Black ice, a thin and nearly invisible ice layer on roads and pavements, poses a significant danger to drivers and pedestrians during winter due to its transparency. We propose an efficient black ice detection system and technique utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS)-reflected signals. This system consists of a GPS antenna and receiver configured to measure the power of GPS L1 band signal strength. The GPS receiver system was designed to measure the signal power of the Right-Handed Circular Polarization (RHCP) and Left-Handed Circular Polarization (LHCP) from direct and reflected signals using two GPS antennas. Field experiments for GPS LHCP and RHCP reflection measurements were conducted at two distinct sites. We present a Normalized Polarized Reflection Index (NPRI) as a methodological approach for determining the presence of black ice on road surfaces. The field experiments at both sites successfully detected black ice on asphalt roads, indicated by NPRI values greater than 0.1 for elevation angles between 45o and 55o. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed GPS-based system as a cost-effective and scalable solution for large-scale black ice detection, significantly enhancing road safety in cold climates. The scientific significance of this study lies in its novel application of GPS reflection signals for environmental monitoring, offering a new approach that can be integrated into existing GPS infrastructure to detect widespread black ice in real-time.

This study proposes a soil moisture retrieval method from ground reflection signals received by Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna modules consisting of an up-looking (UP) right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and two down-looking (DW) RHCP and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) signals. Field experiments at four different surface types (asphalt, grassland, dry soil, and moist soil) revealed that the DW RHCP and LHCP signals are affected by antenna height and multipath interference signals. The strength differences between the DW LHCP and UP RHCP signals were in good agreement with the DW LHCP signals. Methodologically, this study applied a spectrum analysis to the detrended surface-reflected signals for RHCP and LHCP. The study indicated that the down-looking antenna exhibited greater sensitivity to reflected GPS signals than the up-looking antenna. We demonstrated the feasibility of estimating soil moisture using GPS signals, by comparing LHCP signals received by the down-looking antenna with theoretical values. This study presents a novel method for estimating soil moisture in vegetated areas, leveraging the advantage of crosspolarization comparisons to achieve stronger signal strength than single-polarization reflection signals. With further research, including long-term observations and detailed analysis, the proposed method has the potential to enhance performance significantly.

This research paper delves into the effects of noni juice concentration, fermentation temperature, and incubation time on the physicochemical and sensory properties of noni juice-fortified yogurt. The study found that increasing the concentration of noni juice leads to higher acidity in the yogurt, resulting in a decrease in pH, total soluble solids content, and syneresis. The optimal concentration for achieving the desired physical and sensory qualities is 3%. Incubation time and temperature were also found to significantly influence the yogurt’s pH, acidity, total soluble solids content, and syneresis, with higher incubation time and temperature consistently producing higher-quality yogurt. The best incubation time and temperature for noni juice-fortified yogurt were determined to be 10 h at 42oC. Therefore, the research suggests that adding 3% Bestone noni juice and incubating for 10 h at 42oC using the starter culture powder Yogourmet can lead to the production of consistently high-quality noni juice-fortified yogurt, which is of significant relevance and importance to the dairy and fermentation industries.

Numerous research institutes have been studying semiconductor devices using two-dimensional materials for several years. However, the findings of these studies have yet to demonstrate the performance of digital devices that could replace silicon devices in the semiconductor industry. Nonetheless, the high carrier mobility and saturation velocity of 2-D materials remain attractive for semiconductor device performance, particularly in analog devices where these features can be utilized. In this research, we fabricated a phase-shift controller, a typical component of analog circuits, using 2-D materials and verified its operational characteristics. Analog circuits do not require large area integration, so we employed graphene, which has relatively simple formation and processing, as the 2-D material. Devices using graphene as a channel exhibit a V-shaped I–V characteristic, allowing for the input voltage to be adjusted to produce various modes of output characteristics. This means that the same devices can generate a phase-shifted output and an output with double the frequency by simply adjusting the input voltage range. This research is particularly meaningful since it demonstrates not only the potential of 2-D materials but also their potential for direct application to the semiconductor industry. These findings will contribute to the development of system IC technology and various applications.

소 유방염 관련 대장균(BMEC)은 생산되는 우유의 양과 품질을 변화시키고 도태율을 높임으로써 전 세계 낙농 산 업에 심각한 재정적 손실을 초래할 수 있는 주요 원인 물 질로 간주된다. 연구자, 수의사, 농부가 가장 효과적인 치 료법과 진단 기술을 이해하고 결정하는 것은 젖소 유방염 을 극복하는데 중요하다. 특히 무증상 혹은 준임상형 유 방염의 경우, 소는 뚜렷한 증상을 보이지 않고, 장기간에 걸쳐 겉보기에 정상적인 우유를 계속 분비하여 원인 병원 체인 대장균이 무리 내에서 감염을 퍼뜨릴 수 있다. 유방 염 예방을 위해서는, 병원균의 유방 내 침입, 감염 확립, 유방의 염증의 3단계 병인 과정에 대한 이해가 필수적이 다. 지금까지 대장균 유방염의 임상적 중증도에 기여하는 독성 인자와 병원성 사이에 명확한 상관관계가 발견되지 않았다. 다제내성 대장균과 새로운 내성 기전의 진화는 유 방염 치료에 항생제를 광범위하게 사용하고 있기 때문에 문제시 되고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 BMEC 치료의 효능 을 향상시키기 위해서는 대체제 발굴이 중요하다. 지난 30 년 동안 소 유방염의 역학 조사를 위해 다양한 유전자형 분석 기술이 사용되었다. 이러한 연구는 BMEC 계통 간 의 진화 관련성 뿐 아니라 기원, 전염 경로, 개체군 구조 에 대한 이해를 크게 향상시켰다. 따라서 본 리뷰에서는 BMEC의 전반적 개요를 제공하여 병인, 유전적 관계, 발 병 기전, 관리 및 질병 통제를 위한 새로운 치료 옵션에 대한 통찰력을 제공하고자 한다.

노지 나방류 해충인 담배거세미나방 방제를 위한 유충기생성 천적 2종인 긴등기생파리와 예쁜가는배고치벌 의 방사조건을 확립하고자 콩 재배포장에서 방사거리 및 방사밀도별 기생율을 조사하였다. 긴등기생파리는 방사 후 24시간 이내 방사지점으로부터 10m까지 이동하여 나방류 유충을 기생하였으며, 예쁜가는배고치벌도 방사지점으로부터 15m에서도 기주유충에 산란하여 고치가 형성된 것이 확인되었다. 긴등기생파리는 면적당 방사밀도가 높아질수록 기생율이 증가했으며, ㎡당 0.15마리(천적:해충=1:5) 방사했을 때 평균기생율 63.1%로 나타났다. 예쁜가는배고치벌은 긴등기생파리와 같은 방사밀도에서 평균기생율 47.8%로 확인되었으나, 방사 밀도에 따른 기생율 차이는 없었다.

M. pruinosa has been found on 98 families and 345 species of plants, indicating a wide host range. Since its first report in a persimmon orchard in Gimhae in 2009, it had spread to 126 municipalities over 12,429 ha. Because of powerful dispersal ability, it’s difficult to control with insecticides. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the population density through the release of M. pruinosa’s natural enemy, N. typhlocybae. N. typhlocybae females prey on or externally parasitize the nymphs of M. pruinosa. This natural enemy was introduced from Italy in 2017 through an international cooperative project between National Institute of Agricultural Sciences and University of Padova for controlling the sporadic pest, Metcalfa pruinosa. This study reported the results of mass rearing N. typhlocybae indoors and releasing them outdoors from 2020 to 2023 in 21 regions nationwide, showing an average parasitism rate of 27.3% and an average production of 7.9 cocoons per host, suggesting the possibility of their establishment in Korea.