Baicalin is known to exhibit neuroprotective effects during brain injury through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Moreover, γ-enolase is specifically expressed in nerve cells and exhibits neuroprotective properties. In this study, we investigated whether baicalin regulates γ-enolase expression in an moddle cerebral artery occulsion (MCAO)-induced brain injury model. Adult male rats were intraperitoneally injected with baicalin (100 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) immediately after right MCAO surgery. Neurological behavior tests were performed 24 hours after surgery and brain water content was evaluated. Right cortical tissue was collected. Western blot analysis were conducted to elucidate γ-enolase expression in MCAO animals treated with baicalin. In addition, γ-enolase expression was analyzed using immunofluorescence staining. MCAO animals administered PBS displayed severe behavioral impairments and edema, whereas baicalin administration alleviated these disorders, demonstrating the protective effects of baicalin against ischemic damage. Western blot analysis results showed that MCAO-induced damage decreased γ-enolase expression, and baicalin treatment mitigated this reduction. These findings were confirmed through immunofluorescence staining. Since γ-enolase is known to contribute to neuroprotective effects, these results suggest that baicalin alleviates neurobehavioral impairments in stroke animals and exerts neuroprotective effects by attenuating the decline in γ-enolase expression caused by brain injury. In conclusion, we demonstrated that baicalin regulates γ-enolase expression during cerebral ischemic damage.

To support the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 greenhouse gas reduction targets, hybrid propulsion energy management systems (EMS)—which integrate multi-energy coordination and dynamic scheduling—have become a critical pathway for enabling low-carbon transitions and improving energy efficiency in the maritime sector. This paper conducts a comprehensive and structured analysis of EMS technologies applied to ship hybrid propulsion systems. It evaluates the functional roles of EMS under varying system architectures, synthesizes mainstream energy management strategies, and identifies current technological bottlenecks, thereby contributing theoretical foundations for the green transformation of the shipping industry. The study first examines representative hybrid propulsion architectures, detailing their technical characteristics to clarify the functional positioning and optimization priorities of EMS in each configuration. It then reviews prevailing energy management and control strategies, with a focus on their integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of adaptive and data-driven approaches. Finally, the paper identifies key challenges in hybrid propulsion EMS, proposes future research directions, and offers practical recommendations to support the advancement and implementation of intelligent energy management technologies in maritime applications.

Delayed wound healing in diabetes is aggravated by chronic inflammation and impaired keratinocyte migration. Although zinc facilitates skin wound healing, its excessive accumulation may induce cytotoxicity. This study explores the synergistic potential of zinc and the GPR39 agonist TC-G-1008 in enhancing diabetic wound repair. In vitro , cotreatment reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and promoted keratinocyte migration. In vivo , a hydrogel incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles and TC-G-1008 accelerated wound closure in diabetic mice and suppressed interleukin-1β expression. Notably, TC-G-1008 alone enhanced keratinocyte migration under diabetic conditions, highlighting its critical role in modulating inflammation. These findings support a zincsparing therapeutic approach using GPR39 activation to restore wound healing in diabetic settings.

The number of significant issues on many welding processes are often connected to high productivity and manufacturability at low costs. The research on welding processes in the literature has reported several research activities, but there is still scope for improvement in most industrial settings. The primary goal of this research is to determine the best super-TIG welding settings to use for groove welding. First, in order to determine the quality characteristics and risks associated with them, concepts and frameworks of quality by design (QbD) which is a new standard in pharmaceutical area in order to improve drug qualities were integrated into this process optimization. Second, stepwise experimental design approaches including a factorial design as well as a response surface methodology (RSM) were customized and performed for this specific automated super-TIG welding process. Third, based on experimental design results, the optimal operating conditions with both design space (i.e., acceptable range of operating conditions) and safe operating space (i.e., safe range of operating conditions) were obtained. Finally, a case study including QbD steps, stepwise experimental design approaches, design and operating spaces, the optimal factor settings, and their association validation results was conducted for verification purposes.

This study analyzes the fragmented landscape of global loot box regulations, which have emerged from a discourse predominantly focused on negative aspects such as gambling. The analysis reveals a variety of coexisting regulatory models—including prohibition under gambling law, mandatory disclosure, and self-regulation—that lack a unified standard and raise issues of practical effectiveness and reverse discrimination. Consequently, this paper argues for an urgent shift beyond a problem-solving approach toward balanced research that examines the positive functions of loot boxes for players and the industry ecosystem to inform rational policymaking.

In this study, a bacterial strain exhibiting high degradation activity toward organic wastes was isolated and taxonomically identified. Five strains with excellent hydrolytic activity toward starch, lipids, and proteins were isolated from slaughter waste processors. Among the five strains, YBK-W4, which showed the highest amylase, protease, and lipase activities, was selected. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, YBK-W4 was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus (B. atrophaeus) and designated B. atrophaeus YBK-W4. The optimal temperature and pH for enzyme activity of B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 were 37~42°C and pH 7, respectively. The bacterium was grown on Luria-Bertani (LB) agar containing 12% NaCl, where enzyme activity was 11.4~29.7% of that observed in LB agar without NaCl. These results suggest that B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 is a useful bacterial agent for the decomposition of organic waste, such as food and slaughterhouse waste.

With the rapid development of economic globalization and the shipping industry, seafarers have been working at sea for a long time, facing psychological problems such as loneliness, depression, and frustration, which pose serious threats to their physical and mental health. The occurrence of psychological symptoms among crew members during their service on board and during their vacations was analyzed through psychological surveys. Research has found that crew members are prone to psychological problems such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and paranoia during their time on board. The two stages with a relatively high probability of developing psychological problems are: one month and 3-6 months after starting working on board. In response to these issues, some onboard management measures and shore-based support measures have been proposed.

The success of artificial insemination (AI) in the swine industry relies on conserving the quality of boar sperm during liquid storage, as boar spermatozoa are prone to oxidative stress due to the high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and lack of antioxidant defenses. Sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and DNA stability are all affected by the increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) during storage, which lowers fertility. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a stable derivative of pyruvate, has good antioxidant properties and has been shown to protect sperm quality in vivo. Its effects on boar sperm during in vitro preservation have not yet been investigated. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of EP (0.1–1 mM) in Beltsville thawing solution at 17°C on the sperm quality parameters of boar spermatozoa over five days. Changes in sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, chromatin stability, and ROS were observed. The results showed that boar spermatozoa stored with 0.25–0.75 mM EP showed a significant increase in sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and chromatin stability compared with the control (without EP) and 1 mM EP for 5 days. Compared to the control and 1 mM EP, ROS levels statistically decreased in sperm stored in 0.25–0.75 mM EP on both storage days 3 and 5. Our findings demonstrated that 0.25–0.75 mM of EP could enhance the boar sperm quality and mitigate the oxidative stress during liquid storage, thus revealing a strategy to improve fertility rates during AI in pig production.

Unlike civilian logistics systems, which primarily focus on efficiency, military logistics emphasizes operational stability. To achieve this, the establishment of a dedicated support system and balanced inventory management are essential. However, the current Army logistics system requires improvements in the support rate through the dedicated support framework. Although long-term improvement is possible through procurement process optimization, short-term enhancement is difficult due to the military’s annual procurement cycle. As a short-term improvement, inventory adjustment between supply points could be effective, but this strategy has not been fully utilized. This is due to the lack of recognition that, while inventory adjustment may increase costs in the short term, it contributes to improved logistics efficiency and stability in the long term. This study proposes a cost-minimizing plan that includes inventory adjustment between supply points in military logistics and aims to verify the effectiveness of inventory adjustment. To this end, a mathematical model for optimizing transportation planning was developed. Additionally, the effectiveness of inventory adjustment was demonstrated through a case study reflecting actual Army logistics conditions. The results of the study confirmed the positive effects of inventory adjustment. Inventory adjustment is expected to enhance the dedicated support rate and promote procurement process optimization, contributing to the advancement of the Army logistics system.

While the game industry is stagnating due to the limitations of its business model, high-quality storytelling is being considered as an alternative, and generative AI has made it possible to create storytelling. In this study, I propose a methodology for webtoon gamification, a collaboration between webtoon and game, to apply AI-based storytelling in practice. The player experience (Player eXperience, PX) in gamification is an experience befitting the player as an active agent, and the main beneficiaries of gamification, such as users, customers, guests, audiences, learners, and gamers, are proposed as ‘players’[1,2], which includes webtoon readers. This study proposes a webtoon gamification and webtoon×game collaboration type that enhances the format and expression of webtoons and the reader's experience, and also presents the commands (AI Story_Prompt) required for efficient AI storytelling, and studies the direction of convergence production between webtoons and games.

Three strains (KCOM 2191, KCOM 2668, and KCOM 2812) of Capnocytophaga sp. isolated from a Korean population were initially classified by 16S rDNA sequence comparison. This study aimed to resolve their species-level identity using whole genome sequencing and to assess their taxonomic characteristics. Genomes of the three strains were sequenced using PacBio RS II and Illumina platforms. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis was employed for species-level identification. Cellular fatty acid (CFA) compositions were determined using the MIDI/Hewlett Packard Microbial Identification System. ANI values for KCOM 2191, KCOM 2668, and KCOM 2812 were 96.43%, 96.33%, and 96.33%, respectively, compared with the type strain Capnocytophaga ochracea DSM 7271T. CFA profiling showed a predominance of iso-C15:0 (57.9%, 67.2%, and 64.9%, respectively), consistent with DSM 7271T (51.5%). These findings confirm that KCOM 2191, KCOM 2668, and KCOM 2812 are strains of C. ochracea . These strains may serve as valuable models for investigating the role of C. ochracea in oral and systemic pathogenesis.

The primary objective of the study is to analyze and evaluate the situation and trends of inland waterway traffic accidents in Vietnam from 2017 to 2024. The study employs reliable secondary data sources, which are analyzed using statistical methods and heatmap applications to examine and assess trends in inland waterway traffic accidents in Vietnam. The results indicate a steady increase in both the number and scale of inland waterway accidents nationwide over the years. Additionally, the accident-prone areas in key inland waterways will be identified. Based on these findings, the research team has proposed recommendations and solutions aimed at improving traffic safety on Vietnam's inland waterways.

This study evaluated the effects of solid and water-soluble extracts derived from torrefied Pinus densiflora on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) germination and growth, as well as the cultivation efficiency of torrefied materials combined with plant nutrient solutions. Torrefied samples were prepared under various conditions (200°C, 220°C, 240°C for 20–80 minutes) and mixed with sand at ratios from 20% to 100%. Liquid extracts were formulated with macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg) and micronutrients (Mn, B, Fe, Cu) and applied to leafy and root vegetables. Germination tests showed that 60% and 80% torrefied treatments had the highest and most consistent rates, with torrefied samples promoting more rapid and stable germination than controls. A two-way ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between treatment and concentration (p = 0.043), suggesting concentration-specific effects. While shoot length showed no significant difference, root growth was marginally significant (p = 0.064), with washed torrefied material producing the longest roots. Physical analysis revealed that torrefied materials improved soil thermal retention and moisture-holding capacity. However, increasing torrefied content reduced porosity, likely due to fine particles filling soil pores. In conclusion, torrefied P. densiflora materials exhibit strong potential to enhance germination, root development, and soil condition. Optimal results were achieved with 40–60% solid mixtures for germination and 60–80% diluted extracts for rapid and consistent seedling growth. When optimally applied, they may serve as effective, sustainable amendments in cultivation systems.

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) play a critical role in maintaining skin integrity and promoting tissue repair, but are highly susceptible to apoptosis under stress conditions such as nutrient deprivation. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their regenerative potential and ability to secrete bioactive factors. In this study, we investigated the effect of ADSC-derived paracrine signaling on apoptosis in HDFs and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using a Transwell co-culture system, we found that ADSCs significantly reduced apoptosis in HDFs subjected to low-serum stress, as confirmed by APOPercentage™ staining and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Among several soluble factors secreted by ADSCs, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exhibited the most pronounced time-dependent increase in culture supernatants. The anti- apoptotic effect of ADSCs was abolished by neutralizing antibodies against HGF, indicating a key role of this factor in mediating fibroblast survival. Further, HDFs were found to express the HGF receptor c-Met at both the mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of c-Met signaling reversed the cytoprotective effect of ADSCs, suggesting that HGF functions through this receptor. Mechanistically, only the PI3K/AKT pathway—among the major survival pathways tested—was selectively activated in HDFs by ADSC co-culture. Pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling using LY294002 abolished the protective effect, while inhibition of ERK or p38 MAPK had no significant impact. These findings demonstrate that ADSC-derived HGF protects HDFs from stress-induced apoptosis primarily through activation of the c-Met–PI3K/ AKT pathway. This mechanistic insight may provide a basis for the development of stem cell– based therapies aimed at enhancing skin regeneration and fibroblast viability in degenerative or wound-healing contexts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in global air travel demand, presenting new challenges for accurately forecasting passenger volumes. This study analyzes the monthly air passenger demand data from 2010 to 2022 to identify key external factors that influence passenger demand. Our analysis shows that the number of international visitors to Singapore is a critical determinant of passenger demand. Consequently, we propose a SARIMAX (Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average with eXogenous variables) model to forecast monthly air passenger demand at Singapore's Changi Airport, integrating international visitor numbers as an exogenous variable. Through comprehensive model identification and parameter estimation, we select the best SARIMAX configuration. To validate the performance of the model, traditional time series methods such as SARIMA, various exponential smoothing methods, and advanced machine learning methods like LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) and Prophet were compared for forecasting monthly air passenger demand at Changi Airport in 2023. The results show that the SARIMAX model significantly outperforms all other tested models, achieving the best performance across multiple forecasting metrics, including the Mean Absolute Percentage Error.

본 연구는 플랫폼 시대에 K-Culture가 한국의 소프트파워를 어떻게 형성하고 확장해 왔는지를 문화사회 학적 관점에서 분석하였다. 나이(Nye)의 소프트파워 이론과 부르디외(Bourdieu)의 문화장 이론을 토대로, K-Pop, 드라마, 디지털 콘텐츠, 팬덤, 국가 정책 간 상호작용을 고찰하였다. 팬덤의 사회운동화, 감정 서사 를 중심으로 한 콘텐츠, 플랫폼 알고리즘과 수용자의 문화 번역 사례를 통해 K-Culture가 감정, 기술, 정체 성 정치가 교차하는 복합적인 문화 실천임을 규명하였다. 아울러 플랫폼 종속, 콘텐츠 획일화, 팬덤 의존, 문화 다양성 부족 등 소프트파워의 구조적 한계를 진단하고, 윤리적 공감과 문화적 포용성에 기반한 지속 가능한 전략을 제안하였다.

This study investigates the cultural imagery vocabulary and symbolic meanings embedded within 85 Recommended Texts issued by Hong Kong Education Bureau. These texts, drawn from classical Chinese literature, are rich in cultural symbolism and literary aesthetics, offering valuable resources for language and literary education. Through semantic analysis and diachronic comparison, the study identifies primary cultural imagery categories—such as the moon, plants, animals, and human actions—and traces their historical evolution and symbolic transformation. Findings reveal that these vocabulary items convey traditional Chinese values, modes of emotional expression, and philosophical thought. Rather than evaluating educational outcomes, this study aims to construct a theoretical framework to support vocabulary and cultural instruction, thereby enhancing students’ cultural literacy and textual interpretation skills. Building upon this framework, concrete teaching strategies are proposed, including the development of thematic vocabulary columns and cultural archetypes, to facilitate the systematic integration of cultural imagery into curriculum design. By articulating the dialectical relationship between cultural inheritance and innovation, this study offers insights for exploring effective pedagogical approaches to classical imagery within contemporary educational contexts.

This study explored the dual linguistic challenges experienced by Chinese international students enrolled in English-Medium Instruction (EMI) programs at South Korean universities. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 20 undergraduate students from two leading private universities in Seoul, this study investigated how students navigate the linguistic demands of studying in English while simultaneously adjusting to Korean as the dominant campus language. The findings revealed that students encounter significant obstacles, including professors’ limited English proficiency, inconsistent classroom language policies, and marginalization in group work and class discussions. Despite these difficulties, many students gradually adapted through self-directed strategies and peer support, ultimately gaining academic and linguistic benefits. Some participants reported enhanced preparedness for further studies in English-speaking countries and developed bilingual competencies. The study highlights the complex realities of EMI implementation for non-Anglophone international students and calls for more transparent language policies, targeted support programs, and inclusive pedagogical practices to promote equitable learning environments.

Recently, as informatization of transactions and digitization of product itself progress, the influence of network externalities is increasing. The reason why network externalities receive so much attention is that they fundamentally lead to fierce price competition between products. Following this trend, in this paper, we study the effect of quality and compatibility on the price competition between products under network externalities. To do this, we first present a new market model incorporating quality, network externalities and compatibility. Based on the presented model, the Nash and Stackelberg equilibrium solutions are derived and analyzed numerically. The results can be summarized as follows: First, when the quality difference between products is small, the Nash method of pricing is optimal, whereas when the quality difference is large to some extent, the Stackelberg method of pricing is optimal. Second, in the case of the low quality product, it was shown that there are situations where it is necessary to intentionally lower its own quality for more profit. Third, it was also shown that compatibility mitigates the effects of network externalities.

The Magnus airfoil can convert wind energy into kinetic energy, driving the boat forward. The rotating cylinder at the airfoil's leading edge enhances lift and reduces drag, positioning it as a promising technology for boundary layer flow control. This study, based on the NACA0015 airfoil, employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the effect of cylinder diameter on the aerodynamic performance of the Magnus airfoil. The Reynolds number is set to 4×10⁵, with an angle of attack of 18°, a rotational speed ratio of 1.4, and cylinder diameters ranging from 6% to 13% of the airfoil's chord length. Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze and compare the lift and drag characteristics, vorticity distribution, pressure distribution, and flow field structure for varying cylinder diameters. The results show that a high-speed rotating cylinder, when placed at the airfoil’s leading edge, effectively suppresses flow separation on the suction surface, delays boundary layer development, and enhances the overall aerodynamic performance of the airfoil. For the Magnus airfoil studied, the optimal diameter of the rotating cylinder at the leading edge is found to be 12% of the chord length.