If radioactive plumes are released outside due to loss of containment building integrity during a nuclear power plant accident, these materials might travel with the wind, affecting both the surrounding environment and neighboring countries. In China, most nuclear power plants are located on the eastern coast. Consequently, a radioactive plume generated during an accident could negatively impact even the western part of the Korean Peninsula due to westerly winds. To detect such problems early, respond quickly, and protect residents, a system that can monitor aerial radiation under normal conditions is needed. Additionally, a detection system that can operate in real-time in an emergencies conditions is required. The current method for aerial radiation measurement takes environmental radiation data from a monitoring post 1.5 m above the ground and converts it to altitude. To measure actual aerial radiation, an expansive area is surveyed by aircraft. However, this approach is both time-consuming and expensive. Thus, to monitor radioactive plumes influenced by environmental factors like wind, we need a radiation detector that can gauge both radioactivity and directionality. In this study, we developed a radiation detector capable of assessing both the radioactivity and directionality of a radioactive plume and conducted its performance evaluation. We miniaturized the radiation detector using a CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) sensor, enabling its mounting on unmanned aerial vehicles like drones. It is configured with multi-channels to measure directionality of a radioactive plumes. For performance evaluation, we positioned two-channel CZT sensors at 90 degrees and measured the energy spectrum for angle and distance using a disk-type radioactive isotope. Using this method, we compared and analyzed the directionality performance of the multi-channel radiation detector. We also confirmed its capability to discern specific radioactivity information and nuclide types in actual radioactive plumes. Our future research direction involves mounting the multi-channel radiation detector on a drone. We aim to gather actual aerial radiation data from sensors positioned in various directions.

There are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world; currently 56 species are reported in Korea. Mosquitoes can act as vectors for many disease-causing viruses and parasites during blood sucking. Various species of mosquitoes are estimated to transmit various types of disease to more than 700 million people annually in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, Russia, and much of Asia, with millions of resultant deaths. At least two million people annually die of these diseases, and the morbidity rates are many times higher still. To prevent the spread of diseases, KNIH (Korea National Institute of Health) used three categorized methods; identifying or taxonomic analysis of mosquitoes, detecting virus caring mosquitoes, and detecting malaria from Anopheline mosquitoes. We have proved that taxonomic analysis using DNA barcording method (COI gene) is useful to complement identification of mosquito species. In detecting virus, we have reported Cx. orientalis as a new potential Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vector. We also reported that the Anopheline mosquito species composition and Plasmodium vivax infection rates in malaria hot spot in Korea.

Background and Purpose: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of extracranial carotid arteries determined by B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. A low ABI and a high carotid IMT are independently related to increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study examined the association between carotid IMT and ABI in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, 116 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Using a pulse wave velocity ABI device along with carotid duplex sonography, we measured carotid IMT and ABI and investigated the correlation between average values. Results: There was a significant difference in carotid IMT between the normal and abnormal ABI groups (P=0.0262). The group with an abnormal ABI was more than five times as likely to have increased carotid IMT as the group with a normal ABI (age, sex-adjusted OR 5.67 (95% CI 1.85~17.38)). The ABI and carotid IMT showed a weak inverse linear correlation in patients with ischemic stroke (correlation coefficient −0.378 after adjusting for age and sex). Conclusion: Our study suggests that an abnormal ABI is associated with a high carotid IMT in patients with ischemic stroke.

This study was undertaken to develop PCR primers for the identification and detection of Streptococcus anginosus using species-specific forward and reverse primers. These primers targeted the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA coding gene(rDNA). The primer specificity was tested against 12 S. anginosus strains and 6 different species(10 strains) of oral bacteria. The primer sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of the purified genomic DNA of S. anginosus ATCC 33397T. The data showed that species-specific amplicons were obtained from all the S. anginosus strains tested, but not in the six other species. The PCR could detect as little as 0.4pg of the chromosomal DNA from S. anginosus. This suggests that the PCR primers are highly sensitive and applicable to the detection and identification of S. anginosus.

Herb extracts commercially used in Korea were screened for PPAR-γ agonist test and α-glucosidase inhibition assay. Total 16 herb plants had a PPAR-γ agonist activity. Specially, Alisma orientale Juz (108.41%), Ephedra sinica (98.22%), Sasa japonica Makino var. purpurascens Nakai (140.68%), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (106.79%) and Cnidium officinale Makino (113.00%) showed high PPAR-γ agonist activity rate compared with rosiglitazone's (167.46%). And Cornus officinalis S. et Z. (90.3%), Cinnamomum cassia Blume (89.2%), Psoralea corylifolia L. (89.8%), Paeonia japonica (Makino) Miyabe (92.4%) and Paeonia suffruticosa Andr (93.2%), showed high α-glucosidase inhibition rates. These results support previous reports of the efficacy of Oriental medicinal plants used for diabetes mellitus.

A New Cymbidium variety "Yellow Evening" was developed from a cross between "Oji" and "Valley Flower Cherry Life" followed by seedling and line selections at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA) in 2004. After investigation of the characteristics and selection for 9 years (1996-2004), it has been selected specifically pot orchid flower. "Yellow Evening" has medium plant height and semi-erect peduncle. It has medium flowering habit and brownish yellow flowers (RHS, Y11B: petal and sepal) with grayed purple GP183A) spot on lip, when fully opened. Each peduncle has 15.3 flowers with diameter of about 7.4 cm. It has adequate peduncle height, with some curved and spreading petal and sepals. Under optical culture conditions, it started to bloom early-winter (November).

　‘eeun’an Asiatic hybrid lily was released in 2005 at National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), Suwon, Korea. The cross was made in 1994 between Liliium Asiatic ‘hite Bird’white colored, and Liliium Asiatic ‘ote d’zur’ pink colored variety. It was preliminarily selected as ‘96-5’in 1996. Multiplication and bulbing, and characteristic tests were conducted from 1997 to 2004. The evaluation of characteristics was investigated as ‘ongyo C1-21’ in 2004 at Suwon. ‘eeun’flowers in the end of June and grows 41.6 cm stem length. Flowers are upward-facing, unspotted in petals and yellow green (RHS, 18C). Year-round flowering can be by storing the bulb under -1.5℃ conditions. For forcing culture, it is necessary to add calcium to the fertilizer or remove side scales to prevent leaf scorch. It is needed to control Botrytis disease in wet season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Whitney PangPang' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross was made in 2003 between '01B1-41', a breeding line of NHRI and `01B1-273', a breeding line of NHRI. The characteristics were investigated from 2004 to 2006 for the evaluation and selection of this variety, including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in autumn. The natural flowering time of "Whitney PangPang" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pompon type flowers with light-ivory petals and yellow green flower center. Flower neck and stem showed very strong hardness. The diameter of flower is 5.0 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 11 and the days to flower under the short day treatment is about 56 in autumn season. "Whitney PangPang" has over 22 days of long vase life.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Orange Memory' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross was made in 2003 between '02B1-525', a breeding line of NHRI and '02B1-493', a breeding line of NHRI. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring and consecutive selection from 2002 to 2005, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Orange Memory" is Early November, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has semi-double type flowers with orange color and shows resistant to white rust and vigorous growth. The diameter of flower is 5.3 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 13.5 and number of petals per flower is 59.0. The days to flower under short day treatment is about 64 and its vase life is 20 days in autumn season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Plaisir D'Amour' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross was made in 2003 between '01B1-355', a breeding line of NHRI and `01B1-440', a breeding line of NHRI. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2004 and 2006, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of 'Plaisir D'Amour' is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has single type flowers with mixed color by dark pink and white edged. It shows excellent flower setting and early blooming with multi-floret. The diameter of flower is 5.4 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 15.5 and number of petals per flower is 21.5. The days to flower under short day treatment is about 56 and its vase life is 21 days in autumn season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Pink PangPang' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross between 'Restone' and 'Lollipop' was made in 2003. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2004 and 2006, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Pink PangPang" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pompon type flowers with light pink petals and resistance to white rust. The diameter of flower is 4.3 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 13 and the days to flower under the short day treatment is about 44 in summer season.

A new spray chrysanthemum cultivar, 'Sunny PangPang' was released by National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Rural Development Administration (RDA), in 2006. The cross between 'Restone' and 'Lollipop' was made in 2003. After evaluation for the characteristics including shading culture in summer and retarding culture in spring between 2002 and 2005, final selection was made. The natural flowering time of "Sunny PangPang" is late October, but year-round flowering is possible by shading and illumination. It has pompon type flowers with orange yellow petals and red flower center. It shows vigorous stem growth and resistance to white rust. The diameter of flower is 4.4 cm. The number of flowers per stem is 11 and the days to flower under the short day treatment is about 49 in summer season.

A new Phalaenopsis hybrid “White Angel” was selected from the progenies derived from self-pollination of collection, “PN 3005 in 1995 at National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) Rural Development Administration. Final selection was applied in 2003 after the investigation of the characteristics for five years (1999-2003). “White Angel” has white flower with red rip and is a medium sized Phalaenopsis variety with semi-upright leaf and high PLBs (Protocorm ike bodies) formation ability of 70%. “White Angel” has white flower with red rip and is a medium sized (Flower width is 8.3 cm and leaf length is 25 cm) Phalaenopsis variety with semi-upright leaf and high PLBs (Protocorm like bodies) formation ability of 70%. Strong sunlight and over irrigation should be avoided for the appropriate growth.