Emerging RNA viruses continue to pose serious threats to animal and human health, necessitating the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents within a One Health framework. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral potential of Desmodesmus multivariabilis extracts against three representative RNA viruses: influenza A virus (IAV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Extracts derived from four closely related microalgal isolates were tested using pre- and post-treatment protocols in vitro. Among them, strain ME749 demonstrated the most potent and consistent antiviral activity, with low cytotoxicity and high selectivity index (SI), particularly against IAV (SI = 23.8), followed by PEDV (SI = 10.7) and HAV (SI = 6.2). ME752 also showed moderate antiviral efficacy. RT-qPCR confirmed significant reductions in viral RNA levels for all three viruses, with ME749 achieving up to 3-log₁₀ reduction in IAV and 2.4-log₁₀ reduction in HAV. These results suggest that the antiviral effect may be mediated through mechanisms beyond direct virucidal activity, potentially involving host immune modulation. Although the active compounds remain unidentified, carotenoids are hypothesized as key bioactive components. This study highlights Desmodesmus multivariabilis, particularly ME749, as a promising source of novel, natural antiviral agents with applications in both veterinary and zoonotic disease control. Future studies including metabolomic profiling, mechanism-of-action analyses, and in vivo validation are warranted to further explore its potential in combating current and emerging RNA virus threats.
Stemflow (SF) is essential for water resources within forest ecosystems and can constitute up to half of the gross rainfall (GR), depending on the forest stand structures in coniferous plantations. Although numerous studies on SF yield have been reported globally for various forest types, very few studies on SF have been reported to examine the influence of forest stand structures on SF in Korea. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between SF and forest stand structures in unmanaged Japanese cypress plantations. Two study plots were established (10 m × 10 m each) in plantations with the same stem density (SD: 2500 stems ha-1) (hereafter P1 and P2). Almost all forest stand structures (canopy projection area, tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), number of live and dead branches, and ratio of canopy length to canopy width), including canopy volume using mobile LiDAR devices, were investigated. To evaluate the efficiency of funneling rainwater for the effect of tree biomass on SF, a funneling ratio (FR) was used. The present SF ratios (20.7% in P1 and 22.3% in P2) were much higher than those reported in previous studies of various forest types in Korea (SF ratios: 0.2–5.8% with a mean of 2.0%). This is due to the interaction between the high SD and many under-canopy dead branches. Individual-scale FR was correlated with DBH (R2 = 0.43). The present stand-scale FRs (FRstand) (22.3 in P1 and 29.2 in P2) were much higher than those reported in the previous studies (FRstand: 1.0–33.3 with a mean of 7.8) because of the negative relationship between FRstand and mean DBH (R2 = 0.78, p = 0.02). Our results provide useful information for understanding changes in SF caused by forest stand structures.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cause substantial economic losses on the livestock industry. Therefore, vaccinations have been implemented as the control strategy in endemic countries. However, the potential adverse effects of administering vaccines for both diseases simultaneously have not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of vaccinating dairy cows with either or both LSD and FMD vaccines on milk production and physiological parameters such as milk temperature, rumination time and body weight. The experimental groups were divided into four according to the injection materials: 1) saline, 2) LSD vaccine, 3) FMD vaccine, and 4) both vaccines. The impact of vaccination on milk yield and physiological parameters was evaluated daily until 12 days post-vaccination, and milk components were analyzed twice, once per week. Among the experimental groups as well as each vaccine group, no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed at milk yield, milk components, or milk temperature. This suggests that simultaneous vaccination of LSD and FMD can be administered without adverse effects.
The blackish cicada, Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius, 1775 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) was originally distributed mainly in the southernmost remote island, Jeju and rarely throughout low lands in South Korea, but has been explosively increased at the urban areas, where annual temperature is higher. In this study, we sequenced a partial mitochondrial COI from a total of 171 individuals collected throughout 12 localities in South Korea. The haplotype found with the highest frequency in Jeju island shares only with two inland localities in southern region with a low frequency, whereas the haplotype found with the highest frequency throughout inland localities was not found in Jeju island. These results showed that Jeju population, southern region, and other inland populations form somewhat different genetic groups.
The large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1803; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) has been categorized as a near-threatened species (NT) in South Korea from 2012 mainly due to limited distribution. In this study, we visited 36 sites spread across all South Korean provinces to verify the distributional range of the species and sequenced mitochondrial COI for 53 individuals from nine sites. We observed L. dispar at 15 sites in six provinces, including the two previously known provinces, indicating a southward range expansion. The in-field monitoring and genetic data collectively suggested that L. dispar does not have a limited distribution nor is it isolated, indicating that it should be reclassified as less vulnerable. Our study demonstrates that the combination of field and genetic data can provide a more reliable assessment of the stability of a species.
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere is now annually arrives in Korea. In this study, we developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, one of the main merits of which is a rapid identification of target species. Five among 11 FAW-specific loci tested successfully provided a consistent reaction when ten FAWs, which were collected from eight localities in four countries were tested, whereas the 13 non-target species were not amplified. To increase in-field applicability of the method all life stages, reaction time, and different periods after death was tested using the quick extracted DNA. Our FAW diagnostic protocol can be completed within 30 min, from the process of extracting genomic DNA from an egg or a 1st instar larva to species determination.
The increasing number of technology transfers from public research institutes in Korea has led to a growing demand for patent recommendation platforms for SMEs. This is because selecting the right technology for commercialization is a critical factor in business success. This study developed a patent recommendation system that uses technology transfer data from the past 10 years to recommend patents that are suitable for SMEs. The system was developed in three stages. First, an item-based collaborative filtering system was developed to recommend patents based on the similarities between the patents that SMEs have previously transferred. Next, a content-based recommendation system based on TF-IDF was developed to analyze patent names and recommend patents with high similarity. Finally, a hybrid system was developed that combines the strengths of both recommendation systems. The experimental results showed that the hybrid system was able to recommend patents that were both similar and relevant to the SMEs' interests. This suggests that the system can be a valuable tool for SMEs that are looking to acquire new technologies.
The function of coolant in machining is to reduce the frictional force in the contact area in between the tool and the material, and to increase the precision by cooling the work-piece and the tool, to make the machining surface uniform, and to extend the tool life. However, cutting oil is harmful to the human body because it uses chlorine-based extreme pressure additives to cause environmental pollutants. In this study, the effect of cutting temperature and surface roughness of titanium alloy for medical purpose (Ti-6Al-7Nb) in eco-friendly ADL slot shape machining was investigated using the response surface analysis method. As the design of the experiment, three levels of cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut were designed and the experiment was conducted using the central composite planning method. The regression expressions of cutting temperature and surface roughness were respectively obtained as quadratic functions to obtain the minimum value and optimal cutting conditions. The values from this formula and the experimental values were compared. As a result, this study makes and establishes the basis to prevent environmental pollution caused by the use of coolant and to replace it with ADL (Aerosol Dry Lubricant) machining that uses a very small amount of vegetable oil with high pressure.
The purpose of using coolant in machining is both to increase a tool life and also to prevent product deformation and thus, stabilize the surface quality by lubricating and cooling the tool and the machining surface. However, a very small amount of cutting mist should be used because chlorine-based extreme pressure additives are used to generate environmental pollutants in the production process and cause occupational diseases of workers. In this study, medical titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb) was subjected to a processing experiment by selecting factors and levels affecting cutting power in the processing of the Aerosol Dry Lubrication (ADL) method using vegetable oil. The machining shape was a slot to sufficiently reflect the effect of the cutting depth. As for the measurement of cutting force, the trend of cutting characteristics was identified through complete factor analysis. The factors affecting the cutting force of ADL slot processing were identified using the reaction surface analysis method, and the characteristics of the cutting force according to the change in factor level were analyzed. As the cutting speed increased, the cutting force decreased and then increased again. The cutting force continued to increase as the feed speed increased. The increase in the cutting depth increased the cutting force more significantly than the increase in the cutting speed and the feed speed. Through the reaction surface analysis method, the regression equation for predicting cutting force was identified, and the optimal processing conditions were proposed. The cutting force was predicted from the secondary regression equation and compared with the experimental value.