The purpose of the study is to assess morphological and chromosomal comparison of Mini type Phalanopsis ‘KS Little Gem’ and four domestic market available cultivars (‘Queen Beer’, ‘Tony Pink’, ‘Vaviche’ and ‘Rorens’). ‘KS Little Gem’ had the highest number of leaves (14.9), while the other four types had fewer than ten. The longest leaf length was 21.5㎝ for ‘Tony Pink’, followed by 16.2㎝, 18.0㎝ and 17.5㎝ for ‘Queen Beer’, ‘Rorens’ and ‘Vaviche’ respectively. The length and width of the petals of ‘KS Little Gem’ were 29.5㎜ and 25.6㎜ respectively indicating a round shape flower compared to other cultivars. When the flower lifespan of ‘KS Little Gem’ was compared to four cultivars of the domestic market, it was found that it had a 123-day shelf life, which was twice longer than that of the four cultivars. According to chromosome analysis ‘KS Little Gem’, ‘Rorens’, ‘Tony Pink,' and ‘Vaviche’ were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 76) while ‘Queen Beer’ was diploid (2n = 2x = 38). The estimated DNA content of ‘KS Little Gem’, ‘Rorens’, ‘Tony Pink’ and ‘Vaviche’ had 4918.4, 4794.2, 4705.2 and 4964.3 Mbp respectively, which were roughly double than that of P. cornu-cervi (control, 2n = 2x = 38). However, ‘Queen Beer’, had an estimated DNA content of 2802.2Mbp, similar to that of P. cornu-cervi. The morphological features, genome size and chromosomal data reported in these studies can be used by breeders to create more efficient Phalaenopsis breeding programs.

Etymological approaches can be applied to textual research on the dates of ancient texts. An article titled “Textual Research on ‘Qing’” found the connotations of “Qing” in literature expanded from its original limited use of denoting “nature” to include the connotation of affection and presented a preliminary judgment on the age of some documents. Following and critiquing that article, this paper examines connotations of “Qing” in the Guodian Chu Jian and Kongzi Jiayu and discusses the prerequisites for using an etymological approach in order to ensure their validity. The etymological approach is helpful in determining the relative times of different ancient documents and may provide objective evidence, subject to certain conditions, for determining the likely date when the composition of ancient texts began. It reveals that the date for the Guodian Chu Jian is later than 296 BCE.

Facing the demands of the pandemic and distance learning, English learners require educational technologies that are accessible, engaging, and effective. Meeting these demands requires educational technology developers to consider learners’ sociocultural contexts. Learning theories can be applied to meet individuals’ needs to optimize chances for participation, engagement, and learning gains. This article describes two Internet-based digital technologies that target struggling adult readers who need to improve their comprehension skills: SARA (Study Aid and Reading Assessment) and AutoTutor for Adult Reading Comprehension. The SARA assessment provides a diagnostic profile for individuals’ reading strengths and weaknesses. This profile can be used to guide the selection of reading comprehension lessons in AutoTutor-ARC, a digital technology that both adapts to learners’ performances and engages them in an immersive learning experience using a three-way conversation with computer agents acting as a tutor and a peer to discuss texts. We discuss how these technologies can be integrated into educational settings to improve engagement and learning.

The formation of CaCO3 in microalgal culture is investigated and applied for effective separation of microalgae. The presence of several cationic ions in the culture medium mediates the formation of 3 types of mineral precipitates depending on the concentration of mineral precursors, Ca2+ and CO3 2−, amorphous nano-flakes, rhombohedral calcites, and spherical vaterites. While amorphous phased precipitates are formed for all concentrations of mineral precursor, only calcites are formed for 30 mM solutions of mineral precursor, and mixtures of calcites and vaterites are formed for 50 and 100 mM solutions of mineral precursor. The harvesting efficiency is also dependent on the concentration of the mineral precursor: from 90 % for 10 mM to 99 % for 100 mM after 60 mins’ of gravitational sedimentation. The formation of nano-flakes on the surface of microalgal cells induces the flocculation of microalgae by breaking the stable dispersion. The negatively charged surface of the microalgal cell is compatible not only with nano-flake attachment but also with the growth of calcitic crystals in which microalgal cells are embedded.

A simulation based (DFT) study is performed on activated 2D-carbon sheet without and with vacancies of central carbon atoms, and explored the electronic properties. The inter-atomic distance at the center of activated carbon sheet is gradually increased with increasing number of vacancies. We get lower binding energy with three vacancies, and higher without a vacancy. A covalent bond is found between C–C atoms, density of states exhibit a semiconductor nature of a system without vacancy, and metallic nature in the presence of vacancies. There are higher peaks of resultant anti-bonding states with three vacancy system and it exhibits higher amorphous nature which causes higher electron concentration, mobility and higher electrical conductivity.

The aims of this study are to explore the experiences of modern Korean women who experience childbirth and to examine the perceptions of body and appearance in everyday life and how fashion provides a means of self-expression. The study utilizes focused ethnography (a qualitative research method) of cultural technology magazines, conducted to observe women’s behavior and language, and to explore their life values, such as beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in fashion style in everyday life. The purpose of this study is to reveal the actual meaning of childbirth, the resulting change in appearance, and patterns of specific style expression. This will enable a better understanding of the experiences of married women with children in Korea using vivid language, by which an in-depth understanding of their lives may be promoted. A survey of 24 women (aged 25~40) who had experienced pregnancy and childbirth were included in the study, categorized as early pregnancy, pre-birth, and post-birth parenting. Subcategories were derived as “unfeasible pregnancy,” “unpredictable and unprepared anxiety,” “self-awareness of changing bodies,” “pressure on healthy bodies,” “opportunity to let go of pressure on appearance management,” “pressure on hard parenting,” and “experience of change in unmanaged areas.” Pregnant women and women with children demonstrated tastes and preferences in style suitable for differentiated situations and roles, along with perceptions of appearance.

The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) coating in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) of different molecular weights (MW) on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon fiber/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated. The IFSS between the carbon fiber and the polymer was evaluated by means of single fiber microbonding test. The results indicated that uses of the carbon fibers uncoated and coated with pristine, low MW PEI-treated, and high MW PEI-treated MWCNT significantly influenced the IFSS of both thermoplastic and thermosetting carbon fiber composites as well as the carbon fiber surface topography. The incorporation of low MW (about 1300) PEI into the carboxylated MWCNT was more effective not only to uniformly coat the carbon fiber with the MWCNT but also to improve the interfacial bonding strength between the carbon fiber and the polymer than that of high MW (about 25,000) PEI. In addition, carbon fiber/epoxy composite exhibited the IFSS much higher than carbon fiber/ABS composite due to the chemical interactions between the epoxy resin and amine groups existing in the PEI-treated MWCNT.

This paper presents the characteristics of gentamicin-loaded into cetyl trimethyl ammonium intercalated montmorillonite (GtM/CTMA/Mt) as a hybrid composite for a slow-released antibacterial delivery systems. The work describes the successful immobilization of gentamicin into the interlayers of surfactant-modified montmorillonite. Physicochemical characterization of the material is carried out by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The kinetics of the gentamicin release is investigated by in vitro study and analyzed based on UV–Vis spectrometry. In addition, antibacterial study is performed towards Klebsiella pneumoniae Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results show that the gentamicin loading into CTMA/ Mt increases the effectiveness of the antibacterial activity, as shown by the higher inhibition zone for all tested bacteria, compared to gentamicin as a positive control. The kinetics study suggests that the gentamicin release obeys the modified Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The physicochemical study and activity test demonstrate the feasibility of the GtM/CTMA/Mt for practical applications.

In this study, photocatalytic degradation of ammonia in petrochemical wastewater is investigated by solar light photocatalysis. Two-dimensional ultra-thin atomic layer structured MoS2 are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. We examine all prepared samples by means of physical techniques, such as SEM-EDX, HRTEM, FT-IR, BET, XRD, XPS, DRS and PL. And, we use fullerene modified MoS2 nanosheets to enhance the activity of photochemically generated oxygen (PGO) species. Surface area and pore volumes of the MoS2-fullerene samples significantly increase due to the existence of MoS2. And, PGO oxidation of MB, TBA and TMST, causing its concentration in aqueous solution to decrease, is confirmed by the results of PL. The generation of reactive oxygen species is detected through the oxidation reaction from 1,5-diphenyl carbazide (DPCI) to 1,5-diphenyl carbazone (DPCO). It is found that the photocurrent density and the PGO effect increase in the case with modified fullerene. The experimental results show that this heterogeneous catalyst has a degradation of 88.43% achieved through visible light irradiation. The product for the degradation of NH3 is identified as N2, but not NO2−or NO3−.

In this study, Ni nanoparticle supported by graphene oxide (GO) (Ni-GO) is successfully synthesized through hydrothermal synthesis and calcination, and Cr(VI) is extracted from aqueous solution. The morphology and structure of Ni- GO composites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), trans mission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and XRD confirms the high dispersion of Ni nanoparticle after support by GO. Loading Ni on GO can obviously enhance the stability of Ni-GO composites. It can be calculated from TGA that the mass percentage of Ni is about 60.67%. The effects of initial pH and reaction time on Cr(VI) removal ability of Ni-GO are investigated. The results indicate that the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) is greater than that of bared GO. Ni-GO shows fast removal capacity for Cr(VI) (<25 min) with high removal efficiency. Dynamic experiments show that the removal process conforms to the quasi-second order model of adsorption, which indicates that the rate control step of the removal process is chemical adsorption. The removal capacity increases with the increase of temperature, indicating that the reaction of Cr(VI) on Ni-GO composites is endothermic and spontaneous. Combined with tests and characterization, the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by rapidly adsorption on the surface of Ni-GO and reduction by Ni nanoparticle is investigated. The above results show that Ni-GO can be used as a potential remediation agent for Cr(VI)-contaminated groundwater.

Composite materials offer distinct and unique properties that are not naturally inherited in the individual materials that make them. One of the most attractive composites to manufacture is the aluminum alloy matrix composite, because it usually combines easiness of availability, light weight, strength, and other favorable properties. In the current work, Powder Metallurgy Method (PMM) is used to prepare Al2024 matrix composites reinforced with different mixing ratios of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) particles. The tests performed on the composites include physical, mechanical, and tribological, as well as microstructure analysis via optical microscope. The results show that the experimental density slightly decreases while the porosity increases when the reinforcement ratio increases within the selected range of 0 ~ 20 wt%. Besides this, the yield strength, tensile strength, and Vickers hardness increase up to a 10 wt% Y2O3 ratio, after which they decline. Moreover, the wear results show that the composite follows the same paradigm for strength and hardness. It is concluded that this composite is ideal for application when higher strength is required from aluminum composites, as well as lighter weight up to certain values of Y2O3 ratio.

Today, energy bars are consumed not only as snacks but also as meal replacement foods. Convenience and nutritional supplementation are the main factors accounting for the increasing use of energy bars. Two hundred Chinese customers who attended the China Fisheries & Seafood Exposition in China, and had no inhibitions about consuming cereal bars were selected. The questionnaire was composed of CATA choices that selected both the reasons for liking and disliking four different types of cereal bars, namely topokki flavor (hot pepper paste), seaweed flavor, kimchi flavor, and ginseng flavor cereal bars with 10% of dried anchovy content produced by BadaOne Co. (Seoul, Korea). The purpose of the study was to investigate Chinese consumer’s attitudes and acceptance of different flavored cereal bars containing protein and calciumrich anchovy. For the selected Chinese customers, the acceptance score for the seaweed flavor was the highest, followed by topokki, red ginseng, and kimchi. The acceptance for the topokki flavor was higher than for seaweed for the attributes of color except for general acceptance, flavor, aroma, and texture. The results of the survey showed that the acceptance of kimchi was the lowest, contrary to earlier predictions. The results of the Check All That Apply (CATA) analysis showed that the reasons for liking the seaweed & anchovy flavor were the most diverse, and there was no reason chosen for disliking this flavor. The reasons for liking this flavor were listed as sweet flavor, healthy, seafood flavor, malty flavor, texture, new/unique, and umami. In the case of topokki and kimchi, the reason for disliking the flavor was umami, and in the case of red ginseng, the ginseng flavor was the reason for both likes and dislikes. CA analysis showed that both the flavor and emotional factors were positive for seaweed & anchovy and topokki, but negative for red ginseng. As a result, seaweed & anchovy flavor, which is familiar to the Chinese people, should be the first cereal bar considered for a launch.

Three different cats who had chronic kidney disease (CKD) were treated for more than one month with fluid therapy in an animal clinic. Although this long-term treatment and hospitalization, there was no clinical improvement in clinical signs as well as serum biochemical indexes including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA), and phosphate (PHOS). All cases were then injected three times with allogeneic stem cells through an intravenous route for treatment on Day 0, 7, and 14 or 30. On the same day, clinical observation and blood tests for serum biochemistry were conducted together. Upon administrating stem cells to the CKD cats, clinical conditions and the indexes of BUN and CREA were clinically improved within normal ranges. Additionally, one of the cats who had the renal cysts presented clinical improvement with showing decreased cysts size than before.

비모란 선인장 ‘Ahwang’ 품종이 2016년에 국립원예특작과 학원에서 육성되었다. 증식력이 우수한 밝은 황색 ‘Ahwang’ 품종 육성을 위해서, 황색 ‘Hwangun’품종을 모본으로, 황색 ‘0930001’ 계통을 부본으로 하여 2012년 6월 25일에 교배하였다. 어린 비모란 선인장을 2014년 이전에 삼각주에 2번 접목하여 계통을 양성하였으며 2014년부터 2016년까지 총 3회에 걸쳐 생육특성을 조사하였다. ‘Ahwang’ 품종의 모구는 편원형 모양에 황색 구색(Y9A)이다. 모구는 평균 8.6개의 능(rip)과 2.7mm의 짧은 직립형 회색 가시를 가지고 있고 혹(tubercle)이 돌출된 형태를 띠고 있다. 10개월 재배 후 ‘Ahwang’ 품종의 구직경은 44.5mm였으며 자구는 평균 26.9개가 생성되었다. ‘Ahwang’ 품종은 모구 능마다 황색의 자구가 3-4개가 착생되었다. 2016년 육성계통 평가회에서 ‘Ahwang’ 품종은 기호도 점수 3.9을 받았다. 이 품종은 2018년 5월 16일 국립종자원에 등록되었으며 식물신품종보호법에 의해 품종보호(등록번호 7193)를 받게 되었다.

Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a highly contagious disease that leads to enormous economic losses in pig industry, worldwide. Of the many virulence factors produced by the causative bacterium, ApxA exotoxins have been considered as the most important contributor to the disease. The toxins are classified into four different types; ApxIA, ApxIIA, ApxIIIA and ApxIVA. Uniquely, ApxIVA is expressed across all serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae only during in vivo infection in pigs. Active research focusing on resolving the precious roles and mechanisms of the toxins is still at its primitive stage. In this study, we report the development of monoclonal antibodies against the two major antigenic epitopes that were characterized in our previous study incorporating the in silico predictions and protein modeling analyses. Recombinant proteins of the selected epitopes were expressed and purified after molecular cloning of the corresponding partial genes in E. coli expression system. Subsequently, we generated hybridomas with lymphoid cells from the rats immunized with the recombinantly expressed proteins of Apx. Consequently, hybridomas exhibiting strong productivity of the monoclonal antibodies were selected for downstream verifications that tested for reactivity and specificity using Western blot and ELISA. Our results strongly suggest the potential application of the monoclonal antibodies developed in this study as useful reagents to further elaborate the mechanism of the A. pleuropneumoniae infection in pig.

Jeju Island has been isolated historically from the central government socially, economically and politically as it has own insularity of the closed space and resources. A few cultural aspects for survival have grown in these harsh environments. Especially, Jeju's unique community culture of cooperation at any time was taken place while it kept the family system for guaranteeing the personal self-regularity, so called Kwendang. But the conflicts were seen from 'Kwendang' culture while population inflowed increasingly into Jeju Island today. There is a need to provide political solutions for the social issues arisen from confronting with the central government.

Even in an era where 8-meter class telescopes are common, small telescopes are considered very valuable research facilities since they are available for rapid follow-up or long term monitoring observations. To maximize the usefulness of small telescopes in Korea, we established the SomangNet, a network of 0.4{1.0 m class optical telescopes operated by Korean institutions, in 2020. Here, we give an overview of the project, describing the current participating telescopes, its scientic scope and operation mode, and the prospects for future activities. SomangNet currently includes 10 telescopes that are located in Australia, USA, and Chile as well as in Korea. The operation of many of these telescopes currently relies on operators, and we plan to upgrade them for remote or robotic operation. The latest SomangNet science projects include monitoring and follow-up observational studies of galaxies, supernovae, active galactic nuclei, symbiotic stars, solar system objects, neutrino/gravitational-wave sources, and exoplanets.

In this study, the near-complete genome sequence of the novel reassortant H1N2 influenza A virus strain A/swine/Korea/KS60/2016 is reported. Sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and polymerase basic 2 (PB2) genes were analyzed, revealing that the isolates contain segments from previous Korean swine H1N2 strains. Additionally, the remaining genes of this strain originated from human H1N1 strains in 2009.

Salivary glands are exocrine glands that secrete saliva into the oral cavity, and secreted saliva plays essential roles in oral health. Therefore, maintaining the salivary glands in an intact state is required for proper production and secretion of saliva. To investigate a specific signaling pathway that might affect the maintenance of mouse submandibular gland (SMGs), RNA sequencing was performed. In SMGs, downregulated expression patterns of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway-related genes, including Rhoa, Rhob, Rhoc, Rock1, and Rock2, were observed. Gene expression profiling analyses of these genes indicate that the ROCK signaling pathway is a potential signal for SMG maintenance.

In addition to physical risks such as electrical, chemical, and mechanic ones in the workplace, psychosocial risks are also raising as an important issue in recent years in connection with human rights and work-life balance policies. The purpose of this study is to confirm the degree of effect of the psychosocial risk management plan at the workplace on workers through logistic regression analysis. Input data for logistic regression analysis is the results of a survey of 4,558 people conducted by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used. There are 9 independent variables, including the change a workplace and confidential counseling, and the dependent variable is whether the worker feels the effect on the psychosocial risk management plan. As a result of this study, changes in work organization, dispute resolution procedures, provision of education program, notification of the impact of psychosocial risks on safety and health, and the persons in charge of solving psychosocial problems are shown effective in reducing worker’s psychosocial risks. This study drives which of the management plans implemented to reduce the psychosocial risk of workers in the workplace are effective, so it can contribute to the development of psychosocial risk management plans in the future.