Pigs are considered a “mixing vessel” that can produce new influenza strains through genetic reassortments, which threaten public health and cause economic losses worldwide. We performed surveillance of swine influenza virus (SIV) using 114,140 nasal swabs from 11,414 Korean farms from 2009 to 2022, and characterized their genetic evolution at each farm level. A total of 169 farms out of the 11,414 (1.48%) were SIV-positive. The positivity rate for the H1N2 subtype, which is most dominant in the pig population, was 37.87% (64/169). Through hemagglutinin (HA) gene analysis, 64 H1N2-positive farms were classified into Eurasian avian-like (46/64, 71.88%), triple-reassortant (14/64, 21.88%), pdm09 (3/64, 4.69%), and classical swine (1/64, 1.56%) groups. The estimated evolutionary rate of HA in H1N2 from 2009 to 2022 in Korea is 1.5309 × 10-3/site/year (95% HPD intervals from 1.0003 × 10-3 to 2.1735 × 10-3) with an estimated mean growth rate of 0.0114. Estimates of the relative genetic diversity of clades over time suggested that the HA of H1N2 exhibited an increase in population size. The results of this study showed that the Eurasian avian-like-HA of the H1N2 subtype was dominant in the pig population. The continued evolution of the HA of H1N2, which is critical for cell entry, might lead to genetic diversity and the loss of vaccine cross-protection. These results indicate that continus surveillance is imperative for monitoring the evolution of the swine influenza virus.

The primary therapeutic approach for Brucella species infections has mainly been based on antibiotic treatment. However, the development of vaccines for brucellosis control remains controversial. Furthermore, there is currently no licensed vaccine available for human brucellosis. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a combination of recombinant protein vaccines against Brucella (B.) abortus infection using a mouse model. Two B. abortus genes, namely dapB and gpm, were cloned and expressed in competent Escherichia (E.) coli DH5α using the pCold-TF vector. Successfully cloned vectors were subjected to PCR amplification using specific primer pairs. The apparent sizes of dapB and gpm were detected at 807 bp and 621 bp, respectively. Besides, the purified recombinant proteins dapB and gpm were detected using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis with correct sizes of 82.86 kDa and 87.61 kDa, respectively. These recombinant proteins were used to immunize mice as a combined subunit vaccine (CSV) to elicit host immunity against B. abortus infection. Mice immunized with CSV exhibited increased proliferation of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cells at week 7th and 9th before sacrifice, in comparison to the control group. Notably, CSV immunization showed a significant decrease in bacterial burden in the spleen compared to the control group. Altogether, CSV using dapB and gpm induced host adaptive immune response against Brucella infection, suggesting its potential as an effective new subunit vaccine candidate.

Efficiently detecting the nearest navigational dangers in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) remains pivotal for maritime safety. However, the software implementation of ADMAR(Automatic Distance measurement and Ranging) functionality faced challenges, necessitating extensive computations across ENC cells and impacting real-time performance. To address this, we present a novel method employing dynamic programming. Our proposed algorithm strategically organizes nodes into a tree structure, optimizing the search process towards nodes likely to contain navigational hazards. Implementation of this method resulted in a notable sevenfold reduction in computation time compared to the conventional Brute Force approach. Our study established a direct correlation between the ADMAR functionality and node count, achieving error margins deemed acceptable for practical navigation scenarios. Despite this theoretical progress, minor errors in results prompt further refinement. Consequently, future iterations will explore varying values for N, considering hierarchy and cell sizes to enhance algorithmic precision. This research signifies a potential advancement in optimizing navigational danger detection within ECDIS, offering a promising avenue for improved efficiency. By introducing a dynamic programming-based approach, we have streamlined the detection process while acknowledging the scope for algorithmic refinement in subsequent studies. Our findings underline the feasibility of employing dynamic programming to enhance navigational danger detection, emphasizing its potential in ensuring maritime safety. This work lays a foundation for future research endeavors, aiming to fine-tune algorithms and advance navigational safety measures in ECDIS.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading global cause of mortality, demanding effective prevention and management. This systematic review explores the impact of lycopene, prevalent in various fruits, on cardiovascular health. Thirteen randomized and controlled trials were analyzed, involving 385 participants with cardiovascular risk factors. Notable findings included significant blood pressure reductions, particularly among hypertensive individuals, and favorable alterations in lipid profiles. Lycopene interventions also demonstrated potential in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation markers. While these findings show promise, more rigorously designed studies are essential to determine optimal dosages and durations for precise cardiovascular benefits. In conclusion, lycopene shows potential in managing cardiovascular risk factors, and its role in blood pressure regulation, lipid profile improvement, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects is encouraging. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to provide definitive guidance on integrating lycopene to enhance cardiovascular health.

Owing to the rapid rise of global energy demands, the operation of nuclear power plants is still indispensable. However, following the nuclear accident at Fukushima-Daiichi in 2011, the secure sequestration of radioactive waste has become critical for ensuring safe operations. Among various forms of nuclear wastes, capturing radioactive organic iodide (ROIs, e.g., methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, and propyl iodide) as one of the important species in gas phase waste has been challenged owing to the insufficient sorbent materials. The environmental release of ROIs with high volatility can give rise to adverse effects, including the accumulation of these substances in the thyroid and the development of conditions such as hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. Compared to an iodine molecule, ROIs exhibit low affinity for conventional sorbents such as Ag@mordenite zeolite and triethylenediamine-impregnated activated carbon (TED@AC), resulting in lower sorption rates and capacities. Furthermore, in conditions resembling practical adsorption environments with high humidity, the presence of H2O significantly impedes the adsorption process, leading to a nearly complete cessation of adsorption. To address these issues, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be effective alternative sorbents owing to their high surface area and designable and tailorable pore properties. In addition, the wellfined crystalline structures of MOFs render in-depth study on the structure-properties relationship. However, there has been limited research on the adsorption of ROIs using MOFs, with the majority of adsorption processes relying on highly reversible physisorption. This type of ROIs adsorption not only exists in a precarious state that is susceptible to volatilization but also exhibits significantly reduced adsorption capabilities in humid environments. Thus, for the secure adsorption of the volatile ROIs, the development of sorbents capable of chemisorption is highly desirable. In this study, we focused on ROIs adsorption by electrophilic aromatic substitution with the electron-rich m-DOBDC4− (m-DOBDC4− = 4,6-dioxo-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) present in Co2(m -DOBDC). The chemisorption of ROIs via electrophilic aromatic substitution not only leads to the formation of C-C bonds, ensuring stability but also triggers color changes in the crystal by interacting with open-metal sites and iodide ions. Leveraging these advantages, we developed an infrared radiation-based sensing method that demonstrates superior performance, exhibiting high adsorption capacities and rates, even under the challenging conditions of high-humidity practical environments.

To ensure the maintenance of the nuclear emergency response system, it is important to periodicaly conduct hazard assessments using up-to-date input variables. The results of this review are apllied to drills and exercises, enabling the inspection of emergency plan and response procedures. Therefore, this study aims to analyze off-site consequences according to the occurrence time of the Design Basis Accident (DBA) for the Hanaro Fuel Fabrication Facility (HFFF) by using the recent site-specific meteorological data and to review the appropriateness of urgent protective measures. MELCOR and SafeHanaro computer codes were used for radiation source-term estimation and environmental impact assessment, respectively. It was assumed that radioactive materials are released into environment for 2 hours due to the fire during the nuclear fuel sieving process. The following 12 scenarios for each occurrence time period was selected (0 am, 2 am, 4 am, 6 am, 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm) and the effective dose and thyroid dose in earlyand intermediate-phase were assessed. As a result, the most severe exposure-induced accident scenario is found to be as occurring at 0 am on July 15th, with the Most Exposed Individual (MEI) positioned 200 meters downwind from the facility. The committed effective dose for MEI is identified as to be 2.97E-02 mSv which has a significant margin against the IAEA's (Generic Intervention Level) GIL and (Generic Criteria) GC. During the passage of the radio-active plume, the estimated effective dose and thyroid dose due to inhalation were 2.97E-02 mSV (99.99%) and 5.06E-05 mSv (99.77%), respectively. External exposure appeared to be negligible. Meanwhile, the thyroid dose is noticeably below the criteria for decision-making for distribution of Potassium Iodide (KI). Accordingly, in order for local residents to participate in the exercise and drills, it is essential to develop scenarios considering simultaneous emergencies at multi-facilities and latenight accidents. In conclusion, this results will be used to improve the exercise plans for enhancing the nuclear or radiological emergency competencies of the KAERI.

The mobility of radionuclides in the subsurface environment is governed by a interaction of radioactivity characteristics and geochemical conditions with adsorption reactions playing a critical role. This study investigates the characteristics and mechanisms of radionuclides adsorption on site media in viewpoint of nuclear safety, particularly focusing on the potential effect of seawater infiltration in coastal site near nuclear power plant. Seawater intrusion alters the chemistry in groundwater, including parameters such as pH, redox potential, and ionic strength, thereby affecting the behavior of radionuclides. To assess the safety of site near nuclear power plant and the environmental implications of nuclide leakage, this research conducted various experiments to evaluate the behavior of radionuclides in the subsurface environment. High distribution coefficients (50-2,500 ml/g) were observed at 10 mg/L Co, with montmorillonite > hydrobiotite > illite > kaolinite. It decreased with competing cations (Ca2+) and was found to decrease significantly by 90% with a decrease in pH to 4. It is believed that the adsorption capacity of cationic radionuclides decreases significantly as the clay mineral surface becomes less negatively charged. For Cs, the distribution coefficient (180-560 ml/g) was higher for montmorillonite > hydrobiotite > illite > kaolinite. Compared to Co, it was found to be less influenced by pH and more influenced by competing cations. For Sr, the distribution coefficient (100-380 ml/g) was higher in the order of hydrobiotite > montmorillonite > illite > kaolinite. Compared to Cs, it was found to be less affected by pH and also less affected by the effect of competing cations compared to Cs. Seawater samples from Gampo and Uljin site near Nuclear Power Plant in Korea were analyzed to determine their chemical composition, which was subsequently used in adsorption experiments. Additionally, the seawater-infiltrated groundwater was synthesized in laboratory according to previous literature. The study focused on the adsorption and behavior of three key radionuclides such as cesium, strontium, and cobalt onto four low permeability media (clay minerals) such as kaolinite, illite, hydrobiotite, and montmorillonite known for their high adsorption capacity at a site of nuclear power plant. At concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L, the adsorption coefficients followed the order of cobalt > cesium > strontium for each radionuclide. Notably, the distribution coefficient (Kd) values exhibited higher values in seawater-infiltrated groundwater environments compared to seawater with relatively high ionic strength. Cobalt exhibited a substantial adsorption coefficient, with a marked decrease in Kd values in seawater conditions due to elevated ionic strength. In contrast, cesium displayed less dependency on seawater compared to other radionuclides, suggesting distinct adsorption mechanisms, possibly involving fractured edge sites (FES) in clay. Strontium exhibited a significant reduction in adsorption in seawater compared to groundwater in all Kd sorption experiments. The adsorption data of cobalt, cesium, and strontium on clay minerals in contact with seawater and seawater-infiltrated solutions offer valuable insights for assessing radioactive contamination of groundwater beneath coastal site near nuclear power plant sites. This research provides a foundation for enhancing the safety assessment protocols of nuclear power plant sites, considering the potential effects of seawater infiltration on radionuclide behavior in the subsurface environment.

The operation of nuclear facilities involves the potential for on-site contamination of soil, primarily resulting from pipe leaks and other operational incidents. Globally, decommissioning process for commercial nuclear power plants have revealed huge-amounts of soil waste contaminated with Cs-137, Sr-90, Co-60, and H-3. For example, Connecticut Yankee in the United States produced approximately 52,800 ton of contaminated soil waste, constituting 10% of the total waste generated during its decommissioning. Environmental remediation costs associated with nuclear decommissioning in the US averaged $60 million per unit, representing a significant 10% of the whole decommissioning expenses. Consequently, this study undertook a preliminary investigation to identify important factors for establishing a site remediation strategy based on radionuclide- and site-specific media- characteristics, focusing the efficiency enhancement for the environmental remediation. The factors considered for this investigation were categorized into physical/environmental, socioeconomic, technical, and management aspects. Physical/environmental factors contained the site characteristics, contamination levels, and environmental sensitivity, while socio-economic factors included the social concerns and economic costs. Technical and management factors included subcategories such as technical considerations, policy aspects, and management factors. Especially, technical factors were further subdivided to consider the site reuse potential, secondary waste generation by site remediation, remediation efficiency, and remediation time. Additionally, our study focused the key factors that facilitate the systematic planning for the site remediation, considering the distribution coefficient (Kd) and hydrogeological characteristics associated with each radionuclide in specific site conditions. Therefore, key factors in this study focus the geochemical characteristics of site media including the particle size distribution, chemical composition, organic and inorganic constituents, and soil moisture content. Moreover, the adsorption properties of site media were examined concerning the distribution coefficient (Kd) of radionuclides and their migration characteristics. Furthermore, this study supported the development of a conceptual framework, containing the remediation strategies that incorporate the mobility of radionuclides, according to the site-specific media. This conceptual framework would necessitate the spatial analysis techniques involving the whole contamination surveys and radionuclide mobility modeling data. By integrating these key factors, the study provides the selection and simulation of optimal remediation methods, ultimately offering the estimated amounts of radioactive waste and its disposal costs. Therefore, these key factors offer foundational insights for designing the site remediation strategies according the sitespecific information such as the distribution coefficient (Kd) and hydrogeological characteristics.

The development of separation method of radioactive tritium is imperative for treating tritiumcontaminated water originating from nuclear facilities. Polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis technology represents a promising alternative to conventional alkaline electrolysis for tritium enrichment. Nevertheless, there has been limited research conducted thus far on the composition of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) specifically optimized for tritium separation, as well as the methods used for their fabrication. In this study, we conducted an investigation aimed at optimizing MEAs specifically tailored for tritium separation. Our approach involved the systematic variation of MEA components, including the anode, cathode, porous transport layer, and electrode formation method. The water electrolysis efficiency and the H/D separation factor in deuterated water (1%) were evaluated with respect to both the preparation method and the composition of the MEA. To assess the long-term stability of the MEAs, changes in cell voltage, resistance, and the active electrode area were analyzed using impedance analysis and cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, we examined H/D separation factor both before and after degradation. The results showed that MEAs with different anode/cathode configurations and electrode formation methods improved the electrolysis efficiency compared to commercial MEAs. In addition, the degree of change in the resistance value was also different depending on the electrode formation method, indicating that the electrode formation method has a significant impact on the stability of the electrolysis system. Therefore, the study showed that the efficiency and long-term stability of the water electrolzer can be improved by optimizing the MEA fabrication method.

General phases in the plan and implementation of an environmental remediation of radioactively contaminated sites are planning for remediation, site characterization, remediation criteria, remediation strategy, implementing remediation actions, and conducting post-remediation activities. Environmental remediation should commence with a planning stage. It is helpful to prepare reports which detail all the supporting activities related to these elements before significant levels of funds and efforts are committed. Site characterization is needed to provide sufficient data to make strategic decisions on the environmental remediation activities. The source characterization should include both waste characterization and facility or site characterization and should provide reliable estimates of the release rates of radioactive constituents as well as constituent distribution. During the preliminary site characterization, an engineering study should be conducted to develop remediation options which address the specific contaminant problem and are aimed to reduce radiological and chemical exposure. Options will include engineering approaches and associated technologies. A preliminary selection of options may be made based on several factors including future sites use, technical considerations, public acceptability, cost, and regulatory requirements. The implementation of remediation actions includes procurement of the selected technology, preparation of the site, development of a health and safety plan, development of operations procedures, staff selection and training, completion of site cleanup, verification, waste disposal, and release of the site for any future use. Once remediation activities have been completed and verified, the remediated site can be released for restricted or unrestricted use. Remediation of radioactively contaminated sites may require special adaptation to address sites covering very large surface areas or those which are deep and difficult to access. Quality assurance may be very important to the verification of environmental remediation activities. The selection of optimal remediation technologies to solve or mitigate the safety of an environmental contamination problem should be taken into account several factors. The several factors include performance (the ability of the technology to reduce risk to the health and safety of the public and to the environment), reliability and maintenance requirements for the technology, costs of implementing the technology, infrastructure available to support the technology, availability(the ease of accessing the technology and associated services), risk to workers and public safety, environmental impacts of the technology, ability of the technology to meet regulatory acceptance, and communication of stakeholder.

Hydrogen isotope separation involves the separation of hydrogen, deuterium, tritium, and their isotopologues. It is an essential technology for removing radioactive tritium contamination and for obtaining valuable hydrogen isotope resources. Among various hydrogen isotope separation technologies, water electrolysis technology exhibits a high separation factor. Consequently, the electrolysis of tritiated water is of paramount importance as a tritium enrichment method for treating tritium-contaminated water and for analyzing tritium in environmental samples. More recently, hydroelectrolysis technology, which utilizes proton exchange membranes (PEM) to reduce water inventory, has gained favor over traditional alkaline hydroelectrolysis. Nevertheless, it is crucial to decrease the hydrogen permeability of the PEM in order to mitigate the explosion risk associated with tritium hydrogen electrolysis devices. Additionally, efforts are needed to enhance the hydrogen isotope selectivity of the PEM and optimize the manufacturing process of the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), thereby improving both hydrogen isotope separation performance and water electrolysis efficiency. In this presentation, we will delve into two key aspects. Firstly, we’ll explore the reduction of hydrogen permeability and the enhancement of the hydrogen isotope separation factor in PEM through the incorporation of 2D nanomaterial additives. Secondly, we’ll examine the influence of various MEAs preparation methods on electrolysis and isotope separation performances. Lastly, we will discuss the effectiveness of the developed system in separating deuterium and tritium.