• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3631-3640
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• 2022

Uranium mill tailing ponds (UMTPs) are risk source of debris flow and a critical source of environmental U and Rn pollution. The technology of microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been extensively studied on reinforcement of UMTs, while little attention has been paid to the effects of MICP on U & Rn release, especially when incorporation of metakaolin and bacillus subtilis (MBS). In this study, the reinforcement and U & Rn immobilization role of MBS -MICP solidification in different grouting cycle for uranium mill tailings (UMTs) was comprehensively investigated. The results showed that under the action of about 166.7 g/L metakaolin and ~50% bacillus subtilis, the solidification cycle of MICP was shortened by 50%, the solidified bodies became brittle, and the axial stress increased by up to 7.9%, and U immobilization rates and Rn exhalation rates decrease by 12.6% and 0.8%, respectively. Therefore, the incorporation of MBS can enhance the triaxial compressive strength and improve the immobilization capacity of U and Rn of the UMTs bodies solidified during MICP, due to the reduction of pore volume and surface area, the formation of more crystals general gypsum and gismondine, as well as the enhancing of coprecipitation and encapsulation capacity.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2158-2165
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• 2023

Marine radioactivity monitoring is critical for taking immediate action in case of unexpected nuclear accidents at nuclear facilities located near coastal areas. Especially when the level of contamination is not predictable, mobile monitoring systems will be useful for wide-area ocean radiation survey and for determination of the level of radioactivity. Here, we used a silicon photomultiplier and a high-efficiency GAGG crystal to fabricate a compact, battery-powered gamma spectroscopy that can be used in an ocean environment. The developed spectroscopy has compact dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5× 8 cm³ and weighs 560 g. We used LoRa, a low-power wireless protocol for communication. Successful data transmission was achieved within 1.4 m water depth. The developed gamma spectroscopy was able to detect radioactivity from a ¹³⁷Cs point source (3.7 kBq) at a distance of 20 cm in water. Moreover, we demonstrated an unmanned radioactivity monitoring system in a real sea by combining unmanned surface vehicle with the developed gamma spectroscopy. A hidden ¹³⁷Cs source (3.07 MBq) was detected by the unmanned system at a distance of 3 m. After successfully testing the developed mobile spectroscopy in an ocean environment, we believe that our proposed system will be an effective solution for mobile real-time marine radioactivity monitoring.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2006

This article presents a brief overview of an important area of neutron scattering: the general principles and techniques of elastic, quasielastic and inelastic scattering from a system composed predominately of incoherent scatterers. The methodology is then applied to the study of water, specifically when it is confined in nanometer-scale environments. The confined water exhibits uniquely anomalous properties in the supercooled state. It also nourishes biological functions, and supports essential chemical reactions in living systems. We focus on recent investigations of water encapsulated in nanoporous silica and carbon nanotubes, hydrated water in proteins and water or hydroxyl species incorporated in nanostructured minerals. Through these scientific examples, we demonstrate the advantages derived from the high sensitivity of incoherent neutron spectroscopy to hydrogen atom motions and hydrogen-bond dynamics, aided by rigorous data interpretation method using molecular dynamics simulations or theoretical modelling. This enables us to probe the inter-/intramolecular vibrations and relaxation/diffusion processes of water molecules in a complex environment.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2009

A habitat model was developed to delineate potential habitat of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a mountainous region of Kangwon Province, Korea. Between 1997 and 2005, 224 leopard cat presence sites were recorded in the province in the Nationwide Survey on Natural Environments. Fifty percent of the sites were used to develop a habitat model, and the remaining sites were used to test the model. Fourteen environmental variables related to topographic features, water resources, vegetation and human disturbance were quantified for 112 of the leopard cat presence sites and an equal number of randomly selected sites. Statistical analyses (e.g., t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis) showed that elevation, ridges, plains, % water cover, distance to water source, vegetated area, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, and distance to paved road differed significantly (P < 0.01) between presence and random sites. Stepwise logistic regression was used to develop a habitat model. Landform type (e.g., ridges vs. plains) is the major topographic factor affecting leopard cat presence. The species also appears to prefer deciduous forests and areas far from paved roads. The habitat map derived from the model correctly classified 93.75% of data from an independent sample of leopard cat presence sites, and the map at a regional scale showed that the cat's habitats are highly fragmented. Protection and restoration of connectivity of critical habitats should be implemented to preserve the leopard cat in mountainous regions of Korea.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2006

This paper presents an ASER (Accelerated Soft Error Rate) integral model. The model is based on the facts that the generated EHP/s(electron hole pairs) are diminished after some residual range of the incident alpha particle, where residual range is a function of the incident angle and the capping layer thickness over the semiconductor junction. The ASER is influenced by the flux of the alpha particles, the junction area ratio, the alpha particle incident angle when the critical charge is same as the collected charge, and the sizes of the alpha source and the chip. The model was examined with 8M static RAM samples. The measured ASER data showed good agreement with the calculated values using the model. The ASER decreased exponentially with respect to the operational voltage. As the capping layer thickness increases up to $16{\mu}m$, the ASER increases, and after that thickness, the ASER decreases. The ASER increased as the depth of BNW increased from $0{\mu}m\;to\;4{\mu}m$. and then saturated. The ASER decreased as the node capacitance increased from 2fF to 5fF.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.103-111
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• 2017

The real time scheduling is a key research area in high performance computing and has been a source of challenging problems. A periodic task is an infinite sequence of task instance where each job of a task comes in a regular period. The RMS (Rate Monotonic Scheduling) algorithm has the advantage of a strong theoretical foundation and holds out the promise of reducing the need for exhaustive testing of the scheduling. Many real-time systems built in the past based their scheduling on the Cyclic Executive Model because it produces predictable schedules which facilitate exhaustive testing. In this work we propose hybrid scheduling method which combines features of both of these scheduling algorithms. The original rate monotonic scheduling algorithm didn't consider the uniform sampling tasks in the real time systems. We have enumerated some issues when the RMS is applied to our hybrid scheduling method. We found the scheduling bound for the hard real-time systems which include the uniform sampling tasks. The suggested hybrid scheduling algorithm turns out to have some advantages from the point of view of the real time system designer, and is particularly useful in the context of large critical systems. Our algorithm can be useful for real time system designer who must guarantee the hard real time tasks.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is one of the most studied areas of modern biology. Apoptosis is a genetically regulated process, which plays an essential role in the development and homeostasis of higher organisms. Mitochondria, known to play a central role in regulating cellular metabolism, was found to be critical for regulating apoptosis induced under both physiological and pathological conditions. Mitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) but they can also serve as its target during the apoptosis process. Release of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria, the best known of which is cytochrome c, leads to assembly of a large apoptosis-inducing complex called the apoptosome. Cysteine pretenses (called caspases) are recruited to this complex and, following their activation by proteolytic cleavage, activate other caspases, which in turn target for specific cleavage a large number of cellular proteins. The redox regulation of apoptosis during and after cytochrome c release is an area of intense investigation. This review summarizes what is known about the biological role of ROS and its targets in apoptosis with an emphasis on its intricate connections to mitochondria and the basic components of cell death.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.7-23
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• 2021

Underground utility tunnels, which contribute to supply of electricity, communication, water and heat, are critical lifelines of an urban area. In case service is discontinued or functional disruption happens, there will be a huge socio-economic impact. For the improved seismic design and evaluation of underground structures, this study proposes a ground displacement measure when the site is subjected to a scenario earthquake based on hazard-consistent source spectra and site amplification/attenuation. This measure provides a rational estimation of ground displacement and can be an alternative to existing response displacement methods.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.481-490
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• 2005

Nitrate contamination in water system is a critical environmental problem caused by excessive application of chemical fertilizer and concentration of livestock. In order to prevent further contamination, therefore, it is necessary to understand the origin of nitrate in nitrogen loading sources and manage the very source of contamination. The objective of this study was to examine the nitrate contamination sources in different agricultural system by using nitrogen isotope ratios. Groundwater and runoff water samples were collected on a monthly basis from February 2003 to November 2003 and analyzed for nitrogen isotopes. The nitrate concentrations of groundwater in livestock fanning area were higher than those in conventional and organic fanning area and exceeded the national drinking water standard of 10mg N/ l. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ranges of chemical fertilizer and animal manure were - 3.7${\sim}$+2.3$\textperthousand$ and +12.5${\sim}$26.7$\textperthousand$, respectively. The higher ${\delta}^{15}N$ of animal manure than those of chemical fertilizer reflected isotope fractionation and volatilization of '''N. The different agricultural systems and corresponding average nitrate concentrations and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were: conventional farming, 5.47mg/e, 8.3$\textperthousand$; organic fanning, 5.88mg/e, 10.1$\textperthousand$; crop-livestock farming, 12.5mg/e, 17.7%0. These data indicated that whether conventional or organic agriculture effected groundwater and runoff water quality. In conclusions, relationship between nitrate concentrations and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value could be used to make a distinction between nitrate derived from chemical fertilizer and from animal manure. Additional investigation is required to monitor long-term impact on water quality in accordance with agricultural systems.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

Water in Soyang River is an essential source for citizens of Chuncheon and Seoul areas. In 2006, turbid water in Soyang River aggravated by the typhoon Ewiniar, sustained for over 280 days unlike conventional years, then which interrupted water supply of Chuncheon and Seoul areas. Soil erosion derived from high cool lands constituting about 55% of Soyang River area is considered one of main causes for the turbid water, including imprudent development of mountainous area, road expansion, and road construction for forestry. According to analysis of turbidity, precipitation and reservoir level in Soyang River region for June 2006${\sim}$August 2008, the turbidity showed a peak correlation (r = 0.28) at a lag time of 49 days and especially did an excellent correlation (r = 0.60) with the reservoir level at a lag of 4 days. In the meantime, a critical turbidity of 31 NTU at Soyanggang Dam was estimated, over which would cause turbid water at Paldang Dam. In addition, a master recession curve was suggested, from which sustaining time of turbid water can be predicted.