Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1) is an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification regulator and a key determinant of premRNA processing, mRNA metabolism and transportation in cells. Currently, m6A reader proteins such as hnRNPA2/B1 and YTHDF2 has functional roles in mice embryo. However, the role of hnRNPA2/B1 in porcine embryogenic development are unclear. Here, we investigated the developmental competence and mRNA expression levels in porcine parthenogenetic embryos after hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down. HhnRNPA2/B1 was localized in the nucleus during subsequent embryonic development since zygote stage. After hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down using double stranded RNA injection, blastocyst formation rate decreased than that in the control group. Moreover, hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down embryos show developmental delay after compaction. In blastocyste stage, total cell number was decreased. Interestingly, gene expression patterns revealed that transcription of Pou5f1, Sox2, TRFP2C, Cdx2 and PARD6B decreased without changing the junction protein, ZO1, OCLN, and CDH1. Thus, hnRNPA2/B1 is necessary for porcine early embryo development by regulating gene expression through epigenetic RNA modification.

The objective of this study was to determine effects of phosphorus on lignification and carbohydrate metabolism in Kentucky bluegrass under drought stress. Drought stress was induced by reducing of water to plants in pots. Two types of phosphorus were applied as potassium phosphate (PO4 3-; P) or potassium phosphonate (PO3 3-; PA) in drought-stressed plants. Drought had significant negative effects on plant growth, as revealed by reduced biomass of shoot. Drought-induced increase of lignin content was concomitant with the increase of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Soluble sugar content was highly increased but fructan content was largely decreased by drought stress. However, the application of phosphorus was efficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought. PA application improved reduced shoot growth and relative water content, and inhibited lignification synthesis with a reduction of PAL activity. P or PA application maintained soluble sugar and fructan content at similar levels to controls under drought stress. These results indicate that phosphorus application may mitigate the drought stress by inhibiting the lignification and promoting the fructan assimilation.

The objective of this study was to determine phosphorus effects on drought stress-induced oxidative stress in Kentucky bluegrass. Drought stress was induced by reducing of water to plants in pots. Two types of phosphorus were applied as potassium phosphate (P) or potassium phosphonate (PA). Application of phosphorus was efficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought. Osmotic potential, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content were significantly decreased by drought stress, but was relieved by P or PA application. Superoxide (O2 •−) concentration was significantly increased more than 14-fold under drought-stressed plants, was accompanied with increase of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). However, malondialdehyde (MDA) was much less in P or PA applied plants under drought stress condition. Activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol-peroxidase (GPX) were largely increased by drought stress and its increase rate was much higher in P or PA applied plants except APX. These results indicate that drought stress-induced oxidative stress is alleviated by P or PA application due to the increase of activities of antioxidant enzymes.

To assist farmers in shifting from subsistence to commercial agriculture, the government of Laos has promoted farmer organizations throughout the country. The farmer production groups have gradually transformed and emerged into strong cooperatives or associations. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting farmers’ participation in FPGs. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. A total of 140 respondents participated in a field survey in three kumb ban (village groups) in the Xepon District. Descriptive statistics and binary logistics regression models were used to analyze the data. The results show that the education level of household head, farmland size, access to credit, and perceived trust for farmer production group membership are significantly different from those who are non-members of the groups. However, non-members of FPGs face more constrain in accessing the market, as compared to the members of FPGs. The empirical results from the Binary Logit Model indicate that education level of headed household, farmland size, access to credit, perceived trust, and constraint to market are factors that significantly determine farmers’ participation in FPGs. This study contributes to the empirical literature by providing a better understanding of farmer participation in the groups. The government of Laos should consider and promote access to credit, farmer learning, and market integration to improve farmers' participation in FPGs.

목적 : 20∼70대 성인을 대상으로 연령과 굴절이상도가 고위수차에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 하였다. 방법 : 안과질환과 각막굴절교정술 경험이 없는 청년층(20∼39세, 400안), 중년층(40∼59세, 400안), 노년층 (60∼79세, 400안)이 본 연구에 참여하였다. I-Profilerplus를 사용하여 대상안의 굴절이상도와 고위수차를 측정 하고, 연령과 굴절이상도가 고위수차에 영향을 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 결과 : 연령이 높을수록 안구의 전체 고위수차, 수평 및 수직 코마수차는 양(+)의 방향으로 증가하였고 (p<0.050), 구면수차는 음(-)의 방향으로 증가하였다(p<0.050). 코마수차는 원시안이 근시안보다 컸고, 원시안은 원시도가 높을수록, 근시안은 근시도가 낮을수록 큰 것으로 나타났다. 구면수차는 근시안의 경우 양(+)의 값을 가 지며 근시도가 높을수록 양(+)의 방향으로 증가하였고(p<0.050), 원시안은 음(-)의 값을 가지며 원시도가 높을수 록 음(-)의 방향으로 증가하였다(p<0.050). 코마수차 와 구면수차 평균값은 모든 연령층에서 양(+)의 값을 갖는 것으로 나타났지만, 음(-)의 값을 갖는 비율이 20∼45%로 높게 나타났다. 결론 : 연령과 굴절이상도 및 개인에 따라 고위수차가 달라지기 때문에 시력의 질을 개선하기 위한 각각의 고 위수차를 보정한 안경렌즈 및 콘택트렌즈를 설계할 필요성이 있다고 생각한다.

The purpose of this study is to analyze interactions between learners and the instructor (ILI) and interactions among the learners (IAL) themselves in a single university reading class with a focus on scaffolding. Thirty-three learners majoring in computer engineering and public administration participated in the class. Twenty-six out of 33 learners took a non-face-to-face online class (NFTFOC) for a 15-week semester, and the remaining seven learners chose to take a face-to-face class (FTFC) for the five weeks after the mid-term exam. Data from both the NFTFOC and FTFC were collected for 15 weeks from September to December 2021 including an automatic video recording system, quizzes, assignments, etc. through chatting boxes, bulletin boards, and emails. The obtained data were analyzed into both qualitative descriptions and quantitative statistical measures. The results showed that interactions in the low and mid-level of higher-order thinking from both the linguistic and cognitive perspectives occurred similarly, and both amplifying and simplifying of scaffolding functions in NFTFOC were more frequently observed than those in FTFC. In addition, both NFTFOC and FTFC got better scores on the post-test. As development occurs in language learning, a longitudinal and in-depth analysis of the language learning processes is required in future studies.

Purpose: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual simulation practice has been increasingly activated as an alternative to clinical practice in nursing colleges. This study aimed to provide basic data by confirming changes in self-efficacy and nursing knowledge in the virtual simulations of nursing students, and identifying virtual presence, virtual patient learning system evaluation (VPLSE), and practical satisfaction. Methods: This was a single-group pre-post quasi-experimental study. The subjects were 28 third-grade nursing students. Results: Self-efficacy and nursing knowledge increased significantly (p<.001). Virtual presence had a significant positive correlation with VPLSE) (p=.002) and practice satisfaction (p=.011). There was also a significant positive correlation between virtual simulation learning evaluation and practice satisfaction (p<.001). Conclusion: Based on these results, virtual simulation practice can be used with clinical practice as an educational method to improve nursing students' self-efficacy and nursing knowledge in nursing education. Virtual presence was confirmed as a significant variable to improve practice satisfaction and VPLSE. It is necessary to develop a virtual simulation program that can improve virtual presence through collaboration with virtual reality technology experts.

MMORPG 게임의 특성상 이러한 사용자들에게 어떻게 효율적이고 안전하며 개인화된 네트워크 서비스를 제 공할 것인가 하는 문제가 시급히 해결되어야 할 과제입니다. 클러스터링 알고리즘은 네트워크 사용자 행동 을 분석할 때 사용자 행동 데이터의 규모를 미리 결정해야 하며 생성된 클러스터에도 의미 기능이 부족합 니다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 네트워크 사용자 행동 데이터의 특성에 대한 클러스터 분석을 수행하고 LFM, 행렬 분해 및 기타 방법을 적용하여 네트워크 사용자 행동 클러스터링을 위한 자동 클러스터 레이블 생성 방법을 제안한다. 실험 결과 제안하는 방법은 사용자 행동 데이터의 규모를 미리 결정할 필요가 없으며 클 러스터링 과정에서 클러스터 레이블을 동시에 생성할 수 있으며 생성된 클러스터 레이블은 사용자 행동의 실제 의미를 따릅니다.

This study investigates beginning EFL teachers’ emotional labor from the perspective of the Activity Theory. Emotional labor is defined as the process of controlling one's emotions and emotional expressions in accordance with the occupational standards for proper emotional expression. Two beginning EFL teachers at Korean junior high schools were recruited by means of a qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on Activity Theory. The findings indicate that participants’ emotional labor in relation to their students was represented as conflicts in their activity system. Additionally, the resolution of the conflicts could be possible if a teacher can join a new teacher learning community and use new instruments. The results suggest that beginning EFL teachers should be encouraged to be empowered with new instruments such as classroom management skills and teaching practices for handling mixed-level students. These new instruments are expected to prevent students’ problem behavior and ease the burden of teachers experiencing emotional labor.

We investigated the effect of habitat environment and colony characteristics on floral bud development in Rhododendron brachycarpum native to Ulleung Island of Korea. Two habitats were considered. Habitat B had a remarkably higher altitude and steeper slope than habitat A. Therefore, fewer types of trees existed on the upper layers, and the density was low. Hence, the degree of light transmission within the community was higher in habitat B. Additionally, flowering ratio of shoots was higher in habitat B, and the amount of light was also relatively higher. The lower the amount of light, lesser the floral development, the higher the leaf area and the specific leaf area, lower the dry weight and chlorophyll content. The total carbohydrate (T-C) and nitrogen (T-N) in shoots are more important than the relative T-C and T-N ratios per leaf. Finally, this study revealed that the floral bud development and flowering of native rhododendrons are strongly associated with the degree of assimilate accumulation in shoots, and that sufficient assimilate accumulation in shoots is essential for stable flowering.

The advent of CLT in the 1980s led to the CLT-SLA debate which continued unabated for the last forty years. This paper asks, Does the now dominant Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) promote Second Language Acquisition (SLA)? In addressing this question, the paper first reviews and explains the social academic history of CLT; different versions of CLT (strong, weak); how CLT operates; its relationship to SLA, such as perceptions of SLA that have contributed to the development of CLT pedagogy (communicative competence, input, output, interaction hypothesis); and techniques used in CLT. Next, it deliberates on the most controversial issues of the CLT-SLA debate, including language forms, corrective feedback, teachers' perceptions of and approaches to CLT, and classroom conditions, followed by a discussion of the ease/difficulty of implementing CLT. It concludes with a discussion of how teachers can best practice CLT in their classrooms.

Vitamin K1 (VK1) has been widely used as a coumarin antagonist and for the treatment of hemorrhagic disease in veterinary practice. However, the potential mechanism of adverse reaction after VK1 injection has been not fully elucidated. In this study, two cases of anaphylactic reactions after subcutaneous VK1 injection were presented, and then an experimental study was performed to further characterize the anaphylactic reactions. Two dogs developed anaphylactic reactions after subcutaneous VK1 injections and were promptly treated with antihistamines and glucocorticoids, after which abnormal signs related to anaphylaxis disappeared. Subsequently, a study was undertaken to ascertain the nature of the adverse reactions to subcutaneous VK1 injection. Six healthy laboratory beagle dogs received subcutaneous VK1 administrations once daily for eight days. They were monitored for clinical signs after each injection, and blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma histamine and immunoglobulin E concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All six dogs showed mild angioedema after the VK1 injections. The dogs also displayed clinical signs including sneezing, coughing, skin reddening, excess salivation, pawing the ground, and somnolence on days 4, 6, and 8. Plasma histamine and immunoglobulin E concentrations were significantly increased by the repeated injections. In summary, this study describes anaphylactic reactions resulting from subcutaneous VK1 administration in dogs. Clinicians should be aware that the repeated subcutaneous injection of VK1 can trigger an anaphylactic reaction in dogs.

본 연구는 무릎 MRI 검사 시 무릎의 위치가 보어 중심을 기준으로 거리가 멀어짐에 따라 무릎 연골 T2 값의 변화를 평가하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 무릎 질환이 없는 정상인 지원자 10명을 대상으로 하였고 보어 중심을 기준으로 무릎을 오른쪽으로 10 cm 그리고 20 cm 이동시키면서 영상을 획득하였다. 무릎 MRI 영상은 스핀에코기법을 활용하였고 무릎 연골의 T2 값을 계산하기 위해 TE 값은 13.8, 27.6, 41.4, 55.2, 그리고 69 ms로 적용하였다. 신호 측정은 무릎의 내, 외측 관절 융기가 가장 크게 나타난 영상의 대퇴 연골과 경골 연골에서 진행하였다. 연구의 결과, 재구성된 T2 값은 보어 중심에서 멀어질수록 감소하였다 (0 cm: 39.16 ms, 10 cm: 32.59 ms, 20 cm: 26 ms). 또한, 신호 값도 보어 중심에서 그 위치가 멀어질수록 감소하였다 (p<0.00). 특히, 보어 중심에서 20 cm까지 멀어짐에 따라 TE 69 ms의 영상에서 신호 값은 46.2%까지 감소하였다. 무릎 위치와 무릎 연골 T2 값의 상관관계분석 결과는 음의 상관관계 (r=-0.736)가 나타났다 (p<0.00). 결론적으로 MRI 검사에서 무릎 위치는 무릎 연골의 T2 값에 상당한 영향을 미치므로 T2 값의 정확도나 재현성 이 감소할 수 있다. 따라서 무릎 MRI 검사에서 무릎 연골의 정확한 T2 값을 획득하기 위해서는 최대한 보어 중심에서 검사가 이루어져야 한다.

This prospective, observational study of acute stroke survivors was completed to report our clinical application of the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), an 8-point multidimensional assessment, used in conjunction with the Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS). In addition, we were interested in determining the association of PAS scores at admission, demographics and clinical characteristics with functional recovery (measured by the Functional Independence Measure [FIM]) at discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. There were thirty-five patients that met inclusion and consented. Out of the 35, 34 (97%) were successfully assessed with the PAS with VFSS. Multivariate regression model revealed that the PAS scores, sex, length of stay, and admission FIM scores were significantly associated with functional recovery at hospital discharge (all p values < .05). We conclude that the PAS was feasible to administer with VFSS and implement in our inpatient setting. The PAS provided information about the depth of the airway invasion, material remaining after the swallow, and the response to aspiration, which were not reported in a standardized way prior to this study. The association between the PAS and functional recovery at discharge suggests that stroke survivors with swallowing impairment have less functional improvement noted at discharge than those with better swallowing scores. Therefore, people with dysphagia may need additional services and care. Future research should determine if using the PAS can improve clinical practice and ensure consistency across care transitions (expansion), as those with dysphagia may need additional services and care.

This paper explores a college EFL course designed to practice reading for pleasure during the pandemic. Sixty EFL college learners in a required English course read Mark Haddon’s (2004) [The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time] within the structure of a regular reading and writing focused academic English course. Reading for pleasure is often considered unfit for inclusion in regular curriculum. Nevertheless, for digital natives, the act of pleasurable reading especially in L2, should be actively implemented into classroom activities. This study follows a case study which practices reading for pleasure by utilizing weekly quizzes, discussion questions and response paper. Students’ feedback was collected and analyzed in order to share students’ experiences in completing the tasks. The feedback shows how weekly quizzes and class discussions have encouraged them to continue reading the text, influenced their attitude on reading English books and how they were able to empathize with the characters. This paper invokes the need to include reading young adult literature into general English courses for college learners to make them lifelong readers of L2.

To reduce the air pollution from maritime activities, which is proven to have severe impacts on the worldwide environment and human health, many international regulations have been established. Therefore, an effective political strategy and a complete inventory of emissions are needed to control atmospheric ship pollution and comply with these international standards. The purpose of this study is to calculate the amount of emission in three operating modes (cruising, maneuvering, and hoteling) for some main pollutants emitted from container ships and trucks operating in Daesan port in Korea based on bottom-up methodology. The results showed that the volume of air pollution of about 6,500 tons from container ships and 1,455 tons from container trucks were emitted in Daesan port area. Also, a total of 4 billion won (about 3.6 billion won from container ships, and about 400 million won from container trucks) was estimated.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of artificial intelligence (AI) improves English listening and reading proficiency. It focuses on whether its impacts differ by gender and major. The study was conducted in 2020 with 340 freshmen students in Korea. There were 182 male and 208 female students. The participants majored in different areas: 139 students majoring in aeronautics, 130 students studying policing and safety, 121 students studying in the arts department. The TOEIC test was adopted as pre- and post-tests to explore the impacts of using AI on English learning. To analyze the data, two-way ANOVAs were administered. The study found no interaction effects of gender or major on either listening and reading proficiency. However, gender and major, respectively, had significant impacts on listening. Regarding reading proficiency, major alone affected the students’ performance. Based on these findings, pedagogical implications are considered.