• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.265-276
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• 2013

Pressure tubes made of Zr-2.5 wt% Nb alloy are important components consisting reactor coolant pressure boundary of a pressurized heavy water reactor, in which unanticipated through-wall cracks and rupture may occur due to a delayed hydride cracking (DHC). The Canadian Standards Association has provided deterministic and probabilistic structural integrity evaluation procedures to protect pressure tubes against DHC. However, intuitive understanding and subsequent assessment of flaw behaviors are still insufficient due to complex degradation mechanisms and diverse influential parameters of DHC compared with those of stress corrosion cracking and fatigue crack growth phenomena. In the present study, a deterministic flaw assessment program was developed and applied for systematic integrity assessment of the pressure tubes. Based on the examination results dealing with effects of flaw shapes, pressure tube dimensional changes, hydrogen concentrations of pressure tubes and plant operation scenarios, a simple and rough method for effective cooldown operation was proposed to minimize DHC risks. The developed deterministic assessment program for pressure tubes can be used to derive further technical bases for probabilistic damage frequency assessment.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2006

In this study, a wavelet-based covariance-driven system identification technique is proposed for damage assessment of structures under ambient excitation. Assuming the ambient excitation to be a white-noise process, the covariance computation is shown to be able to separate the effect of random excitation from the response measurement. Wavelet transform (WT) is then used to convert the covariance response in the time domain to the WT magnitude plot in the time-scale plane. The wavelet coefficients along the curves where energy concentrated are extracted and used to estimate the modal properties of the structure. These modal property estimations lead to the calculation of the stiffness matrix when either the spectral density of the random loading or the mass matrix is given. The predicted stiffness matrix hence provides a direct assessment on the possible location and severity of damage which results in stiffness alteration. To demonstrate the proposed wavelet-based damage assessment technique, a numerical example on a 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) system and an experimental study on a three-story building model, which are all under a broad-band excitation, are presented. Both numerical and experimental results illustrate that the proposed technique can provide an accurate assessment on the damage location. It is however noted that the assessment of damage severity is not as accurate, which might be due to the errors associated with the mode shape estimations as well as the assumption of proportional damping adopted in the formulation.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.80-85
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• 2011

For the assessment of statistical characteristics of wave loads in the real sea state, the probability distribution of wave loads are computed based on the sufficient duration of computations in irregular waves. First of all, the estimation of wave impact loads is well modified applying the displacement potential formulation, which was proposed by one of authors, for solving Wagner's flow model. Consequently, the present computation method is also modified. Prior to the computation in irregular waves, preliminary computation to determine the adequate number of realization of irregular waves is examined. The effect of hull girder vibration on the statistical characteristics is examined by means of the computation with/without hull girder vibration. It is found that hull girder vibration has a certain effect on the probability of occurrence of wave loads. Furthermore, computations taking account of the effect of operation, that is the effects of ship speed and course change, is conducted for the rational evaluation of the effects of hull girder vibration. It is clarified that the effect of operation on the statistical characteristics of wave loads is significant. It is verified that the evaluation without the effect of operation may overestimate the effect of hull girder vibration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2004

Objective : While the demand for herbal medicine has increased continuously, scientific data attesting to pharmacological activity are still insufficient. One important reason, especially in child patients, is the shortage of standardized instruments for clinical research. This study was designed to develop a scale to assess the effect of herbal medicine in children. Methods : The authors chose Gami-jiwhangtang (GJT) as a standard formulation and developed a scale, Bahn's Drug Evaluation Scale (BaDES), for this experiment. Forty-two healthy children, 7 and 8 years old, living in Seoul, Korea, volunteered to use GJT. The experimental group received GJT for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received no medicine. The children's mothers in both groups completed the BaDES on the sixth and twelfth week after GJT was commenced. Results : The experimental group showed a significant improvement in overall physical condition and gastrointestinal function as compared with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that BaDES may be a useful assessment tool for measuring the effect of herbal medicine.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of changing the kilovoltage peak (kVp) on the radiographic assessment of dental caries. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five extracted posterior teeth with proximal caries or apparently sound proximal surfaces were radiographed with conventional E-speed films and a photostimulable phosphor system using 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries assessment. The images were evaluated by three oral radiologists and compared with the results of the stereomicroscope analysis. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries detection, determination of caries extension into dentin, and caries severity in either the conventional or the digital images. Good to very good inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were found for both kilovoltage values on the conventional and digital images. Conclusion: Changing the kilovoltage between 60 kVp and 70 kVp had no obvious effect on the detection of proximal caries or determination of its extension or severity.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1999.07c
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• pp.1085-1087
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• 1999

In this paper, we propose the method for assessing the effect of voltage sag in power distribution system using fuzzy risk assessment model. The proposed method is based on SCBEMA curve that expresses the representative susceptibility curve by voltage sag for each customer type. These corves are made using the CBEMA curves obtained from the experiment for the customers'sensitive equipment. In order to transform SCBEMA curves to the probability damage by voltage sag, the fuzzy risk assessment model is used in this paper. Case studies were performed to analyze the effect of voltage sag by varying parameters. The Monte Carlo simulation method and the historical reliability data in KEPCO are used for case studies.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) acute toxicity test was carried out and ecological risk assessment in soil was performed with national monitoring data. 14 day - $LC_{50}$ of nonylphenol and bisphenol A were 288.1 mg/kg and 90.1 mg/kg, respectively. And NOECs of nonylphenol and bisphenol A were 250 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Significant weight decrement was appeared at 70 mg/kg of bisphenol A, however, nonylphenol at concentrations tested did not severe adverse effect on the weight decrement. The environmental monitoring has been carrying out by NIER since 1999. Exposure levels of nonylphenol in soil were ND$\sim$10.55 $\mu$g/kg and those of bisphenol A were ND$\sim$15.50$\mu$g/kg in National Monitoring data which had been performed from 2000 to 2004. The measured soil exposure level was applied to evaluate the environmental risk assessment. The values of PNEC for bisphenol A and nonylphenol were determined as 0.5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively using the safety factors which were suggested in EU and OECD. The values of HQ (PEC/PNEC) were determined to be below I for bisphenol A and nonylphenol when the maximum exposure levels for bispheol A (15.50$\mu$g/kg) and nonylphenol (10.55$\mu$g/kg) were applied. Conclusively, the environmental risk assessment of bisphenol A and nonylphenol was not critical in soil.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.439-452
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• 2019

This study aims to compare self- and peer-assessments of science-gifted elementary students' scientific creativity. A science-gifted program on the Pascal's principle was implemented to 40 fifth-graders in the Science-Gifted Education Center for two weeks. After that, students presented their results from a scientific creativity task using the principle in class. The task was to devise a new and useful tool using the principle, and it included the students' self-assessment about their idea. During presentation, students were asked to assess the works of peers and write down the reasons that they gave the scores they gave. Shortly, student self- and peer-assessments about students' scientific creativity outcomes were compared. Based on two essential components of creativity, ideas that satisfy both originality and usefulness can be counted as scientifically creative. The main results of this study are as follows: First, the average scores of student self- and peer-assessments were 71.5 and 61.9. Second, the standard deviations of student self- and peer-assessments were 14.47 and 5.79. Third, among scientific creativity, originality, usefulness scores, only originality had a significant correlation between student self- and peer-assessment (r=.42). Fourth, the students were categorized into four groups according to the levels of their scores by student self- and peer-assessment. And the frequencies of peer-assessment group had a significant difference at p<0.05 level, according to self-assessment group (Chi Square=4.0000, df=1, p=0.0455). Fifth, through a case study by group, the results suggesting that self-assessment could be affected by the students' self-efficacy and perfectionism and such effect could also influence peer-assessment have been found. The result showed that how the student self- and peer-assessment of scientific creativity are different and what the students' thoughts on the evaluation of scientific creativity are. The findings suggested that there are several things to consider for the educators to make efforts to construct consistent assessment methods for scientific creativity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.1943-1947
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• 2007

The objective of this research was to find a direct and indirect method to estimate land surface temperature (LST) efficiently, using Landsat images and in-situ measurement. Agricultural fields including paddy fields have long been known to have multi-functions beneficial to the environment and ecology of the urban surrounding areas. Among these functions, the ambient temperature cooling (ATC) effect are widely acknowledged. However, quantitative and regional assessment of such effect has not had many investigations. Thermal remote sensing has been used over urban areas to assess ATC effect, to perform land cover classifications and as input for models of urban surface atmosphere exchange. Here, we review the use of thermal remote sensing in the study of paddy fields and urban climates, focusing primarily on the ATC effect. Landsat satellite images were used to determine the surface temperatures of different land cover types of a $441km^2$ study area in Cheongju, Korea. The results show that the ATC are a function of paddy area percentage in Landsat pixels. Pixels with higher paddy area percentage have more significant cooling effect.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.667-675
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• 2020

Objectives: Exposure to fine dust (PM10) could contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or respiratory abnormalities. Since garlic is known to possess an anti-oxidative stress effect, the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of garlic intake on fine dust-mediated pulmonary toxicity. Methods: Rats were intratracheally instilled with fine dust at 15 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for five days following five-day intragastric intubation of garlic at 0.7 or 1.4 g/kgBW/day, or 13.1 mg/kgBW/day S-allyl-cysteine (SAC) as a reference component in garlic. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Results: Deposit of fine dust was visually and histopathologically observed in the lungs. Body weight gain during the instillation period was significantly lowered in all the groups instilled with fine dust. Neutrophil numbers in blood were significantly elevated in the fine dust alone group, but this alteration was diminished in the groups administered with garlic. Levels of serum glutathione were lower in the rats instilled with fine dust alone, and this decrease in the glutathione level seems dose-dependently compensated among the groups administered with garlic. Similar findings were observed in the BALF with statistical significance. Typical pulmonary histopathological observation related with inflammation was demonstrated in the lungs of the rats exposed to fine dust alone, whereas such histopathologic findings were not improved in the groups administered with garlic. Conclusion: The present study suggests that garlic intake could alleviate fine dust-mediated pulmonary or systemic toxicities. Further investigation is necessary to delineate the mechanism of garlic-mediated effects on pulmonary function.