Due to climate change and the rise in international transportation, there is an emerging potential for outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Consequently, the rapid detection of vector mosquito species, including those in the Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex genera, is crucial for effective vector control. Currently, mosquito population monitoring is manually conducted by experts, consuming significant time and labor, especially during peak seasons where it can take at least seven days. To address this challenge, we introduce an automated mosquito monitoring system designed for wild environments. Our method is threefold: It includes an imaging trap device for the automatic collection of mosquito data, the training of deep-learning models for mosquito identification, and an integrated management system to oversee multiple trap devices situated in various locations. Using the well-known Faster-RCNN detector with a ResNet50 backbone, we’ve achieved mAP (@IoU=0.50) of up to 81.63% in detecting Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp., and Culex pipiens. As we continue our research, our goal is to gather more data from diverse regions. This not only aims to improve our model’s ability to detect different species but also to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities by incorporating gas sensors.

긴털가루진드기(Tyrophagus putrescentiae)는 주로 실내에 서식하며 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환을 일으키는 주 요 해충이다. 주로 침구류에서 발생하며, 사람이나 동물로부터 떨어진 각질과 비듬 또는 저장 곡식 등을 주요 먹이원으로 한다. 암컷 한 마리가 일생에 200~300개의 알을 산란하기 때문에 빠르게 번식할 수 있으며, 육안으로 확인할 수 없는 크기이기 때문에 관찰 및 관리가 불가능하다. 하지만 긴털가루진드기로 인해 발생하는 알레르기 에 관한 연구는 환자의 치료에 초점이 맞춰져 있기 때문에, 근본적으로 알레르기를 발생시키는 원인을 해결할 수 있는 방안이 부족한 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 가정에서 발생할 수 있는 긴털가루진드기를 효과적으로 방제하 기 위한 통합적 방제 전략을 제시한다. 열, 살비제(Chlorfenapyr, Spiromesifen, Pyflubumide), 초음파, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 사용하여 살비 및 기피 효과를 확인하였다. 고온 노출은 100% 살비 효과를 보여주 었으며, 살비제는 3시간 동안 90% 이상의 살비 효과를 보여주었다. 긴털가루진드기가 초음파에 노출되었을 때 23%의 기피 행동을 관찰하였으며, Essential oil(Lemongrass, Peppermint)을 유인용 먹이에 처리했을 때, 긴털가루 진드기 97%의 접근을 차단하였다. 본 연구를 통해 실내 알레르기의 가장 중요한 원인으로 주목받는 긴털가루진 드기에 대한 체계적인 방제 전략을 적절한 환경에 적용시킴으로써, 집먼지진드기로 인한 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환 발생을 감소시키고 안전한 주거 환경을 조성할 것으로 기대한다.

There are many types of foam molding methods. The most commonly used methods are the pressure foaming method, in which foam resin is mixed with a foaming agent at high temperature and high pressure, and the normal pressure foaming method, which foams at high temperature without pressure. The polymer resins used for foaming have different viscosities. For foaming under normal pressure, they need to be designed and analyzed for optimal foaming conditions, to obtain resins with low melt-viscosity or a narrow optimal viscosity range. This study investigated how changes in viscosity, molding temperature, and cross-link foaming conditions affected the characteristics of the molded foam, prepared by blending rubber polymer with biodegradable resin. The morphologies of cross sections and the cell structures of the normal pressure foam were investigated by SEM analysis. Properties were also studied according to cross-link/foaming conditions and torque. Also, the correlation between foaming characteristics was studied by analyzing tensile strength and elongation, which are mechanical properties of foaming composites.

The slaughter of livestock is inevitably required to obtain meat products from livestock. Since slaughter means pain and death for animals, reducing the pain and distress of animals during slaughter is very important from a perspective of animal welfare based on the principle of respect for life. Generally, two stunning methods, CO2 stunning and electrical stunning, are used for slaughter. When the carotid arteries of the lungs are cut off for bleeding, the bronchial tubes are also severed. To determine the degree of blood inflow into the lungs through the severed bronchial tubes, the prevalence rates of pulmonary diseases and pulmonary congestion in slaughtered pigs were analyzed. In this study, the prevalence of pneumonia was 24.9% in Slaughterhouse A using the gas method, but it was decreased by about 10% to 15.7% and 12.6%, respectively, in Slaughterhouses B and C using the electric method. On the other hand, the prevalence of pulmonary congestion in Slaughterhouses A, B, and C was 4.24%, 14.10% and 16.40%, respectively. In other words, the prevalence of pulmonary congestion was higher by about 10% in the groups of pigs slaughtered by the electric method (Slaughterhouses B and C) than in the group of pigs slaughtered by the gas method (Slaughterhouse A). These results indicate that blood inflow into the pulmonary alveoli led to a diagnosis of pulmonary congestion instead of pneumonia in some pigs with pneumonia. In short, it was found that about 10% of pigs stunned by the electric method were not in a state of complete unconsciousness but in a partially conscious state during slaughter. It is suggested that slaughterhouses should be equipped with gas stunning equipment instead of applying the electric method due to lower costs.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS)-Requirements in 1987 and has revised four times since then. ISO 9001:2015 is the latest edition. This latest edition has two most noticeable changes. The first major change of new edition focuses on performance with an emphasis on Risk-Based Thinking (RBT) to enhance the process approach. The new edition consists of ten clauses whose first three clauses are largely same as older edition but risks are clearly stated and stressed in last seven clauses, emphasizing on Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle at all levels in the organization. The second major change is that the new edition has the same overall structure as other ISO management system standards known as High Level Structure (HLS) with Annex SL. The companies obtained the certificate of new ISO 9001:2015 QMS by September 15, 2018 in order to maintain as an ISO QMS registered firm. In this article we collected transition audit data from more than 100 companies that registered ISO 9001:2015 QMS for recent three years. We performed a statistical analysis to disclose the relationships between the characteristics of companies and the minor nonconformities found in ISO 9001:2015 requirements during transition audit processes. We also aim to interpret the findings and deduce the implications of the statistical results.

Global climate change and increased international travel have affected the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. In South Korea, uncommon diseases such as Dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus could be transmitted by potent mediator like Aedes albopictus. In order to cope with the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, rapid mosquito monitoring system is needed. Current mosquito monitoring procedures include installation of outdoor traps-mosquito collection-species classification-analysis of disease detection – upload of information to government research institutes – disease alert. In this process, species classification takes a lot of time, and if we reduce the time, we can cope with the disease outbreak more quickly. In this study, we developed automate species classification system target for 5 mosquito species (Culex pipiens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Ae. albpictus, Ae. vexans, Anopheles spp.) disease vector live in South Korea. After modeling the morphology of each mosquito species, machine learning was carried out using DenseNet (Densely Connected Networks), one of the models of Artificial Neural Network. Using the learned model, we tested the classification of 5 species of mosquitoes and showed the accuracy from 97.35% to 99.48% at the maximum. Future research will focus on increasing the number of identifiable mosquito species and reducing the time spent on species classification. The autonomous classification of mosquito species using Deep Learning technology will contribute to the development of mosquito monitoring system and public health.

Mosquitoes are transmit many dangerous disease such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. So far, chemical insecticides such as DEET have been mainly used to control mosquitoes, but there are many side effects. This study used ultrasonic sounds as an alternative to chemical insecticides. We found that Culex pipiens, which are common in Korea, exhibit avoidance behavior in a specific ultrasonic frequency. Through electrophysiological recording, we have inferred that avoidance behavior is caused by different from each other mechanisms depending on the ultrasonic frequency. Using immunohistochemical staining, we analyzed the expression pattern of auditory related genes in the chordotonal organ. Quantitative real time-PCR was used to compare the expression levels of auditory related gene depending on the time of exposure to ultrasonic sounds.

We demonstrated an effective way of preparing melt spinnable mesophase pitches via catalytic hydrogenation of petroleum residue (fluidized catalytic cracking-decant oil) and their subsequent thermal soaking. The mesophase pitches thus obtained were analyzed in terms of their viscosity, elemental composition, solubility, molecular weight, softening point and optical texture. We found that zeolite-induced catalytic hydrogenation under high hydrogen pressure contributed to a large variation in the properties of the pitches. As the hydrogen pressure increased, the C/H ratio decreased, and the solubility in n-hexane increased. The mesophase pitch with entirely anisotropic domains of flow texture exhibited good meltspinnability. The mesophase carbon fibers obtained from the catalytically hydrogenated petroleum residue showed moderate mechanical properties.

The mosquito is a dangerous disease vector, which transfers various diseases like dengue virus, Zika virus and malaria.This study used an alternative way of mosquito repellent agents rather than chemical repellents such as DEET. We haveemployed a novel emitters of ultra-sonic sounds, which showed repellent effects to mosquito behaviors that avoid ultra-sonicsounds. Using NGS analysis after ultrasonic treatment, we found that some subsets of sensory and other related geneswere affected, indicating that ultrasonic sounds affects gene expression associated with host finding behaviors in Aedesaegypti. Additionally, we performed electrophysiological recording and behavior assay testing repellency in a chamberin Culex pipiens, which is the most common species in Korea.

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of home or hetero fermentative lactic acid bacteria(LAB) on chemical composition, fermentation quality, and aerobic stability of rye silage. Rye forage was harvested at dough stage(28.9% of dry matter), chopped to 3-5 cm length, and divided into 4 piles for different inoculations as treatment, following 1) No additives(CON); 2) Lactobacillus plantarum at rate of 1.5 x 105 cfu/g of fresh forage(LP); 3) L. buchneri at rate of 1.2 x 105 cfu/g of fresh forage(LB); and 4) Mixture of LP and LB at 1:1 ratio(MIX). Rye silage was ensiled into 20 L bucket silo in quadruplicate for 0, 1, 4, 7, and 100 day periods. After 100 days of ensiling, the silage treated with LB had lower acid detergent fiber content(p<0.05), but higher in vitro dry matter digestibility(p<0.05). The LB and MIX reduced (p<0.05) pH more rapidly than CON and LP across the ensiling days, but had no difference on 100 days. Silage treated LP had lowest(p<0.05) acetic acid, but highest(p<0.05) propionic acid. In contrast, LB treated silage had highest(p<0.05) acetic acid, but lowest(p<0.05) propionic acid with the absence of butyric acid. On microbial count, LP treated silage had lowest(p<0.05) LAB, yeast, and aerobic stability, whereas LB and MIX treated silages had highest(p<0.05). Mold was not detected across all silages. Therefore, it could be concluded that heterofermentative LAB solely or combo with homofermentative LAB might improve in vitro dry matter digestibility, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of rye silage harvested at dough stage.

In the present study, lichen(Parmelia sp.) extract showed insecticidal activity against Aedes albopictus, and the effect of growth inhibiting activity was investigated. Acetone and methanol extracts of the lichen against larvae of Aedes albopictus were showed high insecticidal activities in low lethal concentration. 50% lethal concentration of the acetone extractof the lichen is 0.13% and the 50% lethal concentration of methanol extract of lichen is 0.15% respectively. This experiment that used acetone and methanol extracts of the lichen were observed for 24, 48 and 72 hours. As a result, the higher concentration and the longer exposure time is increased mortality against Aedes albopictus. Pupation time took more time as the higher concentration of acetone extract of lichen. Consequently, the lichen extract is effect in inhibiting the growth of Aedes albopictus larvae. In this experiment indicates that lichen extract has activity against Aedes albopictus and is available as the natural insecticide.

Most patients with chronic low back pain experience functional disability of trunk muscle, and limitations in physical activity. While there are many types of exercise programs available, in recent years sling exercise has been emerging as the exercise program for spinal stabilization. It has been supported by a great amount of research with positive findings on its effectiveness. This research studies the effects of bridging exercise, conducted on a sling, on pain level and trunk muscle activation in supine, sidelying, and prone positions during a 4 weeks period. 10 healthy people(normal group, n=10) and 28 patients with low back pain participated in this study. 28 patients were divided into two groups; one group participated in exercise with the sling(experimental group, n=14) and the other group exercised without the sling(control group, n=14). They were asked to use the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) to answer to the level of their pain they felt (no pain: 0 point, severe pain: 10 points). During sling bridging exercises, the muscle activity level in each muscle measured in each position was standardized as three seconds of EMG signals during five seconds MVIC. In conclusion, the experimental group with four weeks of sling bridging exercise experienced a statistically significant reduction in the pain level(p<.05) and increase in the muscle activities of erector spinae when in supine position, internal oblique when in sidelying position, and rectus abdominis in prone position(p<.05). Regular sling bridging exercise reduces the low back pain and enhances other trunk muscle activation, thereby positively affect spinal stabilization.

To identify subspecies and stocks of minke whale meats purchased from Korean markets during 2005-2007, we first obtained their complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences, and compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), obtained from GenBank. From analyses with partial cytochrome b sequences (383 bp) and non-coding, partial control region sequences (463 bp), Korean mink whale meats are identified as products from the North Pacific minke whale (B. a. scammoni). In addition, the sequences of the partial control region from these meats showed G at site no. 298 and G or A at site no. 463, and the meats appeared to originate from the J stock within this subspecies. Thus, because the J stock has been protected since 1986, implementation of strict regulation measures to reduce their accidental fisheries by catch seems urgent. In addition, B. a. scammoni is distinct from B. a. acutorostrata, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 2.21% in the complete control region sequence analysis (935 bp) and 1.31% in the complete cytochrome b gene sequence analysis; the current results support the current subspecies classification, although further sequencing analyses with nuclear genes are necessary.

Cryopreservation of avian semen is a useful tool to preserve genetic resource for aim of preventing extinction induced by infectious disease like avian influenza. Unlike those of mammals, data from chicken cryopreserved semen has not been showed feasible results. So, various cryoprotectants and diluents have been examined in many methods. In this report, as a major ingredient of avian seminal plasm, glutamine was substituted by alanyl glutamine to enhance physiological stability of chicken semen during freezing. We studied effect of glycerol and Dimethylacetamide(DMA) on motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa using glutamine diluent(EK-G) or alanyl glutamine diluent(EK-A) condition. The semen of Ogye was collected twice a week by the dorso-abdominimal massage method and diluted with same volume of EK-G or EK-A at 25℃ and stored for 10 min at 4℃ in cold chamber. Glycerol or DMA was added to diluted semen to reached 7% of final concentration at 4℃. After 3min of equilibration, the diluted semen was packed into 0.25ml straws and subjected to cryopreservation used freezing equipment. The packed straw were placed on height 5 cm above surface of liquid nitrogen(LN2) and held for 10min. After preserved for 2 weeks, the straw was thawed onto the 4℃ cooling bath. The images of motility and progressive motility spermatozoa were recorded by digital image recorder and analyzed by manual. The results showed 68.5% motility and 34.1% progressive motility in DMA/EKA diluent, 31.45% and 17.6% in glycerol/EKA, 45.4% and 8.6% in DMA/EKG, and 9.7% and 6.4% in glycerol/EKG. With these results, the alanyl glutamine and DMA could be used as a main composition of diluent and cryoprotectant for cryopreservation of chicken semen.

The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), is a destructive pest on citrus. This study was conducted to obtain the stage-specific phenology of I.purchasi for use in field application. The crawlers (hatched nymphs) from the egg sac of overwintered female began to move from late May and peaked in early to mid-June with most crawlers completed the movement till late June. The 1st nymph population peaked in mid June in 1stgeneration and early October in 2ndgeneration. The 2nd nymphs showed peak activity in late July and late October during the 1st and 2nd generation, respectively. The 3rd nymphs peaked in early September in 1st generation, while it kept a plateau without forming a peak after mid October in 2nd generation. The 1st generation adults peaked in mid September, and the tail was overlapped with 2nd generation adult population. Consequently, two life cycles were competed in Jeju area. An average of 20.7% of citrus orchards was infested with I. purchasi with a 3.9% of mean infested trees in Jeju. The present results should be useful in establishing management strategies for I. purchasi in citrus orchards.