본 연구는 한국 창조 신화가 한국인의 종교적 정체성과 세계관 형성에 어떠한 영향을 미쳐왔는지를 탐구한다. 또한, 이러한 전통적 신화들과 창세기의 성서적 창조 서사를 비교하여, 각 서사가 각기 다른 문화의 기원과 세계 인식에 어떤 영향을 주었는지를 밝히고자 한다. 아울러 이러한 토착 창조 신화들이 창세기 창조 이야기를 수용하는 데 어떻게 기여하였으며, 나아가 기독교의 전래와 확산에 어떠한 역할을 하였는지를 분석한다. 결론에서는 이러한 논의를 확장하여, 한국 교회의 생태신학적 성찰과 현대 선교 실천에 주는 함의를 제시한다.

In this study, we analyzed the structural and mechanical properties of aluminum foams fabricated using aluminum powders of varying sizes and mixtures. The effects of sintering and pore structure at each size on the integrity and mechanical properties of the foams were investigated. Structural characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy and micro–computed tomography, while mechanical properties were evaluated through compression testing. The experimental results demonstrated that smaller powder sizes improved foam integrity, reduced porosity and pore size, and resulted in thinner cell walls. In combination, these effects increased compressive strength as the powder size decreased. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding and improvement of the mechanical properties of aluminum foams and highlight their potential for use in a wide range of applications.

The commercial feed additive, native rumen microbes (RC), derived from a diverse microbial community isolated from the rumen of Hanwoo steers is being explored to enhance rumen fermentation and improve ruminant feed utilization. This study evaluated the impact of native rumen microbes supplementation on methane emissions, microbial diversity, and fermentation efficiency on in vitro assessment. Treatments were as follows: CON (basal diet, without RC); T1 (basal diet + 0.1% RC); T2 (basal diet + 0.2% RC). Rumen fermentation parameters, total gas, and methane production were assessed at 12, 24, and 48 h of incubations. The in vitro gas production was carried out using the Ankom RF Gas Production System. Supplementation of RC significantly reduced the total gas production at 12, 24, and 48 hours of incubation (p < 0.05). Volatile fatty acid concentrations were increased, while acetate and propionate were decreased (p < 0.05) at 48 h by the supplementation of RC. Notably, the 0.1% inclusion level of RC significantly reduced methane production by 28.30% and 21.21% at 12 and 24 hours. Furthermore, microbial diversity analysis revealed significant shifts (p < 0.05) in bacterial composition between the control and treatment groups, while supplementation also promoted the growth of bacterial populations, such as Succiniclasticum. These findings suggest that native rumen microbes supplementation, particularly at 0.1% inclusion level, can enhance rumen microbial composition while significantly reducing methane production in vitro.

Background: Heat stress during summer impairs reproductive performance in sows, causing summer infertility. Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) plays a crucial role in steroid hormone metabolism in the liver and has been shown to be upregulated under stress conditions. However, the effect of seasonal heat stress on CYP1A2 expression in sow ovaries remains poorly understood. Methods: Ovaries were collected from crossbred sows during different seasons in Korea. The control group (CON) was exposed to optimal temperatures for swine rearing (22.0-24.5℃) during spring, while the heat-stressed group (HS) experienced high temperatures (30.5-37.0℃) during summer. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated to assess thermal stress severity. CYP1A2 expression was analyzed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and these values were statistically compared with THI by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The HS exhibited significantly higher THI values compared to the CON (88.11 vs. 66.67). Western blot analysis revealed significant upregulation of CYP1A2 expression in the HS compared to CON (1.89 vs. 1.00). IHC demonstrated that CYP1A2 was specifically localized in granulosa cells of mature follicles, with a significantly higher proportion of CYP1A2-positive follicles in the HS (15.92%) compared to CON (9.08%). When the obtained values were compared with THI values, CYP1A2 expression showed a strong positive correlation with THI (r = 0.41 and 0.74). Conclusions: This study revealed that heat stress can alter the ovarian microenvironment, including the expression of CYP1A2. These findings emphasize the need for effective thermal management strategies to mitigate heat stress-induced reproductive dysfunction in livestock production.

In this study, a bacterial strain exhibiting high degradation activity toward organic wastes was isolated and taxonomically identified. Five strains with excellent hydrolytic activity toward starch, lipids, and proteins were isolated from slaughter waste processors. Among the five strains, YBK-W4, which showed the highest amylase, protease, and lipase activities, was selected. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, YBK-W4 was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus (B. atrophaeus) and designated B. atrophaeus YBK-W4. The optimal temperature and pH for enzyme activity of B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 were 37~42°C and pH 7, respectively. The bacterium was grown on Luria-Bertani (LB) agar containing 12% NaCl, where enzyme activity was 11.4~29.7% of that observed in LB agar without NaCl. These results suggest that B. atrophaeus YBK-W4 is a useful bacterial agent for the decomposition of organic waste, such as food and slaughterhouse waste.

The utilization of pig slurry (PS) as an organic fertilizer plays a pivotal role in nutrient recycling within agricultural systems. However, this practice concomitantly leads nitrogen (N) losses through ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wood biochar on mitigating NH3 and N2O emissions and enhancing N retention from PS-applied soil, and plant biomass production during the vegetative growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The experiment consisted of three treatments: 1) water (non-PS), 2) PS, and 3) PS combined with wood biochar (PS+WB). The PS+WB treatment resulted in the maintenance of elevated soil water content during the experimental period. The PS+WB treatment significantly enhanced soil nitrogen retention compared to PS alone, maintaining higher total N and NH₄⁺-N levels while reducing NO₃⁻ -N accumulation. Wood biochar application also leds to substantial reductions in NH₃ and N₂O emissions, mitigating environmental N losses. The PS+WB treatment resulted in an improvement of shoot biomass, crude protein content, and total digestible nutrients, indicating enhanced forage quality. The increased soil moisture content in PS+WB further contributed to plant growth benefits. These findings demonstrate that wood biochar is an effective amendment for improving nitrogen retention, reducing gaseous N emissions, and enhancing crop productivity in PS-amended soils.

Background: The cumulus cells (CC) play an essential role in protecting oocytes and providing molecular signals for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation. Gonadotropins stimulate CC proliferation, promote the release of factors that resume oocyte maturation, and activate small G proteins. Among these, Ras, a GTP-binding protein, participates in signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, division, and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the Ras subfamily and gonadotropin receptor expression during porcine CC maturation. Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in a medium supplemented with follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 44 hours. CCs were collected from the COCs at 0, 22, and 44 hours, and mRNA expression levels of gonadotropin and growth factor receptors (FSHR, LHR, EGFR), Ras subfamily members (H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras, R-Ras), and Ras GTPases (RASA1, SOS1) were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The results revealed that LHR and R-Ras mRNA expression significantly increased only at 44 hours compared to the 0-hour group (p < 0.05). Conversely, RASA1 mRNA levels decreased significantly at the same time points. No significant changes were observed in H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras , or SOS1 expression. Conclusions: In conclusion, the observed increase in LHR and R-Ras and the decrease in RASA1 provide new insights into the molecular dynamics of Ras subfamily members during porcine CC maturation, contributing to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying oocyte development.

A 13-year-old female lion underwent a simple mastectomy for a rapidly growing abdominal mass, confirmed as mammary adenocarcinoma after histopathological examination. Mammary tumors are common in domestic cats but less frequently reported in African lions. This report presents the first documented case of mammary adenocarcinoma in an African lion in South Korea. The mass was successfully excised through stable anesthesia and surgery. This report adds to the limited literature on mammary tumors in large felids and discusses the need for tailored management strategies.

Background: Hanwoo cattle, an indigenous Korean breed, have become economically significant due to genetic improvements and large-scale farming. As individual cow value increases, understanding their unique physiology across different life stages is crucial for optimal health management. This retrospective study aimed to investigate serum biochemistry differences among non-pregnant, pregnant, and fattening female Hanwoo cattle and establish breed-specific reference intervals (RIs) for accurate health assessment, utilizing data obtained from routine veterinary care. Methods: Blood samples were collected from female Hanwoo cattle, categorized as pregnant (n = 12), non-pregnant (n = 25), and fattening (n = 11). Eighteen serum biochemical parameters were analyzed and descriptive statistics were calculated for each group. The new RIs in different reproductive status of female Hanwoo were established using the Reference Value Advisor program. Results: Significant differences based on reproductive status were identified in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), triglyceride (TG), glucose (GLU), and creatinine (CRE) levels. BUN, GGT, and TG levels were significantly higher in fattening cattle compared to pregnant and non-pregnant cows. GLU levels increased progressively across pregnant, non-pregnant, and fattening groups, while CRE levels were significantly higher in pregnant cows. Based on values of biochemical parameters, new RI were suggested for sixteen biochemical parameters, encompassing all three reproductive stages. Conclusions: This study established new RIs for female Hanwoo cattle across nonpregnant, pregnant, and fattening stages, providing a more accurate basis for health assessment and management. These findings will contribute to improved individual cow management, supporting genetic improvement efforts, and enhancing overall herd health in female Hanwoo cattle.

온실 내부 환경은 지역에 따라 외부 환경의 영향을 지속적으로 받는다. 본 연구는 몽골, UAE(아부다비), 호 주(퀸슬란드) 등 지역별로 구축된 한국형 스마트 온실의 환경 특성을 비교하고자 수행하였다. 몽골과 아부다비의 온실 모두 내외부 엔탈피 차이가 감소함에 따라 환기율이 증가하였다. 아부다비의 반밀폐형 온실에서는 10시부터 14시까지 평균 내부 기온이 외부 기온보다 약 7－10°C 낮았고 내부 VPD(12mbar)는 외부 VPD(56mbar)보다 4.6 배 낮았는데 이 결과는 포그 시스템 운영과 관련이 있는 것으로 보인다. 퀸즐랜드 온실의 경우, 내부 온도가 외부 온 도보다 11시 기준 약 3.81°C 높았고, 내부 엔탈피와 VPD가 외부 온도보다 높았으며, 내부와 외부의 엔탈피 차이가 증가함에 따라 환기율이 증가하였다. 이 결과로 엔탈피를 낮추는 것은 환기와, VPD를 낮추는 것은 포그 시스템 작 동과 관련이 있는 것을 알 수 있다. 또한, 작물 생육에 적합한 환경 조건을 효과적으로 관리하기 위해 엔탈피와 VPD 기반의 포그, 환기 또는 난방 시스템이 필요하다는 것을 알 수 있다.

Background: The increasing demand for real-time professional fitness coaching has led to a need for accurate exercise posture recognition using artificial intelligence. Objectives: To compare the performance of Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) and Stacked Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models in classifying fitness posture images using detailed joint coordinate labeling. Design: Comparative analysis of machine learning models using a labeled dataset of fitness posture images. Methods: A dataset from AI-hub containing images and data of 41 exercises was used. Five exercises were selected and processed using a custom program. Data was converted from JSON to CSV format, augmented with joint condition information, and analyzed using Google Colab. Results: The best FNN model achieved a training error of 1.21% and test error of 9.08%. The Stacked LSTM model demonstrated superior performance with a training error of 1.05% and test error of 6.09%. Conclusion: Both FNN and Stacked LSTM models effectively classified sequential fitness images, with Stacked LSTM showing superior performance. This indicates the potential of Stacked LSTM models for accurate fitness posture classification in real-time coaching scenarios.

육성한 화단국화 품종인 황색 국화(Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)인 ‘한아름볼(Hanarum Ball)’은 충남농업기술원 화훼 연구소에서 모본 ‘Gigi Gold’와 부본 ‘Jinny Ball’을 이용하여 육성되었다. ‘한아름볼’ 품종은 2014년에 인공 교배를 통해 개 발되었으며, 2015년부터 2017년까지 품종 특성을 조사한 후 2017년에 최종 선발되었다. ‘한아름볼’의 초형은 반구형으로, 노랑색 꽃잎(Yellow 5B)을 가진 반겹꽃을 지니고 있으며, 개화 기는 9월 21일이다. 초장은 36.0cm로, 초폭은 66.0cm, 화폭 은 4.1cm, 본당 착화수는 1,147개, 꽃잎수는 81.0개이며, 엽색 은 녹색(Green 137B)이어서, 대조품종인 ‘금방울’과 유사한 형 태와 색을 가지고 있으나, 꽃크기와 착화수, 개화시기에서 차이 를 보였다. ‘한아름볼’은 도로변이나 화단 등 조경용으로 활용 가능하며, 화훼 농가에 새로운 소득원을 제공할 수 있는 품종으 로 기대된다.