Insect eggshell and cuticle/exoskeleton play vital roles in protecting them from natural environmental stresses. However, these chitinous cuticular extracellular matrices must be degraded at least in part during embryo hatching and molting/ecdysis periods to accommodate continuous growth all the way to the adult stage. In this study, we investigated the functional importance of groups I and II chitinases, TcCHT5 and TcCHT10, in the turnover of chitinous cuticle during both embryonic and post-embryonic development in Tribolium castaneum. RNAi and TEM analyses revealed that TcCHT10 is required for digestion of chitin in the serosal cuticle for embryo hatching as well as in the old cuticle during post-embryonic molts including larval-pupal and pupal-adult metamorphosis. TcCHT10 appears to be able to substitute for TcCHT5 in all these vital physiological events except for the pupal-adult molting in which TcCHT5 is indispensable for complete digestion of chitin in the old pupal cuticle.

In general, trees showing water stress planted in a harsh environment like urban landscapes are weakened and can be easily infested by insect borers, such as cerambycid and curculionid beetles. Prunus × yedoensis constitutes a significant portion of urban street trees in Korea and there has been an increasing incidence of damage caused by red-necked longhorned beetle (RLB), Aromia bungii. When water stress is incresed, the production of resin, a natural defense mechanism against the infestation of Aromia bungii larvae, can be decreased that impact on larval survival rates. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between infestation rate of RLB and water stress of cherry trees. We counted number of larval entrance and adult emergence holes in 50 trees and monitored adult’s behaviors during daytime. In addition, we measured water stress using a pressure chamber for each tree.

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to southcentral United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.

PURPOSES : Most Red bus1) (metropolitan bus) routes to Seoul need to increase supply by increasing the number of buses and number of trips because of the high level of congestion in buses, which also accommodate standing passengers. Due to the recent Itaewon disaster, people have been banned from standing on Red buses due to concerns over the excessive use of public transportation, adding to the inconvenience of passengers, such as increased travel time. However, some routes incur a large deficit owing to excess vehicles and trips relative to the number of passengers, thereby increasing the financial burden of Gyeonggi. Therefore, in this study, a reasonable operation plan is required based on the demand on Red bus routes. METHODS : Using accurate data from smart cards and a Bus Management System, the model was applied to consider bus usage, bus arrival distribution, waiting time, and operating conditions, such as actual bus usage time and bus dispatch interval. RESULTS : As a result of applying the model, buses between 7:00 and 9:00 and 16:00 and 18:00 were very crowded because of standing passengers, and passenger inconvenience costs decreased because of the longer waiting times for bus stops in Seoul. Currently, there are 15 buses in operation for the red bus G8110. However, considering the annual transportation cost, transportation income, and support fund limit, up to 12 buses can be operated per day. The G8110 route was analyzed at 23.6 million won for passenger discomfort cost, as 15 buses operated 97 times per day on weekdays. However, when establishing optimal scheduling, 12 buses per day operated 75 times per day, with a 19.7 million won passenger discomfort cost. CONCLUSIONS : As all red buses run from the starting point, passengers at the bus stop wait for more than an hour before entering Seoul, and the passenger discomfort cost of using demand-responsive chartered buses decreases only when commuting from Jeongja Station and Namdaemun Tax Office stops. Currently, many people commuting from Gyeonggi-do to Seoul are experiencing significant inconvenience owing to the ban on standing in Red buses; a suitable level of input can be suggested for the input and expansion of chartered buses.

단단한 자구를 가진 적색 비모란선인장 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종 은 ‘Isaek’품종을 모본으로, ‘Suyeon’ 품종을 부본으로 하여 2018년에 교배하여 육성하였다. 교배 후 획득한 종자는 조직 배양실에서 기내파종하여 획득한 유묘를 기내에서 삼각주선 인장에 접목하여 ‘1802001’ 등 20계통을 양성하였다. 2019 년에 기내에서 양성한 20계통을 온실에서 삼각주선인장 대목 에 접목하여 재배하면서 ‘1812005’ 계통을 1차 선발하였다. 2020년부터 2022년까지 3차에 걸쳐서 특성을 검정한 후, 농 산물직무육성품종 심의회에서 최종 선발하여 ‘Gangjeok’으 로 명명하였다.‘Gangjeok’ 품종은 편원형의 적색 구를 가진 다. 혹(tubercle)이 돌출된 형태의 모구는 8.4개의 능(rip)을 가지며, 3.5mm 짧은 회색 가시가 발생한다. 정식 10개월 후 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종의 직경은 46.1mm이며, 자구는 평균 18.3 개 발생한다. 2022년 육성계통 평가회에서 ‘Gangjeok’ 품종 은 높은 기호도 점수 4.0을 받았다.

홍삼의 일반적인 가공법인 물과 주정 혼합용매로 추출여과하여 농축액으로 제조 시 증숙 등의 가열처리에 의해 가수분해되거나 중합반응이 일어나게 되어 현재 기능성이 밝혀진 30여 가지 주요 진세노사이드 외 극미량인 200여 종의 진세노사이드가 검출되고 있어서, 오히려 홍삼 본래 의 기능성 규명과 효능 구현을 복잡하게 만들고, 추출 횟 수를 거듭할수록 떫은맛이 강해지는 등 건강기능식품으로 서 부정적인 영향을 배제하기 위하여 저온(40oC 미만)에 서 1차만 추출한 홍삼농축액을 제조한 결과 수율은 고형 분 66-77% 정도에서 26-30%를 나타내어 기존의 연구 결 과인 40.47±0.47% 보다 현저히 적은 수율을 나타내었고, 동결건조 분말의 진세노사이드 함량분석시험을 진행한 결 과 시료 18종 전체에서 진세노사이드 34종이 검출되었고, 특히 홍삼 지표성분 3종인 Rb1, Rg1, Rg3 합계는 42.48 mg/ g으로 시판 홍삼제품의 환산량 9.0 mg/g과 8.7 mg/g 보다 4-5배 많았다. 본 시료는 진한 홍삼의 향취와 함께 면역력 증진 등 6가지 기능발현에 9-25%의 소량 복용으로 1일 복 용량이 유의성 있게 작아서 복용의 편의성과 함께 제품의 보관, 유통에 장점이 있는 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 코로나 19로 인해 불안, 우울 등의 심리적 어려움을 겪는 사람들이 많아지면서 사회 구성원 간의 갈등을 해결하려는 방안의 하나 로 ‘관광’을 치유의 수단으로 활용하여 ‘치유관광상품’을 개발하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 그 결과, 첫째, 규칙적인 둘레길 산책 프로그램이나 도보 여행 관련 상품 개발, 둘째, 스트레스 해소를 위한 야외 관광 활동 관련 상품 개발, 셋째, 친구, 친지, 가족과 동행하는 관광상품 개발, 넷째, 하 던 일과 생각을 잠시 멈추는 등의 넋 놓기 관광상품 개발 등을 제시하였 다. 이는 코로나 19 장기화에 따른 우울증 ‘코로나 블루(Corona Blue)’ 가 일상생활의 어려움을 넘어 분노까지 느끼는 ‘코로나 레드(Corona Red)’를 호소하는 사람이 많아지면서 위험사회가 되어가고 있다는 관점 에서 이를 극복하기 위한 정책 대응방안을 요구받는 시점에서 제시한 것 이다. 본 연구는 전 국민적 심리 상담이 필요한 시점에서 관광을 기반으 로 치유하는 ‘치유관광상품’ 개발이 갈수록 위험사회로 치닫고 있는 우리 사회의 문제점을 조금이나마 해결할 수 있기를 바란다.

In this study, we analyzed the effect of storage conditions on the survival of fungi in red pepper powder. Red pepper powder was inoculated with a total of six fungal species, namely Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus microsporus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus ochraceus at a final cell count of 4–6 log CFU/g. After inoculating the sterilized red pepper powder with fungi, we dried the powder on a clean bench and packaged it in zipper bags. Following drying, the water activity was 0.502±0.001. Subsequently, the red pepper powder inoculated with fungi was stored at -20oC, 5oC, 15oC, and 25oC. All six species of fungi perished the quickest at 25oC and survived for the longest (168 days) at -20oC. In summary, this study showed that fungi survive for an extended period in red pepper powder at -20oC and 5oC compared to 15oC and 25oC. Therefore, to prevent fungal contamination, red pepper powder should have a water activity below 0.6 and be stored in a zipper bag at room temperature.