본 연구는 비방사성 SrCl2를 이용하여 Sr 농도를 50, 100, 200mg·kg-1 및 토양 유기물 함량을 5%, 10% 및 15%로 달리하여 배추의 생육, 생체중, 엽록소 함량에 미치는 영향을 생육 시기별로 분석하였다. 그 결과, Sr 농도가 증가할수록 초장, 근장, 엽면적, 생체중 및 건물중이 유의하게 감소하였으며, 특히 Sr 200mg·kg-1 처리에서 생육 저 해가 뚜렷하였다. 반면, 엽록소 함량(SPAD)은 처리 간 유의한 차이를 보이지 않아 광합성 색소에는 Sr의 영향이 제 한적인 것으로 나타났다. 유기물 함량이 높은 토양에서는 Sr 처리에 따른 생육 저해가 완화되었으며, 특히 유기물 15% 조건에서 완충 효과가 가장 크게 나타났다. 이는 유기물이 Sr의 생물유효도를 감소시켜 식물체 흡수를 억제하 는 기작에 의한 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구는 비방사성 SrCl2를 이용한 실험을 통해 작물의 Sr 독성 반응과 유기물 기 반 토양 완충 효과를 정량적으로 규명하였으며, 향후 방사성 오염 토양의 생물학적 복원 및 안전 농산물 생산 전략 수립에 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다.

본 연구는 담액수경재배(DFT, Deep Flow Technique) 조건에서 질산태 질소(NO3-N) 결핍이 Perilla frutescens Britt.(잎들깨)의 생육 및 생리적 반응에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 야마자키 표준 양액을 기반으로 NO3-N 농도를 0%(대조구), 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%의 5수준으로 단계적으로 감소시킨 처리구를 설정하였다. 처리 시작 후 20일부터 80일까지의 기간 동안, 초장, 엽수, 마디수, 줄기직경 등 주요 생육 지표는 질산태 질소 결핍 (Nitrate Deficiency, ND) 수준이 증가함에 따라 유의하게 감소하였다. 특히, 80일 후 ND 100%(0 mM) 처리구에서 는 생육이 크게 저해되어 초장, 엽수, 마디수, 줄기직경이 각각 49.2%, 59.4%, 41.7%, 42.2% 감소하였다. 생체중과 건물중은 각각 93.4g에서 15.5g, 11.8g에서 3.0g으로 급격히 감소하였다. 식물체 내 총 질소 함량도 ND 수준이 높 아짐에 따라 비례적으로 감소하였으며, ND 0% 대비 ND 100% 처리구에서는 약 50% 이상의 질소 함량 감소가 관 찰되었다. 하엽에서는 황화, 갈변, 괴사 등의 생리적 장애 증상이 뚜렷하게 나타났으며, 이는 엽록소 분해와 관련된 것으로 판단된다. 본 결과는 수경재배 조건에서 잎들깨의 안정적인 생육과 생리적 기능 유지를 위해 충분한 질산 공 급이 필수적임을 보여주며, 상업적 생산을 위한 질산 관리 전략 수립에 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있다.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer a viable alternative to partially or fully replace lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to their lower cost and increased safety. This paper outlines the compositional optimizations, crystallographic evaluations, and electrochemical behavior of a novel mixed NASICON polyanionic compound, NaFe2PO4(SO4)2 (NFPS). X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) results showed that cobalt doping produces a higher concentration of oxygen defects compared to undoped samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis results revealed that the modified sample has more uniform pores and pore distribution. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements showed that doping of Co2+ reduces the specific surface area of NFPS-Co0.08 compared to NFPS. This shortens the sodium ion diffusion pathway and promotes ion dynamics. The addition of Co2+ to the sample significantly improved its performance during galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The electrochemical activity also is significantly enhanced by Co2+ doping. Na0.84Co0.08Fe2PO4(SO4)2 exhibits superior rate and cycling performance compared to pristine NFPS. After 80 cycles at 25 mA g-1, NFPS-Co0.08 retained discharge specific capacity of 60.8 mA h g-1, which is 1.24 times greater than that of NFPS.

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events, driven by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are occasionally accompanied by ground level enhancements (GLEs), detected by neutron monitors. While GLEs represent only a subset of SEP events, their occurrence may provide insight into the acceleration and propagation mechanisms of SEPs. In this study, we conducted a statistical analysis of 122 SEP events from 1997 to 2023, including 16 events associated with GLE and 106 without, using elemental composition data from the ACE/SIS instrument and X-ray fluence data from GOES/XRS. The results show that SEP events with GLE exhibit significantly higher fluences of SIS elements (He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si) than those without, particularly at high energy channels. Notably, the fluences of carbon and oxygen were particularly enhanced in SEP events associated with GLE, suggesting a potential role for these elements in the generation of GLEs. A strong correlation (average r ≈ 0.75) was observed between the X-ray fluence of associated solar flares and the elemental fluences in SEP events with GLE, whereas a weaker correlation (average r ≈ 0.32–0.40) was found for SEP events without GLE. These findings imply that the presence of a GLE is linked to distinct acceleration conditions and enhanced ion production, particularly of light ions with large charge-to-mass ratios. This study contributes to a better understanding of SEP composition, GLE-associated mechanisms, and their relevance to space weather forecasting and radiation hazard assessments.

Background: Loss of sagittal balance can lead to excessive thoracolumbar (TL) kyphosis, which is a postural impairment characterized by an increase in kyphotic curvature in these two regions of the spine. Excessive TL kyphosis has been shown to adversely affects quality of life and activities of daily living (ADL). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate immediate spinal motion and resultant postural changes after the application of single thoracic extension mobilization. This was compared to the application of two extension mobilizations, one of which was applied to the lumbar region in the second group of patients with excessive TL kyphosis. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: A total of 53 participants (71.6 years, 20 male/33 female) were recruited. All participants had greater than 40° of TL kyphosis, as measured with a single gravity-dependent inclinometer positioned over the T1 spinous process. One group received thoracic extension mobilization only, whereas the other group received both thoracic and lumbar extension mobilization. Results: Both groups demonstrated an improvement (decrease) in the thoracolumbar kyphosis angle. The group that received thoracic mobilization alone demonstrated a 6.46° change (P<0.0001), while the group that received both mobilizations demonstrated a change of 11.96° (P<0.0001). Combined mobilization applied to both the thoracic and lumbar regions resulted in a significantly greater change (reduction) in TL kyphosis (5.50°, P<0.0001). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the addition of a second mobilization to the lumbar region results in greater active TL extension and reduced TL kyphosis. Clinicians treating patients with excessive kyphotic curvature should be mindful of the contribution of the lumbar region to loss of sagittal balance. The addition of this simple manual mobilization to the lumbar region appears to yield better short-term improvements in patients with overly kyphotic spinal posture.

This study aims to identify the diverse types and characteristics of signatures that appear in contemporary fashion while primarily brand focusing on emerging Korean designer brands. To this end, qualitative content analysis using news articles and in-depth interviews with 15 emerging Korean designers were conducted. The news article analysis revealed six types of signatures: design based on formative sensibility expression, strategically constructed designer/brand identity, brand practices carried by cultural and spatial experiences, craftsmanship and custom production, contemporary reinterpretation of traditional designs, and text-based visual symbolic systems. The result of the in-depth interviews identified five types of signatures among emerging Korean designer brands: design expressions evolving from designer and brand identity, production emphasizing practicality and craftmanship, brand experiences based on spaces, visual narrative symbolism, and limited-edition items. Unlike established fashion brands that focus on fixed visual or textual elements through strategic planning by the established fashion brands, emerging Korean designer brands gradually and dynamically develop signatures which are grounded in personal philosophy, ethical values, and ongoing interaction with consumers. The findings of this study imply that the signatures of emerging Korean designer brands are not merely aesthetic repetitions, but are instead representations of evolving and situated expressions that interacts with and responds to socio-cultural changes and contexts.

Freshwater bivalves contribute to key ecological functions in lake ecosystems, yet their cryptic and benthic lifestyles often hinder detection through conventional surveys. In this study, we applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess the diversity and distribution of unionid bivalves in six lakes across Republic of Korea. Water samples were collected from three sampling strategies-Center Surface, Center Mix, and Waterside Surface-and processed using 16S rDNA-targeted primers followed by high-throughput sequencing. A total of four unionid species (Cristaria plicata, Sinanodonta lauta, Unio (Nodularia) douglasiae, and Anodonta woodiana) were detected across 18 sampling points. Notably, eDNA successfully identified unionid presence in all lakes, even where conventional surveys failed to observe individuals. Among the sampling strategies, Center Mix exhibited the highest values for Shannon and Simpson indices as well as ASV richness. Waterside Surface samples generally showed lower diversity and detection frequency. A Venn diagram of ASV occurrences revealed three ASVs shared across all sampling strategies and one unique ASV found only in Center Mix. These results indicate that sampling location significantly affects detection sensitivity and diversity representation in eDNA-based bivalve monitoring. Combined application of Center Mix and Center Surface strategies may enhance both detection efficiency and species diversity coverage in lentic environments.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring due to its efficiency, standardization potential, and cost-effectiveness. We evaluated the applicability of eDNAbased zooplankton monitoring in Korean lakes by comparing three DNA methods-eDNA, iDNA, and eiDNA-with traditional microscopy. Sampling was conducted in six lakes with varying conditions. eDNA was obtained from lake water, iDNA from unpreserved zooplankton incubated in water, and eiDNA from zooplankton incubated in ethanol. DNA metabarcoding detected more taxa than microscopy, but dominant taxa overlapped, mainly Daphnia. While DNA methods showed higher richness, Simpson and Shannon indices were higher in microscopy, reflecting differences in quantification methods. These discrepancies reflect methodological differences in how taxa are quantified and suggest that DNA-based approaches may overrepresent certain groups in richness estimates. In addition, false negatives were observed for several common rotifer species (e.g., Keratella, Polyarthra), likely due to incomplete reference databases and high intraspecific genetic diversity. Conversely, some taxa detected only by DNA-particularly small-bodied or rare crustaceans-may represent false positives relative to microscopy. These findings emphasize the importance of improving reference libraries and interpreting DNA results with caution, while also supporting the utility of DNA-based methods as complementary tools in zooplankton monitoring and national biodiversity assessments.

Phytoplankton play a vital role as primary producers in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to the nutrient cycle, energy flow, and ecological stability. To accurately assess phytoplankton diversity and community composition, this study compared traditional microscopy and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding in six small lakes located in the Han, Geum, and Nakdong River basins in Korea. eDNA analysis identified 268 species from 161 genera, approximately 2.4 times higher than microscopy, which detected 113 species from 68 genera. The eDNA data were dominated by picocyanobacteria such as Synechococcus and Cyanobium, while microscopy primarily revealed larger taxa, including Stephanodiscus and Scenedesmus. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) based on Bray-Curtis similarity showed clear separation between the two methods, with average similarity values of 0.0326 (1st survey) and 0.0221 (2nd survey) at the species level. Only 6.8% of the 429 total species were commonly detected by both methods, while overlap at the genus level was 18.8%. Spatial heterogeneity in phytoplankton communities based on eDNA was also evident depending on the sampling location, with the centre of the surface showing the highest species richness and overlap, suggesting its suitability for biodiversity monitoring. These findings demonstrate the high resolution and sensitivity of eDNA metabarcoding in capturing phytoplankton diversity and highlight its complementary role in existing biomonitoring programmes. Further improvements in the quantitative reliability of eDNA-based assessments will require efforts such as copy number normalisation, methodological standardisation, and refinement of reference databases.