Activated carbons with high micro-/meso-porosity derived from biomass are increasingly popular as sustainable materials. However, these carbons often struggle with low carbon content and limited structural stability. Here, we present Mongolian anthracite-based carbons synthesized via carbonization and chemical activation. Structural analysis shows that Act-MRA samples develop plate-like morphologies with reduced particle size and greater porosity as KOH content increases. The Act-MRA samples have a disordered carbon structure with small graphitic domains, even at higher KOH ratios without significant crystal defects. Notably, Act -MRA3 displays a large specific surface area and high pore volume, with welldeveloped micropores (7–20 Å) and mesopores (20–50 Å) that expand as KOH ratios rise. Electrochemical tests indicate that Act -MRA3 achieves high specific capacitance (220.6 F/g at 5 mV/s) and rate retention (~ 80% at 300 mV/s), owing to its optimized pore structure and enhanced ion transport. These findings underscore the importance of tailored pore structures and defect engineering in boosting activated carbon performance for energy storage.

본 연구는 향기가 강한 장미를 선발하고 이화학적 향기 특성 을 평가하기 위해 수행되었다. 향기가 있는 장미 라인의 꽃 향기 는 향분석기와 MOS타입 전자코를 이용하여 향 강도와 패턴을 조사하였다. 향기 분석 결과, 장미 라인들 중 ‘RosaScentNIHHS1’ 이 가장 높은 향 강도를 나타냈으며, 전자코 데이터의 주성분분 석(PCA)과 판별함수분석(DFA) 결과, 다른 계통과 뚜렷이 구분 되는 향기 패턴을 보였다. 또한 ‘RosaScentNIHHS1’과 모부본 품종인 ‘위스퍼’ 꽃잎의 휘발성 화합물을 헤드스페이스-고체상미 세추출법(HS-SPME)과 가스크로마토그래피-질량분석기(GC-MS) 를 이용하여 분석하였다. ‘RosaScentNIHHS1’의 주요 휘발성 화합물은 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, citronellol, geraniol이었 으며, 모부본 품종 ‘위스퍼’의 주요 화합물은 3,5-dimethoxytoluene 및 cis-3-hexenyl acetate, 4-vinyl anisole이었다. 두 계통 은 화합물 조성과 각 성분의 상대 성분비에서 상당한 차이를 나타냈다. 본 연구 결과는 향기 특성을 기반으로 한 천연 화훼 자원 개발을 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

This study was conducted to provide comprehensive information on the current status, constraints, and policy responses regarding rice cultivation in Uzbekistan for researchers and policymakers engaged in rice production in Central Asia. Despite annual fluctuations, Uzbekistan’s rice cultivation area has consistently exceeded 100,000 hectares each year. The yield per unit area improved by 19.2%, increasing from 4.21 t/ha in 2021 to 5.02 t/ha in 2024. In terms of cultivation methods, the proportion of doub le c ropping rose f rom 50.7% t o 71.6%, a lthough productivity remained h igher in s ingle cropping (5.35 t/ha) compared to double cropping (4.88 t/ha). Rice demonstrated an economic advantage of 2-5 times per hectare compared to major crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. However, domestic production growth has not kept pace with rising consumption demands, leading to a sharp increase in imports, from 9,000 tons in 2019 to 108,800 tons in 2023. The structure of rice imports is shifting from a heavy reliance on Kazakhstan (90%) toward diversification, including partnerships with Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries. Major constraints to rice production in Uzbekistan include an arid climate, chronic irrigation water shortages, and soil salinization, which affects 50-70% of irrigated farmland. In response, the government established a comprehensive development strategy through Cabinet Resolution No. 986 in 2019 and is currently promoting economies of scale by establishing 42 clusters across 8 provinces (covering 41,440 hectares, or 29.7% of the total area). To address water scarcity, laser land leveling technology has been implemented on over 700,000 hectares as of 2024, aimed at reducing irrigation water usage and increasing yields, with plans to further expand water-saving cultivation technologies. In terms of international cooperation, the KOPIA project is enhancing quality seed production and distribution, as well as establishing machine transplanting cultivation technology. Partnerships with IRRI and participation in the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) are strengthening the development of climate- adaptive varieties and international networks. Overall, Uzbekistan’s rice industry has the strategic potential to contribute significantly to food security, rural economic development, and regional trade activation through systematic policy implementation and enhanced international cooperation.

Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) has been known as greater duckweed or great duckmeat. It is native inhabited in Korea. It is considered as a rich source of primary metabolites including protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Thus, it is considered as an alternative food source for the future. In addition, it has a strong phytoremediation capacity to remove various environmental pollutants, especially inorganic elements and pesticides. With a variety of duckweed’s application, there is an urgent need to develop a cultivation method for a sustainable supply of S. polyrhiza. In this study, an indoor vertical farm has been introduced to optimize duckweed cultivation. Indoor cultivated S. polyrhiza showed about 2-fold higher fresh weight than outdoor cultivated duckweed. Contents of inorganic elements were also significantly reduced in indoor cultivated S. polyrhiza. Especially, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) were approximately 10-fold decreased in indoor cultivated duckweed. On the other hand, contents of proteins and fats were significantly increased in indoor cultivated S. polyrhiza, while carbohydrates were found more in outdoor cultivated S. polyrhiza. Increasing N content in a homemade nutrition solution also enhanced fresh and dried weights of S. polyrhiza by about 1.8-fold in comparison with other commercial nutrition solutions. Proliferation rate (%) was doubled every 24 hours in this indoor vertical farm, indicating the accomplishment of a sustainable supply for S. polyrhiza. Further studies need to be undertaken to cultivate other duckweeds such as Wolffia arrhiza and Lemna minor using the same indoor farming system.