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.

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.

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.

가위벌과에 속하는 Coelioxys의미기록 2종 Coelioxys conoidea Illiger, 1806 와 Coelioxys formosicola Strand, 1913을 한국에서 처음으로 보 고한다. 본 종의 기재, 분포정보, 그리고 삽화를 제공한다.

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.

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.

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.

본 연구를 통해 미기록종 Homalotylus albifrons (Ishii, 1925) (벌목: 깡충좀벌과)를 한국에 최초로 보고한다. 이 종에 대한 진단과 사진과 한국 의 Homalotylus 속의 종 키를 수록한다.

This study explored how teachers could provide support to enhance students’ out-ofclass mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) engagement. We interviewed five Korean English teachers who used Class Card, a focal technology of this study, for their students’ self-directed vocabulary learning. Additionally, students of the interviewed teachers completed a survey on their perceptions of teacher support and MALL engagement. This study has three major findings. First, the teachers adopted either a proactive or a passive approach to promoting students’ out-of-class MALL engagement, which was influenced by their beliefs about whether teachers or students should be responsible for learning beyond the classroom. Second, all teachers provided orientation and behavioral support to enhance out-of-class MALL engagement, although the consistency and intensity in providing this support varied between proactive and passive teachers. Finally, students who perceived higher levels of teacher support reported greater out-of-class MALL engagement. We discuss the importance of classroom-based teacher support to enhance MALL engagement beyond the classroom as pedagogical implications.

Background: The poultry industry experiences genetic losses due to recurring infectious diseases, necessitating effective preservation strategies. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in male reproduction, and optimal NO (nitric oxide) levels may enhance sperm viability. This study investigated the effects of SNAP (S-nitroso-Nacetylpenicillamine) on the longevity of rooster sperm. Methods: Semen was diluted with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender-I containing 0 or 25 μM SNAP and stored at 10°C. Sperm motility and acrosome integrity were assessed at 1, 3, and 7 days. NO levels were quantified by DAF-FM diacetate and AI trials were evaluated by fertility and hatchability. Results: On day 1, sperm motility in the SNAP 25 μM-treated group was significantly higher than in the control. NO quantification confirmed that SNAP-treated semen exhibited higher NO levels. For fertilization and hatchability assessment, hens were divided into two groups based on the presumed duration sperm resided in sperm storage tubules. Before artificial insemination, the sperm was preserved at low temperature (10°C) to maintain viability. Fertilization rates were significantly higher in the SNAP-treated group in both short-term and long-term SST storage conditions. However, hatchability was only significantly improved in the SNAP-treated group when fertilization occurred after extended storage. Conclusions: These findings suggest that NO enhances sperm viability and fertility in poultry semen stored at low temperatures. SNAP 25 μM enhances AI efficiency by maintaining sperm viability and extending fertilization potential. Further research is needed to refine NO-based fertility enhancement strategies for avian species.

에듀테크 시대에 접어들면서 디지털 기술을 활용한 학습 방식이 점점 확대되고 있으며, 특히 모바일 기반 애플리케이션 을 활용한 학습이 적극적으로 도입되고 있다. 이러한 학습 방식은 학습자의 참여도를 높이고, 흥미를 유발하며, 학습 효율성 향상에 긍정적인 영향을 미치고 것으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구는 자기공명영상학 학습에서 모바일 기반 애플리 케이션 사용에 대한 학습자들의 인식, 학습 효과, 학습 만족도를 알아보고자 하였다. 대구시 소재 S 대학교 자기공명영 상학을 수강한 2, 3학년 학생 70명을 대상으로 2024년 11월 24일부터 29일까지 수업 후 모바일 애플리케이션을 활용한 퀴즈 활동을 시행하였다. 연구 결과, 애플리케이션 활용에 대한 학습자들의 인식 평균 점수는 4.58±0.66, 학습 효과는 4.61±0.62, 학습 만족도는 4.58±0.65로 나타났다. 또한, 애플리케이션 활용 전후 비교 분석에서 인식 (활용 전 3.62±0.97, 활용 후 4.58±0.66), 학습 효과(활용 전 3.60±0.92, 활용 후 4.61±0.62), 학습 만족도(활용 전 3.64±0.93, 활용 후 4.58±0.65) 모두 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.05). 이러한 결과는 자기공명영상학 교육에서 모바일 애플리케이션 기반 학습이 학습자의 참여도, 이해도, 만족도를 높이는 데 효과적임을 시사한다. 따라서 자기공명영상학뿐만 아니라 다양한 전공 분야에서도 애플리케이션 기반 학습이 유용한 교육 도구로 활용될 수 있으며, 향후 교육 및 임상 실습 현장에서 적용 가능한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것 기대된다.

본 연구에서 Acyrthosiphon (Acyrthosiphon) lactucae를 국내에서 처음으로 보고한다. 이 종의 무시성충에 대한 형태학적 정보, 분포지역, 기주 식물, 한국에 분포하는 Acyrthosiphon 속 종들의 분류키를 제공한다.

Mauremys reevesii (Reeves’ turtle) is an endemic freshwater turtle species found throughout East Asia. Due to a rapid population decline, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Korean government have classified this species as Endangered (EN). The reported largest population size of M. reevesii in the Republic of Korea was previously estimated to be approximately 20-30 individuals. Our study assessed the population size and structure of M. reevesii at Geumho Reservoir, Republic of Korea, using a capture-recapture data. A total of 433 M. reevesii were incidentally captured during a 35-week trapping process conducted from March to October 2023. The sex ratio of the captured population exhibited a male bias of 1.3 : 1. Sexual size dimorphism was observed only in body weight. Individuals were recaptured up to 11 times during the study period, with males and females being recaptured at an average of 2.1±2.0 times and 1.5±0.9 times, respectively. The estimated population size of M. reevesii in Geumho Reservoir was approximately 891 turtles. The absence of notable sexual size dimorphism and significant sex ratio differences suggests that the population in this area may have been established relatively recently. Compared to previous records, the population in Geumho Reservoir represents the largest single population of M. reevesii, both within the Republic of Korea and globally.

Hydrangea is widely grown as an ornamental plant with a high commercial value owing to its appealing features. Although many cultivars exist as genetic resources, they cannot be effectively used for breeding due to insufficient information regarding their genetic relationships and breeding compatibility. Intraspecific and intergeneric hybridizations within the family, Hydrangeaceae present opportunities to create cultivars with desirable traits, however, breeding efforts in Hydrangea through interspecific hybridization have achieved limited success. The low viability of interspecific hybrids may be attributed to cytogenetic incompatibility between the species. Therefore, a deeper cytogenetic understanding of this genus could enhance future breeding programs. This review focuses on the importance of cytogenetic data in the breeding of hydrangeas and the different cytogenetic techniques utilized in this genus. Future directions for cytogenetic research in Hydrangea are also discussed.

Production technology trials for PARC’s new fodder oat cultivar (PARC-Oat) were conducted at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) under rain-fed conditions in Islamabad from 2021 to 2023. The effects of different fertilizer doses, planting densities (seed rates), and inter-row spacing on green fodder yield were studied. The experiment comprised four fertilizer doses of nitrogen and phosphorus (N:P) (55:30, 65:40, 75:50, and 85:60 kg/ha), four seed rate densities (30 kg/ac, 35 kg/ac, 40 kg/ac, and 45 kg/ac), and four inter-row spacings (15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm). Results based o n k ey p arameters a ffecting t he y ield of PARC-O at—namely plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), leaves per tiller, number of tillers per plant, and green fodder yield (t/ha)—indicated that the maximum yield of 72.74 t/ha was observed with the fertilizer dose of 75:50 kg/ha (N:P). Similarly, a seed rate of 40 kg/ha produced optimal planting densities, resulting in the highest green fodder yield of 72.85 t/ha, while an inter-row spacing of 30 cm yielded the maximum green fodder yield of 74.30 t/ha. These results suggest that to achieve maximum green fodder biomass of oats, best management practices should include the application of a fertilizer dose of 75:50 (N:P), a seed rate of 40 kg/ha, and an inter-row spacing of 30 cm.