Paspalum distichum and P. distichum var. indutum are perennial weeds of the family Poaceae that prefer moist environments such as waterfronts and waterways. The origin of both species is North America. P. distichum is distributed all over the world. However, P. distichum var. indutum occurs only in the United States, Japan, and Korea. For this reason, in many countries, P. distichum and P. distichum var. indutum are classified as the same species. In other words, P. distichum var. indutum is a different ecological type of P. distichum. Both species can reproduce and spread mainly by rhizome fragments rather than seeds. This rhizome has a characteristic that it does not germinate if it is buried in the ground with depth of more than 3 cm. As a management method for P. distichum and P. distichum var. indutum in agricultural lands (paddy fields), it is effective to combine cultural control and chemical control methods. In other words, combining deep plowing and harrowing can suppress the budding of water sparrow that has invaded paddy fields or fallow paddy fields. After that, these two species that germinate can be controlled by spraying soil treatment herbicides such as butachlor and thiobencarb or foliar treatment herbicides such as cyhalofop-butyl and fenoxaprop-pethyl.

This study is intended to determine the antimicrobial resistance properties and class 1 integrons of 30 Citrobacter freundii strains isolated from pet turtles in order to determine their threat to human health. Citrobacter freundii isolates were isolated and identified by employing biochemical tests and 16SrRNA gene sequencing. Disc diffusion test and PCR amplification were employed to detect antimicrobial resistance patterns and genes, respectively. Ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalothin and nalidixic acid resistance were observed among all isolates. Rifampicin and cefoxitin resistance was the second most prevalent and observed in 97% of the isolates, respectively. All isolates scored multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) indices ≥ 0.2. Aminoglycoside resistant genes were the most prevalent. aac(3')-IIa was detected in 80% of the isolates followed by aphAI-IAB and strA-strB genes in 33% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. β-lactamase encoding blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes were detected in 53%, 43% and 17% of the isolates, respectively. tetA and tetB genes were the only tetracycline resistance genes detected in 17% and 10% of the isolates, respectively. Class 1 integron integrase encoding intI1 gene (47%) and dfrA17-aadA5 gene cassette array (7%) were also detected. Pet turtle-borne multidrug-resistant C. freundii is a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the domestic environment which poses a risk of infection.

본 연구과제는 아시아지역 AFACI(Asian Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative) 회원 13개국을 대상으로 토마토 또는 고추 품종육성 기술을 지원하기 위해 수행 되었다. AFACI 회원국 별 채소 육종 및 종자 생산, 가공, 유통 기술 수준 차이가 크다. 라오스, 미얀마, 캄보디아 등의 회원국에서는 자가 종자 생산이 어려워 필 요 종자의 70~80%를 다른 나라에서 수입하여 활용하고 있다. AFACI 회원국들의 자가 종자 생산기술 향상을 통한 자체 종자 생산을 지원하기 위해 회원국들의 요 청을 받아 고추 또는 토마토 작목의 품종육성 기술지원을 수행하였다. 회원국에서 보유하고 있는 다양한 재래종 자원들의 수집, 평가 및 선발과 세계채소센터에서 육성한 자원들을 공급받아 육종 재료로 활용하였다. 본 과제는 2019년 11월부터 2022년 10월까지 1단계 과정을 통해 회원국별로 다양한 성과들을 창출하고 있다. 효율적인 기술지원을 위해 세계채소센터 전문가들을 활용하여 육종 기술과 재료 들을 공급하였다. 2단계에서는 1단계에서 확보된 다양한 자원들을 활용한 우수 고 정종 품종 등록과 일대잡종 품종육성 기술을 지원할 계획이다. 육성된 품종들은 국가별 품종 등록 절차에 따라 품종보호출원 및 농가 보급을 추진할 계획이다. 1 단계에서는 코로나 19로 인한 대면 교육이 불가능하여 국내 종자회사들과의 소통 이 어려웠다. 하지만 2단계에서는 대면 교육 기회를 확대하고, 국내 채소 종자 업 체와 회원국의 연구원들 간의 소통을 확대하여 국내 종자 기업들의 해외 진출에 도 기여 할 수 있도록 노력할 계획이다.

본 연구에서 Periphyllus acerihabitans를 국내에서 최초로 보고한다. 이 종의 분포지역, 기주식물, 무시성충의 형태학적 정보와 분류키를 제공 하였다.

Carbon fibers are commonly used in many specialized, high-performance applications such as race cars and aircraft due to their lightweight and high durability. The most important stage in the production of carbon fibers is the carbonization process. During this process, carbon fibers are subjected to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to prevent fibers from burning. Labyrinth seals are attached to a carbonization furnace to prevent airflow into the furnace and to assist in the elimination of off-gases. This study investigated flow characteristics inside a carbonization furnace and the effects of different geometric parameters of labyrinth seals such as labyrinth tooth shape, number of teeth, and tooth clearance. Varying carbonization furnace operating conditions were also studied in regard to flow behavior, including fiber movement and outlet vacuum pressure. A high working gas flow rate at the furnace inlet resulted in recirculation zones. Properly regulated gas flow from the main and labyrinth inlets enabled uniform flow around the fibers’ inlet and outlet which prevented air from being trapped in the reactor. Flow behavior was minimally effected by changes to labyrinth seal geometry such as tooth length, tooth clearance, and outlet pressure. However, the movement of fibers had a clear effect on flow characteristics in the furnace.

Food toxins are regarded as a major source of health risks, serious illnesses susceptible to even death. These dangerous pathogens may lead to significant economic impact worldwide. The food production chain undergoes different stages like harvesting, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, and lastly preparation, and consumption. Therefore, each step is susceptible to risks of environmental contamination. Nowadays, the carbon quantum dots (CDs) are regarded as one of the most widely used hybrid carbon nanomaterials due to their different magical physical and chemical properties. The CDs have a size below 10 nm and show the fluorescent property. The CDs find vast applications in different fields like sensing, food safety, drug delivery, bioimaging, catalyst, energy conversion, etc. Compared to other available methods, the fluorescence detection techniques have low cost, easy handling, and safe operating system. There is a need for a review to compile the fluorescence properties of carbon nanodots used to detect food pathogens. This brief review is addressed in that direction and mostly focused on the synthesis of carbon dots-based fluorescence sensors for detecting pathogens and toxins in foods and beverages. The detailed mechanisms and origin of fluorescence properties of carbon quantum dots are also highlighted herewith.