• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2024

As the number of passenger ship users increases each year, the importance of traffic safety for passenger ship routes is becoming more prominent. A passenger ship is a multi-use vessel frequented by numerous individuals, and special attention to safety is imperative. To prevent and mitigate large-scale damage, preparedness for marine traffic accidents is crucial. Although significant efforts are being made to reduce accidents caused by floating objects in the ocean, such incidents have not significantly decreased. This study presents the results of a theoretical review on the technology for identifying floating objects using hyperspectral cameras. The effectiveness and usability of drone technology were also assessed. Additionally, the functionalities of polarization filters and hyperspectral cameras were evaluated. The study concluded that hyperspectral imaging technology is applicable for identifying floating objects and that future research should measure the degree of light reflection at sea level and further explore the inherent light wavelength emissions from these objects.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.270-280
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• 2024

Trichomoniasis is caused by a sexually transmitted flagellate protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis-derived secretory products (TvSP) contain lipid mediators such as leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and various cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) which included LTC₄, LTD₄, and LTE₄. However, the signaling mechanisms by which T. vaginalis-induced CysLTs stimulate interleukin (IL)-8 production in human mast cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated these mechanisms in human mast cells (HMC-1). Stimulation with TvSP resulted in increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation compared to unstimulated cells. Pre-treatment with NOX2 inhibitors such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) or apocynin significantly reduced ROS production in TvSP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Additionally, TvSP stimulation increased NOX2 protein expression and the translocation of p47^phox from the cytosol to the membrane. Pretreatment of HMC-1 cells with PI3K or PKC inhibitors reduced TvSP-induced p47^phox translocation and ROS generation. Furthermore, NOX2 inhibitors or NOX2 siRNA prevented CREB phosphorylation and IL-8 gene expression or protein secretion induced by TvSP. Pretreatment with a CysLTR antagonist significantly inhibited TvSP-induced ROS production, CREB phosphorylation, and IL-8 production. These results indicate that CysLT-mediated activation of NOX2 plays a crucial role in ROS-dependent IL-8 production in human mast cells stimulated by T. vaginalis-secreted CysLTs. These findings enhance our understanding of the inflammatory response in trichomoniasis and may inform the development of targeted therapies to mitigate this response.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2024

Toxoplasma gondii, a common protozoan parasite, poses significant public health risks due to its potential to cause toxoplasmosis in humans and can be contracted from pigs, which are considered its critical intermediate host. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of T. gondii in slaughtered pigs for human consumption, emphasizing the zoonotic implications and the need for improved biosecurity and monitoring practices in pig farming. A total of 1,526 pig samples (1,051 whole blood samples and 384 lung tissue samples from the local slaughterhouse and 91 aborted fetus samples from local farms) were collected throughout the whole country of Korea in 2020. Among them, 6 (0.4%) were found to be infected with T. gondii by nested PCR. When compared by sample type, the prevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in the aborted fetus samples (2.2%, 2/91) than in the blood (0.3%, 3/1,051) and lung tissue samples (0.3%, 1/384). The B1 gene sequence of T. gondii was similar (97.9-99.8%) to that of the other T. gondii isolates. This study represents the first molecular genotyping survey of T. gondii in the lung tissue of fattening pigs and aborted fetuses in Korea. Our findings indicated the importance of adopting preventive measures including the implementation of rigorous farm hygiene protocols and the promotion of public awareness about the risks of consuming undercooked pork. By addressing the gaps in current control strategies and encouraging the One Health approach, this study contributes to the development of more effective strategies to mitigate the transmission of T. gondii from pigs to humans, ultimately safeguarding public health.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.601-610
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• 2024

Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is metabolized through hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP), specifically CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C11. Prolonged administration of rheumatoid arthritis medications is generally associated with an increased risk of renal toxicity. Loganin (LGN), an iridoid glycoside, has hepatorenal regenerative properties. This study investigates the potential of LGN to mitigate acute kidney injury (AKI) and its effects on the pharmacokinetics of tofacitinib in rats with cisplatin-induced AKI. Both intravenous and oral administration of tofacitinib to AKI rats significantly increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC) compared with control (CON) rats, an increase attributed to the decelerated non-renal clearance (CL_NR) and renal clearance (CL_R) of tofacitinib. Administration of LGN to AKI rats, however, protected kidneys from severe impairment, restoring the pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, CL_NR, and CL_R) of tofacitinib to those observed in untreated CON rats, with partial recovery of kidney function, as evidenced by an increase in creatinine clearance. Possible interactions between drugs and natural components should be considered, especially when co-administering both a drug and a natural extract containing LGN or iridoid glycosides to patients with kidney injury.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-296
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• 2024

In this study, ensemble machine learning (ML) models are employed to estimate the hardened properties of Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete (SCGC). The input variables affecting model development include the content of the SCGC such as the binder material, the age of the specimen, and the ratio of alkaline solution. On the other hand, the output parameters examined includes compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength. The ensemble machine learning models are trained and validated using a database comprising 396 records compiled from 132 unique mix trials performed in the laboratory. Diverse machine learning techniques, notably K-nearest neighbours (KNN), Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), have been employed to construct the models coupled with Bayesian optimisation (BO) for the purpose of hyperparameter tuning. Furthermore, the application of nested cross-validation has been employed in order to mitigate the risk of overfitting. The findings of this study reveal that the BO-XGBoost hybrid model confirms better predictive accuracy in comparison to other models. The R² values for compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength are 0.9974, 0.9978, and 0.9937, respectively. Additionally, the BO-XGBoost hybrid model exhibits the lowest RMSE values of 0.8712, 0.0773, and 0.0799 for compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength, respectively. Furthermore, a SHAP dependency analysis was conducted to ascertain the significance of each parameter. It is observed from this study that GGBS, Flyash, and the age of specimens exhibit a substantial level of influence when predicting the strengths of geopolymers.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.93-103
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• 2024

Mongolia's diverse geographical landscape and harsh climate make it particularly susceptible to various natural disasters, including forest fires, heavy rains, dust storms, and heavy snow. This study aims to explore the relationships between key climatic variables and the frequency of these disasters. We collected monthly data from January 2022 to April 2024, encompassing average temperature, temperature variability (absolute temperature difference), average humidity, and precipitation across the capitals of Mongolia's 21 provinces and the capital city Ulaanbaatar. The data were analyzed using multiple statistical models: Linear Regression, Poisson Regression, and Negative Binomial Regression. Descriptive statistics provided initial insights into the variability and distribution of the climatic variables and disaster occurrences. The models aimed to identify significant predictors and quantify their impact on disaster frequencies. Our approach involved standardizing the predictor variables to ensure comparability and interpretability of the regression coefficients. Our findings indicate that climatic variables significantly affect the frequency of natural disasters. The Negative Binomial Regression model was particularly suitable for our data, which exhibited overdispersion common characteristic in count data such as disaster occurrences. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted disaster management strategies and policies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on Mongolian communities. This research provides valuable insights into how climatic changes impact disaster occurrences, offering a foundation for informed decision-making and policy development to enhance community resilience.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.207-216
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between job stressors (role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload), innovation behavior, and mindfulness in organizational employees and to examine the moderating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between job stressors and innovation behavior. For this purpose, data were collected and analyzed through a structured questionnaire from 337 employees of companies and organizations. The results of the study showed that job stress has a negative effect (-) on innovation behavior and mindfulness has a positive effect (+) on innovation behavior. Mindfulness was found to play a moderating role in the relationship between job stress and innovation behavior. Therefore, mindfulness is identified as an individual resource and competency that can mitigate job stress and promote innovative behavior, and organizations should provide training to harness and enhance mindfulness to control job stress and increase innovative behavior.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.419-430
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• 2024

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary condition considered by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, resultant in motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Despite current treatment modalities including pharmaceuticals and various therapies, a definitive cure remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigates the therapeutic potential effect of Apelin-13 in HD management. Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups: a control group, a group with HD, and a group with both HD and administered Apelin-13. Apelin-13 was administered continuously over a 28-day period at a dosage of around 30 mg/kg to mitigate inflammation in rats subjected to 3-NP injection within an experimental HD model. Behavioral tests, such as rotarod, electromyography (EMG), elevated plus maze, and open field assessments, demonstrated that Apelin-13 improved motor function and coordination in rats injected with 3-NP. Apelin-13 treatment significantly increased neuronal density and decreased glial cell counts compared to the control group. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed reduced gliosis and expression of inflammatory factors in the treatment group. Moreover, Apelin-13 administration led to elevated levels of glutathione and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the treated group. Apelin-13 demonstrates neuroprotective effects, leading to improved movement and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic factors in the HD model.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.167-179
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• 2024

Forest fire is one of the major disasters occurring in Nepal causing huge loss to the ecosystem, people and economy. They are mainly caused due to different anthropogenic activities. In Nepal, the forest fires occur during the dry season mainly from March to May. Nepal has roughly 29.5 percent forest area that are prone to forest fires and it is estimated that about 375 thousand hectares of forest were burned over one and half decade from 2000-2014. The forest fire risk is higher in the Terai and Siwalik regions than in any other region. To prevent and mitigate the forests fire incidences, the Government of Nepal has formulated and executed different policy instruments. In this regard, this paper aims to review the implementation of policies, strategies, Acts and regulations related to forest fire management at different levels of governance. Although federal and provincial governments' different policy instruments have considered forest fire and its management, these are not effectively implemented. It is not prioritized in terms of resource allocation, institutional capacity building, disaster preparedness and early warning. In addition, there are unclear and overlapping roles and responsibilities among three tiers of governments to effectively implement the policy provisions. Considering the consequences of the forest fire, governments at different levels need to devise an effective mechanism involving all stakeholders for implementing preventive and curative activities, strengthen institutions and build the capacity of human resources, and increase the level of resource allocation to implement the provisions of various legal and policy instruments.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.283-294
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• 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing concentrates in a forage-based diet on methane emissions of pregnant Hanwoo heifers. Twenty-one pregnant Hanwoo heifers (481 ± 42.4 kg) were divided into two groups: 1) a group receiving forage only (control, CON) and 2) the other group receiving forage with 4 kg of a concentrate mix (treatment, TRT). Methane (CH₄) concentration was measured using a laser methane detector, following an 18-d adaptation period, according to previously established protocols. Feed intake was recorded throughout the experimental period. Ruminal fluid was collected and analyzed for pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA). The TRT exhibited higher dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake than CON (p < 0.05) with elevated NH₃-N (p < 0.001) and total VFA concentrations (p = 0.013). The proportions of butyrate, valerate, and iso-valerate were higher in TRT than CON (p < 0.05). Notably, CH₄ concentrations per kg dry matter intake was lower in the TRT group, both from respiration and eructation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing concentrates in a low-quality forage-based diet for pregnant Hanwoo heifers fulfills nutrient requirements and reduces CH₄ emissions, suggesting a potential strategy to reduce environmental impact of Hanwoo production.