We investigated the epidemiological characteristics of the antimicrobial resistant Enterococcus isolates from the four major rivers of Korea in 2012. A total 316 surface water samples were collected from three distinct sites (nearby livestock farms, tributaries, and major rivers) at two different seasons (dry season: n = 76, wet season: n = 240). A total 654 bacterial cells were isolated from samples and their genus distribution were determined. We found that Gram-negative bacteria including various genera were prevalent (n = 522, 79.8%), and Enterococcus was the most common genus of Gram-positive bacteria (n = 119, 18.2%). The isolation rate of Gram-negative bacteria was higher in wet season, whereas that of Enterococcus isolates was higher in dry season. The prevalence of Enterococcus isolates was also higher nearby livestock farms than on tributaries and main rivers. Since Enterococcus isolate is a key indicator for animal fecal contamination, the following experiments focused on this microorganism. As compared to a previous report in 2006, the resistance rates in E. faecium to erythromycin (40.0% to 69.9%) and chloramphenicol (0% to 16.4%) were increased, whereas those to penicillin (56.0% to 4.1%) and teicoplanin (36.0% to 0%) were decreased. We also found that antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) E. faecium isolates from rivers and livestock samples shared similar pulsed-filed gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles, validating the transmission of AMR Enterococcus isolates from livestock to river. Taken together, this study provides us with detailed information about bacterial contamination status in four major rivers, and highlights the changes in AMR pattern of Enterococcus isolates, which are expected to have originated from livestock.

최근 AI 기술은 하루가 다르게 빠르게 발전하고 있고, AI기술은 각 분야에서 다양하게 사용되어지고 있다. 본 논문은 예술분야에서 AI기술의 활용으로 COVID-19 상황에서 인간관계, 개인적인 이유로 지친 마음을 위 로해주는 힐링 게임을 제작하였다. 제작한 힐링게임에서는 주로 Self-help-therapy의 효과를 얻을 수 있어, 치 료자의 도움없이 이용자가 힐링게임을 통하여 일상적 이용과정에서 치유적 효과를 얻을 수 있는 것을 기대 하고 있다. 게임 리뷰 데이터를 통계 분석하여 힐링게임으로 대중들이 요구하는 부분을 수용하여 힐링게임 이 제작되었으며, 사용자는 게임 시작 전 간단한 스토리라인과 AI와 상호작용할 수 있는 간단한 대화를 통 화여 Self-help-therapy 효과를 얻을 수 있었다.

포인트 클라우드를 활용한 폴리곤 모델 활용에 대해서는 지속적으로 연구되고있다. 이러한 연구는 대부분 하이 폴리곤 모델을 대상으로 생성된 모델을 활용한 기술이다. 오늘날 비디오 게임 등에서 활용되는 하이 폴리곤 모델은 대부분 높은 퍼포먼스를 바탕으로 화려한 효과를 표현한다. 그러나 게임 등의 콘텐츠에 있어서 화려한 효과와 높은 품질의 리소스를 활용한 게임만이 만족도를 충족시켜주는 것이 아니다. 콘텐츠에 따라서 의도적으로 로우 폴리곤 모델을 활용하기도 한다. 인디 게임 등에서는 낮은 접근성을 장점으로 로우 폴리곤 형태의 모델을 제작하여 이를 활용한 게임들도 지속적으로 개발되어 왔다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 이러한 변화에 맞춰서 포인트 클라우드 데이터를 활용하여 로우 폴리곤 모델을 생성 및 음영 처리하는 방법을 제안한다. 여러 개의 모델을 생성하여, 각각의 모델이 하나의 텍스처를 공유하고, 음영을 처리한다. 마지막으로 라이트맵 기법의 결과물과 비교하는 실험을 진행한다.

Methyl bromide (MB) has been still routinely used in quarantine fumigation on imported citrus, although there had been issuing chronic inhalation toxicity to fumigators and related workers as well as phytotoxic damages after fumigation. Ethyl formate (EF), is the only option to replace MB in terms of its safety for consumers (food additive and naturally occurred) and worker with higher threshold level limit (TLV = 100 ppm). Its application technology also provide cost effectiveness, good commercial practice in terms of application time (< 10 min) for 40 ft container. The replacement of MB with EF is recommended not to fumigate with hazardous and phasing-out MB on imported oranges.

본 연구에서는 사용자로부터 입력받은 이미지를 분석하여 그에 맞는 음악을 생성, 재생하는 방법을 고안 하였다. 단순히 이미지를 청각화 하는 기술적인 의미 뿐 아니라 사용자의 이미지에 담긴 정서와 의도 또한 담아내는 것을 목표로 하였다. 사용자는 본 연구에서 제안된 어플리케이션에 원하는 물체를 그린다. 인공지능을 통해 이미지가 어떤 물체인지 판별 후, 그 물체와 이어질 수 있는 감정을 대응해 해당 멜로디의 감정과 분위기를 맞출 수 있도록 하였다. 정서에 알맞는 음정(key)를 설정한 뒤, 사용자가 이미지를 그릴 때 입력한 획순을 분석해 이를 기준으로 음계를 추출하여 선율을 생성하였다. 향후 이미지의 청각적 표현을 구현하는 것뿐만 아니라 그림에 대한 예술적인 이해와 의미 있는 음악을 만들어내기 위한 화성법 등의 작곡이론을 연구하여 이미지에 담긴 예술성과 의도를 음악에 담아낼 수 있는 한 가지 방향을 제시할 것이다. 또한 그림을 인식하고 판별하기 위한 인공지능 기술과 그림 분석, 음악 생성 등의 예술 분야를 결합해 공학과 예술의 융합이라는 방향으로서 의미 있는 시도가 될 것이다.

본 연구에서는, 표고버섯 균사체 발효 생물전환공법으로 생산된 미강생물전환소재(BPP-RB)가 가금티푸스의 주요 원인균인 S. Gallinarum에 감염된 닭 유래 대식세포주 HD- 11에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. 그 결과, 미강생물전환소 재 추출액은 S. Gallinarum 277에 대한 직접적인 성장억제 효과를 보여주지 않았으며, 총단백질 및 분비단밸질 발현 양상에 어떠한 변화도 유도하지 못하였다. 하지만, 미강생 물전환소재 추출액은 (i) HD-11 대식세포의 탐식 능력 (phagocytic activity)을 활성화하였고, (ii) Th1-type cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, iNOS)과 immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10의 발현 증가를 유도하였으며, (iii) Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-6)의 발현은 감 소시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과를 종합하면, 미강생물전환소재는 가금 농장에서 가금티푸스 및 다른 Salmonella종의 감염을 예방하기 위한 사료첨가제로서의 가능성을 가지고 있다고 사료된다.

Turmeric is known for its ability to enhance immunity via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Salmonella enterica species contain a large number of pathogenic serotypes that are adapted to a broad range of vertebrate hosts. Our previous study revealed that bioprocessed polysaccharides from the liquid culture Lentinus edodes fungal mycelia containing turmeric (BPP-turmeric) is able to alter chicken macrophage responses and increases chick survival against Salmonella enterica infection. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory effects of BPP-turmeric on the porcine macrophage 3D4/31 cell line infected with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) or S. Enteritidis. Our experimental analyses demonstrated that BPP-turmeric (i) does not alter phagocytic and killing activity of 3D4/31 against either Salmonella serotypes, but that it (ii) represses mRNA transcription of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α in response to Salmonella infection. Collectively, these results imply that BPP-turmeric has an immunomodulatory effect that represses pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in porcine macrophages, suggesting that it may protect swine from salmonellosis via controlling Salmonella-induced hyperinflammation.

Tin dioxide nanoparticles are prepared using a newly developed synthesis method of plasma-assisted electrolysis. A high voltage is applied to the tin metal plate to apply a high pressure and temperature to the synthesized oxide layer on the metal surface, producing nanoparticles in a low concentration of sulfuric acid. The particle size, morphology, and size distribution is controlled by the concentration of electrolytes and frequency of the power supply. The as-prepared powder of tin dioxide nanoparticles is used to fabricate a gas sensor to investigate the potential application. The particle-based gas sensor exhibits a short response and recovery time. There is sensitivity to the reduction gas for the gas flowing at rates of 50, 250, and 500 ppm of H2S gas.

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is classified exotic quarantine pest in Australia and EU, soSWD-free must be supported by evidence of surveys and phytosanitary measures in exported host agricultural commoditiesin Korea. From a quarantine control point of view, SWD is importantly considered as model insect pest for exotic fruitflies (Bactrocera dorsalis) in Korea as well because of similarity in ecological cycles. In evaluations of ethyl formate(EF) only and combined cold treatment to kill eggs and larvae of SWD, the combined EF fumigation applied at LCt50%(50% killed lethal concentration X time) and cold treatement (5℃) for > 5 days showed the promise to new conceptfor eradicating quarantine pest and these could be helpful to pre-develop exotic fruit fly management in Korea.

Bioenergetics has been defined as the biology of energy transformations and energy exchanges within and between living organisms and their environment; this field now includes the concept of bioenergetic medicine, e.g., therapeutic approaches involving biophotons. QELBY® powder is a patented quantum energy-radiating material (patent No. 10-1172018), to be precise, a biologically active silicon dioxide-containing mineral powder that radiates reductive energy in infrared wavelength. In this study, we examined possible biological effects of indirect contact with QELBY® powder on various mammalian cell lines derived from macrophagic (MØ) and nonmacrophagic cells, including Raw 264.7 (mouse-derived MØ cell line), HD11 (chicken-derived MØ cell line), and HeLa (human cervical cancer cell line). Our comparison among the cells with and without indirect contact with QELBY® powder showed that this indirect contact significantly (i) increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (up to 1.36-fold) regardless of the cell type (p < 0.05), (ii) decreased the intracellular concentration of ATP in HeLa cells but not in the MØ-derived cells (p < 0.05), and (iii) protected DNA from damage during oxidative stress according to a standard comet assay (single-cell alkaline gel electrophoresis). Taken together, these results imply that indirect contact with QELBY® powder can make cells more metabolically active by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential and by alleviating DNA damage caused by oxidative stress.

Shiga toxins (Stxs), some of the most important virulence factors in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7, are known to be induced and released by various environmental cues, such as DNA damage responses and stress-inducing chemicals. In order to investigate the possible effects of growth media on Stxs expression, we analyzed the growth kinetics and expression of Stxs (Stx1 and 2) in cells grown in Luria-Bertani (LB) and E. coli (EC) media, which are widely used for EHEC O157:H7. Through direct plating and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), it was revealed that, when EHEC O157:H7 was grown in EC medium, the total bacterial count was reduced significantly and the stx1 transcription was greatly increased during the stationary growth phase than that in LB. Here we report that bile salts and lactose, which are the two only components in EC medium that are absent in LB, function as negative and positive regulatory signals, respectively, for the transcription of both stx1 and stx2. Indeed, stx transcription was significantly increased (~5.7 and ~21.8 fold for stx1 and stx2, respectively; p < 0.05) in an EC medium lacking bile salts when compared to the normal EC. In contrast, EHEC O157:H7 grown in an EC medium lacking lactose did significantly decrease these transcriptions (~93.5 and ~4.3 fold for stx1 and stx2, respectively; p < 0.05). Consistently, stx transcription was drastically increased in an LB medium supplemented with lactose, implying that lactose might be an environmental trigger for the expression of Stxs.