oocytes (0.41 and 0.50 mm in average diameter) in the presence of exogenous steroid precursor (-hydroxyprogesterone). Steroids were extracted, separated and identified by thin layer chromatography. The major metabolites produced were androstenedione, estradiol-, estrone and progestogens. Progestogen metabolites in the oocytes of 0.50 mm were more abundant than those of 0.41 mm. Also, we investigated the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG; 5, 50 and 500 ), -dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one () and -trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (; 5, 50 and 500 , respectively) on oocyte maturation. In the oocytes of 0.41 mm, treatment with 50 IU HCG stimulated GVBD () compared with controls (, <0.05). In the oocytes of 0.50 mm, treatment of (50 and 500 ) stimulated GVBD ( and , respectively) compared with controls (, <0.05). Treatment with 500 IU HCG also stimulated GVBD () compared with controls (<0.05). Taken together, these results suggested that both HCG and were effective on in vitro oocyte maturation and may act as a maturation inducing hormone in blacktip grouper.

The objective of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition of newly developed tissues of germinated soybean seeds. Five soybean accessions with varied fatty acid composition were allowed to germinate in sand under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings were picked up after 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days of germination and freeze dried. The fatty acid composition of the newly developed tissues was analyzed by gas chromatography. Significant variation in fatty acid composition was observed between accessions, days of germination, and variety × day of germination in whole and the cotyledons. In the case of newly developed five tissues, significant variation in fatty acid composition were observed between days of germination except oleic acid for root, hypocotyl and epicotyl stem and except stearic acid for hypocotyl and unifoliate leaves while all the parameters were significantly different for accession. Significant interactions of accession and days of germination were observed for palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acid in all tissues; only for oleic acid in hypocotyl, epicotyl and unifoliate leaves; and only for stearic acid in root, hypocotyl, epicotyl and unifoliate leaves. During germination, the fatty acid composition of newly developed tissues changed dramatically but whole seedlings and cotyledons changed slightly. These tissues contained five major fatty acids as found in original seeds, but compositions were totally different from that of the seed: higher in palmitic, stearic and linolenic acid and lower in oleic and linoleic acid. New tissues conserved their fatty acid compositions regardless of genotypic variation in the original seeds.