A new species of the genus Cephalodella (Rotifera, Monogononta) from Korea, with reports of four additional cephalodellid species.

A new monogonont rotifer, Cephalodellabinoculatasp. nov., was described from a soil sample collected in Korea. The new species is morphologically similar to C.carina but is distinguished by having two frontal eyespots, a vitellarium with eight nuclei, and the shape of its fulcrum. We also described four other cephalodellid species collected in Korea; Cephalodellaauriculata, C.catellina, C.gracilis, and C.tinca. Of these four species, C.gracilis and C.tinca were newly recorded in Korea. We provided the morphological characteristics of the five Cephalodella species along with photographs of trophi observed with a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, we provided the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences of the five species.

Strong and Tough Nacre-Inspired Graphene Oxide Composite with Hierarchically Similar Structure.

We report a graphene oxide (GO)-based composite, featuring GO/cross-linking agent (CA) nanoparticles, inspired by a nacre-like hierarchical structure present in nature. The as-prepared GO/CA composite was powdered to nanoscale particles and then mixed with pure GO to be GO/CA/GO (GCG) composite forming hierarchical GO/CA nanoasperities on the GO surface. The strength and toughness of the nacre-inspired GCG composite films were simultaneously improved by adjusting the nanoparticle concentration and hierarchical level of the GO-based films. Compared to pristine GO films and GO/CA composites, which exhibit a low level of hierarchy in their structures, the tensile strength and toughness of the GCG composites with higher hierarchy were enhanced 3.1 and 1.6 times and 47.6 and 10.9 times, respectively. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism of increasing mechanical properties based on nanoscale asperities and homogeneous interactions between GO and CA has been discussed.

Asymmetric Dichroic Colors in Stretchable Film with Embedded Au/Ag Alloy Nanoparticles.

We present a new type of stretchable dichroic film in which Au and Ag alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The alloy NPs are synthesized with different atomic compositions and sizes to modulate their plasmonic resonance frequencies and absorption and scattering cross sections. The PDMS dichroic film in which 100 nm alloy NPs with a Au/Ag ratio of 7:3 are dispersed shows exotic optical properties under tensile strain. When 40% tensile strain is applied, the film exhibits a strain-sensitive transmission and strain-insensitive reflection behavior in which the transmittance is increased up to 2.6 times, whereas the reflectance remains unchanged. Moreover, we demonstrate a stretchable anticounterfeiting film and a flexible dichroic sculpture fabricated with the PDMS composite. This work demonstrates a new type of plasmonic application that has great potential in various applications, such as special-purpose optical films, security patterns, and smart windows.

Multiview child motor development dataset for AI-driven assessment of child development.

BACKGROUND: Children's motor development is a crucial tool for assessing developmental levels, identifying developmental disorders early, and taking appropriate action. Although the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children (K-DST) can accurately assess childhood development, its dependence on parental surveys rather than reliable, professional observation limits it. This study constructed a dataset based on a skeleton of recordings of K-DST behaviors in children aged between 20 and 71 months, with and without developmental disorders. The dataset was validated using a child behavior artificial intelligence (AI) learning model to highlight its possibilities. RESULTS: The 339 participating children were divided into 3 groups by age. We collected videos of 4 behaviors by age group from 3 different angles and extracted skeletons from them. The raw data were used to annotate labels for each image, denoting whether each child performed the behavior properly. Behaviors were selected from the K-DST's gross motor section. The number of images collected differed by age group. The original dataset underwent additional processing to improve its quality. Finally, we confirmed that our dataset can be used in the AI model with 93.94%, 87.50%, and 96.31% test accuracy for the 3 age groups in an action recognition model. Additionally, the models trained with data including multiple views showed the best performance. CONCLUSION: Ours is the first publicly available dataset that constitutes skeleton-based action recognition in young children according to the standardized criteria (K-DST). This dataset will enable the development of various models for developmental tests and screenings.

Anteholosticha foissneri n. sp., a marine hypotrich ciliate (Ciliophora: Spirotrichea) from Vietnam: Morphology, morphogenesis, and molecular phylogeny.

In a study of marine ciliate diversity, we collected an Anteholosticha monilata-like population from Vietnam. To identify this population, we analyzed its morphology, some morphogenetic stages, and molecular phylogeny. Based on these data, we conclude that the Vietnamese population is new to science. Anteholosticha foissneri n. sp. resembles Anteholosticha monilata-like species considering (1) the number and arrangement of macronuclear nodules and micronuclei; (2) the presence of cortical granules; and (3) the saline habitat. However, the new species can be easily distinguished from these species by the arrangement, color, and shape of the cortical granules. The divisional morphogenesis commences with the de novo proliferation of basal bodies as a single longitudinal patch left of the posteriormost midventral cirral pair. This character state has not been reported before in Anteholosticha (based on check of the available data) and probably reflects a distinct clade within the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene tree.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic marine triclad, Obrimoposthia Wandeli (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Maricola).

For the first time, we report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of the marine triclad species, Obrimoposthia wandeli. The complete mitogenome of O. wandeli was 15,185 bp in length, contains 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). Compared to previously reported gene orders from the order Tricladida, O. wandeli had unique gene order. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the mitogenomes belonging to Rhabdocoela, Polycladida, and Tricladida and confirmed that O. wandeli is located in the basal position in the Tricladida.

New molecular sequences for two genera of marine planarians facilitate determination of their position in the phylogenetic tree, with new records for two species (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Maricola).

For the first time, molecular sequences of the 18S ribosomal DNA were generated for representatives of the genera Obrimoposthia Sluys & Ball, 1989 and Paucumara Sluys, 1989 of the suborder of the marine triclads, or Maricola, by analyzing the species Obrimoposthiawandeli (Hallez, 1906) and Paucumaratrigonocephala (Ijima & Kaburaki, 1916). On the basis of this molecular data the phylogenetic position of these two genera in the phylogenetic tree of the Maricola was determined and compared with their position in the phylogeny based on the analysis of anatomical features. New records for these two species are documented and their taxonomic status is determined on the basis of histological studies.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two talitrid amphipods, Platorchestia japonica and P. parapacifica (Crustacea, Amphipoda).

In this paper, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of two talitrid amphipods, Platorchestia japonica and P. parapacifica. The complete mitogenomes of P. japonica and P. parapacifica were 14,780 and 14,787 bp in length, respectively, with the typical 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and a control region (CR). In the gene order analysis, two PCGs (nad3 and nad6) were rearranged in comparison to the typical pan-crustacean ground pattern. A maximum-likelihood tree, constructed based on 31 eumalacostracan mitogenomes, confirmed that P. japonica and P. parapacifica (Talitridae) were closely related to Parhyale hawaiensis (Hyalidae), and supports the monophyly of the superfamily Talitroidea.