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Solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm), is known to play a significant role in driving primary production in marine ecosystems. However, our understanding of the specific effects of UVR on the primary production of natural phytoplankton communities is still limited. We utilized the 13C stable isotope to quantify primary production and conducted experiments using different types of incubation bottles (polycarbonate and quartz bottles) to compare the primary production in the absence and presence of UVR. Although we observed a weak inhibitory effect at the surface of the water column, UVR exposure resulted in an approximately 1.5-fold increase in primary production over the euphotic zone. The enhanced primary production during the study period can be attributed to the combined effect of low UVB (280–320 nm) dose and abundant nutrient conditions. Notably, our size-fractionated measurements revealed that UVR exposure led to a two-fold increase in primary production in large cells (>2 μm) compared to the exposure of solely photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the primary production of small cells (

A ganglion cyst is a benign mass consisting of high-viscosity mucinous fluid. It can originate from the sheath of a tendon, peripheral nerve, or joint capsule. Compressive neuropathy caused by a ganglion cyst is rarely reported, with the majority of documented cases involving peroneal nerve palsy. To date, cases demonstrating both peroneal and tibial nerve palsies resulting from a ganglion cyst forming on a branch of the sciatic nerve have not been reported. In this paper, we present the case of a 74-year-old man visiting an outpatient clinic complaining of left-sided foot drop and sensory loss in the lower extremity, a lack of strength in his left leg, and a decrease in sensation in the leg for the past month without any history of trauma. Ankle dorsiflexion and great toe extension strength on the left side were Grade I. Ankle plantar flexion and great toe flexion were Grade II. We suspected peroneal and tibial nerve palsy and performed a screening ultrasound, which is inexpensive and rapid. In the operative field, several cysts were discovered, originating at the site where the sciatic nerve splits into peroneal and tibial nerves. After successful surgical decompression and a series of rehabilitation procedures, the patient’s neurological symptoms improved. There was no recurrence.

Over the past two decades, the environmental characteristics of the northern East China Sea (NECS) that make it a crucial spawning ground for commercially significant species have faced substantial impacts due to climate change. Protein (PRT) within phytoplankton, serving as a nitrogen-rich food for organisms of higher trophic levels, is a sensitive indicator to environmental shifts. This study aims to develop a regional PRT algorithm to characterize spatial and temporal variations in the NECS from 2012 to 2022. Employing switching chlorophyll-a and particulate organic nitrogen algorithms, the developed regional PRT algorithm demonstrates enhanced accuracy. Satellite-estimated PRT concentrations, utilizing data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), generally align with the 1:1 line when compared to in situ data. Seasonal patterns and spatial distributions of PRT in both the western and eastern parts of the NECS from 2012 to 2022 were discerned, revealing notable differences in the spatial distribution and major controlling factors between these two areas. In conclusion, the regional PRT algorithm significantly improves estimation precision, advancing our understanding of PRT dynamics in the NECS concerning PRT concentration and environmental changes. This research underscores the importance of tailored algorithms in elucidating the intricate relationships between environmental variables and PRT variations in the NECS.

Each phytoplankton species has intrinsic pigments, which result in different photophysiological characteristics in response to natural light conditions. Therefore, phytoplankton pigments provide important information on the photosynthetic activity that produces the basic food source for marine ecosystems. This study addresses the challenge of accurately measuring pigment production rates in phytoplankton communities. Two strategies are proposed for improving measurement sensitivity. Firstly, increasing the injection of 13C substrate into incubation bottles up to 15% of the total dissolved inorganic carbon is recommended, with minimal impact on pigment production rate determinations. Secondly, optimizing sample injection volume for high-performance liquid chromatography balances analysis time and dilution effects. The in situ field experiments conducted in this study for pigment production measurements revealed diminished activity of photoprotective mechanisms involving zeaxanthin and diatoxanthin during the study period. Furthermore, the results showed that the notable production rates of chl-b (0.069–0.105 ng C L–1 h–1, 74–89% of total accessary pigment production rates), an accessory pigment mainly attributed to prasinophytes, potentially due to restricted light availability. Prioritization of chl-b production over primary production (negative correlation between primary and chl-b production; R2 = 0.6662) highlights the potential impact of compensatory pigment-related activities on overall phytoplankton productivity. In conclusion, this study underscores the significance of directly quantifying pigment production rates to enhance our comprehension of phytoplankton photophysiology and the production mechanisms specific to various pigments.

Various approaches have been applied to red tide monitoring in Korea since reliable information on phytoplankton communities is crucial. In this study, we employed a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to analyze two types of red tide, Mesodinium rubrum and Margalefidinium polykrikoides (also known as Cochlodinium polykrikoides), along the southern coasts of Korea. During the M. rubrum red tide on 8 August 2022, an unusual dominance of cryptophytes was observed, being the most dominant phytoplankton group. A significant positive correlation was found between alloxanthin concentrations, a marker pigment of cryptophytes, and M. rubrum cell numbers (p < 0.01, r = 0.830), indicating that HPLC-derived alloxanthin concentrations can serve as a valuable indicator for identifying red tides caused by M. rubrum and estimating cell numbers. However, it is crucial to consider the temporal dynamics of the prey–predator relationship between cryptophytes and M. rubrum. Further investigation is required to understand the environmental conditions that promote cryptophyte predominance and their role in M. rubrum red tide development. In the second field campaign on 29 August 2022, we observed a significant correlation between the concentration of peridinin, a marker pigment for dinoflagellates, and M. polykrikoides cell numbers (p < 0.01, r = 0.663), suggesting that peridinin can serve as a reliable indicator of M. polykrikoides red tides. In conclusion, HPLC-derived pigments, namely alloxanthin and peridinin, can be used to effectively monitor red tides caused by M. rubrum and M. polykrikoides, respectively. However, to overcome certain methodological limitations of HPLC, future studies should explore additional markers or analytical techniques capable of differentiating M. polykrikoides from other coexisting dinoflagellate species. Furthermore, the broad applicability of our method requires thorough investigation in diverse ecosystems to fully comprehend its scope and limitations. Future research should focus on evaluating the method’s efficacy in different contexts, accounting for the distinct traits of the ecosystems under consideration.

Understanding of the primary production of phytoplankton in the Kara Sea (KS), the Laptev Sea (LS), and the East Siberian Sea (ESS) remains limited, despite the recognized importance of phytoplankton in the Arctic Ocean. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted three NABOS (Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System) expeditions in 2013, 2015, and 2018 to measure in situ primary production rates using a 13C-15N dual-tracer method and examine their major controlling factors. The main goals in this study were to investigate regional heterogeneity in primary production and derive its contemporary ranges in the KS, LS, and ESS. The daily primary production rates in this study (99 ± 62, 100 ± 77, and 56 ± 35 mg C m−2 d−1 in the KS, LS, and ESS, respectively) are rather different from the values previously reported in each sea mainly because of spatial and regional differences. Among the three seas, a significantly lower primary production rate was observed in the ESS in comparison to those in the KS and LS. This is likely mainly because of regional differences in freshwater content based on the noticeable relationship (Spearman, rs = −0.714, p < 0.05) between the freshwater content and the primary production rates observed in this study. The contemporary ranges of the annual primary production based on this and previous studies are 0.96–2.64, 0.72–50.52, and 1.68–16.68 g C m−2 in the KS, LS, and ESS, respectively. Further intensive field measurements are warranted to enhance our understanding of marine microorganisms and their community-level responses to the currently changing environmental conditions in these poorly studied regions of the Arctic Ocean.

We investigated the spatio-temporal variations in three key biomolecular compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) in particulate organic matter (POM) in the Yellow Sea (YS), South Sea of Korea (SS), East China Sea (ECS), and East Sea (Sea of Japan; ES) in order to estimate the regional annual calorie production rates based on the seasonal data obtained in each region. Carbohydrates were found to be most dominant, followed by lipids across all seas. The euphotic-integral calorie contents of POM during the study period were determined as 53.5 ± 12.6 Kcal m−2 in the YS; 54.2 ± 7.5 Kcal m−2 in the SS; 35.7 ± 9.2 Kcal m−2 in the ECS; and 58.7 ± 6.2 Kcal m−2 in the ES. Utilizing seasonal carbon conversion factors and primary production rates, we estimated the annual calorie productions, which were highest in the ES (1705 Kcal m−2 y−1) and lowest in the ECS (403 Kcal m−2 y−1). This can be attributed to the significantly higher energy efficiency of phytoplankton and faster turnover rate of calorie content. However, caution must be taken when comparing these estimates regionally, considering potential variations in developmental phases among the four regions during the sampling period in 2018. The calorie production rates in this study provide valuable insights into the physiological condition of phytoplankton within specific regions.

Dietary habits and inter-specific differences in resource use among six commercial fish species, Chelidonichthys spinosus, Cleisthenes pinetorum, Glyptocephalus stelleri, Hexagrammos otakii, Lophius litulon, and Sebastes schlegelii, collected from the southern coast of the East Sea, Korea, were analyzed using stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Teleosts were the main prey items for C. pinetorum and L. litulon, while both crabs and teleosts contributed to the diets of C. spinosus and S. schlegelii. Glyptocephalus stelleri mainly consumed polycheates and carid shrimps, and H. otakii mostly ingested crabs. The composition of prey items was significantly different in the diets of the six fish species. Further, carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values were significantly different among the six species, indicating different trophic positions. L. litulon, C. pinetorum, and S. schlegelii had narrow niches, whereas C. spinosus, G. stelleri, and H. otakii had relatively wider niches. This study demonstrated differences in patterns of food resource use among the six fish species that were categorized into two patterns of resource use according to their main prey items: diet diversity, trophic niche width, and trophic position. These results could contribute to the understanding of trophic relationships among fish species inhabiting the East Sea, Korea.

This paper proposes an algorithm that improves ship detection accuracy using preprocessing and post-processing. To achieve this, high-resolution electro-optical satellite images with a wide range of shape and texture information were considered. The developed algorithms display the problem of unreliable detection of ships owing to clouds, large waves, weather influences, and shadows from large terrains. False detections in land areas with image information similar to that of ships are observed frequently. Therefore, this study involves three algorithms: global feature enhancement pre-processing (GFEP), multiclass ship detector (MSD), and false detected ship exclusion by sea land segmentation image (FDSESI). First, GFEP enhances the image contrast of high-resolution electro-optical satellite images. Second, the MSD extracts many primary ship candidates. Third, falsely detected ships in the land region are excluded using the mask image that divides the sea and land. A series of experiments was performed using the proposed method on a database of 1984 images. The database includes five ship classes. Therefore, a method focused on improving the accuracy of various ships is proposed. The results show a mean average precision (mAP) improvement from 50.55% to 63.39% compared with other deep learning-based detection algorithms.

Targeting specific pathologic pro-inflammatory cytokines or related molecules leads to excellent therapeutic effects in inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Most of these agents, known as biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), are produced in live cell lines and are usually monoclonal antibodies. Several types of monoclonal antibodies target different pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, and IL-23/12. Some bDMARDs, such as rituximab and abatacept, target specific cell-surface molecules to control the inflammatory response. The therapeutic effects of these bDMARDs differ in different forms of inflammatory arthritis and are associated with different adverse events. In this article, we summarize the therapeutic utility and adverse effects of bDMARDs and suggest future research directions for developing bDMARDs.

Little information on the phytoplankton community in the Yellow Sea (YS)—especially size-fractionated phytoplankton—is currently available, in comparison to the various physicochemical studies in the literature. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), size-fractionated phytoplankton communities were seasonally investigated in the YS in 2019. In the study period, diatoms (55.0 ± 10.2%) and cryptophytes (16.9 ± 9.3%) were the dominant groups. Due to the recent alteration in inorganic nutrient conditions reported in the YS, the contribution of diatoms was lower than in previous studies. The large-sized phytoplankton group (>20 µm) was dominated mostly by diatoms (89.0 ± 10.6%), while the small-sized phytoplankton group (

A pleasant and quiet cabin in driving a car is one of the most critical factors affecting a customer’s choice in a market. As the traditional noise sources such as power trains become less, the relative contribution of aerodynamic noise to the interior noise of a road vehicle becomes even more critical. In this study, a high-fidelity numerical methodology is developed for the reliable prediction and analysis of the interior transmitted noise due to external flow disturbance. The developed numerical methodology is based on the sequential application of the high-resolution LES technique, wavenumber–frequency transform, and vibroacoustic model. First, the compressible LES techniques with high-resolution grids are employed to accurately predict the external turbulent flow and aeroacoustic fields due to the turbulent flow, at the same time, of a vehicle running at a speed of 110 km/h. Second, surface pressure fluctuations on the front windshield and side windows, obtained from the LES simulation, are decomposed into incompressible and compressible ones using the wavenumber–frequency transform. Lastly, the interior sound pressure levels are predicted using the vibroacoustic model, which consists of the finite element (FE) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) methods. For the efficient computation of the vibroacoustic interaction between the vibration of the vehicle windows and the acoustic field inside the cabin room, the FE and SEA methods are applied in low- and high-frequency ranges, respectively. The predicted interior sound pressure spectral levels agree well with the measured ones. In addition, although the magnitudes of the compressible pressure components are generally lower than those of the incompressible ones, the compressible field is found to contribute more to the interior noise in high-frequency bands. The physical mechanism of the higher transmission is shown to be related to the coincident effect between the compressible pressure field and the structural vibration of the vehicle window.

The feeding and spawning grounds for seahorses have been lost due to nationwide coastal developments in South Korea. However, little information on the feeding ecology of the Korean seahorse (Hippocampus haema) is currently available. The main objective in this study was to understand the feeding strategy of H. haema on the basis of DNA analysis of the contents of the guts. This is the first study on the feeding ecology of H. haema. Crustaceans were found to be major prey for H. haema in this study. Among the 12 identified species, arthropods were predominantly observed as potential prey of H. haema in this study. The Caprella sp. Was detected in all summer specimens followed by the Ianiropsis sp., whereas isopods were dominant, and amphipods accounted for a small proportion in winter specimens. According to the results in this study, there appears to be a seasonal shift in the major prey of H. haema. Moreover, a potential change in the habitats for adults was further discussed. Since this is a pilot study, further studies should be conducted for a better understanding of the feeding ecology of H. haema.

The Japanese sea lion (Z. japonicus) has been regarded as an extinct species since the last report on Dokdo in 1951. Not much ecological information on the Z. japonicus on Dokdo (hereafter Dokdo sea lion) is currently available. Using a discrete time stage-structured population model, we reconstructed the Dokdo sea lion population to explore the effect of human hunting pressure on them. This study provides the first estimate for the Dokdo sea lion population from 1900 to 1951. The reconstructed capture numbers of the Dokdo sea lion and the parameters estimated in this study were well matched with the recorded numbers and ecological parameters reported previously for the Californian sea lion. Based on the reconstructed population, their number rapidly declined after hunting started and it took less than 10 years for a 70% decline of the initial population, which would be considered to be an extinction risk. Since some caveats exist in this study, some caution about our results is necessary. However, this study demonstrates how rapidly human over-hunting can cause the extermination of a large local population. This study will be helpful to raise people’s awareness about endangered marine animals such as local finless porpoises in Korea.

The northern Bering and Chukchi seas are biologically productive regions but, recently, unprecedented environmental changes have been reported. For investigating the dominant phytoplankton communities and relative contribution of small phytoplankton (phaeocystis were dominant phytoplankton communities in 2016 whereas diatoms and Prasinophytes (Type 2) were dominant in 2017 and diatoms were found as major contributors for the small phytoplankton groups. For size-specific primary production, small phytoplankton contributed 38.0% (SD = ±19.9%) in 2016 whereas 25.0% (SD = ±12.8%) in 2017 to the total primary productivity. The small phytoplankton contribution observed in 2016 is comparable to those reported previously in the Chukchi Sea whereas the contribution in 2017 mainly in the northern Bering Sea is considerably lower than those in other arctic regions. Different biochemical compositions were distinct between small and large phytoplankton in this study, which is consistent with previous results. Significantly higher carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents per unit of chlorophyll-a, whereas lower C:N ratios were characteristics in small phytoplankton in comparison to large phytoplankton. Given these results, we could conclude that small phytoplankton synthesize nitrogen-rich particulate organic carbon which could be easily regenerated.

Dramatic environmental changes have been recently reported in the Yellow Sea (YS), the South Sea of Korea (SS), and the East/Japan Sea (EJS), but little information on the regional primary productions is currently available. Using the 13C-15N tracer method, we measured primary productions in the YS, the SS, and the EJS for the first time in 2018 to understand the current status of marine ecosystems in the three distinct seas. The mean daily primary productions during the observation period ranged from 25.8 to 607.5 mg C m−2 d−1 in the YS, 68.5 to 487.3 mg C m−2 d−1 in the SS, and 106.4 to 490.5 mg C m−2 d−1 in the EJS, respectively. In comparison with previous studies, significantly lower (t-test, p < 0.05) spring and summer productions and consequently lower annual primary productions were observed in this study. Based on PCA analysis, we found that small-sized (pico- and nano-) phytoplankton had strongly negative effects on the primary productions. Their ecological roles should be further investigated in the YS, the SS, and the EJS under warming ocean conditions within small phytoplankton-dominated ecosystems.

Phytoplankton community structure, which plays an important role in determining productivity and food web structure, can provide important information for understanding variations in marine ecosystems under projected climate change scenarios. Rising temperatures due to climate change will increase and intensify water stratification. To understand the community composition and distribution characteristics of phytoplankton under stratified conditions, phytoplankton pigments were analyzed in the Yellow Sea (YS) and East China Sea (ECS) during the late summer season. In addition, pigment production was measured to estimate the physiological characteristics of phytoplankton relating to light, which is an essential element of photosynthesis. During our observation period, no distinct differences were found in the community composition and pigment production of phytoplankton in the YS and the ECS, but differences in the vertical distribution were observed. Overall, the dominant phytoplankton classes at the surface depth were pico-sized cyanobacteria (46.1%), whereas micro- and nano-sized diatoms (42.9%) were the abundant most classes at a 1% light depth. The major factors controlling the vertical distributions of the phytoplankton community were temperature and nutrients (i.e., nitrate and ammonium). Cyanobacteria were positively correlated with water temperature and ammonium, whereas diatoms were negatively related to water temperature and positively correlated with nitrates. Based on the pigment production, it was found that cyanobacteria at the surface layer encountered excessive irradiance conditions during the study period. The productivity of the cyanobacterial community could be decreased under high-light and high-temperature conditions. This means that cyanobacteria could have a negative influence on the quantity and quality of food available to upper trophic organisms under warmer conditions.

The biochemical composition of particulate organic matter (POM) mainly originates from phytoplankton. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) depend on environmental conditions and play a role in the food web and biogeochemical cycle in marine ecosystems. However, little information on their characteristics in the Southern Ocean is available, particularly in winter. To investigate the seasonal characteristics of POM and TEPSs, seawater samples were collected once every two weeks from November 2017 to October 2018 at Jang Bogo Station (JBS) located on the coast of Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea. The total chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations increased from spring (0.08 ± 0.06 μg L−1) to summer (0.97 ± 0.95 μg L−1) with a highest Chl-a value of 2.15 μg L−1. After sea ice formation, Chl-a rapidly decreased in autumn (0.12 ± 0.10 μg L−1) and winter (0.01 ± 0.01 μg L−1). The low phytoplankton Chl-a measured in this study was related to a short ice-free period in summer. Strong seasonal variations were detected in the concentrations of proteins and lipids (one-way ANOVA test, p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in carbohydrate concentrations was observed among different seasons (one-way ANOVA test, p > 0.05). The phytoplankton community was mostly composed of diatoms (88.8% ± 11.6%) with a large accumulation of lipids. During the summer, the POM primarily consisted of proteins. The composition being high in lipids and proteins and the high caloric content in summer indicated that the phytoplankton would make a good food source. In winter, the concentrations of proteins decreased sharply. In contrast, relatively stable concentrations of carbohydrates and lipids have been utilized for respiration and long-term energy storage in the survival of phytoplankton. The TEPS values were significantly correlated with variations in the biomass and species of the phytoplankton. Our study site was characterized by dominant diatoms and low Chl-a concentrations, which could have resulted in relatively low TEP concentrations compared to other areas. The average contributions of TEP-C to the total POC were relatively high in autumn (26.9% ± 6.1%), followed by those in summer (21.9% ± 7.1%), winter (13.0% ± 4.2%), and spring (9.8% ± 3.1%).

Picocyanobacteria (Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus) play an important role in primary production and biogeochemical cycles in the subtropical and tropical Pacific Ocean, but little biological information on them is currently available in the North Pacific Ocean (NPO). The present study aimed to determine the picocyanobacterial contributions to the total primary production in the regions in the NPO using a combination of a dual stable isotope method and metabolic inhibitor. In terms of cell abundance, Prochlorococcus were mostly dominant (95.7 ± 1.4%) in the tropical Pacific region (hereafter, TP), whereas Synechococcus accounted for 50.8%–93.5% in the subtropical and temperate Pacific region (hereafter, SP). Regionally, the averages of primary production and picocyanobacterial contributions were 11.66 mg C m−2·h−1 and 45.2% (±4.8%) in the TP and 22.83 mg C m−2·h−1 and 70.2% in the SP, respectively. In comparison to the carbon, the average total nitrogen uptake rates and picocyanobacterial contributions were 10.11 mg N m−2·h−1 and 90.2% (±5.3%) in the TP and 4.12 mg N m−2·h−1 and 63.5%, respectively. These results indicate that picocyanobacteria is responsible for a large portion of the total primary production in the region, with higher contribution to nitrogen uptake rate than carbon. A long-term monitoring on the picocyanobacterial variability and contributions to primary production should be implemented under the global warming scenario with increasing ecological roles of picocyanobacteria.

We synthesized phenylboronic acid pinacol ester (PBPE)-conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA) via thiobis(ethylamine) (TbEA) linkage (abbreviated as HAsPBPE conjugates) to fabricate the radiosensitive delivery of caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) and for application in radioprotection. PBPE was primarily conjugated with TbEA and then PBPE-TbEA conjugates were conjugated again with hyaluronic acid using carbodiimide chemistry. CAPE-incorporated nanoparticles of HAsPBPE were fabricated by the nanoprecipitation method and then the organic solvent was removed by dialysis. CAPE-incorporated HAsPBPE nanoparticles have a small particle size of about 80 or 100 nm and they have a spherical shape. When CAPE-incorporated HAsPBPE nanoparticles were irradiated, nanoparticles became swelled or disintegrated and their morphologies were changed. Furthermore, the CAPE release rate from HAsPBPE nanoparticles were increased according to the radiation dose, indicating that CAPE-incorporated HAsPBPE nanoparticles have radio-sensitivity. CAPE and CAPE-incorporated HAsPBPE nanoparticles appropriately prevented radiation-induced cell death and suppressed intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CAPE and CAPE-incorporated HAsPBPE nanoparticles efficiently improved survivability of mice from radiation-induced death and reduced apoptotic cell death. We suggest that HAsPBPE nanoparticles are promising candidates for the radio-sensitive delivery of CAPE.

Minimizing the impact of electronic waste (e-waste) on the environment through designing an effective reverse supply chain (RSC) is attracting the attention of both industry and academia. To obtain this goal, this study strives to develop an e-waste RSC model where the input parameters are fuzzy and risk factors are considered. The problem is then solved through crisp transformation and decision-makers are given the right to choose solutions based on their satisfaction. The result shows that the proposed model provides a practical and satisfactory solution to compromise between the level of satisfaction of constraints and the objective value. This solution includes strategic and operational decisions such as the optimal locations of facilities (i.e., disassembly, repairing, recycling facilities) and the flow quantities in the RSC.

Recently, the development of autonomous tractors is being carried out as an alternative to solving the labor shortage problem of agricultural workers due to an aging population and low birth rate. As the level of autonomous driving technology advances, tractor manufacturers should develop technology with the safety of their customers as a top priority. In this paper, we suggest a person recognition system for the entire environment of the tractor using a four-channel camera mounted on the tractor and the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier platform. The four-channel frame synchronization and preprocessing were performed, and the methods of recognizing people in the agricultural environment were combined using the YOLO-v3 algorithm. Among the many objects provided by COCO dataset for learning the YOLO-v3 algorithm, only person objects were extracted and the network was learned. A total of 8602 image frames were collected at the LSMtron driving test field to measure the recognition performance of actual autonomous tractors. In the collected images, various postures of agricultural workers (ex. Parts of the body are obscured by crops, squatting, etc.) that may appear in the agricultural environment were required to be expressed. The person object labeling was performed manually for the collected test datasets. For this test dataset, a comparison of the person recognition performance of the standard YOLO-v3 (80 classes detect) and Our YOLO-v3 (only person detect) was performed. As a result, our system showed 88.43% precision and 86.19% recall. This was 0.71% higher precision and 2.3 fps faster than the standard YOLO-v3. This recognition performance was judged to be sufficient considering the working conditions of autonomous tractors.

(1) Background: There are various cognitive, perceptual, and social problems associated with acquired brain injury (ABI). The Allen cognitive impairment level indicates the degree of cognitive function required for everyday activities. Until recently, there have been no studies on the relationship between basic neurological cognition and social cognitive function according to the Allen cognitive level (ACL). The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between basic neurological and social cognition among Allen cognitive disability levels of ABI. (2) Methods: Thirty-four patients with ABI were identified. Cartoon Intention Inference Task (CIIT), Social Behavior Sequence Task (SBST), Korean version Mimi-Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE), and Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA)-tests were administered to examine the differences in neurological and social cognitive functions according to each participant’s Allen Cognitive Level Screening (ACLS). (3) Results: There were significant differences between K-MMSE, LOTCA, CIIT and SBST results among Allen cognitive levels (p < 0.05). There was a linear correlation between K-MMSE (r = 0.778, p < 0.01), LOTCA-total score (r = 0.627, p < 0.01), LOTCA-orientation (r = 0.470, p = 0.01), LOTCA-thinking operation (r = 0.341, p < 0.05), CIIT (r = 0.817, p < 0.05), and SBST (r = 0.376, p < 0.05) and ACL. Stepwise multivariate regression showed that the subscales affecting the ACLS score were SBST (β = 0.239, p = 0.000) and K-MMSE (β = 0.068, p = 0.001). The explanatory power of this regression equation, R2, was 0.767. (4) Conclusions: A significant difference was found in neurological and social cognitive function according to the ACL level of the ABI patient. In addition, there was a linear correlation between the ACLS scores of the ABI patients and the underlying neurological cognitive function and social cognition. The higher the overall functional cognitive level (i.e., the group with higher ACLS scores), and the lower the degree of help required in daily life, the higher both the neurological cognition level and social cognitive level were determined to be.

We aimed to evaluate the changes over time in salivary gland (SG) abnormalities by ultrasound (US) in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Patients with pSS (n = 70) and idiopathic sicca syndrome (n = 18) underwent baseline salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) scans, and follow-up scans two years later. The semi-quantitative SGUS score (0−48) and intraglandular power Doppler signal (PDS) were assessed. We found that in the pSS group, the SGUS scores for total SGs and bilateral parotid glands significantly increased after the median 23.4-months follow-up. SGUS scores either worsened, improved, or were stable in 18.6%, 2.9%, and 78.6% of patients with pSS, respectively. The median changes from baseline in SGUS scores for total and parotid glands were +1.0 and +0.5, respectively. None of the SGUS scores changed significantly in the controls. The variables of homogeneity and hypoechoic showed a statistically significant progression of SGUS scores. In pSS patients, the baseline and follow-up PDS scores were significantly higher in the “worsening” group than in the “no change/improvement” group. Overall, the structural abnormalities in major SGs assessed using SGUS remained stable in patients with pSS. At the 2-year follow-up, SGUS scores worsened in 18.6% of patients with pSS. Intra-glandular hypervascularity was associated with the worsening of SG abnormalities.

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of SKI306X, a mixed extract of three herbs, in T helper (Th)17 cytokine-induced inflammation and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial fibroblasts were isolated from RA patients and cultured with Th17 cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17, IL-21, and IL-22 and SKI306X, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) expression and production were investigated using real-time PCR and ELISA of culture media. After peripheral blood (PB) cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ monocytes were cultured in media supplemented with Th17 cytokines and SKI306X, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive (TRAP+) multinucleated giant cells (mature osteoclasts) were enumerated and gene expression associated with osteoclast maturation was assessed via real-time PCR analysis. After PB monocytes were co-cultured with IL-17-stimulated RA synovial fibroblasts in the presence of SKI306X, osteoclast differentiation was assessed. When RA synovial fibroblasts were cultured with IL-17, IL-21, and IL-22, TNF-α, IL-1β, and RANKL expression and production were increased; however, SKI306X reduced cytokine expression and production. When PB monocytes were cultured in media supplemented with Th17 cytokines, osteoclast differentiation was stimulated; however, SKI306X decreased osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast maker expression. When PB monocytes were co-cultured with IL-17-stimulated RA synovial fibroblasts, osteoclast differentiation was increased; however, SKI306X decreased osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast maker expression. SKI306X reduced Th17 cytokine-induced TNF-α, IL-1β, and RANKL expression and osteoclast differentiation, providing novel insights into adjuvant therapy for regulating inflammation and joint destruction in RA.

The objective of this study was to design a non-invasive system for the observation of respiratory rates and detection of apnoea using analysis of real time image sequences captured in any given sleep position and under any light conditions (even in dark environments). A Microsoft Kinect sensor was used to visualize the variations in the thorax and abdomen from the respiratory rhythm. These variations were magnified, analyzed and detected at a distance of 2.5 m from the subject. A modified motion magnification system and frame subtraction technique were used to identify breathing movements by detecting rapid motion areas in the magnified frame sequences. The experimental results on a set of video data from five subjects (3 h for each subject) showed that our monitoring system can accurately measure respiratory rate and therefore detect apnoea in infants and young children. The proposed system is feasible, accurate, safe and low computational complexity, making it an efficient alternative for non-contact home sleep monitoring systems and advancing health care applications.

The main issue of vison-based automatic harvesting manipulators is the difficulty in the correct fruit identification in the images under natural lighting conditions. Mostly, the solution has been based on a linear combination of color components in the multispectral images. However, the results have not reached a satisfactory level. To overcome this issue, this paper proposes a robust nonlinear fusion method to augment the original color image with the synchronized near infrared image. The two images are fused with Daubechies wavelet transform (DWT) in a multiscale decomposition approach. With DWT, the background noises are reduced and the necessary image features are enhanced by fusing the color contrast of the color components and the homogeneity of the near infrared (NIR) component. The resulting fused color image is classified with a C-means algorithm for reconstruction. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated with the statistical F measure in comparison to some existing methods using linear combinations of color components. The results show that the fusion of information in different spectral components has the advantage of enhancing the image quality, therefore improving the classification accuracy in citrus fruit identification in natural lighting conditions.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving structural changes to the respiratory system and severe immune responses mediated by allergic cytokines and pro-inflammatory mediators. Agarum cribrosum (AC) is a kind of seaweed which contains a phlorotannin, trifuhalol A. To evaluate its anti-allergic inflammatory effect against asthma, an ovalbumin inhalation-induced mouse asthma model was used. Histologic observations proved that trifuhalol A is minimizing the lung and tracheal structure changes as well as the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells against ovalbumin inhalation challenge. From the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, ovalbumin-specific IgE and Th2-specific cytokines, IL-4, -5, and -13, were reduced with trifuhalol A treatment. In addition, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations in lung homogenate were also significantly reduced via trifuhalol A treatment. Taken together, trifuhalol A, isolated from AC, was able to protect lung and airways from Th2-specific cytokine release, and IgE mediated allergic inflammation as well as the attenuation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in lung, which results in the suppression of eosinophils and the mast cells involved asthmatic pathology.

Background and Objectives: Lateral ankle injuries are commonly encountered injuries, and the open modified Broström operation (OMBO) is the primary treatment option. Recently, an arthroscopic modification of the Broström operation (AMBO) was developed; many studies have shown that there are no significant differences in clinical and radiological outcomes between the two surgical methods. However, no studies have been conducted comparing the two surgical methods in terms of return to play (RTP) time. This study assesses the time to RTP and the functional clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were enrolled from January 2012 to July 2014. They were segregated into two cohorts: the AMBO group comprised 30 patients, while the OMBO group comprised another 30 patients. Each participant underwent standardized treatment and rehabilitation regimens and RTP time was measured using seven questions that explored the times to return of painless walking, running, jumping, squatting, climbing stairs, and rising up on the heels and toes. We compared the time intervals from the onset of instability to the date of surgery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated before the surgery, 6 weeks after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. The assessments included the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle–hindfoot score, the pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, subjective satisfaction with rehabilitation, and activity level. Results: In terms of RTP, AMBO was associated with a shorter interval to walking without pain (7.07 ± 2.96 weeks) relative to OMBO (11.03 ± 8.58 weeks). No disparities were observed in the time to return to play (RTP) between OMBO and AMBO. While there were no discrepancies in the 6-month postoperative AOFAS or VAS scores, the 6-week postoperative VAS score was notably lower in the AMBO group compared to the OMBO group. AMBO provided a faster RTP in terms of two of the seven questions in a group exhibiting high-level physical activity. The rate of subjective satisfaction with rehabilitation was higher for AMBO than for OMBO. Conclusions: Aside from walking, the duration to return to play and the clinical outcomes were similar between AMBO and OMBO treatments for lateral ankle instability. AMBO is a good treatment option and should be carefully considered for athletes with lateral ankle instability. AMBO demonstrated positive outcomes in a group with higher activity levels compared to others, particularly in terms of time to RTP, subjective satisfaction, and postoperative pain.

Background and objectives: Diabetic foot stands out as one of the most consequential and devastating complications of diabetes. Many factors, including VIPS (Vascular management, Infection management, Pressure relief, and Source of healing), influence the prognosis and treatment of diabetic foot patients. There are many studies on VIPS, but relatively few studies on “sources of healing”. Nutrients that affect wound healing are known, but objective data in diabetic foot patients are insufficient. We hypothesized that “sources of healing” would have many effects on wound healing. The purpose of this study is to know the affecting factors related to the source of healing for diabetic foot patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review identified 46 consecutive patients who were admitted for diabetic foot management from July 2019 to April 2021 at our department. Several laboratory tests were performed for influencing factor evaluation. We checked serum levels of total protein, albumin, vitamin B, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, Hb, HbA1c, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. These values of diabetic foot patients were compared with normal values. Patients were divided into two groups based on wound healing rate, age, length of hospital stay, and sex, and the test values between the groups were compared. Results: Levels of albumin (37%) and Hb (89%) were low in the diabetic foot patients. As for trace elements, levels of iron (97%) and zinc (95%) were low in the patients, but levels of magnesium and copper were usually normal or high. There were no differences in demographic characteristics based on wound healing rate. However, when compared to normal adult values, diabetic foot patients in our data exhibited significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, iron, zinc, copper, and HDL cholesterol. When compared based on age and length of hospital stay, hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in both the older age group and the group with longer hospital stays. Conclusions: Serum levels of albumin, Hb, iron, and zinc were very low in most diabetic foot patients. These low values may have a negative relationship with wound healing. Nutrient replacements are necessary for wound healing in diabetic foot patients.

Soft tissue calcifications frequently appear on imaging studies, representing a prevalent but non-specific discovery, varying from a local reaction without clear cause to suggesting an underlying systemic condition. Because calcifications like these can arise from various causes, an accurate differential diagnosis is crucial. Differential diagnosis entails a methodical assessment of the patient, encompassing clinical presentation, medical history, radiological and pathological findings, and other pertinent factors. Through scrutiny of the patient’s medical and trauma history, we can refine potential causes of calcification to vascular, metabolic, autoimmune, neoplastic, or traumatic origins. Furthermore, routine laboratory assessments, including serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, ionized calcium, vitamin D metabolites, and parathyroid hormone (PTH), aid in identifying metabolic etiologies. We describe a rare occurrence of osteoma cutis in a 15-year-old female patient with a history of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) and Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO). The patient presented with a painful mass on the lateral side of her left foot. The diagnosis was based on medical history, laboratory tests, and imaging, leading to an excisional biopsy and complete pain relief post-surgery. Understanding such rare occurrences and related conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Understanding marine bacterioplankton composition and distribution is necessary for improving predictions of ecosystem responses to environmental change. Here, we used 16S rRNA metabarcoding to investigate marine bacterioplankton diversity and identify potential pathogenic bacteria in seawater samples collected in March, May, September, and December 2013 from two sites near Jeju Island, South Korea. We identified 1343 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and observed that community diversity varied between months. Alpha- and Gamma-proteobacteria were the most abundant classes, and in all months, the predominant genera were Candidatus Pelagibacter, Leisingera, and Citromicrobium. The highest number of OTUs was observed in September, and Vibrio (7.80%), Pseudoalteromonas (6.53%), and Citromicrobium (6.16%) showed higher relative abundances or were detected only in this month. Water temperature and salinity significantly affected bacterial distribution, and these conditions, characteristic of September, were adverse for Aestuariibacter but favored Citromicrobium. Potentially pathogenic bacteria, among which Vibrio (28 OTUs) and Pseudoalteromonas (six OTUs) were the most abundant in September, were detected in 49 OTUs, and their abundances were significantly correlated with water temperature, increasing rapidly in September, the warmest month. These findings suggest that monthly temperature and salinity variations affect marine bacterioplankton diversity and potential pathogen abundance.

To investigate the factors affecting water quality in coastal regions with sea dike constructions, surface water outside a sea dike was monitored for six years from 2015 to 2020 in the Saemangeum region of Korea. Statistical analyses of the six years of high-frequency measurements revealed that the water quality in this system was predominantly governed by natural processes followed by pollutant inputs as the secondary influencing factor. Severe dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion was observed in the surface waters during warm periods, probably owing to the advection of DO-depleted water from elsewhere to the surface layer. Based on the apparent oxygen utilization (AOU)–pH relationship (r = 0.52, n = 1837), the maximum AOU (180 µM) led to a pH decrease from 8.04 to 7.50, which was considerably lower than the estimated value of 7.72. This extra pH drop was probably due to a reduction in the buffering capacity associated with increased CO2 in the water column originating from the atmosphere and in situ production, as well as local water column redox reactions associated with benthic inputs of reduced chemical species. Overall, persistent DO depletion with ongoing eutrophication/hypoxia could accelerate ocean acidification in Korean coastal waters, which could be more acute in coastal regions with artificial coastal constructions.

Background: The arthroscopic Broström procedure is a promising treatment for chronic ankle instability. However, little is known regarding the location of the intermediate superficial peroneal nerve at the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum; knowledge about this location is important for procedural safety. The purpose of this cadaveric study was to clarify the anatomical relationship between the intermediate superficial peroneal nerve and the sural nerve at the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum. Methods: Eleven dissections of cadaveric lower extremities were performed. The origin of the experimental three-dimensional axis was defined as the location of the anterolateral portal during ankle arthroscopy. The distances from the standard anterolateral portal to the inferior extensor retinaculum, sural nerve, and intermediate superficial peroneal nerve were measured using an electronic digital caliper. The location of inferior extensor retinaculum, the tract of sural nerve, and intermediate superficial peroneal nerve were checked using average and standard deviations. For the statistical analyses, data are presented as average ± standard deviation, and then they are reported as means and standard deviations. Fisher’s exact test was used to identify statistically significant differences. Results: At the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum, the mean distances from the anterolateral portal to the proximal and distal intermediate superficial peroneal nerve were 15.9 ± 4.1 (range, 11.3–23.0) mm and 30.1 ± 5.5 (range, 20.8–37.9) mm, respectively. The mean distances from the anterolateral portal to the proximal and distal sural nerve were 47.6 ± 5.7 (range, 37.4–57.2) mm and 47.2 ± 4.1 (range, 41.0–51.8) mm), respectively. Conclusions: During the arthroscopic Broström procedure, the intermediate superficial peroneal nerve may be damaged by the anterolateral portal; the proximal and distal parts of the intermediate superficial peroneal nerve were located within 15.9 and 30.1 mm, respectively, at the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum in cadavers. These areas should be considered danger zones during the arthroscopic Broström procedure.

The activation and degranulation of immune cells play a pivotal role in allergic inflammation, a pathological condition that includes anaphylaxis, pruritus, and allergic march-related diseases. In this study, trifuhalol A, a phlorotannin isolated from Agarum cribrosum, inhibited the degranulation of immune cells and the biosynthesis of IL-33 and IgE in differentiated B cells and keratinocytes, respectively. Additionally, trifuhalol A suppressed the IL-33 and IgE-mediated activation of RBL-2H3 cells through the regulation of the TAK1 and MK2 pathways. Hence, the effect of trifuhalol A on allergic inflammation was evaluated using a Compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis mouse model and a house dust mite (HDM)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. Trifuhalol A alleviated anaphylactic death and pruritus, which appeared as an early-phase reaction to allergic inflammation in the Compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis model. In addition, trifuhalol A improved symptoms such as itching, edema, erythema, and hyperkeratinization in HDM-induced AD mice as a late-phase reaction. Moreover, the expression of IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, inflammatory cytokines secreted from activated keratinocytes, was significantly reduced by trifuhalol A administration, resulting in the reduced infiltration of immune cells into the skin and a reduction in the blood levels of IgE and IL-4. In summarizing the above results, these results confirm that trifuhalol A is a potential therapeutic candidate for the regulation of allergic inflammation.

Many oceans are currently undergoing rapid changes in environmental conditions such as warming temperature, acidic water condition, coastal hypoxia, etc [...]

The macromolecular concentrations and compositions of phytoplankton are crucial for the growth or nutritional structure of higher trophic levels through the food web in the ecosystem. To understand variations in macromolecular contents of phytoplankton, we investigated the macromolecular components of phytoplankton and analyzed their spatial pattern on the Chukchi Shelf and the Canada Basin. The carbohydrate (CHO) concentrations on the Chukchi Shelf and the Canada Basin were 50.4–480.8 μg L−1 and 35.2–90.1 μg L−1, whereas the lipids (LIP) concentrations were 23.7–330.5 μg L−1 and 11.7–65.6 μg L−1, respectively. The protein (PRT) concentrations were 25.3–258.5 μg L−1 on the Chukchi Shelf and 2.4–35.1 μg L−1 in the Canada Basin. CHO were the predominant macromolecules, accounting for 42.6% on the Chukchi Shelf and 60.5% in the Canada Basin. LIP and PRT contributed to 29.7% and 27.7% of total macromolecular composition on the Chukchi Shelf and 30.8% and 8.7% in the Canada Basin, respectively. Low PRT concentration and composition in the Canada Basin might be a result from the severe nutrient-deficient conditions during phytoplankton growth. The calculated food material concentrations were 307.8 and 98.9 μg L−1, and the average calorie contents of phytoplankton were 1.9 and 0.6 kcal m−3 for the Chukchi Shelf and the Canada Basin, respectively, which indicates the phytoplankton on the Chukchi Shelf could provide the large quantity of food material and high calories to the higher trophic levels. Overall, our results highlight that the biochemical compositions of phytoplankton are considerably different in the regions of the Arctic Ocean. More studies on the changes in the biochemical compositions of phytoplankton are still required under future environmental changes.