Maize (Zea mays. L) is one of the major sources of green fodder for livestock in Pakistan. Crop management plays a key role in obtaining high yields for green fodder. Fertilizer application, seed rate, and row spacing are critical components of crop management, which can significantly affect crop biomass. To determine the best production technology, a two-year (2021-2023) study was conducted at the research area of National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, green fodder yield per acre, and green fodder yield per hectare were recorded. Various row spacing (15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm), fertilizer ratio (N: P = 55:30, 65:40, 75:50, and 85:60), and seed rates (30 kg/ac, 35 kg/ac, 40 kg/ac, and 45 kg/ac) were applied. Results obtained experiments revealed that in both growing seasons, the maximum green fodder yield was obtained when fertilizer N: P ratio was 75:50 (green fodder biomass: 74.61 t/ha and 72.56 t/ha). Similarly, the optimal seed rate was found to be 40 kg/ac, which resulted in the highest green fodder yield (73.41 t/ha and 72.88 t/ha in two seasons). Furthermore, the plant of maize at row spacing of 30 cm was found to generate the maximum green fodder yield (72.39 t/ha and 72.40 t/ha, respectively). Green fodder yield per hectare was found to be positively correlated with plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. These findings underscore the significance of applying a fertilizer ratio of N: P = 75:50, a seed rate 40 kg/ac, and a row spacing of 45 cm for higher yields of green fodder in maize crop.

Production technology trials for PARC’s new fodder oat cultivar (PARC-Oat) were conducted at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) under rain-fed conditions in Islamabad from 2021 to 2023. The effects of different fertilizer doses, planting densities (seed rates), and inter-row spacing on green fodder yield were studied. The experiment comprised four fertilizer doses of nitrogen and phosphorus (N:P) (55:30, 65:40, 75:50, and 85:60 kg/ha), four seed rate densities (30 kg/ac, 35 kg/ac, 40 kg/ac, and 45 kg/ac), and four inter-row spacings (15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm). Results based o n k ey p arameters a ffecting t he y ield of PARC-O at—namely plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), leaves per tiller, number of tillers per plant, and green fodder yield (t/ha)—indicated that the maximum yield of 72.74 t/ha was observed with the fertilizer dose of 75:50 kg/ha (N:P). Similarly, a seed rate of 40 kg/ha produced optimal planting densities, resulting in the highest green fodder yield of 72.85 t/ha, while an inter-row spacing of 30 cm yielded the maximum green fodder yield of 74.30 t/ha. These results suggest that to achieve maximum green fodder biomass of oats, best management practices should include the application of a fertilizer dose of 75:50 (N:P), a seed rate of 40 kg/ha, and an inter-row spacing of 30 cm.

The study investigated a method of synthesizing a pitch suitable for making activated carbon using fluid catalytic crackingdecant oil (FCC-DO), a high-purity carbon precursor from oil refining. We kept the reaction time and catalyst amount constant while varying the temperature to investigate its impact on pitch synthesis and the resulting physical and activation properties. Previous research established that materials added during pitch synthesis can affect the properties of both the pitch and resulting activated carbon. This study examined the addition of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to FCC-DO-based pitch. The results indicated significant changes in properties with PET addition and temperature variation that ensured stable activated carbon quality. At temperatures of 390 °C or higher, the specific surface area of the activated carbon stabilized between 2680 and 2740 m2/ g. Waste PET, a recyclable plastic, was chosen due to its compatibility and thermodynamic suitability for pitch synthesis. Importantly, adding PET didn't generate additional waste or degrade the physical properties of the activated carbon.

In response to the expanding landscape of the biotechnology industry and the increasing demand for comprehensive drug development as well as the conduct of preclinical and clinical trials, there is a growing need for employment of diverse animal models, including both small and large animals. The focus of this study was on refining ex vivo culture techniques for bioluminescence imaging following administration of intradermal injections in large animals. To examine the feasibility of our approach, varying concentrations of the rFluc protein were administered to rats and live imaging was employed to validate the corresponding levels of expression. Subsequently, following administration of rFluc to mini-pigs, ex vivo analyses were performed on sample tissues to assess the levels of protein expression across different concentrations. In particular, optimal culturing conditions that facilitated the sustained expression of the protein in samples post-euthanasia were identified. Moreover, by employing small animal imaging devices, we were able to capture clear images of the sample plates, which provided evidence of the successful application of our experimental techniques. The findings from this research represent a significant effort toward refining bioluminescence imaging methods tailored for use with large animal models—an imperative facet of contemporary drug development and biomedical research.

The biological efficiencies of promising Pleurotus spp. were evaluated. Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus tuberregium,and Pleurotus sajor-cajuwere investigated at temperatures of 22oC, 20oC, and 18oC to determine their ability to adapt to temperatures that are likely to be found in subtropical regions. The experiment was conducted using a substrate comprising Popular sawdust 60% + cotton seed 20% + beet pulp 20% under a relative humidity of 65%. The results indicated that there were significant differences in terms of biological efficiency between the species: P. tuber regium 128.84% at 22oC, P. ostreatus 108.41% at 22oC, and P. sajor-caju is 80% at 20oC. The common temperatures at which all species showed the highest biological efficiencies were 22oC and 20oC. Therefore, the production of the evaluated species was equal to or surpassed biological efficiencies reported in tropical environments, thereby demonstrating a potential opportunity to adapt to tropical environments without compromising quality standards.

한라개승마(Aruncus aethusifolius (H.Lév.) Nakai)는 관상 용 및 약용 식물로 이용이 될 가능성이 있는 한국 고유종이 다. 그러나 종자에 의한 번식에 대해서는 알려진 바가 거의 없다. 이 연구는 한라개승마의 종자번식 프로토콜을 개발하기 위해 수행되었다. 실험에 사용된 종자는 2019년 11월 3일 한 택식물원에서 채종하였으며, 안동대학교 유전자원포지에서 관 리하던 식물체에서 2020년 11월 10일에 채종하였다. 한라개 승마 종자는 완전히 성숙한 배를 가지고 있었다. 종자는 모식 물체에서 탈리되고 이듬해 3월부터 발아하기 시작하였다. 수 분흡수실험 3시간 이내에 초기 건조상태의 무게 대비 25% 이 상 무게가 증가하여 물리적휴면이 없는 것을 확인하였다. 명 암 조건에서의 온도별 발아시험 결과, 한라개승마 종자의 발 아율은 암조건보다 명조건에서 높았고, 명암 조건 모두 4°C에 서 발아하지 않았다. 따라서 종자는 광발아종자이므로 soil seed bank를 형성할 가능성이 있다. GA 실험의 경우 2019년 수확한 종자와 2020년 수확한 종자의 효과가 다르게 나타났 다. 저온습윤처리 기간이 길어질수록 발아소요일이 앞당겨지 는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 2020년도 종자는 발아율이 낮아 서 12주간의 저온습윤처리 이후에도 발아율이 40%를 넘지 못 했다. 그리고 후숙처리 기간은 한라개승마 종자의 발아에 영 향을 미쳤다. 실험결과 2019년 수확한 종자와 2020년 수확한 종자의 발아율 차이가 확인되었다. 이는 모식물체의 생육 환 경에 따른 영향으로 판단된다.

Ocean biogeochemistry plays a crucial role in sustaining the marine ecosystem and global carbon cycle. To investigate the oceanic biogeochemical responses to iron parameters in the tropical Pacific, we conducted sensitivity experiments using the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean–Tracers of Ocean Phytoplankton with Allometric Zooplankton (NEMO-TOPAZ) model. Compared to observations, the NEMO-TOPAZ model overestimated the concentrations of chlorophyll and dissolved iron (DFe). The sensitivity tests showed that with increasing (+50%) iron scavenging rates, chlorophyll concentrations in the tropical Pacific were reduced by approximately 16%. The bias in DFe also decreased by approximately 7%; however, the sea surface temperature was not affected. As such, these results can facilitate the development of the model tuning strategy to improve ocean biogeochemical performance using the NEMOTOPAZ model.

농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원에서는 2018년 분홍색계 소 형 호접란 ‘Tiny Bell’을 육성하였다. 2010년 진분홍색 다화 성 소형 품종 Phalaenopsis ‘D07PN16’와 연분홍색 소형종 P. ‘D03PN22’를 모본과 부본으로 교배하였다. 2014년 생육이 우 수하고 화색, 화형, 꽃대수 등 개화 특성이 우수한 ‘10531-53’ 개체를 선발하여 기내 화경배양을 통해 증식하였다. 2014년부 터 2018년까지 1차, 2차특성검정을 통해 품종의 안정성과 균 일성을 확인한 후 ‘Tiny Bell’로 명명하였다. 이 품종은 밝은 보라빛 분홍색(RHS, PVGN80A)을 띄며, 가장자리에 백색무늬 를 가지는 것이 특징이다. 평피기 형태의 꽃은 길이와 폭이 각각 3.89, 4.01cm이며, 총상화서로 분지가 발생한다. 1개의 꽃대에 19.7개의 소화가 착생하여 꽃 수가 많이 달리는 다화 성이며, 꽃대 길이는 28.48cm정도이다. ‘Tiny Bell’은 생육시 잎이 수평으로 자라며 길이와 폭은 각각 13.1cm, 5.3cm였다. 신품종인 ‘Tiny Bell’은 소형 분화용으로 이용 가능할 것이다.

Persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) is a remnant vessel connected with the coronary sinus and draining into the right atrium. A 3-month-old intact male Bichon Frise was evaluated for the presence of a mechanical murmur auscultation in the local animal hospital. No significant clinical signs were present on physical examination except mechanical murmur. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed in the imaging procedure. During the left thoracotomy, PLCVC was found. The vascular malformation made the surgical process difficult by hiding PDA from the left thoracotomy surgical view. PLCVC and the vagus nerve was carefully dissected and lifted to secure a clear surgical view of PDA. The ductus arteriosus was ligated. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed postoperatively. On CTA, left brachiocephalic vein retaining connection with the coronary sinus draining into the right atrium was observed. CTA is highly recommended for dogs with PDA to provide better postoperative results.

The Gwangneung arboretum, affiliated to the Korea Forest Research Institute, was established in 1987 and it became the Korea National Arboretum (KNA) in May 24, 1999. The entomological collection of KNA currently holds a total of 510,365 specimens of 6,849 species including more than 330 type specimens of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Coleoptera are deposited. As the results of recent systematic studies by KNA entomologists, 67 new species were described, and 108 species were newly recorded from Korea and other countries. Not only we have conducted taxonomic studies but also have broaden our research boundary to natural enemy surveys for pine wilt disease vectors, plant and insect interaction, and exotic insect species monitoring. In this presentation, we would like to briefly introduce current entomological researches of KNA in the hope of future collaborations with other entomologists.