Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) represent a promising advancement for intermediate-temperature energy conversion applications due to their enhanced mechanical robustness and rapid startup capabilities. This investigation systematically evaluates the correlation between yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolyte thickness and electrochemical performance in NiFe-supported architectures. Three distinct cells featuring YSZ electrolyte thicknesses of 7.05, 14.2, and 21.2 μm were fabricated via tape casting and co-sintering at 1,350 °C, while maintaining identical NiFe support (280 μm) and Ni-YSZ anode (22 μm) thicknesses. Electrochemical characterizations revealed a clear inverse relationship between electrolyte thickness and cell performance. The cell with the thinnest electrolyte (7.05 μm) achieved the highest power density of 0.32 W/cm2 at 800 °C, representing a 4.6-fold improvement compared to the thickest variant (21.2 μm). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation times analysis confirmed that ohmic resistance dominated the total cell impedance, and scaled linearly with electrolyte thickness, while electrode kinetics remained consistent. This study establishes that thin YSZ electrolytes (≤ 8 μm) prepared via co-sintering fabrication maximize MS-SOFC performance while maintaining structural integrity, providing an essential design for high-performance metal-supported fuel cell development.

Astronomical CCD images are often affected by bleeding from bright sources, producing column-aligned streaks that degrade source detection and photometry. We present a pixel-level masking algorithm for bleeding in Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) images, in which these streaks extend along detector columns away from the readout register. The algorithm identifies bleed-generating pixels using a conservative bleeding threshold and a bleeding index that quantifies excess signal along the expected bleeding direction. The extent of each bleed trail is then determined by termination criteria based on a backgroundrelative detection threshold and a continuity condition. To optimize these termination parameters, we generate multiple candidate masks and evaluate them with an Fβ-like score that favors high purity while preserving recovery of sources whose photometry is biased by bleeding. Using the final mask, we apply interpolation-based cleaning and assess the performance in terms of completeness and photometric accuracy in a crowded KMTNet field, using Gaia DR3 as a reference. The source completeness improves from 94.08% to 98.61%, primarily by enabling proper aperture placement that was previously hindered by bleeding. For selected bleeding-affected sources, the root-mean-square photometric offset decreases from 0.623 mag to 0.068 mag. These results demonstrate that the algorithm provides a practical framework for mitigating bleeding artifacts in KMTNet images. We further examine the stability of the algorithm across different observing conditions and discuss limitations of the current masking and cleaning procedure.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus는 사람에서 급성 위장관염을 유 발하는 주요 수산식품 매개 병원체이다. 본 연구에서는 경 상도 연안수에서 분리된 V. parahaemolyticus 균주 IJWP7- 11의 complete genome 정보를 분석하였다. 해당 균주의 유전체는 chromosome 1 (3,366,158 bp, GC 함량 45.25%) 과 chromosome 2 (1,778,791 bp, GC 함량 45.53%)로 구 성되었다. 유전체 분석 결과 총 151개의 병원성 관련 유 전자와 tet(35), norM, blaCARB-18, catC의 4개의 항생제 내 성 유전자가 확인되었다. 또한 multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) 분석을 통해 본 균주가 sequence type ST1696에 속하는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구에서 확보한 완전 유 전체 정보는 국내 환경 유래 V. parahaemolyticus의 병원 성 및 항생제 내성 특성 이해를 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Freshwater unionid bivalves are difficult to monitor due to their cryptic, burrowing behavior and their residence in soft substrates. DNA barcode reference sequences are essential for molecular identification and conservation studies of endangered freshwater unionids. For endangered species, the collection of live individuals is often restricted, which limits the construction of such reference databases. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using shell-derived DNA from Cristaria plicata as a source for mitochondrial DNA barcoding. Naturally deposited shells were collected from a freshwater environment, and DNA was extracted from five distinct shell regions under different preservation conditions. Mitochondrial 16S rDNA was targeted using both short (180 bp) and long (450 bp) barcode primers. PCR products were sequenced and compared with GenBank reference sequences, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to confirm taxonomic identity. DNA yield differed substantially among shell regions and preservation states. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that sequences derived from shells clustered with established C. plicata references from South Korea and other East Asian populations. However, degraded shell materials occasionally produced divergent or nonspecific sequences, particularly when longer barcode regions were amplified. These results indicate that shell-derived DNA can serve as a viable, noninvasive source for generating DNA barcode references of endangered unionid bivalves. This approach may facilitate the expansion of reference databases and support molecular monitoring and conservation efforts without requiring the collection of live specimens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of productivity-limiting factors associated with boron(B), molybdenum(Mo), rhizobium, and lime on dry matter yield(DMY) and nutritive value of alfalfa. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, Republic of Korea, from April 2022 to August 2024. Alfalfa cultivar ‘SW5615’ was sown at a rate of 20 kg ha⁻¹. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of a control, in which all productivity-related factors were supplied, and four limitation treatments: B limitation, Mo limitation, Rhizobium limitation, and Lime limitation. Alfalfa was harvested five times at the early flowering stage, approximately 10% bloom. DMY and forage nutritive value, including crude protein(CP), neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), total digestible nutrients(TDN), and relative feed value(RFV), were analyzed. Productivity-limiting factors significantly affected DMY (p<0.05). Compared with the control, relative DMY was 97.8% under B limitation, 82.2% under Mo limitation, 63.1% under Rhizobium limitation, and 64.6% under Lime limitation. Among nutritive value parameters, only CP concentration differed significantly among treatments(p<0.05), whereas NDF, ADF, TDN, and RFV were not significantly affected(p>0.05). The highest CP concentration was observed under Lime limitation, which was likely associated with reduced biomass accumulation or delayed maturity rather than improved forage productivity. These results indicate that Rhizobium and Lime limitations were the major factors reducing alfalfa DMY, followed by Mo limitation, while B limitation had little effect under the present experimental conditions.

This study presents an automated meteorological data management system with an AI agent to calculate ETo by applying the standard FAO-56 Penman Monteith (PM) equation. The proposed framework automatically performs meteorological data acquisition, quality control (QC), management, ETo calculation, aggregation, visualization, and statistical evaluation. This study used daily meteorological data from 21 Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) stations in the Nakdong River Basin, Republic of Korea, covering 2011 to 2023, and integration of API-retrieved meteorological data began from 2024 onward. The automated ET₀ results were compared with conventionally calculated PM-based potential evapotranspiration (PET) using RMSE, MAE, PBIAS, and R2. Findings are consistent across all stations, with monthly RMSE mostly less than 0.7 mm (maximum 1.14 mm), MAE less than 0.7 mm, PBIAS in the range -0.465–0.833%, and R2 in the range 0.999–1.000. The results indicate that the automated workflow maintained the physical consistency of ETo estimation and improved reproducibility and applicability. The proposed system may support operational agricultural water management in the Nakdong River Basin.

With the increase in pet-owning households and the expansion of cross-border shopping, the unquarantined importation of pet food containing animal-derived ingredients has been rising. These products can serve as a potential vector of biological and chemical hazards, such as African swine fever (ASF) virus, Salmonella, aflatoxins, and melamine, posing a serious threat to animal health and public health in Korea. However, the current manifest clearance system is vulnerable to false declaration of product description. In addition, the structural difficulty in tracking contents during transit through overseas package forwarding facilities has facilitated pet food products designated for quarantine inspection to bypass proper quarantine procedures and enter the country. This study, based on relevant legislation and empirical data, identifies structural deficiencies in the current quarantine system and proposes improvements across legal, technological, and administrative dimensions to enhance the effectiveness of quarantine enforcement.

This study analyzed Bolivian farmers’ perceptions of and the effectiveness of the KOPIA agricultural support program. A survey of 171 respondents assessed their experiences with program participation, the types of support received, perceived changes, preferred forms of assistance, participation modalities, and their trust in KOPIA’s technical support. The majority of respondents evaluated the program positively, specifically highlighting improvements in crop productivity and income, the acquisition of new agricultural technologies, and access to high-quality seeds and inputs. Farmers’ high level of trust in KOPIA stemmed from the provision of quality resources, the practical utility of introduced technologies, the professionalism and accountability of technical staff, the availability of training and educational opportunities, and consistent, transparent project management. The findings indicate that KOPIA’s field-oriented technology transfer and continuous support enhance farmers’ productivity, self-reliance, and trust, thereby significantly impacting local agricultural development.