We report an analysis of two poorly studied eclipsing binary stars, GSC 04396-00605 and GSC 04395-00485 (recently named V455 Dra and V454 Dra, respectively). Photometric data of the two stars were obtained using the 1-m Korean telescope of the LOAO operated by KASI while monitoring the cataclysmic variable DO Dra in the frame of the Inter-Longitude Astronomy (ILA) project. We derived periods of 0.434914 and 0.376833 days as well as initial epochs JD 2456480.04281 and JD 2456479.0523, respectively, more accurate than previously published values by factors 9 and 6. The phenomenological characteristics of the mean light curves were determined using the New Algol Variable (NAV) algorithm. The individual times of maxima/minima (ToM) were determined using the newly developed software MAVKA, which outputs accurate parameters using "asymptotic parabola" approximations. The light curves were approximated using phenomenological and physical models. In the NAV algorithm, the phenomenological parameters are well determined. We derived physical parameters using the Wilson-Devinney model. In this model, the best-fit parameters are highly correlated, thus some of them were fixed to reasonable values. For both systems, we find evidence for the presence of a cool spot and estimate its parameters. Both systems can be classified as overcontact binaries of EW type.

The study conducted finite element analysis in advance to understand the natural frequency, con-ducted static structural analysis and analyzed stress behavior occurring on the boundary of wheel and rail when passing the straight line and curve line. According to the FEA, the wheel had natural frequency of 1st mode 238.4Hz to 10th mode 1,320Hz, and the rail had natural frequency of 457.4Hz to 619.7Hz. When looking at the correlated frequency range, the natural frequency of 4th~6th mode of wheel and 3rd~9th mode of rail track were correlated. As for the result of stress behavior translation occurring on the boundary of wheel and track, it was 53.4MPa when passing the curve line, which was 16MPa higher than when passing the straight line.

Insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) regulates multiple physiological processes such as larval growth, reproduction, and life span in many organisms including legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). RNA interference of IIS components, insulin receptor (InR) and Forkhead Box O (FOXO), impaired larval growth and female reproduction. To further validate the physiological roles of InR and FOXO, we generated knock-out (KO) mutants using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-editing technology. Both KO mutants exhibited delayed larval growth and reduced pupal and adult body sizes. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the critical role of insulin signaling (IIS) pathway to control M. vitrata growth and development.

A specific serotonin receptor (Se-5HTR) has been identified in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua and classified into 5-HT7 type. Se-5HTR expression was up-regulated in hemocytes and fat body in response to immune challenge. As being a GPCR, this receptor is presumably coupled with intracellular trimeric Gαs protein activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway to regulate several cellular functions. RNA interference (RNAi) of Se-5HTR as well as its downstream signal proteins exhibited significant suppression in cellular immune responses including nodulation and phagocytosis. Application of inhibitors to the signaling cascade suppressed the immune responses as well. To validate the Se-5HTR involvement in mediating cellular immunity, 5-HTR knock-out mutants were developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technique and suffered significant developmental anomalies.

To preserve the superior genetic resources and restore the endangered species, Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been used widely. In Korea, the research of dog cloning has made outstanding achievements including the production of the world`s first cloned dog. Sapsaree (Sapsalgae), the representative dog of Gyeongsan-si was designated as a Korea natural monument (No. 368). This male dog used in this study has azoospermia due to unknown cause. In this study, the aim was to confirm the cause of infertility in the cell donor dog and to evaluate the reproduction potential of dog cloning using infertile male dog by SCNT. First, to confirm the infertility of the cell donor dog, the reproductive history and the testis were evaluated. The breeding histology was not recorded in individual document. In histopathology, the Sertoli cell tumor was confirmed in biopsy of the cell donor dog after death. But, these tumors are predominantly in older dogs. Second, we produced the cloned dogs with the somatic cells of the infertile dog and the appearance was similar with the cell donor dog. Also, microsatellite analysis confirmed the genetic relationship between the cell donor and clone dogs. Third, the potential breeding capacity of the cloned dog was confirmed. In T4 assay, the normal dog (same age with cloned dogs), cell donor dog, and cloned dogs was investigated. The cell donor dog with azoospermia had very low T4 level, and cloned dogs showed higher level of T4 than normal dogs. In CASA, There was no significant difference in sperm motor ability between normal dogs and cloned dogs. As a result, cloned dogs produced by SCNT had no problem regarding the reproductive function of the testis. In AI experiment, the semen of clone dogs was used to fertilize a natural female bitch and was diagnosed pregnancy by ultrasonography. In total, 7 puppies were born by normal delivery (male: 3, female: 4). In conclusion, this study confirmed that the reproduction problem of non-genetic infertility can generate a normal descendant by SCNT. Also, the first successful research to restore infertile dogs was completed. Furthermore, SCNT would be useful for the restoration of endangered species and application of superior traits.

Insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) regulates different physiological processes such as metabolism, trehalose level, growth, and reproduction. Four IIS components are identified from the bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). RNA interference (RNAi) of insulin receptor (InR), Forkhead Box O (FOXO), Target of Rapamycin (TOR) or Akt led to ovary dysfunction. Especially, the RNAi treatment significantly reduced the stem cell division in the germarium. However, an addition of a porcine insulin stimulated the cell division. Immature diets significantly influenced on the ovarian stem cell development.

Eicosanoids play crucial roles in mediating insect immune responses. PLA2 releases arachidonic acid (AA) from phospholipids (PLs) and AA is usually used for biosynthesis of eicosanoids. However, AA is little (less than 0.05%) detected in insect PLs. In contrast, insect PLs have a lot of other C18 PUFAs (linoleic acid and linolenic acid). A new hypothesis is that AA is synthesized from C18 precursor by subsequent desaturation and elongation reactions. We predicted several fatty acyl desaturases (DESs) from Spodoptera exigua. Some specific DES inhibitors inhibited eicosanoid-mediated immune responses. Subsequent AA precursor analysis suggests that AA may be synthesized from linolenic acid via the omega-6 pathway.

The entomopathogenic bacteria Xenorhabdus/Photorhabdus inhibit insect immune responses by inhibiting eicosanoid biosynthesis. Especially, the bacterial secondary metabolites inhibit PLA2 that release eicosanoid biosynthesis precursors. Some organic extracts of the bacteria-cultured broth possessed PLA2 inhibitory activity. This study used butanol to extract the metabolites and showed that the extract possessed potent inhibitory activity against insect immunity. The inhibition was reversed by the addition of eicosanoid biosynthesis precursor, suggesting PLA2 inhibition. Furthermore, sub-fractionation of the butanol extract separated the secondary metabolites and the fractions exhibited differential PLA2 inhibition. The active fractions appeared to contain novel compounds that are not known in PLA2 inhibition of these bacteria.

Nitiric oxide (NO) and eicosanoids function as crucial immune mediators in insects. This study focuses on cross-talkbetween two immune mediators in term of humoral immune response in Spodoptera exigua. Up-regulation of eight differentanti-microbial peptides (AMP) was observed against bacterial challenge. In contrast, injection of E. coli along with L-NAMEsignificantly down regulation the AMP production whereas D-NAME was not effective. The injection of E. coli withdexamethasone or SNAP also decreased AMP production whereas arachidonic acid (AA) compensated the dexamethasoneeffects. RNA inerferece against SeNOS showed the down-regulation of defensin mRNA level, whereas dsNOS injectionswith AA reversed the gene regulation.