From Soil to Salad: Strategies for Reducing Foodborne Illness Outbreaks.

This study addresses the global issue of foodborne illness, specifically focusing on those resulting from the consumption of leafy green vegetables. It explores the rising trend of consuming minimally processed or raw foods and the imperative of maintaining safety standards starting at the preharvest stage to prevent pathogenic bacterial contamination. The study identifies soil and irrigation water as key sources of pathogens and emphasizes the need for strict preventive measures during production and preharvest.

Checklist for the insect fauna of two East Sea Islands (Ulleungdo Is. and Dokdo Is.) in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Ulleungdo and Dokdo, located in the East Sea, are volcanic islands with high ecological value due to their unique biodiversity. Although research on the insect fauna on these two Islands has been conducted from the early 19 century to recent times, limitations exist due to several issues, including misidentifications and historical errors. This study addresses these issues by conducting a comprehensive insect survey from 2020 to 2023, re-identifying misidentified specimens and compiling references to create an updated and accurate checklist of insect species for Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic evidence of Willd. (Acanthaceae, Barlerieae) focusing on Indian endemics.

Willd., a genus belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, encompassing approximately 153 species. While considerable morphological research has been conducted on , it has not completely dispelled taxonomic ambiguities and conflicting interpretations.

3D-printed shadow masks for micro-patterned electrodes.

Microfabrication is critical to the advancement of lab-on-chip devices by enabling the creation of high-precision, complex electrode structures. Traditional photolithography, commonly used to fabricate micro-patterned electrodes, involves complex and multi-step processes that can be costly and time-consuming. In this research, we present a method using 3D-printed shadow masks for electrode fabrication, offering a simpler, cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

Exploration of metal-free 2D electrocatalysts toward the oxygen electroreduction.

The advancement of economical and readily available electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) holds paramount importance in the advancement of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Recently, 2D non-metallic materials have obtained substantial attention as viable alternatives for ORR catalysts due to their manifold advantages, encompassing low cost, ample availability, substantial surface-to-volume ratio, high conductivity, exceptional durability, and competitive activity. The augmented ORR performances observed in metal-free 2D materials typically arise from heteroatom doping, defects, or the formation of heterostructures.

A new species of the genus (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from Korea with checklist and key to species of the genus.

Background: Parent, 1935 is a small genus consisting of three species only from the Afrotropical region.

New Information: During a survey of the long-legged flies from Korea, the authors discovered a new species, Detailed morphological characters and photographs of the new species, as well as a checklist and key to species of this genus, are provided herein. The two species described from Oriental China, Lin & Yang, 2022 and Yang & Gaimari, 2004, are transferred to Parent, 1935 () by similarity in external morphological characters.

NMR analysis of structural geometry and molecular dynamics in perovskite-type N(CH)CdBr crystal near high-temperature phase transition.

The NMR chemical shifts, linewidths, spin-lattice relaxation times in the rotating system , and spin-lattice relaxation times in the laboratory system were evaluated for the perovskite-type N(CH)CdBr crystal, aiming to understand the changes in the structural geometry and molecular dynamics from phase I to phase II. From the temperature-dependence of the H, C, N, and Cd NMR chemical shifts, the structural geometry underwent a continuous change, without anomalous changes around ( = 390 K). However, the linewidths in phase I were narrower than those in phase II, indicating that the motional averaging effects were caused by the rapid rotation of the N(CH) group.

Effect of salinity on the oviposition and growth of .

is a salt-tolerant euryhaline mosquito that lays its eggs in rock pools. Although it is a pest that can transmit flaviviruses and filarial worms to humans, ecological studies have not been previously conducted because of its limited habitat. However, rising sea levels have created a more favorable environment for , increasing the risk of -borne diseases.

Confirmation of the valid specific status of Kim & Yoon, 1996 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence.

The taxonomic validity of , especially in relation to , has been the subject of a long-term debate. Herein, the valid specific status of the former was supported through an integrated analysis of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. The pronotal rugae and male genitalia of the two species are different, and partial mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI) indicate that they form significantly distinct lineages.

An annotated checklist of grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acridoidea) from Mongolia.

Background: Grasshoppers (Acridoidea, Orthoptera) are the dominant herbivores in grassland ecosystems worldwide. They can increase rangeland productivity by stimulating plant growth and accelerating nutrient cycling. This article presents a comprehensive checklist of grasshoppers in Mongolia.

Performance of Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Models in Korean Patients With New-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: National Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to compare the performance of established cardiovascular risk algorithms in Korean patients with new-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study identified patients newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis without a history of cardiovascular diseases between 2013 and 2019 using the National Health Insurance Service database. The cohort was followed up until 2020 for the development of the first major adverse cardiovascular event.

Processing on crystal growth, structure, thermal property, and nuclear magnetic resonance of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite type [NH(CH)NH]ZnCl crystal.

Organic-inorganic hybrid compounds have recently gained significant attention in recent years due to their diverse applications. Herein, [NH(CH)NH]ZnCl crystals were grown, and their triclinic structure, phase transition temperature ( = 408 K), and high thermal stability ( = 584 K) was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry measurements. By analyzing the chemical in response to temperature changes, we observed that the coordination geometry around H and C were highly symmetric below , whereas their symmetry was lowered above .

An Outlook on Harnessing Technological Innovative Competence in Sustainably Transforming African Agriculture.

Agricultural value chains worldwide provide essential support to livelihoods, ecosystem services, and the growing bioeconomy. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic slowed down or reversed decades of agricultural growth and exposed the vulnerabilities of farmers and the food insecure in Africa, thus reiterating the need to build resilience, agility, and adaptability for a sustainable agriculture. Existing social, political, environmental, and economic challenges demonstrate that a path to faster sustainable growth is increased productivity through improved input quality, of which technical inputs are a part.

Acute decompensated heart failure after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A case report.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TVAI) is a widely used treatment modality for severe aortic stenosis. The complication rates of the procedure have gradually decreased over time, owing to the improvements in procedural skills and development of TVAI devices. However, several rare but serious complications can still occur after TAVI.

Dielectric chiral metasurfaces for enhanced circular dichroism spectroscopy at near infrared regime.

Numerous applications of chiro-optical effects can be found in nanophotonics, including imaging and spin-selective absorption, particularly in sensing for separating and detecting chiral enantiomers. Flat single-layer metasurfaces composed of chiral or achiral sub-wavelength structures offer unique properties to manipulate the light due to their extraordinary light-matter interaction. However, at optical wavelengths, the generation of strong chirality is found to be challenging conventional chiral metasurface approaches.

Anesthetic management for inhibiting sympathetic activation in an adolescent patient diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and undergoing left cardiac sympathetic denervation: A case report.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a genetic disorder in which catecholamine release during exercise or emotional stress cause fatal tachyarrhythmias. In this paper, we discuss methods to minimize the sympathetic stimulation that can occur during the perioperative period in patients undergoing left cardiac sympathetic denervation to surgically treat CPVT.

Insect fauna including unrecorded species in Ulleungdo, South Korea.

Background: Ulleungdo harbours a unique ecosystem owing to its isolation from the mainland alongside its maritime climate. The island, formed via volcanic activity, is the largest island in the East Sea of Korea and retains a primeval forest. The ecosystems are being destroyed owing to increasing human activity on the island.

Considering cell volume in dopant screening for improving Li-ion mobility in an amorphous LiPON solid-state electrolyte: an study.

Engineering of solid electrolytes of Li-ion batteries is carried out for achieving high levels of ionic conductivity and preserving low levels of electrical conductivity. Doping metallic elements into solid electrolyte materials composed of Li, P, and O is quite challenging due to instances of possible decomposition and secondary phase formation. To accelerate the development of high-performance solid electrolytes, predictions of thermodynamic phase stabilities and conductivities are necessary, as they would avoid the need to carry out exhaustive trial-and-error experiments.

Potential of IDCC 4301 isolated from breast milk-fed infant feces as a probiotic and functional ingredient.

Probiotics provide important health benefits to the host by improving intestinal microbial balance and have been widely consumed as dietary supplements. In this study, we investigated whether IDCC 4301 (BL), isolated from feces of breast milk-fed infants, is safe to consume. Based on the guidelines established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), safety tests such as antibiotic susceptibility, hemolysis, toxic compound formation (i.

A new species of Fisher, 1921 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from South Korea, with an updated checklist.

is described from South Korea. Fisher, 1921 is also a new generic record for South Korea. A key to the species and an updated checklist are provided.

Taxonomic and faunistic notes on the genus from Korea (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalinae, Harpalini).

Background: Morawitz, 1863 is a genus of the subtribe Harpalina, comprising more than 260 species worldwide. In Korea, nine species of the nominotypical subgenus are listed in the Korean catalogue (National Institute of Biological Resources 2019), while seven species of the nominotypical subgenus are listed to occur in Korea according to the Palaearctic catalogue (Kataev and Wrase 2017). Therefore, the checklist of the Korean species of the genus needs to be revised.

A new species of the genus Mik (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from Korea.

Background: The genus Mik, 1879 has only been recorded in the Nearctic and Oriental regions and, to date, it contains four known species.

New Information: is described from Korea. This is the first record of this genus in the Palearctic Region.