The development of thermoelectric (TE) materials to replace Bi2Te3 alloys is emerging as a hot issue with the potential for wider practical applications. In particular, layered Zintl-phase materials, which can appropriately control carrier and phonon transport behaviors, are being considered as promising candidates. However, limited data have been reported on the thermoelectric properties of metal-Sb materials that can be transformed into layered materials through the insertion of cations. In this study, we synthesized FeSb and MnSb, which are used as base materials for advanced thermoelectric materials. They were confirmed as single-phase materials by analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns. Based on electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of both materials characterized as a function of temperature, the zT values of MnSb and FeSb were calculated to be 0.00119 and 0.00026, respectively. These properties provide a fundamental data for developing layered Zintl-phase materials with alkali/alkaline earth metal insertions.

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts and may exhibit antiproliferative effects on various cancer cell lines, including colon cancer. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of three Lactobacillus strains - Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri VA 102, Ligilactobacillus (L.) animalis VA 105, and Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272) - on mouse colon carcinoma cells (CT-26). Live cells, heat-killed cells, and cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Lactobacillus sp. were prepared and used to treat CT-26 cells at different concentrations. The cytotoxic effect was assessed using the MTT assay. The results indicated that the CFS of all strains significantly reduced the viability of CT-26 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the VA 102 strain showing the most pronounced effect. Heat-killed cells of L. reuteri VA 102 and L. reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272) also reduced cell viability. These findings suggest the potential anticancer properties of these Lactobacillus strains and indicate that CFS and heat-killed cells may offer a safer and more effective alternative to live bacteria for therapeutic applications. Our study contributes to the understanding of the potential of Lactobacillus strains, particularly L. reuteri VA 102, L. reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272), and L. animalis VA 105, as possible candidates for cancer treatment and control.

광릉 숲의 곤충상 조사는 1932년으로 거슬러 올라간다. 광릉 숲의 경로조사법에 의한 나비상 모니터링 연구는 1998년부터 2023년까지 지속되었다. 26년 동안 총 223회 조사를 실시한 결과 118종, 20,181개체가 확인되었다. 봄철 출현하는 나비중 8종(노랑나비, 대만흰나비, 먹부전나비, 멧팔랑나비, 쇳빛부전나비, 애호랑나비, 큰줄흰나 비, 흰줄표범나비)은 첫 출현일이 빨라지는 경향을 보였으며, 평균 5.2일 빨라졌다. 조사된 나비중에서 큰줄흰나 비, 뿔나비, 남방부전나비 순서로 많은 개체수가 확인되었으며, 연 출현 빈도는 큰줄흰나비가 26회로 가장 많았다. 확인된 나비의 분포, 서식지, 식성에 따라 분류한 결과 분포는 북방계 27%, 남방계 14%이며, 서식지는 산림 경계 36%, 산림 내부 33%, 초지 30% 그리고 식성은 다식성 8%, 단식성 42%, 협식성 51%로 이루어진 것이 확인되었다. 또한, 기후변화 따른 나비류 생활주기 변화 여부를 검토하여 지구온난화 지표 자료로 활용할 계획이다.

Nicrophorus Fabricius, 1775, commonly known as necrophagous beetle, is associated with vertebrate carrion. Up to date, the genus consists of 72 species worldwide. In recent years, various phylogenetic studies explored on the evolution and relationship of the species in the genus. However, morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies produced conflicting results, continuing the problem over whether Nicrophrous quadraticollis is monotypic or not. The present study is to report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of N. quadraticollis that was sequenced in prior to a systematic research of Silphinae. It was 17,747bp in length and comprised 12 protein-coding genes(PCGs), 2 rRNA Genes, 22 tRNA Genes and one non-coding region. The nucleotide composition is 40.9% for A, 36.7% for T, 9.0% for G and 13.4% for C.

Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major pest worldwide, and since its first domestic invasion was confirmed in 2019, its damage has been steadily increasing in crops such as corn until recently. In order to provide basic data for the management of FAW, we conducted a comparison of host preference and nutritional composition analysis of corn varieties. A total of 12 varieties of corn were selected for the experiment. To investigate the preference among the varieties, we examined the host preferences at the population level and the individual level, and found no statistically significant differences. In the population-level experiment, the highest damage rate was observed for Saekso 4 and the lowest for Heukgeom 2. In the individual-level experiment, the highest damage rate was found for Kangilok and the lowest for Oryun 2 when using leaves, and the highest for Saekso 1 and the lowest for Dreamok when using stems. As a result, the population-level and individual-level results were not consistent, suggesting that FAW's corn variety preference is not clear and may vary depending on various conditions such as corn tissue. Composition analysis of the 12 varieties showed no correlation between composition and FAW preference among the varieties, and considering the feeding behavior of FAW, which are highly polyphagous, it is recommended to control FAW as early as possible to improve control effectiveness.

본 논문은 회분식 반응기에서 습식 산화법으로 합성한 칼륨 페레이트(VI)에 의한 난분해성 아조 염료Reactive Black 5의 분해 과정을 연구하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 수용액에서 RB5의 분해는 pH, Ferrate (VI) 투입량, 초기 농도, 수용액 온도 등 다양한 변수의 조건에서 연구되었다. RB5 경우에는 최대 분해 효율은 pH 7.0에서 63.2%가 달성되었으며, 이 실험 조건에서 얻은 kapp 값은 190.49 M-1s-1 으로 나타났다. 온도 또한 가장 중요한 매개 변수 중 하나로 연구되었으며, 그 결과로부터 온도(45°C까지)를 증가시키면 페레이트(VI)에 의한 아조 화합물 염료의 분해 효율이 증가하고, 온도가 45°C를 초과하면 분해 효율이 저하되는 것으로 나타났다.

본 연구에서는 한국산 미기록속인 이마줄불청객파리속(신칭)과 미기록종인 작은눈이마줄불청객파리(신칭)를 처음으로 보고한다. 우리는 이 종이 포식성 거미의 섭식과정에 관여하는 phoretic relationship의 습성을 갖는 것을 확인하였다. 이 종의 성충에 대한 기재문과 사진 및 DNA바 코드 서열을 제공한다.

In this study, we examined the antagonistic effects of sprout-borne lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. This antagonism is promoted as a means of controlling contamination during sprout production and provides additional LAB for consumers. We isolated a total of 24 LAB isolates in nine species and five genera from seven popular vegetable sprouts: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), clover (Trifolium pratense), broccoli (Brassica oleracea ssp. italica), vitamin (B. rapa ssp. narinosa), red radish (Raphanus sativus), red kohlrabi (B. oleracea var. gongylodes), and Kimchi cabbage (B. campestris var. pekinensis). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the LAB species were identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, Lactococcus taiwanensis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella cibaria, and W. confusa. A total of 16 LAB isolates in seven species including E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, L. taiwanensis, L. mesenteroides, P. pentosaceus, and W. cibaria showed antagonistic activity toward S. enterica. The growth inhibition of sprout LAB on S. enterica was confirmed by co-culture. Unexpectedly, sprout LAB failed to suppress the growth of S. enterica in alfalfa sprouts, whereas all LAB strains stimulate S. enterica growth even if it is not significant in some strains. The findings of this study indicate that S. enterica-antagonistic LAB are detrimental to food hygiene and will contribute to further LAB research and improved vegetable sprout production.

This study presents a rapid and sequential radiochemical separation method for Pu and Am isotopes in radioactive waste samples from the nuclear power plant with anion exchange resin and TRU resin. After radionuclides were leached from the radioactive waste samples with concentrated HCl and HNO3, the sample was allowed to evaporate to dryness after filtering the leaching solution with 0.45 micron filter. The Pu isotopes were separated in HNO3 medium with anion exchange resin. For leaching solution passed through anion exchange column, the Am isotopes were separated with TRU resin. The purified Pu and Am isotopes were measured by alpha spectrometer, respectively, after micro-precipitation of neodymium. The sequential radiochemical separation of Pu and Am isotopes in radioactive waste samples using anion exchange resin and TRU resin was validated with ICP-MS system.