• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Plant phenomics is a technique for observing and analyzing morphological features in order to select plant varieties of excellent traits. The conventional methods is difficult to apply to the phenomics system. because the color threshold value must be manually changed according to the detection target. In this paper, we propose the convolution neural network (CNN) structure that can automatically segment plants from the background for the phenomics system. The LeafNet consists of nine convolution layers and a sigmoid activation function for determining the presence of plants. As a result of the learning using the LeafNet, we obtained a precision of 98.0% and a recall rate of 90.3% for the plant seedlings images. This confirms the applicability of the phenomics system.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Objectives: Amygdalin is abundant in the seeds of bitter almond and apricots of the Prunus genus and other rosaceous plants. Amygdalin is known to have antitussive and anticancer activities. Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is an important mechanism in cancer treatment. Methods: In the present study, we investigated whether the aqueous extract of Amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in ME-180 cervical cancer cells. For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, Western blot, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on ME-180 cervical cancer cells. Results: Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that ME-180 cells treated with Amygdalin exhibit several apoptotic features. The treatment of Amygdalin increased the Bax expression and caspase-3 enzyme activity and decreased Bcl-2 expression. Here, we have shown that Amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in ME-180 cervical cancer cells through Bax-dependent caspase-3 activation. These results suggest the possibility that Amygdalin exerts anti-tumor effect on human cervical cancer.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2019

The present study was performed to identify the nematodes recovered from the Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius brandtii, from Daejeon Metropolitan City, the Republic of Korea. Total five nematode worms were detected in the body cavities of two out of the twenty birds necropsied, and they were identified using morphological features, light and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and molecular (18S rRNA analysis) methods. The nematodes were all female Diplotriaena manipoli and had numerous eggs at different developmental stages in the uterus. The nematodes were long and slender measuring about 123-145 mm. The eight submedian cephalic papillae were arranged into four large, outer papillae and four small, inner-circle papillae. A pair of amphidal pores were located at the lateral portion of the mouth. The manubrium apex of trident was rounded and three branches of trident were bluntly rounded at the posterior ends. Using 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements, DNA analysis of nematode worms was also carried out, and they were identified to be close to the Serratospiculum tendo based on a phylogenic tree analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular characterization and SEM study of D. manipoli.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.238-247
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• 2021

Diatoms are a type of microalgae which inhabits a wide variety of environments as one of the most important primary producers of freshwater and marine ecosystems. They have been widely used as bioindicators which represent the environmental characteristics, thus proper quality control of diatom data is very important to ensure for the researches from many scientists from various different regions to have scientific unity and objectivity. At present, diatom data analysis is primarily based both on morphological features and DNA sequences of given species. Challenge for the morphology-based analysis of diatoms is the consistent species identification among different taxonomists who interpret diatom community, while challenge for the molecular analysis of diatoms to secure reliable reference data. In the present study, we have reviewed the current status of data quality control of diatom analysis in Korea as well as the world. Finally, suggestions for the better data quality control for Korean marine diatoms have been also made.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.137-145
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• 2021

Among the non-precious metal catalysts, iron-nitrogen doped carbon (Fe-N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for an alternative to Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline and acidic conditions. In this study, the nano replication method using mesoporous silica, which features tunable primary particle sizes and shape, is employed to prepare the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts with different shapes. Platelet SBA-15, irregular KIT-6, and spherical silica particle (SSP) were selected as a template to generate three different kinds of shapes of the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalyst. Physicochemical properties of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts are characterized by using small-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy images. According to the electrochemical evaluation, there is no morphological preference of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts toward the ORR activity with half-cell configuration under alkaline electrolyte. By implementing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of Fe and N atoms in the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts, it is possible to verify that the activity towards ORR highly depends on the portions of "Fe-N" species in the catalysts regardless of the shape of catalysts. It was suggested that active site distribution in the Fe-N/C is one important factor towards ORR activity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2021

Objective : Classification systems for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) have traditionally focused on the morphological characteristics of ossification. Although the classification describes many clinical features associated with the shape of the ossification, including the concept of spondylosis seems necessary because of the similarity in age distribution. Methods : Patients diagnosed with OPLL who presented with increase signal intensity (ISI) on magnetic resonance imaging were surgically treated in our department. The patients were divided into two groups (pure versus degenerative) according to the presence of disc degeneration. Results : Of 141 patients enrolled in this study, more than half (61%) were classified into the degenerative group. The pure group showed a profound male predominance, early presentation of myelopathy, and a different predilection for ISI compared to the degenerative group. The mean canal compromise ratio (CC) of the ISI was 47% in the degenerative group versus 61% in the pure group (p<0.0000). On the contrary, the global and segment motions were significantly larger in the degenerative group (p<0.0000 and p=0.003, respectively). The canal diameters and global angles did not differ between groups. Conclusion : Classifying cervical OPLL based on the presence of combined disc degeneration is beneficial for understanding the disorder's behavior. CC appears to be the main factor in the development of myelopathy in the pure group, whereas additional dynamic factors appear to affect its development in the degenerative group.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.695-699
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• 2020

Present study was performed to know the infection status of Gnathostoma sp. larvae in swamp eels from Cambodia. We purchased total 30 Asian swamp eels, Monopterus albus, from local markets in Pursat and Takeo Provinces and Phnom Penh on May and November 2017 and May 2018. All collected eels were transferred to our laboratory with ice and each of them was examined by artificial digestion method. A total of 15 larval gnathostomes (1-5 larvae) were detected from 55.6% (5/9) swamp eels in Pursat Province. No larval gnathostomes were found in 21 swamp eels in Takeo Province and Phnom Penh. The advanced third-stage larvae (AdL3) detected were 2.575-3.825 (3.250) mm in length and 0.375-0.425 (0.386) mm in width. They had the characteristic head bulb (av. 0.104×0.218 mm) with 4 rows of hooklets, long muscular esophagus (1.048 mm), and 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.615 mm). The number of hooklets in 4 rows on the head bulb was 41, 44, 47, and 50. In scanning electron microscopy, characteristic features were 4 rows of hooklets on the head bulb, cervical papillae, tegumental spines regularly arranged in transverse striations, and anus. The larval gnathostomes were identified as AdL3 of Gnathostoma spinigerum based on the morphological characters. By the present study, it has been confirmed that G. spinigerum larvae are infected in Asian swamp eels, M. albus, in Pursat Province, Cambodia.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2021

In this paper, methods for improving the sensitivity of gas sensors to NO₂ gas are presented. A gas sensor was fabricated based on an SnO₂ nanowire network using the vapor-phase-growth method. In the gas sensor, the Au electrode was replaced with a fluorinedoped tin oxide (FTO) electrode, to achieve high sensitivity at low temperatures and concentrations. The gas sensor with the FTO electrode was more sensitive to NO₂ gas than the sensor with the Au electrode: notably, both sensors were based on typical SnO₂ nanowire network. When the Au electrode was replaced by the FTO electrode, the sensitivity improved, as the contact resistance decreased and the surface-to-volume ratio increased. The morphological features of the fabricated gas sensor were characterized in detail via field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2021

Purpose: Sex determination can be done by morphological analysis of different parts of the body. The mastoid region, with its anatomical location at the skull base, is ideal for sex identification. Statistical shape analysis provides a simultaneous comparison of geometric information on different shapes in terms of size and shape features. This study aimed to investigate the geometric morphometry of the inter-mastoid triangle as a tool for sex determination in the Iranian population. Materials and Methods: The coordinates of 5 landmarks on the mastoid process on the 80 cone-beam computed tomographic images(from individuals aged 17-70 years, 52.5% female) were registered and digitalized. The Cartesian x-y coordinates were acquired for all landmarks, and the shape information was extracted from the principal component scores of generalized Procrustes fit. The t-test was used to compare centroid size. Cross-validated discriminant analysis was used for sex determination. The significance level for all tests was set at 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference in the mastoid size and shape between males and females(P<0.05). The first 2 components of the Procrustes shape coordinates explained 91.3% of the shape variation between the sexes. The accuracy of the discriminant model for sex determination was 88.8%. Conclusion: The application of morphometric geometric techniques will significantly impact forensic studies by providing a comprehensive analysis of differences in biological forms. The results demonstrated that statistical shape analysis can be used as a powerful tool for sex determination based on a morphometric analysis of the inter-mastoid triangle.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

Tephrochronology is the study of tephra layers to correlate and date geologic events. As tephra layers can be used as time-markers, they are essential for the dating of Quaternary deposits. In this study, two types of tephra layers were found in the upper and lower parts of marine terrace deposits distributed in the Sanha-dong and Jeongja-dong, Ulsan areas. Based on the morphological features of glass shards, refractive indices, major element compositions, and similarity coefficients, the upper and lower tephras were identified as AT (ca. 25 ka) and Ata (ca. 105-110 ka) tephra, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first official report of Ata tephra on terrestrial deposits in Korea. These results are expected to aidin the research of the Quaternary paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and active faults in the southeastern part of Korea.