• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.747-752
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• 2007

The Proton Engineering Frontier Project (PEFP) has designed and developed a proton linear accelerator facility operating at 100 MeV - 20 mA. The radiological effects of such a nuclear facility on the environment are important in terms of radiation safety. This study estimated the production rates of radionuclides in the soil around the accelerator facility using MCNPX. The groundwater migration of the radioisotopes was also calculated using the Concentration Model. Several spallation reactions have occurred due to leaked neutrons, leading to the release of various radionuclides into the soil. The total activity of the induced radionuclides is approximately $2.98{\times}10^{-4}Bq/cm^3$ at the point of saturation. $^{45}Ca$ had the highest production rate with a specific activity of $1.78{\times}10^{-4}Bq/cm^3$ over the course of one year. $^3H$ and $^{22}Na$ are usually considered the most important radioisotopes at nuclear facilities. However, only a small amount of tritium was produced around this facility, as the energy of most neutrons is below the threshold of the predominant reactions for producing tritium: $^{16}O(n,\;X)^3H$ and $^{28}Si(n,X)^3H$ (approximately 20 MeV). The dose level of drinking water from $^{22}Na$ was $1.48{\times}10^{-5}$ pCi/ml/yr, which was less than the annual intake limit in the regulations.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2004

In this work, the diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and modified polyurethane (PU) blends were initiated by N-benzylpyrazinium hexafluoroantimonate (BPH). The cure and fracture toughness of neat DGEBA with the addition of PU were investigated. The cure properties of DGEBA/PU blend system were examined by DSC and near-IR measurements. The fracture touhtness were investigated by measuring the critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$) and the critical strain energy release rate ($G_{IC}$). According to the results, the maximum values of owe activation energy ($E_a$) and conversion (${\alpha}$) were found at 10 phr of PU. Also the $K_{IC}$ showed a similar behavior with the results of conversion. These results were probably due to increase of crosslinking density in the blends resulted from increase of the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups of DGEBA and isocyanate groups of PU.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.208-213
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• 2013

In this study, the effect of phosphorus flame retardants on the flame retardancy of the flexible polyurethane foam (PUF) was investigated. Tetramethylene bis(orthophosphorylurea) [TBPU] and phosphinyl alkylphosphate ester [CR-530], resorcinol bis diphenylphosphate [RDP], triethyl phosphate [TEP] were used as flame retardants. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicate that TBPU added PUF produces more charred residues than the other flame retardant added PUF. It was found that TBPU added PUF exhibits low mean heat release rate (HRR), peak HRR, effective heat of combusion (EHC), mass loss rate (MLR), CO yield and $CO_2$ compared to those other flame retardants.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.59-70
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• 2012

In this study, to select the best stabilizer for the heavy metals-contaminated soil from a smelter area during phytoremediation, a plant uptake experiment and a soil stabilization were simultaneously applied using Pteris multifida Poir. and five pre-screened stabilizers(zeolite, Mn dioxide, slag, Ca oxide, and magnetite). The extracted heavy metal was measured and compared using a 3 step sequential extraction for the soil samples. The growth rate of the plant was also evaluated. The stabilizers stabilized heavy metals in soil and reduced the extraction rate. Magnetite and calcium oxide showed better results than other stabilizers. The stabilizers enhanced the growth of the plant. All the heavy metals except for arsenic were concentrated in roots while arsenic was concentrated in leaves of the plant. It is concluded that the stabilizers can minimize the heavy metal release from the contaminated soil during phytoremediation and stimulated the growth of plant. These effects of stabilizers could compensate for some weak points of phytoremediation such as reaching of heavy metals by rainwater.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.79-97
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• 2012

This study examines on the impact of biodiversity in circular greenspace of Cheongju city since 2002 greenbelt release. Research has carried out to investigate the biotope pattern change with landscape fragmentation. Major landscape fragmentation has occurred with development of residential sector and build-up of major highways. Settlement has been expanded to the entire area connected to urban district excluding the eastern forest. North-south district shows high road density, where inter-regional roads meet in the cross-section. It is found that landscape fragmentation impact on species richness as well as population size of the species varies depending on the animal species. The birds show high species richness in N2, N3, N4, S2(north-south zone) even with high fragmentation rate. This can be explained that birds can access to aquatic environment where they can find abundant food resources. The amphibians and the reptiles show almost no zonal variation in species richness than the birds. The more a zone fragmented in small patches, the species richness of the amphibians and the reptiles also tends to be declined. Information accumulation on biodiversity for integrating landscape planning in urban planning, various level of community participation in decision making process, and cross border cooperation with neighbouring Cheongwon-gun will be required for sustainable greenspace management of Cheongju City.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.306-310
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• 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods: TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ${\geq}10mm$ (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea ($42.8{\pm}9.9years$ vs. $35.4{\pm}10.0years$, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR ($17.39{\pm}3.9mm$ vs. $16.57{\pm}4.2mm$, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159-20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191-9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion: LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.619-625
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• 2008

The effects of thermal cycling on residual stresses in both inorganic passivation/insulating layer that is deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and organic thin film that is used as a bonding adhesive are evaluated by 4 point bending method and wafer curvature method. $SiO_2/SiN_x$ and BCB (Benzocyclobutene) are used as inorganic and organic layers, respectively. A model about the effect of thermal cycling on residual stress and bond strength (Strain energy release rate), $G_c$, at the interface between inorganic thin film and organic adhesive is developed. In thermal cycling experiments conducted between $25^{\circ}C$ and either $350^{\circ}C$ or $400^{\circ}C$, $G_c$ at the interface between BCB and PECVD $ SiN_x $ decreases after the first cycle. This trend in $G_c$ agreed well with the prediction based on our model that the increase in residual tensile stress within the $SiN_x$ layer after thermal cycling leads to the decrease in $G_c$. This result is compared with that obtained for the interface between BCB and PECVD $SiO_2$, where the relaxation in residual compressive stress within the $SiO_2$ induces an increase in $G_c$. These opposite trends in $G_cs$ of the structures including either PECVD $ SiN_x $ or PECVD $SiO_2$ are caused by reactions in the hydrogen-bonded chemical structure of the PECVD layers, followed by desorption of water.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.317-330
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• 2009

To diminish the levels of organic matters, a novel S-CROM (continuous removal of organic matters in the stream system using freshwater bivalve), was developed and applied to the polluted stream discharging from the wastewater treatment plant, Pocheon stream, Pocheon city (Korea). Major pollutants of the stream were human population and industrial wastewaters. The study was conducted at a small dam constructed within the stream, often called 'bo', and designed with four tanks; no mussels and no sediment (negative control), no mussels and sediment (positive control), 30 mussels and sediment (D1), and 60 mussels and sediment (D2). Physicochemical and biological parameters were measured at 12 hours interval (day and night) after mussel stocking. Results indicated that Anodonta woodiana Lea (D2) clearly removed approximately 72% of chl-$\alpha$ and 57% of suspended solids on second day, however, there were no differences in removal activities between animal densities (P>0.5). Dislike a laboratory CROM system, which previously developed, there were no huge release of nutrient ($NH_3$-N and SRP), due perhaps to the higher flow rate and the lower animal density. Therefore, we may suggest that if we can determine the relevant current and the animal density considering the stream state, an S-CROM system has a strong potential to water quality improvement of eutrophic streams. Some characteristics on both CROM and S-CROM were compared.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.297-309
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• 2020

Coronaviruses were originally discovered as enzootic infections that limited to their natural animal hosts, but some strains have since crossed the animal-human species barrier and progressed to establish zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, cross-species barrier jumps resulted in the appearance of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 that manifest as virulent human viruses. Coronaviruses contain four main structural proteins: spike, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein. The replication cycle is as follows: cell entry, genome translation, replication, assembly, and release. They were not considered highly pathogenic to humans until the outbreaks of SARS-CoV in 2002 in Guangdong province, China. The consequent outbreak of SARS in 2002 led to an epidemic with 8,422 cases, and a reported worldwide mortality rate of 11%. MERS-CoVs is highly related to camel CoVs. In 2019, a cluster of patients infected with 2019-nCoV was identified in an outbreak in Wuhan, China, and soon spread worldwide. 2019-nCoV is transmitted through the respiratory tract and then induced pneumonia. Molecular diagnosis based on upper respiratory region swabs is used for confirmation of this virus. This review examines the structure and genomic makeup of the viruses as well as the life cycle, diagnosis, and potential therapy.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.2 s.98
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• pp.92-102
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• 2002

This study was conducted to compare filtering abilities of three species of freshwater mussels (Cobicula fluminea, Corbicula leana and Unio douglasiae) and to evaluate their filter feeding effects on water quality change in experimental enclosure systems. Mussel feeding in both laboratory and enclosure resulted in decrease of particulate material, such as chlorophyll, total P, SS. In the treatment with 600 individuals of mussels, chllorophyll concentration and net primary productivity decreased from $87.3{\pm}4.5\;{\mu}g/L$ and $106.3{\pm}8.8\;{\mu}gC\;L^{-1}\;hr^{-1}$ to nearly the same level as the mussel-free enclosure ($25.0{\pm}0.5\;{\mu}g/L$ and $15.6{\pm}13.3\;{\mu}gC\;L^{-1}\;hr^{-1}$, respectively)(P< 0.05, n = 6, ANOVA). In concert with the decrease of chlorophyll concentration, not only was the transparency enhanced from 0.48 m to 1.2m but also the suspended solids and total phosphorus decreased from $22.0{\pm}1.0\;mg/L$ to $7.5{\pm}0.5\;mg/L$ and $133{\pm}0.8\;{\mu}g/L$ to $70{\pm}0.0\;{\mu}g/L$, respectively (P<0.001, $r^2$>0.71, n = 11). Although slight decrease of SRP concentration and the increase of inorganic nitrogen ($NH_3-N$ and $NO_2-N$) were observed in the mussel addition enclosure, there was no statistical difference between two enclosures. Based on the filtering rate on phytoplankton and nutrient release rate in forms of feces and pseudofeces, Corbicula leana appeared to be the most efficient filter-feeder among three mussel species. These results inidicate that Cobicula play an important role in controlling particulate sestons and thus it could be applied as a biocontroler for the water quality management in lakes and reservoirs with algal blooms.