Monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems using the behavior of organisms is essential for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes, which inhabit various freshwater ecosystems, are frequently used to evaluate the environmental conditions of freshwater ecosystems. Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used to evaluate the toxicity of toxicants, including heavy metals. We studied the behavioral responses of T. tubifex to three different copper concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1). The specimens were exposed to copper in an observation cage containing 150 mL of dechlorinated water. Movement behavior (diameter, speed, acceleration, meander, and turning rate) was continuously observed for two hours before and after the copper treatments. After the treatments, the diameter shrank and showed rapid twisting movement under all the copper conditions. The turning rate had a positive correlation with meander and acceleration both before and after treatment at all three concentrations, whereas speed and meander had a negative correlation. Length and turning rate also showed a negative correlation. The correlation coefficient between speed and acceleration in the highest copper concentration changed from positive before treatment (r=0.64) to negative (r= - 0.52) after treatment. Our results present the possibility of using behavioral parameters to detect copper contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

The aim of this study was to investigate dry matter productivity and nitrate nitrogen content in the growth stages of barnyard millet (Echinochloa esculenta) cultivated for feed, which was treated with different nitrogen fertilization levels. An early variety of barnyard millet (cv. Shirohie) was used for the test, and the different treatments with nitrogen fertilizer were as follows: 50% (N-40 kg/ha, T1), 100% (N-80 kg/ha, reference amount, T2), 150% (N-120 kg/ha, T3), 200% (N- 160 kg/ha, T4), 250% (N-200 kg/ha, T5), and 300% (N-240 kg/ha, T6). Sowing was done on May 13, 2021 and plants were harvested for four stage; vegetative stage, elongation stage, heading stage, and milk stage. The length of the millet increased significantly as the amount of nitrogen fertilization increased during the harvest period (p<0.05), but the difference was insignificant during the milk stage (p>0.05). Moreover, barnyard millet dry matter yield increased significantly as the levels of nitrogen fertilization increased (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in dry matter yield among nitrogen fertilization levels during the heading stage (p>0.05). Chlorophyll also was significantly higher in T5 (250%) at all harvesting times, whereas nitrate nitrogen content was highest at the vegetative stage, gradually decreased as growth progressed, and lowest at the milk stage. Finally, as the nitrogen fertilization levels increased, the nitrate nitrogen content was significantly higher in all treatment groups (p<0.05). Therefore, our results suggest that the most appropriate nitrogen fertilizer levels is between 150%–200%, considering the dry matter yield, feed ingredients and nitrate nitrogen content in barnyard millet for feed.

For the smooth implementation and success of smart city projects, it is necessary to recognize that there is a difference in the perception of value judgments or strategic goals among major stakeholders in the planning process. And it is necessary to aim the values and goals of smart cities through reconciliation of these differences. The two major stakeholders in the smart city development project are citizens group and government officials group. Government officials are in charge of establishing and implementing policies for smart city projects, and their value judgments and perceptions influence the policy direction. In these respects, government officials can be an important stakeholder group. Citizens are a group that includes ordinary residents and business owners who live in smart cities and are the ultimate users of infrastructure and facilities. This study investigated the importance perceptions of citizens and government officials, who are the major stakeholders, about the core values and strategic goals that the smart city project aims. Responses were collected using a structured questionnaire to which the AHP methodology was applied. And the priority of perceptions for constituent items was compared for each stakeholder group. Through the comparative analysis results, it was empirically confirmed that there is a difference in the values and goals pursued by the smart city project between stakeholder groups. As an empirical study on the stakeholders of the smart city project, this study is meaningful in contributing to the theoretical development in that it suggests that the conceptual structural model of the smart city strategy system presented in previous studies can be applied in practice.

This study aimed to examine the changes in dry matter yield and growth characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to variations in sowing dates during the autumn season of 2021-22 in a dry paddy field of Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do. Treatments comprised four sowing dates at 10-day intervals, i.e., October 8, October 18, October 28, and November 8, 2021. The winter survival rate of alfalfa showed a significant difference between different treatments but was at a satisfactory level for all (p<0.05). The winter survival rate for the fourth sowing date, a month later than the first sowing date, was approximately 11.7% lower than that for the first sowing date. The plant height ranged between 82.3–93.1 cm and 60.5–63.7 cm at the first and second harvest, respectively, smaller at the second harvest than at the first harvest. The total dry matter yield of alfalfa was the highest at 13,316 kg/ha for the first sowing date, and the later the sowing date, the lower the dry matter yield. The protein content of alfalfa ranged between 13.6–17.3% in the first harvest, lower than the standard alfalfa protein content of 20% or more. In relative feed value, the first sowing (Oct. 8) was the most significantly higher in the first harvest (p<0.05). These results suggest that the early and mid-October sowing dates are optimum for sowing alfalfa during autumn and result in improved plant growth, dry matter yield, protein content, and winter survival compared to those at later sowing dates. Therefore, dry paddy fields can be safely employed for alfalfa cultivation with sowing dates in early and mid-October during autumn.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein mediates virus entry by binding to the host cell receptor, human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), and catalyzing virus–host membrane fusion. The S protein also mediates cell–cell fusion, potentially allowing the virus to spread virion-independently. Here, we compared the fusogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variant S proteins using a cell–cell fusion assay. In cells overexpressing hACE2, cell–cell fusion ability of all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants was similar to that of the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. However, in cells with endogenous hACE2, SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially the Delta variant, stimulated significantly greater cell–cell fusion than the original strain. Our results showed that the Delta variant S protein is highly fusogenic and can spread rapidly by utilizing small amounts of hACE2.

This study aims to establish a modified analytical method with sensitivity and reliability for streptomycin (STP) and dihydrostreptomycin (DHS) of residues level in pig tissues, plasma and urine by LC-MS/MS on the basis of previous studies. The mass parameters of quantitative and qualitative ions for STP and DHS were optimized using multiple reaction monitoring in positive mode. The separation of compounds was conducted using BEH Amide column according to material’s characteristics. The analytes in plasma were extracted with only organic solvents. In muscle and kidney, KH2PO4 buffer solution containing 2% CCl3COOH and EDTA-Na was used as extraction solvent. The WCX cartridege was selected as SPE cartridge in considering high recoveries for STP and DHS. The analytes in urine were extracted by organic solvents with acid and addition of EDTA. The limits of detection (LODs) in STP and DHS ranged 0.45~3.66 μg/kg and 0.22~0.78 μg/kg, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 1.35~11.10 μg/kg in STP and 0.66~2.36 μg/kg in DHS. The recoveries (%) were 94.29~104.5% in STP and 92.32~108.45% in DHS except for plasma with lower values (61.45/68.5%, respectively). In the precision evaluation, the coefficient of variation (CV, %) of STP showed <10.50% on intra-day and <18.04% on inter-day. The CV (%) of DHS showed <8.42% on intra-day, whereas <17.98% on inter-day. The modified method is reliable for continuous residual monitoring in pig to ensure food safety for consumer’s health. In addition, this method could be used in study relation to residue depletion and pharmacokinetics of veterinary drug.

This case report describes satisfactory correction of deep and large canine corneal ulcerations by application of bidirectional corneo-conjunctival transposition (CCT). A 12-year-old spayed female Maltese dog with a large corneal descemetocele, perforation, and blepharospasm of the right eye was referred to Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. More than half of the thickness of the cornea was damaged, and the ulcer was progressive. On ophthalmic examination, menace response and dazzle reflex were absent. No corneal melting was observed. As the patient had large and deep corneal ulcers, traditional one-sided CCT was not sufficient to cover the wound lesion. To increase corneal transparency after recovery, we decided to perform bidirectional CCT from 12 o’ clock on the dorsal side to 7 o’ clock on the ventral side. The dog was medicated with topical eye drops, ofloxacin, atropine, and moxifloxacin before surgery. Debridement with a diamond burr was then performed around the descemetocele. Five weeks after surgery, the dazzle reflex was restored as the blood vessel receded from the cornea to the conjunctiva. Eight weeks after surgery, corneal transparency and corneal stability were gradually restored, but not completely. Bidirectional CCT provides structural support and helps corneal wound healing in large canine corneal ulceration.

ROK Navy intends to secure the Korean-type aircraft carrier in order to effectively prepare for various future security threats. In general, the Korean national competency is considered to be at the level of having an aircraft carrier, but it is unclear what scale aircraft carrier would be appropriate. In this study, the efficiency was evaluated through the relative comparison between national competency(national power, economic power) and the scale of aircraft carriers, and the optimal scale of the Korean-type aircraft carrier that could be acquired was presented. A DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) model was applied to aircraft carriers(19 aircraft carriers in 11 countries) currently in operation and scheduled to be possessed in the world. As input variables, CINC(Composite Index of National Capability) and GDP(Gross Domestic Product), which are the most widely used as indicators of national and economic power, and as output variables, the full-load displacement, length, and width of aircraft carriers were selected. ARIMA(short-term within 5 years) and simple regression(long-term over 5 years) were used to estimate the future national competency of each country at the time of aircraft carriers acquisition. The relative efficiency score of the Korean-type aircraft carrier currently being evaluated is 1.062, and it was evaluated as small-scale aircraft carrier compared to the national competency. Based on Korean national competency, the optimal scale of the Korean-type aircraft carrier calculated by aggregating benchmark groups, is 58,308.1 tons of full-load displacement, 279.4m in length, and 68.3m in width.

The purpose of this study was to examine L2 learners’ perceived writing anxiety and the usefulness of freewriting in improving L2 writing fluency. Seventeen L1-Korean preservice English teachers enrolled in a teacher education program at a university participated. An L2 writing anxiety survey, 170 freewritings, and 17 reflective writings were analyzed. The participants showed a moderate level of L2 writing anxiety, mostly due to a lack of confidence. Across 10 freewriting practice sessions, participants’ words per minute gradually increased, with high and low fluency groups showing a similar upward trend. Participants’ written reflections revealed that they perceived the freewriting practice useful in boosting confidence and improving skills. Expressing ideas freely without concern for accuracy alleviated their L2 writing anxiety most. Participants reported they had difficulty writing in English continuously for several minutes, and disliked absence of teacher feedback.