Vespa mandarinia (Vespidae: Hymenoptera) is one of the two largest true hornets known to science. The species is a noted predator of social Hymenoptera and a significant pest of managed honey bees in its native range, but is also known to feed on a wide variety of other species when available. Most of the prey records for V. mandarinia are derived from visual observations in Japan, with sparse observations from other parts of its native range. A population of V. mandarinia was detected in North America in 2019 and five nests were removed between 2019 and 2021. We extracted DNA from larval meconia from four nests collected in Washington State, USA, and amplified the CO1 region to determine the potential prey base. We compared these with sequences generated from three nests in the Republic of Korea, and with prey pellets collected from foraging hornets at several locations in Korea. Results indicate that the prey base was much wider in the ROK than the USA, although social Hymenoptera were the most abundant and common prey items in both regions. Prey range seems to be bound by an intersection of organism size and local biodiversity, with little evidence to suggest that the latter is a limiting factor in colony success.

목적 : 본 연구는 Orthokeratology(OK) 렌즈와 기존의 단안렌즈(SV) 안경을 착용한 근시 청소년의 굴절이상을 분석하여 OK 렌즈가 근시 진행에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 연구방법은 중국 길림성 북화대학부속병원 안과를 방문한 청소년 환자 100명을 대상으로 50명의 환자를 OK렌즈군과 단초점 안경군으로 나누었다. 두 그룹의 환자 모두 1년 동안 추적관찰하여 시력(VA), 구면등가굴절 (SE), 안축 길이(AL), 각막 내피 세포 수(CEC), 중심 각막 두께(CCT) 및 압력(IOP)의 변화를 비교하였다. 통계분 석은 SPSS 소프트웨어를 이용하여 독립표본 T-test로 데이터를 분석하였으며, p<0.050을 통계적으로 유의한 것 으로 간주하였다. 결과 : Euclid Orthokeratology(OK)렌즈를 착용한 환자의 시력이 서서히 향상되었으나, 단초점 안경을 착용한 환자들은 시력이 감소하는 추세를 보였으며, 두 그룹 간의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하였다(p<0.010). 굴절검사 결과 는 OK 렌즈를 착용한 후 굴절이상이 유의하게 감소하였으며, 안경을 착용한 환자들은 굴절이상이 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 두 그룹 간의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.010). 또한, 안축 길이의 분석 결과, OK 렌 즈를 착용한 환자들의 안축 길이는 기준값 대비 0.18±0.18 mm 증가하였고, 안경을 착용한 환자들의 안축 길이는 기준값 대비 0.61±0.20 mm 증가하였다. 두 그룹 간의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.001). OK 렌즈를 착용한 환자들은 안압, 각막 내피 세포 수 및 중심 각막 두께에서 기준값 대비 유의한 변화가 없었다 (p>0.050). 결론 : 안경 대비 각막교정렌즈가 구면 등가 구면굴절력(SE)를 감소시키고 시력을 향상시켰으며, 안축 연장을 늦추는데 더 효과적임을 알 수 있었다.

글로벌 게임시장의 성장에 따라 국내 게임이용자도 손쉽게 다양한 국가에서 접할 수 있게 되 었다. 그리고 이러한 글로벌 경쟁 속에서 현실의 다양한 문화 창의적으로 반영한 게임이 점증 하고 있다. 대표적인 것이 중국의 호요버스가 개발한 해제 월드 형<원심>으로, 해당 콘텐츠는 캐릭터와 공간디자인에 다양한 국가의 문 것이 특징이다. 이때 의상디자인은 캐릭터의 성격과 매력을 효과적으로 이국적인 특색을 드러내는 기호라는 점에서 특히 중요하다. 이에 이 글은 먼저 캐릭터 의상과 의상 기호에 관한 검토하고, <원심>의 문화 활용 전략을 간단히 살펴보았 다. 이후 퍼스의 기호학을 활용해 중국의 문화적 특색을 반<원신> 캐릭터 ‘운근’을 분석하였다. 분석 결과, <원신>의 캐릭터 디자인전략은 중국의 풍부한 문화적 문맥을 중심 코드를 적극적으 로 빌리는 한편, 캐릭터 성을 부각하는 방향으로 의상 구성요소를 변형 시 나타났다. 이후 분 석 결과를 바탕으로 차후 연구를 위한 발전 방향을 제시하였다..

A glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite consisting of electrodeposited chitosan and carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE) was used as a working electrode for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin (MT), which were related to circadian rhythms. The electrochemical characterizations of the working electrode were carried out via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronocoulometry. It was found that electrochemical modification method, that was cyclic voltammetry, may can cause continuous CS polymerization on MWCNTs surface to form a dense membrane with more active sites on the electrode, and the electrochemically active surface area of e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE obtained was about 7 times that of GCE. The electrochemical behaviour of DA, 5-HT and MT on working electrode were carried out via differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE solved the problem that the bare electrode could not detect three substances simultaneously, and can catalyze oxidation potential difference as low as 0.17 V of two substances reaction at the same time, indicating very good electrocatalytic activity. By optimizing the detection conditions, the sensor showed a good linear response to DA, 5-HT and MT in the range of 20-1000 μmol/L, 9-1000 μmol/L and 20-1000 μmol/L, and the detection limits were 12 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 22 μmol/L (S/N = 3), respectively. In addition, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the simultaneous detection of DA, 5-HT and MT in human saliva samples.

To improve the thermophysical properties of Al alloy for thermal management materials, the Cu-coated carbon fibers (CFs) were used as reinforcement to improve the thermal conductivity (TC) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Al-12Si. The CFs reinforced Al matrix (CFs/Al) composites with different CFs contents were prepared by stir casting. The effects of the CFs volume fraction and Cu coating on the microstructure, component, TC and CTE of CFs/Al composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy with EDS, X-ray diffraction, thermal dilatometer and thermal dilatometer. The results show that the Cu coating can effectively improve the interface between CFs and the Al-12Si matrix, and the Cu coating becomes Al2Cu with Al matrix after stir casting. The CFs/Al composites have a relative density greater than 95% when the volume fraction of CFs is less than 8% because the CFs uniform dispersion without agglomeration in the matrix can be achieved by stir casting. The TC and CTE of CFs/Al composites are further improved with the increased CFs volume fraction, respectively. When the volume fraction of CFs is 8%, the CFs/Al composite has the best thermophysical properties; the TC is 169.25 W/mK, and the CTE is 15.28 × 10– 6/K. The excellent thermophysical properties of CFs and good interface bonding are the main reasons for improving the thermophysical properties of composites. The research is expected to improve the application of Al matrix composites in heat dissipation neighborhoods and provide certain theoretical foundations.

In this research, reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole (rGO/PPy) particles were synthesized and used to measure the amount of dopamine (DA) electrochemically. The obtained rGO/PPy particle was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), UV–Visible Spectrophotometer (UV–Vis), and X-Ray Diffraction Diffractometry (XRD). To investigate the DA sensor performance, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used to acquire electrochemical measurements of the sensor. Current values of 1.65 and 5.9 mA were observed in the CV at 0.2 mM and 1.2 mM concentrations of target molecule, respectively. Under optimized conditions, the linear calibration plots were found to exhibit significant sensitivity in the linear range of 0.2 and 1.2 mM, with a corresponding detection limit of 0.061 μM for DA. The results obtained were similar to the sensor results of DA made using precious metals. This work was a demonstration of the feasibility of high-sensitivity electrochemical analysis with conductive carbon materials without the use of precious metals. It was also observed that the cost-effective rGO/PPy exhibited a very high potential for DA detection.

The widespread and extensive use of glyphosate in agriculture has raised concerns about its potential impact on the quality and safety of agricultural products. Conventional detection methods require long analysis times, making them impractical for the rapid detection of large quantities of samples. Therefore, developing a fast and simple detection system for glyphosate pesticide residues is urgent. In this study, the development of a facile fluorescence probe synthesized using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method for the determination of glyphosate is an important step toward addressing the need for a fast and simple detection system. The present sensor was created using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a precursor, and the sensor operates by producing an “off–on” fluorescent signal. The bovine albumin-derived BSA-CDs emitted light yellow fluorescence, but this fluorescence was quenched (or suppressed) by the presence of Cu2+ ions. However, the fluorescence can be restored by the presence of glyphosate, which interacts with the Cu2+ ions to form a complex and release the BSACDs from suppression. The functional groups in glyphosate can capture Cu2+ and break the BSA-CDs/Cu2+ combinatorial system. The BSA-CDs/Cu2+ fluorescence quenching system had good selectivity for glyphosate. The detection limit of the BSA-CD/Cu2+ fluorescence sensor was 0.05 μg/mL. This developed method was utilized to successfully detect glyphosate in Chinese wheat. The average recoveries ranged from 98.9 to 100.7%, with a relative standard deviation < 3.0%, showing good prospects for practical applicability.

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive managementrelated parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

Similar to Sumerian proto-cuneiform writing, the nature of Chinese writing is fundamentally ideographic, in which concepts or thoughts are represented visually rather than through abstract speech sounds. This paper explores ten ways to form Chinese characters by using the decoded characters through their ideograms. A character comes from thoughts, the thoughts come from images, and the images themselves come from the object or the event depicted. Therefore, the same character can be used in different dialects or languages to depict the same concepts. Only when there are enough ideograms to create their graphs for phonography can we develop phonography. During the first stage of hundreds of years, most Sumerian clay characters were pictograms and ideograms. The majority of the phono-semantic compounds appeared in the second stage when the foreign Akkadians used Sumerian characters. Just as the majority of Shang bone characters were pictograms and ideograms, most phono-semantic compound characters were modified and created by the foreign Zhou people later. At present, western theories have not followed the traditional path to the meaning of thought. The ten strategies of ideographic writing are the conventional path to the meaning of thought, rather than a bridge between language.

This research examines the rescue of refugees at sea in the context of international law and human rights. The article focuses on the search and rescue obligations outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The article also discusses other international initiatives relevant to the rescue of refugees at sea, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Global Compact on Refugees. The challenges surrounding the rescue of refugees at sea are also analysed, including issues such as delays and refusals in assistance. The authors further explore disagreements over responsibility and jurisdiction in rescue operations involving refugees. Finally, the article underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of international legislation and basic humanitarian principles when addressing the rescue of refugees at sea. It offers insights into potential solutions for addressing the challenges and controversies encountered in these rescue operations.

In all geodisposal scenarios it is key to understand the interaction of radionuclides with mineral particles during their formation/recrystallisation. Studying processes at the molecular scale provides insight into long-term radionuclide behaviour. Uranium is a significant radionuclide in higher activity wastes destined for geological disposal, and iron (oxyhydr) oxides (e.g. goethite, 􀟙-FeOOH). are ubiquitous in and around these systems, formed via processes including metal corrosion and microbially induced reactions. There are numerous reports of uranium-incorporation into iron (oxyhydr) oxides, therefore it has been suggested that they may be a barrier to uranium migration in geodisposal systems. However, long-term stability of these phases during environmental perturbations are unexplored. Specifically, U-incorporated iron (oxyhydr) oxide phases may interact with Fe(II) and sulphide from biological or geological origin. Firstly, electron transfer occurs between adsorbed Fe(II) and iron oxyhydroxides, with potential for changes in the speciation of incorporated uranium e.g. oxidation state changes and/or release. Secondly, on exposure to aqueous sulfide, iron (oxyhydr) oxides undergo reductive dissolution and recrystallisation to iron sulphides. Understanding the fate of incorporated uranium during these process in key to understanding its long term behaviour in subsurface systems. A series of experimental studies were undertaken where U(VI)-goethite was synthesized then reacted with either aqueous Fe(II) or S(-II), and the system monitored over time using geochemical analysis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques e.g. U LIII-edge and MIV-edge HERFD-XANES. Reaction with aqueous Fe(II) resulted in electron transfer between Fe(II) and U(VI)-goethite, with > 50% U(VI) reduced to U(V). XAS analysis revealed that U remained within the goethite structure, and electron transfer only occurred within the outermost atomic layers of goethite. which led to U reduction. Rapid reductive dissolution of U(VI)-goethite occurred on reaction with sulfide at pH7. A transient release of aqueous U was observed during the first day, likely due to uranyl(VI)-persulfide species. However, U was retained in the solid phase in the longer term. In contrast, the sulfidation of U adsorbed to ferrihydrite at pH 12.2 led to the immediate release of U (< 10% Utotal) associated with a colloidal erdite (NaFeS2·2H2O) phase. Moreover, in the bulk phase the surface of ferrihydrite was passivated by sulfide, and U was found to have been trapped within surface associated erdite-like fibres. Overall, these studies further understanding of the long-term behaviour of U-incorporated iron (oxyhydr)oxides supporting the overarching concept of iron (oxyhydr) oxides acting as a barrier to U migration.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging materials as ideal biomarkers for noninvasive cancer detection in the early phase. In this article, a simple and label-free electrochemical miRNA biosensor was developed. A single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) probes were successfully mapped to f-MWCNT and hybridized with the target miR-141 sequence. The optimum peak points of the obtained hybridization were determined using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) methods. Significant peaks were observed in the results, depending on miR-141 at different concentrations. The linear relationship (ν) between redox peak currents (Ip) and scanning rate indicated that electron transfer (ET) between miR-141 and the electrode surface was accomplished successfully. In DPV measurements, miR-141 was measured with a low detection limit (LOD) in the 1.3–12 nM concentration range, and the LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) results were found to be 3 and 9.1 pM, respectively. Besides, selectivity test was investigated for the biosensor using different target analytes and a significant difference in value was observed between the peak currents of miR-141, and other target molecules. This developed strategy has been found to detect miR-141 sensitively, selectively and without tags, and its integration into mobile devices has been successfully carried out.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are an auspicious energy conversion technology with the potential to address rising energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The stack’s performance, durability, and economy scale are greatly influenced by the materials used for the PEMFC, viz., the membrane electrocatalyst assembly (MEA) and bipolar flow plates (BPPs). Despite extensive study, carbon-based materials have outstanding physicochemical, electrical, and structural attributes crucial to stack performance, making them an excellent choice for PEMFC manufacturers. Carbon materials substantially impact the cost, performance, and durability of PEMFCs since they are prevalently sought for and widely employed in the construction of BPPs and gas diffusion layers (GDLs)) and in electrocatalysts as a support material. Consequently, it is essential to assemble a review that centers on utilizing such material potential, focusing on its research development, applications, problems, and future possibilities. The prime focus of this assessment is to offer a clear understanding of the potential roles of carbon and its allotropes in PEMFC applications. Consequently, this article comprehensively evaluates the applicability, functionality, recent advancements, and ambiguous concerns associated with carbonbased materials in PEMFCs.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive pest species in Africa and Asia, which is native to the Western hemisphere. Invaded FAW was corn feeding strain. We study the developmental and biology of the corn strain FAW on the rice plants compare the result with corn feeding up to F2- generation. The development periods of F0, F1 and F2 generations of the rice-fed colony were 21.7%, 18.3% and 18.9% longer than corn-fed colony. The rice-fed colony was significantly lower in the body weight of larvae and pupae, and pre-adult survival rate and the fecundity than corn-fed colony. Our results showed that the corn strain FAW can survive and complete its life cycle by feeding rice plants up to several generations under laboratory condition, but their development and fecundity were reduced in comparison to the corn feeding colony. However, this study suggests potential impact of invaded FAW to the infestation of rice fields in Asian countries.

Stilbene-based fluorescent brighteners (FB) have been shown to enhance insecticidal activities of entomopathogenic viruses but little is known its effect on entomopathogenic bacteria. We investigated the effect of two FBs (FB 28 and FB 71) on the insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) as well as the Lymantria dispar multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV) in Lymantria dispar asiatica. FB 28 increased the mortality at the combination with low concentration (1.6×102 IU/ml) of Btk, but FB 71 slightly reduced the mortality with middle and high concentrations (1.6×103 and 1.6×104 IU/ml) of Btk in comparison to Btk alone. Both FB 28 and FB 71 increased mortality in combination with LdMNPV at all concentrations (3×102, 3×104, and 3×106 POBs/ml) compared to LdMNPV alone. Our findings suggest that FBs enhanced pathogenic activities but depend on chemical nature of FBs.