• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 2016

An area comprising Juwangsan National Park and its adjacent mountains (southeastern Korean Peninsula) is a good model system for testing the effects of physical barriers to gene flows in plant populations. We predicted that plant species consisting of isolated populations are genetically more differentiated than those that are rather continuously distributed. Most populations of Sedum polytrichoides occur in four isolated valleys, and we assessed the genetic variability and structures using twelve allozyme loci in ten populations. We also compared the present results to earlier findings pertaining to the two co-occurring herbs Hylotelephium ussuriense (${\equiv}$ Sedum ussuriense) (growing only in the four isolated valleys) and S. kamtschaticum (rather continuously distributed). We found moderate levels of within-population genetic variation in S. polytrichoides ($H_{e}=0.112$). Estimates of among-population divergence in S. polytrichoides were also moderate ($F_{ST}=0.250$) and, as expected, very similar to that of H. ussuriense (0.261) but considerably higher than the variation in S. kamtschaticum (0.165). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that S. polytrichoides and H. ussuriense had higher percentages of among-valley variation (19% each) than S. kamtschaticum (4%). Most of this variation, as also indicated by the STRUCTURE program, was due to differences in genetic profiles between the two central valleys. We concluded that the genetic differences observed between species (S. kamtschaticum vs. S. polytrichoides and H. ussuriense) are mainly due to differences in their distribution within the study area.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2021

In order to monitor the occurrence of chigger mites, collectors were installed at four places: rice field, field, waterway, and grass field. Totally, 207 chigger mites belonging to 7 species were collected. Starting with 2 mites in the 5 weeks of September, a maximum of 49 mites were collected during 3 weeks of November. Totally, 81, 52, 47 and 27 mites were collected from grass field, waterways, rice field, and field, respectively. Analysis of sampling and collecting chigger mites determined that the most encountered species was Neotrombicula kwangneun (73, 35.3%), followed by Leptotrombidium palpale (46, 22.2%), N. tamiyai (41, 19.8%) and N. asakawai (27, 13.0%). The grab results of 44 wild rodents revealed Apodemus agrarius (35, 79.5%), Crocidura spp. (5, 11.4%), Craseomys regulus (2, 4.5%), and A. peninsulae (2, 4.5%; which had not been detected previously). A total of 6,628 chigger mites were collected from rodents, and the chigger index was determined to be 150.6. Chigger index was found to be highest at 234.2 in October, followed by 223.3 in November, 75.6 in April, and 66.2 in May. PCR from all chigger mite samples tested negative for the Tsutsugamushi pathogen.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2021

Commercially used disposable cups undergo fragmentation in the environment and become microplastics (MPs). These MPs can be ingested by aquatic organisms and cause a range of adverse effects. We assessed the acute and chronic toxicity of disposable cup-derived MP fragments in Daphnia magna. MP fragments were identified as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragment with a size of 33.18 ± 7.76 ㎛. The presence of three additives including 1- Propanone. 1-phenyl-3-[2-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl]-, p-Xylene and ethylbenzene was analyzed from MP fragments. The 48 h acute toxicity revealed that 20 % of immobilization and mortality were found at the highest concentration of PET MP (200 mg L^-1). The 21 d chronic toxicity revealed that PET MP fragments significantly (p < 0.05) more reduced survival rate (31 %), total offspring (52 %) in D. magna compared with control group. The developmental abnormality of offspring (3.5%) by PET MP fragments was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control groups (0.3%). These results are possibly induced by gut blocking by ingestion of MP fragments and their longer retention time. These findings indicate that the fragmentation of disposable cups (PET polymers) into small-sized MP fragments pose a significant ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying toxicity mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.575-581
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• 2018

The relationship between the body size of species and the environment has been an active research subject for many years. Until recently, studies had focused on the relationship between the body size and environment based on the ecogeographic rule for various animal groups. In this study, we examined the relationship between body size of Hyla japonica and the habitat environment in Jeju island located at the southernmost part of the Korean peninsula. We collected H. japonica from three breeding sites, Cheonji, Bonggae, and Aewol, and measured SVL, BW, and HW of the species. We also measured the altitude, longitude, latitude, annual mean temperature, and annual mean precipitation of each site to analyze the relationship between the body size and the habitat environment. The analysis results showed that there was the clear difference of the body size according to the habitat and the body size in Aewol was significantly bigger than others, while the body size in Cheonji was the smallest. The altitude was the most important environmental variable and showed a positive correlation with body size. The body size of H. japonica increased as the altitude increased, and this results were consistent with Bergmann's rule, one of the biological laws related to body size. In conclusion, the environment could affect the body size of H. japonica, and the body size has a certain direction according to the environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.714-723
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the community stability and similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Giran stream between August and September 2018, and compare results to those reported by Lee (2004). As relates to the total number of species in each taxon in 2018, 45 species were additionally discovered compared to the 2003 study; the number of EPT taxa increased by 14 species and OCH taxa increased by 18 species. The diversity and richness indexes increased while the dominance index tended to decrease. According to analysis of functional feeding groups, 11 more Gathering-collector species were found, making it the highest functional feeding group with 24 species. According to analysis of functional habitat groups, 15 more clinger species were found than in the past, making it the highest functional habitat group with 41 species. A community stability comparison showed that species belonging to 'Stability Group I' had the highest stability rate at 57.1% in 2003 and 61.5% in 2018. According to the biological water quality assessment, in 2018, the average water quality level at each survey site was 'Ia' and 'Very Good' in terms of environmental conditions. As a result of the similarity analysis between the survey points for the species that appeared, two large groups of similarities were classified (similarity group 1: 2003 sites, similarity group 2: 2018 sites).

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.477-484
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• 2022

In this study, the cartridge part of the focused ultrasound stimulation system was used as a sample to conduct a skin irritation test and a skin sensitization test through animal experiments among the tests related to GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), a medical device safety evaluation standard. The test was conducted after IACUC approval using 6 female New Zeland White Rabbits. The polar and non-polar stimulation indices were all '0.0'. In addition, in the case of skin sensitization evaluation, 30 guinea pigs approved by IACUC were divided into control and experimental groups, and all induction and induction steps were applied using the eluate itself without separate dilution of the test sample and blank test solution. As a result of the experiment, the skin reaction grade of the control animal was 0 grade, and there was no animal showing more than 1 grade in the skin reaction of the test animal. As a result of both tests, no abnormal skin symptoms were observed, and when applied to the human body to treat patients, the test materials used in the tests will investigate the stability of whether any diseases that cause skin abnormal symptoms will occur.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.703-708
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• 2022

Tables and figures in academic literature contain important and valuable information. Tables and figures represent the essence of the refined study, which is the closest to the raw dataset. If so, can researchers easily access and utilize these image data through the search system? In this study, we try to identify user perceptions and needs for image data through user and case studies. Through this study we also explore expected effects and utilizations of image search systems. It was found that the majority of researchers prefer a system that combines table and figure indexing functions with traditional search functions. They valued the provision of an advanced search function that would allow them to limit their searches to specific object types (pictures and tables). Overall, researchers discovered many potential uses of the system for indexing tables and figures. It has been shown to be helpful in finding special types of information for teaching, presentation, research and learning. It should be also noticed that the usefulness of these systems is highest when features are integrated into existing systems, seamlessly link to fulltexts, and include high-quality images with full captions. Expected effects and utilizations for user-centered image search systems are also discussed.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.867-874
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• 2023

Recently, many problems are occurring in the bee ecosystem due to rapid climate change. The decline in the bee population and changes in the flowering period are having a huge impact on the harvest of bee-keepers. Since it is impossible to continuously observe the beehives in the hive with the naked eye, most people rely on knowledge based on experience about the state of the hive.Therefore, interest is focused on smart beekeeping incorporating IoT technology. In particular, with regard to swarming, which is one of the most important parts of beekeeping, we know empirically that the swarming time can be determined by the sound of the queen bee, but there is no way to systematically analyze this with data.You may think that it can be done by simply recording the sound of the queen bee and analyzing it, but it does not solve various problems such as various noise issues around the hive and the inability to continuously record.In this study, we developed a system that records queen bee sounds in a real-time cloud system and analyzes sound patterns.After receiving real-time analog sound from the hive through multiple channels and converting it to digital, a sound pattern that was continuously output in the queen bee sound frequency band was discovered. By accessing the cloud system, you can monitor sounds around the hive, temperature/humidity inside the hive, weight, and internal movement data.The system developed in this study made it possible to analyze the sound patterns of the queen bee and learn about the situation inside the hive. Through this, it will be possible to predict the swarming period of bees or provide information to control the swarming period.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.161-200
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• 2023

The fairy tale 'The King's Ass's Ears' is a simple story about a king and a barber. The king's 'Ass's ears' is discovered by the barber, who becomes sick due to his inability to reveal the secret. He eventually confesses the secret in a deep pit and covers it with soil, but a reed grows in that spot and reveals the secret when it sways in the wind. This fairy tale is registered in Stith Thompson's narrative type AT 782 as 'King Midas and His Ass's Ears', corresponding to a well-known story of King Gyeongmun in Korea, as it is published in elementary textbooks. When something becomes conscious, its automatic mechanical tendency leads to obsolete and rigid. To avoid rigidity in our conscious life, we need continuous renewal via contact with the flow of mental events in our unconscious. From the aspect of analytical psychology, the King's 'Ass's ears' enables irrational contact with the fundamental emotions lost in the flow of life. The barber symbolizes spiritual transformation, and the reed swaying in the wind symbolizes the revelation of secretive knowledge associated with the divine. The king can hear the sound of all creation and become one with it, which was the will of the divine. The Self, as the psychic totality of an individual and paradoxically also represents the regulating center of the collective unconscious, continually seeks to merge and transform with the lost primal layer of humanity, which has now become distant and discarded due to the development of human consciousness.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2024

Bovine mastitis-associated Escherichia coli (BMEC) is considered the main causative agent of significant financial losses in the dairy industry worldwide, as it alters both the quantity and quality of milk produced and increases the rate of culling. This creates a variety of challenges for researchers, veterinarians, and farmers in understanding and determining the most effective therapies and diagnostic techniques. Subclinical mastitis is particularly concerning, as infected bovines exhibit no obvious symptoms and continue to secrete apparently normal milk over an extended period, allowing the causative pathogen, E. coli, to spread within the herd. For effective prevention, understanding the pathogenesis of mastitis through three stages invasion, infection, and inflammation is essential. To date, no clear correlation has been found between virulence factors and pathogenicity contributing to the clinical severity of BMEC. Multidrug-resistant E. coli and the evolution of novel resistance mechanisms have become concerns owing to the extensive use of antibiotics to treat mastitis. Therefore, it is vital to explore alternative controls to enhance the efficacy of BMEC treatment. Over the past 30 years, various genetic typing techniques have been used to examine the subspecies-level epidemiology of bovine mastitis. These studies have advanced our understanding of the origin, transmission pathway, population structure, and evolutionary relatedness of BMEC strains. In this review we provide an overview of BMEC, including insights into its etiology, genetic relationship, pathogenesis, and management of the disease, as well as new therapy options.