Subgenus Bothynoptera Schaum, 1863 of the genus Parena is mainly found in Oriental region. Despite this widespread distribution, species of the subgenus Bothynoptera are poorly known in Korea. While a total of 14 species have been recorded worldwide, only 3 species have been recorded in Korea. In this study, as a revisional work of Korean known species, a pictorial key and photographs of habitus and male genitalia for each species are provided, with a newly recorded species in Korea.

Currently, 12 subspecies of Coptolabrus smaragdinus have been recorded in Korea, of which 7 subspecies are listed in South Korea. C. smaragdinus has limited movement due to degenerated hindwings, resulting in high intraspecific diversity due to geographic isolation. Previous studies have been mainly classified based on external characters or genitalia structure, but the differences between subspecies are very ambiguous. In this study, we aimed to more clearly distinguish at the subspecific classification level, by examining the male aedeagal and inflated endophallus. Additionally, we provide photos of adult, endophallus and the process of endophallus inflation.

The genus Bembidion is a prominent terrestrial group found in various regions around the world, encompassing a large number of species. Species of this genus have a reduced apical palpomere, as do all members of the tribe Bembidiini. This study reviews four species belonging to the subgenus Plataphus, which is included within the genus Bembidion. Descriptions and photos of adults are provided.

The continuous use of pesticides with the same mode of action has lead to the development of insecticide resistance in the target pests. Establishing pesticide resistance management methods and effective control strategies for these pests has become an important target. Bemisia tabaci, a representative pest of greenhouse, directly affects the growth of crops at all stages of its development except eggs. It also causes indirect damage by secreting honeydew that eventually promotes sooty mold in leaves and fruits. In this study, eight insecticides with different mechanisms of action (Flonicamid, Fluxametamide, Spinetoram, Cyantraniliprole, Dinotefuran, Pyridaben, Milbemectin and Pyriproxyfen), and registered for use against cucumber B. tabaci were selected and tested for insecticide resistance. The tested populations of B. tabaci were collected from greenhouse cucumber cultivations in 12 domestic regions. The results were presented as RR (Resistance ratios), and CEI (Control efficacy index) values.

Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773)) is an invasive species originating from Asia, posing a potential threat to the ecosystem and the wine industry in New Zealand due to wine taint, although it can also be a useful biocontrol agent. In this study, the response profiles of antennal olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) to 32 plant volatiles were examined in male and female H. axyridis, using the single sensillum recording technique. Various types of ORNs were identified from four types of olfactory sensilla in both male and female H. axyridis, with no sexual dimorphism. The most abundant type of sensilla contained two ORNs exhibiting highly specialized responses to methyl benzoate and β-caryophyllene, respectively. Another type of sensilla also contained two specialized ORNs, one responsive to geranyl acetate and the other to some aromatic compounds such as 2-phenylethanol, benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate, and methyl phenylacetate. In contrast, two other types of sensilla contained broadly tuned ORNs, one containing ORN(s) responsive to six-carbon alcohols such as (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and isomers of 2-hexen-1-ol as well as some other non-alcohol green leaf volatiles, and the other containing ORN(s) exhibiting responses to β-myrcene, geraniol, linalool, nerol, benzyl acetate, and methyl phenylacetate. This study suggests that H. axyridis possesses a set of ORNs specialized for specific plant volatiles, providing insights into the olfactory communication system of this species and potential volatiles to be used for trapping this insect.

The box tree moth (BTM, Cydalima perspectalis Walker) is a pest that infests various plants within the Buxus genus. Although a specific parasitoid wasp species associated with the BTM has been observed in the Republic of Korea, no research on this species has been published. Here we describe the fundamental biological and morphological characteristics of this parasitoid. We placed the wasp under the genus Eriborus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae). Eriborus sp. parasitizes within the living host body, with one wasp emerging from each host. The parasitism rate in collected BTM populations was 33.1%. The emergence rate was 87.1%, with all emerging adults being females, resulting in a sex ratio of 0. The pupal period averaged 9.5 days, and the adult lifespan averaged 10.5 days. Eriborus sp. parasitized BTM larvae from the first to the fourth instar and reproduced by parthenogenesis. Eriborus sp. exhibited morphological differences compared with previously reported Eriborus species in Korea, particularly in the length of the ovipositor sheath. In addition, the proportion of the highest similarity in nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I DNA was only 94.53%, rendering species identification using GenBank’s mt cytochrome c oxidase 1 DNA sequences unfeasible. These data suggest Eriborus sp. could be used as a biological control agent for managing BTM infestations.

Background: The Nordic hamstring exercise is a closed-chain exercise that effectively activates all lower extremity muscles, but there is a lack of consideration of ankle joint which affects exercise effectiveness. One of the major advantages of the Nordic exercise have been known as strengthening lower extremity extensors. This manifests the exercise increases activities of the ankle plantar flexors as well as hip extensors. Objectives: To investigated the impacts of changes in ankle position on the lower extremity musculature and subjective difficulties during the Nordic hip extension exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty the healthy male participants participated in this study. Participants perform three variations of the Nordic exercises including three ankle positions. Each Nordic exercise was defined as ankle position (neutral, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion). During the Nordic exercise, erector spine (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GCM) activities and subjective difficulties (Borg RPE score) were measured. Results: Muscular activities of the biceps femoris and gastrocnemius were significantly different among the three ankle conditions, which showed controversial results (P<.05). The biceps femoris activity was significantly higher with the dorsiflexion condition, compared to the others (P<.05). On the other hand, activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly higher with the plantarflexion position compared to the others (P<.05). Conclusion: Present study suggests the ankle positional changes could affect lower muscular activities during the Nordic exercise. Although it is difficult to affirm the causes due to limited data, selective activation of the biceps femoris might accomplish with ankle dorsi flexion and that of the gastrocnemius might accomplish with the ankle plantarflexion during the Nordic exercises.

Pitfall traps that use ethylene glycol as a preservative solution are commonly used in arthropod research. However, a recent surge in cases involving damage to these traps by roe deer or wild boars owing to the sweet taste of ethylene glycol has prompted the addition of quinone sulfate, a substance with a pungent taste, to deter such wildlife interference. This study aimed to assess the effects of quinone sulfate on arthropods collected from pitfall traps containing ethylene glycol. We strategically positioned 50 traps using ethylene glycol alone and 50 traps containing a small amount of quinone sulfate mixed with ethylene glycol in a grid pattern for systematic sampling at the Gwangneung Forest long-term ecological research (LTER) site. Traps were collected 10 days later. The results revealed a notable effect on ants when quinone sulfate was introduced. Specifically, it decreased the number of ants. In a species-specific analysis of ants, only Nylanderia flavipes showed a significant decline in response to quinone sulfate, whereas other ant species remained unaffected. Additionally, among the arthropod samples obtained in this survey, we identified species or morpho-species of spiders, beetles, and ants and assessed species diversity. Consequently, the utilization of quinone sulfate should be undertaken judiciously, taking into account the specific species composition and environmental characteristics of the monitoring site. Our study also highlighted the significant response of various arthropod groups to variations in leaf litter depth, underscoring the crucial role of the leaf litter layer in providing sustenance and shelter for ground-foraging arthropods. Furthermore, we have compiled comprehensive species lists of both spiders and ants in Gwangneung forest by amalgamating data from this investigation with findings from previous studies.

본 논문에서는 몬스터에게 붙잡히지 않고 키를 찾아서 연구소를 탈출하는 공포 방탈출 게임을 제안한다. 제 안하는 게임을 진행한30명의 게임 플레이 로그 데이터 분석 결과와 설문조사 결과를 바탕으로, 제안하는 게 임의 특징을 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 제안하는 게임은 다양한 아이템, 액션, 탈출 경로를 제공한다. 제안하는 게임이 숨을 곳도 많고 다양한 상호작용을 제공한다고 설문에서4점 이상 주었다. 또한, map의 footprint를 분석한 결과, 플레이어는 다양한 경로를 통해 키를 찾아서 탈출하였다. 둘째, 제안하는 게임은 외 관으로 기능을 추론할 수 있는 직관적인 오브젝트를 제공한다. 따라서, 플레이어는 시각적 공간 및 게임 아 이템 용도를 쉽게 파악하여 조작할 수 있다. 설문조사 결과에서, 플레이어는 조작감 관련 항목의 점수를4점 이상을 주었다. 셋째, 제안하는 게임에서 플레이어는 아이템이 충분할 때보다는 부족할 때 더 몰입을 잘 한 다. 게임 플레이 로그 데이터 분석 결과와 설문조사 결과에 따르면, 플레이어는 아이템이 부족할 때 더 크게 공포를 느끼고 상황에 몰입하여, 더 적극적으로 행동하게 되고 더 민감하게 반응한다.

Alpha activities can be used for categorization, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste generated from the operation of nuclear facilities including nuclear power plants. In order to transport and dispose of such low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) to the Wolsong LILW Disposal Center (WLDC) at Gyeongju, the gross alpha concentration of an individual drum should be determined according to the acceptance criteria. In addition, when the gross alpha concentration exceeds 10 Bq/g, the inventory of the comprising alpha emitters in the waste is to be identified. Gross alpha measurements using a proportional counter are usually straightforward, inexpensive, and high-throughput, so they are broadly used to assay the total alpha activity for environmental, health physics, and emergency-response assessments. However, several factors are thoughtfully considered to obtain a reliable approximate for the entire alpha emitters in a sample, which include the alpha particle energy of a particular radionuclide, the radionuclide that is used as a calibration standard, the uniformity of film in a planchet, time between sample collection and sample preparation, and time between sample preparation and counting. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) have evaluated the inventory of radionuclides in low-level radioactive waste drums to send every year hundreds of them to the WLDC. In this presentation, we revisit the gross alpha measurement results of the drums transported to WLDC in the past few years and compare them with the concentrations of alpha emitters measured from alpha spectrometry and gamma spectrometry. This study offers an insight into the gross alpha measurement for radioactive waste regarding calibration source, self-absorption effect, composition of alpha emitters, etc.

In the evaluation of the stability of radioactive waste disposal, it is imperative to take into account the concept of the redox front. Initially, this front is typically observed near the surface. However, if the hydraulic gradient increases due to the construction of a disposal facility, the redox front can potentially transport deeper into the geological environment through groundwater flow. This transport triggers changes in the geochemical characteristics, potentially diminishing the natural buffering capacity of the bedrock. Consequently, it is necessary to characterize both the unsaturated and saturated zones in the disposal site. In this context, a tracer test is a useful method to identify the characteristics of the site from the surface to the deep geological environment where the disposal facility can be located. Therefore, this study also aims to establish a methodology enabling a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogeochemical characteristics through the tracer test that can be applied to future sites for research URL (Underground Research Laboratory) or radioactive waste disposal in Korea. For the tracer test, a UNIT (UNsaturated zone Insitu Test facility) was built within the KAERI and five wells with a depth of 24 m were installed in 2022. Before conducting the test, to determine the geochemical background characteristics of the site, topsoil and soils at depths of 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm were collected. Additionally, a groundwater sample was obtained from the newly installed well. Soil samples were analyzed for soil texture, moisture content, total and exchange cations, anions, and heavy metals. Similarly, the groundwater sample was analyzed for cations, anions, and trace elements. The outcomes of these comprehensive analyses will serve as the baseline values in the hydrogeochemical changes after the tracer test. This includes changes in soil composition, water quality, precipitation/dissolution processes, and mineral phases. Furthermore, these results will be provided as input parameters for surface-underground interface models in future studies.

The effectiveness of a crystalline natural barrier in providing sealing capabilities is based on the behavior of numerous fractures and their intersections within the rock mass. It is important to evaluate the evolving characteristics of fractured rock, as the hydro-mechanical coupled processes occurring through these fractures play a dominant role. KAERI is actively developing a true tri-axial compression test system and concurrently conducting hydro-mechanical experiments using replicated fractured rock samples. This research is focused on a comprehensive examination of coupled processes within fractures, with a particular emphasis on the development of true tri-axial testing equipment. The designed test system has the capability to account for three-dimensional stress conditions, including vertical and both maximum and minimum horizontal principal stresses, realizing the disposal conditions at specific underground depths. Notably, the KAERI-designed test system employs the mixed true tri-axial concept, also known as the Mogi-type, which allows for fluid flow into fractures under tri-axial compression conditions. This system utilizes a hydraulic chamber to maintain constant stress in one direction through the application of oil pressure, while the other two directional stresses are applied using rigid platens with varying magnitudes. Once these mechanical stress conditions are established, control over fluid flow is achieved through the rigid platens in contact with the specimen section. This pioneering approach effectively replicates in-situ mechanical conditions while concurrently observing the internal fluid flow patterns within fractures, thereby enhancing our capacity to study these coupled phenomena. As future research, numerical modeling efforts will be proceeding with experimental data-driven approaches to simulate the coupled behavior within the fractures. In these numerical studies, two distinct fracture geometry domains will be generated, one employing simplified rough-walled fractures and the other utilizing mismatched rough-walled fractures. These investigations mark the preliminary steps in the process of selecting and validating an appropriate numerical model for understanding the hydro-mechanical evolution within fractures.

Long-term climate and surface environment changes can influence the geological subsurface environment evolution. In this context, a fluid flow pathway developing and connection possibility can be increased between the near-surface zone and deep depth underground. Thus, it is necessary to identify and prepare for the overall fluid flow at the entire geological system to minimize uncertainty on the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) disposal safety. The fluid flow outside the subsurface environment is initially penetrated through the surface and then the unsaturated area. Thus, the previously proved reports, POSIVA in Finland, suggested that sequential research about the fluid infiltration experiment (INEX) and the investigation is necessary. Characterizing the unsaturated zone can help predict changes and ensure the safety of SNFs according to geological long-term evolution. For example, the INEX test was conducted at the upper part of ONKALO, about 50 to 100 m depth, to understand the geochemical evolution of the groundwater through the unsaturated zone, to evaluate the main flow of groundwater that can approach the SNF disposal reservoir, and to estimate the decreasing progress of the buffering capacity along the pathway through the deep geological disposal. In the present study, a preliminary test was performed in the UNsaturated-zone In-situ Test (UNIT) facility near the KAERI underground research tunnel to design and establish a methodology for infiltration experiments consistent with the regional characteristics. The results represented the methodological application is possible for characterizing unsaturated-zone to perform infiltration experiments. The scale of the experiment will be expanded sequentially, and continuous research will be conducted for the next application.

The design and fabrication of suitable waste forms with high thermal and structural stability are essential for the safe management and disposal of radioactive wastes. In particular, the thermal properties and temperature distribution of waste form containing high heat-generating nuclides such as Cs and Sr can be used to evaluate its thermal stability, but also provide useful information for the design of canisters, storage systems, and repositories. In this study, a new program code-based thermal analysis framework has been developed to facilitate the characterization, design, and optimization of the waste form. Matlab was used as a software development platform because it provides powerful mathematical computation and visualization components such as the partial differential equation (PDE) toolbox for solving heat transfer problems using finite element method, the App Designer for graphical user interface (GUI), and the MATLAB Compiler for sharing MATLAB programs as standalone applications and web applications. The thermal analysis results such as temperature distribution, heat flux, maximum/ minimum temperature, and centerline/surface temperature profile are visualized with graphs and tables. To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed program, several design and optimization studies were carried out for the SrTiO3 waste form, selected as a stable form of strontium nuclide.

Various types of spent fuel assembly in nuclear power plants have been transported to a post irradiation examination facility (PIEF) in KAERI to examine the mechanical and chemical properties of fuel and cladding. Once the fuel assembly arrive at PIEF, it is dismantled in a pool area to extract the fuel rods. Dismantling of the fuel assembly is performed by cutting the top nozzle. Currently, couple of dismantled assemblies have been stored in a storage pool without the top nozzle in PIEF. These assemblies cannot be handled directly using a gantry crane in the pool, and thus are contained in a special basket to handle. In this research, we developed a restoration method for a dismantled spent fuel assembly, especially for 16×16 Korea Optimized Fuel Assembly (KOFA). After reviewing the original design document and reports of KOFA, two tools are devised; an assembly tool and a tightening tool for a bolt. Since the top nozzle and dismantled KOFA can be re-assembled using a bolt, we follow the original design, size, and materials of the previously used bolt. The bolt to restore the top nozzle of KOFA is made of 321 stainless steel and has a design that fits the guideline of DIN 13-21 international standard. Our procedure can potentially be used to restore and repair the dismantled spent fuel assembly.

The solid-state chemistry of uranium is essential to the nuclear fuel cycle. Uranyl nitrate is a key compound that is produced at various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, both in front-end and backend cycles. It is typically formed by dissolving spent nuclear fuel in nitric acid or through a wet conversion process for the preparation of UF6. Additionally, uranium oxides are a primary consideration in the nuclear fuel cycle because they are the most commonly used nuclear fuel in commercial nuclear reactors. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the oxidation and thermal behavior of uranium oxides and uranyl nitrates. Under the ‘2023 Nuclear Global Researcher Training Program for the Back-end Nuclear Fuel Cycle,’ supported by KONICOF, several experiments were conducted at IMRAM (Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials) at Tohoku University. First, the recovery ratio of uranium was analyzed during the synthesis of uranyl nitrate by dissolving the actual radioisotope, U3O8, in a nitric acid solution. Second, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) of uranyl nitrate (UO2(NO3)2) and hyper-stoichiometric uranium dioxide (UO2+X) was performed. The enthalpy change was discussed to confirm the mechanism of thermal decomposition of uranyl nitrate under heating conditions and to determine the chemical hydrate form of uranyl nitrate. In the case of UO2+X, the value of ‘x’ was determined through the calculation of weight change data, and the initial form was verified using the phase diagram for the U-O system. Finally, the formation of a few UO2+X compounds was observed with heat treatment of uranyl nitrate and uranium dioxide at different temperature intervals (450°C-600°C). As a result of these studies, a deeper understanding of the thermal and chemical behavior of uranium compounds was achieved. This knowledge is vital for improving the efficiency and safety of nuclear fuel cycle processes and contributes to advancements in nuclear science and technology.

Once discharged, spent nuclear fuel undergoes an initial cooling process within deactivation pools situated at the reactor site. This cooling step is crucial for reducing the fuel’s temperature. Once the heat has sufficiently diminished, two viable options emerge: reprocessing or interim storage. A method known as PUREX, for aqueous nuclear reprocessing, involves a chemical procedure aimed at separating uranium and plutonium from the spent nuclear fuel. This separation not only minimizes waste volume but also facilitates the reuse of the extracted materials as fuel for nuclear reactors. The transformation of uranium oxides through dissolution in nitric acid followed by drying results in uranium taking the form of UO2(NO3)2 + 6H2O, which can then be converted into various solid-state configurations through different heat treatments. This study specifically focuses on investigating the phase transitions of artificially synthesized UO2(NO3)2 + 6H2O subjected to heat treatment at various temperatures (450, 500, 550, 600°C) using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Heat treatments were also conducted on UO2 to analyze its phase transformations. Additionally, the study utilized XRD analysis on an unidentified oxidized uranium oxide, UO2+X, and employed lattice parameters and Bragg’s law to ascertain the oxidation state of the unknown sample. To synthesize UO2(NO3)2 + 6H2O, U3O8 powder is first dissolved in a 20% HNO3 solution. The solid UO2(NO3)2 + 6H2O is obtained after drying on a hotplate and is subsequently subjected to heat treatment at temperatures of 450, 500, 550, and 600°C. As the heat treatment temperature increases, the color of the samples transitions from orange to dark green, indicating the formation of different phases at different temperatures. XRD analysis confirms that uranyl nitrate, when heattreated at 500 and 550°C, oxidizes to UO3, while the sample subjected to 600°C heat treatment transforms into U3O8 due to the higher temperature. All samples exhibit sharp crystal peaks in their XRD spectra, except for the one heat-treated at 450°C. In the second experiment, the XRD spectra of the heat-treated UO2 consistently indicate the presence of U3O8 rather than UO3, regardless of the temperature. Under an oxidizing atmosphere within a temperature range of 300 to 700°C, UO2 can be oxidized to form U3O8. In the final experiment, the oxidation state of the unknown UO2+X was determined using Bragg’s law and lattice parameters, revealing that it was a material in which UO2 had been oxidized, resulting in an oxidation state of UO2.24.

최근 친환경 노지 감귤원을 중심으로 알락하늘소 피해가 증가하고 있지만 효과적인 예찰 방법이 없는 실정이 다. 본 연구에서는 알락하늘소 성충 예찰을 위하여 카이로몬을 선발하였고, 알락하늘소가 다발생(>100마리)한 과원 3개소에서 유인력을 평가하였다. 시험 결과, 집합페로몬 단독처리 시 알락하늘소 암컷 성충에 대한 유인효 과를 확인할 수 있었지만 소수 개체만 유인이 되었고, 카이로몬(Kairomone) 단독 처리 시 알락하늘소 성충 포획 수가 증가하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 집합페로몬과 카이로몬을 동시 처리 시 알락하늘소가 대량으로 유인되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이는 알락하늘소가 종내신호물질(집합페로몬)을 인지할 때 서식지로서 적합한지 판단 의 기준으로 기주식물의 존재여부를 동시에 확인하기 떄문인 것으로 판단된다.

The rate of resistant pest emergence has accelerated due to the continuous use of pesticides. Therefore, it is important to formulate insecticide resistance management measures and effective control methods for pest. Bemisia tabaci, a greenhouse pest, causes direct damage to crops such as growth inhibition and leaf discoloration at all developmental stages except for eggs. It also indirectly damages plants by secreting honeydew, which covers surrounding leaves and fruits, leading to sooty mold development. In this study, eight insecticides with high usage rates, categorized by their mode of action, were selected. Samples of Bemisia tabaci were collected from six regions, and resistance analysis were conducted. The results showed that Flonicamid exhibited a resistance ratio of 8.91 in Sejong, while Pyriproxyfen showed a high resistance ratio of 63.56 in Gunwi. Fluxametamide, Spinetoram, Cyantraniliprole, Dinotefuran, Pyridaben, and Milbemectin displayed resistance ratio ranging from 0.02 to 1.14 in most regions, except for Flonicamid and Pyriproxyfen.

How do people perceive new technology-embedded machines? Based on the previous literature on mind perception, this research proposes how people perceive the mind of machines including artificial intelligence (AI), robots, recommendation systems, chatbots, and self-service technologies (SSTs).