The swallowing reflex is modulated by multiple sensory inputs, such as bolus volume, viscosity, and taste. The interactions among different types of sensory information have been extensively studied. However, the influence of oral temperature on bolus volume perception has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of temperature on volume perception sensitivity in healthy individuals. Five volumes (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mL) of distilled water were estimated at three different temperatures, 4℃ (cold), 21℃ (room temperature), and 45℃ (warm), using a visual analogue scale. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity of oral volume perception across temperatures. These findings suggest that the ability to perceive bolus volume remains stable under temperature variation.

This study examines the signs of 83 Korean restaurants operating in Berlin as of January 2025 and discusses the following from the perspective of the language landscape: First, in which characters are these signs written? Second, in what language is the term ʺKorean restaurantʺ stated? Third, in which language is the store name written? Fourth, do other design considerations exists? The result shows that those who operate Korean restaurants in Berlin tend to display signs primarily in Roman letters instead of highlighting Hangul, which is still considered an unfamiliar character to Germans to avoid creating an overly heterogeneous language landscape. But the result of more comprehensive examination shows that the Korean restaurants in Berlin tend to display their identity and characteristics as Koreans. These research results can be used as reference material to gauge the lifestyle of Korean immigrants in the present Germany, beyond a simple discussion of the language landscape.

This study explored factors affecting variability in second language (L2) learning motivation among Korean university students and how they appraised their L2 learning experience. In this study, 85 undergraduate students majoring in English or English education from three universities in Seoul, South Korea, reflected on their past English learning experience. They drew a motigraph and wrote a retrospective reflection essay covering their English learning that spanned over ten years. Researchers divided participants into two groups: a high variability (HV) group and a low variability (LV) group. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Findings suggest thncontextual factors such as the learning method, atmosphere, and situation were main (de)motivational factors for the HV group. In contrast, the LV group was (de)motivated by intrapersonal factors, including the learning context appraisal. These results imply that visualizing long and short-term goals and positive appraisal of the L2 learning experience can help L2 learners maintain a stable pattern in L2 learning motivation.

Wood ear mushroom (Auricularia heimuer) is one of the most popular mushrooms in Korea. Bacteria in the air can act as contaminants of mushroom media, mushroom pathogens, and sources of food poisoning in the indoor environment of mushroom cultivation houses. Therefore, cultivation houses require proper management to maintain mushroom production, quality and hygiene. This study was conducted to evaluate the properties of airborne bacterial species isolated from wood ear mushroom cultivation. Nine species of indoor-airborne bacteria were tested against wood ear mushroom cultivars using confrontation assay on PDA. Among 9 species, Bacillus subtilis DUCC18238 showed the strongest inhibition effect on the mycelial growth of nine wood ear mushroom cultivars and the inhibition rate for 7 of them was more than 30%. In addition, B. subtilis DUCC18238 inhibited the mycelial growth of 11 out of 18 wild mushroom species, 7 out of 8 phytopathogenic fungi, and 5 out of 5 Trichoderma species, respectively. The results of this study show that the management of airborne bacteria in the indoor environment of wood ear mushroom cultivation houses is necessary.

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.

In the evolving global food industry, international certifications have become essential for seafood export companies to ensure product safety, quality, and sustainability, as well as to meet consumer demands and regulatory standards. This study analyzes the decision-making factors influencing the acquisition and maintenance of international certifications among Korean seafood export companies, using decision tree analysis. The research surveyed 134 seafood export companies, focusing on six key factors: corporate characteristics, environmental factors, input factors, organizational structure, company capabilities, and external relationships. The decision tree analysis revealed that among corporate characteristics, the size of sales revenue, number of employees, and proportion of exports were found to play significant roles. For environmental factors, specific demands from overseas buyers, shifting consumer preferences, and compliance with global standards were identified as having a major impact. Regarding input factors, certification costs, validity periods, and investments in processing facilities were revealed to be critical variables. Organizational factors such as managerial support and dedicated personnel, capability factors like inter-departmental collaboration and processing system capacity, and relationship factors including partnerships with certification and export support agencies were also critical in the certification process. This study identified various factors influencing the decision-making process for acquiring and maintaining international certifications among Korean seafood export companies and analyzed the importance of detailed variables for the first time. Additionally, it provides practical and policy-oriented implications to promote the adoption of international certifications as part of efforts to enhance the global competitiveness of Korean seafood. Furthermore, this study contributes to the academic understanding of the decision-making process related to international certifications in seafood export companies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This study investigated the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on phacoemulsification outcomes in dogs, focusing on blindness and postoperative complications. A retrospective analysis of 26 dogs (38 eyes) was conducted, comparing diabetic (n=4) and non-diabetic dogs (n=22). Postoperative outcomes were observed for 2 months, and Fisher’s Exact Test was used to assess statistical significance (p<0.05). Blindness occurred in 50% of diabetic eyes compared to 6% in non-diabetic eyes (OR=14.0, p=0.0116). Major complications included glaucoma and retinal detachment, both more common in diabetic dogs. Diabetic dogs are at a significantly higher risk of blindness after phacoemulsification, highlighting the need for thorough preand postoperative management to reduce complications that could lead to vision loss.

We developed pet food ingredients for dogs by fermenting oats soaked in herbal extracts of Dendropanax morbifera and Eriobotrya japonica using Lentinula edodes KCTC 18874P mycelium. The resulting materials were analyzed for β-glucan, total polyphenol, essential amino acids, vitamins B1 and B2, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and heavy metals to confirm their beneficial components and safety during consumption. The content of (1-3),(1-4)-β-glucan ranged from 1.08 to 1.78%, with the highest content (1.51%) found in fermented D. morbifera and E. japonica using L. edodes mycelium (FMEJDMOLEM). The (1-3),(1-6)-β-glucan content ranged from 44.14% to 50.13%, with FMEJDMOLEM showing the highest content at 50.13%. The total polyphenol content was highest in FMEJDMOLEM, followed by fermented D. morbifera using L. edodes mycelium (FDMOLEM) and fermented E. japonica using L. edodes mycelium (FEJOLEM). Vitamin B1 content was significantly higher in FMEJDMOLEM, followed by FEJOLEM. FMEJDMOLEM also had the highest vitamin B2 content. The total essential amino acid content was the highest in FMEJDMOLEM, followed by FDMOLEM. FEJOLEM had the highest calcium content. The calcium-tophosphorus ratio in all the samples was below 1:0.8, meeting the standards set by the American Feed Association. Heavy metal analysis confirmed that lead and cadmium, which are hazardous to the health of dogs, were not detected in any of the samples. This study demonstrated the development of pet food materials with high levels of beneficial ingredients, such as β-glucan, appropriate calcium and phosphorus ratios, and no detectable heavy metals, ensuring both usefulness and safety. Our future research will focus on developing dog pet food using these materials, and conducting physiological activity studies to complete the development of scientific dog pet food.

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.

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.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is widely used to assess the nutrient composition of forages. In forage, the leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa greatly affects its forage quality, with a high ratio of leaf indicated as high quality. This study aimed to evaluate the predictability of the alfalfa leaf-to-stem ratio and feed value using NIRS. Alfalfa hay was manually separated into leaves and stems by hand and the analysis samples were then made in the controlled range between 0 and 100%. Calibration models (n=320) were developed using modified partial least squares regression (MPLS) based on cross-validation. The optimal calibrations were selected based on the highest coefficients of determination in cross-validation (R2) and the lowest standard error of cross-validation (SECV). The prediction accuracy for the leaf-to-stem ratio (SECV, 5.95 vs. 5.71%; R2, 0.91 vs. 0.91) in alfalfa hay was comparable. For leaves, the standard error of calibration (SEC) was 4.94% (R2=0.94), and for stems, it was 4.81% (R2=0.94). The leaves and stems of the SEC were 4.94% (R2=0.94) and 4.81% (R2=0.94), respectively. The prediction accuracy for feed value, based on the leaf-to-stem ratio, predicted SECV values of 0.92% (R2=0.88) for crude protein (CP) content, 1.92% (R2=0.91) for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, 1.36% (R2=0.91) for total digestibility nutrient (TDN) content, and 9.86 (R2=0.81) for relative feed value (RFV). The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the NIRS method as a reliable tool for predicting the leaf-to-stem ratio of alfalfa hay, and show available techniques for routine feed value evaluation.

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.

The first African swine fever (ASF) virus infection in wild boar was reported in October in 2019 in Yeoncheon-gun. ASF control measures including passive/active surveillance, fencing, or hunting have been applied by the Korean government from the beginning of disease outbreak. Despite significant financial investment in ASF control strategies, the virus has continued to circulate among wild boars up to 2024. A basic reproduction number (R0) can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of ASF control strategy by providing the disease spread speed. During the ASF epidemic period, the spread speed could be estimated with the average number of new cases generated by an infected case. The current study estimated R0 for the 2019/24 ASF epidemics in wild boars in the Republic of Korea by using the daily reported number of ASF cases and the serial interval of ASF virus. The estimated mean R0 was 2.19 (range: 0.03 - 65.00) for the 2019/24 ASF epidemics, 3.05 (range: 0.70 - 10.40) in 2019, 2.01 (range: 0.06 - 9.79) in 2020, 1.94 (range: 0.07 - 7.35) in 2021, 4.71 (range: 0.21 - 61.95) in 2022, 1.93 (range: 0.11 - 7.53) in 2023, and 3.08 (range: 0.09 - 24.59) in 2024, respectively. Despite the ASF control measures, the ASF epidemic situation in wild boars was exacerbated. Targeted wild boar population management and active carcass searches are necessary to reduce the spread of ASF.

특정 선박의 조종성능이 실질적으로 제한되어 있는지 여부는, 특정한 선박을 기준으로 해당 선박의 기능적 특성과 운항 당시의 환경을 종합적으로 고려하여 판단하여야 하는 상대적 개념이다. 어로에 종사하고 있음으로 인해 조종성능이 실질적으로 제한되어 있는지 여부를 다른 선박이 명확히 판단하는 것은 용이하 지 않다. 따라서 해상교통안전법 제83조의 적용에 있어서는 특정 선박이 자신 의 항법상 지위를 정확히 판단한 후 이에 부합하는 등화 및 형상물을 표시하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. 다수의 재결에서 해양안전심판원은 통발조업 어선의 법적 지위를 어로에 종사하고 있는 선박으로 인정한 사례가 있지만, 일부 재결에서는 이에 반대되는 사례도 있다. 그러나 위와 같은 해양안전심판원의 재결 은 개별 사안에서 구체적 타당성을 고려한 심판원의 고민의 결과라고 해석하는 것이 타당하다. 어업실무상 통발조업에 사용되는 통발의 종류는 다양할 뿐만 아니라 규격화되어 있지 않다는 점과 통발을 사용하여 어획하는 어류도 다양하 다는 점을 고려하면, 유사한 성능을 가진 선박이 유사한 환경에서 통발조업을 하더라도 해당 선박의 항법상 지위에 관해 항상 동일한 결론이 도출된다고 보 기는 어렵다. 해양안전심판원은 일부 재결을 통해, 어로에 종사하고 있는 선박 의 판단기준으로서 사고 당시 선박의 침로나 속력의 변경 가능성 외에 적극적 인 피항동작으로 인한 어구 등의 손상 가능성을 고려하고 있다. 그렇다면 통발 조업 어선의 어로에 종사하고 있는 선박으로서의 지위에 관해서는 향후 심판원 의 재결을 통해 해당 문제에 대한 명확한 입장 표명이 요구된다.

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.