Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode for next-generation batteries due to its high capacity, low redox potential, and low density. However, dendrite growth and interfacial instability limit its use. In this study, an artificial solid electrolyte interphase layer of LiF and Li-Sn (LiF@Li-Sn) was fabricated by spray-coating SnF2 onto Li. The LiF@Li-Sn anode exhibited improved air stability and electrochemical performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated a charge transfer resistance of 25.2 Ω after the first cycle. In symmetric cells, it maintained a low overpotential of 27 mV after 250 cycles at 2 mA/cm2, outperforming bare Li. In situ microscopy confirmed dendrite suppression during plating. Full cells with NMC622 cathodes and LiF@Li-Sn anodes delivered 130.8 mAh/g with 79.4% retention after 300 cycles at 1 C and 98.8% coulombic efficiency. This coating effectively stabilized the interface and suppressed dendrites, with promising implications for practical lithium metal batteries.

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.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by GLA mutations, leading to a deficiency in α-Galactosidase A activity and subsequent accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). This accumulation contributes to progressive multiorgan dysfunction, with cardiovascular complications, particularly endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy being major drivers of disease morbidity and mortality. Although enzyme replacement therapy is currently the standard treatment, its effectiveness is limited in addressing advanced cardiovascular pathology. To better understand Fabry-associated vascular and cardiac phenotypes, an isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model in which GLA was knocked out was developed using CRISPR/ Cas9. GLA-knockout (GLA-KO) hiPSCs were differentiated into endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) to evaluate disease-relevant phenotypes in vitro . GLA-KO ECs exhibited normal morphology and differentiation capacity but showed markedly impaired tube formation, high expression of inflammatory genes ICAM1, VCAM1, and SELE, and increased mitochondrial and cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species levels. GLA-KO CMs demonstrated enlarged cell size and nuclear translocation of NFATC4, consistent with hypertrophic remodeling. Together, these findings recapitulate key features of Fabry vasculopathy and cardiomyopathy in a genetically defined, human-derived system. This platform enables direct investigation of Gb3-induced oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms and provides a valuable model for the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies targeting the cardiovascular manifestations of Fabry disease.

최근 천연 유래 미백제에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있다. 천연 유래 미백성분은 ‘자연 유래’라 는 메시지를 소비자에게 호감을 주어 경쟁력을 높인다. 본 연구는 Xanthium strumarium seed 에탄올 추출물의 미백효능을 평가하였다. 그 결과 α-MSH(α-melanocyte stimulating hormone)로 유도한 B16F10에서 티로시나아제와 멜라닌 형성을 억제했다. 또한 핵심조절인자인 티로시나제, MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), TRP-1(tyrosinase related protein-1), TRP-2 (tyrosinase related protein-2)에 관여함으로서 최종 멜라닌 생성을 저해하였다. 이러한 결과는 X. strumarium seed 에탄올 추출물의 미백 기능성 성분으로서의 가능성을 시사한다.

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) is an annual forage crop widely cultivated across the globe for its excellent nutritional value and high productivity. Despite its importance, studies on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in its morphogenesis remain limited. In this study, we employed a high-yielding mutant line developed through radiation mutagenesis to identify candidate genes associated with morphogenesis, focusing on Expansins (EXPs), GRFs (Growth regulating factors), GIFs (GRF-interacting factors), and growth hormone-related genes. RT-qPCR primers were designed, and differential gene expression analysis was performed. Gene expression was assessed in the leaves of seedlings at one to three weeks of age, comparing the control cultivar 'Kowinearly' with the mutant line. Expression patterns fell into four distinct categories: (1) genes consistently exhibiting lower expression in the mutant line across all developmental stages; (2) genes showing persistently low expression in the mutant, while the control displayed a sharp increase at early stages followed by a decline; (3) genes with low expression in the control but a marked early-stage increase in the mutant; and (4) genes with decreasing expression over time in the mutant, contrasting with gradually increasing expression in the control. These expression profiles highlight Actin and GRF6 as Group 1 genes, AXR1 (Auxin-resistant protein 1) and EXPB6 (c) as Group 2 genes, PEVMPP1 (Pyrophosphate-energized vacuolar membrane proton pump 1) as a Group 3 gene, and EF1A (Elongation factor 1-alpha) as a Group 4 gene, all of which are key candidate genes for the development of high-yielding Italian ryegrass cultivars.

본 연구는 담액수경재배(Deep Flow Technique, DFT)로 재배된 잎들깨(Perilla frutescens)의 생장 및 생리 적 반응에 미치는 인산결핍의 영향을 분석하였다. 인산 결핍 처리는 야마자키 표준 배양액을 수정하여 0% (대조 구), 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%의 5 수준으로 달리 조성하였다. 처리 20일부터 80일까지 인산 결핍 수준이 증가함에 따라 초장, 엽수, 마디 수, 경직경이 유의미하게 감소하였다. 80일째에는 100% 인산 결핍 처리에서 초장이 10.1cm, 엽수는 식물체당 2.7장으로 급감하였으며, 이는 대조구의 73.5cm 및 12.8장에 비해 현저한 생장 저해를 나타냈다. 또한, 인산 결핍 조건에서 생체중과 건물중 모두 현저히 감소하였으며, 대조구의 생체중은 93.4g 이었으나 100% 인산결핍 처리구에서는 2.1g으로, 건물중은 11.8g에서 0.4g으로 크게 감소하였다. 인산 결핍 정도가 증가할수록 하 부엽에서 황화(Chlorosis) 및 괴사(Necrosis)와 같은 생리장해 증상이 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 인산이 잎 들깨의 영양생장과 건물생산량 증가에 필수적인 역할을 수행함을 나타내었다.

Given the hazards posed by black ice, it is crucial to investigate the conditions that contribute to its formation. Two ensemble machinelearning algorithms, Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were employed to forecast the occurrence of black ice using atmospheric data. Additionally, explainable artificial intelligence techniques, including Feature Importance (FI) and partial dependence Plot (PDP), were utilized to identify atmospheric conditions that significantly increase the likelihood of black ice formation. The machinelearning algorithms achieved a forecasting accuracy of 90%, demonstrating reliable performance. FI analysis revealed distinct key predictors between the algorithms: relative humidity was the most critical for RF, whereas wind speed was paramount for XGBoost. The PDP analysis identified the specific atmospheric conditions under which black ice was likely to form. This study provides detailed insights into the atmospheric precursors of frost/fog-induced black ice formation. These findings enable road managers to implement proactive winter road maintenance strategies, such as optimizing anti-icing patrol routes and displaying warnings on various message signs, thereby enhancing road safety.

Due to recent increase in the number of elderly patients, there is a problem of nutritional imbalance and immune function in the elderly due to decreased ability to consume food. To solve these problems, this study was conducted to verify an immunityenhancing effect of Sagunja-tang porridge (SP) on cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced immunosuppression using an animal model. Experimental groups were set as normal control, CPA-treated group, positive control group, and SP-treated groups (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%). Except for the normal control group, experimental groups were injected with 100 μL of CPA dissolved in 0.9% NaCl at a concentration of 150 mg/kg twice at the beginning of the experiment and 3 days later to induce immunosuppression. When spleen cell proliferation was analyzed, both B and T cells were decreased in the immunosuppressed group, but increased in test substance-treated groups in a concentration-dependent manner. To see the effect of improving immunity, levels of IgA known to protect the mucosal surface were measured. Higher levels of IgA were found in SP-low concentration (SL) and SP-middle concentration (SM) groups. These results suggest that using SP might be an effective way to improve nutritional imbalance and immune function in the elderly.

Visfatin, an adipokine secreted by cells, is crucial for intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ biosynthesis. Extracellularly, visfatin plays diverse roles in inflammatory conditions, including obesity, which is closely linked to osteoclastogenesis. We previously showed that visfatin enhances receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages. However, its enzymatic activity during this process is poorly understood. Here, we investigated visfatin’s effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Our results demonstrate that visfatin promotes this differentiation, an effect inhibited by FK866, an inhibitor of visfatin’s enzymatic activity. Furthermore, FK866 also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggest that inhibiting visfatin’s enzymatic activity modulates osteoclast differentiation. Thus, visfatin plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis, both intracellularly and extracellularly, and FK866 has therapeutic potential for diseases characterized by imbalanced osteoclast formation, such as osteoporosis and periodontitis.

본 연구는 동적 밝기 변화 패턴이 포함된 시각 자극을 이용한 동공 빛 반사 기반 인터페이스 기술 개발을 그 목적으로 한 다. 동적 밝기 변화 패턴(휘도 0과 255 사이의 변화)의 시각 자극 10종을 개발하였고 3초 동안 시각 자극 패턴 변화를 응시 하는 태스크를 통해 동공 반응을 측정 및 분석했다. 하나의 trial은 10종의 시각 자극이 한 번씩 무작위의 순서로 제시되는 것으로 정의되었고, 전체 실험은 총 12 trials로 진행되어 각 시각 자극은 120회 반복되었다. 다섯 가지 딥러닝 시퀀스 모델 중 TCN이 가장 높은 성능을 나타내었고 10명의 실험 참가자에 대해 94.01±3.94%(56.64±6.01 bits/min)의 분류 성능이 확 인되었다. PLR은 사용자 학습 및 훈련이 요구되지 않는 직관적인 인터페이스 기술이고 다양한 시각 자극 패턴의 개발을 통 한 높은 확장성을 가지고 있다는 점에서 향후 그 가치가 주목되는 기술로 판단된다.

This study investigates contact-induced grammatical change with specific emphasis on the prefinal imperfectives –ang and -ag in Swahili. Strategies for marking tense and aspect in Swahili and Bantu languages have been analyzed in a number of books, book chapters and articles. Despite the incontrovertible upsurge in the use of prefinal imperfectives, particularly in communicative interactions amongst the youth in urban settings, investigations into this phenomenon are scarce. Based on naturally occurring data obtained in Nairobi, Kenya and observations and interpretations, this study attempts to analyze the morphosyntactic and semantic features of prefinal imperfectives –ang and -ag in Swahili. First, background information conducive to understanding this grammatical change is provided. This includes the standardization of Swahili and its impact on present-day Swahili, strategies to mark tense and aspect in Swahili and other Bantu languages, semantic features of imperfectivity in Swahili, the prominent roles of mimesis in acquiring a second language in contact situations, the S-curve of language change and its applicability, and the disadvantages of prescriptive grammar rules. All these key concepts and topics are interrelated, and less researched topics must be included to systemically and clearly explain language change. Accordingly, this study is designed to enhance our understanding regarding one of the aspects of grammatical change from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives.

대규모 하천의 수량(river storage) 변동으로 인해 발생하는 지각 변형을 정량적으로 평가하기 위해, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) 기반의 지각 변위 자료와 GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) 인공위성 중력 자료, 그리고 WaterGAP 수리 모형 산출 자료를 종합적으로 분석하였다. 우리는 아마존 강 유역에 대해 수로에 집중되어 분포하는 하천 수량 변동을 선 형태의 하중으로 모형화하고, 이로부터 유발되는 지각의 탄성 변형을 계산해 GNSS 관측치와 비교하였다. 이를 통해, 이 지역에서 발생하는 계절적 지각 변위 중 하천 수량 변동에 기인하 는 성분을 선 하중 모형으로 성공적으로 설명할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 원격 탐사 자료를 활용해 대규 모 하천의 수량 변동을 추정할 수 있을 뿐 아니라, 이를 토대로 GRACE가 관측하는 육상 물 저장량(terrestrial water storage, TWS)에서 토양 수분이나 지하수 변동 등의 개별 요소를 분리 및 검증할 수 있는 방법론을 제시한다. 나아가, 본 연구에서 제안된 접근법은 기후 변화로 인한 수문학적 재해 예측과 수자원 관리 등 다양한 분야에서 더욱 정교한 해석과 활용을 가능하게 할 것으로 기대된다.

This study investigated the antidiabetic activity of Salvia plebeia 70% ethanol extract (SPEE) and S. plebeia water extract (SPWE). The effects of SPEE and SPWE on adipogenesis were evaluated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oil Red O staining showed that SPEE inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Both SPEE and SPWE were analyzed for their total polyphenol contents (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, and α-glucosidase inhibition. SPEE exhibited significantly higher TPC and DPPH radical-scavenging activities than SPWE. Next, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed to assess the potential hypoglycemic effects of SPEE in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice decreased 30 min after treatment with SPEE (300 mg/kg) and SPWE (300 mg/kg). Therefore, this study provides a basis for further investigations into the clinical applications of SPEE as a preventative agent against diabetes.

목적: 본 연구는 우세안에 10%의 부등상을 유발한 상태에서, 대비감도, 입체시, 조절용이성, 폭주근점을 측정하고 안구운동과 독서 능력, 주시데이터를 정량적으로 평가하고자 하였다. 방법 : 교정시력이 양안 1.0 이상인 20대 성인 남녀 40명을 대상으로 하였다. 완전 교정한 후 우세안에 10% 부 등상 유발렌즈를 가입하고, 40 cm 거리에서 대비감도(Adult Near Contrast Test #587700), 입체시(Titmus fly test), 조절용이성(±2.00 D 플리퍼), 폭주근점을 측정하였다. 안구운동과 독서 능력 평가는 아이트래커를 이용하 여 측정하였다. 피검자와 디스플레이거리는 70 cm로 두었고, 주시 횟수, 주시시간, 평균주시시간, 홱보기 수, 홱보 기 폭, 눈 깜빡임 및 동공크기를 측정하였다. 독서 능력은 총 읽기 시간과 독서오류를 측정하였다. 결과 : 등상시와 10% 유발부등상시 상태에서 대비감도가 25, 5, 2.5%에서 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.050). 입 체시, 조절용이성, 폭주근점 모두 유발부등상시 때에 유의하게 증가 및 감소하였다(p<0.050). 안구 운동 변수 중 주시 횟수만 유발부등상시에 유의하게 증가되었다(p<0.050). 결론 : 안구 운동 평가에서는 주시, 독서오류가 유의하게 증가하였다. 10% 유발부등상시는 독서 능력을 저하시 키는 것으로 나타났다. 향후 연구에서는 자각적으로 느끼는 독서 어려움에 대한 설문이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.