This study was conducted to assess the genetic variability and correlation of phenotypic characteristics in 12 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes including 11 WorldVeg and one commercial variety (Pusa Ruby) in Terai (plain) region of Nepal in 2021–2022. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The phenotypic traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant vigor and height, fruit number/plant, fruit yield, fruit weight and diameter, fruit firmness and fruit pericarp thickness, and total soluble solids (TSS) content of the fruits, were studied. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits except for plant vigor. The genotype of AVTO1705 resulted the highest fruit yield (2.9 kg/plant) than Pusa Ruby, a commercial check (0.5 kg/plant). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits and PCV values were maximum for the number of fruits, fruit yield, and fruit weight. High PCV, GCV, and genetic advance (GA) were observed for yield, fruit weight, and plant height, respectively, indicating the additive gene effect. High heritability for fruit yield/plant and plant height inferred the phenotypic selection for their genetic improvement. Fruit yield was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the fruit number and fruit weight, and direct selection of these traits are reliable for yield improvement in tomato.

Transport packages have been developed to transport the decommissioning waste from the nuclear power plant. The packages are classified with Type IP-2 package. The IAEA requirements for Type IP-2 packages include that a free drop test should be performed for normal conditions of transport. In this study, drop tests of the packages were performed to prove the structural integrity and to verify the reliability of the analysis results by comparing the test and analysis results. Half-scale models were used for the drop tests and drop position was considered as 0.3 m oblique drop on packages weighing more than 15 tons. The strain and impact acceleration data were obtained to verify the reliability of the analysis results. Before and after the drop tests, radiation shielding tests were performed to confirm that the dose rate increase was within 20% at the external surface of the package. Also, measurement of bolt torque, and visual inspection were performed to confirm the loss or dispersion of the radioactive contents. After each drop test, slight deformations occurred in some packages. However, there was no loss of pretension in the lid bolts and the shielding thickness was not reduced for metal shields. In the package with concrete shield, the surface dose rate did not increase and there was no cracks or damage to the concrete. Therefore, the transport packages met the legal requirements (no more than a 20% increase of radiation level and no loss or dispersion of radioactive contents). Safety verifications were performed using the measured strain and acceleration data from the test, and the appropriate conservatism for the analysis results and the validity of the analysis model were confirmed. Therefore, it was found that the structural integrity of the packages was maintained under the drop test conditions. The results of this study were used as design data of the transport packages, and the packages will be used in the NPP decommissioning project in the future.

The biosensor technology, which makes it possible to detect biomaterial such as protein, pathogen, and small molecules, is useful in such areas as diagnosis, bioprocessing, and food analysis or safety. For the development of a highly sensitive biosensor, immobilization techniques of organic/bio films on solid substrate, and detection methods of protein-protein reactions appearing in a few nanometers region from the sensor surface should be established. In this review, several immobilization techniques and detection methods are reviewed based on the articles reported recently.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a significant public health problem in Korea. In many cases, it is not easy to diagnose TB. A 13-year-old male patient was admitted for left chest pain for 6 months period. Chest radiography done two months ago during the school screening revealed a pleural effusion in the left lung. All cultures were negative, and 3 sputum samples and his pleural fluid sample tested negative for Acid-fast bacilli. There was no evidence of a malignant effusion. A pleural fluid examination revealed features suggestive of an empyema. Thick and yellowish pus was drawn out. Pleural fluid analysis presented White blood cell 5,200/mm3, and neutrophil-dominant with 60% of neutrophil. In an effort to attain a diagnosis, a video-assisted thoracoscopy procedure was performed with pleural drainage and biopsies. Active chronic granulomatous pleuritis was found through pleural biopsies. He was responsive to treatment and received 6 months of anti-TB therapy with complete clinical resolution. If the clinical picture is in confusion, pleural biopsy is occasionally indicated to diagnose TB pleuritis.

To examine the seedling stand and growth as affected by early seeding dates of dry direct seeded rice in the Honam plain area of Korea, Dongjinbyeo was seeded at six seeding dates from early March to late April in rice fields of silty loam soil(Jeonbuk series) at the National Honam Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) for two years, 1996 and 1998. Seedling stand decreased slightly. with an early seeding date, but it produced more than the optimum seedling number except for the seeding of 25 March in 1996. Days to emergence was significantly longer, as seeding date was earlier, and days to emergence by early seeding was shortened only by 8 days because the mean air temperature was lower in 1996 than average, while in 1998, the reduction effect was nine to twenty five days because the mean air temperature was higher than average. In early seeding, various weeds occurred at the emergence date of rice and dominant weeds were Alopecurus aequailis, Ludwigia prostata and Rorippa islandica. NH4 + -N content in the soil at the 5th leaf stage and maximum tillering stage were lower, as the seeding date was earlier when nitrogen was split applied as basal and top dressed in 1996, while it was not significantly different among seeding dates when nitrogen was intensively applied as a top dressing in 1998. Tiller number at the maximum tillering stage and panicle number/m2 were more, as seeding date was earlier in 1996, while it was not different in 1998. Filled grain rate and 1,000 grain weight was not different among the seeding dates. Milled rice yield was significantly decreased in the seeding before the middle of March, but in the seeding after late March, it was not varied when compared with the normal seeding date in 1996, while in 1998, there was no difference among seeding dates. From the above results, in consideration of seedling stand, weed occurance, rice growth and milled rice yield, the critical optimum early seeding time in the southern plain area may lie in early April. But it was suggested that when soil moisture is proper for seeding practices, seeding amount is increased and nitrogen is applied after plumule emergence of rice, milled rice yield may not be reduced in the seeding of middle or late March, compared with the seeding in April.l.