본 연구는 소리곤충을 활용한 동물매개치료 프로그램이 노인의 우울에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구대상은 I시에 위치한 I치매안심센터에서 추천을 받은 우울 척도 검사에서 5점 이상을 받은 노인 20명이며, 실험집단과 통제집단 각 10명을 선정하였다. 프로그램은 2023년 6월부터 8월까지 주 1회, 회기당 50분 씩 총 12회기를 실시하였다. 효과 검증을 위해 SPSS v.26을 활용하여 집단 간 동질성 검증(Mann-Whitney U test)을 하여 동질성이 입증이 된 후 각 집단의 사전과 사후에 노인 우울 척도 측정을 실시하고 비모수 윌콕슨 부호 순위 검정(Wilcoxon signed-rank test)으로 분석하였다. 그 결과, 실험집단의 우울 전체의 사전・사후에 유의미한 차이 가 나타났다(Z=-3.53, p＜.05). 그러나 통제집단의 우울 전체의 사전・사후에는 유의미한 차이가 나타나지 않았 다(Z=-1.06, p>.05). 따라서 본 연구는 소리곤충을 활용한 동물매개치료 프로그램이 노인의 우울에 긍정적인 영향 을 준 것으로 확인이 되었다. 이번 연구결과는 소리곤충을 활용한 정서 및 심리 치료에 대한 과학적 근거를 제시하 여 관련 분야 활성화에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Hindwings of many lycaenid butterflies have a unique tail-like wing structure referred to as a false head, which actually mimics the antennae. False heads increase butterfly survival by directing predatory attacks towards the false heads thereby enhancing the chance of escape. In this study, using discrete character evolution models of European and American butterflies, we examined the co-evolutionary patterns between false head structures and two associated traits: a highly contrasting color patch neighboring the false head, and hindwing rubbing behaviors. The former is considered a eye-mimicking structure that enhances the effectiveness of false head, and latter generates the movement of false heads which likely increases the success of false head deception. Our findings demonstrate that false heads are ancestral states for both European and American lycaenids. Both contrasting colors and hindwing rubbing behaviors follow correlated evolution models, suggesting that these traits co-evolved in lycanid butterflies. However, specific evolutionray patterns differed between the two continents.

깡충거미과의 모습을 의태하여 시각적 포식자인 깡충거미로부터 자신을 보호하는 전략은 여러 나비목 곤충 에서 진화하였다. 하지만 나비목 곤충이 깡충거미 간의 의사소통 신호를 의태한다는 가설은 제안된 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 깡충거미과의 구애/영역성 행동을 의태하는 것으로 추정되는 붉은꼬마꼭지나방(Atkinsonia ignipicta)의 빗살 모양 더듬이와 추켜 올린 다리가 포식을 단념시키는 의태 신호로 작동하는지 실험적으로 검증 하였다. 깡충거미 의태라 추측되는 붉은꼬마꼭지나방의 형태적 및 행동적 특성들을 단계적으로 제외한 뒤 포식 자(흰눈썹깡충거미, Evarcha albaria)와의 조우 시 생존을 비교하였다. 연구 결과, 붉은꼬마꼭지나방은 비슷한 크기의 비-의태 나방에 비해 포식자의 공격을 덜 받았으며, 더듬이나 다리 중 하나라도 결여되었을 때 흰눈썹깡충 거미의 공격이 증가하였다. 이는 붉은꼬마꼭지나방의 더듬이와 다리 모두가 시각적 방어의 중요한 신호로 작동 한다는 것을 시사한다. 하지만 흰눈썹깡충거미가 붉은꼬마꼭지나방을 향해 구애/영역성 행동을 보이지 않았다 는 점에서 깡충거미의 낮은 공격 빈도가 같은 깡충거미 종류로 오인해서인지 다른 이유에서인지는 불투명하다. 그러나 사층깡충거미(Marpissa pulla)는 붉은꼬마꼭지나방을 상대로 영역성 행동을 잦은 빈도로 보였으며, 이는 붉은꼬마꼭지나방의 형태가 깡충거미 의태 효과를 가진다는 것을 보여준다.

Distractive marking, as conceptualized by Abbott H. Thayer, refers to diminutive patterns of contrasting colors on an animal’s body. Thayer hypothesized that these patterns augment camouflage by diverting predatory focus from the outline of the prey, however, the evidence was insufficient. In this study, we verified the hypothesis that the presence of distractive markings confers a survival advantage under specific conditions. Specifically, the experiment aimed to ascertain whether the existence of lichens on trees hinders the visual detection of prey, given that lichens resemble distractive markings. The experimental design involved human subjects as predators and artificial moth images on a monitor as prey. The survival of moths with and without distractive markings was compared, also considering the influence of the presence of lichens in the background. As an analysis result, the survival likelihood of moths was statistically significantly hindered when the distractive marking was present. This result contradicts Thayer‘s hypothesis and implies the presence of a function distinct other than the enhancement of camouflage.

This study develops and validates an English communicative competence model for Korean high school students, in response to the need to redefine the relevant concepts and components of competence that are demanded by the rapidly evolving future society. Drawing on Celce-Murcia’s (2008) theoretical model on communicative competence, this research conceptualized a model that could assess high school students’ English communicative competence by examining relevant domestic and international studies as well as theoretical reflections. Expert opinions from a two-stage Delphi survey were compiled and incorporated to revise, supplement, and validate the English communicative competence among high school students reflecting Korea’s English education environment. Following this process, the conceptual model for English communicative competence was reorganized into five sub-competences (sociolinguistic, discourse, linguistic, interactional, and strategic competence) and 15 corresponding subfactors. The content validity ratio values for the conceptual definition and factor structure of this model were all above 0.64, thus affirming the validity of the conceptual definition and factor structure.

Background: Leydig cells, crucial for testosterone production, express ion channels like ANO1 that influence hormone secretion. This study investigates the expression and role of the Tandem of P domains in a weak inward rectifying K+ channel-related Acid-Sensitive K+-1 (TASK-1) channel in these cells, exploring its impact on testicular function and steroidogenesis. Methods: TASK-1 expression in Leydig cells was confirmed using immunostaining, while RT-PCR and Western Blot (WB) validated its expression in the TM3 Leydig cell line. The effect of a TASK-1 channel blocker on cell viability was assessed through live/dead staining and MTT assays. Additionally, the blocker’s effect on testosterone secretion was evaluated by measuring testosterone levels. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a predominant presence of TASK- 1, along with c-Kit and ANO-1, in Leydig cells adjacent to seminiferous tubules and also in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Expression levels of TASK-1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in TM3 Leydig cells compared to TM4 Sertoli cells. In addition, blocking TASK-1 in TM3 cells with ML365 induced cell death but did not affect LHinduced testosterone secretion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TASK-1 in Leydig cells is crucial for their viability and proliferation, highlighting its potential importance in testicular physiology.

This study investigated whether the framework of writing for English learners should be guided by the well-established reading-writing relation or by the receptive and productive nature of literacy skills. The writings of 209 advanced English learners in Korea were analyzed in relation to receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension while controlling for writing fluency. Two sets of structural equation models were fitted: (1) productive skills (productive vocabulary and writing fluency) mediating receptive skills (receptive vocabulary and reading) and (2) reading mediating receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. The results supported the second model in which reading completely mediated the contribution of receptive and productive vocabulary to writing. Although there were no direct effects of receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge, both had significant indirect effects on writing through reading and writing fluency. These results show that reading has a strong direct effect on writing above and beyond vocabulary, and that vocabulary knowledge contributes to writing development through reading.

Kang, Yoojin. (2023). “Exploring Intertextuality in Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Discourse”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea, 31(4), 99-120. This study explores the intricacies of intertextuality within the conflict dynamics between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. By adopting an intertextual perspective that draws upon the analytical frameworks presented by van Langenhove and Harre (1999) on positioning and Tannen’s (2006) insights regarding recycling, reframing, and rekeying, this study sheds light on a significant social and cultural phenomenon. Through the application of these theoretical concepts, this study aims to unravel the ways in which a Korean mother-in-law engages in the recycling, reframing, and rekeying of arguments related to the expectations of being a good daughter-in-law. Additionally, it examines the distinct positioning of both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law in two conflict themes. The primary focus is on understanding the interconnection between these conflict themes and analyzing whether the positions of the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law in one conflict undergo changes when navigating the other conflict.

순간증모제는 산화철, 이산화 타이타늄 등의 다양한 금속을 함유하고 있으며 이들은 대체로 금속 인공물을 발생시키 는 원인이 된다. 본원에서 발생한 순간증모제에 의한 자화율 인공물 사례를 공유함으로써 뇌 자기공명영상 검사 전 순간증모제의 사용 여부 확인 및 제거의 필요성을 강조하고자 하였다. 본원의 사례에서 주 자장 세기에 따라 3.0T에 서 검사한 영상에 비해 1.5T에서 검사한 영상에서 자화율 인공물의 강도가 적음을 확인하였다. 시퀀스에 따라서 스핀 에코 기법 영상보다 경사 에코 시퀀스와 EPI에서 큰 자화율 인공물을 발견할 수 있었다. 또한, 순간증모제는 인공물의 원인이 될 뿐만 아니라 영상의 진단적 가치에 영향을 미쳐 뇌 질환을 진단하는데 오진을 초래할 가능성이 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 자화율 인공물의 발생을 감소시키기 위해서 뇌 자기공명영상 검사 전 순간증모제 사용 여부를 확인하고 되도록 제거한 후 검사를 시행할 것을 권고한다.

본 연구는 코마개의 사용 여부에 따라 MRI 영상을 분석함으로써 숨 참기의 정확도를 향상할 도구로써 코마개가 실 효성이 있는지 검증하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 수검자에게 코마개가 없는 자연 호흡과 코마개를 사용한 구강 호흡 상태에서 호기 후 숨 참기를 지시하고 MRI 영상을 획득하였다. 영상은 2D 경사 자기장 에코 시퀀스로 획득하였고 초당 1장씩, 총 15장을 얻어 숨 참기 상태를 분석하였다. 숨 참기의 상태를 정량적으로 평가하기 위해 우측 폐 면적 을 측정하였다. 그리고 첫 번째 영상의 폐 면적을 기준으로 나머지 영상들에서 폐 면적의 절대 오차값을 구해 비교하 였다. 더불어 첫 번째 영상을 기준으로 나머지 영상들의 기하학적 유사도를 평가하기 위해 SSIM 값을 계산하였다. 실험 결과, 자연 호흡 상태에서 절대 오차는 평균 216.79 ㎟로 나타났다. 반면, 코마개를 사용한 구강 호흡의 경우 평균 55.94 ㎟로 나타나 자연 호흡과 비교하여 약 74.19% 감소하였다. SSIM 값은 자연 호흡 시 평균 0.7, 구강 호흡 시 0.76으로 나타나 기하학적 유사도가 약 6% 향상되었다. 이는 코마개 사용 시 호흡의 초기 상태를 잘 유지함 으로써 숨 참기의 정확도가 향상되어 능동적으로 호흡 상태를 조절할 수 있는 도구로써 충분한 가치가 있음을 증명한 다. 따라서 복부 MRI 검사에서 호흡에 따른 인공물을 개선하는 데 코마개가 도움을 줄 수 있으며 영상 개선 및 업무 효율을 높이는 도구로써 충분히 활용할 수 있다.

When aluminum is in an alkaline state, the aluminum oxide film surrounding aluminum is dissolved and moisture penetrates the exposed aluminum surface, causing corrosion of aluminum. At this time, hydrogen gas is generated and there is a risk of explosion due to the generated hydrogen gas. Aluminum radioactive waste is difficult to permanently dispose of because it does not meet the standards for the acquisition of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste cave disposal facilities currently managed and operated by the Korea Nuclear Environment Corporation. However, because of this risk, it is necessary to study how to safely treat and dispose aluminum waste. In this study, overseas cases were investigated and analyzed to ensure the safety of aluminum waste disposal, and the current status of aluminum radioactive waste generated during decommissioning of the Korea Research Reactor 1&2 and a treatment plan to secure disposal suitability were presented. The process of removing a little remaining oxygen in molten steel during the reduction of iron oxide in the iron refining process is called deoxidation, and a representative material used for deoxidation is aluminum. In the case of metal melting decontamination, which is one of the decontamination processes of radioactive metal waste, a method of treating aluminum waste by using aluminum as a deoxidizer is proposed.

The radioactive waste generated within radiation-controlled areas is classified and processed according to relevant laws and regulations based on contamination levels. In cases where such radioactive waste complies with the legally defined clearance concentration or dose criteria, it is disposed of as non-radioactive waste by means of incineration, reclamation, recycling, etc. Within radiation controlled areas, various consumables are periodically replaced to ensure the proper operation of the area. It is necessary to have appropriate disposal methods for these consumables. In particular, waste items such as fire extinguishers, fluorescent lamps, batteries, and pressure vessels (hereinafter referred to as “Special Waste Type”), which may contain hazardous substances within their internal components and contents, should be considered for appropriate disposal methods that comply with nuclear safety and environmental laws. In the present case, the specified special waste type do not come into direct contact with radiation sources, and they have impermeable surfaces, which significantly reduces the risk of external contamination infiltrating the interior. However, the current method of clearance is not suitable for these items (Typically, nuclear energy-related business operators are required to classify clearance target waste based on internal and external components and demonstrate compliance with the criteria. Nevertheless, for special waste type, it is difficult to separate and measure internal and external components within the radiation-controlled area). In this case, the Clearance Procedure for special waste type applied to Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute was introduced. Additionally, we have extracted considerations for future domestic clearance of the type.

The development of existing radioactive waste (RI waste) management technologies has been limited to processing techniques for volume reduction. However, this approach has limitations as it does not address issues that compromise the safety of RI waste management, such as the leakage of radioactive liquid, radiation exposure, fire hazards, and off-gas generation. RI waste comes in various forms of radioactive contamination levels, and the sources of waste generation are not fixed, making it challenging to apply conventional decommissioning and disposal techniques from nuclear power plants. This necessitates the development of new disposal facilities suitable for domestic use. Various methods have been considered for the solidification of RI waste, including cement solidification, paraffin solidification, and polymer solidification. Among these, the polymer solidification method is currently regarded as the most suitable material for RI waste immobilization, aiming to overcome the limitations of cement and paraffin solidification methods. Therefore, in this study, a conceptual design for a solidification system using polymer solidification was developed. Taking into account industrial applicability and process costs, a solidification system using epoxy resin was designed. The developed solidification system consists of a pre-treatment system (fine crush), solidification system, cladding system, and packing system. Each process is automated to enhance safety by minimizing user exposure to radioactive waste. The cladding system was designed to minimize defects in the solidified material. Based on the proposed conceptual design in this paper, we plan to proceed with the specific design phase and manufacture performance testing equipment based on the basic design.

Radioactive iodine-129, a byproduct of nuclear fission in nuclear power plants, presents significant environmental and health risks due to its high solubility in water and volatility. Iodine-129, with its half-life of 1.57×1017 years, necessitates safe management and disposal. Therefore, safely capturing and managing I-129 during spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is of paramount importance. To address these challenges, various glass waste forms containing silver iodide have been developed, such as borosilicate, silver phosphate, silver vanadate, and silver tellurite glasses. These glasses effectively immobilize iodine, but the high cost of silver raises affordability concerns. This study introduces CuI·Cu2O·TeO2 glass waste forms for iodine immobilization, a novel approach. The cost-effectiveness of copper, in contrast to silver, makes it an attractive alternative. The CuI·Cu2O·TeO2 glass waste forms were synthesized with varying CuI content (x) in (1-x)(0.3Cu2O·0.7TeO2) glass matrices. Xray diffraction (XRD) confirmed amorphous structures, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) quantified composition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy provided insights into structural properties. Durability assessments using a 7-day product consistency test (PCT-A) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed compliance with U.S. glass regulations, making CuI·Cu2O·TeO2 glasses a promising choice for iodine immobilization in radioactive waste.

Spent nuclear fuels (SNFs) are stored in nuclear power plants for a certain period of time and then transported to an interim storage facility. After that, SNFs are finally repackaged in a disposal canister at an encapsulation plant for final disposal. Finland and Sweden have already completed the design of the spent nuclear fuel encapsulation plant. In particular, Finland has begun the construction of the encapsulation plant and is on the verge of completion. Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) is conducting a conceptual design of a deep geological repository for SNFs. Conceptual design of the encapsulation plant is part of the research activity. It is highly required to draft an operation process of the encapsulation plant before an actual design activity. As part of the activity, Finnish design concept of the encapsulation plant and experience were thoroughly reviewed. Finally a preliminary concept of the operation process was proposed considering Korean unique situations such as the volume of SNFs estimated to be disposed of, types of transportation cask and other considerations.

Recently, as carbon-neutral energy sources become increasingly important worldwide, SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), which offer significantly enhanced safety, versatility, and mobility compared to conventional nuclear reactors, are gaining attention as a viable alternative. SMR generally refers to small modular reactors with a power output of 300 MWe or less. Unlike conventional reactors, SMRs are characterized by an all-in-one design where peripheral systems and equipment are all integrated into the reactor itself, leading to enhanced reliability and durability. Additionally, the nuclear fuel reloading cycle is significantly extended compared to traditional reactors, resulting in a substantial reduction in maintenance difficulty and costs. Researchers have taken note of these characteristics of SMRs, particularly the extended fuel reloading cycle. Therefore, we have initiated the initial design of an ultra-small Micro Modular Reactor with an electricity generation capacity of 10 MWe and a fuel cycle of up to 55 years, with the goal of using it as a propulsion power source for various transportation modes, especially ships. Our design of MMR, called ‘ARA,’ is primarily distinguished by its use of U233 and Th232 fuels instead of conventional UO2 fuel. Due to various features of ‘ARA,’ including different fuel compositions, ARA is predicted to exhibit several characteristic features compared to conventional PWRs. In this study, among these characteristics, we focused on predicting changes in material composition within the fuel rod during the extended cycle operation of high-enriched fuel, rather than short-cycle operation using low-enriched fuel, unlike conventional reactors. The primary goal of this research is to observe the behavior of the composition of the materials used in the fuel cycle of the MMR, which utilizes U233 and Th232 fuels instead of UO2. Considering the difficulties in the spent nuclear fuel disposal process, many different trials were made to minimize the fission products of ARA, which differs from conventional reactors in terms of fuel type, size, and fuel cycle, in relation to waste generation.

In KNF, fuel performance analysis modules were developed to predict the overall behavior of a fuel rod under normal operating conditions. Their main focus is to provide information on initial conditions prior to dry storage. Potential degradation mechanisms that may affect sheath integrity of spent CANDU fuel during dry storage are: creep rupture under internal gas pressure, sheath oxidation in air environment, stress corrosion cracking, delayed hydride cracking, and sheath splitting due to UO2 oxidation for a defective fuel. To upgrade the developed modules that address all the damage mechanisms, the first step was a review of the available technical information on phenomena relevant to fuel integrity. The second step was an examination of the technical bases of all modules, identify and extend the ranges of all modules to required operating ranges. The 300°C spent CANDU fuel sheath temperature metric for dry storage ensures spent CANDU fuel element integrity from the failure mechanisms of creep rupture, oxidation and stress corrosion cracking at a failure probability of 2×10-5 for a dry storage time of 100 years. The 300°C sheath temperature metric for dry storage has relatively a lower failure rate than the target criteria for dry storage of spent LWR fuel. Although different modes of failure were treated separately for simplicity, ignoring possible synergistic effects, these results are conservative because of the conservative assumptions that have been made for evaluating spent fuel element conditions, and because of the inherent conservatism of the applied models. Additional conservatism of the model comes from the fact that isothermal conditions do not prevail in actual storage conditions. Further R&D being considered includes acquisition of new functional models to implement overall fuel behavior evaluation and cover spent CANDU fuel in dry storage, and upgrades of the analysis module to achieve sufficient accuracy in key output parameters. The developed modules provide a platform for research and industrial applications, including the design of fuel behavior experiments and prediction of safe operating margins for spent CANDU fuel.

본 연구는 남한 지역에서 서식하는 멸종 위기 종 2급인 왕은점표범나비의 기후 변화에 따른 서식지 변화를 분석하고자 한다. 이를 위해 단일모델의 장단점을 보완하기 위해서 생물 보전과 동물 생태학 분야에서 널리 사용 되는 앙상블 모델을 활용하여 기후변화 시나리오 자료를 이용하여 현재와 미래 기후 조건에서의 잠재적 서식지 변화를 평가하였다. 연구 결과에 따르면, 미래에는 왕은점표범나비의 서식지가 줄어들 것으로 예상되며, 이 변화 는 기온과 강수량 모두에 영향을 받을 것으로 나타났다. 특히 강수량의 계절적 변동이 가장 큰 영향을 미칠 것으로 분석되었다. 이러한 결과는 기후 변화로 인한 생물종의 서식 분포의 이해를 향상시켜 멸종 위기 종 관리와 생태계 복원과 같은 다양한 분야에서 생물다양성 증진을 위한 중요한 기초 데이터로 활용될 것으로 기대된다.