Hindwings of many lycaenid butterflies have a unique tail-like wing structure referred to as a false head, which actually mimics the antennae. False heads increase butterfly survival by directing predatory attacks towards the false heads thereby enhancing the chance of escape. In this study, using discrete character evolution models of European and American butterflies, we examined the co-evolutionary patterns between false head structures and two associated traits: a highly contrasting color patch neighboring the false head, and hindwing rubbing behaviors. The former is considered a eye-mimicking structure that enhances the effectiveness of false head, and latter generates the movement of false heads which likely increases the success of false head deception. Our findings demonstrate that false heads are ancestral states for both European and American lycaenids. Both contrasting colors and hindwing rubbing behaviors follow correlated evolution models, suggesting that these traits co-evolved in lycanid butterflies. However, specific evolutionray patterns differed between the two continents.

Mongolian herders rely significantly on grazing their animals, such as goats, sheep, cattle, horses, yaks, and camels, in broad rangelands throughout the year. The availability of appropriate forage, the amount of hay and forage to be kept, and whether the animals will acquire physical strength from the pasture to make it through the impending cold season are all determined by the meteorological conditions of the year. Herders' principal source of income is animals, therefore preventing mortality is a top priority. In Mongolia, meadows are a major element determining cattle live weight. However, in the summer of 2022, Mongolia faced a drought, which resulted in inadequate pastures and starved cattle. Livestock might lose weight in these situations due to a lack of supplemental feeding.

Background: Although an understanding of the proliferation and differentiation of fish female germline stem cells (GSCs) is very important, an appropriate threedimensional (3D) research model to study them is not well established. As a part of the development of stable 3D culture system for fish female GSCs, we conducted this study to establish a 3D aggregate culture system of ovarian cells in marine medaka, Oryzias dancena. Methods: Ovarian cells were separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and two different cell populations were cultured in suspension to form ovarian cell aggregates to find suitable cell populations for its formation. Ovarian cell aggregates formed from different cell populations were evaluated by histology and gene expression analyses. To evaluate the media supplements, ovarian cell aggregate culture was performed under different media conditions, and the morphology, viability, size, gene expression, histology, and E2 secretion of ovarian cell aggregates were analyzed. Results: Ovarian cell aggregates were able to be formed well under specific culture conditions that used ultra-low attachment 96 well plate, complete mESM2, and the cell populations from top to 50% layers after separation of ovarian cells. Moreover, they were able to maintain minimal ovarian function such as germ cell maintenance and E2 synthesis for a short period. Conclusions: We established basic conditions for the culture of O. dancena ovarian cell aggregates. Additional efforts will be required to further optimize the culture conditions so that the ovarian cell aggregates can retain the improved ovarian functions for a longer period of time.

본 연구는 대한민국 울릉도 특산식물인 추산쑥부쟁이(Aster × chusanensis Y.S.Lim, Hyun, Y.D.Kim & H.C.Shin)의 기내 대량증식체계 확립을 위해 시토키닌 계열 식물생장조절 제를 첨가하여 캘러스 및 신초 형성 조건을 구명하고자 수행 하였다. 실험결과, 추산쑥부쟁이의 줄기 절편체에서 캘러스 와 신초가 형성되었다. 캘러스 형성률은 TDZ 3.0mg·L-1처 리구에서 88.9%로 가장 높았고 BAP 3.0mg·L-1와 Zeatin 3.0mg·L-1 처리구는 66.7%, 2iP 3.0mg·L-1 처리구에서는 11.1%였다. 신초 형성률은 모든 처리구에서 77% 이상이고 특히 TDZ처리구와 Zeatin 처리구에서 100%였다. 그러나 TDZ처리구에서는 형성된 신초가 부풀어 오르거나, 잎에 과수 성이 나타나는 등 형태적 기형이 나타났다. Zeatin처리구에 서 발생한 신초는 정상적인 형태를 나타났다. 잎 절편체에서 는 캘러스, 신초가 발생하지 않았으며 절편체가 탈색하며 고 사하는 것을 확인하였다. 종합적으로 추산쑥부쟁이의 캘러 스 및 신초 형성을 위해서는 줄기 절편체를 배양 재료로 이 용하는 것이 효과적으로 확인되었다. 캘러스 유도에는 TDZ 3.0mg·L-1처리가 가장 효과적이었고, 추후 NAA와 같은 옥신 을 함께 첨가하여 증식 효과를 분석하는 연구가 필요할 것이 다. 또한, 신초 유도에도 TDZ 3.0mg·L-1 처리가 효과적이었 으나 장기간, 고농도로 사용할 경우 형태적인 기형이 발생할 수 있어 정상적인 식물생산에 부적합한 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 형태적 기형이 발생하지 않은 아데닌 유도체형 시토키 닌인 Zeatin을 활용하는 것을 추천한다. 본 연구는 울릉도 특 산식물인 추산쑥부쟁이의 기내 대량증식과 생태계 유지에 필 요한 종 공급을 위한 대량증식 체계 구축을 위한 자료로 활용 할 수 있을 것이다.

Background: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is introduced species that has caused aquatic ecology activity both in vitro and in vivo were investigated for the possibility of application of the bass extract as an alternative feed ingredient. Methods: The bass oil was extracted using a 1-L supercritical extractor, while the protein was extracted from 250 g of bass dry matter, which was dissolved in 1 mL of H2O at 50℃. Both oil and protein extracts were evaluated antioxidant activities and the level of DPPH radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide (NO) production assay with lipopolysaccharide response. Oral administration of 6.6 μL/g bass protein and 5.38 μL/g bass oil conducted for investigating serological and physiological effect. Results: DPPH radical scavenging showed similar radical scavenging ability of 50 μM of ascorbic acid at 200 μg of protein and 10% of oil treatment. NO concentration was diminished by the treatment of bass oil. Oral administration of both bass oil and proteins to mice showed that the body weight increase rate of the bass oil treated group was significantly reduced by 1.55 g compared to the other groups. The number of white blood cells (WBC) was increased by 4.52 k/μL in the bass protein-treated group and 4.44 k/μL in the bass oil-treated group compared to the control group. However, the serum IgG level did not show a significant difference between the bass extract-treated groups and the control group. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that both bass oil and proteins extracted from the bass not only provide excellent effects of antioxidant and immune activity but can also be used as functional food supplements.

본 연구는 국내에서 실내 관상용으로 많이 활용되는 스킨답 서스의 실내재배 시 적정 인공광원, 수경재배 전기전도도 농 도 및 용토를 선발하기 위하여 수행하였다. 실내재배 시 인공 광원은 형광등, 적청 LED, 백색 LED로 처리하였다. 수경재배 시 양액 농도는 EC 1.2, 1.6, 2.0ds·m-1 수준으로 하였고, 재 배용토는 제올라이트, 코코피트, 펄라이트, 황토볼 4가지로 달리하였다. 스킨답서스의 실내 재배 시 줄기 길이는 형광등 과 적청 LED 처리보다 백색 LED 처리에서 길어졌다. 잎의 크기는 적청 LED 처리에서 형광등과 백색 LED 처리보다 커 지는 경향이었다. 엽록소 지수값은 백색 LED>적청 LED>형광 등 순으로 높았다. 수경재배 시 스킨답서스의 줄기길이는 EC 농도가 높아질수록 길어지는 경향이었고, 용토별로 비교하면 제올라이트와 코코피트에서 높은 경향이었다. 엽록소 지수값 도 EC 농도와 비례하여 높아졌고, 용토별로는 제올라이트와 코코피트에서 높았다. 스킨답서스의 생체중도 EC 농도가 높 을수록 높았고, 제올라이트와 코코피트에 높은 경향이었다. 상기 결과들을 종합할 때, 스킨답서스의 NFT를 이용한 실내 재배 시 적정 인공광원으로는 백색 LED를, 수경재배 양액의 농도는 EC 1.6∼2.0ds·m-1를, 그리고 NFT 용토는 제올라이 트나 코코피트가 적합하다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

This study investigated the surface tension and foaming properties of the hot-water extracts of pumpkin leaf and chickpea, as well as the effects of the plant hot-water extracts on white pan bread baking. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA), a synthetic emulsifier widely used in bakery, was used as a control. Pumpkin leaf water extract showed lower surface tension and comparable foaming capacity, compared with chickpea water extract and PGA solution when total solid  0.15% (w/w). Chickpea water extract showed the highest foam stability when total solid  0.15% (w/w). The dough was found to have a weak gel structure, and its viscoelastic properties were not significantly influenced by adding 0.05% or 0.15% (w/w) (based on total solid content) plant water extracts or PGA. The specific volume of the bread increased, and the baking loss was reduced by adding the two plant water extracts of total solid 0.15% (w/w). The hardness and chewiness of the bread crumb were reduced to a level comparable to the crumb containing 0.05% (w/w) PGA. The results showed that the pumpkin leaf water extract could be an effective natural emulsifier with a high phenolic content for bakery products.

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.

Nuclear power plants use ion exchange resins to purify liquid radioactive waste generated while operating nuclear power plants. In the case of PHWR, ion exchange resins are used in heavy water and dehydration systems, liquid waste treatment systems, and heavy water washing systems, and the used ion exchange resins are stored in waste resin storage tanks. The C-14 radioactivity concentration in the waste resin currently stored at the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant is 4.6×106 Bq/g, exceeding the low-level limit, and if all is disposed of, it is 1.48×1015 Bq, exceeding the total limit of 3.04×1014 Bq of C-14 in the first stage disposal facility. Therefore, disposal is not possible at domestic low/medium-level disposal facilities. In addition, since the heavy water reactor waste resin mixture is stored at a ratio of about 20% activated carbon and zeolite mixture and about 80% waste resin, mixture extraction and separation technology and C-14 desorption and adsorption technology are required. Accordingly, research and development has been conducted domestically on methods to treat heavy water waste resin, but the waste resin mixture separation method is complex and inefficient, and there are limitations in applying it to the field due to the scale of the equipment being large compared to the field work space. Therefore, we would like to introduce a resin treatment technology that complements the problems of previous research. Previously, the waste resin mixture was extracted from the upper manhole and inspection hole of the storage tank, but in order to improve limitations such as worker safety, cost, and increased work time, the SRHS, which was planned at the time of nuclear power plant design, is utilized. In addition, by capturing high-purity 14CO2 in a liquid state in a high-pressure container, it ensures safety for long-term storage and is easy to handle when necessary, maximizing management efficiency. In addition, the modularization of the waste resin separation and withdrawal process from the storage tank, C-14 desorption and monitoring process, high-concentration 14CO2 capture and storage process, and 14CO2 adsorption process enables separation of each process, making it applicable to narrow work spaces. When this technology is used to treat waste resin mixtures in PHWR, it is expected to demonstrate its value as customized, high-efficiency equipment that can secure field applicability and safety and reflect the diverse needs of consumers according to changes in the working environment.

We conducted safety assessments for the disposal of spent resin mixed waste after the removal of beta radionuclides (3H, 14C) in a landfill facility. The spent resin tank of Wolsong nuclear power plant is generated by 8:1:1 weight ratio of spent ion exchange resin, spent activated carbon and zeolite. Waste in the spent resin tank was classified as intermediate-level radioactive waste due to 14C. Other nuclides such as 60Co and 137Cs exhibit below the low-level radioactive waste criteria. The techniques for separating mixed waste and capturing 14C have been under development, with a particular focus on microwave-based methods to remove beta radionuclides (3H, 14C) from spent activated carbon and spent resin within the mixed waste. The spent resin and activated carbon within the waste mixture exhibits microwave reactivity, heated when exposed to microwaves. This technology serves as a means to remove beta isotopes within the spent resin, particularly by eliminating 14C, allowing it to meet the low-level radioactive waste criteria. Using this method, the waste mixture can meet disposal requirements through free water and 3H removal. These assessments considered the human intrusion scenarios and were carried out using the RESRAD-ONSITE code. The institutional management period after facility closure is set at 300 years, during which accidental exposures resulting from human intrusion into the disposal site are accounted for. The assessment of radiation exposure to intruders in a landfill facility included six human intrusion scenarios, such as the drilling scenario, road construction scenario, post-drilling scenario, and post-construction scenario. Among the six human intrusion scenarios considered, the most conservative assessment about annual radiation exposure was the post-drilling scenario. In this scenario, human intrusion occurs, followed by drilling and residence on the site after the institutional management period. We assumed that some of the vegetables and fruits grown in the area may originate from contaminated regions. Importantly, we confirmed that radiation doses resulting from post-institutional management period human intrusion scenarios remain below 0.1 mSv/y, thus complying with the annual dose limits for the public. This research underscores the importance of effectively managing and securing radioactive waste, with a specific focus on the safety of beta radionuclide-removed waste during long-term disposal, even in the face of potential human intrusion scenarios beyond the institutional management period.

This study aimed to provide better understanding of the bedrock aquifer bacterial communities and their functions in deep geological repository (DGR) environment. Two study sites of uranium deposits in the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt were selected: Boeun and Guemsan. From two study sites, six groundwater samples were obtained with different boreholes and depths: OB1 (Boeun, 25 m), OB3 (Boeun, 80 m), GS1 (Guemsan, 25 m), GS2 (Guemsan, 85-90 m), GS3-I (Guemsan, 32- 38 m), GS3-II (Guemsan, 70-74 m). The physicochemical properties of groundwater were analyzed by multi-parameter sensors, ion chromatography (IC), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Illumina Miseq sequencing was performed to investigate bacterial community in six groundwater samples. In addition, the number of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was quantified by a quantitative PCR (qPCR). Bacterial community composition varied in response to boreholes and depths. A total of 14 different phyla and 36 classes were detected from six groundwater samples. Overall, Proteobacteria, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota were dominant in the phylum level. SRB and iron-reducing bacteria (IRB) were detected in all groundwater samples even though organic carbon sources were not abundant (0.7-3.3 mg-total organic carbon/L). This result shows a potential to immobilize uranium in DGR environment. In particular, SRB, Desulfosporosinus fructosivorans and Humidesulfovibrio mexicanus were mainly detected in GS1 and GS2 groundwater samples, which attributed to higher dissimilatory sulfite reductase functional gene copy number in GS1 and GS2 groundwater samples. Statistical analysis was performed to understand the correlation between environmental factors and core bacterial species. Dissolved oxygen (DO), Fe, and Mn concentrations were positively correlated with Curvibacter fontanus while Undibacterium rivi had a negative correlation with pH. These results indicate that bacterial community could be changed in response to environmental variation. Further study with a greater number of samples is necessary to obtain statistically reliable and meaningful results for a safe DGR system.

As part of the preparation of a glossary of terminologies related to the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, definitions of potentially issuable terminologies used in domestic regulations were inferred from relevant regulations or comparatively analyzed with foreign definitions. These terminologies are safety assessment and performance assessment, safety function and safety performance, disposal containers and package, isolation and containment, and so on. Their concise and easy-to-understand definitions have been proposed in order to obtain these opinions of stakeholders.

As the demand for nuclear power increases as a means to achieve carbon neutrality, concerns about nuclear proliferation have also grown. Consequently, significant researches have conducted to enhance nuclear non-proliferation resistance. Among these research, nuclear material attractiveness is a methodology used to evaluate how appealing a particular material is for potential use in nuclear weapons, based on the characteristics of that material. Existing nuclear material attractiveness assessments focused on materials like U, Pu, and TRU, which could be directly used in the production of nuclear weapons. However, these assessments did not consider how the properties of nuclear materials change throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, with each facility process. This study assumed a scenario of the nuclear fuel cycle of graphite reduction reactors and analyzed including enrichment facilities and PUREX. This study used the FOM (Figure-Of-Merit) method developed by LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) for evaluating the nuclear material attractiveness. The FOM formula consists of three parameters such as critical mass, heat content, and dose The critical mass of targe materials and the dose evaluation were conducted using the Monte Carlo N-Particle code. The heat content was calculated using the ORIGEN code embedded in the Scale code. In particular, if U-238 is dominant in the facility’s materials, such as mining and refining facilities, and critical mass evaluation is unpractical. Therefore, 1SQ (Significant Quantity) of that uranium was assumed as the critical mass value for the FOM evaluation, even though 1SQ is not identical to the critical mass As a result of this study, the attractiveness of Pu produced by PUREX among all nuclear fuel cycle facilities was 2.7616, which was the most attractive to be diverted to nuclear weapons. Through this study, it was shown that the proliferation risk of the nuclear facilities in the nuclear fuel cycle and risk of diversion among those facilities.

PURPOSES : The evaluation of the low-temperature performance of an asphalt mixture is crucial for mitigating transverse thermal cracking and preventing traffic accidents on expressways. Engineers in pavement agencies must identify and verify the pavement sections that require urgent management. In early 2000, the research division of the Korea Expressway Corporation developed a three-dimensional (3D) pavement condition monitoring profiler vehicle (3DPM) and an advanced infographic (AIG) highway pavement management system computer program. Owing to these efforts, the management of the entire expressway network has become more precise, effective, and efficient. However, current 3DPM and AIG technologies focus only on the pavement surface and not on the entire pavement layer. Over the years, along with monitoring, further strengthening and verification of the feasibility of current 3DPM and AIG technologies by performing extensive mechanical tests and data analyses have been recommended. METHODS : First, the pavement section that required urgent care was selected using the 3DPM and AIG approaches. Second, asphalt mixture cores were acquired from the specified section, and a low-temperature fracture test, semi- circular bending (SCB) test, was performed. The mechanical parameters, energy-release rate, and fracture toughness were computed and compared. RESULTS : As expected, the asphalt mixture cores acquired from the specified pavement section ( poor condition – bad section) exhibited negative fracture performances compared to the control section (good section). CONCLUSIONS : The current 3DPM and AIG approaches in KEC can successfully evaluate and analyze selected pavement conditions. However, more extensive experimental studies and mathematical analyses are required to further strengthen and upgrade current pavement analysis approaches.

2022년부터 2023년까지 제주도내 키위 시설재배지를 대상으로 계절 초기 볼록총채벌레 발생 경향을 확인하 기 위해서 토양 표면의 잡초, 토양 표면 상단으로부터 60cm, 키위나무를 유인한 덕 상단 15cm에서 10일 간격으로 발생 조사하였다. 하우스 내부에서 발생하는 잡초 10종을 채집하여 조사한 결과, 갈퀴덩굴, 광대나물, 개불알풀, 별꽃, 뽀리뱅이, 황새냉이 6종에서 볼록총채벌레가 지속적으로 관찰되었다. 계절 초기 월동 성충의 비산시기를 확인하기 위해 토양 표면 60cm 위쪽에 설치한 황색 끈끈이트랩에서 2월 하순~3월 중순부터 볼록총채벌레의 발생을 확인하였다. 시설하우스 내부(덕 상단 15cm)와 외부(측장 높이)에 설치한 황색 끈끈이트랩을 비교해보면 시설 내·외부의 볼록총채벌레의 밀도가 증가하고 감소하는 시기가 유사하였다. 종합적인 고찰을 통하여, 발생 양상을 고려한 적절한 방제전략 수립이 요구된다.

Seasonal occurrence and distribution of insect pests and their natural enemies were investigated in several Paprika greenhouses(different pest control histories). Even in the environmental-controlled greenhouses with natural enemies for controlling insect pests, there were differences in occurrence and distribution of insect pests and natural enemies by season. From March after planting, aphids and whiteflies(Myzus persicae and Bemisia tabaci) had partially occurred in all experimental greenhouses. During summer season, whiteflies and leaf mites primarily occurred and insect pest species occurred in this season were more diverse than the winter season. In the winter season, whiteflies predominantly occurred in both natural enemies and pesticide-treated Paprika greenhouses. Predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii was difficult to maintain their populations under an average temperature below 18℃ and relative humidity below 60%.