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Amphoteric pH-responsive polymers fused with both acidic and basic polymers exhibited sharp pH-swelling behavior in both acidic and basic media.

We herein report manufacturing of dental crowns made of 5-mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (5Y-PSZ) with desired mechanical properties, optical translucency and dimensional accuracy using digital light processing (DLP). To this end, all processing parameters were carefully controlled and optimized. First, 5Y-PSZ particles with a bimodal distribution were prepared via calcination of as-received granules and subsequent ball-milling and then used to formulate 5Y-PSZ suspensions with a high solid loading of 50 vol% required for high densification after sintering. Dispersant content was also optimized. To provide high dimensional accuracy, initial dimensions of dental crowns for 3D printing were precisely determined by considering increase and decrease in dimensions during photopolymerization and sintering, respectively. Photopolymerization time was also optimized for a given layer thickness of 50 μm to ensure good bonding between layers. A multi-step debinding schedule with a slow heating rate was employed to avoid formation of any defects. After sintering at 1500 °C for 2 h, 5Y-PSZ could be almost fully densified without noticeable defects within layers and at interfaces between layers. They had high relative densities (99.03 ± 0.39%) with a high cubic phase content (59.1%). These characteristics allowed for achievement of reasonably high mechanical properties (flexural strength = 625.4 ± 75.5 MPa and Weibull modulus = 7.9) and % transmittance (31.4 ± 0.7%). In addition, 5Y-PSZ dental crowns showed excellent dimensional accuracy (root mean square (RMS) for marginal discrepancy = 44.4 ± 10.8 μm and RMS for internal gap = 22.8 ± 1.6 μm) evaluated by the 3D scanning technique.

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Heteroptera: Coreidae) is a notorious pest that causes irreversible damage to coniferous forests in South Korea. However, an effective control strategy is still under development. In this study, we used CLIMEX to analyze the potential distribution of L. occidentalis in relation to climate and host plants in South Korea for the identification of effective control spots. The climate needs of L. occidentalis under current and future climate conditions were analyzed and projected on a map along with the distribution of coniferous forests. The CLIMEX model projected that the area of L. occidentalis distribution would decrease slightly in 2060 compared with that at present. However, it was projected that occurrence in mountainous regions would be sustained, suggesting continued damage to coniferous forests in South Korea.

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a forest pest that damages a variety of trees in North America and Eurasia. A spongy moth outbreak occurred in part of South Korea in 2020 and caused severe damage to domestic forests and human society. Since the occurrence of spongy moths is influenced by climatic factors, this study examines the causes of spongy moth outbreaks by analyzing the temporal and spatial differences in climatic factors, influencing spongy moth occurrence using specimens collected during field surveys. Climatic factors were identified using global occurrence coordinates to compare the weather characteristics of spongy moth occurrence in domestic regions, using the kernel density function. Spatial and temporal comparisons were performed for monthly weather factors obtained from field surveys in 2020 and 2021 in areas with high and low spongy moth larvae densities. Spongy moth outbreaks may result from particular combinations of variable seasonality in temperature and precipitation, including high temperatures during cold periods and low precipitation during developmental periods.

The longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) is a globally distributed ant species with a high invasion risk, suggesting the need to use species distribution modeling to evaluate its potential distribution. Therefore, this study aimed to predict the potential distribution of longhorn crazy ants in response to climate change by using CLIMEX and Maxent and identifying the climatic factors that influence their habitat. Then, the model outcomes were used to construct an ensemble map to evaluate invasion risk in South Korea. The results indicated that temperature-related variables mainly affect the distribution of the longhorn crazy ant, and the two models showed consensus regions in South America, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Due to climate change, it was expected that the northern limit would somewhat rise. In South Korea, high-risk areas were predicted to be located along the coasts, but they would expand as a consequence of climate change. Since the invasion of longhorn crazy ants has occurred via commercial trades, a relatively high risk in coastal areas demands a high level of attention. We expect that this study will provide initial insight into selecting areas for longhorn crazy ant quarantine with ensemble species distribution modeling.

The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a pest that damages various tree species throughout North America and Eurasia, has recently emerged in South Korea, threatening local forests and landscapes. The establishment of effective countermeasures against this species' outbreak requires predicting its potential distribution with climate change. In this study, we used species distribution models (CLIMEX and MaxEnt) to predict the potential distribution of the spongy moth and identify areas at risk of exposure to a sustained occurrence of the pest by constructing an ensemble map that simultaneously projected the outcomes of the two models. The results showed that the spongy moth could be distributed over the entire country under the current climate, but the number of suitable areas would decrease under a climate change scenario. This study is expected to provide basic data that can predict areas requiring intensive control and monitoring in advance with methodologically improved modeling technique.

The tropical fire ant (TFA, Solenopsis geminata) is an aggressive fire ant species that can cause health problems in humans and damages ecosystems. The TFA can be found across the world, from North and South America to Africa, Asia, and Oceania; furthermore, it has been introduced into new areas by human transport or natural flights. In this study, species distribution modeling was applied to the TFA for the first time, and its potential distribution as a response to climate change was evaluated. This study used CLIMEX as the climate-specific species distribution modeling tool with the distribution data for TFA, current global meteorological data, and two types of climate change scenarios. Thus, although the climatic suitability of the TFA was assumed to decrease with climate change, its distribution limit was expected to increase. In addition, the difference between potential distributions predicted using Special Report on Emissions Scenarios A1B and Special Report on Emissions Scenarios A2 increased over time. In conclusion, even with an overall decrease in climatic suitability, in the future, the TFA will still be able to invade a new area that it cannot inhabit under the current climatic scenario. As the first study that predicts TFA distribution using a species distribution model, we expect that this study will provide the basic information for further TFA modeling and for setting up quarantine and control measures.

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a global forest pest, has a potential to damage forests in South Korea, requiring an effective tool for evaluating its potential distribution. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of A. glabripennis in South Korea by simultaneously considering climate and host plants. Climatic suitability was firstly evaluated using a CLIMEX model; then, it was combined with the areal distribution of host plants using a simple mathematical formulation. We finally projected the spatial distribution of A. glabripennis onto the map of administrative districts to identify hazardous areas to watch. As a result, the developed model predicted that over 40% of areas in South Korea could be exposed to A. glabripennis damage, and most of them were located in mountainous areas with abundant host plants. In addition, climatic suitability was higher in coastal areas, which was different than a previous record of A. glabripennis occurrence, while the prediction by a comprehensive model was consistent with the record. In conclusion, the model including both climate and host plant occurrence was more reliable than the model which only included climate, and could provide useful data for determining areas for monitoring and control.

Purpose Despite the large number of studies on country of origin, little is known about the effects of state-level product origin information on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. Likewise, little is known about when the state-of-origin (SOO) information enhances, has no effect or has a negative effect on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. Primarily drawing on the country-of-origin literature, this study aims to examine the influence of SOO label information and the moderating role of state residency. Design/methodology/approach To test five hypotheses, the authors conducted a survey (Study 1) and an experiment (Study 2). The analyses included content analysis, regression and ANOVA. Findings The findings show that for certain products, moderate-to-strong product–state associations exist. However, when the associations are weak, consumers show bias for products made in their (vs other) states. The findings also show that when consumers evaluate their state products, normative (vs cognitive) reasons drive their attitudes, but that when they assess products from states other than their state of residency, cognitive (vs normative) reasons drive attitudes. Additionally, economic sustainability seems a powerful motivator for buying products made in their state of residency. Practical implications Companies should take advantage of positive biases for their products in the states in which they produce products. However, when companies market their products outside their states of production, in some cases, they should consider deemphasizing SOO information unless there is a strong product–state association present among consumers outside of the state. Originality/value This paper adds value by providing new insights for designing product origin labeling programs. Suggestions for future research and marketing strategies for practitioners who want to use SOO as a branding strategy are offered.

When there is a service failure, it is often believed that employees should immediately apologize to customers before hearing their complaints. However, we argue that in certain situations, an employee can recover from a service failure more effectively if the employee apologizes after hearing customer complaints. A simple change in the sequential order of apologizing and listening to complaints can significantly impact customer satisfaction. We propose that customer satisfaction increases if an employee’s apology timing is matched with customers’ expectation to interact with the employee in the future. Across two studies, we consistently report that a responsive apology (i.e., listen-and-then-apologize) outperforms a preemptive apology (i.e., apologize-and-then-listen) when customers’ interaction expectation is high. In contrast, the effectiveness of the responsive apology is weaker and even reversed when their interaction expectation is low. We also examine a boundary condition and a potential process likely responsible for this apology time sequence effect.

Climate has been used as a main variable in species distribution model, suggesting that the type of meteorological data can affect the predictive range of a target species. This study was to investigate the effect of meteorological data on the prediction of the potential distribution of a species in the CLIMEX model. We constructed three different types of meteorological data to be inserted into the CLIMEX model to predict the climatic suitability of the spotted lanternfly [Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)] in South Korea: (1) minimum–maximum data (Y-data), (2) annual average data (AY-data), and (3) 30-year long-term average data (A-data). As a result, the climatic suitability represented by the Ecoclimatic Index (EI) was significantly different in the Y-data compared with the other data sets because of the extreme winter condition in which they were recorded. In contrast, the AY- and A-data sets showed similar climatic suitability, but the AY-data showed slightly higher Ecoclimatic Index values than the A-data. It is conclusive that the AY- and A-data sets were suitable for evaluating annual variations by the years of data collection and current potential distribution, respectively, whereas the Y-data could be used for simulation under extreme climate conditions for a conservative assessment. Keywords: Climatic suitability, CLIMEX, Meteorological data, Potential distribution

An amphiphilic graft copolymer, composed of poly(β-amino ester)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PAE-g-PEG), was prepared as the drug carrier for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PAE-g-PEG was synthesized through Michael addition polymerization and analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Owing to its amphiphilic property, PAE-g-PEG was self-assembled into spherical micelles (23 nm in diameter) in an aqueous environment Methotrexate, a hydrophobic drug for the treatment of RA, was physically loaded into the hydrophobic core of micelles by the dialysis method, resulting in high encapsulation efficiency (85.36%). Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the micellar structure at pH 7.4 rapidly disassociated under the mildly acidic environment (pH < 6.5), mimicking the pathological condition of RA. Owing to the rapid disassociation of PAE-g-PEG micelles, methotrexate in the micelles was rapidly released under the mildly acidic condition. The micelles were non-toxic to and readily taken up by RAW 264.7 cells. When systemically administered into collagen-induced arthritis mice models, the pH-sensitive micelles effectively accumulated in inflamed joints, implying their high targetability to RA. Overall, PAE-g-PEG micelles might be useful as the carrier for targeting RA.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown great potential in disease diagnosis and treatment; however, their clinical applications remain challenging due to their unsatisfactory long-term stability and the lack of effective delivery strategies. In this study, we prepared human adipose stem cell-derived EV (hASC-EV)-loaded hyaluronic acid dissolving microneedles (EV@MN) to investigate the feasibility of EVs for their clinical applications. The biological activities of the EVs in this formulation were maintained for more than six months under mild storage conditions, especially at temperatures lower than 4 °C. Moreover, the EV@MN enabled precise and convenient intradermal delivery for sustained release of EVs in the dermis layer. Therefore, EV@MN significantly improved the biological functions of hASC-EVs on dermal fibroblasts by promoting syntheses of proteins for the extracellular matrix such as collagen and elastin, enhancing fibroblast proliferation, and regulating the phenotype of fibroblast, compared with other administration methods. This research revealed a possible and feasible formulation for the clinical application of EVs.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common malignancy with a high incidence rate and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Herein, we developed a thermo-responsive hydrogel comprising poly(e-caprolactone-co-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(e-caprolactone-co-lactide (PCLA) that exhibits acidity-accelerated delivery of the tumor-targeting glucuronic acid-bearing doxorubicin (DOX-pH-GA) conjugate into tumor tissues. The PCLA copolymer was post-modified with boronic acid (BA-PCLA) to covalently cross-link with the pH-responsive DOX-pH-GA conjugate. The BA-PCLA copolymer effectively coordinated with the DOX-pH-GA conjugate through the boronate ester formation and showed a lower critical gelation temperature. The DOX conjugated via boronate ester exhibited a sustained release in vitro. Subcutaneous administration of PCLA copolymers formed in situ gels in the subcutaneous layers of Sprague-Dawley rats and degraded after 6 weeks. Similarly, BA-PCLA copolymers coordinated with DOX-pH-GA formed a stable in situ gel in vivo. In vivo imaging studies demonstrated that DOX-pH-GA was released in a sustained manner. The anti-tumor activity of the DOX releasing injectable hydrogel was examined using a HepG2 liver cancer xenograft model. The in vivo antitumor effect demonstrated that the DOX releasing hydrogel depot remarkably suppresses the tumor growth. These results demonstrate that the pH-responsive DOX releasing thermo-responsive hydrogel depot has great potential for application in localized anticancer therapy.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal disorders caused by the imbalance between bone formation and resorption, resulting in quantitative loss of bone tissue. Since stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are growing attention as novel cell‐free therapeutics that have advantages over parental stem cells, the therapeutic effects of EVs from adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ASC‐EVs) on osteoporosis pathogenesis were investigated. ASC‐EVs were isolated by a multi‐filtration system based on the tangential flow filtration (TFF) system and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, flow cytometry, cytokine arrays, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. EVs are rich in growth factors and cytokines related to bone metabolism and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration. In particular, osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), was highly enriched in ASC‐EVs. We found that the intravenous administration of ASC‐EVs attenuated bone loss in osteoporosis mice. Also, ASC‐EVs significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation of macrophages and promoted the migration of bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs). However, OPG‐depleted ASC‐EVs did not show anti‐osteoclastogenesis effects, demonstrating that OPG is critical for the therapeutic effects of ASC‐EVs. Additionally, small RNA sequencing data were analysed to identify miRNA candidates related to anti‐osteoporosis effects. miR‐21‐5p in ASC‐EVs inhibited osteoclast differentiation through Acvr2a down‐regulation. Also, let‐7b‐5p in ASC‐EVs significantly reduced the expression of genes related to osteoclastogenesis. Finally, ASC‐EVs reached the bone tissue after they were injected intravenously, and they remained longer. OPG, miR‐21‐5p, and let‐7b‐5p in ASC‐EVs inhibit osteoclast differentiation and reduce gene expression related to bone resorption, suggesting that ASC‐EVs are highly promising as cell‐free therapeutic agents for osteoporosis treatment.

Recent advances in species distribution models (SDMs) associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and increased volumes of available data for model variables have allowed reliable evaluation of the potential distribution of any species. A reliable SDM requires suitable occurrence records and variables with optimal model structures. In this study, we developed three different machine learning-based SDMs [MaxEnt, random forest (RF), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP)] to predict the global potential distribution of two invasive ants under current and future climates. These SDMs showed that the potential distribution of Solenopsis invicta would be expanded by climatic change, whereas it would not significantly change for Anoplolepis gracilipes. The models were compared using model performance metrics, and the optimal model structure and spatial projection were selected. The MaxEnt exhibited high performance, while the MLP model exhibited low performance, with the largest variation by climate change. Random forest showed the smallest potential distribution area, but it was robust considering the number of occurrence records and changes in model variables. All the models showed reliable performance, but the difference in performance and projection size suggested that optimal model selection based on data availability, model variables, study objectives, or an ensemble approach was necessary to develop a comprehensive SDM to minimize modeling uncertainty. We expect that this study will help with the use of AI-based SDMs for the evaluation and risk assessment of invasive ant species.

Ganglioside GM3 is known as an inhibition factor of cell differentiation and proliferation via inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation. Our previous study showed that the exogenous ganglioside GM3 reduced the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes and induced apoptosis at 44 h of in vitro maturation (IVM). However, the role of ganglioside GM3 in the relationship between EGFR signaling and apoptosis during porcine oocyte maturation has not yet been studied. First, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium with exogenous ganglioside GM3 according to maturation periods (non-treated, only IVM I: 0 - 22 h, only IVM II: 22 - 44 h and IVM I & II: 0 - 44 h). We confirmed that the proportion of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) increased significantly in the IVM I treated group than in the control group. We also confirmed that the meiotic maturation until M II stage and polar body formation decreased significantly in the only IVM I treated group. Cumulus cell expansion and mRNA levels of the expansion-related factors (HAS2, TNFAIP6 and PTX3) decreased significantly in the IVM I treated group than in the control group. Protein levels of EGFR, p-EGFR, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 decreased significantly in the GM3-treated groups, during the IVM I period. In addition, cellular apoptosis, determined using TUNEL assay, and protein levels of Cleaved caspase 3, were increased significantly in the GM3-treated COCs during the IVM I period. Based on these results, ganglioside GM3 exposure of porcine COCs during the IVM I period reduced meiotic maturation and cumulus cell expansion via inhibition of EGFR activity in pigs.

Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT), which reinvigorates cytotoxic T cells, provides clinical benefits as an alternative to conventional cancer therapies. However, its clinical response rate is too low to treat an immune-excluded tumor, owing to the presence of abundant stromal elements impeding the penetration of immune cells. Here, we report that macitentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist approved by the FDA to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, can be repositioned to modulate the desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME). In the 4T1 orthotopic tumor model, the polymeric nanoparticles bearing macitentan (M-NPs) prevent fibrotic progression by regulating the function of cancer-associated fibroblasts, attenuate the biogenesis of cancer cell-derived exosomes, and modulate the T cell subsets and distribution in TME. These results demonstrate that the M-NPs effectively reorganize the immunosuppressive TME by targeting the endothelin-1 axis and consequently exhibit synergistic antitumor effects in combination with ICT.

Allogeneic transplantation of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) offers great potential for treating liver fibrosis. However, owing to their intrinsic surface characteristics, bare EVs are non-specifically distributed in the liver tissue after systemic administration, leading to limited therapeutic efficacy. To target activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis, vitamin A-coupled small EVs (V-EVs) were prepared by incorporating vitamin A derivative into the membrane of bare EVs. No significant differences were found in the particle size and morphology between bare and V-EVs. In addition, surface engineering of EVs did not affect the expression of surface marker proteins (e.g., CD63 and CD9), as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Owing to the surface incorporation of vitamin A, V-EVs were selectively taken up by activated HSCs via receptor-mediated endocytosis. When systemically administered to mice with liver fibrosis, V-EVs effectively targeted activated HSCs in the liver tissue, resulting in reversal of the fibrotic cascade. Consequently, even at a 10-fold lower dose, V-EVs exhibited comparable anti-fibrotic effects to those of bare EVs, substantiating their therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.

Changes in dietary patterns have led to a decrease in rice consumption, raising demands for the cultivation of alternative crops that meet the current requirements. Potatoes are highly productive and can be stored for a relatively long period, thereby ensuring adequate income for farmers; however, optimal cultivation is necessary to maximize yield.This study proposes optimal cultivation regions for potato considering climate and soil conditions.The CLIMEX model was developed to evaluate climatic suitability, while the soil suitability was scored based on five soil characteristics. The final areal suitability for potato cultivation was classified into 4 levels: very suitable, suitable, marginal, and unsuitable.Overall, 36.5% of South Korea had very suitable climate, but areas with the best values for soil conditions were approximately 10% of the climatically suitable areas. When considering the climate and soil conditions simultaneously, climatic suitability and soil condition were inversely related, resulting in only 1.2% of optimal areas with Jeju Island as the most suitable area.Because both climate and soil conditions need to be suitable for growing crops, this study can provide potential paddy-cultivation areas for potato cultivation and a method for evaluating suitable areas for crop cultivation.

This study evaluated the potential distribution of the potato tuber moth. This species severely impacts global potato production, especially in China and India, which have the world&rsquo, s largest potato production. We developed two indices considering host plant availability and production in addition to climatic suitability, which was simulated using the CLIMEX model. Thus, three different indices were used to project potential distribution of the potato tuber moth under a climate change scenario: (1) climatic suitability (ecoclimatic index (EI)) (EIM), (2) climatic suitability combined with host plant availability (EIN1), and (3) climatic suitability combined with host plant production (EIN2). Under the current climate, EIM was high in southern India and central to southern China, while EIN1 and EIN2 were approximately 38% and 20% lower than EIM, respectively. Under the Special Report on Emissions Scenario A1B, the potato tuber moth would probably not occur in India, but its distribution could be extended to the north, reaching N47&deg, The areas with the highest climatic suitability by potato tuber moth based on three indices were Sichuan and Karnataka in response to climate change. These areas require adequate pest control, such as prevention of spread through transport of potato seed or by using cold storage facilities.

A novel chemosensor 1 based on 4-aminobenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde was synthesized for the recognition of Ga3+ and CN–. Chemosensor 1 displayed “turn-on” fluorescence response only to Ga3+, distinguishing from Al3+ and In3+, which have similar properties. Meanwhile, sensor 1 displayed color change of yellow to colorless by reacting with CN– via a nucleophilic addition process in aqueous solution. Sensor 1 was used to quantify CN– in real samples. Sensing processes of 1 toward Ga3+ and CN– were demonstrated by the various spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations.

A new sensor for Hg2+ and cysteine detection has been synthesized and tested. The sensor based on cinamaldehyde and pyrimidine absorbs visible light when exposed to Hg2+ and becomes colored. The sensor only changes color due to Hg2+ and does not change when exposed to some other metal ions. Calculations show the change in color is due to lowering of the HOMO-LUMO transition. Titrations show the sensor-Hg2+ complex is composed of two sensor molecules per Hg2+. The limit of detection for Hg2+ is 0.39 μM. The sensor-Hg2+ complex selectively responds to cysteine (Cys), but does not show a color change due to other amino acids. The limit of detection of Cys by the sensor-Hg2+ complex is 0.10 μM.

A multifunctional colorimetric chemosensor 1, based on 4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,3-diamino-5-bromopyridine, has been synthesized and characterized. Sensor 1 detected instantly both Cu2+ and S2− by the color change from pale yellow to deep yellow. The binding modes of 1 with Cu2+ and S2− were found to be the 1:1 stoichiometry through Job plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis, respectively. In addition, the detection limit of 1 for Cu2+ was found to be 68.6 nΜ, which was much lower than WHO guideline (31.5 µΜ) in drinking water. Importantly, sensor 1 could be used to quantify Cu2+ in water samples. Moreover, 1 exhibited a high selectivity for S2− in the presence of other anions. The sensing mechanisms of Cu2+ and S2− by 1 were explained by theoretical calculations.

Rigid polyurethane foam (PUF) is one of the outstanding insulation materials and has been widely used in freezers and cryogenic facilities. Among the various blowing agents used in the manufacturing PUF, water-blown PUF is attracting much attention as environmentally friendly PUF as prominent replacements for the environmentally hazardous CFCs and HCFCs due to their significant ozone depletion potential. We investigated the effective thermal conductivity of PUF blown with different amounts of water, on the basis of the heat transfer mechanisms in terms of thermal conduction of solids and gases and the thermal conductivity of radiation in the cells. A predictive model for the effective thermal conductivity of PUFs with different densities is presented. The predictive model was validated by comparing the predicted values with the experimentally measured ones. The result showed that the effective thermal conductivity increased from 0.023 to 0.027 W m−1 K−1 as the PUF density increased from 48 to 120 kg m−3: increased by 158% from 0.0034 to 0.0089 W m−1 K−1 for the thermal conductivity of solid PUF and decreased by 50% from 0.0037 to 0.0018 for the thermal conductivity of radiation.

A simple colorimetric chemosensor 1 was developed for the sequential detection of Cu2+ and S2−. Sensor 1 could rapidly detect Cu2+ by an obvious color change from colorless to yellow. The binding m...

Lycorma delicatula is one of the major invasive pests of Korea. Careful monitoring is required to protect domestic agriculture as this pest causes severe damage to agricultural crops, such as wilting and sooty mold. This study was designed to confirm the potential distribution of L. delicatula using the modeling software CLIMEX and to suggest fundamental data for preventing agricultural damage by L. delicatula. Our results show that Korean weather seems to be adequate for L. delicatula habitation, indicating that approximately 60% of areas examined have a very high possibility of potential distribution. Particularly, we showed that Gyeongsang-do and Jeonla-do, which have not yet been invaded by L. delicatula, were very suitable locations for its growth. Therefore, although it is necessary to set up feasible strategies for preventing further L. delicatula invasions, subsequent studies are needed for assessing other invasive species considering the impact of future climate change. Keywords: CLIMEX software, invasive pest, Lycorma delicatula, potential distribution

In the present study, we investigated the role of binding immunoglobulin protein/glucose-regulated protein, 78-kDa (BIP/GRP78)-regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress on meiotic maturation and cumulus cells expansion in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Previously, it has been demonstrated that unfolded protein response (UPR)-related genes, such as molecules involved in ER-stress defense mechanisms, were expressed in matured oocytes and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. However, BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of ER stress in porcine oocytes has not been reported. Firstly, we observed the effects of knockdown of BIP/GRP78 (an UPR initiation marker) using porcine-specific siRNAs (#909, #693, and #1570) on oocyte maturation. Among all siRNAs, siRNA #693 significantly reduced the protein levels of UPR marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in porcine COCs observed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. We also observed that the reduction of BIP/GRP78 levels by siRNA#693 significantly inhibited the meiotic maturation of oocytes (siRNA #693: 32.5±10.1% vs control: 77.8±5.3%). In addition, we also checked the effect of ER-stress inhibitors, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, 200 μM) and melatonin (0.1 μM), in BIP/ GRP78-knockdown oocytes. TUDCA and melatonin treatment could restore the expression levels of ER-stress marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, p-eIF2α, eIF2α, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in siRNA #693-transfected matured COCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of UPR signaling and ER stress plays an important role in in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

The yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) has destroyed local ecosystems in numerous countries, and their population sizes and distribution are likely to increase under global warming. To evaluate the risk of invasion by yellow crazy ant in South Korea, this study identified their potential habitats and predicted their future global distribution by modeling various climate change scenarios using CLIMEX software. Our modeling predicted that future climate conditions in South Korea will be favorable for the yellow crazy ant, and they could invade by the mid-21st century. We highlight the use of predictive algorithms to establish geographical areas with a high risk of yellow crazy ant invasion under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 8.5 climate scenarios. Keywords: Anoplolepis gracilipes, climate change scenario, CLIMEX, invasive species, yellow crazy ant

Novel hybrid dielectric film is synthesized at a low temperature of 150 °C using a solution process. Zirconium acrylate (ZrA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) comprise the inorganic and organic components, respectively. The acrylate-based molecular structure of both ingredients allows the facile formation of hybrid ZrA/PMMA dielectric film with neither additional coupling agent nor ultraviolet photon irradiation. The high quality of the hybrid ZrA/PMMA dielectric film is confirmed by its high dielectric constant of 5.5 and low leakage current density of 1.7 × 10−8 A/cm2 at the electric field of 1 MV/cm. The indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO) transistors with the optimal ZrA/PMMA gate insulator layer are fabricated on the polyimide substrate at the maximum high temperature of 150 °C. They exhibit hysteresis-free high performance with high carrier mobility of 24.3 cm2V−1s−1, gate swing of 0.61 V/decade and ION/OFF ratio of 4 × 106. Owing to the intrinsic deformability of hybrid dielectric film, these transistors maintained electrical performance after 100 cycles of mechanical bending to the extremely small radius of curvature of 2 mm.

A service employee’s active listening plays a crucial role in restoring a damaged customer relationship. However, previous studies reveal little about how listening to customer complaints operates in recovering a service failure. The purpose of this research is to explore when and why the employee’s active listening has a positive influence on customer response. We define active listening as (1) listening to customers’ concerns before apologizing and (2) verbally acknowledging them. Using scenario-based experiments, we demonstrate that active listening improves customer satisfaction, which in turn increases tip size (Study 1). Moreover, we find that active listening fosters customers’ perceptions of preferential treatment, which lead to greater customer satisfaction (Study 2). Yet, such positive effects of active listening diminish when customers are unexpectedly offered a complimentary service such as a room upgrade. The implications for academic researchers and marketing managers are discussed.

A new Schiff-base colorimetric chemosensor 1 was developed for the detection of Cu2+, Co2+ and S2−. Sensor 1 could simply monitor Cu2+ and Co2+ by a color change from colorless to yellow. The binding modes of 1 to Cu2+ and Co2+ were determined to be a 2 : 1 complexation stoichiometry through Job's plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis. The detection limits (0.02 μM and 0.63 μM) for Cu2+ and Co2+ were lower than the recommended values (31.5 μM and 1.7 μM) by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Cu2+ and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Co2+, respectively. Importantly, 1 could detect and quantify Cu2+ in real water samples. In addition, the Cu2+-2·1 complex could be used as a highly selective colorimetric sensor for S2− in the presence of other anions without any interference. Moreover, the sensing mechanisms of Cu2+ and Co2+ by 1 were explained by theoretical calculations.

A selective and multifunctional chemosensor 1 for Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ was designed and synthesized. 1 could simultaneously detect Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ by changing its color from colorless to pink (Fe2+) and to yellow (Co2+ and Cu2+), respectively, in a near-perfect aqueous solution. The binding modes of 1 to Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ were determined to be a 1:1, 2:1, and 1:1, respectively, through Job plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis. The detection limits (0.43 μM, 0.11 μM and 0.28 μM) of 1 for Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ were much lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines (5.36 μM for Fe2+ and 1.7 μM for Co2+) and the WHO guideline (31.5 μM for Cu2+) for the drinking water. Moreover, the chemosensor 1 could be used to quantify Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ in water samples, and applied to test kits for detecting Fe2+, Co2+ and Cu2+. The sensing mechanisms of Co2+ and Cu2+ by 1 were supported by theoretical calculations.

Climate change has caused various environmental and ecological problems worldwide, as well as triggered invasions by alien insects that cause damage to the local ecology and agriculture. Metcalfa pruinosa has caused significant damage to agriculture and human life and South Korea is no exception. This species is spreading rapidly in South Korea and causing persistent damage with the change in climate; thus, there is an urgent need for effective monitoring of the potential distribution of this species. This study aimed to predict the potential distribution of M. pruinosa in response to climate change. CLIMEX software, specialized software for predicting species distribution, was used to evaluate the future distribution pattern of M. pruinosa by combining biological information and climatic conditions. According to our simulation, the distribution of M. pruinosa has expanded on a national scale; however, its invasion will decrease with the current trend in climate change.