목적 : 치과에서 광중합기 사용 시 착색 안경렌즈가 청색광으로부터 눈을 보호하기 위해 사용하는 큐링실드를 대용할 수 있는지를 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 광중합기 부착형인 큐링실드와 염료의 색과 착색 시간을 달리한 착색 렌즈들의 광투과율을 측정하였다. 결과 : 큐링실드의 청색광과 가시광선 투과율이 각각 0.63%와 48.88%로 나타났다, 60분과 90분 동안 착색한 오렌지색 착색 렌즈의 청색광 투과율은 각각 0.82%와 0.59%, 가시광선 투과율은 48.14%와 47.50%로 큐링실드와 비슷하게 나타났다. 90분 동안 착색된 노란색 착색 렌즈의 청색광 투과율은 12.43%, 가시광선 투과율은 56.94% 이었다. 60분 이상 착색된 갈색과 회색 착색 렌즈의 청색광 투과율은 2.00% 미만이었고 가시광선 투과율은 25.00% 미만이었다. 결론 : 오렌지색 착색 렌즈는 청색광 차단효과가 우수하고 큐링실드와 비슷한 밝기를 확보할 수 있어서 큐링실 드를 대체할 수 있으리라 본다. 노란색 착색 렌즈는 착색 시간을 90분보다 더 길게 한 추가연구가 필요해 보인다. 갈색과 회색 착색 렌즈에서 큐링실드와 유사한 청색광차단 효과를 얻으려면 밝기가 어두워지는 문제를 고려해야 할 것으로 보인다.

As part of the KOPIA Paraguay Center rice pilot villages project, conducted from July 1, 2021, to the end of June 2024, this study examined the average yield and value of paddy rice harvested between January and April 2023 in five local rice pilot villages in Paraguay: Santa Rosa, Eusebio Ayala, Coronel Bogado, Santa Maria, and Yaguaron. The CEA-5K-PUNTA variety was planted in late August 2022 and subsequently harvested from January to April 2023. The farmers in the pilot villages received information on common pests, diseases, and weeds, including instructions on timing and the number of applications required for their control. They also received technical guidance on water management and weeding methods. The study found that the average yield per hectare in the pilot villages for the CEA-5K PUNTA variety in the 2022/2023 growing season was 794.50 kg/10a, compared to 477.17 kg/10a for the conventional variety IRGA 424 in the 2019/2020 season, which preceded the project. This indicates a 66.5% increase in yield per hectare for the pilot village farmers compared to the pre-project period (2020/2021). The analysis of paddy rice production value in the pilot villages, using the Difference in Differences method, revealed a 65.1% increase. Moreover, a financial analysis was conducted based on the addition of agricultural inputs to the paddy fields during the period from the end of August 2022 to January-April 2023. The analysis showed that the total cost was US$597.25 per hectare, while the gross income was US$1,685.3 per hectare. As a result, the net profit per hectare amounted to US$1,088.05.

The functional roles of plant extracts have been investigated for the treatment of various diseases including subfertility. Recent studies have highlighted the benefits of ashwagandha extract (AE) in enhancing sperm production, boosting testosterone levels, and lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in mammals. The current study is to examine the effects of the addition of AE to liquid boar semen on sperm quality during storage and its potential application in assisted reproductive technology. A hot water extract of ashwagandha was prepared from the dried powder of ashwagandha roots. Boar spermatozoa were stored in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) at 17℃ for 5 days, with various concentrations of AE (1–50 mg/mL). During storage, motility, viability, acrosomal integrity and ROS of boar spermatozoa were examined. The results have shown that sperm stored in BTS with varying quantities of AE ranging from 1–20 mg/mL exhibited higher motility compared to those without AE (control) or with 50 mg/mL AE for 5 days. Similarly, sperm viability was better maintained in sperm treated with 1–20 mg/mL AE. Moreover, sperm stored in BTS with AE led to significantly higher acrosomal integrity and chromatin stability rates than sperm stored without AE. Notably, intracellular ROS levels significantly decreased in sperm stored in BTS with AE. Particularly, spermatozoa stored at 10 mg/mL AE exhibited an effective reduction in ROS during storage. These findings suggest the potential role of AE as an additive during sperm storage maintains sperm quality and can be used during subfertility treatment in both animals and humans.

The separation of zirconium and hafnium using tributyl phosphate (TBP)-Dodecane extractants in nitric acid medium was performed. Zirconium oxychloride, used as extraction feed, was obtained from the synthesis of Kalimantan zircon sand concentrate smelted using NaOH. The extraction process was carried out by dissolving chloride-based metals in nitric acid media in the presence of sodium nitrate using TBP-Dodecane as an extractant. Some of the extraction parameters carried out in this study include variations in organic phase and aqueous phase (O/A), variations in contact time, and variations in nitric acid concentration. Extraction was carried out using a mechanical shaker according to the parameter conditions. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for elemental (Zr and Hf) composition analysis of the aqueous solution. The results showed that zirconium was separated from hafnium at optimum conditions with an organic/aqueous ratio of 1:5, contact time of 75 min, and an HNO3 concentration of 7 M. The resulting separation factor of zirconium and hafnium using TBP-Dodecane was 14.4887.

Specifically, the matter of coups against governments – particularly those resulting from legitimate democratic elections – requires a more resolute approach. This entails criminalizing such actions and imposing substantial penalties on the individuals responsible. By doing so, the goal is to dissuade potential revolutionaries from attempting this act, given the clear stance and condemnation it would receive from the international community. Furthermore, it is imperative to highlight the international community’s inconsistent response to coups. This inconsistency becomes evident in the varying levels of support for different coups, seemingly influenced by the international community’s relationship with the affected state and, notably, its ousted president. This underscores the necessity for well-defined and unambiguous regulations governing coups themselves. The article aims to address this issue comprehensively and impartially, avoiding selective treatment. The significance of this issue lies in the need to address a legislative gap in international law.