• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.9
• /
• pp.1303-1313
• /
• 2022

Objective: The current study aimed to perform whole-genome resequencing of Chinese indigenous Mongolian sheep breeds including Ujimqin, Sunit, and Wu Ranke sheep breeds (UJMQ, SNT, WRK) and deeply analyze genetic variation, population structure, domestication, and selection for domestication traits among these Mongolian sheep breeds. Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 60 individuals comprising 20 WRK, 20 UJMQ, and 20 SNT. For genome sequencing, about 1.5 ㎍ of genomic DNA was used for library construction with an insert size of about 350 bp. Pair-end sequencing were performed on Illumina NovaSeq platform, with the read length of 150 bp at each end. We then investigated the domestication and signatures of selection in these sheep breeds. Results: According to the population and demographic analyses, WRK and SNT populations were very similar, which were different from UJMQ populations. Genome wide association study identified 468 and 779 significant loci from SNT vs UJMQ, and UJMQ vs WRK, respectively. However, only 3 loci were identified from SNT vs WRK. Genomic comparison and selective sweep analysis among these sheep breeds suggested that genes associated with regulation of secretion, metabolic pathways including estrogen metabolism and amino acid metabolism, and neuron development have undergone strong selection during domestication. Conclusion: Our findings will facilitate the understanding of Chinese indigenous Mongolian sheep breeds domestication and selection for complex traits and provide a valuable genomic resource for future studies of sheep and other domestic animal breeding.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.381-389
• /
• 2023

One of the crucial components in building information modeling (BIM) is data. To systematically manage these data, various research studies have focused on the creation of object breakdown structures and property sets. Specifically, crucial data for managing programs and payments involves work breakdown structures (WBSs) and cost breakdown structures (CBSs), which are indispensable for mapping BIM objects. Achieving this requires disassembling CBS quantities based on 3D objects and WBS. However, this task is highly tedious owing to the large volume of CBS and divergent coding practices employed by different organizations. Manual processes, such as those based on Excel, become nearly impossible for such extensive tasks. In response to the challenge of computing quantities that are difficult to derive from BIM objects, this study presents methods for disassembling length-based quantities, incorporating significant portions of the bill of quantities (BOQs). The proposed approach recommends suitable CBS by leveraging the accumulated history of WBS-CBS mapping databases. Additionally, it establishes a unified CBS code, facilitating the effective operation of CBS databases.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.406-413
• /
• 2023

This study used optical and scanning electron microscopy to analyze the surface oxidation phenomenon that accompanies a γ'-precipitate free zone in a directional solidified CM247LC high temperature creep specimen. Surface oxidation occurs on nickel-based superalloy gas turbine blades due to high temperature during use. Among the superalloy components, Al and Cr are greatly affected by diffusion and movement, and Al is a major component of the surface oxidation products. This out-diffusion of Al was accompanied by γ' (Ni₃Al) deficiency in the matrix, and formed a γ'-precipitate free zone at the boundary of the surface oxide layer. Among the components of CM247LC, Cr and Al related to surface oxidation consist of 8 % and 5.6 %, respectively. When Al, the main component of the γ' precipitation phase, diffused out to the surface, a high content of Cr was observed in these PFZs. This is because the PFZ is made of a high Cr γ phase. Surface oxidation of DS CM247LC was observed in high temperature creep specimens, and γ'-rafting occurred due to stress applied to the creep specimens. However, the stress states applied to the grip and gauge length of the creep specimen were different, and accordingly, different γ'-rafting patterns were observed. Such surface oxidation and PFZ and γ'-rafting are shown to affect CM247LC creep lifetime. Mapping the microstructure and composition of major components such as Al and Cr and their role in surface oxidation, revealed in this study, will be utilized in the development of alloys to improve creep life.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.422-430
• /
• 2020

The Korean Society of Urogenital Radiology (KSUR) aimed to present a consensus statement for patient preparation, standard technique, and pain management in relation to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) to reduce the variability in TRUS-Bx methodologies and suggest a nationwide guideline. The KSUR guideline development subcommittee constructed questionnaires assessing prebiopsy anticoagulation, the cleansing enema, antimicrobial prophylaxis, local anesthesia methods such as periprostatic neurovascular bundle block (PNB) or intrarectal lidocaine gel application (IRLA), opioid usage, and the number of biopsy cores and length and diameter of the biopsy needle. The survey was conducted using an Internet-based platform, and responses were solicited from the 90 members registered on the KSUR mailing list as of 2018. A comprehensive search of relevant literature from Medline database was conducted. The strength of each recommendation was graded on the basis of the level of evidence. Among the 90 registered members, 29 doctors (32.2%) responded to this online survey. Most KSUR members stopped anticoagulants (100%) and antiplatelets (76%) one week before the procedure. All respondents performed a cleansing enema before TRUS-Bx. Approximately 86% of respondents administered prophylactic antibiotics before TRUS-Bx. The most frequently used antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins. PNB was the most widely used pain control method, followed by a combination of PNB plus IRLA. Opioids were rarely used (6.8%), and they were used only as an adjunctive pain management approach during TRUS-Bx. The KSUR members mainly chose the 12-core biopsy method (89.7%) and 18G 16-mm or 22-mm (96.5%) needles. The KSUR recommends the 12-core biopsy scheme with PNB with or without IRLA as the standard protocol for TRUS-Bx. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents should be discontinued at least 5 days prior to the procedure, and antibiotic prophylaxis is highly recommended to prevent infectious complications. Glycerin cleansing enemas and administration of opioid analogues before the procedure could be helpful in some situations. The choice of biopsy needle is dependent on the practitioners' situation and preferences.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.32-40
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study is to collect basic information about Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis) by analyzing the morphological characteristics of Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis) caught in pitfall traps. The study site is in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and a total of 1,063 individuals were captured using pitfall traps for a total of four years from July 2016 to November 2020. Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis) were classified into adult and immature individuals based on length (SVL), and differences in sex ratio and shape were confirmed for adults. As a result, all adult males had a pair of white bands observed in the abdomen, and females had eggs identified in the abdomen. Through previous studies, a pair of white bands on the abdomen were determined to be male gonads, and were also confirmed in some immature individuals. The sex of the Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis) could be distinguished by the presence or absence of a pair of white bands located on the abdomen, and it is believed that this can be used as a sex classification method that can be confirmed in the field. During the study period, the adult sex ratio was confirmed to be 697 male (65.57%) and 366 female (34.43%), with more males. It is expected that this method of sex ratio and male/female sex ratio will be used not only for species restoration and monitoring of migration and alternative habitats due to development, but also as basic data for various ecological studies.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JSA22-fermented rice drinks on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned; No colitis (Con), colitis with tap water (DSS-only), colitis with unfermented rice (DSS-UFR), and colitis with fermented rice (DSS-FR). After inducing colitis with 2% DSS for 5 days, they were given Tap water, UFR drink, or FR drink for an additional 6 days. The DSS-FR group had significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores compared to the DSS-only group, but no significant difference with the DSS-UFR group. Colon length was reduced in the DSS-only group. The DSS-only group had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the Con group, while the DSS-FR groups showed significantly lower IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the DSS-only group. These results suggest that rice drinks fermented with Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum JSA22 ameliorate the severity of DSS-colitis, by potentially reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.15-28
• /
• 2024

This paper proposes a method to acquire image data inside tunnel structures and a method to structure the acquired image data. By improving the conditions by which image data are acquired inside the tunnel structure, high-quality image data can be obtained from area type tunnel scanning. To improve the data acquisition conditions, a longitudinal rail of the tunnel can be installed on the tunnel ceiling, and image data of the entire tunnel structure can be acquired by moving the installed rail. This study identified 0.5 mm cracked simulation lines under a distance condition of 20 m at resolutions of 3,840 × 2,160 and 720 × 480 pixels. In addition, the proposed image-data-structuring method could acquire image data in image tile units. Here, the image data of the tunnel can be structured by substituting the application factors (resolution of the acquired image and the tunnel size) into a relationship equation. In an experiment, the image data of a tunnel with a length of 1,000 m and a width of 20 m were obtained with a minimum overlap rate of 0.02% to 8.36% depending on resolution and precision, and the size of the local coordinate system was found to be (14 × 15) to (36 × 34) pixels.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.50
• /
• pp.34-44
• /
• 2023

The tetraploid Solanum hjertingii, a wild tuber-bearing species from Mexico is a relative of potato, S. tuberosum. The species has been identified as a potential source of resistance to blackening for potato breeding. It does not exhibit enzymatic browning nor blackspot which are physiological disorders. However, due to their sexual incompatibility, somatic hybridization between S. hjertingii and S. tuberosum must be used to introduce various traits from this wild species into potato. After somatic hybridization, molecular markers are essential for selecting fusion products. In this study, the chloroplast genome of S. hjertingii was sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology and compared with those of other Solanum species to develop specific markers for S. hjertingii. The chloroplast genome has a total sequence length of 155,545 bp, and its size, gene content, order and orientation are similar to those of the other Solanum species. Phylogenic analysis including 15 other Solanaceae species grouped S. hjertingii with S. demissum, S. hougasii, and S. stoloniferum. After detailed comparisons of the chloroplast genome sequence with eight other Solanum species, we identified one InDel and seven SNPs specific to S. hjertingii. Based on these, five PCR-based markers were developed for discriminating S. hjertingii from other Solanum species. The results obtained in this study will aid in exploring the evolutionary aspects of Solanum species and accelerating breeding using S. hjertingii.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.139-146
• /
• 2024

Various injection materials, such as asphalt-based injection materials, urethane-based injection materials, cement- based injection materials, and acrylic-based injection materials, are used for the repair of aged conduits and underground structures with cracks. In this study, research was conducted on an environmentally friendly acrylic- based leak repair material that exhibits good curing properties even in humid conditions and stability in temperature fluctuations. To compare the performance of the improved acrylic leak repair material with the existing acrylate injection material, experiments were conducted using KS standard methods, including underwater length change rate tests, underwater leakage resistance tests, and chemical performance tests. The comparative experiments revealed that the improved acrylic leak repair material showed no changes in shrinkage due to humidity, temperature variations, or chemical reactions compared to the existing acrylate injection material. In the underwater resistance test, the improved acrylic leak repair material did not show any leakage. Additionally, to assess the environmental impact of the improved acrylic leak repair material, acute fish toxicity tests and acute oral toxicity tests were conducted, and the results showed no mortality and no specific concerns with the test specimens. The experimental results led to the conclusion that the improved acrylic leak repair material is considered to be superior in performance, environmentally safe, and harmless to the human body. Based on various experimental results, it is inferred that the improved acrylic leak repair material is suitable for use as a repair material for cracks in manholes and underground structures compared to the existing acrylate repair material. This study aims to propose valuable data for future technological development by evaluating the applicability of acrylic leak repair materials.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.160-167
• /
• 2024

The amphibians serve as environmental indicator species warning of threats from pollution and development, and information regarding their body condition and surrounding habitat can be utilized as crucial indicators for assessing ecosystem health. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in body condition and the climate environments according to the season and sex of Class II endangered Kaloula borealis. A total of 53 surveys were conducted from June to October 2018, targeting frogs inhabiting the Godeok-dong area of Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Using the weight and length of each individual, the body condition index (SMI, Scaled mass index) was calculated. Results showed a total capture of 396 individuals, consisting of 235 males and 161 females. Females exhibited longer SVL and greater weight compared to males, with higher body condition indices. Monthly body condition indices were lower for males in June, while no differences were observed between males and females from July to September. Among the climate environments where females and males appeared, environmental variables related to precipitation and humidity showed differences. These research findings are deemed crucial for providing fundamental information to ascertain suitable habitats for Kaloula borealis and selecting alternative habitats due to developmental impacts in the future.