In the realm of dental prosthesis fabrication, obtaining accurate impressions has historically been a challenging and inefficient process, often hindered by hygiene concerns and patient discomfort. Addressing these limitations, Company D recently introduced a cutting-edge solution by harnessing the potential of intraoral scan images to create 3D dental models. However, the complexity of these scan images, encompassing not only teeth and gums but also the palate, tongue, and other structures, posed a new set of challenges. In response, we propose a sophisticated real-time image segmentation algorithm that selectively extracts pertinent data, specifically focusing on teeth and gums, from oral scan images obtained through Company D's oral scanner for 3D model generation. A key challenge we tackled was the detection of the intricate molar regions, common in dental imaging, which we effectively addressed through intelligent data augmentation for enhanced training. By placing significant emphasis on both accuracy and speed, critical factors for real-time intraoral scanning, our proposed algorithm demonstrated exceptional performance, boasting an impressive accuracy rate of 0.91 and an unrivaled FPS of 92.4. Compared to existing algorithms, our solution exhibited superior outcomes when integrated into Company D's oral scanner. This algorithm is scheduled for deployment and commercialization within Company D's intraoral scanner.

Metaverse is a virtual world where users can engage in various activities, and its market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years (Hwang, 2021). Generation Z, also known as digital natives, are heavily involved in social media and often share selfies, making them more sensitive to body image concerns (Ameen, 2022). In the metaverse, users can create customized avatars, allowing them to experience an ideal body image. This study applies the “extraordinary self” theory to avatar creation, a concept that explains how people create an ideal, fantastic, or transcendent self by consuming experiences that set them apart from their mundane real self (Procter, 2021). Based on the theory, this study examines how dissatisfaction with body image of Generation Z can lead to the creation of avatars that manifest an ideal body image, which in turn, can influence self-congruence with the avatar and self-esteem in the metaverse. This study also looks into the possible effects of enhanced self-esteem on user’s intention to purchase virtual products and their loyalty to a specific metaverse platform. Therefore, the following hypotheses are developed.

The following is not a conversation with a bank clerk. " Instead, let me introduce you to customized credit loans," "Do you want me to connect you to the screen of using COVID-19 support funds and checking balance?" These are the contents of consultations with AI chatbots at financial institutions. Chatbot, which used to be an additional tool for adding convenience to life, is now at the center of our lives.

Social networking sites (SNS) is an image-oriented sharing platform and can form social relationships among users. This allows individuals to create and share the contents which include their stories, ideas, reviews, opinions, and evaluations, etc. Consumers who sympathize with and trust these contents will follow them and form the relationships. Contents created and shared by individual users is more effective than advertisements delivered by brands in generating electronic word of mouth (e-WOM). Accordingly, opinion leaders and influencers who influence potential customers based on their opinions and style related contents have emerged in various fields such as health, fitness, fashion, beauty, food, and high-tech.

To broaden the utilization of nuclear energy, uranium as a fuel should be mined indispensably. Mining accounts for the largest portion of the cost of producing the uranium assembly. Therefore, this study analyzes the trends of uranium prices, which have a significant impacts on the mining cost. Uranium production contributing to the price fluctuations is explained in five periods from 1945 to the present. Moreover, the series of events affecting uranium prices from the 1970s until the present are verified. Among them, the most recent incidents considered in this study are the following: COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakhstan unrest, and Russia-Ukraine war. European countries have started to reconsider the transition to nuclear power to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas, which has contributed to the surge in uranium prices. Based on the results of this study, various international issues have been closely associated with the nuclear power industry and uranium, affecting the production of uranium and its price.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 녹내장의 예방 및 조기진단을 위해 진단되지 않은 녹내장의 특징과 관련 인자의 상관 관계를 알아내는 데 있다. 방법 : 국민건강영양조사 제7기 2017∼2018년 안검진을 받은 만 40세 이상 성인 7,546명을 대상으로 하였다. 참가자는 빛간섭단층촬영, 시야검사, 안저사진 촬영 검사를 통해 녹내장 판정을 받았다. 그리고, 자가 설문 응답 조사를 통해 사전 진단 여부를 파악하였다. 통계는 카이제곱 검정을 사용하였고, 관련성은 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과 : 7,546명의 참가자 중 325명이 녹내장 진단을 받았으며 유병률은 4.3%였다. 이 중 47명은 사전 녹내장 진단을 받은 이력이 있고, 180명은 이전에 녹내장 치료를 받은 적이 없는 미진단 녹내장 환자로 79%를 차지했다. 연령과 성별을 보정한 관련성 분석에서는 안과를 방문한 지 1개월 이내 집단보다 1개월에서 1년 이내에 안과를 방문한 집단에서 관련성이 21배 높았다(p=0.002), 1년 이상 안과를 방문하지 않은 군에서는 1개월 이내 집단보 다 126배 높았다(p=0.001). 굴절이상과 관련도는 우안의 원시 굴절이상 환자군에서 녹내장 관련도가 8배 (p=0.043) 더 높았다. 다른 사회학적 및 건강 관련 요인에서는 진단되지 않은 녹내장과 진단된 녹내장에 대해 통 계적 유의성이 발견되지 않았습니다. 결론 : 안과 의사의 정기적인 방문과 원시 굴절이상 환자는 진단되지 않은 녹내장의 조기진단에 중요한 요소입 니다.

단단한 자구를 가진 적색 비모란선인장 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종 은 ‘Isaek’품종을 모본으로, ‘Suyeon’ 품종을 부본으로 하여 2018년에 교배하여 육성하였다. 교배 후 획득한 종자는 조직 배양실에서 기내파종하여 획득한 유묘를 기내에서 삼각주선 인장에 접목하여 ‘1802001’ 등 20계통을 양성하였다. 2019 년에 기내에서 양성한 20계통을 온실에서 삼각주선인장 대목 에 접목하여 재배하면서 ‘1812005’ 계통을 1차 선발하였다. 2020년부터 2022년까지 3차에 걸쳐서 특성을 검정한 후, 농 산물직무육성품종 심의회에서 최종 선발하여 ‘Gangjeok’으 로 명명하였다.‘Gangjeok’ 품종은 편원형의 적색 구를 가진 다. 혹(tubercle)이 돌출된 형태의 모구는 8.4개의 능(rip)을 가지며, 3.5mm 짧은 회색 가시가 발생한다. 정식 10개월 후 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종의 직경은 46.1mm이며, 자구는 평균 18.3 개 발생한다. 2022년 육성계통 평가회에서 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종 은 높은 기호도 점수 4.0을 받았다.

This study is to identify the maintenance service quality of eco-friendly cars, which are rapidly increasing recently. Research is conducted by synthesizing research from the perspectives of internal employees and external customers by using the service profit chain model. Specifically, it is to study the overall structural relationship between internal customer satisfaction, physical quality, interaction quality, outcome quality, external customer satisfaction and long-term orientation. For the study, 202 questionnaires were collected from internal employees and 204 questionnaires from external customers. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting the internal employee group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 1, internal customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect on physical quality and interaction quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, the service quality of eco-friendly car maintenance has a significant positive (+) effect on each other. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, physical quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting an external customer group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, in the relationship between eco-friendly car maintenance service quality, physical quality has a significant positive (+) effect on interaction quality, and interaction quality has a significant positive (+) effect on outcome quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, interaction quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. As a result of testing Hypothesis 4, external customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect only on intention to reuse. Finally, as a result of examining the difference in perception between the internal employee group and the external customer group in eco-friendly car maintenance service quality and external customer satisfaction, it was verified that there was a significant difference only in outcome quality and external customer satisfaction.

Background: Research on the reproductive physiology of Water and Sika deer, an endemic in Korea, still needs to be completed. This study analyzed the ovarian development and morphological characteristics of wild Water deer and Sika deer. Methods: Water deer and Sika deer ovaries were collected from the Korean Peninsula and Russia–Korean Peninsula border during the estrus and pregnancy seasons, respectively. And, morphological and physiological analysis and immunohistochemistry were conducted to confirm the detection of Ca2+ and assess the morphological changes in the ovaries. Results: The results of morphological analysis of ovaries during pregnancy and estrus, the development of the corpus luteum and follicles of Water deer showed similar patterns to other mammals. In contrast, the corpus luteum of Sika deer differed in tissue morphology and composition from Water deer. Ca2+ related to tissue metabolism was detected in the theca cells zone of Water deer on the estrus and was highly detected in the luteum cells zone during pregnancy. The hormone receptor protein expression patterns were generally higher in the ovaries of Water deer on the estrus and the pregnancy than in Sika deer. The expression of LH receptor was relatively low in the lutein cell zone, unlikely that of Water deer. The expression of VEGF was also different from Water deer, and the response in Sika deer was relatively very low compared to Water deer in expressing all proteins-related development. Conclusions: Therefore, the results of the study were shown that the composition of the corpus luteum of Sika deer is not clear compared to Water deer, and there are many differences in the functional and morphological formation of the corpus luteum.

Exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes cognitive impairment (CI). In the preliminary study, Lactobacillus gasseri NK109 suppressed LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Therefore, the effect of NK109 on LPS-increased CI was investigated in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS caused CI-like behaviors and neuroinflammation. However, orally administered NK109 reduced LPS-increased CI-like behaviors and hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α expression, whereas LPS-decreased BDNF expression increased. NK109 also reduced LPS-increased colonic myeloperoxidase, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression. The efficacy of NK109 was increased by the combination of soybean embryo ethanol extract (SE). These findings suggest that NK109 with SE can improve CI by alleviating inflammation-mediated BDNF expression, thereby being beneficial for dementia therapy.