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We propose a genetic algorithm for optimizing oil skimmer assignments, introducing a tailored repair operation for constrained assignments. Methods essentially involve simulation-based evaluation to ensure adherence to South Korea's regulations. Results show that the optimized assignments, compared to current ones, reduced work time on average and led to a significant reduction in total skimmer capacity. Additionally, we present a deep neural network-based surrogate model, greatly enhancing efficiency compared to simulation-based optimization. Addressing inefficiencies in mobilizing locations that store oil skimmers, further optimization aimed to minimize mobilized locations and was validated through scenario-based simulations resembling actual situations. Based on major oil spills in South Korea, this strategy significantly reduced work time and required locations. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed genetic algorithm and mobilized location minimization strategy in enhancing oil spill response operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feature selection reduces the dimension of input variables by eliminating irrelevant features. We propose feature selection techniques based on a genetic algorithm, which is a metaheuristic inspired by a natural selection process. We compare two types of feature selection for predicting a stock market index and cryptocurrency price. The first method is a newly devised genetic filter involving a fitness function designed to increase the relevance between the target and the selected features and decrease the redundancy between the selected features. The second method is a genetic wrapper, whereby we can find the better feature subsets related to KOPSI by exploring the solution space more thoroughly. Both genetic feature selection methods improved the predictive performance of various regression functions. Our best model was applied to predict the KOSPI, cryptocurrency price, and their respective trends after COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We identified the sequence encoding galectin-9 from Pagrus major and subsequently investigated the molecular characteristics and changes in gene expression patterns in response to artificial infection with major pathogens. Overall, our data suggest that galectin-9 plays a pivotal role in the immune system of P. major. The findings of this study can potentially serve as a reference for understanding the function of galectin-9 in the P. major immune system; moreover, galectin-9 has been identified as a potential candidate for use as a disease-related molecular marker. Galectin (Gal) is a member of a family of β-galactoside-binding lectin. The members of this family play important roles in the recognition of carbohydrate ligands and in various other biological processes. In this study, we identified the gene encoding Gal-9 in Pagrus major (PmGal-9) and analyzed its expression in various tissues after pathogen challenge. Alignment analysis revealed that the two galactose-binding lectin domains of the deduced protein were highly conserved among all the teleosts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PmGal-9 is most closely related to the Gal-9 gene of gilthead sea bream. PmGal-9 was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues analyzed but was predominantly expressed in the spleen, head kidney, and intestine. After challenges with major microbial pathogens (Edwardsiella piscicida, Streptococcus iniae, or red sea bream iridovirus) of red sea bream, PmGal-9 mRNA expression was significantly regulated in most immune-related tissues. These results suggested that PmGal-9 not only plays an important role in the immune system of red sea bream but is also a possible inflammatory marker for pathogenic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we detected Kudoa hexapunctata in Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) individuals that did not show any gross pathology lesions. Giemsa staining was used to identify clearer lesions than haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining that is used in general histological analysis. K. hexapunctata was separated through molecular biological methods, other than haematolocial and histological analysis. Individuals infected with K. hexapunctata showed relatively low haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) values, and histological analysis revealed clear pseudocysts in the abdominal and dorsal muscles. The consumption of fish and shellfish worldwide is steadily increasing, and tuna is a particularly valuable fish species. However, infection caused by Kudoa spp. is causing problems in many fish including the Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), and there is much controversy about the association of these infections with foodborne disease. In this study, using haematological and histological analyses of the blood and internal organs (liver, spleen, kidney, heart, stomach, intestine, gill, and muscle) of Pacific bluefin tuna cultured in South Korea, infection with Myxosporea was first identified, and molecular biological analysis was conducted. In this study, Kudoa hexapunctata was finally identified. The Pacific bluefin tunas analysed in this study did not show any gross pathology lesions, such as visible cysts and/or myoliquefaction, of infection with this species. The histological analytical results can provide guidelines for the identification of K. hexapunctata. In the case of K. hexapunctata-induced infection, unlike other countries, such as Japan, there have been no reports in South Korea, and this study is the first to detect K. hexapunctata infection in Pacific bluefin tuna cultured in South Korea. The correlation between K. hexapunctata and food poisoning is not yet clear, however, it is thought that continuous observation of its infection is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]