Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, yet little is known about how consumers experience and make decisions regarding follow-up care with medical AI. We take an interdisciplinary approach combining behavioral research and neuroscience to examine how anthropomorphism and personalization influence well-being and follow-up decisions. Study 1 found that consumers felt well-being after interacting with a highly personalized interaction, whether human or AI doctor. However, they preferred follow-up visits with the human doctor. Empathy mediated these effects. Study 2 used fMRI to show that the anterior cingulate cortex had greater activation when interacting with the human doctor, indicating more emotional processing and conflict resolution. These findings suggest that medical AI cannot currently replace human doctors, who remain vital for actual medical consultations and treatment. However, consumers viewed AI doctors positively and expressed a belief that AI will enhance well-being. By integrating neuroscience, this research provides biological evidence complementing behavioral findings.

The organic complexing agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and isosaccharinic acid (ISA) can enhance the radionuclides’ solubility and have the potential to induce the acceleration of radionuclides’ mobility to a far-field from the radioactive waste repository. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the effect of organic complexing agents on radionuclide solubility through experimental analysis under similar conditions to those at the radioactive waste disposal site. In this study, five radionuclides (cesium, cobalt, strontium, iodine, and uranium) and three organic complexing agents (EDTA, NTA, and ISA) were selected as model substances. To simulate environmental conditions, the groundwater was collected near the repository and applied for solubility experiments. The solubility experiments were carried out under various ranges of pHs (7, 9, 11, and 13), temperatures (10°C, 20°C, and 40°C), and concentrations of organic complexing agents (0, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2 M). Experimental results showed that the presence of organic complexing agents significantly increased the solubility of the radionuclides. Cobalt and strontium had high solubility enhancement factors, even at low concentrations of organic complexing agents. We also developed a support vector machine (SVM) model using some of the experimental data and validated it using the rest of the solubility data. The root mean square error (RMSE) in the training and validation sets was 0.012 and 0.016, respectively. The SVM model allowed us to estimate the solubility value under untested conditions (e.g., pH 12, temperature 30°C, ISA 5×10-4 M). Therefore, our experimental solubility data and the SVM model can be used to predict radionuclide solubility and solubility enhancement by organic complexing agents under various conditions.

An important goal of dismantling process is the disassembling of a spent nuclear fuel assembly for the subsequent extraction process. In order to design the rod extractor and cutter, the major requirements were considered, and the modularization design was carried out considering remote operation and maintenance. In order to design the rod extractor and cutter, these systems were analyzed and designed, also the concept on the rod extraction and cutting were considered by using the solid works tool. The main module consists of five sub-modules, and the function of each is as follows. The clamping module is an assembly fixing module using a cylinder so that the nuclear fuel assembly can be fixed after being placed. The Pusher module pushes the fuel rods by 2 inches out of the assembly to grip the fuel rods. The extraction module extracts the fuel rods of the nuclear fuel assembly and moves them to the consolidation module. The consolidation module collects and consolidates the extracted fuel rods before moving them to the cutting device. And the support module is a base platform on which the modules of the main device can be placed. The modules of level 2 can be disassembled or assembled freely without mutual interference. For the design of fuel rods cutter, the following main requirements were considered. The fuel rod cut section should not be deformed for subsequent processing, and the horizontally mounted fuel rods must be cut at regular intervals. The cutter should have the provision for aligning with the fuel rod, and the feeder and transport clamp should be designed to transfer the fuel rods to the cutting area. The main module consists of 6 sub-modules, and function of each is as follows. The cutting module is a device that cuts the fuel rods to the appropriate depth for notching. The impacting module is a device that impacts the fuel rods and moves them to the collection module. The transfer module is a device that moves the fuel rods to the cutting module when the aligned fuel rods enter the clamp module. The clamping module is a device to clamp the fuel rods before moving them to the cutting module. The collection module is a container where the rod-cuts are collected, and the support module is a base platform on which the modules of the main device can be placed. The module of level 3 can be disassembled or assembled after the cutting module of level 2 is installed, and the modules of level 2 can be disassembled or assembled freely without mutual interference.

In this paper, a basic study was conducted to observe the temperature inside the tube according to the heating temperature of the tube furnace. In a tube furnace, a tube is inserted, and the air space outside the tube is heated to increase the temperature of the gas inside the tube through conduction of the tube. Tube furnaces are widely used in research to capture volatile nuclides. In this case, a volatile nuclide capturing filter is inserted inside the tube, and an appropriate temperature is required to capture it. Since the tube furnace heats the air space outside the tube to the target temperature, a difference from the temperature inside the tube occurs. In particular, if a flow of gas occurs inside the tube, a larger temperature difference may occur. In order to confirm this temperature difference, an experimental device was constructed, and basic data was produced through several experiments. The following studies were conducted to produce data. First, the temperature of the air layer of the heating unit and the temperature inside the tube were measured in real time in the absence of gas flow inside the tube. Second, the temperature of the air layer of the heating unit and the temperature inside the tube were measured in real time while air having a certain temperature was flowing inside the tube. As a result of the experiment, when there is no flow inside the tube, when the heating target temperature is low, the temperature inside the tube is significantly lower than the target temperature, and when the target temperature is high, the temperature inside the tube approaches the target temperature. It was found that when there is about 20°C air flow inside the tube, the temperature inside the tube is significantly lowered even if the heating target temperature is high. In the future, additional research on changing the temperature of the gas flowing inside the tube will be conducted, and the results of this study are expected to greatly contribute to the design of a tube furnace that captures volatile nuclides.

This study aimed to investigate the biological activities, including polyphenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities, of various cultivars of Korean perilla leaves. The results indicated that among nine cultivars (Namcheon dlggae, Saedora, Nulbora, Donggel 1, Donggell 2, Soim, Sangyeop, Somirang, and Saebom) of perilla leaves, the total polyphenolic content (gallic acid equivalent mg/g, GAE) was the highest in “Nulbora,” while it was lowest in Namcheon dlggae. Moreover, flavonoid content in the extracts of nine cultivars leaves was in the range of 132.93~268.50 mg catechin equivalent/g sample. The antioxidant effects of the perilla leaves were determined using two different in vitro bioassays measuring DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities. The results revealed that antioxidant activity was also higher in “Nulbora” compared with other cultivars. Xanthin-oxidase-inhibition activity ranged from 65.65% to 80.58%, with “Nulbora” exhibiting the highest activity, although the difference with other cultivars was not significant. “Nulbora” extracts reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and several cytokines, including IL-6 activation induced by LPS in macrophages in the range of 100–50 μg/mL. These results suggest that extracts from perilla leaves can be used as bioactive and functional materials that could be important in industrial applications in the future.

The biological efficiencies of promising Pleurotus spp. were evaluated. Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus tuberregium,and Pleurotus sajor-cajuwere investigated at temperatures of 22oC, 20oC, and 18oC to determine their ability to adapt to temperatures that are likely to be found in subtropical regions. The experiment was conducted using a substrate comprising Popular sawdust 60% + cotton seed 20% + beet pulp 20% under a relative humidity of 65%. The results indicated that there were significant differences in terms of biological efficiency between the species: P. tuber regium 128.84% at 22oC, P. ostreatus 108.41% at 22oC, and P. sajor-caju is 80% at 20oC. The common temperatures at which all species showed the highest biological efficiencies were 22oC and 20oC. Therefore, the production of the evaluated species was equal to or surpassed biological efficiencies reported in tropical environments, thereby demonstrating a potential opportunity to adapt to tropical environments without compromising quality standards.

Following the previous study, the toxicity of a single subcutaneous administration of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) and the side effects that may occur at therapeutic doses were confirmed. The Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was administered subcutaneously once at a dose of 0, 2.0, 6.0, and 18.0 mCi/kg, 5 male and female rats per group, and mortality, general symptom observation, and weight measurement were performed for 2 weeks, followed by observation of autopsy findings. There were no deaths, and no statistically significant weight change was observed. Mild hair loss, fissures, and crusting were observed by general symptom observation, but it was not a toxic change related to the Thyrokitty injection (I-131). Gastric atrophy and a decrease in the size of the spleen were observed by the autopsy. As a results of single subcutaneous administration of the Thyrokitty Injection (I-131) to rats at a maximum dose of 18.0 mCi/kg, a decrease in the size of the spleen and gastric atrophy were observed as the dose of the Thyrokitty Injection (I-131) increased, which may be related to the test substance. No abnormal findings related to the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) were observed. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was 18.0 mCi/kg or more. In addition, as reported for the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism with radioiodine (131I), side effects of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) are expected to be extremely rare. Temporary dysphagia and fever may occur, but it will recover naturally. It should be administered with caution in cats with diseases such as urinary system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and endocrine system, especially with kidney disease. And it should not be used in cats who are pregnant, lactating, or likely. It is expected that the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) can be used for clinical treatment in Korea as a veterinary drug.

Radioiodine (131I) has been used for the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism since the 1990s in the USA and Europe, and it is recommended as the most effective treatment for feline hyperthyroidism because it has a high therapeutic effect, small side effects, and does not require anesthesia. In this study, the pharmacological properties of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131), which is being developed as a treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, using radioiodine (131I) as an active ingredient, was tested. The %cell uptake of the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) in FRTL- 5 thyroid cells was 0.410 ± 0.016%, which was about 18 times higher compared to Clone 9 hepatocytes, and it was decreased by 30.7% due to the competitive reaction with iodine (sodium iodide). In addition, the %cell growth of the FRTL-5 thyroid cells was reduced by 25.0% by treatment with the Thyrokitty injection (I-131). As a result of the tissue distribution test, the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) was distributed at the highest concentration at 0.083 hours (5 minutes) after subcutaneous administration to animals in most organs except the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, muscle and thyroid gland, and it was excreted mainly through the kidneys. The stomach and thyroid gland showed a typical distribution pattern observed when radioiodine (131I) was administered. In addition, about 78.45% of the total amount of excretion was excreted within 48 hours, of which more than 85% was excreted in urine. In conclusion, the Thyrokitty injection (I-131) has the same mechanism of action, potency, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion characteristics as radioiodine (131I) reported in connection with the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. In the future, using the results of this study, it is expected that the Thyrokitty (I-131) could be safely used in the clinical treatment of feline hyperthyroidism.

Recently, consumers’ awareness of the importance of the intestinal action of lactic acid bacteria and intestinal microbes is increasing, as well as interest in yogurt. In this study, yogurt was prepared with three mixed strains (lactic acid bacteria combination, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp., and Bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilussei, 1:1:1) by adding oats flour, and the quality characteristics of yogurt were investigated, while stored at a storage temperature of 4℃ for 12 days. According to the storage period, the control as wel as the oat yogurt showed slight decrease in pH, and no significant change in acidity. Sugar content slightly increased. and brightness decreased, in the control and the oat yogurt. Visible cell numbers increased during storage, and decreased on the 12th day. Viscosity in the oat yogurt was 7,580 cP, which was approximately eight times higher than that of the control group, and decreased gradually according to the storage period. Antioxidant activity (DPPH) was approximately two times higher in the oat-added yogurt, and slightly increased with the storage period, decreased on the 12th day of storage, and β-glucan was detected only in oat-added yogurt.