The balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC.) is a medicinal and perennial flowering plant. Jangback is an important white-flower type balloon flower cultivar registered in South Korea, but no molecular marker was available to differentiate it from other white-flower lines. Therefore, we evaluated five P. grandiflorum white-flower lines and identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) derived from the chloroplast TrnL-F genomic sequence that specifically differentiated Jangback from the other four genotypes. Cultivar identification was achieved by detecting allelic variations of the SNP using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) analysis and high resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis. The present study describes a rapid and reliable method to authenticate the medicinally and economically valuable white-flower Jangback cultivar. Our results indicate that the plastid TrnL-F region provides for marker assisted identification and selection in intraspecific polymorphism studies, thereby the identified SNP marker provides a robust tool along with ARMS-PCR and HRM curve analysis for rapid and efficient identification of the medicinally valuable Jangback cultivar.

To identify viruses and compare their abundance levels in the venom glands of hymenopteran species, we conducted venom gland-specific transcriptome assemblies and analyses of 22 Aculeate bees and wasps and identified the RNA genomes of picornaviruses. Additionally, we investigated the expression patterns of viruses in the venom glands over time following capture. Honeybee-infecting viruses, including black queen cell virus (BQCV), deformed wing virus (DWV), and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), were highly expressed in the venom glands of Apis mellifera and social wasps. This finding suggests that the venoms of bees and wasps likely contain these viruses, which can be transmitted horizontally between species through their stinger usage. A. mellifera exhibited an increasing pattern of abundance levels for BQCV, DWV, IAPV, and Triatovirus, while the social wasp Vespa crabro showed increasing abundance levels of IAPV and Triatovirus over different capture periods. This suggests that the venom glands of honeybees and wasps may provide suitable conditions for active viral replication and may be an organ for virus accumulation and transmission. Some viral sequences clearly reflected the phylogeny of Aculeate species, implying host-specific virus evolution. On the other hand, other viruses exhibited unique evolutionary patterns of phylogeny, possibly caused by specific ecological interactions. Our study provides insights into the composition and evolutionary properties of viral genes in the venom glands of certain Aculeate bees and wasps, as well as the potential horizontal transmission of these viruses among bee and wasp species.

Spodoptera eridania and S. ornithogalli (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which are polyphagous pests that damage various crops such as tomatoes and beans are regulated quarantine species that are highly likely to invade South Korea. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly and accurately identify the presence of S. eridania and S. ornithogalli in crop fields to effectively eradicate as a regulated quarantine species. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which allows for rapid in-field identification. To develop the LAMP　assay, we selected target species-specific genomic regions from the whole-genome sequences of one target and 13 other lepidopteran species. We validated each five and six primer sets that consistently produced positive reactions in S. eridania and S. ornithogalli, respectively. To test the sensitivity of the each locus, LAMP reactions were performed using various reaction times using crude DNA, which was extracted from various types of adult tissues. All sensitivity tests were also successful.

Background: Although warm-ups before exercise are widely accepted, research on sex differences in improving hamstring flexibility is limited. Differences in the physical and physiological characteristics between males and females may result in different responses to warm-ups. Objects: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the effects of specific warm-up on hamstring flexibility. Methods: This study included 24 young adults with hamstring tightness. The participants performed five maximal knee extensions and flexions at 90° flexion of the hip, and the maximal knee extension angle was measured in real-time using a smartphone clinometer application. Results: The groups did not significantly affect the maximal knee extension angle but showed a significant effect for repetition (p = 0.002) and group-repetition interaction (p = 0.002). Males had no significant change in hamstring flexibility; however, females showed a significant increase in flexibility in the 5th trial compared with the 1st trial (p = 0.041). These results demonstrated sex-specific differences in flexibility improvement over time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that specific warm-up can successfully improve hamstring flexibility in females. This may be due to various factors, such as muscle stiffness of the lower extremity, estrogen levels, and temperature sensitivity. In clinical settings, specific warm-up might be helpful for females who participate in sports or activities, such as running or jumping, which require a full range of motion in the hip and knee joints.

This longitudinal study examined how an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teacher transformed her teacher identity over time. Hinging on the close relationship between teaching and identity construction, this study was grounded on the notion that teaching a language is becoming a person who teaches it (Benson, 2017). Data were collected through six face-to-face interviews and six electronic interviews with the teacher during a four-year period. Findings demonstrate that becoming an ESP teacher is a complex process of constructing and negotiating identities. The teacher started ESP teaching as a scared general English teacher, and then negotiated her identities as a struggling but hardworking collaborator and learner. Later, she positioned herself as a novice ESP teacher, and then finally constructed her identity as a competent, helpful ESP teacher. Significant factors affecting identity transformation include needs analysis, enhanced subject matter knowledge, capacity to develop teaching materials, and teacher agency. Based on these findings, this study suggests implications for ESP teacher education programs.

The characteristics and spore production of Gonji7ho, Bunhong, and Sunjung fruiting bodies were assessed at different growth stages. The shape of the Pleurotus species fruiting body starts out short and small, then takes on a typical mushroom shape as it grows. Gonji7ho has a long stalk, Bunhong has a short stalk and a wide cap, and Sunjung's cap and stalk dimensions are intermediate. Each variety displayed deep color at the beginning of growth but became steadily lighter with continued growth. The shape of the linkage between the mushroom stalk and cap changed from an initial central position to a lateral position after the growing stage. Gonji7ho cap diameter increased 7-fold from 15.5 mm (5 days of growth) to 37.9 mm (9 days of growth). Growth rates for each growth day measured using the growth percentage of the previous day were 285.5% (5 → 6th day), 182.2% (6 → 7th day), 129.4% (7 → 8th day), and 103.8% (8 → 9th day). This trend was also observed in Bunhong and Sunjung, but Bunhong’s growth rate was more rapid (4.9 fold on day 6, 2.7 fold on day 7) and continued to increase through day 9. Harvest yield, which is of greatest interest to farmers, displayed a similar trend spanning the growth period, as did cap diameter. Gonji7ho harvest yield increased rapidly until day 7 of growth (more than 177%), then growth slowed down beginning around day 8, and further decreased on day 9 (98%). Similar trends were observed in Bunhong and Sunjung. Bunhong showed characteristic rapid growth in harvest yield (4.9 fold compared to the previous day on day 6 and 2.7 fold on day 7), and the increase continued through day 9. A decrease in mushroom harvest yield commonly seen in the late growth stage is thought to be due to the death of some mushrooms and decomposition of cap tissue. Basidiospore content increased with number of growth days but decreased after day 8. Gonji7ho yielded the highest production on day 7 of growth, coinciding with harvest time, with 209,000,000 spores. This trend was also observed in Bunhong and Sunjung. These results will provide researchers with basal data and guide farmers in selecting the optimal harvest day.

Purpose: This case aims to present basic data needed to improve cognitive function and quality of care for aged with dementia. Methods: A total of ten sessions were organized and operated once a week for 12 aged with dementia using the center. Data collection was conducted from July 27 to September 30, 2022. Data analysis was conducted through observational evaluation of participation, satisfaction, and performance of each individual and in-depth interviews at the end of the program. Results: Among the 12 subjects who participated in the quality improvement program, an average of 8.4 subjects in each session showed high levels of participation and satisfaction. On the other hand, the performance level was low, with an average of 6.9 subjects per session. In the in-depth interview, two concepts were confirmed: ‘regrets about the past’ and ‘satisfaction with present life.’ Conclusions: We hope that the results of this case report will be useful in developing a multifaceted cognitive therapy program to improve the cognitive function of aged with dementia in the future.

교통안전특정해역은 해사안전법에 따라 설정되어 대형 해양사고를 막고 수 역 안전 및 항행 안전을 확보하는 목적을 지니고 있다. 하지만, 설정 범위에 있 어 국제법과 행정상의 원칙에 저촉되는 사안이 있다. 먼저, 바다의 헌법이라 불리는 해양법에 관한 국제연합협약(유엔해양법협약) 에 따른 접속수역에 교통안전특정해역이 설정되어 있으며 접속수역이 갖는 관 할권을 기준으로 본다면 교통안전특정해역과 관련된 모든 법령이 저촉되는 것은 아니지만, 대부분 법령이 저촉된다는 점을 알 수 있다. 특히 접속수역에서 보장되는 항행의 자유에 대한 침해가 주요한 문제라고 볼 수 있다. 이에 대한 해결방안으로 설정 수역 범위를 영해 내로 축소하거나 수역 안전 확보라는 공 익적 목적을 근거로 주변국의 인정을 받는 방법을 제시하였다. 또한, 행정기본법에 따른 비례의 원칙에 따라 울산구역과 포항구역을 살펴보 면 입법목적에 부합하지 않고 필요 이상으로 범위를 설정하여 공익 달성 없이 사익이 침해받는 구역이 있다. 이에 대한 해결방안으로 울산구역의 경우 거대 선 및 위험화물 운반선의 통항이 없는 저수심 구역의 제외를 제시하고, 포항구 역의 경우 실제 통항량이 존재하는 영일만 내로 범위를 한정하거나 혹은 유조 선통항금지구역 내로 범위를 한정하는 것을 제시하였다.

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.

국내 유입 가능성이 높은 검역 관리해충인 Spodoptera eridania 및 S. ornithogalli는 전 세계적으로 토마토, 콩 등 여러 종의 작물을 가해하는 광식성 해충이다. 이에 따라 국내 유입 시 해당 작물에 높은 경제적 피해를 입힐 가능성 이 있으므로 신속 정확한 진단이 필요한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 상기 두 종을 대상으로 현장 활용이 가능한 LAMP 진단법 개발을 수행하였다. 표적종 두 종 및 비표적종 11종(국내 발생 Spodoptera 종 및 동일 기주 가해종 등)의 전장유전체 정보를 확보한 후 비교 분석을 통해 각 표적종 별 특이적 영역을 확보한 후 해당 영역을 대상으로 LAMP 프라이머를 제작하였다. DNA 농도 10 ng/μL, 반응시간 40분을 기준으로 LAMP 진단을 수행한 결과, Spodoptera eridania는 5개의 LAMP 진단 마커를 개발하였고, S. ornithogalli는 3개의 LAMP 진단 마커를 개발하였다.

The striped fruit fly (SFF), Zeugodacus scutellata, is an agricultural pest species with a strong and rapid reproductive ability that can cause significant harm. To control the population of these kind of pests, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is being used as one of the effective methods. SIT involves the introduction of sexually transmitted factors that reduce the reproductive capacity of males. This study shows that knocking down the testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (Zs-Tssk1) gene alters male fertility and male-initiated types of communication. Since Zs-Tssk1 influences the physiology of the testes, spermatogenesis is also affected, which in turn alters the lifespan of Zs-Tssk1 knock down group in comparison with the control. Based on these results, Zs-Tssk1 may be crucial in reproductive function, and its down-regulation may be helpful in controlling SFF through SIT.

This research investigates the impact of specific emotions in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on the monthly donations received by a non-profit organization (NPO). We employ the empathy-helping (empathy-altruism) hypothesis as a theoretical foundation, proposing that donation motivations should inform eWOM fundraising appeals. To do so, we analyzed 71,462 tweets about a charity from 23,430 users, categorizing them as either marketer-generated content (MGC) or user-generated content (UGC). To automatically detect six distinct emotions in the text, we utilized a transformer-transfer learning approach for emotion detection. This model was trained in a sequential manner, starting with self-reported emotions in over 3.6 million tweets and progressing to socially agreed-upon emotion datasets to mimic social-emotional development stages. Our findings revealed that emotions prompting empathy (such as sadness in MGC) and positive empathy (like joy in UGC) positively influence donation amounts in line with the empathy-helping hypothesis. We offer insights on how social media marketers can leverage these results to create and manage tweets that boost donations. This study contributes to marketing research and practice in three ways: (1) by being the first, to our knowledge, to examine the effect of specific emotions in eWOM on donation decisions, (2) by introducing a novel machine learning model capable of detecting emotions in large-scale eWOM, and (3) by providing actionable recommendations for NPOs to increase donations via emotionally driven social media messaging. As a result, marketing managers can more effectively use social media platforms to foster emotional connections between NPOs and donors.

Background: Mobilization movements was applied with different forces and frequencies for different clinicians. Force transmission varies with frequency. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of frequency- specific application of grade III PA movement on muscle tone and muscle activity around the lumbar vertebrae. Design: A one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Twenty study subjects applied grades III of PA movement exercise of 0.5 Hz and 1 Hz with a force of 13 N around the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae, and muscle tone and muscle activity were measured and compared before and after. Results: This study showed that 0.5 Hz grade III PA activity exerted an effect on the decrease in muscle tone of the 1st and 3rd right and left lumbar muscles. It was found that 0.5 Hz affected the right side of L1 and 1.0 Hz affected the left side of L1 in near-activity when applying the grade III PA movement by frequency. Conclusion: In the future, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of applying frequency according to various grades of PA movement.

Screening of Bacillus subtilis strains capable of producing extracellular hydrolases, including lipolytic enzyme was carried out. Within the scope of this study, total 61 strains were isolated from various domestic specific environmental samples such as seawater, soil, Jeju ranch, hot spring, salt farm, and fermented food and identified as Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rRNA sequences. Among the isolates, 4 strains had extracellular lipase activity. The growth profile of the strains revealed that 4 strains showed well growth at 50℃, 3 strains at 55℃, and pH 7.0. All strains could tolerate salinity up to 5%(w/v), 3 strains up to 10%(w/v), and only one strain showed growth at 15%(w/v). Additionally, amylolytic and proteolytic activities were detected in these strains. The highest lipolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic activity was detected in Bacillus subtilis YS-YR 5A. These results demonstrate the potential application of extracellular hydrolase-producing Bacillus subtilis strains, especially strain YS-YR 5A, as fermentation starter to enhance the functionality and multiplication of functional natural products in the food/medicine/cosmetics/bio industries.

The effects of an individual effective dose from radioactive contamination that will remain during site reuse after the decommissioning of nuclear facilities is generally assessed using the RESRAD code. The calculated results should meet the site reuse criteria presented by regulators, 0.25 mSv/yr in the United States and 0.1 mSv/yr in Korea. After completion of decommissioning, the dose is not subject to measurement, resulting in Derived Concentration Guideline Level (DCGL) remaining at the site that is practically consistent with the dose criteria. In order to assess dose using the RESRAD code, various requirements will need to be considered and determined, where the selection of input parameters is one of the important factors in the dose assessment. In addition, appropriate selection of site-specific parameters is important to reflect the site characteristics of each decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Therefore, this study intends to analyze the impact of site-specific parameters by referring to the cases of overseas decommissioned NPPs. In order to evaluate doses using RESRAD code, a site reuse scenario must first be selected. In general, in the case of unrestricted reuse, the resident farmer scenario can be applied, so the resident farmer scenario was also selected in this study. In addition, once a resident farmer scenario is selected, input parameters are selected according to the scenario, and the input parameter inputs a single value or distribution according to the deterministic or probabilistic evaluation method. Therefore, since this study is to evaluate the effect on site-specific parameters, a single value was applied as a deterministic evaluation method. For the 10 site-specific parameters considered in overseas cases, the difference was set twice using the F9 function key in the RESRAD code and the results were analyzed. In this study, we used prior research data targeting domestic nuclear facility for sensitivity analysis. Related parameters include the category of contamination layer, soil, water transport, ingestion, and occupancy. The parameters that appeared as the greatest influence among the 10 parameters were different in radionuclide on the contaminated zone. We showed the changes according to the difference in input parameters was presented using the graph provided by the RESRAD code. As a result, in the evaluation for Co-60 in this study, no significant change was observed. However, in case of H-3, several parameters values were changed, indicating that the effect on dose will be different depending on the site characteristics of the nuclear facilities.