• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.6 no.11
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• pp.519-528
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• 2016

Most cultural contents currently we face are not suitable for associating with state of arts and high technology as simply providing one-sided learning. Pictures and movies of cultural contents also sees to utilize for efficacy of cultural education. There are still some limitations to draw interest from users when providing one-sided learning for cultural study, which aims to only deliver knowledge itself. In this paper, we propose interactive HMD VR cultural contents that can support more experience to get rid of aforementioned limitations. To this end, we first select quite interesting and wellknown cultural contents from world wide to draw more attention and effect. To increase immersion, presence and interactivity we have used HMD VR and Leapmotion, which intentionally draws more attention to increase interest. The cultural contents also facilitate augmented information as well as puzzle gaming components. To verify, we have carried out a user study as well.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2023

This study was conducted to ultimately reduce unnecessary radiation exposure by emphasizing the need and importance of correct positioning by examining the positioning relationship of anatomical structures in the human body and changes in X-ray images according to changes in patient positioning during the left lateral chest X-ray examination. This study investigated and analyzed previously published papers and books on the left lateral chest X-ray examination to find out the importance of positioning in the left lateral chest X-ray examination. To find out the importance of correct positioning in the left lateral chest X-ray, we compared three images of incorrectly positioned right thorax and left thorax rotated forward and the lower median surface of the body leaning against the image receptor. In the left lateral chest examination, a distorted image was obtained in which the shape of the anatomical structure observed in the image was changed according to the presence or absence of rotation of the patient and the inclination of the median visual surface. X-ray images with the most accurate and large amount of information were obtained from X-ray images with the correct positioning performed during left lateral chest X-ray examination. Therefore, It is believed that the left lateral chest X-ray examination will have beneficial effects such as providing accurate medical information, preventing misdiagnosis, reducing social costs, and ultimately reducing radiation exposure.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.63-74
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• 2023

Background: Comparing with the several types of infrastructures, linear infrastructures are known to facilitate the spread of undesirable species in ecosystems. Recently, some new man-made habitats (e.g., gravel pads of the high-voltage towers, solid wastes and sewage habitats) were established along the Deltaic Mediterranean coast of Egypt as a result of the construction of the E-W coastal international highway. The current study evaluates the floristic composition associated with the pads of high-voltage towers that had been constructed for stabilizing the power line towers in the North Nile Delta. Plant cover was measured for 22 randomly stand. Results: Eighty-four species were recorded, of which 35 are perennials (41.6%), 2 biennials (2.3%) and 47 annuals (56.0%) belonging to 23 families. The largest families were Asteraceae (16 species), Poaceae (15 species), Chenopodiaceae (12 species), and Fabaceae (7 species). Ten aliens (10.7%) out of the 84 species were recorded. Therophytes have the highest percentage (58%), followed by hemicryptophytes (14%), chamaephytes (11%). Six vegetation groups were recognized in the study area after the application of two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Phragmites australis, and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum have the highest presence percentage. Both of Salsola cyclophylla and Solanum villosum were recorded for the first time in North Nile Delta. Natural habitat had the highest α-diversity, but the lowest β-diversity (4.9, 15.4), while gravel pads had the reverse (2.7, 30.8). Some species which are native to the desert habitats (e.g., Rumex pictus, Salsola kali, and Carthamus tenuis) were able to invade the North Nile Delta. Conclusions: Habitat of gravel pads is an expressing form about the intense of disturbance in Deltaic Mediterranean coast of Egypt. More of efforts should be carried out to avoid more human disturbances that creating as ruderal habitats which open the gate to invasive species in the flora of North Nile Delta.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1017-1030
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• 2023

Fetal bovine serum (FBS), which contains various nutrients, comprises 20% of the growth medium for cell-cultivated meat. However, ethical, cost, and scientific issues, necesitates identification of alternatives. In this study, we investigated commercially manufactured serum-free media capable of culturing Hanwoo satellite cells (HWSCs) to identify constituent proliferation enhancing factors. Six different serum-free media were selected, and the HWSC proliferation rates in these serum-free media were compared with that of control medium supplemented with 20% FBS. Among the six media, cell proliferation rates were higher only in StemFlex^TM Medium (SF) and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth Medium DXF (MS) than in the control medium. SF and MS contain high fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) concentrations, and we found upregulated FGF2 protein expression in cells cultured in SF or MS. Activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1)-mediated signaling pathway and stimulation of muscle satellite cell proliferation-related factors were confirmed by the presence of related biomarkers (FGFR1, FRS2, Raf1, ERK, p38, Pax7, and MyoD) as indicated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. Moreover, PD173074, an FGFR1 inhibitor suppressed cell proliferation in SF and MS and downregulated related biomarkers (FGFR1, FRS2, Raf1, and ERK). The promotion of cell proliferation in SF and MS was therefore attributed to FGF2, which indicates that FGFR1 activation in muscle satellite cells may be a target for improving the efficiency of cell-cultivated meat production.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.20-36
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• 2024

Over the past three years, even amidst viral threats, a notable shift towards online interactions has been observed. This trend persists the presence of significant viral concerns. Our study centered on female office workers in their twenties and thirties in Korea, seeking to comprehend how they enhance and present their external image in the digital era. We explored the use of digital devices and fashion choices that enable them to amplify their self-expression in video conferences. Using a mix of surveys and in-depth interviews, we employed snowball sampling to recruit twelve participants. These women were given the opportunity to shape their digital persona either to uphold their current image or to adapt it for interactions where they weren't face-to-face. Their desired images fell into three distinct categories: an authoritative professional image, a clean modern image, and a natural image. Depending on the context, the participants aimed to convey these images independently or in various combinations. Our findings suggest the need to develop strategies for acknowledging and projecting individual fashion identities in non-face-to-face interactions. Such strategies would empower individuals to better align their online personas with their desired self-image, whether it's professional, modern, clean, natural, or a combination thereof.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2023

Purpose: Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease with proper pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccination (ARV). Dogs, as household pets and strays, are the reservoir and vector of the disease, and dog bites have been associated with human rabies cases in Sri Lanka over the past few years. However, other susceptible species having frequent contact with humans may be a source of infection. One such species is sheep and immunity following ARV has never been tested in sheep reared in Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: We have tested serum samples from sheep reared in the Animal Centre, Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka for the presence of anti-rabies antibodies following ARV. Sheep serum samples were tested with Bio-Pro Rabies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody kits used for the first time in Sri Lanka and our results were verified by a seroneutralization method on cells (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization, FAVN test) currently recommended by World Organization for Animal Health and World Health Organization. Results: Sheep received annual ARV and maintained high neutralizing antibody titers in their serum. No maternal antibodies were detected in lamb around 6 months of age. Agreement between the ELISA and FAVN test, i.e., coefficient concordance was 83.87%. Conclusion: Annual vaccination in sheep has an effect on maintaining adequate protection against rabies by measurements of anti-rabies antibody response. Lambs need to be vaccinated earlier than 6 months of age to achieve protective levels of neutralizing antibodies in their serum. Introducing this ELISA in Sri Lanka will be a good opportunity to determine the level of anti-rabies antibodies in animal serum samples.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2024

The majority of civil aviation accidents are caused by human factors, and especially for rotary-wing aircraft, accidents often occur in situations where pilots unexpectedly or unintentionally enter into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC). This research analyzed the error rates of rotary-wing aircraft pilots under low visibility conditions from various angles to gain insights into flight characteristics and to explore measures to reduce accidents in IIMC situations. The occurrence rate of errors by pilots under low visibility conditions was examined using a flight simulator equipped with motion, with 65 pilots participating in the experiment. Flight data obtained through the experiment were used to aggregate and analyze the number of errors under various conditions, such as reductions in flight visibility, the presence or absence of spatial disorientation, and the pilot's qualifications. The analysis revealed peculiarities in flight characteristics under various conditions, and significant differences were found in the rate of error occurrence according to the pilot's qualification level, possession of instrument flight rules (IFR) qualifications, and during different phases of flight. The results of this research are expected to contribute significantly to the prevention of aircraft accidents in IIMC situations by improving pilot education and training programs.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.269-280
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: The colonic epithelial layer is a complex structure consisting of multiple cell types that regulate various aspects of colonic physiology, yet the mechanisms underlying epithelial cell differentiation during development remain unclear. Organoids have emerged as a promising model for investigating organogenesis, but achieving organ-like cell configurations within colonic organoids is challenging. Here, we investigated the biological significance of peripheral neurons in the formation of colonic organoids. Methods and Results: Colonic organoids were co-cultured with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived peripheral neurons, resulting in the morphological maturation of columnar epithelial cells, as well as the presence of enterochromaffin cells. Substance P released from immature peripheral neurons played a critical role in the development of colonic epithelial cells. These findings highlight the vital role of inter-organ interactions in organoid development and provide insights into colonic epithelial cell differentiation mechanisms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the peripheral nervous system may have a significant role in the development of colonic epithelial cells, which could have important implications for future studies of organogenesis and disease modeling.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.403-415
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• 2023

This study aimed to isolate and identify L-(+)-lactic acid-producing bacteria from tree barks collected in Thailand and evaluate the potential strain as probiotics. Twelve strains were isolated and characterized phenotypically and genotypically. The strains exhibited a rod-shaped morphology, high-temperature tolerance, and the ability to ferment different sugars into lactic acid. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, all strains were identified as belonging to Weizmannia coagulans. Among the isolated strains, BKMTCR2-2 demonstrated exceptional lactic acid production, with 96.41% optical purity, 2.33 g/l of lactic acid production, 1.44 g/g of lactic acid yield (per gram of glucose consumption), and 0.0049 g/l/h of lactic acid productivity. This strain also displayed a wide range of pH tolerance, suggesting suitability for the human gastrointestinal tract and potential probiotic applications. The whole-genome sequence of BKMTCR2-2 was assembled using a hybridization approach that combined long and short reads. The genomic analysis confirmed its identification as W. coagulans and safety assessments revealed its non-pathogenic attribute compared to type strains and commercial probiotic strains. Furthermore, this strain exhibited resilience to acidic and bile conditions, along with the presence of potential probiotic-related genes and metabolic capabilities. These findings suggest that BKMTCR2-2 holds promise as a safe and effective probiotic strain with significant lactic acid production capabilities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2024

Objectives: Protecting people against financial hardship caused by illness stands as a fundamental obligation within healthcare systems and constitutes a pivotal component in achieving universal health coverage. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) in Iran, over the period of 2013 to 2019. Methods: Data were obtained from 7 annual national surveys conducted between 2013 and 2019 on the income and expenditures of Iranian households. The prevalence of CHE was determined using a threshold of 40% of household capacity to pay for healthcare. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants influencing CHE. Results: The prevalence of CHE increased from 3.60% in 2013 to 3.95% in 2019. In all the years analyzed, the extent of CHE occurrence among rural populations exceeded that of urban populations. Living in an urban area, having a higher wealth index, possessing health insurance coverage, and having employed family members, an employed household head, and a literate household head are all associated with a reduced likelihood of CHE (p<0.05). Conversely, the use of dental, outpatient, and inpatient care, and the presence of elderly members in the household, are associated with an increased probability of facing CHE (p<0.05). Conclusions: Throughout the study period, CHE consistently exceeded the 1% threshold designated in the national development plan. Continuous monitoring of CHE and its determinants at both household and health system levels is essential for the implementation of effective strategies aimed at enhancing financial protection.