말라리아는 Anopheles 모기들에 의해 전파되며, 대한민국에서는 코로나 팬데믹 기간 동안(2020~2022) 약 200~300명대의 말라리아 환자가 발생하였으나, 지난 2023년에는 그 수가 폭증해 약 800명의 환자가 발생하였다. 현재까지 모기를 방제하기 위한 가장 효율적인 수단은 살충제를 사용한 방제이나, 지속적으로 이러한 화합물에 노출된 모기 개체군은 살충제에 저항성을 갖게 되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 대한민국의 주요 말라리아 발생 지역인 비무장지대 부근 및 이외 지역인 용산, 평택, 오산에서 채집을 진행하였으며, 채집된 An. sinensis에 대해서 살충제 저항성과 관련되어 있다고 알려진 유전자인 acetylcholinesterase-1(ace-1)와 voltage-gated sodium channel(vgsc) 영역에 대한 저항성 돌연변이 보유 여부를 각각 확인하였다. 실험 결과 채집된 모든 지역에서 G119S(ace-1), L1014F,C(vgsc) 돌연변이가 발견되었으며, 그 빈도는 계절과 장소에 따라 차이를 나타내었다. 본 실험 결과는 향후 말라리아 감염 억제를 위한 매개체 연구에 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

기존의 사후경과시간(PMI) 추정 방법은 대략적인 사후경과시간의 추정, 사후 48~72시간 경과 또는 부패 시 추정 불가능이라는 문제가 발생하여 최근에는 법의곤충학(Medicolegal entomology)을 통한 최소 사후 경과시간 (PMImin) 추정이 더욱 강조되고 있다. 이로 인해 시식성파리의 발육 성장속도 파악은 시체의 최소 사후 경과시간 추정에 있어 효과적인 도구로 활용될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 곱슬털쉬파리(Parasarcophaga. similis)를 사육대상 종으로 선정하였다. P. similis는 부패한 시체를 섭식하는 시식성파리 중 하나로서, 발육 성장 속도에 따른 법곤충 학적(Forensic entomology) 최소 사후 경과시간을 추정하는 데 중요한 지표가 된다. 실험에 사용된 대상종의 경우, 경북 칠곡군 지천면 일대에서 6~9월경 야외쉬파리 채집하였고, 종 동정, 사육 및 증식, 예비 실험을 거친 후 본실험 을 진행하였다. 본실험은 산란 집단 케이지 내에서 산란 유도 후 12시간 간격으로 6개체를 샘플링하였고, 이를 Leica M125 Microscope (Leica Microsystems, Germany), EG-2HDNL(이지테크, Korea)로 이미지와 측정치를 확보 하였다. P. similis를 16~34°C 사이 7개의 온도 조건에서 성장 속도 측정을 3회 반복 실험하였으며, 곱슬털쉬파리의 최초 출현시점, 특정 온도 조건 별 발육 성장 속도 측정, 유충 몸길이 데이터, 이미지 자료, 표본 등을 확보하였다. 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34°C에서 P. similis의 알에서 성충까지의 발달 기간은 각각 822.0±5.9, 605.0±12.2, 442.3±9.4, 339.3±6.1, 289.3±7.5, 253.0±8.0, and 248.7±3.4h이 경과함을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 P. similis의 성장과정 데이터와 PMImin추정을 위한 지표로서 활용가능한 데이터를 제공한다.

In Vespa velutina, although no parasites or parasitoids have been found as natural enemies, strepsipteran parasites were first discovered in 11 workers in Andong in 2020. Identification using the DNA barcode method along with the morphological characters, identified them as Xenos moutoni and X. oxyodontes. These were all males (except for one parasite whose appearance was not identified), and consisted of four larvae and seven pupae. This is the first recorded strepsipteran parasites in Korea, Japan, and Europe, invaded by V. velutina. A Strepsipteran parasite is prevalent in Vespa species, but reports on the host is lacking in Korea. Although it was not possible to determine the exact infection rate of the strepsipteran parasites in this study, it seems that the parasite of V. velutina has already progressed in the southern region due to the geographical characteristics of Andong, located in the central region of Korea. In particular, stylopized workers do not work in the nest, which negatively affects nest development, and reproductive individuals (male and new queen) do not mate, which negatively affects the formation of new colonies in the following year. Nevertheless, the control effect is likely to be minor due to the high reproductive rate and compensatory effect of social wasps.

흰줄숲모기(Aedes albopictus)는 국내보다 해외에서 주요 질병들의 매개체로 인식되고 있으며, 도시 환경에 잘 적응하는 특징을 가지고 있다. 최근 기후변화에 따른 도심 지역의 환경 변화로 인해 모기의 부화율에도 영향을 미칠 수 있을 것으로 예상되어 관련 연구를 위해 서울시 내 25개의 기상청 자동관측장비(AWS)를 통해 수집된 기후데이터를 분석하였으며, 이 가운데 열섬 현상이 강한 도심 지역과 약한 교외 지역을 선정하였다. 이를 통해 임의의 사이 구간을 생성하여 총 9개의 열섬 조건에서 흰줄숲모기의 부화율을 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 열섬 현상 이 강할수록 부화율이 증가하였으며, 회귀분석을 통하여 열섬 강도가 강해질수록 이러한 추세가 더욱 빨라질 수 있음을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 도시열섬 현상에 따른 기온 변화가 흰줄숲모기의 부화율에 중요한 영향 을 미칠 수 있음을 시사한다.

대표적인 초식곤충인 나방은 기주식물 특이성을 갖고 있어 기주식물 분포에 따른 식생구조나 서식지 유형을 이해하는데 사용이 가능한 분류군이다. 나방은 종 다양성이 높고 분류학적으로 잘 알려져 있어 조사가 많이 이루 어져 풍부한 데이터가 존재하여 이들의 공간적, 시간적 규모의 생물량 변화 추세를 확인할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 공간적인 유형에 따라 나방의 생물량을 비교하고자 하였다. 생물량을 추정하기 위해 이용된 분류군은 자나방과, 밤나방과, 태극나방과로 이들 분류군의 앞날개 길이를 기준으로 종별로 계산을 하였다. 공간적인 유형은 숲의 위치(연속된 숲, 파편화된 숲)와 숲의 구성(침엽수림, 활엽수림, 혼효림)을 사용하였다. 그 결과 숲의 위치에 따라 생물량은 차이가 존재했지만(F = 16.76, P < 0.001), 숲의 구성(F = 1.54, P = 0.22)과 숲 위치와 구성의 상호작용은(F = 0.34, P = 0.71) 생물량의 차이를 확인하지 못하였다. 숲 구성에 따라 차이가 나타날 것으로 예상하였지만 나타나 지 않은 데에는 추후 분류군을 더 늘려 확인하는 것이 필요하다. 또한 식물 생물량 추정을 통한 곤충과 먹이자원의 가용 관계를 파악하는 연구도 필요할 것으로 예상한다.

본 연구는 우수한 꿀벌 신품종 육성을 위해 국립농업과학원에서 육성된 재래꿀벌 RX계통을 분양받아 ’23~’24 년까지 부안군 변산면에 위치한 전북농업기술원 잠사곤충시험장 양봉사에서 꿀벌세력, 수밀력, 질병저항성, 온순성, 질병발생, 월동능력을 한라벌 품종과 비교하여 조사하였다. 8~11월 RX계통의 꿀벌세력 감소는 3.9%로 한라벌 39.8% 대비 상대적으로 낮았고, 수밀력, 청소능력, 온순성은 유의적 차이가 없었다. 낭충봉아부패병 등 질병은 전북동물위생시험소에서 병성검정한 결과, 두 시험군 모두 항원이 검출되었으나 임상증상은 없었다. 그리고 월동 중 한라벌 품종은 폐사한 반면, RX계통은 모든 시험군이 월동에 성공하였고, 또한 월동전·후 먹이감 소량이 적어 월동능력이 우수한 것으로 판단하였다. 본 연구는 국립농업과학원 공동연구사업(PJ01504205)의 지원을 받아 수행하였다.

우리나라의 “곤충산업의 육성 및 지원에 관한 법률”은 곤충산업에 대한 직면한 문제 등 다양한 관점에서 다루 고 있다는 점을 시사한다. 이는 곤충에 대한 연구를 인간과 함께 할 수 있는 식용화, 약리활성 접근법을 통해 변화 를 가져야 한다는 것을 의미하기도 한다. 최근의 시사점은 곤충을 식용화하여 곤충산업을 활성화 하는 것이 최우 선 과제로 이 역시 곤충에 대한 혐오가 가장 큰 문제였다. 예를 들면, 곤충은 생리활성물질을 포함하고 있어 기능성 식품으로 개발되었지만 곤충에 대한 인식전환의 문제점을 내포하고 있다. 곤충을 활용할 때 가장 큰 장점은 유기 성 폐자원을 분해할 수 있기 때문에 우수한 곤충자원을 확보하는 하는 것이 우리의 연구에서 매우 중요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 대표적인 곤충인 굼벵이 유충을 성장단계에 따라 유기성 폐자원을 분해할 수 있는지를 평가했다. 우리의 연구에서 굼벵이 유충은환경정화곤충으로서의 가치는 감소가 되었다. 또한 이 결과는 곤충농 가의 활용 측면에서 기초적 정보를 제공하는데 있다.

Mongolian herders rely significantly on grazing their animals, such as goats, sheep, cattle, horses, yaks, and camels, in broad rangelands throughout the year. The availability of appropriate forage, the amount of hay and forage to be kept, and whether the animals will acquire physical strength from the pasture to make it through the impending cold season are all determined by the meteorological conditions of the year. Herders' principal source of income is animals, therefore preventing mortality is a top priority. In Mongolia, meadows are a major element determining cattle live weight. However, in the summer of 2022, Mongolia faced a drought, which resulted in inadequate pastures and starved cattle. Livestock might lose weight in these situations due to a lack of supplemental feeding.

The chemical composition of 86 species of native plants in Korea, including plants to be afforestation, was analyzed. The chemical composition of the species analyzed was different. The species with the highest extractable content was Viburnum dilatatum (3.91%), and the species with the lowest extractable content was Ligustrum lucidum (0.11%). The lignin content ranged from 12 to 39%, with an average of 25%. The species with the highest lignin content was Chaenomeles lagenaria (39.37%). Hemicellulose content ranged from 18 to 52%, with the highest species being Thuja occidentalis (51.22%) and Eucommia ulmoides (48.84%). Cellulose content ranged from 25 to 58%, and the species with the highest content were Prunus serrulata (57.67%), Diospyros kaki (57.14%), Aesculus turbinata (53.29%), Albizia julibrissin (53.02%), and Zelkova serrata (52.29%). The chemical composition was different for each use taxon of 86 plant species. The lignin content was the highest in the fruit group and the lowest in the group other than recommended species for afforestation. Cellulose content was highest in non-reforestation-recommended tree species and lowest in fruit trees. In classification according to tree height, lignin content was higher in shrubs than in tall trees, and cellulose content was highest in tall trees. Between deciduous and evergreen trees, the lignin content was high in deciduous trees (26.46%), and the cellulose content was also high in deciduous trees (44.01%). As a result of analyzing the correlation between each compound, there was a difference. There tended to be a positive correlation between extractives and lignin content. There was a negative correlation between extractives and holocellulose content, hemicellulose and cellulose. The higher extract content affected the cellulose content much more than hemicellulose. Also, the higher the lignin content, the lower the cellulose content. The species with low lignin content and high cellulose content were Diospyros kaki and Prunus serrulata var. spontanea. This result is expected to be primary data for bioenergy, pulp industry and bioindustry.

Currently, Japan is undertaking a nationwide project to measure and map radioactive contamination around Fukushima, as part of the efforts to restore normalcy following the nuclear accident. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) manages the Fukushima Environmental Safety Center, located approximately 20 km north of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Minamisōma City, Fukushima Prefecture. In collaboration with the JAEA, this study involved conducting comparison experiments and analyses with radiation detectors in high radiation environments, a challenging task in Korean environments. Environmental radiation surveys were conducted using three types of detectors: CZT, NaI(Tl), and LaBr3(Ce), across two contaminated areas. Dose rate values were converted using dose rate conversion factors for each detector type, and dose rate maps were subsequently created and compared. The detectors yielded similar results, demonstrating their feasibility and reliability in high radiation environments. The findings of this study are expected to be a crucial reference for enhancing the verification and supplementation of procedures and methods in future radiation measurements and mobile surveys in high-radiation environments, using these three types of radiation instruments.

In this study, the impact load resulting from collision with the fuel rods of surrogate spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies was measured during a rolling test based on an analysis of the data from surrogate SNF-loaded sea transportation tests. Unfortunately, during the sea transportation tests, excessive rolling motion occurred on the ship during the test, causing the assemblies to slip and collide with the canister. Hence, we designed and conducted a separate test to simulate rolling in sea transportation to determine whether such impact loads can occur under normal conditions of SNF transport, with the test conditions for the fuel assembly to slide within the basket experimentally determined. Rolling tests were conducted while varying the rolling angle and frequency to determine the angles and frequencies at which the assemblies experienced slippage. The test results show that slippage of SNF assemblies can occur at angles of approximately 14° or greater because of rolling motion, which can generate impact loads. However, this result exceeds the conditions under which a vessel can depart for coastal navigation, thus deviating from the normal conditions required for SNF transport. Consequently, it is not necessary to consider such loads when evaluating the integrity of SNFs under normal transportation conditions.

Background: Ankle sprains occur frequently among humans who undertake various body movements. Diverse walking environments and dual tasks, that can affect ankle sprains, have been studied. However, there is a lack of research on inter-trial variability according to the changes in gait speed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the adaptive ability of walking between the subjects with chronic ankle instability and healthy adults while performing a walking task with different walking speeds. Methods: In this study, 24 people in the chronic ankle instability group and 24 people in the healthy ankle group were selected as subjects. The length of the pre-measurement and the actual walking measurement were both set to 4.6 m. Once the subjects entered the measurement section, they changed their gait speed according to the randomly assigned speed change. Gait was measured twice and the average value was used for the analysis. Results: The coefficient of variation (CV) of cycle time in subjects with chronic ankle instability showed a significant difference in all cases except when the subjects changed their speed from preferred to slow and from slow to preferred. The CV of step length demonstrated a significant difference in all cases except for the change from slow to preferred and from preferred to fast. The cycle time and step length differential showed a significant difference only when the subjects changed the speed from slow to fast. Conclusion: The subjects with chronic ankle instability were found to have significantly reduced walking adaptability while performing inter-trial variability tasks with different gait speeds compared to healthy subjects.

A comparison and validation between the analysis and vibration test data of a nuclear fuel assembly were conducted. During the comparison and validation process, various parameters that govern the vibration behavior of the fuel assembly were determined, including nuclear fuel rod’s stiffness, spring constants of the dimple and spring of support structures, and damping coefficients. The calibration of the vibration analysis model aimed to find analysis parameters that can accurately simulate the vibration behavior of the test data. For calibration, power spectral density (PSD) diagrams were generated for both the measured signals from the test and the calculated signals from the analysis. The correlation coefficient between these two PSD plots was calculated. To find the analysis parameters, each parameter was defined as a variable with an appropriate range. Latin hypercube sampling was used to generate multiple sample points in the variable space. Analysis was performed for the generated sample points, and PSD plot correlation coefficients were calculated. Using the generated sample points and their corresponding results, a Gaussian Process Regression model was implemented for PSD plot correlation coefficients and the maximum PSD value. Based on the constructed surrogate model, the optimal analysis parameters were easily found without additional computations. Through this method, it was confirmed that the analysis model using the optimal parametes appropriately simulates the vibration behavior of the test.

Currently, the development of evaluation technology for vibration and shock loads transmitted to spent nuclear fuel and structural integrity of spent nuclear fuel under normal conditions of transport is progressing in Korea by the present authors. Road transportation tests using surrogate spent nuclear fuel were performed in September, 2020 using a test model of KORAD-21 transportation cask and sea transportation tests were conducted from September 30 to October 4, 2021. Finally, the shake table tests and rolling test were conducted from October 31 to November 2, 2022. As a result of the sea transportation test data analysis, an impact load resulting from the collision of objects was measured on fuel rods of a surrogate spent nuclear fuel assemblies during the rolling test was observed. Excessive rolling motion occurred on the ship during the rolling test, causing the surrogate spent nuclear fuel assemblies to slip and collide with the canister. To analyze under which conditions such impact loads occur and whether this event is possible under normal conditions of transport of spent nuclear fuel, a test was designed to simulate the rolling test in sea transportation and was performed. The rolling test was conducted on ACE7 and PLUS7 assemblies, respectively, varying the rolling angle and rolling frequency to determine at which angles and frequencies the assemblies experienced slippage. According to the test results, slippage of the used nuclear fuel assemblies can occur due to rolling motion at angles of approximately 14° or higher, leading to the possibility of generating impact loads. It was observed that the rolling angle is a more major factor for slippage than the rolling frequency. This exceeds the conditions under which a vessel can be permitted to depart for coastal navigation, thus it is considered to deviate from the normal conditions of transport of spent nuclear fuel. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider such loads for evaluating the integrity of spent nuclear fuel during normal transportation conditions.

To address the pressing societal concern in Korea, characterized by the imminent saturation of spent nuclear fuel storage, this study was undertaken to validate the fundamental reprocessing process capable of substantially mitigating the accumulation of spent nuclear fuel. Reprocessing is divided into dry processing (pyro-processing) and wet reprocessing (PUREX). Within this context, the primary focus of this research is to elucidate the foundational principles of PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Redox Extraction). Specifically, the central objective is to elucidate the interaction between uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) utilizing an organic phase consisting of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and dodecane. The objective was to comprehensively understand the role of HNO3 in the PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Redox Extraction) process by subjecting organic phases mixed with TBPdodecane to various HNO3 concentrations (0.1 M, 1.0 M, 5.0 M). Subsequently, the introduction of Strontium (Sr-85) and Europium (Eu-152) stock solutions was carried out to simulate the presence of fission products typically contented in the spent nuclear fuel. When the operation proceeds, the complex structure takes the following form. 􀜷􀜱􀬶 􀬶􀬾(􀜽􀝍) + 2􀜰􀜱􀬷 􀬿(􀜽􀝍) + 2􀜶􀜤􀜲(􀝋􀝎􀝃) ↔ 􀜷􀜱􀬶(􀜰􀜱􀬷)􀬶 ∙ 2􀜶􀜤􀜲(􀝋􀝎􀝃) Subsequently, separate samples were gathered from both the organic and aqueous phases for the quantification of gamma-rays and alpha particles. Alpha particle measurements were conducted utilizing the Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) system, while gamma-ray measurements were carried out using the High-Purity Germanium Detector (HPGe). The distribution ratio for U, Eu (Eu-152), and Sr (Sr-84) was ascertained by quantifying their activity through LSC and HPGe. Through the experiments conducted within this program, we have gained a comprehensive understanding of the selective solvent extraction of actinides. Specifically, uranium has been effectively separated from the aqueous phase into the organic phase using a combination of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and dodecane. Subsequently, samples containing U(VI), Eu(III), and Sr(II) underwent thorough analysis utilizing LSC and HPGe detectors. Our radiation measurements have firmly established that the concentration of nitric acid enhances the selective separation of uranium within the process.

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.

기후변화와 세계시장 개방에 따른 외래 및 돌발해충의 종류는 다양해지고 밀도는 지속적으로 증가하고 있지 만 발생 실태에 관한 자료는 미흡하다. 본 연구는 경남지역 돌발 및 남방계 해충의 발생과 피해조사를 위해 미국선 녀벌레, 썩덩나무노린재, 담배거세미나방 등 3종을 경남 18시·군에서 조사하였다. 미국선녀벌레는 약충기(6월), 성충기(9월) 조사를 진행하였고, 길이가 50cm 이상되는 가지의 밑동에서 위쪽으로 50cm 내 개체를 육안조사하 였다. 썩덩나무노린재는 콩 개화기(7월), 등숙기(9월) 조사를 진행하였고 지점당 집합페로몬 트랩 1개를 설치하 고 1주 후 채집된 마리 수를 조사하였다. 담배거세미나방은 성페로몬 트랩 1개를 설치한 뒤 1주 후 채집된 마리 수를 조사하였다. 미국선녀벌레는 의령, 함안, 함양 등에서 발생이 많았고, 전년대비 발생이 소폭 감소하였다. 썩덩나무노린재는 합천, 밀양, 함양 등에서 발생이 많았고, 담배거세미나방은 전시군에서 발생이 확인되었으 며, 특히 함양, 산청, 사천, 고성 등에서 밀도가 높았다.