In the summer of 2018, the Korea-Japan (KJ) region experienced an extremely severe and prolonged heatwave. This study examines the GloSea6 model's prediction performance for the 2018 KJ heatwave event and investigates how its prediction skill is related to large-scale circulation patterns identified by the k-means clustering method. Cluster 1 pattern is characterized by a KJ high-pressure anomaly, Cluster 2 pattern is distinguished by an Eastern European highpressure anomaly, and Cluster 3 pattern is associated with a Pacific-Japan pattern-like anomaly. By analyzing the spatial correlation coefficients between these three identified circulation patterns and GloSea6 predictions, we assessed the contribution of each circulation pattern to the heatwave lifecycle. Our results show that the Eastern European highpressure pattern, in particular, plays a significant role in predicting the evolution of the development and peak phases of the 2018 KJ heatwave approximately two weeks in advance. Furthermore, this study suggests that an accurate representation of large-scale atmospheric circulations in upstream regions is a key factor in seasonal forecast models for improving the predictability of extreme weather events, such as the 2018 KJ heatwave.

The thermoelectric effect, which converts waste heat into electricity, holds promise as a renewable energy technology. Recently, bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)-based alloys are being recognized as important materials for practical applications in the temperature range from room temperature to 500 K. However, conventional sintering processes impose limitations on shape-changeable and tailorable Bi2Te3 materials. To overcome these issues, three-dimensional (3D) printing (additive manufacturing) is being adopted. Although some research results have been reported, relatively few studies on 3D printed thermoelectric materials are being carried out. In this study, we utilize extrusion 3D printing to manufacture n-type Bi1.7Sb0.3Te3 (N-BST). The ink is produced without using organic binders, which could negatively influence its thermoelectric properties. Furthermore, we introduce graphene oxide (GO) at the crystal interface to enhance the electrical properties. The formed N-BST composites exhibit significantly improved electrical conductivity and a higher Seebeck coefficient as the GO content increases. Therefore, we propose that the combination of the extrusion 3D printing process (Direct Ink Writing, DIW) and the incorporation of GO into N-BST offers a convenient and effective approach for achieving higher thermoelectric efficiency.

This study examines how brand-influencer, influencer-users, and user-brand congruences affect perceived fantasy about the influencer and closeness toward the brand when an Instagram ad is endorsed by celebrity (vs. non-celebrity) influencers. The study employed a between-subject online experiment by manipulating an advertisement endorsed by a celebrity and a non-celebrity influencer. The results suggest that congruence between brand-influencer matters in building effective relationships.

We investigated the effect of moderate- and high-intensity resistance training on hippocampal neurotrophic factors and peripheral CCL11 levels in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57/black male mice received a 4 weeks diet of normal (control, CON; n = 9) or a high-fat diet (HF; n = 27) to induce obesity. Thereafter, the HF group was subdivided equally into the HF, HF + moderate-intensity exercise (HFME), and HF + high-intensity exercise (HFHE) groups (n = 9, respectively), and mice were subjected to ladder-climbing exercise for 8 weeks. The hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were significantly lower in the HF group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, in the HFME and HFHE groups were significantly higher than in the HF group (p < 0.05). The peripheral CCL11 levels were significantly higher in the HF group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, in the HFME and HFHE groups were significantly lower than in the HF group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference according to the exercise intensity among the groups. Collectively, these results suggest that obesity can induce down-regulation of neurotrophic factors and inhibition of neurogenesis. In contrast, regardless of exercise intensity, resistance training may have a positive effect on improving brain function by inducing increased expression of neurotrophic factors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of exercise training on neurodegeneration and cognitive function in mice with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the control (CO, n = 9) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 27) groups. The IGT group consumed 45% high fat diet for 4 weeks and received 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin twice in the lower abdomen to induce IGT. After the IGT induction period, the IGT group was subdivided into IGT + sedentary (IGT, n = 9), IGT + endurance exercise (IGTE, n = 9), and IGT + resistance exercise (IGTR, n = 9). The IGTE and IGTR groups performed treadmill and ladder climbing exercises 5 times per week for 8 weeks, respectively. Fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were significantly higher in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR was significantly higher in IGT group than CO group (p < 0.05). Hippocampal catalase (CAT) was significantly lower in IGT group than in CO group (p < 0.05), while beta-amyloid (Aβ) was significantly higher in IGT group than in CO group (p < 0.05). Hippocampal tau was significantly higher in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p < 0.05). The Y-maze test performance for cognitive function was significantly lower in IGT group than in CO, IGTE, and IGTR groups (p <0.05). These results suggest that IGT induces neurodegeneration and negatively affects cognitive function, while regular exercise may be effective in alleviating neurodegeneration and cognitive decline regardless of exercise type.

Measuring body size with a 3D scanner can reduce inter-measurer variability and provide better accuracy compared to using a traditional methods of measurement (Park, Nam, & Park, 2009). Many size measurement projects (or studies) that measure body size established a size measurement method prior to the development of a 3D scanner and automatic size measurement programs that produce 3D virtual body size measurements (Park, &Nam, 2012). Size data measured through an automatic size measurement program are more accurate and have a lower variability that is more appropriate for body measurements (Han, & Nam, 2004; Nam, Choi, Jung, & Yun, 2004). However, this method is limited to healthy subjects who can maintain a correct posture in a 3D scanner. It is difficult for the elderly to maintain the correct posture for body measurements in ‘Basic Human Body Measurements for Technological Design’ of ISO 7250(1997). Body measurement definitions are based on vertical and horizontal directions consequently, it is hard to measure those with a bent body type even if they stand in a correct posture. Most body measurement items are automatically measured in vertical and horizontal directions because current automatic size measurement programs utilize algorithms based on typical body measurement definitions. The size measurement method based on a vertical and horizontal directions tends to have a problem for elderly individuals with a bent body type who have difficulty maintaining a correct posture for 3D scanning as defined in ISO 7250(1997)(Ashdown, & Na, 2008).This study analyzes the problem of present auto-measurement programs that use elderly’s 3D body scan data. We conducted a comparative analysis of elderly’s body sizes using an auto-measurement program from virtual 3D body scan data and direct measurement with traditional measurement methods. We establish 34 typical body size measurements for the use of data from 464 males and 472 females (total 936) between the ages of 70 to 85. For error analysis, data separated to normal values and outliers compared with ISO 20655(2003). ISO 20685 defines the accuracy of extracted measurements by classification and measurement type (segment lengths, body height/breaths/depth, large/small circumferences, and head/hand/foot dimensions). The majority of outliers for the male and female body height type was “height”. Total number of persons with outliers for Height’s data was 603; consequently, 64.4% of subjects (elderly group of 70-85 yrs.) could not maintain a correct posture when scanning. Other data also had many errors from inaccurate measurement postures. A total of 72.3% of males and 70% of females have incorrect values in small circumferences. The segment lengths’ error data was 76.5% of males and 75% of females; in addition, the head dimension’ outliers were 87% for both male and female subjects. Especially 57.46% of males had incorrect data, while 74.67% of females had a type of large circumference. Female chest circumference had significant errors due to sagging breasts. The differences identify with a correlation between type of large circumference (chest, hip, under bust, waist, waist of omphalion) and gender. There were several correlations between the many measurement errors because values over 70% of data have outliers; however, each measurement type has properties in regards to correlation. A substantial positive correlation was found between all measurements (except hip circumference) in the type of large circumference; in addition, one-way ANOVA indicated that the measurements influenced height and were statistically significant. Outliers found in height data for the elderly’s were more likely to have errors in the type of large circumference. The type of body height indicated a strong correlation and statistical significance between the axilla height and other measurements (height, waist, crotch, lateral malleolus). Axilla height with more outliers indicated that other type of body height measurements had a higher potential for errors. The posture for body measurement was standardized as standing erect; however, this study indicated that many measurement errors were possible between using an auto-measurement program and direct measurement. The value of outlier about a particular measurement item can expect increased errors about any group (height: large circumference group/ axilla height: body height group). We have to study the relation in measurements in these types ‘large circumference’ because ‘head dimensions’ types correlate between measurements in each group. We need a more detailed analysis about outliers to find the major factors for measurement errors in regards to the elderly as well as discuss the possibility of ISO measurement-standard’s application for the elderly.

The goal of marker-assisted backcrossing is to reduce the number of generations significantly by using genome-based molecular markers. Among other types of molecular markers, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) is mostly used in genetic diversity analysis due to its abundance. To develop high-throughput SNP marker for MAB system, we selected 20 Chinese cabbage lines each represent traits as inner leaf color, disease resistance, head type and maturity etc. Then, we sequenced the transcriptomes of 20 lines by using Illumina Hiseq2000. The average transcriptome size was 1.37 Gbase, and the average of short reads mapping rate was about 62.15% (30xcoverage). We identified 13,976 SSR markers and 380,198 SNPs by aligning contigs of 20 Chinese cabbage lines. To develop SNP marker set, we chose 409 SNPs that covers the whole Brassica rapa transcriptome. The filtering criteria were depth, polymorphism, segregation ratio, lack of adjacent SNP and copy number. We positioned the selected SNP markers to the Chinese cabbage linkage map. Clustering dendrogram was produced using SNP marker and three different clusters were generated. The result showed that the genotyping data is partially linked to the phenotyping data. We assume that the developed SNP marker set can be applied in the Chinese cabbage MAB system soon.

Nesfatin-1, an anorexic nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2)-derived hypothalamic peptide, controls appetite and energy metabolism. Recent studies show that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is expressed not only in the brain but also in gastric and adipose tissues. Thus, we investigated the distributions of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various tissues of male and female mice by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Real-time PCR analyses showed that NUCB2 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the pituitary and at lower levels in the hypothalamus, spleen, thymus, heart, liver, and muscle of both male and female mice. Expression was much higher in reproductive organs, such as the testis, epididymis, ovary, and uterus, than in the hypothalamus. Western blot analysis of the nesfatin-1 protein level showed similar results to the real-time PCR analyses in both male and female mice. These results suggest that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 have widespread physiological effects in endocrine and non-endocrine organs. In addition, immunohistochemical staining revealed that nesfatin-1 was localized in interstitial cells, including Leydig cells and in the columnar epithelium of the epididymis. Nesfatin-1 was also expressed in theca cells and interstitial cells in the ovary and in epithelial cells of the endometrium and uterine glands in the uterus. These results suggest that nesfatin-1 is a novel potent regulator of steroidogenesis and gonadal function in male and female reproductive organs. Further studies are required to elucidate the functions of nesfatin-1 in various organs of male and female mice.