This study examined the effects of pre-soaking solvents and repeated steaming-drying (SD) cycles on the antioxidant activity and active compound content of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata(RRP), the processed root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. SD treatments were conducted for 1 to 9 cycles using four different pre-soaking solvents: Takju (a traditional rice wine), Spirits, Honey, and Sugar solution. The results showed no significant differences in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities or in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents among the pre-soaking treatments, although samples pre-soaked in honey and Takju exhibited slightly higher levels. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents increased progressively with the number of SD cycles, reaching levels 2–3 times higher after nine cycles. Catalpol content remained relatively constant regardless of treatment, whereas aucubin content increased in all groups, with the highest accumulation observed in the Takju treatment. Similarly, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) content increased with the number of SD cycles, with the highest levels found in the honey group, followed by Takju, Sugar, and Spirits. In conclusion, while the type of pre-soaking solvent had minimal influence on antioxidant activities and catalpol content, both aucubin and 5-HMF contents increased with additional SD cycles, with Takju proving particularly effective in enhancing their accumulation.

A survey of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) was carried out in medicinal crop cultivated fields from July to August in 2023. Three-leaf ladybell, Adenophora triphylla var. japonica is a highly valued medicinal plant that is used to treat or prevent bronchitis, cough, cancer, and obesity in Korea. A. triphylla plants with small root-galls were observed in a field of Yeongju Agricultural Technology Center, which were identified as a root-knot nematode. Additional morphological and molecular analyses studies were performed and identified as Meloidogyne hapla, Northern root-knot nematode. Population densities of M. hapla ranged from 20~30 nematodes per 100 cm3 of soil. M. hapla was detected at lower densities in soil compared to other infected host crops, but there are concerns about damage to M. hapla since A. triphylla is cultivated for more than two years once planted. Our results indicate that A. triphylla roots damage by M. hapla were identifed, it is necessary to prepare control methods such as registration of applicable nematicides and crop rotation.

As the importance of online virtual spaces increases due to COVID-19, interest in online virtual spaces using 4th industrial technology is increasing. Accordingly, the metaverse that combines virtual and real is becoming an issue. In the fashion industry, marketing using online is gradually increasing, and various attempts are being made by converging with the metaverse to provide new and enjoyable experiences to customers. This study looked at the impact of customer experience of a luxury fashion brand pop-up store on customer satisfaction, affective commitment and brand loyalty in a metaverse environment where utilization is increasing due to COVID-19 and technological development. For the analysis data of this study, a survey was conducted on the users who experienced the metaverse platform Zepeto's ' BVLGARI World'. As a result of examining the effect of the customer experience of a luxury fashion brand pop-up store on customer satisfaction, affective commitment, and brand loyalty in a metaverse environment, some of the customer experiences affect customer satisfaction, and the proposed hypothesis was partially accepted. In addition, it was confirmed that customer satisfaction affects affective commitment and brand loyalty, and affective commitment affects brand loyalty. In this study, we examine the impact of the customer experience of a luxury fashion brand pop-up store on customer satisfaction, affective commitment, and brand loyalty in the metaverse environment, and identify what is needed for more active convergence and activation of the metaverse and fashion brands. Also, we provide practical implications to people who involved in the metaverse and the fashion industry.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of drip irrigation volume on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in a greenhouse using perlite medium. Plants were treated by three different irrigation treatment I0, I25, and I50 (where irrigation volume of I25 and I50 was 25% and 50% higher than I0, having limited or no leaching). Growth characteristics of plants, yield and water use efficiency were measured. The result showed that plant height, leaf length and leaf width were lowest in the I0 treated plants. However, these parameters were not statistically significant differences between the plants that were grown in the I25 and I50 treatment. Soluble solids content, acidity and dry matter of 111th, 132nd, and 143rd days harvested tomato were higher in the plants irrigated with lowest volume (I0) than the higher volume (I25 or I50). In addition, water content was lower in the 111th and 132nd days of harvested tomatoes from the I0 treatment. The number of big-size tomatoes (>180 g) was significantly higher in the I25 irrigated plants. There was no significant difference in the total number of harvested fruits among the treatments. The average fruit weight and total yield of harvested tomatoes were lowest in the I0 treated plants. The water consumption of tomato was not significantly different amongst the treatments but water use efficiency was lowest in the I0 treatment. Principal component analysis revealed that total soluble solid and acidity of tomato showed a positive correlation between each other. These results suggest that I25 was the optimum irrigation treatment for tomato based on its measured growth characteristics, yield and water use efficiency.

The poor durability issue of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is a major concern in terms of their commercialization. To understand the degradation mechanism of the catalysts, an accelerated durability test (ADT) was conducted according to the protocol established by internationally accredited organizations. However, reversible and irreversible factors contributing to the loss of activity have not yet been practically segregated because of the limitations of a batch-type three-electrode system, leading to the misunderstanding of the deactivation mechanism. In this study, we investigated the effect of a fresh electrolyte on the ADT and recovery process. When the fresh electrolyte was used at every range of the cycle, the chances of incorrect detection of dissolved CO and Pt ions in the electrolyte were very low. When the same electrolyte was used throughout the test, the accumulated Pt ions were deposited on the surface of the Pt nanoparticles or carbon support, affording an increased electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of Pt. Therefore, we believe that periodic replacement by a fresh electrolyte or a continuous-flow electrolyte is essential for the precise determination of the structural and electrochemical changes in Pt/C catalysts.

This study analyzed what premium features significantly affect customer satisfaction and their recommendation, and what factors significantly affect product attributes. In the process, first, the loyalty program and the customer compensation program were studied to determine the impact of the customer satisfaction and recommendation. The study analyzed that quality and design of product properties had significant effects on all factors, but the brand was not significantly affected. Second, while superiority, differentiation and scarcity of luxury items are significant to customer satisfaction but superiority is only significant in relation to recommendation intention. Third, the preceding study shows that the customer compensation program has a significant impact on sales growth, but the study found that it was not for imported luxury car customers. Fourth, if the royalties program is low in awareness, it has been analyzed that the scarcity and customer satisfaction relationships among luxury goods have been adjusted. On the contrary, if there is a high level of awareness, it is analyzed that there is a control effect customer satisfaction and differentiation among luxury brands. In the conclusion, in order to satisfy customers at the import luxury car market, the differentiation of luxury goods by standard index must be strengthened and the brand must be strengthened among the attributes of the product. In addition, by raising awareness of the royalties program, the relationship between differentiation and customer satisfaction can be enhanced.