The ultimate objective of deep geological repositories is to achieve complete segregation of hazardous radioactive waste from the biosphere. Thus, given the possibility of leaks in the distant future, it is crucial to evaluate the capability of clay minerals to fulfill their promising role as both engineered and natural barriers. Selenium-79, a long-lived fission product originating from uranium- 235, holds significant importance due to its high mobility resulting from the predominant anionic form of selenium. To investigate the retardation behaviors of Se(IV) in clay media by sorption, a series of batch sorption experiments were conducted. The batch samples consisted of Se(IV) ions dissolved in 0.1 M NaCl solutions, along with clay minerals including kaolinite, montmorillonite, and illite-smectite mixed layers. The pH of the samples was also varied, reflecting the shift in the predominant selenium species from selenious acid to selenite ion as the environment can shift from slightly acidic to alkaline conditions. This alteration in pH concurrently promotes the competition of hydroxide ions for Se(IV) sorption on the mineral surface as the pH increases and impedes the selective attachment of selenium. The acquired experimental data were fitted through Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms. From the Freundlich fit data, the distribution coefficient values of Se(IV) for kaolinite, montmorillonite, and illite-smectite mixed layer were derived, which exhibited a clear decrease from 91, 110, 62 L/kg at a pH of 3.2 to 16, 6.3, 12 L/kg at a pH of 7.5, respectively. These values derived over the pH range provide quantitative guidance essential for the safety assessment of clay mineral barriers, contributing to a more informed site selection process for deep geological repositories.

The domestic Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PWHR) nuclear power plant, Wolsong Unit 1, was permanently shut down on December 24, 2019. However, research on decommissioning has mainly focused on Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), with a notable absence of both domestic and international experience in the decommissioning of PHWRs. If proper business management such as radiation safety and waste is not performed, it can lead to increased business risks and costs in decommissioning. Therefore, the assessment of waste volume and cost, which provide fundamental data for the nuclear decommissioning process, is a crucial technical requirement before initiating the actual decommissioning of Wolsong Unit 1. Decommissioning radiation-contaminated structures and facilities presents significant challenges due to high radiation levels, making it difficult for workers to access these areas. Therefore, technology development should precede decommissioning process assessments and safety evaluations, facilitating the derivation of optimal decommissioning procedures and ensuring worker safety while enhancing the efficiency of decommissioning operations. In this study, we have developed a program to estimate decommissioning waste amounts for PHWRs, building upon prior research on PWR decommissioning projects while accounting for the specific design characteristics of PHWRs. To evaluate the amount of radioactive waste generated during decommissioning, we considered the characteristics of radioactive waste, disposal methods, packaging container specifications, and the criteria for the transfer of radioactive waste to disposal operators. Based on the derived algorithm, we conducted a detailed design and implemented the program. The proposed program is based on 3D modeling of the decommissioning components and the calculation of the Work Difficulty Factor (WDF), which is used to determine the time weighting factors for each task. Program users can select the cutting and packaging conditions for decommissioning components, estimate waste amount based on the chosen decommissioning method, and calculate costs using time weighting factors. It can be applied not only to PHWRs, but also to PWRs and non-nuclear fields, providing a flexible tool for optimizing decommissioning process.

Spent ion exchange resins have been generated during the operation of nuclear facilities. These resins include radioactive nuclides. It is needed to fabricate them into a stable form for final disposal. Cement solidification process is a useful method for the fabrication of them into a waste form for final disposal. In this study, proper conditions for the fabrication of them into a stable waste form were determined using the cement solidification process. In-drum waste forms were then produced at the conditions, where the stability of representative samples was evaluated for final disposal. The samples were satisfied to the Waste Acceptance Criteria for low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal sites. This result can be utilized to derive optimal conditions for the fabrication of spent ion exchange resins into a final disposal form.

자생식물은 관상용, 약용, 식량자원으로 활용될 수 있는 잠재력을 지닌 고유 유전자원이다. 돌부추(Allium koreanum H.J. Choi & B.U. Oh)는 우리나라 해안 암반지대에 분포하는 자생식물 중 하나로, 기후변화와 서식지 감 소로 인해 보전 가치가 높은 식물이다. 이번 연구는 온도와 과산화수소가 돌부추의 발아에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 종자를 무처리(대조군) 또는 1% 과산화수소(H2O2)로 90분간 처리한 종자를 준비해 15, 20, 25°C 로 설정된 식물 생장 챔버에 배치하였다. 그 결과, 파종 23일 후 15°C에서 42%인 발아율이 20°C와 25°C에서 각각 18%와 0%인 발아율보다 2배 이상 높았으며, H2O2 처리 여부와 관계없이 15°C에서 발아율이 42%로 가장 높았다. H2O2 처리와 관계없이 최종 발아율 50%(T50)에 도달하는 일수는 20°C에서 가장 짧았지만, 일평균 발아율(MDG)은 15°C에서 가장 높았다. 따라서 1%의 H2O2 처리는 돌부추의 발아율에 큰 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 15°C의 온도가 돌부추의 발아율을 높이는 데 최적인 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구 결과는 돌부추의 발아를 위한 기초 연구 자료로 활 용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

The effect of the surrounding vegetation on the seed germination and growth of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) was investigated. Seed germination rate and growth were tested for allelopathy effects on four forest tree species after treatment with fallen leaves and leaf extracts. In the case of soil treatment through fallen leaves and crushed leaves, the germination rate was lower in the Quercus myrsinifolia treatments, and the average germination time was slower when Chamaecyparis obtusa was treated. In the case of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis, which are used in most of the MCG cultivation areas, they did not have a significant effect on seed germination. In the fallen leaves treatments, the stem showed a tendency to lengthen. The hot water extract treatment showed a higher germination percentage than the cold water extract treatment. The extract treatment showed a deficient germination percentage of some MCG seeds. However, in the case of the treatments except for this, the germination percentage was similar to that of the control treatment. However, the Mean Germination Time, germination rate, and germination value were faster and higher than the control treatment. As a result of calculating the allelopathic index (AI) of MCG according to the extract treatment of 4 species, most had a negative effect on germination, and P. densiflora and Q. variabilis extracts showed the most significant effect. The ginsenoside content was higher in the fallen leaves treatment than in the control. The above results will help select and manage MCG plantations.

Entomopathogenic fungi are used to produce raw materials by applying solid culture technology using grains. But there are various problems such as low production efficiency and cross-contamination. Solvum Co., Ltd. conducted research on liquid culture technology to develop a method that can overcome these shortcomings of solid culture technology. We conducted research and development on using Beauveria bassiana 331R to observe the culture according to the seed inoculation amount in a 30 L fermenter, it was carried out at 1.0 % (v/v) and 10.0 % (v/v). Although there was a difference of 1 day, 1.0 %(v/v) seed inoculation was observed to be more than twice that, and active blastospores and yield were observed at over 95.0 %. As a results, it was determined that cost and efficient production would be possible during the culture process in mass production. Based on these experiments, a 300 L fermenter was cultured with 1.0 % (v/v) seed inoculation, resulting in a yield of 1.24E+09 CFU/mL on the 6th day of cultivation. As a result of freeze-drying using the final culture medium, it was confirmed that the production yield was improved by 113.0 % compared to the control.

본 연구는 주변 환경의 차이에 따른 화분매개곤충의 유입 특성을 파악하기 위하여 국립수목원 내 진화속을걷 는정원과 부추속전문전시원에 식재된 울릉산마늘의 화분매개곤충을 조사하였다. 2023년 5월 22일부터 6월 2일 까지 꽃이 70% 이상 개화하였을 때 포충망을 활용하여 8일간 곤충을 채집하였고, 각 전시원 별 식생(피도), 기후 (온도·습도·조도)를 조사하였다. 조사 결과 진화속을걷는정원에서 피도 60% 온도 26.4℃, 습도 31.5%, 조도 40953.6lx, 화분매개곤충 20과 450개체, 부추속전문전시원은 피도 90%, 온도 25.6℃, 습도 31.6%, 조도 6387lx, 화분매개곤충 15과 196개체로 나타났다. 온도와 조도가 상대적으로 높은 진화속을걷는정원이 채집된 곤충의 다양성과 방문 빈도가 높았다. 시간대별 곤충의 방문 빈도를 비교해본 결과 온도와 조도는 개체수가 증가할 때 같이 증가하는 경향을 보였으며, 습도는 반대의 경향을 보였다.

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous agricultural pest that damages about 80 species of plants. It mainly damages Poaceae and plants used as food resources for humans. Its original habitat is the American continent, but it unintentionally settled in tropical and subtropical Asia, including Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. It occurs every year even in southern China, which is geographically adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, causing damage to crops. In Korea, it was first discovered on Jeju Island in June 2019 and is being discovered every year in Jeju and some inland areas. In 2023, there were a total of 13 discoveries, including those in the Jeju and Jeonbuk regions. Quarantine agency identified the maternal genotypes of all currently discovered individuals using COI and identified differences in genetic traits between individuals using the sex-related Z-chromosome. For comparison with the information on the individuals that invaded the country, 15 individuals from Guangxi and Guangdong provinces in China were collected and secured. Through the analysis of overseas samples, a database has been added to compare genetic information with domestic invasive species, and the reliability of the analysis is expected to increase.

Solenopsis invicta, known as the red imported fire ant, is an insect native to South America. This species was unintentionally introduced into Australia, New Zealand, several Asian countries, Caribbean countries, and the United States. It shows a high survival rate and settlement potential in human-habitable and non-living areas such as tropical rainforests, disturbed areas, deserts, grasslands, and roads. In Korea, invasions of red fire ants have been reported every year since 2017, and two invasions were discovered in 2023. Quarantine agency analyzing the haplotype and colony social type of S. invicta for surveillance and control. Population genetic analysis using Microsatellite Alleleic data of 66 loci to trace the origin of the invasion. Through research cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we have received samples and expanded our genetic information database. This study analyzed genetic differences between 15 invasive populations and 44 reference groups. As a result of microsatellite analysis, the domestic invasive population showed a genetic structure similar to those in Guangzhou, China, and Florida, USA.

The genus Kurahashiodes is a monotypic genus that only recorded in Japan with Kurahashiodes suenagai. This species was first known by Wohlfahrtiodes suenagai in 1994, but reorganized with the new genus Kurahashiodes by Verves in 2001. Kurahashiodes was close to genus Wohlfahrtia but can be distinguished by R1 haired, surstylus narrow, phallus without ventral protuberance. This genus is reported for the first time in Korean fauna. The diagnosis and photographs of the Kurahashiodes suenagai are provided herein.

지난 2022년 제주도 애월읍 일대에서 콩 해충으로 알려진 콩은무늬밤나방(Ctenoplusia agnata) 성충이 검거세 미밤나방(Agrotis ipsilon)의 성페로몬 트랩에 대량으로 포획되었다. 검거세미밤나방 트랩은 목적 해충에 대한 포획 효율을 조사하기 위해 세 구성 성분, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate를 3:1 비율로 고정하고 (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate를 0, 1, 6, 10, 15로 각각 비율을 달리한 미끼를 사용하였다. 각 조성별 콩은무늬밤나방 성충 포획수를 비교한 결과, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate가 첨가되지 않은 트랩에서 주당 평균 약 17.96마리로, 가장 많은 수의 개체가 포획된 것으로 확인되었다. 반면, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate가 가장 많이 함유된 트랩에서 주당 평균 약 2.5마리로 가장 적은 개체가 포획된 것으로 파악되었다. 이에 (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate의 비율이 증가할 수록, 포획되는 콩은무늬밤나방의 개체 수가 감소되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 검거세미밤나방 미끼의 주성분인 Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate는 기존의 콩은무늬밤나방 유인 성분 중 하나이기도 하여 해당 성분의 구성비가 유인에 영향을 미쳤다는 것을 예측할 수 있다. 추후에 해당 트랩들과 시판 중인 콩은무늬밤나방 성페로몬 트랩을 설치하 여 포획 양상을 비교할 필요성이 요구된다.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is one of the most important agricultural pests. Therefore, we screened fifteen compounds from natural products for their spatial repellent and oviposition deterrent activities against T. urticae in the laboratory by using two-choice and no-choice tests. In the bridge two-choice test, nine compounds showed the spatial repellent effects on T. urticae at 20 mg dose, resulting in reduced numbers of eggs. Among the nine compounds, at 2 mg dose, two compounds were selected as having more spatial repellent activity than the others. The two compounds also showed spatial repellent and oviposition deterrent effects in the two-choice test from hosts. In the no-choice test from a host, the spatial repellent effects of the two compounds to T. urticae were significantly stronger than that of controls. These results suggest that the findings can be used as potential agents for the prevention and population control of T. urticae in the field.

Structural cuticular proteins (CPs) and the liner polysaccharide, chitin, are the primary components of insect cuticle or exoskeleton. A large number of insect CP family proteins are divided into several distinct subfamilies defined by the presence of specific amino acid sequence motifs. One of these subfamilies is composed of Cuticular Protein Analogous to Peritrophins (CPAPs), containing one (CPAP1s) or three (CPAP3s) type-2 chitin-binding domains. In this study, we report a novel function of TcCPAP1-C from Tribolium castaneum in movement of legs. RNAi for TcCPAP1-C at larval stage has no effect on insect molting, growth and development. However, the resulting adults exhibit impaired leg movement, in which internal tendon cuticles are ruptured near the femur-tibia joint. The exoskeletal cuticle, hemiadherens junctions, microtubule array, myotendinous junctions and muscle fibers exhibit normal morphology before the tendon breakage. These results indicate functional specialization of TcCPAP1-C in structural integrity of the internal tendon cuticle, and loss of function of TcCPAP1-C caused breakage of the tendon cuticle, resulting in defective limb movement and locomotion.

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is the world-wide agriculture pest and has the ability to become resistant to many pesticides. Hence, we conducted behavioral tests on apterous and alate aphids for series compounds from natural products by using a two-choice test, a no-choice test, a host choice test and electroantennography (EAG). As a result, we found 3 out of 30 compounds for apterous aphids and 2 out of 15 compounds for alate aphids, both of which showed powerful repellent effects on these aphids. In this study, we suggest that our findings could be useful and eco-friendly spatial repellents for controlling cotton aphid.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in crystalline polysaccharides including chitin and cellulose. The recent discovery of LPMO family proteins in many insect species suggests that they presumably play a role in chitin degradation in the cuticle/exoskeleton, tracheae and peritrophic matrix during insect development. Insect LPMOs belong to auxiliary activity family 15 (AA15/LPMO15) and have been classified into at least four groups based on phylogenetic analysis. In this study, we identified, characterized and investigated the physiological functions of group I LPMO15 (MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1) in two longhorn beetle species, Monochamus alternatus and Psacothea hilaris. In both species, depletion of LPMO15-1 transcripts in last instar larvae by RNAi had no effect on subsequent larval-pupal molting and the resulting pupae developed normally. However, adverse effects on their development were observed during the pupal-adult molting period. The pharate adults were unable to shed their old pupal cuticle and died entrapped in their exuviae probably due to a failure of degradation of the chitin in their old cuticle, which is critical for completion of the insect molting and continuous growth.