Background: Hybridization between closely related fish species can generate novel phenotypes that influence aquaculture performance. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of hybrids between the two aquaculture-relevant flounder species Kareius bicoloratus and Platichthys stellatus using a hybrid index and a newly proposed resemblance p-value-based morphometric analysis, providing insights into hybrid resemblance patterns relative to their parental species. Methods: One-year-old individuals from the three genotype groups (K. bicoloratus, P. stellatus , and hybrid) were analyzed using a combination of traditional and trussbased morphometrics. From the full dataset, 77 morphological indices were extracted, including proportions, ratios, and angular measurements. The hybrid index was computed to quantify parental resemblance, while the delta resemblance value (ΔRV) was derived from Kruskal-Wallis test to assess statistical resemblance trends. One-way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests were used to determine statistical significance among groups. Results: Hybrid flounders exhibited a complex blend of parental and hybrid-specific traits, with morphological resemblance varying by trait category. Among the 77 morphological indices, 44 (57.1%) fell within the parental range, while 33 (42.9%) exceeded parental values, demonstrating transgressive segregation or heterosis in hybrid morphology. Morphometric resemblance patterns were trait-dependent: indices relative to total length or head length tended to resemble maternal species, whereas depth-related ratios and angular traits were more similar to father. Conclusions: The integration of H-index and ΔRV analysis provided a systematic and quantitative framework for assessing hybrid morphology, offering valuable insights into phenotypic expression of hybrids, with potential relevance to aquaculture.
목적 : COVID-19 팬데믹 기간 동안 사회적 거리두기와 비대면 활동 증가로 인해 생활습관이 크게 변화하였다. 본 연구는 근거리 작업시간, 수면시간, 스트레스 수준의 변화가 비정시(근시, 원시, 난시) 발생에 미치는 영향을 분 석하고자 하였다. 방법 : 본 연구는 질병관리청 국민건강영양조사 제8기(2019~2021년도) 조사 중 2020년에 참여한 대상자들 중 만 40세 이상인 성인들을 대상으로 수행된 단면 연구이다. 연구 대상자는 안검진을 받은 성인 중 안과 질환이 없는 2,564명을 포함하였다. 굴절 이상은 등가구면굴절력을 기준으로 하였다. 결과 : 근거리 작업시간이 하루 4시간 이상인 그룹에서 근시 유병률이 유의하게 증가하였다. 반면, 1시간 이하 의 근거리 작업을 수행하는 그룹에서는 원시 유병률이 높았다(p<0.0001). 수면시간이 6~8시간인 그룹에서 근시 유병률이 가장 높았으며, 원시는 6시간 미만 그룹에서 높았다(p=0.0082). 스트레스 수준이 높은 그룹에서 근시 유 병률이 유의하게 증가하는 경향을 보였으나, 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석에서는 근거리 작업시간이 짧은 그룹에서 난시 유병률이 더 높은 경향을 보였으며(p<0.0001), 수면시간과 스트레스의 영향은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 결론 : 본 연구 결과, 근거리 작업시간 증가가 근시 발생에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 요인임이 확인되었으며, 수면 패턴과 스트레스 또한 비정시와 연관성을 가질 수 있음을 시사하였다. 이는 COVID-19 팬데믹과 같은 환경적 변 화가 시력 건강에 미치는 영향을 이해하고, 근시 예방 및 관리 전략을 수립하는 데 기여할 수 있다.
인공관절 치환술 환자의 합병증 진단을 위한 자기공명영상 검사에서 발생한 금속 인공물을 감소시키는 VAT(view angle tilting) 기법과 딥러닝 알고리즘 중 K-공간 기반의 deep resolve(boost, sharp, DR)를 적용하여 그 유용성 에 대해 평가하고자 하였다. 자체 제작 팬텀과 3T 장비로 일반적인 VAT, DR이 적용된 VAT로 T1 강조영상, T2 강조영상, 단시간 반복 회전 연쇄기법(short tau inversion recovery, STIR) 영상들을 병렬영상 가속계수 2, 3, 4를 적용하여 획득하였다. 획득된 영상에서 왜곡도, 팬텀 바닥에서 금속 인공물까지 거리, 신호대잡음비를 정량적 평가하였고, 영상 품질은 정성적 평가하였다. 왜곡도는 일반적인 VAT와 DR이 적용된 VAT의 T1 강조영상, T2 강 조영상, STIR 모두 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 또한 금속 인공물까지 거리도 T1 강조영상, T2 강조영상, STIR 모두 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 신호대잡음비는 일반적인 VAT보다 DR이 적용된 VAT의 가속계수 4에서 T1 강조영상은 103%, T2 강조영상은 85.2%, STIR은 73.3% 최대로 증가하였고, 영상품질 평가점수는 T1 강조영상은 5점, T2 강조영상은 4.6점, STIR은 4.8점으로 가장 좋았다. 본 연구를 통해 VAT 기법의 영상품질 저하를 DR 기술 로 개선할 수 있었다. 금속 인공물이 발생했을 때 DR이 적용된 VAT의 가속계수를 4로 적용한다면, 검사시간을 단 축하면서 보다 진단적 가치가 높은 영상을 획득할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.
Color has become a fundamental element in contemporary visual arts, significantly influencing emotional resonance and narrative depth. Alberto Mielgo, an acclaimed animator and director, has gained international recognition for his innovative use of color and unconventional visual storytelling, particularly in digital animation. This study examines Mielgo's representative animated works—The Witness, The Windshield Wiper, and Jibaro—from a colorological perspective, analyzing how his distinctive chromatic strategies enhance narrative structure and emotional engagement. Specifically, The Witness employs extreme complementary contrasts of neon colors within urban environments to evoke simultaneous feelings of anxiety and allure. Conversely, The Windshield Wiper utilizes muted pastel palettes with subtle shifts in brightness and saturation to convey introspective emotions characteristic of modern urban life. Lastly, Jibaro integrates symbolic chromaticism through metallic gold tones contrasted against serene natural hues, visually allegorizing themes of greed, toxic relationships, and colonial violence. Through these analyses, this paper highlights how Mielgo's sophisticated integration of traditional color theory with contemporary digital technologies expands the expressive possibilities of animation. Ultimately, this research underscores the critical role of color as more than mere aesthetic decoration; rather, it functions as a powerful narrative device capable of profoundly shaping viewer perception and emotional immersion. The findings further suggest meaningful implications for future creative practices across diverse digital media platforms including animation, gaming, VR (Virtual Reality), and XR (Extended Reality).
산마늘(Allium microdictyon)과 울릉산마늘(A. ulleungense) 은 수선화과(Amaryllidaceae) 부추속(Allium)에 속하는 다년 초 식물로 산마늘은 우리나라에서는 지리산, 오대산 등의 고산 지대, 울릉산마늘은 울릉도에 분포하고 있다. 본 연구는 산마늘 과 울릉산마늘의 휴면과 발아특성을 조사하여 효과적인 대량증 식법을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 수행하였다. 실험은 2021 년 7월에 강원도 정선에서 재배한 산마늘 종자와 2021년 8월에 울릉도에서 채종한 종자를 사용하였다. 수분흡수 실험결과, 산 마늘과 울릉산마늘 모두 수분흡수 3시간 만에 20% 이상의 수분 흡수율을 보여 물리적 휴면이 없는 것으로 판단하였다. 온도 처리(25/15, 20/10, 15/6, 5℃) 실험에서 패트리디쉬에 종자 를 치상 후 30일 이전에 5℃를 제외한 나머지 온도 처리에서 모두 발아가 나타났으며, 산마늘과 울릉산마늘 종자의 발아 적 온은 20~25℃인 것으로 확인되었다. 저온층적(0, 4, 8, 12주)처 리 결과, 산마늘과 울릉산마늘 종자 모두 발아율 향상에는 큰 효과가 없었지만, 저온층적처리 기간이 길어질수록 발아세가 증가하는 양상을 보였다. GA3 처리 결과, 산마늘 종자는 처리 농도 간 유의성이 나타나지 않았지만, 울릉산마늘 종자는 처리 농도가 높아질수록 평균발아일수 및 발아균일도에서 유의적인 차이를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과를 통하여 산마늘과 울릉산마늘 종자는 non-deep PD 유형인 것으로 판단된다.
Visfatin, an adipokine secreted by cells, is crucial for intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ biosynthesis. Extracellularly, visfatin plays diverse roles in inflammatory conditions, including obesity, which is closely linked to osteoclastogenesis. We previously showed that visfatin enhances receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages. However, its enzymatic activity during this process is poorly understood. Here, we investigated visfatin’s effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Our results demonstrate that visfatin promotes this differentiation, an effect inhibited by FK866, an inhibitor of visfatin’s enzymatic activity. Furthermore, FK866 also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggest that inhibiting visfatin’s enzymatic activity modulates osteoclast differentiation. Thus, visfatin plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis, both intracellularly and extracellularly, and FK866 has therapeutic potential for diseases characterized by imbalanced osteoclast formation, such as osteoporosis and periodontitis.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cause substantial economic losses on the livestock industry. Therefore, vaccinations have been implemented as the control strategy in endemic countries. However, the potential adverse effects of administering vaccines for both diseases simultaneously have not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of vaccinating dairy cows with either or both LSD and FMD vaccines on milk production and physiological parameters such as milk temperature, rumination time and body weight. The experimental groups were divided into four according to the injection materials: 1) saline, 2) LSD vaccine, 3) FMD vaccine, and 4) both vaccines. The impact of vaccination on milk yield and physiological parameters was evaluated daily until 12 days post-vaccination, and milk components were analyzed twice, once per week. Among the experimental groups as well as each vaccine group, no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed at milk yield, milk components, or milk temperature. This suggests that simultaneous vaccination of LSD and FMD can be administered without adverse effects.
This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of natural drying methods on the moisture content and germination of Italian ryegrass seed in Jicheon reclaimed land, Jangheung, Korea, from 2023 to 2024. The natural drying methods tested included seed spread thicknesses of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm; seed reversal frequencies of 1, 2 and 3 times per day; and two reversal methods: seed-only reversal and complete mixing of seed with a dry mat. The thinner seed spread thickness significantly accelerated moisture content reduction(p<0.001). However, the reduction in moisture contents due to the number and method of seed reversal was minimal, approximately 1%. Seeds initially having around 48.9% moisture content required 2, 4 and 5 days to reach a moisture content of 14% when dried at spread thickness of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm, respectively. Seeds with an initial moisture content of 23-26% required 1 to 2 days to reach 14% moisture content while maintaining approximately 80% germination rate under the tested natural drying methods. When seeds with an initial moisture content of 48.9% were dried at a spread thickness of 2.5 cm, the germination rate was 74.6%, which was significantly lower than the 83.8 and 81.6% germination rates observed for seeds dried at 5.0 and 7.5 cm thickness, respectively(p<0.002). These results suggest that for faster drying and higher-quality Italian ryegrass seed, harvesting at 30% seed moisture content, utilizing the cultivation field as a seed drying place, and applying a seed spread thickness of 2.5 to 5.0 cm are optimal practices.
Effective cooling strategies are critical for cultivating high-quality ornamental plants during the summer. The fan-and-pad cooling system reduces greenhouse temperatures by drawing air through wet pads, which humidify and cool the air, aided by fans on the opposite side. However, the paper-based pads (corrugated cellulose) used in this system have limited durability and degrade with prolonged use. Nanocomposite hydrogels, with their polymer-based structure, can absorb and retain moisture through swelling, presenting a promising alternative. This study examines the application of nanocomposite hydrogels, focusing on their hygroscopic properties and cooling efficiency under various temperatures and wind speeds. When treated with lithium chloride solutions at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% saturation, higher LiCl concentrations reduced weight but increased swelling capacity. Optimal cooling effects were achieved with wind speeds of 1.0 m/s at 25°C and 1.5 m/s at 35°C, with greater efficiency observed at lower wind speeds. These findings suggest that integrating nanocomposite hydrogels into cooling pads could enhance durability and reduce maintenance compared with conventional paper pads.
This study examined impact of agricultural cooperative membership on technical efficiency, income, and costs of coffee farmers in Southern Shan State, Myanmar. Using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and propensity score matching (PSM) methods, this study estimated average treatment effect on the treated of agricultural cooperative participation. Results showed that technical efficiency, total income, and total variable costs were significantly higher for cooperative members than for comparable non-members. However, net income of members is not significantly different from that of comparable non-members.
Background: Hanwoo cattle, an indigenous Korean breed, have become economically significant due to genetic improvements and large-scale farming. As individual cow value increases, understanding their unique physiology across different life stages is crucial for optimal health management. This retrospective study aimed to investigate serum biochemistry differences among non-pregnant, pregnant, and fattening female Hanwoo cattle and establish breed-specific reference intervals (RIs) for accurate health assessment, utilizing data obtained from routine veterinary care. Methods: Blood samples were collected from female Hanwoo cattle, categorized as pregnant (n = 12), non-pregnant (n = 25), and fattening (n = 11). Eighteen serum biochemical parameters were analyzed and descriptive statistics were calculated for each group. The new RIs in different reproductive status of female Hanwoo were established using the Reference Value Advisor program. Results: Significant differences based on reproductive status were identified in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), triglyceride (TG), glucose (GLU), and creatinine (CRE) levels. BUN, GGT, and TG levels were significantly higher in fattening cattle compared to pregnant and non-pregnant cows. GLU levels increased progressively across pregnant, non-pregnant, and fattening groups, while CRE levels were significantly higher in pregnant cows. Based on values of biochemical parameters, new RI were suggested for sixteen biochemical parameters, encompassing all three reproductive stages. Conclusions: This study established new RIs for female Hanwoo cattle across nonpregnant, pregnant, and fattening stages, providing a more accurate basis for health assessment and management. These findings will contribute to improved individual cow management, supporting genetic improvement efforts, and enhancing overall herd health in female Hanwoo cattle.
목적 : 근시 어린이를 대상으로 2년 동안 OK-렌즈 착용자의 근시 감소에 대한 효능을 평가하고자 하였다. 방법 : OK-렌즈 그룹은 OK 렌즈 착용 기준에 부합하는 30명의 대상자로 구성되었고, 단초점 안경을 착용한 대조군에는 31명이 포함되었다. 이 연구에 사용된 OK-렌즈는 CRT였고, 굴절이상 측정은 조절마비제 사용없이 자 동굴절검사기와 자각적 굴절검사를 통하여 이루어졌다. 결과 : 총 61명(OK-렌즈 그룹과 대조군은 각각 30명, 31명)의 대상자가 2년 동안의 검사를 완료했다. 연구 초 기의 OK-렌즈군과 대조군의 평균 연령±SD는 각각 10.13±1.81세와 10.32±1.73세였고, 등가구면굴절력은 OK-렌즈군에서 –2.53±0.96 D, 대조군에서 -2.56±1.10 D로 두 그룹 간 유의미한 차이는 없었다. 2년 동안 등 가구면굴절력의 증가는 OK-렌즈군과 대조군에서 각각 –0.70±0.56 D, -1.27±0.78 D였으며, 그 차이는 통계적 으로 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.001). 결론 : OK-렌즈 치료는 학령기 어린이의 근시 진행을 늦추는 데 도움이 될 수 있다.
Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs presents with persistent symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and changes in appetite. Traditional diagnostic methods, including blood tests, ultrasound, and endoscopy, often fail to assess the entire small intestine. Capsule endoscopy offers a non-invasive approach, enabling comprehensive visualization of the gastrointestinal tract and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. In case 1, a 10-year-old Maltese with chronic diarrhea and significant weight loss underwent capsule endoscopy, revealing severe lacteal dilation and moderate gastric erythema, leading to a diagnosis of severe intestinal lymphangiectasia and moderate enteritis. Despite initial corticosteroid therapy and dietary changes, clinical improvement was limited. In case 2, an 11-year-old mixed-breed dog with chronic vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss was assessed. Capsule endoscopy detected moderate gastric erythema, severe small intestinal irregularities, and jejunal bleeding, diagnosing mild esophagitis, moderate gastritis, and severe enteritis with hemorrhage. Treatment with a hypoallergenic diet, corticosteroids, and acid suppressants resulted in gradual symptom relief. This report demonstrates that capsule endoscopy can be utilized as a screening tool for evaluating the mucosal status in patients with CE.
This study proposes a method for achieving more intuitive and efficient in-game character facial customization using Generative AI. Conventional avatar customization in MMORPGs is generally limited by fixed options, making it difficult to accurately recreate a desired appearance and requiring extensive work time. To address these issues, we employ Stable Diffusion to generate character facial images from text prompts, and then map the landmark data extracted by a facial recognition algorithm to the customization variables. Consequently, we confirmed that primary facial features eyes, nose, mouth, and so on could be integrated without the need for additional 3D modeling, allowing for faster and more creative customization than traditional manual adjustment. Moreover, by mapping the generated images onto a character’s appearance, we preserved the game’s narrative framework and polygon structure while maintaining a high degree of similarity in key facial elements such as eye shape, lips, and jawline. In future work, we intend to fine-tune the model using game-specific datasets and extend the customization scope to include clothing, items, and environments. This study not only demonstrates the potential of automated avatar customization through Generative AI but also serves as a foundational reference for novel approaches in subsequent game development.
As part of the 2024 research initiative, “Investigation and Discovery of Prokaryotes in Freshwater Systems,” samples were collected from diverse freshwater habitats, including both water and soil environments. Approximately 2,000 bacterial strains were isolated as single colonies and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Among these, 38 strains shared ≥98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with those of known bacterial species not previously reported in Korea. These strains were thus categorized as newly recorded bacterial species in Korea. These 38 bacterial strains displayed significant phylogenetic diversities, spanning 2 phyla, 4 classes, 15 orders, 24 families, and 34 genera. These unrecorded species were classified into the following classes: Actinomycetia (with genera including Microcella, Conyzicola, Curtobacterium, Leucobacter, Microbacterium, Frigoribacterium, Lysinibacter, Streptomyces, Nonomuraea, Actinocorallia, Ruania, and Actinoplanes), Alphaproteobacteria (Paracoccus, Youngimonas, Loktanella, Corticibacterium, Neorhizobium, Onobrychidicola, Ferranicluibacter, Aureimonas, Asticcacaulis, and Novosphingobium), Betaproteobacteria (Rhodoferax, Rugamonas, and Cupriavidus), and Gammaproteobacteria (Rheinheimera, Shewanella, Kosakonia, Leclercia, Hafnia, Yersinia, Pseudomonas, Lysobacter, and Acinetobacter ). Further characterization included assessment of Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, biochemical properties, and phylogenetic relationships. This report presents detailed phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics of these bacterial species.
This study aims to improve the interpretability and transparency of forecasting results by applying an explainable AI technique to corporate default prediction models. In particular, the research addresses the challenges of data imbalance and the economic cost asymmetry of forecast errors. To tackle these issues, predictive performance was analyzed using the SMOTE-ENN imbalance sampling technique and a cost-sensitive learning approach. The main findings of the study are as follows. First, the four machine learning models used in this study (Logistic Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, and CatBoost) produced significantly different evaluation results depending on the degree of asymmetry in forecast error costs between imbalance classes and the performance metrics applied. Second, XGBoost and CatBoost showed good predictive performance when considering variations in prediction cost asymmetry and diverse evaluation metrics. In particular, XGBoost showed the smallest gap between the actual default rate and the default judgment rate, highlighting its robustness in handling class imbalance and prediction cost asymmetry. Third, SHAP analysis revealed that total assets, net income to total assets, operating income to total assets, financial liability to total assets, and the retained earnings ratio were the most influential factors in predicting defaults. The significance of this study lies in its comprehensive evaluation of predictive performance of various ML models under class imbalance and cost asymmetry in forecast errors. Additionally, it demonstrates how explainable AI techniques can enhance the transparency and reliability of corporate default prediction models.
본 연구는 딥러닝 영상 재구성 기법을 적용한 8개의 뇌질환군의 감마나이프 수술 계획용 자기공명영상(magnetic resonance imaging, MRI)의 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구 방법은 전이성 뇌종양, 뇌동정맥 기형, 수막종, 뇌하수체선종, 삼차신경통, 청신경초종, 맥락얼기 유두종, 해면상 혈관종, 총 8개의 질병을 진단받은 사람들의 T2 강조 영상(T2 weighted imaging, T2WI), 조영증강 T1 강조영상(contrast enhancement T1 weighted imaging, CE-T1WI)의 방법으로 검사한 MRI 영상을 SwiftMR을 이용하여 딥러닝 영상 재구성 기법인 디노이징(denoising)과 초해상도(super resolution)가 적용된 영상을 획득하였다. 이에 대한 성능 평가는 최대 신호대잡음비(peak signal to noise ratio, PSNR), 구조적 유사도(structural similarity index measure, SSIM), 감마나이프 방사선수술(gamma knife radiosurgery, GKRS)의 좌표계로 평가하였다. 그 결과, 원본영상을 기반으로 영상 품질이 개선된 영상의 PSNR과 SSIM은 높은 수치를 나타냄으로써 MRI 영상의 재구성이 문제없이 이루어졌고, GKRS의 수술 좌표계 또한 변화를 보이지 않았다. 결론적으로 딥러닝 영상 재구성 기법은 영상 품질 향상과 영상 보존에서 뛰어난 성능을 보임과 동시에 좌표계도 변화를 보이지 않아서, 딥러닝 영상 재구성 기법은 감마나이프 수술 계획에 유용하게 사용할 수 있는 기법임을 확인하였다.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss. To develop effective treatment strategies, a model that mimics this disease must be implemented. From this perspective, animal models can be used to investigate its mechanisms by reproducing disease progression and providing insights into host-microbe interactions, immune responses, and bone remodeling. In addition, periodontitis-associated bone loss fundamentally differs from systemic bone loss. Targeted treatments require distinguishing periodontitis-induced and systemic bone loss mechanisms. This review examines the rationale for using animal models in periodontal research and evaluates various experimental approaches, such as bacterial inoculation, ligature-induced periodontitis, and chemically induced inflammation. These models have advanced our understanding of periodontal disease but have limitations in replicating the chronic nature of periodontitis and human immune responses. However, current models cannot fully replicate chronic disease progression and human immune responses. Recent developments have focused on improving animal models to more accurately simulate disease progression and host responses, which has led to the elucidation of the immunomodulatory mechanisms of periodontitis and their relevance to the human dental environment. Moreover, new approaches, such as developing age-related periodontitis models and improving ligature techniques, could enhance experimental reproducibility and translational potential. Future studies are needed to reflect these improvements and enhance the clinical relevance of periodontitis models.