One of the key challenges for the commercialization of carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) is their large-scale economic production. Among CNTF spinning methods, surfactant-based wet spinning is one of the promising techniques for mass producing CNTFs. Here, we investigated how the coagulation bath composition affects the spinnability and the properties of CNTFs in surfactant-based wet spinning. We used acetone, DMAc, ethanol, and IPA as coagulants and analyzed the relationship between coagulation bath composition and the properties of CNTFs in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic coagulation parameters. From a kinetic perspective, we found that a low mass transfer rate difference (MTRD) is favorable for wet spinning. Based on this finding, we mixed the coagulant bath with solvent in a proper ratio to reduce the MTRD, which generally improved the wet spinning. We also showed that the coagulation strength, a thermodynamic parameter, should be considered. We believe that our research can contribute to establishment of surfactant-based wet spinning of CNTFs.

This study investigates the negative perceptions (veganphobia) held by consumers toward vegan diets and fashion and aims to foster a genuine acceptance of ethical veganism in consumption. The textual data web-crawled Korean online posts, including news articles, blogs, forums, and tweets, containing keywords such as “contradiction,” “dilemma,” “conflict,” “issues,” “vegan food” and “vegan fashion” from 2013 to 2021. Data analysis was conducted through text mining, network analysis, and clustering analysis using Python and NodeXL programs. The analysis revealed distinct negative perceptions regarding vegan food. Key issues included the perception of hypocrisy among vegetarians, associations with specific political leanings, conflicts between environmental and animal rights, and contradictions between views on companion animals and livestock. Regarding the vegan fashion industry, the eco-friendliness of material selection and design processes were seen as the pivotal factors shaping negative attitudes. Furthermore, the study identified a shared negative perception regarding vegan food and vegan fashion. This negativity was characterized by confusion and conflicts between animal and environmental rights, biased perceptions linked to specific political affiliations, perceived self-righteousness among vegetarians, and general discomfort toward them. These factors collectively contributed to a broader negative perception of vegan consumption. In conclusion, this study is significant in understanding the complex perceptions and attitudes that consumers hold toward vegan food and fashion. The insights gained from this research can aid in the design of more effective campaign strategies aimed at promoting vegan consumerism, ultimately contributing to a more widespread acceptance of ethical veganism in society.

The effects of different plasma agent species ( CF4, N2) over the conductivity of CFX cathode material were identified. Both plasma treatments have surface etching effect, while the CF4 plasma treatment has C–F bond modification effect and the N2 plasma treatment has defluorination effect. The changes of surface chemical species and porosity along the plasma agent were elucidated. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of plasma-treated CFX confirmed the effects of plasma treatments. The charge-transfer resistance of plasma-treated CFX was maximum 60.3% reduced than the pristine CFX. The effects of surface chemical modification coupled with etching along the plasma gas agents were compared and identified with their reaction mechanisms.

This study assessed the effectiveness of brand image communication on consumer perceptions of cruelty-free fashion brands. Brand messaging data were gathered from postings on the official Instagram accounts of three cruelty-free fashion brands and consumer perception data were gathered from Tweets containing keywords related to each brand. Web crawling and natural language processing were performed using Python and sentiment analysis was conducted using the BERT model. By analyzing Instagram content from Stella McCartney, Patagonia, and Freitag from their inception until 2021, this study found these brands all emphasize environmental aspects but with differing focuses: Stella McCartney on ecological conservation, Patagonia on an active outdoor image, and Freitag on upcycled products. Keyword analysis further indicated consumers perceive these brands in line with their brand messaging: Stella McCartney as high-end and eco-friendly, Patagonia as active and environmentally conscious, and Freitag as centered on recycling. Results based on the assessment of the alignment between brand-driven images and consumer-perceived images and the sentiment evaluation of the brand confirmed the outcomes of brand communication performance. The study revealed a correlation between brand image and positive consumer evaluations, indicating that higher alignment of ethical values leads to more positive consumer assessments. Given that consumers tend to prioritize search keywords over brand concepts, it’s important for brands to focus on using visual imagery and promotions to effectively convey brand communication information. These findings highlight the importance of brand communication by emphasizing the connection between ethical brand images and consumer perceptions.

국내 원예작물에서 화분매개곤충의 의존도는 해마다 증가하고 있다. 우리는 사과, 딸기 등 화분매개곤충의 의존도가 높은 주요 과수와 시설작물에 대하여 화분매개곤충의 사용기술을 개발하고 이를 현장에 적용하는 연구를 수행하고 있다. 2021년부터 2022년까지 딸기, 키위 등 5가지 주요 농작물에서 화분매개벌을 적용한 결과, 딸기에서 뒤영벌의 적용결과 기존 꿀벌과 통계적으로 같은 수준의 화분매개효과를 나타내었으며, 하우스에서 농약적용시 하우스 밖으로 벌통을 위치시키는 것이 방치보다 벌의 소실을 20% 더 감소시킬 수 있었다. 인공수분 에 의존하고 있는 씨없는 수박에서 수분수 식재와 꿀벌을 이용함으로 기존 벌 방사보다 16% 착과율을 향상시킬 수 있었다. 시설고추에서 꿀벌과 뒤영벌의 혼합사용시 기존 꿀벌 방사보다 고추 수량이 10% 향상되었고, 토마토 에서 660㎡당 뒤영벌의 봉군량을 1.5배 증가시 토마토 수량은 4.4% 향상되었다. 키위는 꿀벌로 기존의 인공수분 을 충분히 대체할 수 있었고, 인건비가 60%이상 절감되었다. 또한 현재 시판중인 30종의 살충제와 27종의 살균제 에 대하여 24시간내 반수치사를 보인 농약은 각각 살충제 6종와 살균제 4종 이었다. 이어서 2023년부터 참외, 멜론, 사과, 단감에 대한 현장적용연구가 진행되고 있다.

Bee traffic at the hive entrance can be used as an important indicator of foraging activity. We investigated patterns of honeybees and bumblebees near their hives as a basis for calculating bee traffic using the image deep learning. The flight pattern near the hive differed significantly according to bee at entering and leaving the hive. Honeybees mainly showed flight that changed flight direction more than once (69.5%), whereas bumblebees mainly performed straight flight (48.7%) or had a single turn (36.5%) in flight. When bees entered the hive, honeybees primarily showed one-turn or two-turn flight patterns(88.5%), and bumblebees showed a one-turn flight pattern (48.0%). In contrast, when leaving the hive, honeybees primarily showed a straight flight pattern (63.0%), and bumblebees primarily showed a straight or one-turn pattern (90.5%). There was a significant difference in flight speed according to the flight pattern. The speed of straight flight (0.89±0.47 m/s) was 1.5 to 2.1 times faster than flight where direction changed. Therefore, our results can help determine the capturing and recognizing the flying image of bees when calculating bee traffic by image deep learning.

The ovicidal effect of plant extract mixture (5% cinnamon extract + 10% citronella oil + 30% citrus oil + 10% derris extract + 20% neem extract + 25% penetrating surfactant) against several major insect pests was tested using the spraying method. In the case of stink bugs, eggs tended to die during hatching. When treated with a plant extract mixture (500-times solution), mortality for Halyomorpha halys, Riptortus clavatus, Eurydema dominulus, Trialeurodes vaprarorium, Bemisia tabaci, Spodoptera exigua, and Agrotis ipsilon reached as high as 100%. Therefore, it is believed that industrialization will be feasible in the future.

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.

To control western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), a significant pest of peppers, the control effects of eco-friendly agricultural materials were tested when treated alone and in combination. The control effects of yellow sticky roll traps installed on the stem, predatory natural enemy (Hypoaspis miles) inoculated on the stem, and plant extracts (50% custard apple seed oil + 10% cinnamon extract) sprayed on the foliage were 45.3%, 36.6%, and 50.2%, respectively, when treated individually. Meanwhile, when three eco-friendly agricultural materials were comprehensively applied, the control effect was maintained between 62.4% and 80.9% compared to untreated conditions during the pepper harvesting season. These methods can be utilized for the eco-friendly control of western flower thrips in pepper greenhouses.

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.