One of the promising candidates for heat transfer fluid is molten chloride salts. They have been studied in various fields such as the electrolyte of pyroprocessing, the molten salt reactor coolant, and the energy storage system media. Main considerations for utilizing molten chloride salts are the compatibility of salts with structural materials. The corrosion behavior of structural materials in molten chloride salts must be understood to identify suitable materials against the corrosive environment. In this study, the corrosion behavior of a candidate structural material, Hastelloy N, in molten LiCl- KCl salt at 500°C were investigated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. The sheet type of Hastelloy N was utilized as the working electrode in LiCl-KCl to measure the EIS data for 100 hours with 5 hours of time intervals. The EIS data were measured in the frequency range from 104 Hz to 10-2 Hz with the AC signal (amplitude = 20 mV) at open circuit potential. The capacitance semicircle observed in Nyquist plots for all periods indicates that charge-transfer controlled reactions occur. As the immersion time progresses, the radius of the semicircle in Nyquist plots and the impedance and phase angle in Bode plots decrease. These behaviors suggest a decreasing reaction resistance and the corrosion reactions are accelerated with the immersion time. The EIS data were fitted using the equivalent circuit to achieve quantitative results. Two capacitor-resistor components were considered due to the overlapped shape of two valleys in phase angle. The depressed shape of the semicircle in Nyquist plots led to the use of the constant phase element(Q) instead of the capacitor. Therefore, R(Q(R(QR))) circuit was selected to fit the EIS data. Fitting results show that the charge transfer resistance decreases dramatically within 1 day and then converges. The film resistance shows no clear trends, but the increase of the film admittance value indicates the decreased film thickness. Consequently, the film appears to exist like the oxide layer but it does not act as a protective layer. The real-time EIS data were measured in molten salt and provides the corrosion behavior over time. The corrosion mitigation strategy should consider that the corrosion of Hastelloy N accelerates over time and its intrinsic film cannot act as the protective layer. The next steps of this study are to evaluate other candidate structural materials and to demonstrate the presence of the film.
The purpose of using coolant in machining is both to increase a tool life and also to prevent product deformation and thus, stabilize the surface quality by lubricating and cooling the tool and the machining surface. However, a very small amount of cutting mist should be used because chlorine-based extreme pressure additives are used to generate environmental pollutants in the production process and cause occupational diseases of workers. In this study, medical titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb) was subjected to a processing experiment by selecting factors and levels affecting cutting power in the processing of the Aerosol Dry Lubrication (ADL) method using vegetable oil. The machining shape was a slot to sufficiently reflect the effect of the cutting depth. As for the measurement of cutting force, the trend of cutting characteristics was identified through complete factor analysis. The factors affecting the cutting force of ADL slot processing were identified using the reaction surface analysis method, and the characteristics of the cutting force according to the change in factor level were analyzed. As the cutting speed increased, the cutting force decreased and then increased again. The cutting force continued to increase as the feed speed increased. The increase in the cutting depth increased the cutting force more significantly than the increase in the cutting speed and the feed speed. Through the reaction surface analysis method, the regression equation for predicting cutting force was identified, and the optimal processing conditions were proposed. The cutting force was predicted from the secondary regression equation and compared with the experimental value.
Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.
Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) represents one of the major Ca2+ entry routes in non-excitable cells. It is involved in a variety of fundamental biological processes and the maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis. The Ca2+ releaseactivated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel consists of stromal interaction molecule and Orai; however, the role and action of Homer proteins as an adaptor protein to SOCE-mediated Ca2+ signaling through the activation of CRAC channels in non-excitable cells still remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in the process of Ca2+ signaling induced by the interaction between CRACs and Homer2 proteins in non-excitable cells. The response to Ca2+ entry by thapsigargin-mediated Ca2+ store depletion remarkably decreased in pancreatic acinar cells of Homer2–/– mice, as compared to wild-type cells. It also showed critical differences in regulated patterns by the specific blockers of SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells of Homer2–/– mice. The response to Ca2+ entry by the depletion in Ca2+ store markedly increased in the cellular overexpression of Orai1 and STIM1 as compared to the overexpression of Homer2 in cells; however, this response was remarkably inhibited by the overexpression of Orai1, STIM1, and Homer2. These results suggest that Homer2 has a critical role in the regulatory action of SOCE activity and the interactions between CRAC channels.
For transport containers for radioactive wastes, a drop test should be performed at a height of 0.3– 1.2 m on a rigid target depending on the weight as a normal condition in the regulation. In the drop test, a strain gauge is commonly used to measure the local strain, and the position of the strain gauges is determined by the experiences of the engineer in advance of the test. For this reason, the strains can be measured at only predetermined points. The DIC (Digital Image Correlation) method using highspeed cameras can be used to measure the change in strain over the region of interest. In addition, it is possible to measure effectively even in areas with high strain gradients that are difficult to measure with strain gauges. Therefore, the DIC method can measure the strain change according to time over the entire load path. When the drop test of the transport container is performed, the impact load is delivered through the lower corner fittings-corner posts-upper corner fittings-lids. In this study, white spray was sprayed on these main load path, and black speckles were created on the spayed surface to trace the rigid motion of speckles. The images taken during the drop test can be used to create a strain field over region of interest.
The bacterial soft-rot disease is one of the most critical diseases in vegetables such as Chinese cabbage. The researchers isolated two bacteria (Pseudomonas kribbensis and Pantoea vagans) from diseased tissue samples of Chinese cabbages and confirmed them as being the strains that cause soft-rot disease. Lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), were screened and used to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The researchers tested the treatments with hypochlorous acid water (HAW) and LAB supernatant to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The tests confirmed that treatments with the HAW (over 120 ppm) or LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum PL203) culture supernatants (0.5 mL) completely controlled both P. kribbensis and P. vagans.
Conductive carbon cloths (CCs) have been great attention as a promising current collector for flexible supercapacitors that supply power to portable and wearable electronics. However, the hydrophobic surface and weak adhesion with active materials has limited to be adopted as the binder-free and flexible electrode with mechanical/electrochemical stability. In this work, we demonstrate preparation of binder-free and flexible electrodes based on polyaniline (PANI) on carbon cloth. Polydopamine (PDA) layer are used to impart hydrophilicity, leading to uniform growth of PANI on the hydrophobic surface of carbon. Furthermore, PDA layer improves adhesion strength between PANI and carbon substrates, which allows for superior mechanical stability under ultrasonic condition. PANI-based flexible electrode shows high areal capacitance (160.8 mF cm− 2 at 0.5 mA cm− 2), good rate capability (71.1% even at high current density of 10 mA cm− 2), and long-term cycling stability (82.6% capacitance retention after 1500 cycles). Furthermore, a quasi-solid-state flexible supercapacitor reveals remarkable mechanical flexibility and durability, with superior capacitance retention (~ 100%) in bent state and after repetitive 1000 cycles.
Trading card game은 사용자들이 카드를 수집하고 교환하면서 게임을 진행한다. 사용자는 카드별로 존재하 는 특수 능력과 필요 비용 등을 고려하여 카드를 수집한다. 한정판 카드는 카드에 희소가치를 부여하여 사용 자들의 수집욕을 자극하여 구매를 유도할 수 있다. 기존 Trading card game인 Slay the Spire나 Hearths Sto ne는 초기 덱 빌딩할 때, 사용자의 능력보다는 운이 영향을 끼친다. 카드 구성을 변경하는 것이 쉽지 않으므 로, 초기 덱 빌딩 결과가 게임의 승패에 결정적인 영향을 주기도 한다. 반면에, Legends of Runeterra는 게임 의 규칙이 너무 복잡해서, 초보자들이 게임을 어렵다고 느낀다. 이러한 점을 고려하여, 제안하는 게임 매직 파이트는 다음과 같은 특징이 있다. 초보자들도 쉽게 게임을 플레이할 수 있도록, 제안하는 게임은 덱 빌딩 방법을 단순하게 구성한다. 사용자들이 다양한 전략을 시도해 볼 수 있도록, 매 판마다 덱 구성을 변경할 수 있다. 실험결과 덱 빌딩시 카드의 종류를 일부 제한하면 상대적으로 카드 구성이 단순해서, 사용자가 카드의 효과와 이미지를 쉽기 이해하는 경향을 보인다. 반면에, 모든 종류의 카드를 대상으로 덱 빌딩을 하면, 사용 할 수 있는 카드의 수가 상대적으로 많으므로, 사용자가 다양한 전략을 시도해 볼 수 있어서 더 재미있었다 고 응답하였다.
Under physiological conditions, calcium (Ca2+) regulates essential functions of polarized secretory cells by the stimulation of specific Ca2+ signaling mechanisms, such as increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) via the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and the receptor-operated Ca2+ entry (ROCE). Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that interact with G protein-coupled receptors, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors, Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1, and transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. However, their role in the Ca2+ signaling in exocrine cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in the Ca2+ signaling and regulatory channels to mediate SOCE and ROCE in pancreatic acinar cells. Deletion of Homer2 (Homer2–/–) markedly increased the expression of TRPC3, TRPC6, and Orai1 in pancreatic acinar cells, whereas these expressions showed no difference in whole brains of wild-type and Homer2–/– mice. Furthermore, the response of Ca2+ entry by carbachol also showed significant changes to the patterns regulated by specific blockers of SOCE and ROCE in pancreatic acinar cells of Homer2–/– mice. Thus, these results suggest that Homer2 plays a critical role in the regulatory action of the [Ca2+]i via SOCE and ROCE in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.
Colon cancer has been considered a leading cause of cancer-associated death. Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for cellular physiological functions and cell viability. However, the association between folic acid intake and colon cancer has been examined in several prospective cohort studies are controversial. This study investigated the effects of folate intake on colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) institute for cancer research (ICR) mouse model. Thirty male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were divided into the control group and the experimental group supplied 0.03% folic acid via drinking water (50 mL/week/mouse) for 6 weeks. To induce colonic pre-neoplastic lesions, the animals were subcutaneously injected three times weekly with AOM (10 mg/kg body weight), followed by 2% DSS in drinking water for a week. Folic acid supplementation significantly suppressed the total number of aberrant crypt foci and aberrant crypts. Histological image data showed that folic acid supplementation attenuated neoplastic change. In addition, we measured the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration of dry feces samples to identify the effect of folic acid on reactive oxygen accumulation. The folic acid supplementation group had reduced reactive oxygen species levels in dry feces compared to the control group. In conclusion, these findings indicate that folic acid suppresses colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an AOM/DSS mouse model.
Currently, the interim storage pools of spent fuels in South Korea are expected to become saturated from 2024. It is required to prepare an operation plan of a domestic dry storage facility during a long-term period, with the researches on safety evaluation methods. This study modified the FRAPCON code to predict the spent fuel integrity evaluation such as the axial cladding temperature, the hoop stress and hydrogen distribution in dry storage. The cladding temperature in dry storage was calculated using the COBRA-SFS code with the burnup information which was calculated using the FRAPCON code. The hoop stress was calculated using the ideal gas equation with spent fuel information such as rod internal pressure. Numerical analysis method was used to calculate the degree of hydrogen diffusion according to the hydrogen concentration and temperature distribution during a dry storage period. Before 50 years of dry storage, the cladding temperature and hoop stress decreased rapidly. However, after 50 years, they decreased gradually and the cladding temperature was below 400 K. The initial temperature distribution and hydrogen concentration showed a parabolic line, but hydrogen was transferred by the hydrogen concentration and temperature gradient over time.
The diaphragm is an important part because it plays an important role in changing the flow direction of hightemperature and high-pressure steam in the steam turbine. Because it is subjected to high pressure by high temperature steam, there should be great concerns about breakage of parts, runouts due to vibration by rotating parts, and deformation due to creep effect and fatigue breakage due to long-term use in high temperature environments. In order to ensure the safety of turbine components in such a harsh environment, structural analysis should be prioritized prior to manufacturing prototypes. In this study, in order to verify the design stability of the diaphragm, physical safety is checked through static analysis, vibration analysis, and fatigue analysis, and the fatigue life is predicted. The total deformation, equivalent stress, and strain are determined by static analysis, and the stress and total deformation by the harmonic response are obtained through vibration analysis, and the stability is judged by comparing it with the characteristic value. We intend to verify the safety of the design and propose a complementary diaphragm design.
As the number of North Korean refugees increases in South Korean, their acculturation to life in their host country is coming to be an important social issue. This study explores some clothing-related barriers experienced by North Korean refugees and their moderating effects on acculturation to South Korea. Data were collected using a self-administered survey of 163 female and 37 male North Korean refugees in South Korea aged 20 to 69 years. Descriptive analyses, t-tests, ANOVA, Duncan tests, and moderated multiple regression were conducted using SPSS 20.0 and Process Macro v.3.3. The results show that the North Korean refugees who participated in the study had experienced clothing-related barriers regarding fashion terminology and shopping rituals in South Korea. In particular, those in their 60s perceived more clothing-related barriers than those in their 20s and 30s. Next, the clothing-related barriers experienced by North Korean refugees have a negative moderating influence on the relationship between self-esteem and acculturation in South Korea. This study provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between fashion and the acculturation of North Korean refugees to South Korea. The results of the study can be also helpful of government policy makers, practitioners, and academics to develop education programs for North Korean refugees.