Root nodule bacteria are free-living soil bacteria, belonging to diverse genera within the Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, that have the capacity to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses with legumes. The symbiosis is specific and is governed by signaling molecules produced from both host and bacteria. Sequencing of several model RNB genomes has provided valuable insights into the genetic basis of symbiosis. However, the small number of sequenced RNB genomes available does not currently reflect the phylogenetic diversity of RNB, or the variety of mechanisms that lead to symbiosis in different legume hosts. This prevents a broad understanding of symbiotic interactions and the factors that govern the biogeography of host-microbe symbioses.Here, we outline a proposal to expand the number of sequenced RNB strains, which aims to capture this phylogenetic and biogeographic diversity. Through the Vavilov centers of diversity (Proposal ID: 231) and GEBA-RNB (Proposal ID: 882) projects we will sequence 107 RNB strains, isolated from diverse legume hosts in various geographic locations around the world. The nominated strains belong to nine of the 16 currently validly described RNB genera. They include 13 type strains, as well as elite inoculant strains of high commercial importance. These projects will strongly support systematic sequence-based studies of RNB and contribute to our understanding of the effects of biogeography on the evolution of different species of RNB, as well as the mechanisms that determine the specificity and effectiveness of nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation by RNB with diverse legume hosts.

The purpose of this study is to develop a noise reduction device installed at the top of noise barrier for further decreasing of noise level of 400 km/h class high-speed railroad. For this, the frequency spectrum of 400 km/h class high-speed railroad was analyzed through the field noise test, and the tuning frequency was determined to design a noise reduction device. The noise reduction device was designed to have noise reduction performance of at least 3 dB(A) using the prediction method(2D BEM) and through the laboratory test with the prototype. Finally, the outdoor test showed that this device could decrease noise level of 400 km/h class high-speed railroad even more than 3 dB(A).

In this paper, an investigation was conducted to evaluate the acoustic performance of low height noise barriers installed adjacent to rails; an easy-to-use approximation formula was suggested for the evaluation of insertion loss (IL), instead of using the boundary element method. At first, the acoustic performance of the low height noise barriers was measured in an anechoic chamber using a scaled down model; the overall IL according to the source location was analyzed with the equivalent IL contour line. Using the measurement results obtained from the scaled down model, an approximation formula was suggested for the IL of low height noise barriers having various shapes. Also, the prediction program was validated through a comparison between the actual measurement results in the anechoic chamber and the prediction results. Finally, using the prediction program, an approximation formula for IL was suggested for the low height noise absorption barriers. Considering the frequency characteristics of the noise sources of the train, the absorptive low height noise barriers have a 'ㄱ' type shape, a height of 1.0m, and a length of 0.5m when they are installed on the structure gauge for the train.

Research on low height noise barriers installed adjacent to railways to reduce the height of the noise barrier has actively progressed in many countries except Korea. The performance of low height noise barriers is evaluated to identify barrier acoustic characteristics using a scale model of the barrier in the present research. As shown in the experimental results, if it is considered the installation of 'ㄱ' type noise barrier, sound absorption material should be installed on both the top and the vertical surfaces of the barrier to improve insertion loss. Also, an analytical method such as the boundary element method, rather than a simple empirical equation, is required to evaluate the insertion loss of the barrier. In addition, noise level increase in passenger position is very small if a barrier with sound absorption material is installed. Finally, the two dimensional boundary element method is implemented to predict the acoustic characteristics of the low height barrier; the possibility of the application is confirmed from a comparison of the results of measurements and predictions.