The optimum vitrification conditions of the radioactive waste using high-temperature furnace and HIP (Hot Isostatic Press) were studied for the successful reduction of the solidification volume, radioactive level, satisfying the disposal criteria such as leaching rate and compressive strength. Vitrification is receiving attention for the solidification disposal of intermediate and low-level radioactive wastes for its chemical-physical stability and leachability. Its principle is to trap the radioactive material in a fixed structure of the glass type materials, such as Boron Trioxide, Silicon Dioxide and Phosphorus Pentoxide. Sludge targeted in this study is assembly of materials while sludge is stored in the stainless-steel tank before disposal, which consists of Fe3O4 (14.9wt%), Fe2O3 (3.8wt%), and Cr2O3 (6.3wt%), cement paste (25wt%) and detergent/shower sludge (50wt%). The detergent/shower sludge generated from the washing the clothes that were worn during the work at the laboratory and nuclear power plant contains organic materials that are vulnerable to chemical reactions, therefore, immobilization of organic material by the incinerating step, which can also immobilize the radioactive substance, was applied. Its composition – containing Cs-133 and Co-59 substitution for Cs-134 and Co-60 that are radioactive – was analyzed by XRD before and after the mineralization of the sludge using high temperature furnace in different temperature, to identify the remaining element and the features of the mineralized sludge. Targeted sludge was vitrificated using Hot Isostatic Press in with different pressure and temperature conditions, to find out the optimum vitrification conditions. Vitrificated waste was evaluated in many aspects - leaching evaluation following ANS16.1, compressive strength evaluation of 3.44 MPa (waste disposal criteria), volume reduction before and after the sequence.

The oriental fruit fly is a major polyphagous insect pest with a worldwide distribution. We investigated the development time, survivorship, longevity and fecundity of B. dorsalis at six different temperatures. We applied the computer programs – TWOSEX-MSChart and TIMING-MSChart - to analyze our data. We obtained the population parameters – adult preoviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), oviposition days, eggs per reproductive female, first age of survival rate <50%, proportion of male and female individuals, propoortion of N-type individual, and life table parameters (net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and mean generation time) - and population projection using two computer programs.

The oriental fruit fly is a major polyphagous insect pest with a worldwide distribution. The effects of temperature on stage-specific development were investigated at eight constant temperatures (13.0, 14.4, 16.2, 19.5, 23.8, 27.7, 31.8 and 34.8℃). Stage-specific lower developmental thresholds and thermal constants were determined using linear regression. The lower and higher temperature threshold (TL and TH) were estimated using the Sharpe-Schoolfield-Ikemoto (SSI) model. The daily adult emergence frequency of B. dorsalis was estimated in relation to adult age and temperature. Thermal performance was compared among B. dorsalis populations from different locations in Taiwan.

This study examines the determinants of the member customer’s decision of redeeming versus accumulating loyalty program (LP) points by focusing on the effects of the different channels of transaction (online versus offline) and the demographic information of member customers. Our study is based on customer-level demographic and transaction data on a major partnership LP in Korea, the OK Cashbag (OCB) program. This study differs from the existing literature in three aspects. First, the dataset employed for this study enables us to compare member customers’ point redemption behavior between online and offline channels, whereas previous studies demonstrate coupon redemption behavior either in an online (Chiou-Wei and Inman 2008) or an offline setting (e.g., Cronovich 1997; Kwon and Kwon 2007; Mittal 1994; Reibstein and Traver 1982; Ward and Davis 1978). Second, the current study investigates not only the main effects of demographic variables, but also a series of interaction effects between the online channel and each demographic variable. Clear empirical evidence of an interaction effect would provide an LP provider with significant managerial implications. Third, rich data on customers’ transaction behavior with matching demographic information for each member customer enable us to conduct both transaction-level and individual customer-level analyses. Therefore, an individual customer’s transaction behavior can be analyzed in more detail for robust results and richer implications. We find that transactions that occur through online channels and those made by younger customers demonstrate a greater tendency of redeeming LP points as opposed to accumulating them. We also find that online channels exhibit a moderating role by mitigating the demographic effects on member customers’ point redemption behavior. These findings allow the LP provider to predict the future LP point balance by analyzing its main channel of transaction and the demographic profiles of its member customers.

Proline is known as an osmotrotectant to enhance tolerance against both salt and dehydration stresses. A P5CS (δ1 -pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase) plays a major role in regulation of synthesis of proline. An overexpression of the mothbean P5CS gene in transgenic tobacco plant increased the levels of proline and osmotolerance. In an attempt to look for the possibility to use content of proline as well as a level of P5CS gene expression as molecular markers for salt tolerance, the amounts of proline and transcript levels of P5CS were measured as functions of either concentration of NaCl or length of treatment period among different species of zoysiagrass. Hybridzoysia showed the highest level of proline (329~mu~textrmg /g.f.w.) among five different species of zoysiagrass at 250 mM NaCl in 24 hours. The level of P5CS transcript was also the highest in the hybridzoysia at 250 mM NaCl in 24 hours. The transcriptions of P5CS gene were induced at the rates of 1.2, 1.2, 1.8, and 1.8, upon treatment of 250 mM NaCl in Z. japonica, Z. matrella, Z. sinica and hybridzoysia respectively. Based on a correlation between the level of P5CS transcript and the proline content among different species of zoysiagrass, a comparative structural analysis of the gene for P5CS from either Z. sinica or hybridzoysia may lead to an understanding of mechanism for salt tolerance shown differently among zoysiagrasses.