• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1817-1826
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• 2022

Public concern on the methods of raising food-producing animals has increased, especially in the last two decades, leading to voluntary and mandated changes in the animal production methods. The primary objective of these changes is to improve the welfare of farm animals. The use of gestational stalls is currently a major welfare issue in swine production. Several studies assessed the welfare of alternative housing systems for gestating sows. A comparative study was performed with gestating sows housed in either individual stalls or in groups in a pen with an electronic sow feeder. This review assessed the welfare of each housing system using physiological, behavioral, and reproductive performance criteria. The current review identified clear advantages and disadvantages of each housing system. Individual stall housing allowed each sow to be given an individually tailored diet without competition, but the sows had behavioral restrictions and showed stereotypical behaviors (e.g., bar biting, nosing, palate grinding, etc.). Group-housed sows had increased opportunities to display such behavior (e.g., ability to move around and social interactions); however, a higher prevalence of aggressive behavior, especially first mixing in static group type, caused a negative impact on longevity (more body lesions, scratch and bite injuries, and lameness, especially in subordinate sows). Conclusively, a more segmented and diversified welfare assessment could be beneficial for a precise evaluation of each housing system for sows. Further efforts should be made to reduce aggression-driven injuries and design housing systems (feeding regimen, floor, bedding, etc.) to improve the welfare of group-housed sows.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-75
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• 2022

Purpose: Osteoporosis is a common calcium and metabolic skeletal disease which is characterized by decreased bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue and impaired bone strength, thereby leading to enhanced risk of bone fragility. In this study, we aimed to identify novel genes for susceptibility to osteoporosis and/or bone density. Materials and Methods: To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and osteoporosis-induced cells, annealing control primer-based differential display reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Expression levels of the identified DEGs were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Association studies for the quantitative bone density analysis and osteoporosis case-control analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were performed in Korean women (3,570 subjects) from the Korean Association REsource (KARE) study cohort. Results: Comparison analysis of expression levels of the identified DEGs by quantitative RT-PCR found seven genes, Anxa6, Col5a1, Col6a2, Eno1, Myof, Nfib, and Scara5, that showed significantly different expression between the dexamethason-treated and untreated MC3T3-E1 cells and between the ovariectomized osteoporosis-induced mice and sham mice. Association studies revealed that there was a significant association between the SNPs in the five genes, ANXA6, COL5A1, ENO1, MYOF, and SCARA5, and bone density and/or osteoporosis. Conclusion: Using a whole-genome comparative expression analysis, gene expression evaluation analysis, and association analysis, we found five genes that were significantly associated with bone density and/or osteoporosis. Notably, the association P-values of the SNPs in the ANXA6 and COL5A1 genes were below the Bonferroni-corrected significance level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.256-261
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• 2024

In the context of aging, the susceptibility to infectious diseases increases, leading to heightened morbidity and mortality. This phenomenon, termed immunosenescence, is characterized by dysregulation in the aging immune system, including abnormal alterations in lymphocyte composition, elevated basal inflammation, and the accumulation of senescent T cells. Such changes contribute to increased autoimmune diseases, enhanced infection severity, and reduced responsiveness to vaccines. Utilizing aging animal models becomes imperative for a comprehensive understanding of immunosenescence, given the complexity of aging as a physiological process in living organisms. Our investigation focuses on Cisd2, a causative gene for Wolfram syndrome, to elucidate on immunosenescence. Cisd2 knockout (KO) mice, serving as a model for premature aging, exhibit a shortened lifespan with early onset of aging-related features, such as decreased bone density, hair loss, depigmentation, and optic nerve degeneration. Intriguingly, we found that the Cisd2 KO mice present a higher number of neutrophils in the blood; however, isolated neutrophils from these mice display functional defects. Through mass spectrometry analysis, we identified an interaction between Cisd2 and Calnexin, a protein known for its role in protein quality control. Beyond this function, Calnexin also regulates calcium homeostasis through interaction with sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA). Our study proposes that Cisd2 modulates calcium homeostasis via its interaction with Calnexin and SERCA, consequently influencing neutrophil functions.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.215-229
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• 2024

Guyed mast structures exhibit characteristics such as high flexibility, low mass, small damping ratio, and large aspect ratio, leading to a complex wind-induced vibration response mechanism. This study analyzed the time- and frequency-domain characteristics of the wind-induced response of a guyed mast structure using measured acceleration response data obtained from the Shenzhen Meteorological Gradient Tower (SZMGT). Firstly, 734 sets of 1-hour acceleration samples measured from 0:00 October 1, 2021, to 0:00 November 1, 2021, were selected to study the vibration shapes of the mast and the characteristics of the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. Secondly, six sets of typical samples with different vibration intensities were further selected to explore the Gaussian property and modal parameter characteristics of the mast. Finally, the modal parameters of the SZMGT are identified and the identification results are verified by finite element analysis. The findings revealed that the guyed mast vibration shape exhibits remarkable diversity, which increases nonlinearly along the height in most cases and reaches a maximum at the top of the tower. Moreover, the GEV distribution characteristics of the 734 sets of samples are closer to the Weibull distribution. The probability distribution of the structural wind vibration response under strong wind is in good agreement with the Gaussian distribution. The structural response of the mast under wind loading exhibits multiple modes. As the structural response escalates, the first three orders of modal energy in the tower display a gradual increase in proportion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 2015

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment and Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) are typical equipment which help seafarers to obtain information for ship's safe navigation. In this study, a survey on using of GMDSS equipment and ECDIS was conducted on a total of 260 ship masters and crew who have been working on ocean-going vessels. The subjects were asked about the usage, and level and reason of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of GMDSS equipment and ECDIS, the leading navigational system from which they receive information. The survey showed that the third- and fourth-most frequently used equipment, MF/HF and INMARSAT (telex), were deemed to be the second- and third-most useless equipment. It means that the frequency of device usage is not proportionate to the level of navigational safety. Especially, 'ease of device use (42.3%)' and 'necessity of the provided information (50%)' were highlighted as factors increasing the level of satisfaction with the system. The survey result shows that ship safety cannot be realized by only adopting advanced systems, technology and services. It emphasizes the need to consider the level of 'accessibility and appropriateness of the information' and 'ease of device use'. Discussions implemented by the IMO on various policies and regulations are aimed at securing ship safety. In order to achieve the goal, such institutions should be validated by end-users and relevant studies should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2020

Objectives : This study investigated lifetime experiences of trauma, treatment retention, and psychiatric symptoms among outpatients with panic disorder after initiation of pharmacotherapy. Our research hypothesis was that panic patients with childhood trauma would display more severe symptoms and less treatment retention compared to those without such history. Methods : A total of 135 first-visit outpatients with DSM-IV panic disorder were approached during the period from March 2012 to August 2016. Fifty-three patients (39%) either refused or returned incomplete questionnaires, leading to a final sample size of 82. Participants completed the Trauma History Screen, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Abbreviated PTSD checklist. Results : The number of lifetime trauma was significantly correlated with treatment retention (rho=-0.269, p=0.015). Among subtypes of trauma, only childhood physical abuse was significantly correlated with treatment retention (rho=-0.298, p=0.007). Conclusions : Our results indicated that psychological trauma, particularly of an interpersonal nature from childhood, can affect pharmacotherapy treatment retention in panic disorder. This may be mediated by poor patient-doctor relationships originating from trust issues among childhood trauma survivors or lack of perceived improvement due to the more severe symptoms and unfavorable course experienced by those with childhood trauma. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons for poor treatment adherence in this population.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.02a
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• pp.855-861
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• 2009

This paper presents the concept of dynamically reconfigurable space by introducing smart building components. Thanks to the advances in ubiquitous computing and ITC technology, we are able to expect, in the near future, the aspects of future buildings which may transform their appearance and states to perform specific functions. In other words, it is certain that the building space will actively reconfigure itself to accommodate user's needs once we acquire proper technologies. Based on the assumption that building components may not be transformed through the magical process, but change its physical states (e.g. transparency, illumination, display contents, etc.) and functions of embedded devices (e.g. audio, actuators, sensors, etc.), we can envision a dynamically reconfigurable smart space. In order to conceptualize such spaces, critical surveys have been conducted on current works of leading architects. When the room needs to be used as a specific function room, the components need to change theirs states or to behave in a certain manner to create an optimum environment. Our model defines the relationships and elements to describe the mechanism of reconfigurable space. We expect this model provides a conceptual guideline for developing a smart building components based on spatial service scenarios. Therefore, a future smart spaces implemented by integrating various technologies are not designed in deterministic manner, so that spatial functions are expanded without constrained by physical existence.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.20 no.2 s.70
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• pp.169-174
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• 2005

Traditionally, keyboards have been one of the most frequently used input devices for information processing using computers. As most computers adopt the Microsoft Windows for their operating system however, the usage of mouse has recently increased to a great extent. Moreover, the mouse has been used as the leading input device in such areas as industrial design and computer aided design. Excessive uses of mouse may cause a severe pain and fatigue on neck and upper limb due to the intensive and repetitive use of corresponding muscles, which renders a decline in efficiency and leads to musculoskeletal disorders. The main purpose of this study is to find the best working conditions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders when using mouse in a neutral posture. Utilizing electromyogram amplitude and Borg's scale, the role change and strength imposed on the muscles were measured and analyzed with and without the forearm support concerned. Also investigated were the effects of changes in elbow forearm supporter.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2002

Streptomycetes is a group of Gram-positive soil bacteria that growas a branching vegetative mycelium leading to the formation of spores, and display a physiological differenti-ation related to the synthesis of many secondary metabolites including antibiotics. Their complex life cycle and multicellular differentiation require various levels of regulation and types of signal transduction systems including eukaryotic-type serine/threonine protein kinases and prokaryotic-type histidine/aspartic acid protein kinases. Akt kinase that was found in cells is a sorine/threonine kinase controlling signal pathway for multi-tude of important cellular events. The activation or inactivation of Akt kinase in the cell is one of the critical regulatory points to deliver cell proliferation, differentiation, survival or apoptosis signal. To find the regula-tory protein homologous to Akt in Streptomyces, the fluorescien-labeled synthetic peptide (FITC-TRRSR-TESIT) was designed from the consensus sequence of target proteins for Akt kinase. From the difference of the mobility between the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated synthetic peptides on Agarose gel electro-phoresis, the Akt-phosphorylating activity was monitored. The cell-free extract prepared from Streptomyces griseus IFO 13350 and the Akt homologous protein was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and many steps of column chromatographies such as, DEAE-Sepharose, Mono Q, Resource Phenyl-Soporose and Gel permeation column chromatographies. As a result, the protein phosphorylating the fluorescien-labeled Akt substrate was identified and it's molecular weight was estimated as 39 kDa on SDS-PAGE.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.65-75
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• 2017

As a 360-degree image carries information of all directions, it often has too much information. Moreover, in order to investigate a 360-degree image on a 2D display, a user has to either click and drag the image with a mouse, or project it to a 2D panorama image, which inevitably introduces severe distortions. In consequence, investigating a 360-degree image and finding an object of interest in such a 360-degree image could be a tedious task. To resolve this issue, this paper proposes a method to find a region of interest and produces a 2D naturally looking image from a given 360-degree image that best matches a description given by a user in a natural language sentence. Our method also considers photo composition so that the resulting image is aesthetically pleasing. Our method first converts a 360-degree image to a 2D cubemap. As objects in a 360-degree image may appear distorted or split into multiple pieces in a typical cubemap, leading to failure of detection of such objects, we introduce a modified cubemap. Then our method applies a Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network based object detection method to find a region of interest with a given natural language sentence. Finally, our method produces an image that contains the detected region, and also has aesthetically pleasing composition.