In this paper, we review the extended halo material and the circumgalactic medium (CGM), including both dust and gas, and discuss promising science cases that could be realized using the KASI Deep Rolling Imaging Fast Telescope (K-DRIFT). Scattered starlight from cirrus clouds in our Galaxy poses one of the major challenges to studying the low surface brightness features of extragalactic sources. Therefore, it is essential to investigate how to discriminate extragalactic sources from cirrus cloud features. At the same time, interstellar dust clouds themselves are fundamental to understanding dust properties and the interstellar radiation field, both of which are essential for studies of chemical evolution and star formation in our Galaxy. Measuring the reddening of background sources, such as quasars, with K-DRIFT, which benefits from its broad field of view and accurate background subtraction, allows for the effective detection of extended dust in galactic halos, the CGM, and intracluster space. Observations of the Hα emission lines can be used to identify signatures of star formation activity within galaxies, as well as the environmental effects acting on them. Galactic winds driven by active galactic nuclei and starbursts can be traced through Hα emission. Strong ram pressure stripping effectively removes the interstellar medium (ISM) from galaxies. The stripped ISM becomes ionized or dissociated through mixing with the hot intracluster medium (ICM), forming Hα tails. The surface brightness of these Hα tails correlates not only with the presence of star formation in the tails but also the mixing stage of the stripped ISM and ICM. The Hα survey with K-DRIFT will enable the investigation of the evolutionary stages of ram pressure stripped galaxies in cluster environments, as well as the multiphase gas reservoir around galaxies and in the CGM.

This study proposes a Bayesian framework for sequential stock investment decision-making using daily high and low stock price data. The proposed methodology models stock behavior using the Beta distribution and constructs a prior Normal-Gamma distribution based on the derived mean and variance. Additional parameters are estimated from the observed stock price range to enhance the framework's adaptability. The methodology establishes two Bayesian control charts that simultaneously monitor investment performance (Expected Stock Performance Control Chart, ESCFCC) and volatility (Variability of Stock Performance Control Chart, VSCFCC). These control charts are periodically updated with observed data and iteratively revise the posterior probability distribution as new data becomes available. This updating procedure provides investors with timely and data-driven decision-making information. For empirical validation, four investment scenarios were analyzed based on Samsung Electronics stock data from January 4, 2010, to May 31, 2017. The results highlight the usability of a sequential Stock Cash Flow Control Chart (SCFCC) framework, which utilizes daily high and low stock price data to enable real-time evaluation of investment performance and risk. By integrating statistical quality control charts with Bayesian probabilistic models, the framework establishes a system for continuously updating investment information and dynamically monitoring performance throughout the investment period.

The genus Pleurastrum is a coccoid green alga comprising 10 species worldwide. Pleurastrum exhibits simple morphology and high polymorphism, which complicates the understanding of its diversity. We examined the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of Pleurastrum using light, confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we performed phylogenetic analysis based on multigene sequences (nuclear SSU rDNA, 5.8S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region, and plastid rbcL and tufA genes) from Pleurastrum strains to report two previously unrecorded freshwater species (Pleurastrum insigne and Pleurastrum microstigmatum) in Korea. The vegetative cells were predominantly spherical, with a few being ellipsoidal, and each cell contained a chloroplast with one pyrenoid. The sporangia produced several daughter cells, while the biflagellate zoospores were ellipsoidal and motile. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that P. insigne and P. microstigmatum form well-supported monophyletic clades. Analysis of ITS2 secondary structures revealed similar patterns, with several differences in nucleotide sequences and insertions between the two species. The findings of this study expand the known distribution of Pleurastrum and enhance our understanding of its species diversity in Korea.

Loneliness, a well-established risk factor for mental health, has been strongly associated with low subjective well-being (SWB). However, less is known about potential boundary conditions that may ameliorate this ‘dark side’ of loneliness. Social connections are critical for SWB based on innate evolutionary traits; a lack of belonging was directly harmful to human survival in the past. In this study, we hypothesized that loneliness would exert a more pronounced influence on SWB when an individual’s need for others (i.e., a social resource) is perceived as high while simultaneously existing in a harsh environment. With a particular focus on urban residents in Seoul, who are presumed to be more vulnerable to loneliness, we examined whether feeling lonely matters less to SWB under favorable environmental conditions. As expected, a pilot study indicated that loneliness was less harmful to the SWB of individuals who perceived their surroundings as relatively secure and favorable. We then replicated the results in an experimental study by exposing people to cues of either a harsh (e.g., via scarcity cues) or a favorable environment.