Probiotic-derived bacteriocins have attracted considerable attention as an alternative to synthetic preservatives in the food industry, as synthetics are harmful to health. Lactobacillus gasseri G2 isolated from infant feces has been demonstrated to possess probiotic properties such as bile salt and acid tolerance, antibiotic resistance, and broad antimicrobial activity. Bacteriocin was partially purified by acetone precipitation and characterized for several properties. It was found to be highly thermostable and resistant to heating at 120oC for 15 min. Bacteriocin activity remained unaffected with changes in the pH range from 2.0 to 10.0 and by solvents such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, and butanol. The antimicrobial activity was not affected by α-amylase, lysozyme, and lipase, but was reduced after treatment with protease, trypsin, and proteinase K, suggesting that it has a proteinaceous nature. Bacteriocin inhibited a broad range of target bacteria belonging to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups: Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Enterobacter sakasakii, Salmonella Enteritidis, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus. Bacteriocin appeared as a smear of the protein band with a molecular weight between 2-5 kDa, which showed a clear zone of inhibition after bioassay. The high thermostability and acid/alkali stability of bacteriocin reflect its potential commercial significance.

The eggs of Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, possess high desiccation resistance, which contribute the rapid spread of this mosquito across the world. Melanization of eggshell appear to play a role in the resistance to desiccation. Dopachrome-conversion enzyme (DCE, Yellow) significantly accelerates the melanization of the eggshell. In this study, we demonstrated functional importance of two yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in the chorion formation. Both genes were highly induced in the ovary at 48 h after blood meal. Injection of dsRNA for AalY-g or AalY-g2 into adult females had no effect on fecundity. However, the outermost colorless exochorion of the eggs obtained from both dsRNA-treated females was fragile and peeled off in places, and melanization of the endochorion was obviously delayed by several hours. In addition, unlike eggs from control females which acquired high desiccation resistance between 18 and 24 h after oviposition (HAO), 60-70% 24 HAO eggs from either AalY-g- or AalY-g2-deficient females were collapsed when they were moved to an air-dry condition, and the desiccation resistance was not increased in later stages of embryonic development analyzed. TEM analysis revealed that abnormal morphology and ultrastructure of the endochorion, particularly outer-endochorion, in the 24 HAO and older eggs from either AalY-g-and AalY-g2-deficient females. These results indicate that AalY-g and AalY-g2 are required for morphology and formation of the endochorion (outer-endochorion), a structure that appears to be critical for desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus eggs. This work was supported by NRFs (NRF-2015R1A6A3A04060323 and NRF-2018R1A2B6005106)

Eggs from the mosquito genus Aedes exhibit high desiccation resistance that likely facilitate spreading some of them as a vector of human disease throughout the world. However, molecular mechanism underlying the embryonic resistant to desiccation has not well understood. In this study, we performed functional study of two ovary-specific yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. The eggs obtained from AalY-g or AalY-g2 RNAi females showed poor desiccation resistance. TEM analysis revealed that, unlike that seen in the dsEGFP-control eggs, no high electron-dense outer-endochorion was evident in the eggs from AalY-g- or AalY-g2-deficient females. These results suggest that both yellow genes at least play roles in the chorion formation, which appears to be critical for integrity and desiccation resistance in Ae. albopictus eggs.

The eggs of Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, possess high desiccation resistance, which could lead rapidly spreading this mosquito across the world. Melanization and/or hardening of mosquito eggshell are critical for desiccation resistance to protect embryo from adverse environment. Dopachrome-conversion enzymes (Yellows) catalyze melanin synthesis in insects. Here we report functional importance of two ovary-specific yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in desiccation resistance of Ae. albopictus egg. Loss of function of these genes by RNAi causes the fragile exochorion and delay initial melanization of the endochorion. Furthermore, eggs from control females exhibit high desiccation resistance under the air-dry condition, whereas those from AalY-g- or AalY-g2-deficient females are collapsed. TEM analysis reveals ultrastructural defects in the endochorion and serosal cuticle in these eggs. The results indicate that AalY-g and AalY-g2 are critical for integrity and desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus egg.

Pigmentation or melanization is an important physiological event in insects and is involved in cuticle tanning, wound healing and encapsulation as a defensive response. Dopachrome-conversion enzyme (DCE, Yellow) significantly accelerates the melanization of the chorion in mosquito eggs. In this study, we demonstrated functional importance of two ovary-specific yellow genes, AalY-g and AalY-g2, in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. The transcripts of both genes were detected in the ovary of adult females only 48-72 h after blood feeding. RNAi for AalY-g or AalY-g2 had no effect on fecundity. However, the outermost colorless exochorion of the eggs was fragile and partially peeled off, and initial melanization of the endochorion was significantly delayed. Eggs from control females exhibited high desiccation resistance, whereas those from dsAalY-g- or dsAalY-g2-treated females were collapsed (50-80%) under the air-dry condition. Ultrastructural analysis revealed abnormal morphology of the endochorion and vitelline membrane in the AalY-g and AalY-g2-deficient eggshell. These results indicate that AalY-g and AalY-g2 are critical for integrity and desiccation resistance of the Ae. albopictus eggs. This work was supported by NRFs (NRF-2015R1A6A3A04060323).

“The rise of China” is a critical issue of the twenty-first century’s world politics. China is leading the new bipolar system in the post-Cold War period with the US. As the American dominance in East Asia became weaker, the old containment could not be fully implemented anymore. As a result, a new comprehensive strategic initiative covering the whole Pacific coastal States is being adopted. The outcome of this transformation is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was reached on October 5, 2015. This article aims to analyze the newly arisen TPP as a post-Cold War strategic alliance of East Asia. The TPP is a mega regional trade agreement. Its predictable legal setting is thus indispensable for the peaceful coordination of competition between both sides. The TPP could be a firm ground for the stability of this region, sharing the vision of cooperation, not confrontation in the future.

We have been performing daily VLBI monitoring of the ux density of Sagittarius (Sgr) A* at 22 GHz from February 2013 to August 2014 using a sub-array of the Japanese VLBI Network (JVN). The purpose of this monitoring is to explore the ux density variability at daily time resolution for a period longer than one year with the G2 cloud approaching. The ux density of Sgr A* is basically stable during the observational period, though there are some small variations. The average and scattering range are consistent with the previously observed values. We have observed no strong are of Sgr A* although it is near the expected peri-center passing.

This study explains what will be the best policy of Park Geun-hye administration for China(People's Republic of China) in the era of G2(Group of Two). G2 is a proposed informal special relationship between the United States and China. Originally initiated by C. Fred Bergsten as primarily an economic relationship, it began to gain wider currency and scope from foreign policy experts as a term recognizing the centrality of the U.S.-China relationship near the beginning of the Obama Administration. As the two most influential and powerful countries in the world, there have been increasingly strong suggestions within American political circles of creating a G2 relationship where the United States and China would work out solutions to global problems together. One possible reason for the G-2 to possibly be created is to prevent another Cold War. The informal G2 has been considered as helpful in finding solutions to the global financial crisis, North Korea's nuclear program, nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament, etc. Nuclear weapons in North Korea impose an enormous threat, not only to peace on the Korean Peninsula but the entire world. As a realistic policy, Park must ask China to urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The international casino game industry has adopted G2S (game to systems) protocol for the future communication standards between slot machines and gaming hosts. G2S protocol uses the internet protocols and XML message format. Not simply G2S protocol replaces the SAS protocol currently in use but with many limitations, but provides diverse application and business chances to the casino industry. In this paper, we introduce the overview of technical features of G2S system, and describe our design and implementation experience of core G2S protocol engine for slot machine devices. The G2S engine provides key protocol stack of G2S (HTTP, XML, and SOAP) and runtime services, using open source softwares and custom classes. The protocol compatibility of the implemented G2S engine is confirmed against an openG2S host software contributed by IGT. Also the measured memory size and perfroamcne is compact enough for typical slot machine hardware specification.

Assessing service quality and satisfaction is the essential part of service science. In this study, for G2B electronic commerce service composed of information systems and human resources, a composite research model for exploring factors of service quality satisfaction is proposed. The proposed model uses SERVQUAL’s five quality dimensions as independent antecedent factors and usefulness and ease-of-use of the technology acceptance model as mediating factors. A case of a G2B purchase service is empirically studied using the proposed model. The result shows that the proposed composite model is good and appropriate for explaining the characteristics of G2B services.

This study centers on how the electronic democracy which is expected to be a political system of information society may increase civic participation and develop political system. On the other hand, critics of internet voting claim that the technology required to properly authenticate voters and assure the accuracy and integrity of the election system either does not exist or is not widespread enough in society to be equitable and effective. In order to capture the potential that this new technology offers, it must be implemented correctly, upon a well-conceived framework of standards and procedures. At the same time, government must seek the advice of industry leaders as well as social activists so as to avoid the many obstacles that will undoubtedly arise.