Background: Sperm quality and the number of sperm introduced into the uterus during artificial insemination (AI) are pivotal factors influencing pregnancy outcomes. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between sperm concentration at AI and sperm quality in Hanwoo cattle. In this study, we examined sperm quality and pregnancy rates after AI using sperm inseminated at different concentrations. Methods: We evaluated the motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity of sperm at different concentrations (10, 15, 18, and 20 million sperm/straw) in 0.5-mL straws. Subsequently, we compared the pregnancy rates after AI with different sperm concentrations. Results: After freeze-thawing, sperm at the assessed concentrations showed similar viability and acrosomal membrane integrity. After AI, cattle in the 10 million group had significantly lower pregnancy rates compared to those in the 18 and 20 million groups. Conversely, there were no statistically significant variances observed between cattle in the 10 and 15 million groups. Conclusions: Sperm at concentrations of 10, 15, 18 and 20 million per straw exhibited comparable motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity. However, a concentration of at least 18 million sperm per straw is required to achieve a consistent rate of pregnancy rate in Hanwoo cattle after AI.

제충국(Tanacetum cineariaiaefolium), 데리스(Derris elliptica), 고삼(Sophora flavescens) 추출물은 다양한 해충을 방제하는데 사용되고 있다. 하지만, 국내에서 판매되고 있는 식물추춞물 자재는 유효성분의 표기가 없고, 살충농도와 살충시간에 대한 자료가 전무한 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 상 용화된 주요 식물추출물의 살충유효성분의 농도를 결정하고 복숭아혹진딧물에 대해 살충농도와 살충시간을 측정하였다. 식물추출물의 살충활성성분 인 pyrethrins, rotenone, matrine과 oxymatrine의 농도는 액체 크로마토그래피에서 표준물질을 활용하여 질량분석을 통해 측정하였다. 식물추출 물을 농도별로 희석하여 복숭아혹진딧물에 살포하여 살충력을 측정하였다. 표준화합물과 비교한 후 질량분석 및 결정했습니다. Myzus persicae에 대 한 lethal concentation과 lethal time을 조사했다. 살포 후 48시간 후 치사 농도(LC50)는 pyrethrins (20.4 ppm), roteone (34.1 ppm), matrine (29.6 ppm)였고, 100 ppm 살포한 LT50은 pyrethrins (13.4시간), rotenone (15.1시간), matrine (14.4시간)로 측정되었다. Kaplan-Meier 생존분 석 결과, 100 ppm에서 세 가지 식물 추출물의 LT50은 대조구인 화학 살충제인 Sulfoxaflor를 살포 처리구보다 유의하게 빨랐습니다. 본 결과는 복숭 아혹진딧물 방제를 위해 식물추출물의 제형화에 단일 또는 혼합 제제를 개발하는데 기준 살충농도와 살충시간을 제고하는데 의미가 있다.

This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Joeunbaekdadagi’) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Dotaerang Dia’) seedlings by light intensities and CO2 concentrations in a closed-type plant production system (CPPS). Cucumber and tomato seeds were sown in 50-cell trays and germinated in CPPS at air temperature 25 ± 1°C and relative humidity 50 ± 10% for 4 days. After germination, the CO2 concentrations and light intensity treatment were treated at 500 (ambient), 1,000, and 1,500 μmol·mol-1 and 100, 200, and 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), respectively. The leaf area of cucumber showed the highest value in CO2 1,500 μmol·mol-1. However, the leaf area of the tomato had no significant difference in CO2 concentrations and light intensities treatments. In cucumber and tomato both seedlings, the growth and quality such as compactness and leaf area rate were increased with the increase of light intensity, and there were highest in 300 μmol·m-2·s-1. The root surface and number of root tips of cucumber and tomato seedlings were significantly increased with the increase in light intensity. In conclusion, the regulation of the CO2 concentrations and light intensity can control the growth and quality of cucumber and tomato seedlings in CPPS, especially, increasing the light intensity can improve more significantly the growth and quality of seedlings.

Botanical extracts are employed in management of aphids. Extracts from Tanacetum cineariaiaefolium, Derris elliptica, and Sophora flavescens are widely used to control various insects. In this study, we determined concentrations of active insecticidal compounds (Ais) in commercial botanical extracts of these plants, and we investigated the time and concentration for lethal results with the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. The concentrations of Ais, pyrethrins from T. cineariaiaefolium, rotenone from D. elliptica, and matrine and oxymatrine from S. flavescens, were determined after their fractionation by liquid chromatography followed by mass analysis and comparison with standard compounds. The extracts were tested for lethality in a bioassay with green peach aphids. Sprays at defined doses were applied to tobacco leaves infested with aphid nymphs. The lethal concentrations (LC50) were 20.4 ppm for pyrethrins, 34.1 ppm for rotenone, and 29.6 ppm for matrine at 48 h after treatments. At 100 ppm application levels, the lethal time LT50 was 13.4 h for pyrethrin, 15.1 h for rotenone, and 14.4 h for matrine. Kaplan - Meier analysis indicated the lethal times for the three botanical extracts at 100 ppm were significantly faster than application of a chemical insecticide, Sulfoxaflor, applied at the recommended level. These results provide baselines to develop and formulate single or mixed preparations containing botanical extracts to control green peach aphids on commercial crops.

Despite concerns about the significant toxicity of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at environmental concentrations, effects of CuPT on benthic organisms have received little attention. Here, we analyzed the detrimental effects of CuPT at sublethal concentrations (1/50, 1/20, and 1/10 of the 96 h-LC50 value) for 14 days in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis. Reduced burrowing activity and significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity in response to relatively high concentrations of CuPT were identified as CuPT-triggered cholinergic inhibition. The lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde levels were dosedependently increased, whereas intracellular glutathione was depleted by relatively high concentrations. In the CuPT-treated polychaete, significant fluctuations in the enzymatic activities of the antioxidant defense system (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase) were observed with significantly modulated glutathione S-transferase activity. These results indicate that even sublethal levels of CuPT would have detrimental effects on the health status of the marine polychaete.

본 연구에서는 파프리카(Capsicum annuum L.) ‘Scirocco’ 품종 수경재배 시 배액 재사용 여부에 따른 순환식 재배와 비 순환식 재배 및 배지 종류가 배액의 양분 이온 변화 양상과 생 육에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 파프리카의 파종은 2021년 8 월 19일에, 정식은 2021년 9월 16일, 순환식 및 비순환식의 재 배 방식 적용은 2021년 10월 21일에 시행하였다. 배액 내 양 분 분석 결과, Na+와 Cl‒은 작물이 제대로 흡수하지 않는 대표 적은 이온으로써 생육이 진전될수록 순환식 재배방식에서 집 적되었다. 또한 배액 내 NH4-N의 함량이 NO3-N의 함량에 비 해 현저히 낮으므로 파프리카의 이온 선택성으로 인해 NO3-N 보다 NH4-N이 우선 흡수되는 것으로 생각된다. 파프리카의 생육 및 과실 특성은 배액 재사용 여부와 배지의 종류에 따른 처리 간의 차이가 크지 않았다. 결론적으로 순환식과 비순환 식의 수경재배 방식, 코이어와 암면의 배지 종류에 따른 파프 리카 수경 재배 시 중기 이후의 세력 약화로 인한 착과 불량을 유의하여 관리한다면 처리 간의 차이가 크지 않으므로 농가의 실정에 맞는 재배 방식과 배지를 선택하여 파프리카를 생산할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 다만 최근 환경오염에 대한 관심이 높아진 만큼 배액 재사용에 따른 병원균 감염 등을 잘 관리한 다는 가정 하에서 순환식 재배 방식을 채택해도 수량 감소나 품질 저하 등은 우려하지 않아도 될 것이라 판단되며, 폐기 문 제가 발생하는 암면 대신 코이어 배지를 선택한다면 더욱 환 경오염 감소에 기여할 수 있으리라 기대된다.

Monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems using the behavior of organisms is essential for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes, which inhabit various freshwater ecosystems, are frequently used to evaluate the environmental conditions of freshwater ecosystems. Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used to evaluate the toxicity of toxicants, including heavy metals. We studied the behavioral responses of T. tubifex to three different copper concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1). The specimens were exposed to copper in an observation cage containing 150 mL of dechlorinated water. Movement behavior (diameter, speed, acceleration, meander, and turning rate) was continuously observed for two hours before and after the copper treatments. After the treatments, the diameter shrank and showed rapid twisting movement under all the copper conditions. The turning rate had a positive correlation with meander and acceleration both before and after treatment at all three concentrations, whereas speed and meander had a negative correlation. Length and turning rate also showed a negative correlation. The correlation coefficient between speed and acceleration in the highest copper concentration changed from positive before treatment (r=0.64) to negative (r= - 0.52) after treatment. Our results present the possibility of using behavioral parameters to detect copper contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

As modern society has emerged and developed, the subway has established itself as a representative means of transportation in the city due to its speed, accuracy, and accessibility. According to the Indoor Air Quality Management Act, underground stations have established and managed the maintenance and recommendation standards for PM10, PM2.5, CO2, CO, HCHO, NO2, Rn, VOCs However, th the standards for airborne mold has not been applied for subway stations even though management for the health effect of exposure to mold is necessay. In this study, the correlation with major contributing factors was analyzed by measuring the concentration of airborne molds in the indoor air of underground stations and through literature research. It was confirmed that there was a correlation between the concentration of airborne molds in subway stations and the major contributing factors. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the concentration of airborne molds became higher as the location of the platform became deeper underground, during periods of congestion, and especially in summer. There was no significant correlation with the year of construction. Our findings indicate that appropriate management measures should be devised in response to such contributing factors.

자기공명영상(MRI) 장비의 조영제로 흔히 사용되는 가돌리늄(Gd)은 매우 안정된 상태로 하수처리과정에서 거의 제거되지 않고 수환경으로 유입된다고 알려져 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 세 가지의 공법으로 하수처리를 하는 부산 수영 하수처리장에서 채취한 하수 시료의 공정별 용존 희토류 원소의 제거율 및 수환경으로 배출되는 인위적 기원 Gd (Gdanth)의 배출량을 평가하고자 하였다. 용존 희토류 원소는 공정별 처리 단계에 따라 무거운 희토류 원소(Tb-Lu)에 비 해 가벼운 희토류 원소(La-Eu)에서 농도가 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 일부 시료에서 나타난 음의(negative) Sm anomaly (<1)는 생물학적 제거 과정에서 Sm이 입자나 인산염과 흡착되어 함께 제거되었을 가능성을 시사한다. 모든 시 료에서 양의(positive) Gd anomaly (149±50, n=9)를 보였으며, 공정별로 측정된 Gd의 총 농도 중 Gdanth은 약 97% 이 상을 차지하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 하수처리과정에서 Gdanth 이 거의 제거되지 않고 수영강 하류로 배출된다는 것을 의미한다. 일별 처리용량을 고려하여 각 공정에서 배출되는 Gdanth의 배출량은 259 mmol/day로 추정할 수 있다. 본 연 구의 결과는 하수처리장을 통해 수영만 연안으로 Gdanth이 지속적으로 배출될 것으로 예상되며, 향후 Gd의 중장기적인 관측이 필요함을 시사한다.

In this study, we investigated the Indoor and Outdoor concentrations of PM10 in Y area, Jeollanam-do. We conducted personal exposure concentration estimates, and Exposure and Risk Assessments using the Time-weighted Average Model. The concentration of Indoor PM10 was 49.38 μg/m3 and that of Outdoor PM10 was 48.02 μg/m3, with the Indoor/ Outdoor Ratio value being 1 or more, and it was found that there was an indoor source of pollution. The Indoor/Outdoor Cr ratio value was 1 or more, and the source of Cr was confirmed to be indoor. Based on our analysis, there was a positive correlation between heavy metals Ni, Cr, and Mn (p<0.05). Using the Time-Weighted Average model, we determined the PM10 personal exposure concentration to be 49.36 μg/m3 and confirmed the feasibility of this model in utilizing the PM10 personal exposure concentrations. In this study, the findings are likely to provide useful data that can be used to determine the concentration of indoor pollutants that are not easy to survey. However, to accurately evaluate indoor air quality, more factors need to be considered and evaluated.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of temperature and humidity on the measured Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations recorded by PMS5003T, a low-cost light scattering type measuring tool. A regression analysis was performed on the ratio of PM concentrations measured by the light scattering method and the beta-ray absorption method according to temperature and humidity in an outdoor environment. As the temperature decreased, the PM concentration ratio increased, and this tendency intensified below 0oC. As the humidity increased, the PM concentration ratio increased, but the effect was less than the temperature effect. The coefficients of determination for temperature and humidity were R2 = 0.325 and 0.003, respectively, and the effects of temperature and humidity on the measured values w ere formulated and compensated for. As a result of the compensation, R2, relative precision, accuracy and RMSE improved from 0.927 to 0.958, from 91.183% to 96.651%, from 31.383% to 74.058%, and from 13.517 μg/m³ to 6.690 μg/m³, respectively. Finally, results from this study indicate that the reliability of the low-cost light scattering type PM sensor can be improved by applying the temperature and humidity compensation method.

Aster koraiensis Nakai (A. koraiensis) which has been used as a food and medicinal plant in the past, is valuable as functional food material. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant properties and major phenolics of A. koraiensis extracts with different ethanol concentrations (0, 50, 70, and 100% aqueous ethanol solution). When ethanol concentration in the extraction solvent was increased, extraction yield decreased; 34.2, 23.2, 21.0, and 5.5% in 0, 50, 70, and 100% ethanolic extracts, respectively. Total phenolics content and antioxidant activities of extracts were increased in an ethanol concentration-dependant manner. The major phenolics in the extracts were chlorogenic acid (21.264~58.666 mg/g), isochlorogenic acid A (10.432~145.353 mg/g), and isochlorogenic acid C(0.239~13.148 mg/g), and these phenolic contents were higher in 70 and 100% ethanolic extracts than other extracts. Significant correlations were observed between ethanol concentration of extraction solvent, antioxidant properties, and major phenolics. These results indicated that the optimal ethanol concentration for extraction was 70%.