This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly horticultural substrate that promotes the growth of organic onion(Allium cepa L.) seedlings. Four substrates were prepared by mixing different ratios of peatmoss, cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, and zeolite. Their pH and electrical conductivities ranged from 5.12 to 5.60 and from 0.07 to 0.08 dS/m, respectively. Beneficial microorganisms, molasses, sesame oil cake, and sulfur were added to one substrate combination, which was named “environmentally friendly horticultural substrate” (EFHS). The chemical properties of the EFHS were analyzed and compared with a commercial organic horticultural substrate (OHS) and a commercial general horticultural substrate (GHS). The organic matter and inorganic ion (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, zinc, and sulfur) contents in the EFHS were higher than those in the OHS and GHS. The germination rates of onion seeds in the EFHS were higher than in the OHS and GHS. The mean number of leaves, sheath diameter per seedling, and weight of 30-day-old seedlings grown on the EFHS were greater than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS. The length of the seedlings grown on the EFHS was comparable to that of the seedlings grown on the OHS and greater than that of the seedlings grown on the GHS. Overall, the growth parameters of onion seedlings grown on the EFHS were better than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS, suggesting that the EFHS may be used as an organic horticultural substrate for growing organic onion seedlings.

Barnyard millet is a short-lived tropical, short-term C4 plant and has superior vitality in humid conditions owing to its freshwater habitat. It shows strong adaptability to soils with poor drainage and low fertility, and efficiently competes with rice in paddy fields. Barnyard millet grain is used as feed in the Indian region and is a great source of dietary fiber, proteins, fats, vitamins, and some essential amino acids. Considering its high nutritional value and its potential as a food resource and fodder crop, various countries are showing interest in cultivating barnyard millet. However, in Korea, farm households have not yet recognized the benefits of cultivating barnyard millet, and research regarding this is scarce. In this review, the features of forage barnyard millet and its related research trends are discussed, with the aim of improving interest in this crop and promoting its cultivation.

Colon cancer has been considered a leading cause of cancer-associated death. Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for cellular physiological functions and cell viability. However, the association between folic acid intake and colon cancer has been examined in several prospective cohort studies are controversial. This study investigated the effects of folate intake on colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) institute for cancer research (ICR) mouse model. Thirty male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were divided into the control group and the experimental group supplied 0.03% folic acid via drinking water (50 mL/week/mouse) for 6 weeks. To induce colonic pre-neoplastic lesions, the animals were subcutaneously injected three times weekly with AOM (10 mg/kg body weight), followed by 2% DSS in drinking water for a week. Folic acid supplementation significantly suppressed the total number of aberrant crypt foci and aberrant crypts. Histological image data showed that folic acid supplementation attenuated neoplastic change. In addition, we measured the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration of dry feces samples to identify the effect of folic acid on reactive oxygen accumulation. The folic acid supplementation group had reduced reactive oxygen species levels in dry feces compared to the control group. In conclusion, these findings indicate that folic acid suppresses colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an AOM/DSS mouse model.

바둑은 적어도 2,500년 이상의 역사를 지녔고 그동안 인간 고유의 게임 영역으로 여겨왔으나, 2016년 컴퓨터 바둑인 알파고에 의해 제압된 마지막 보드게임이 되었다. 바둑에서의 사활문제는 컴퓨터 바둑을 구축 시 반 드시 해결해야 되는 기본 문제 영역이 된다. 연역적 추론은 이미 알고 있는 판단을 근거로 새로운 사실을 추 론하는 논리학의 용어이다. 본 논문에서는 연역적 추론을 위해 제약 충족 방법을 활용하여 사활문제와 직결 되는 3궁, 4궁, 5궁, 6궁의 원형 안형을 표현하는 4-튜플의 형식을 찾고자 했다. 이후 생성된 4-튜플의 형식 을 갖고 점 패턴 매칭을 활용하여 각 궁도의 원형 안형의 갯수를 파악하고자 했다. 실험 결과에 따른 4-튜플 형식의 갯수는 3궁 1개, 4궁 3개, 5궁 4개, 6궁 8개가 있음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 각 궁도의 원형 안형의 갯 수는 3궁 2개, 4궁 5개, 5궁 12개, 6궁 35개가 존재함을 찾아냈다. 마지막으로 컴퓨터 바둑에서의 사활문제 해결을 위해 원형 안형들을 4-튜플 형식의 변형인 5-튜플 형식으로도 제시하였다.