Rapidly changing environmental factors due to climate change are increasing the uncertainty of crop growth, and the importance of crop yield prediction for food security is becoming increasingly evident in Republic of Korea. Traditionally, crop yield prediction models have been developed by using statistical techniques such as regression models and correlation analysis. However, as machine learning technique develops, it is able to predict the crop yield more accurate than the statistical techniques. This study aims at proposing the onion yield prediction framework to accurately predict the onion yield by using various environmental factor data. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, and wind speed are considered as climate factors and irrigation water and nitrogen application rate are considered as soil factors. To improve the performance of the prediction model, ensemble learning technique is applied to the proposed framework. The coefficient of determination of the proposed stacked ensemble framework is 0.96, which is a 24.68% improvement over the coefficient of determination of 0.77 of the existing single machine learning model. This framework can be applied to the particular farmland so that each farm can get their customized prediction model, which is visualized by the web system.

Background: Interest in cardiac rehabilitation therapy has been increasing in Korea after the addition of cardiac rehabilitation as a benefit item in the National Health Insurance Service in 2017. However, few epidemiological studies have characterized cardiac rehabilitation in Korea. Objects: To assess the national epidemiological data on cardiac rehabilitation therapy in Korea from 2017 to 2023. Methods: This study analyzed MM453, a prescription code for cardiac rehabilitation therapy in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database. The data reviewed included the total number of cases per year and the number of cardiac rehabilitation therapy prescriptions per 100,000 people, along with sex and age distribution of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation therapy. Results: The number of cardiac rehabilitation therapy prescriptions in Korea increased from 4,443 in 2017 to 15,646 in 2023 (252.1% increase in 7 years). The incidence per 100,000 person-years rose from 8.64 in 2017 to 30.22 in 2023. The number of males undergoing therapy increased from 3,183 (incidence: 12.35) in 2017 to 11,276 (incidence: 43.53) in 2023. The number of females undergoing therapy increased from 1,260 (incidence: 4.91) in 2017 to 4,370 (incidence: 16.89) in 2023. The highest number of patients undergoing therapy from 2017 to 2023 was observed in the 60s age group (patients: 4,747, incidence: 9.17), followed by the 70s, 50s, and > 80s age groups. Conclusion: From 2017 to 2023, the number of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation therapy in Korea increased consistently. The therapy is approximately 2.6 times more common in males than that in females and is predominantly administered to individuals in their 60s, followed by those in their 70s, 50s, and 80s and above.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen that affects the nervous systems of humans, pigs, and horses. It has been classified into five genotypes (G1-G5) based on molecular analysis of the pre-membrane or envelope gene. In the Republic of Korea, the predominant JEV genotype has recently shifted from G3 to G1 and G5, highlighting the need for a rapid and accurate diagnostic method. In this study, we designed specific common and differential primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 to detect the JEV gene. Four specific primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were used to selectively amplify the target gene. The detection limits of the common primer set for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were 100, 0.1, and 10 TCID50/reaction, respectively. The detection limits of the three differential primer sets were 1, 0.1, and 1 TCID50/reaction, respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-JEV reference viruses. We successfully developed a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to distinguish the three JEV genotypes. Our multiplex RT-PCR assay is highly sensitive and specific, providing a reliable tool for confirming JEV infection in suspected samples. Additionally, our assay can be applied to suspected mosquito samples and commercial veterinary biological products.

Hyperoxaluria is a disorder associated with an increased risk of renal stones, one of the most common conditions. For people with hyperoxaluria, there are a limited number of effective therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to examine whether an oxalate-degrading enzyme, oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC), can inhibit crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in vitro, and whether it can prevent nephrolithiasis caused by CaOx induced by ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. When OxdC was applied at various concentrations to CaOx in vitro, there was a significant reduction in the crystallization of CaOx. The OxdC was found to inhibit crystal formation as well as the formation of crystals that had sharp edges. In animal experiments, rats that had been treated with EG showed impaired renal filtration functions, as well as increased deposition of CaOx crystals and the creation of kidney stones. It has been found that oral administration of OxdC to rats with chronic EG-induced nephrolithiasis that is characterized by CaOx intratubular crystal deposits with hyperoxaluria dramatically reduces the severity of the disease. The results of this study point to a potential therapeutic approach for treating human hyperoxaluria as well as CaOx nephrolithiasis that could be achieved by the oral administration of OxdC.

Sequential zone picking is an order picking method designed to enhance warehouse efficiency by dividing the storage area into multiple zones and picking items in a sequential order across these zones. Picked items are often placed in dedicated totes and transported between zones using a conveyor system, which manages the picking flow but can occasionally result in inefficiencies during the process. This study presents a variant of the sequential zone picking system, called a dual-lane zone picking system (DZP), which consists of two parallel conveyor lanes without buffers between consecutive zones. This conveyor configuration allows the picker in each zone to alternate processing between the two lanes, thereby lessening the constraints of tote transitions between zones and improving both system throughput and picker utilization. We design and conduct a series of experiments using a discrete-event simulation model to evaluate the performance of DZPs. The experiment results indicate that DZP surpasses the original single-lane zone picking system by shortening the system’s mean flow time in low flow intensity scenarios and achieving a higher maximum throughput and worker utilization in high flow intensity scenarios. Additionally, we investigate the effects of the number of zones and order batching size on the performance of DZP to gain further insights into the system’s operational control.

This study aimed to address the time, cost, and ethical issues associated with traditional animal experiment-based observational methods by utilizing in silico Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic modeling to predict veterinary drug residues in livestock products and validate them against observational data. Using PK-sim software, we modeled the physiological conditions of pigs to predict the depletion of ceftiofur and spiramycin. We evaluated the ceftiofur (3 mg, 6 mg) and spiramycin models by comparing them with observational data using residuals, MSE, and R-squared values. Specifically, the R-squared values for the ceftiofur models were all negative, indicating poor predictive power. For Ceftiofur (3 mg), the R-squared value was <0 with MSE of 611.3764, and for Ceftiofur (6 mg), it was <0 with MSE of 2447.982, highlighting significant discrepancies. Similar shortcomings were observed in the spiramycin models, with an R-squared value of <0 . These discrepancies can be attributed to inaccuracies in literature data, limited physicochemical data, inadequate consideration of inter-individual differences, mismatches between experimental and model conditions, and limitations of benchmark observational experiments. This underscores the critical importance of enhancing data quality and refining modeling approaches. Future research should focus on validating in silico techniques across diverse animal models and drugs to broaden their applicability in safety assessments. Ultimately, leveraging in silico techniques is crucial for establishing a scientifically robust safety management system for livestock products, overcoming the constraints of current observational experimental methods.

웹보드 게임의 규제와 관련하여 해외 웹보드 게임의 규제 현황을 살펴보기 위하여 해외 웹보 드 게임의 정의 및 주요 해외 웹보드 게임들이 어떤 특징을 가지고 있는지 분석하고자 한다. 국내 웹보드 게임은 사행성 게임, 소셜 카지노, 웹보드 게임(고·포류) 등으로 구분되고 있으나, 해외에서는 그 형태의 따라 겜블링 모사(Simulated Gambling) 게임과 스킬 게임(Skill Gaming)으로 구성되어 있는데, 두 가지 해외 웹보드 게임의 유형과 차이에 대해 알아본다. 다 음으로, 두 가지 해외 웹보드 게임의 유형과 관련하여 대표 게임의 비교 분석을 통해 각 유형 을 대표하는 게임이 어떤 특징들을 가지고 있는지에 대해 알아보고자 한다. 마지막으로. 중국 과 유럽, 미국의 웹보드 게임 규제 현황을 비교 분석하여, 향후 국내 웹보드 게임의 규제 개선 방향에 대해 제안해 보고자 한다.

Following the previous study, which investigated the pharmacological properties of the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m), the toxicity of a single intravenous administration of the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) and the side effects that may occur at the diagnostic dose were confirmed. The Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) was administered intravenously once at a dose of 0, 0.67, 2.0, and 6.0 mCi/kg to 5 male and female rats per group. Mortality, general symptom observation, and weight measurement were performed for 2 weeks, followed by observation of autopsy findings. There were no deaths, and no statistically significant weight change was observed. No abnormal systemic signs related to the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) were observed. These results confirmed that Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) can be safely administered intravenously at doses up to 6.0 mCi/kg. Additionally, technetium-99m at an average dose of 2 mCi (74 MBq) has been verified as a diagnostic dose without adverse effects, allowing the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) to be used safely without side effects at this dosage. This study demonstrates that the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) has a wide safety margin, supporting its potential for clinical application. Moreover, these findings align with the nonclinical safety standards for radiopharmaceuticals, reinforcing its utility in veterinary medicine. The Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) is expected to be applicable for clinical diagnosis as a veterinary drug in Korea.

Lactobacillus is a probiotics that improves various diseases and enhances immunity through the activation of cytokines involved in natural immunity. A variety of studies on immunoregulation have been conducted on various Lactobacillus, but few on Lactobacillus johnsonii (Lj) and especially on immune cells. In this study, we investigated how Lj affects the viability and function of RAW264.7 macrophages. The results indicated that Lj decreased the metabolic activity of RAW 264.7 cells and caused a decrease in the number of cells. In Annexin V and PI staining, the viable cells was significantly decreased at 107 cfu/mL Lj concentration. Measurement of cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that Lj increased the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Also, Lj increased the expression of CD40 and CD86, confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Taken together, Lj caused decreased metabolic activity and cell viability, but simultaneously increased the expression of macrophage activation markers and TNF-alpha production. Therefore, when an appropriate dosage of Lj is administered, it is expected that the necessary immunomodulation can be increased while minimizing damage on cells. This study provided evidences for the immunomodulatory effects of Lj on RAW 264.7 cells in vitro and is expected to be a valuable information for Lj research.

Background: The widespread use of smartphones and personal computers has contributed to a rise in thoracic kyphosis, a condition characterized by excessive outward curvature of the upper back. This condition can lead to reduced lung function, poor posture, and decreased spinal angles, all of which can cause reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Furthermore, these issues are often associated with scapular protraction and anterior tilting. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of using a scapular support pillow in people with thoracic kyphosis, as well as determine the changes in respiratory capacity and postural alignment. Methods: Forty-one participants (25 males and 16 females) with thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle > 40°) were included in the study. Their respiratory function (FVC, FEV1) and body posture (spinal angle, chest expansion, acromion-to-the-wall index) were measured before and after using the scapular support pillow for approximately 30 minutes. FVC, FEV1, spinal angle, chest expansion, and acromion-to-the-wall index were analyzed using paired-t test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in all measured parameters. Both respiratory function and posture-related metrics showed notable increases after using the scapular support pillow. Conclusion: The use of a scapular support pillow can effectively improve respiratory function and postural alignment in patients with thoracic kyphosis. Our research makes a meaningful contribution by proposing an effortless and convenient treatment option for individuals with thoracic kyphosis.

This study proposes a mathematical model to optimize the fighter aircraft-weapon combinations for the ROKAF(Republic Of Korea Air Force). With the recent emergence of the population declining issue in Republic of Korea, there is an urgent need for efficient weapon system operations in light of decreasing military personnel. In order to solve these issues, we consider to reduce the workload of pilots and maintenance personnel by operating an optimal number of weapons instead of deploying all possible armaments for each aircraft type. To achieve this, various factors for optimizing the fighter-weapon combinations were identified and quantified. A model was then constructed using goal programming, with the objective functions based on the compatibility, CEP(Circular Error Probable), and fire range of the weapons, along with the planned wartime mission-specific weapon ratios for each aircraft type. The experimental result's analysis of the proposed model indicate a significant increase in mission performance efficiency compared to the existing system in both operational and maintenance aspects. We hope that our model will be reflected to help improve the operational capabilities of Republic of Korea Air Force.

Background: Lower back pain/injuries are common in caregivers, and physical stresses at the lower back during patient care are considered a primary cause. An instrumented hospital bed my help reduce the physical loads during patient repositioning. Objects: We estimated the physical stresses at the lower back during patient repositioning to assess biomechanical benefits of the instrumented hospital bed. Methods: Fourteen individuals repositioned a patient lying on an instrumented hospital bed. Trials were acquired for three types of repositioning (boosting superiorly, pulling laterally, and rolling from supine to side-lying). Trials were also acquired with two bed heights (10 and 30 cm below the anterior superior iliac spine), and with and without the bed tilting feature. During trials, kinematics of an upper body and hand pulling forces were recorded to determine the compressive and shear forces using static equilibrium equations. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test if the peak compressive and shear forces were associated with repositioning type (3 levels), bed height (2 levels), and bed feature (2 levels). Results: The peak compressive force ranged from 836 N to 3,954 N, and was associated with type (F = 14.661, p < 0.0005) and height (F = 10.044, p = 0.007), but not with bed feature (F = 0.003, p = 0.955). The peak shear force ranged from 66 to 473 N, and was associated with type (F = 8.021, p < 0.005), height (F = 6.548, p = 0.024), and bed feature (F = 22.978, p < 0.0005). Conclusion: The peak compressive force at the lower back during patient repositioning, draws one’s attention as it is, in some trials, close to or greater than the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health safety criterion (3,400 N). Furthermore, the physical stress decreases by adjusting bed height, but not by using tilting feature of an instrumented bed.

This study investigated the relationship between teacher support in the areas of learner autonomy, relatedness, and competence, and motivational beliefs regarding achievement goal orientations and perceived task value in Chinese EFL college classrooms based on self-determination theory. A questionnaire was administered to 712 college students, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0. The findings indicated that teacher support for autonomy, relatedness, and competence was positively correlated with mastery goal orientation and performance-approach orientation, while it was negatively correlated with performance-avoidance orientation. Furthermore, these forms of teacher support positively influenced students’ perceived task value. Achievement goal orientation mediated the relationship between the three types of teacher support and student engagement. However, perceived task value only mediated the relationship between teacher autonomy support and student engagement. This study offers valuable insights for enhancing English teaching practices by promoting student motivation through addressing their psychological needs in EFL college classrooms.

A multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM) method allows the decision makers to systematically evaluate the alternatives based on a predefined set of decision criteria. The most commonly used MCDM methods include Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution(TOPSIS), Weighed Aggregated Sum Product Assessment(WASPAS), Preference Selection Index(PSI), etc. In MCDM Problems, it is common that performance ratings for different criteria are measured by different units. Normalization is thus used to convert performance ratings into commensurable data. There are many normalization techniques that can be used for MCDM problems. Much effort has been made for comparative studies on the suitability of normalization techniques used in MCDM methods. However, most studies present normalization methods suitable for specific MCDM problems based on specific data samples. Therefore, this study proposes the most suitable normalization method for each MCDM method under consideration using extensive data samples. A wide range of MCDM problems with various measurement scales are generated by simulation for comparative study. The experimental results show that vector normalization method is best suited for all MCDM methods considered in this study.

This study investigates the effect of machine translation (MT) use on the writing performance of Korean EFL students, focusing on complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF). Six participants completed a series of writing tasks in which they first translated their L1 writing into L2 manually and then used MT to revise their L2 drafts. This process was repeated across ten different writing topics. Participants’ drafts were analyzed using CAF measures to assess MT’s impact on their writing performance and observe changes over tasks. The results show that MT significantly improved accuracy and fluency. However, gains in syntactic and lexical complexity were less evident. While group-level analysis showed consistent progress, individual trajectories varied widely, indicating diverse patterns of development. Overall, the findings suggest that MT enhances writing accuracy and fluency among Korean EFL students, although its impact on syntactic and lexical complexity is limited. These results indicate that MT can serve as a valuable tool for self-directed learning, helping students independently improve their writing accuracy and fluency and develop essential self-editing skills. This study highlights the potential of MT as a supplementary tool to support EFL students’ writing development, along with traditional instruction.

Thyroid scanning using technetium-99m (99mTc) is the gold standard for diagnosing feline hyperthyroidism. In cats with an overactive thyroid, a thyroid scan is the most appropriate imaging technique to detect and localize any hyperfunctional adenomatous thyroid tissue. In this study, the pharmacological properties of the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m), developed as a diagnostic agent for feline hyperthyroidism using 99mTc as an active ingredient, were tested in FRTL-5 thyroid follicular cell line and ICR mice. The percentage of cell uptake of the Tc-99m in FRTL-5 thyroid cells was 0.182 ± 0.018%, which was about 6 times higher compared to Clone 9 hepatocytes. This uptake decreased by 38.2% due to competitive inhibition by iodine (sodium iodide). In tissue distribution tests by using ICR mice, the highest distribution was observed in the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and femur at 0.083 hours after administration, and this distribution decreased as the compound was excreted through the kidneys, the primary excretory organ. Maximum distribution was confirmed at 1 hour in the small intestine, 6 hours in the large intestine, and 2 hours in the thyroid gland. Additionally, the total amount excreted through urine and feces over 48 hours (2 days) was 78.80% of the injected dose, with 37.70% (47.84% of the total excretion) excreted through urine and 41.10% (52.16% of the total excretion) through feces. In conclusion, the Tc-99m has the same mechanism of action, potency, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics as 99mTc used for feline hyperthyroidism in the United States, Europe, and other countries, because the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) contains 99mTc as its sole active ingredient. Based on these results, the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) is expected to be safely used in the clinical diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism.

본 연구는 작곡가의 관점에서 인공지능 작곡 엔진의 실제 사용 사례를 통해, 프롬프트 엔지니 어링을 기반으로 한 AI 음악 작곡의 가능성과 한계점을 탐구한다. 2023 MUVA 프로젝트 쇼케 이스 <META-BREATHING> 전시의 일환으로 개최된 작곡가 정성엽의 협력형 연주 퍼포먼스 <Collabo and collabo>는 전문 바이올리니스트와 AIVA AI 작곡 프로그램을 이용하여 새롭 게 창작된 작품이다. 이 창작 과정에서 AI 작곡의 절차와 결과물을 분석하고, 이를 통해 AI 작 곡 프로그램의 문제점을 보완하며 작곡가의 개입 수준과 조건을 파악하고자 한다. 본 사례 연 구에서는 AI 작곡 프로그램이 작곡가의 의도를 넘어서는 새로운 아이디어를 창의적으로 제공 함에도 불구하고 연주자의 현실적인 연주 가능성, 곡 전개의 예측 가능성과 미세 조정 가능성 등의 부족으로 연주 퍼포먼스에 직접 적용이 어려움을 확인한다. 이에 현장에서 작곡가의 기 대치를 충족하기 위해 음악 제작 전문가들이 적극적으로 개입해 조절할 수 있는 방식으로 AI 작곡 플랫폼이 개선되어야 함을 제안한다.

Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity in which the great toe deviates laterally and the first metatarsal deviates medially, leading to pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility. HV severity is typically assessed using the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA). Objects: This study aimed to explore how changes in skeletal, muscular, and functional variables correlate with HV severity and to provide evidence for more integrated treatment approaches. Methods: Sixty volunteers with mild to moderate bilateral HV (HVA 15–40 degrees) participated. The measurements included HVA and IMA via radiography, abductor hallucis muscle (AbdH) cross-sectional area (CSA) and tone using ultrasound and Myoton PRO, range of motion (ROM) of the ankle and great toe metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint with a goniometer, and plantar pressure during gait with a Zebris FDM system. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for the statistical analysis. Results: An Increased HVA was associated with a higher IMA (r = 0.858, p < 0.05). The HVA was inversely related to the AbdH CSA (r = –0.337, p < 0.05) and muscle tone (r = –0.889, p < 0.01). With increasing HVA, dorsiflexion ROM of the ankle (r = –0.307, p < 0.01) and both flexion (r = –0.197, p < 0.05) and extension (r=-0.182, p<0.05) ROM of the great toe MTP joint decreased. Conversely, ankle plantar flexion ROM increased with the HVA (r = 0.312, p < 0.01). Additionally, plantar pressure increased in the second metatarsal areas (r = 0.457, p < 0.05) a with higher HVA. Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant correlations between HV severity and various biomechanical factors, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment strategies. While stretching the adductor hallucis muscle and strengthening the AbdH have been widely recognized interventions for HV, our findings provide evidence that ROM exercises for the ankle and the MTP joint of the great toe are also critical components of a physical therapy program for managing HV. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the effectiveness of these approaches.

This study examined the feeding behavior and growth performance of 31 Hanwoo steers (10 months old; 278 ± 36.13 kg) within a precision livestock farming system using Roughage Intake Control (RIC) units for real-time data collection. Feeding behavior traits were derived from RIC database data using R software, with subsequent analysis conducted using SAS software. The results indicated that the steers visited the feed stations every 31.12 ± 11.99 minutes, averaging 11 ± 3.37 visits/day. Each feeding session lasted an average of 5.90 ± 1.55 minutes, resulting in a feed intake rate of 77.98 ± 22.53 g/min. Mean daily feed intake was 4.76 ± 1.36 kg, and body weight increased consistently, reaching an average of 412 ± 43.44 kg, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 1.26 ± 0.38 kg. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between daily feed intake and visit duration (r² = 0.621; p < 0.01) and an inverse correlation between daily feed intake and feed intake duration (r² = −0.445; p < 0.05), indicating behavioral adaptation. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring feeding behavior traits concerning growth performance, enhancing our understanding of individual animal behavior and its implications for productivity while emphasizing the role of advanced technologies in optimizing feed utilization in confined livestock systems.

인공지능(AI) 기반 콘텐츠 생성 자동화는 최근 다양한 산업 분야에서 중요한 연구 주제로 부상 하고 있다. 본 연구는 인공지능(AI) 기반 콘텐츠 생성 자동화 기술의 최신 동향과 응용 분야를 탐구한다. 디지털 시대의 급증하는 콘텐츠 수요에 대응하기 위해, AI 기술이 다양한 영역에서 혁신적인 솔루션을 제공하고 있다. 연구 결과, 통합 AI 솔루션이 오디오, 비디오, 이미지 등 다 양한 형태의 콘텐츠를 효율적으로 생성할 수 있음을 확인했다. 특히 대규모 언어 모델(LLM)의 발전으로 자연어 처리 능력이 크게 향상되어, 텍스트 생성, 번역, 요약 등의 작업에서 탁월한 성능을 보이고 있다. 비즈니스 영역에서 AI는 마케팅 자동화, 개인화된 콘텐츠 제작, 의사결정 지원 등 다양한 응용 가능성을 보여주고 소셜 미디어 마케팅에서는 자동화 툴을 활용한 브랜드 홍보면에서 효율성 향상과 비용 절감 효과를 가져오고 있으며 교육 분야에서는 AI가 개인화된 학습 경험을 제공하고, 자동 학습 콘텐츠 생성에 활용될 수 있다. 연구 결과 AI 기반 콘텐츠 생 성 자동화는 개인화된 사용자 경험 제공, 생산성 향상, 비용 절감 등의 이점을 제공함을 시사한 다. 그러나 윤리적 문제, 데이터 편향, 저작권 침해 등 해결해야 할 과제도 확인되었다.