Background: Core stability exercises are widely applied in rehabilitation and training programs, but evidence regarding the effects of activation strategies and surface conditions on abdominal muscle recruitment during plank exercise remains inconsistent. Objects: This study aimed to investigate how different activation strategies (hollowing vs. bracing) and surface conditions (stable vs. unstable) influence selective activation of abdominal muscles during the plank exercise. Methods: Thirty-six healthy male adults in their 20s participated. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the relative thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) under four randomized conditions: stable-hollowing, stable-bracing, unstable-hollowing, and unstable-bracing. Relative thickness was calculated as [(contraction – rest) ÷ rest] × 100. Data were analyzed using three-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni comparison. Results: No significant three-way interaction was found (p = 0.840). However, a significant muscle × surface interaction indicated that TrA thickness increased more on a stable surface (p < 0.05), while IO and EO showed no difference. A significant muscle × strategy interaction revealed that hollowing induced greater relative thickness in all muscles, particularly in TrA, compared with bracing (p < 0.001). No significant strategy × surface interaction was observed (p = 0.512). Conclusion: Abdominal hollowing and a stable surface independently enhanced TrA thickness during plank exercise. These findings suggest that stable-surface plank exercise with hollowing is an effective strategy for selectively recruiting deep abdominal muscles, providing practical implications for clinical and sports settings. These findings may be specific to anklesling– induced instability and may not extend to other types of unstable surfaces.

Tactical data link (TDL) is one of the key means for enabling real-time exchange of tactical information among weapon systems operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Most messages consist of position information of participating nodes, with latitude and longitude fields designed to enable worldwide operation. Given the limited operational area of Korean army, enabling worldwide operation requires an excessive number of data bits, which cause data overhead and reduced network efficiency. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the current coordinate transmission methods used in TDL and propose a relative coordinate-based transmission scheme within a designated area to enhance network efficiency. The proposed method is optimized for the operational characteristics of the Korean military and improves both network efficiency and positional accuracy compared to existing TDL.

This study compares the microstructure and properties of pure Cu and Cu-5 wt.% Al2O3 composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering under strictly identical processing conditions at 800-1000°C. Pure Cu samples achieved near-full densification and exhibited a bimodal grain structure dominated by coarse grains with increasing sintering temperature. In contrast, the composite samples showed lower density and non-monotonic densification behavior, with a minimum relative density at 900°C and significantly refined equiaxed grains due to strong grain-boundary pinning by nano Al2O3 particles. The higher fractions of high-angle boundaries and pronounced orientation disruption were observed in the composite samples, while high-resolution analysis confirmed the presence of grain-boundary Al2O3-rich regions that restricted Cu grain coalescence and continuity of grain boundary migration. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the absence of reaction phases in both materials. Hardness peaked at 900°C for both samples, and the composite samples showed consistently lower hardness due to retained porosity. The apparent electrical conductivity of the composite displays a non-linear temperature dependence, reflecting the competing influences of densification, microstructural recovery, and the insulating nature of Al2O3.

With the increasing demand for flexible electronic devices, smaller and lighter flexible supercapacitors have gained significant research attention. Among the various materials, self-supporting reduced graphene oxide (rGO) paper has emerged as one of the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors due to its low cost, high chemical/thermal stability, and excellent electrical conductivity. Nevertheless, a major drawback of rGO paper is the limited ion diffusion between stacked rGO layers, hindering the effective formation of electrochemical double-layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In this study, we prepared the rGO paper derived from ball-milled followed-by water oxidation process for reducing the sheet size. The smaller-sized rGO sheets facilitated ion transport between graphene layers, promoting efficient electric double-layer formation. Moreover, the increased presence of edge planes in ball-milled rGO sheets achieved high capacitance, further enhancing the performance of rGO as an electrode material. Notably, the 2-BMOX rGO paper obtained from ball-milling and wet-oxidized graphite exhibited a capacitance of 117.9 F/g in cyclic voltammetry (CV) and 128.6 F/g in galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) tests, approximately twice that of conventional rGO. Additionally, the capacitance retained 91% of its initial performance after 2,000 cycles, indicating excellent cycling stability.

한국 분포가 확인되지 않았던 니토베은주둥이벌 Ectemnius nitobei (Matsumura, 1912)을 경기도 포천시 광릉숲에서 처음으로 확인하였다. 국립수목원 내 휴게광장의 가래나무과(Juglandaceae) 목재 벤치 구멍에서 암컷의 둥지 짓기 행동을 관찰하였으며, 유충의 먹이로 사용하기 위해 나방류 성충을 운반하는 행동을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서는 니토베은주둥이벌 암컷의 전신 사진, 주요 형태학적 진단 형질, 그리고 DNA 바코드 (COI) 서열을 함께 제시하여 향후 국내 분류학적 및 생태학적 연구의 기초 자료로 제공하고자 한다.

장미 ‘Sahara’는 국립원예특작과학원에서 2022년에 육성한 분홍톤 아이보리 스프레이 장미 품종으로 2013년 빨간색 스프레 이 품종 ‘Fangfare’에 아이보리색 스프레이 품종 ‘Vivien’을 부본으로 인공 교배 하였다. 총 73개의 교배 실생을 얻었으며 2015년부터 1, 2, 3차 특성검정을 통해,화색과 화형이 안정적이 며 생산성 및 절화 특성이 우수한 ‘원교 D1-360’을 최종 선발하 여 2022년 ‘Sahara’로 명명하고 국립종자원에 품종보호 출원· 등록하였다(등록번호 제9771호). 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종은 분홍톤 크림색(155D)의 꽃잎수는 71.5매인 겹꽃으로 화폭과 화고는 각각 4.9, 3.1cm이며 소화수가 7.4개/줄기인 스프레이 장미이 다. 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종의 절화장은 평균 73.8cm로 대조 품종 ‘Pink shin’56.9cm 대비 길며, 절화 수명은 약 17.8일로 ‘Pink shin’ 15.6일 보다 2일 정도 길다. ‘Sahara’는 절화 생산량은 연간 168본/m2로 ‘Pink Shine’ 140본 대비 생산량이 많다. 전자코를 이용한 PCA분석결과 주성분1과 2는 각각 99.3%와 0.6%로 전체 변이량의 99.9%를 반영하고 있다. Rader plot 분석결과 P10/2,P40/1 및 T30/1 센서 반응이 높았으며 총 6개 센서에서 모두 ‘Sahara’는 대조품종 ‘Pink Shine’에 비해 반응이 낮았다. 절화용 스프레이 장미 ‘Sahara’ 품종은 파스텔톤 의 중형 소화로, 균일한 절화 품질 및 우수한 수량으로 재배농가 의 선호도가 높아 국내에서 많이 재배될 것으로 기대된다.

It is challenging to treat canine brucellosis due to the immune evading and stealthy characteristic of the causative bacteria, Brucella (B.) canis. Gold nanoparticle aptamer (AuNP-Apt) conjugated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) is a promising alternative to antibiotics for various bacterial infections. However, the toxicity of AuNP-Apt has been variable throughout research, and the in vivo toxic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential against B. canis, and the toxicity of AuNP-Apt conjugated antimicrobial peptide, RW-BP100 (AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His), in a mouse model. Intravenous (IV) treatment with AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His reduced the bacteria burden and histopathologic lesions. The IV treatment also induced CD4+ T cell differentiation and modulated serum cytokine levels. However, high-dose AuNP-Apt was lethal, resulting in tissue accumulation and vessel embolism. Therefore, AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His is a promising therapeutic agent for B. canis treatment, but due to its toxicity, further studies are needed for its utilization in clinical practice.

Macrofungi remain underexplored in various regions of the world. Because macrofungi play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems, it is essential to investigate their biodiversity in such regions. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively investigate the macrofungal diversity of Taebaeksan National Park, South Korea. We sampled macrofungi from the park in 2023 and conducted detailed morphological observations and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. Our analysis revealed six previously unknown species: Cortinarius iliopodius, Cotylidia fibrae, Fulvoderma australe, Lyophyllum infumatum, Russula velenovskyi, and Strobilomyces cingulatus. Herein, we provide detailed morphological descriptions, high-resolution photographs, and molecular phylogenetic analyses to support the taxonomic placement and identification of these taxa. Our findings enable a more comprehensive understanding of macrofungal biodiversity in this region.

The TDL (Tactical Data Link) network employs a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) scheme, in which the network resources of each wireless node are allocated to time slots. The method of time slot allocation for each node is based on expert experience and operational requirements. However, this method has limitations because it is difficult to verify real-world operational environments due to high costs and time requirements. To address these limitations, this study developed a TDMA simulator using SimPy, a Python-based discrete-event simulation framework. The proposed simulator enables analysis of time slot allocation methods under varying operational environment conditions. Simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate times slot requirements under different maximum message transmission delay time thresholds (6s and 12s). The results showed that stricter delay time thresholds and higher number of tracks increased the required number of time slots. In addition, the required number of time slots increased differently depending on the complex interaction of factors such as the number of tracks, delay time thresholds, operational scenarios. The proposed simulator provides more precise insights and supports more reliable TDL network design than conventional methods.

This qualitative study explored how teaching practicum experiences influence foreign language teaching anxiety (FLTA) among Korean pre-service secondary English teachers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before and after the practicum with eight pre-service English teachers selected for their high FLTA levels. Results showed a notable reduction in anxiety post-practicum. Initially, FLTA was driven by perceived linguistic deficiencies, fear of negative evaluation, perfectionism, non-nativeness, and inadequate pedagogical preparation. After the practicum, triggers shifted toward practical classroom issues, including time management and responding to student questions. Coping strategies evolved from rigid rehearsal and avoidance to adaptive practices such as rapport-building and reflective teaching. Participants emphasized the practicum’s role in reducing anxiety through authentic teaching experiences, advocating longer and more frequent practicums. These findings highlight the critical role of supervised, experiential classroom exposure in teacher education for mitigating FLTA and easing the transition from theory to practice.