Background: Limitations of shoulder range of motion (ROM), particularly shoulder internal rotation (SIR), are commonly associated with musculoskeletal disorders in both the general population and athletes. The limitation can result in connective tissue lesions such as superior labrum tears and symptoms such as rotator cuff tears and shoulder impingement syndrome. Maintaining the center of rotation of the glenohumeral joint during SIR can be challenging due to the compensatory scapulothoracic movement and anterior displacement of the humeral head. Therefore, observing the path of the instantaneous center of rotation (PICR) using the olecranon as a marker during SIR may provide valuable insights into understanding the dynamics of the shoulder joint. Objects: The aim of the study was to compare the displacement of the olecranon to measure the rotation control of the humeral head during SIR in individuals with and without restricted SIR ROM. Methods: Twenty-four participants with and without restricted SIR ROM participated in this study. The displacement of olecranon was measured during the shoulder internal rotation control test (SIRCT) using a Kinovea (ver. 0.8.15, Kinovea), the 2-dimensional marker tracking analysis system. An independent t-test was used to compare the horizontal and vertical displacement of the olecranon marker between individuals with and without restricted SIR ROM. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Vertical displacement of the olecranon was significantly greater in the restricted SIR group than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the horizontal displacement of the olecranon (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that individuals with restricted SIR ROM had significantly greater vertical displacement of the olecranon. The results suggest that the limitation of SIR ROM may lead to difficulty in rotation control of the humeral head.

Background: The serratus anterior (SA) is a muscle that performs protraction of the scapulothoracic joint and plays a role in stabilizing the scapula. Imbalances or weaknesses in SA activation are associated with a variety of shoulder dysfunctions, making selective SA strengthening important for rehabilitation. Objects: We aimed to compare the muscle activation of the pectoralis major (PM), SA, external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during the push-up plus (PUP) exercise with isometric hip adduction (HA) and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Methods: Nineteen healthy male participants performed three PUP exercises: standard PUP, PUP with ADIM, and PUP with HA. Surface electromyography was used to measure and analyze the muscle activity for PM, SA, EO, and IO. Results: PUP with HA showed the lowest PM activity and highest SA activity, and no significant difference was observed between PUP and PUP with ADIM. PUP with ADIM showed significantly the highest EO and IO activity, followed by PUP with HA and PUP. Additionally, PUP with HA showed the lowest PM/SA ratio, and no significant difference was noted between PUP and PUP with ADIM. Conclusion: PUP with HA was able to show high SA muscle activity while reducing PM muscle activity. In addition, PUP with HA can lead to higher EO and IO muscle activity than standard PUP. This exercise could be used as a practical exercise method to selectively strengthen SA and improve scapular muscle stability during early shoulder rehabilitation.

Background: Single-leg squat (SLS)s are commonly used as assessment tool and closed kinetic exercises are useful for assessing performance of the lower extremities. Pronated feet are associated with foot pressure distribution (FPD) during daily activities. Objects: To compare the FPD during SLSs between groups with pronated and normal feet. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 participants (15 each in the pronated foot and control groups) are recruited in this study. The foot posture index was used to distinguish between the pronated foot and control groups. The Zebris FDM (Zebris Medical GmbH) stance analysis system was used to measure the FPD on the dominant side during a SLS, which was divided into three phases. A two-way mixed-model ANOVA was used to identify significant differences in FPD between and within the two groups. Results: In the hallux, the results of the two-way mixed-model ANOVAs revealed a significant difference between the group and across different phases (p < 0.05). The hallux, and central forefoot were significantly different between the group (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences across different phases were observed in the hallux, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, and rearfoot (p < 0.05). The post hoc t-tests were conducted for the hallux and forefoot central regions. In participants with pronated foot, the mean pressure was significantly greater in hallux and significantly lower, in the central forefoot during the descent and holding phases. Conclusion: SLSs are widely used as screening tests and exercises. These findings suggest that individuals with pronated feet should be cautious to avoid excessive pressure on the hallux during the descent-to-hold phase of a SLS.

Background: Lateral instability of the ankle is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal ankle injuries. The peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) contribute to ankle stability. In early rehabilitation, isometric exercises have been selected for improvement of ankle stability. To effectively train the peroneal muscles during eversion, it is important to consider ankle and body posture. Objects: This study aimed to compare activation of the PL, PB, and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during eversion in different ankle postures (neutral [N], plantarflexed [PF]) and body postures (sitting and side-lying). Methods: Thirty healthy individuals with no history of lateral ankle sprains within the last 6 months were included in the study. Maximal isometric strength of eversion and muscle activation were measured simultaneously. Muscle activation at submaximal eversion was divided by the highest value obtained from maximal isometric eversion among the four postures (percent maximal voluntary isometric contraction [%MVIC]). To examine the differences in muscle activation depending on posture, a 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. Results: There were significant interaction effects of ankle and body postures on PL muscle activation and evertor strength (p < 0.05). The PL muscle activation showed a significantly greater difference in the side-lying and PF conditions than in the sitting and N conditions (p < 0.05). Evertor strength was greater in the N compared to the PF condition regardless of body posture (p < 0.05). In the case of PB and BF muscle activation, only the main effects of ankle and body posture were observed (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Among the four postures, the side-lying-PF posture produced the highest muscle activation. The side-lying-PF posture may be preferred for effective peroneal muscle exercises, even when considering the BF muscle.

단백질의 구조 예측은 생명 과학 및 의약학 분야의 핵심적인 연구 주제 중 하나로, 단백질의 기능 및 상호작용을 이해하기 위한 주요 정보를 제공할 수 있어 다양한 연구가 수행되고 있다. 이러한 연구의 일환으로 최근 Google DeepMind의 AlphaFold2가 등장하였으며, 단백질 구조 예측 성능을 대폭 향상시켜 CASP(Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction)에서 뛰어난 평가점수를 받아 단백질 구조 예측 분야의 최신 기술을 크게 향상시켰다. 이러한 컴퓨터 기반의 단백질의 구조 예측 방법은, 고전적인 방법을 사용하여 직접 단백질 구조를 결정하는 방법 에 비해 매우 정확하고 빠르며 경제적인 비용으로 수행될 수 있어 단백질 구조 예측 및 생리학 연구를 수행하는 연구자들에게 유용한 방법론이 될 것으로 사료된다. 따라서 본 연구소에서는 곤충을 포함한 무척추 자생동물을 연구하는 연구자들을 위해 단백질 구조 예측을 수행할 수 있도록 64Core/128Threads의 CPU, 256GB의 RAM과 6장의 GeForce RTX 3090으로 이루어진 GPU(Graphical Processing Unit) 고성능 컴퓨터 시스템에 AlphaFold2 program을 구축하였다. 최근 인간을 대상으로 한 단백질 구조 예측 연구는 상당한 진전을 보이고 있지만, 곤충을 포함한 자연계의 동물을 대상으로 한 연구는 여전히 미비한 상황이다. 이러한 자생동물자원연구의 확대를 위해 본 연구소에서 구축한 GPU 시스템 및 생물정보학적 분석 방법이 많이 활용되어야 하며, 이를 위해서는 연구자들 의 협력과 참여가 필요하다.

Due to climate change and the rise in international transportation, there is an emerging potential for outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Consequently, the rapid detection of vector mosquito species, including those in the Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex genera, is crucial for effective vector control. Currently, mosquito population monitoring is manually conducted by experts, consuming significant time and labor, especially during peak seasons where it can take at least seven days. To address this challenge, we introduce an automated mosquito monitoring system designed for wild environments. Our method is threefold: It includes an imaging trap device for the automatic collection of mosquito data, the training of deep-learning models for mosquito identification, and an integrated management system to oversee multiple trap devices situated in various locations. Using the well-known Faster-RCNN detector with a ResNet50 backbone, we’ve achieved mAP (@IoU=0.50) of up to 81.63% in detecting Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp., and Culex pipiens. As we continue our research, our goal is to gather more data from diverse regions. This not only aims to improve our model’s ability to detect different species but also to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities by incorporating gas sensors.

Thermodynamic sorption modeling can enhance confidence in assessing and demonstrating the radionuclide sorption phenomena onto various mineral adsorbents. In this work, Ca-montmorillonite was successfully purified from Bentonil-WRK bentonite by performing the sequential physical and chemical treatments, and its geochemical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, cesium-saturation method, and controlled continuous acidbase titration. Further, batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorption properties of Cs(I) and Sr(II) onto the homoionic Ca-montmorillonite under ambient conditions, and the diffuse double layer model-based inverse analysis of sorption data was performed to establish the relevant surface reaction models and obtain corresponding thermodynamic constants. Two types of surface reactions were identified as responsible for the sorption of Cs(I) and Sr(II) onto Ca-montmorillonite: cation exchange at interlayer site and complexation with edge silanol functionality. The thermodynamic sorption modeling provides acceptable representations of the experimental data, and the species distributions calculated using the resulting reaction constants accounts for the predominance of cation exchange mechanism of Cs(I) and Sr(II) under the ambient aqueous conditions. The surface complexation of cationic fission products with silanol group slightly facilitates their sorption at pH > 8.

농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원에서는 2021년 분홍색계 소 형 호접란 ‘Arihong’을 육성하였다. 2014년 밝은 분홍색 소형 품종 Phalaenopsis ‘Wedding’와 백색 바탕에 분홍빛을 가지는 소형종 P. ‘[{KT1398-1×(KM-6)-4}×Chiangbeauty-88]-23’ 를 모본과 부본으로 교배하였다. 2018년 실생 120개체 중 잎자세, 화색, 화형, 꽃대수 등 특성이 우수한 ‘14104-1’ 개체를 선발하여 기내 화경배양을 통해 증식하였다. 2018년부터 2021년에까지 1차, 2차특성검정을 통해 품종의 안정성과 균일성을 확인한 후 ‘Arihong’로 명명하였다. 이 품종은 백색(WG155B) 바탕에 중앙 에는 보라빛 분홍색(PVG80B)을 띄며, 진한 자주색(PG78A) 순판 을 가지는 것이 특징이다. 꽃대가 2대씩 발생하고 꽃대 길이는 평균 42.1cm 소형 분화로 적절한 크기를 가지고 있다. 평피기 형태의 꽃은 길이와 폭이 각각 5.1, 5.7cm이며, 분지가 발생하여 1개의 꽃대에 13.0개의 소화가 착생한다. ‘Arihong’의 잎은 수평으로 자라며 길이와 폭이 각각 13.0cm, 4.9cm였다. 또한 초세가 우수하고 생육 속도가 빨라 엽수 확보가 용이한 특성을 보였다.

경상남도농업기술원 화훼연구소에서 2021년 화색이 연황 색이며 화심이 녹색인 미니 절화용 거베라 품종 ‘크림쿠키’ (Cream Cookie)를 육성하였다. ‘크림쿠키’ 품종은 2014년 황색 미니 ‘Sun City’를 모본으로, 백색 미니 ‘Blandy’를 부 본으로 인공교배를 실시하여 육성된 품종이다. 2021년까지 생육 및 개화 특성검정과 기호도 조사를 실시하였으며 ‘크림 쿠키’의 생육 및 개화특성을 대조품종인 ‘Sun City’와 비교하 였다. ‘크림쿠키’는 연황색(RHS 4C) 꽃잎과 녹색 화심을 가진 반겹꽃 거베라 품종이다. 화폭이 7.1cm인 작은 꽃이며, 화경 장은 58.9cm였다. 화경 직경은 상부 0.4cm, 하부 0.7cm 였 다. 외부설상화의 길이는 2.8cm이며 폭은 0.8cm였다. 개화 소요일수는 65.7일로 ‘Sun City’에 비하여 18.8일 빨랐으며, 첫 개화시 엽수는 22.4매였다. 연간 주당 절화수량은 102.3 본으로 ‘Sun City’의 82.0본에 비하여 20.3본이 많았다. 절 화수명은 17.8일로 ‘Sun City’보다 4.1일 더 길었다. ‘크림쿠 키’는 화폭이 7.1cm의 미니 품종으로 연간 주당 100본 이상 절화 생산이 가능하다. 또한 수확 후 꽃 캡 씌우기, 꽃목 보강 등 추가적인 작업을 생략할 수 있어 생산비 절감이 가능하므 로 농가보급 확대가 기대된다.

Salivary gland dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes. Decreased saliva production and changes in saliva composition may cause oral diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the salivary glands results in the loss of acinar cells and decreased saliva secretion. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is the incretin hormone that regulates blood glucose level and can suppress ROS production and inflammation through its antioxidant effects. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is an enzyme that breaks down GLP-1. In this study, we evaluated the pathological role of DPP-4 and GLP-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. We observed reduced salivary secretion and histopathological alteration of salivary glands in the db/db mice. The increased DPP-4 and decreased GLP-1 levels in the salivary glands were also detected in the db/db mice. Furthermore, the db/db mice had increased apoptosis and oxidative injury in salivary glands. There was an accumulation of advanced glycation end products and mucus in the salivary glands of the db/db mice. In conclusion, these results showed the possible involvement of DPP-4 and GLP-1, leading to increased ROS-induced apoptosis in diabetes-related salivary gland dysfunction. DPP-4 and GLP-1 may be a pharmacological target for patients with diabetes-related salivary gland dysfunction.

If radioactive plumes are released outside due to loss of containment building integrity during a nuclear power plant accident, these materials might travel with the wind, affecting both the surrounding environment and neighboring countries. In China, most nuclear power plants are located on the eastern coast. Consequently, a radioactive plume generated during an accident could negatively impact even the western part of the Korean Peninsula due to westerly winds. To detect such problems early, respond quickly, and protect residents, a system that can monitor aerial radiation under normal conditions is needed. Additionally, a detection system that can operate in real-time in an emergencies conditions is required. The current method for aerial radiation measurement takes environmental radiation data from a monitoring post 1.5 m above the ground and converts it to altitude. To measure actual aerial radiation, an expansive area is surveyed by aircraft. However, this approach is both time-consuming and expensive. Thus, to monitor radioactive plumes influenced by environmental factors like wind, we need a radiation detector that can gauge both radioactivity and directionality. In this study, we developed a radiation detector capable of assessing both the radioactivity and directionality of a radioactive plume and conducted its performance evaluation. We miniaturized the radiation detector using a CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) sensor, enabling its mounting on unmanned aerial vehicles like drones. It is configured with multi-channels to measure directionality of a radioactive plumes. For performance evaluation, we positioned two-channel CZT sensors at 90 degrees and measured the energy spectrum for angle and distance using a disk-type radioactive isotope. Using this method, we compared and analyzed the directionality performance of the multi-channel radiation detector. We also confirmed its capability to discern specific radioactivity information and nuclide types in actual radioactive plumes. Our future research direction involves mounting the multi-channel radiation detector on a drone. We aim to gather actual aerial radiation data from sensors positioned in various directions.

Raman characteristics of various minerals constituting natural rocks collected from uranium deposits in Okcheon metamorphic zone in Korea are presented. Micro-Raman spectra were measured using a confocal Raman microscope (Renishaw in Via Basis). The focal length of the spectrometer was 250 mm, and a 1800 lines/mm grating was installed. The outlet of the spectrometer was equipped with a CCD (1,024256 pixel) operating at -70°C. Three objective lenses were installed, and each magnification was 10, 50, and 100 times. The diameter of the laser beam passing through the objective lens and incident on the sample surface was approximately 2 m. The laser beam power at 532 nm was 1.6 mW on the sample surface. Raman signal scattered backward from the sample surface was transmitted to the spectrometer through the same objective lens. To accurately determine the Raman peak position of the sample, a Raman peak at 520.5 cm-1 measured on a silicon wafer was used as a reference position. Since quartz, calcite, and muscovite minerals are widely distributed throughout the rock, it is easy to observe with an optical microscope, so there is no difficulty in measuring the Raman spectrum. However, it is difficult to identify the uraninite scattered in micrometer sizes only with a Raman microscope. In this case, the location of uraninite was first confirmed using SEM-EDS, and then the sample was transferred to the Raman microscope to measure the Raman spectrum. In particular, a qualitative analysis of the oxidation and lattice conditions of natural uraninite was attempted by comparing the Raman properties of a micrometer-sized natural uraninite and a laboratory-synthesized UO2 pellet. Significantly different T2g/2LO Raman intensity ratio was observed in the two samples, which indicates that there are defects in the lattice structure of natural uraninite. In addition, no uranyl mineral phases were observed due to the deterioration of natural uraninite. This result suggests that the uranium deposit is maintained in a reduced state. Rutile is also scattered in micrometer-sizes, similar to uraninite. The Raman spectrum of rutile is similar in shape to that of uraninite, making them confused. The Raman spectral differences between these two minerals were compared in detail.

Post Irradiation Examination Facility (PIEF) is a test facility for nuclear fuel research and development and performance evaluation. From the past to the present, assemblies and fuel rods have been transported from nuclear power plants (NPP) several times, and various destructive and non-destructive tests have been performed. Among these, in the case of the 14×14 Westinghouse STD assemblies that are transported as a whole assembly, the top nozzle is connected to the guide tube by welding. Therefore, the fuel rods could not be removed from the assembly at the NPP, so the assemblies were transported to PIEF as is. Then, after cutting between the top nozzle and the guide tube in the pool, and the fuel rods were extracted and tested. In order to transport the assembly in the future, it is necessary to maintain stability by inserting the dummy rod into the unit cell from which the fuel rod is extracted. However, since the length of the dummy rod is almost 4 m and the diameter is about 10 mm, the dummy rod often bends while passing through the dimple spring of the grid. Additionally, when dummy rods are inserted into unit cells that are continuously empty after the fuel rods are extracted, there may be cases where the dummy rods are not inserted into the desired unit cell but are bent and incorrectly inserted into the next unit cell. The moment the dummy rods are inserted into the dimple spring of grid, a load is applied to the dummy rod due to the tension of the spring. If it can be inserted while offsetting the load, the work can be performed more smoothly. Accordingly, an underwater handling tool was developed that can be inserted while offsetting the tension of the spring. Using this handling tool applies a load to the dummy rod and rotates the dummy rod itself, offsetting the tension of the spring and allowing the dummy rod to be inserted without bending. This handling tool is equipped with a shock absorbing device to protect the dummy rod and spring, and a module to rotate the dummy rod. As a result of inserting the dummy rod using the developed handling tool, it was possible to easily insert the dummy rod into unit cells that were previously impossible to insert.

It has been known that as oxide layer (ZrO2) forms on the nuclear fuel cladding during irradiation in nuclear power plants, the corrosion kinetics are influenced by various parameters such as chemical environments. One of those environments, crud deposition driven by coolant chemistry has an adverse effect on the formation of oxide (ZrO2) and leads to increase thickness of the layer. In this study, crud formation was performed through loop experiment equipment on the surface of intentionally-made oxide layer (ZrO2) on cladding tubes and then the composition and characteristics of cruds were examined for the investigation of nuclear power plant environment. As a result, various cruds in composition and microstructure were formed depending on the exquisite methods and conditions such as metal ion concentration.

The Lepidoptera - moths, butterflies, and skippers, is one of the three most species-rich, studied, diverse, and widely distributed insect orders, with over 157,424 species worldwide (van Nieukerken et al., 2011). Moths and butterflies serve as valuable indicator species for monitoring climate change. Conversely, the distribution of lepidoptera is actively and interactively influenced by changes in climate and land cover (Warren et al., 2001). Over the last five years, there are many oriental moth species, such as genus Stictane, Siccia, Philenora, Ammatho, Asota, etc., have been newly recorded in Korea, since other new records are very likely yet to be discovered in this country and nearby.

긴털가루진드기(Tyrophagus putrescentiae)는 주로 실내에 서식하며 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환을 일으키는 주 요 해충이다. 주로 침구류에서 발생하며, 사람이나 동물로부터 떨어진 각질과 비듬 또는 저장 곡식 등을 주요 먹이원으로 한다. 암컷 한 마리가 일생에 200~300개의 알을 산란하기 때문에 빠르게 번식할 수 있으며, 육안으로 확인할 수 없는 크기이기 때문에 관찰 및 관리가 불가능하다. 하지만 긴털가루진드기로 인해 발생하는 알레르기 에 관한 연구는 환자의 치료에 초점이 맞춰져 있기 때문에, 근본적으로 알레르기를 발생시키는 원인을 해결할 수 있는 방안이 부족한 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 가정에서 발생할 수 있는 긴털가루진드기를 효과적으로 방제하 기 위한 통합적 방제 전략을 제시한다. 열, 살비제(Chlorfenapyr, Spiromesifen, Pyflubumide), 초음파, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 사용하여 살비 및 기피 효과를 확인하였다. 고온 노출은 100% 살비 효과를 보여주 었으며, 살비제는 3시간 동안 90% 이상의 살비 효과를 보여주었다. 긴털가루진드기가 초음파에 노출되었을 때 23%의 기피 행동을 관찰하였으며, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 유인용 먹이에 처리했을 때, 긴털가루 진드기 97%의 접근을 차단하였다. 본 연구를 통해 실내 알레르기의 가장 중요한 원인으로 주목받는 긴털가루진 드기에 대한 체계적인 방제 전략을 적절한 환경에 적용시킴으로써, 집먼지진드기로 인한 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환 발생을 감소시키고 안전한 주거 환경을 조성할 것으로 기대한다.

Honeybees are pollinating agent of economic importance, and a model organism for microbiome analysis. The microbiota plays a great role in honeybee health and development as such needs to be fully elucidated among Apis mellifera in Korea. using 16S rRNA gene illumina sequencing, the gut microbiota of Apis mellifera at four developmental stages under natural condition shows dysbiosis of essential microbiota, especially between the 5-days larvae and workers.