Background: For patients with neck pain, a taping method has been used to promote thoracic spine extension. To induce thoracic spine extension without back pain, a neutral lumbo-pelvic position must be established. The spiral trunk taping method can induce a neutral lumbo-pelvic position and thoracic spine extension. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of spiral trunk taping in inducing thoracic spine extension and neutral lumbo-pelvic position in patients with neck pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to groups. The experimental group received spiral trunk taping and the control group received sham taping. The resting position visual analogue scale (VAS) and VAS during painful movement were measured and compared pre and post treatment. Results: Significant within-subjects changes were resting position VAS (F=59.823, P=0.001) and VAS during painful movement (F=76.128, P=0.001). Significant between-subject changes were resting position VAS (F=10.402, P=0.003) and VAS during painful movement (F=7.657, P=0.01). Conclusion: Spiral trunk taping, which can induce thoracic spine extension and a neutral lumbo-pelvic position, was effective for neck pain. This study demonstrates the potential of a systemic taping approach in the management of neck pain, and provides important clues for future clinical applications.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen that affects the nervous systems of humans, pigs, and horses. It has been classified into five genotypes (G1-G5) based on molecular analysis of the pre-membrane or envelope gene. In the Republic of Korea, the predominant JEV genotype has recently shifted from G3 to G1 and G5, highlighting the need for a rapid and accurate diagnostic method. In this study, we designed specific common and differential primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 to detect the JEV gene. Four specific primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were used to selectively amplify the target gene. The detection limits of the common primer set for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were 100, 0.1, and 10 TCID50/reaction, respectively. The detection limits of the three differential primer sets were 1, 0.1, and 1 TCID50/reaction, respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-JEV reference viruses. We successfully developed a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to distinguish the three JEV genotypes. Our multiplex RT-PCR assay is highly sensitive and specific, providing a reliable tool for confirming JEV infection in suspected samples. Additionally, our assay can be applied to suspected mosquito samples and commercial veterinary biological products.

This study explores the utilization level of smart manufacturing systems in the value chain processes of manufacturing and empirically examines the effect of the utilization level of these systems on manufacturing competitiveness in SMEs. Smart manufacturing systems in the value chain processes are categorized into Sales, Purchasing, Production & Logistics, and Support systems. By analyzing the research model using structural equation modeling, this study identifies that Sales systems, Purchasing systems, Production & Logistics systems, and Support systems have a significant impact on manufacturing process efficiency. Additionally, Production & Logistics systems and manufacturing process efficiency positively and significantly influence manufacturing competitiveness. The findings suggest that the utilization of information is directly and positively related to manufacturing process efficiency, including reducing lead-time, decreasing work performance man-hours (M/H), and improving work accuracy. These improvements ultimately have a significant impact on manufacturing competitiveness. In conclusion, the use of smart manufacturing systems is becoming an integral part of the manufacturing industry. To gain a competitive edge, it will be necessary to introduce and utilize optimal smart manufacturing systems, taking into account the size of manufacturing firms.

Background: The shift from traditional education to competency-based education in response to societal demands, emphasizes the need for developing assessment tools to measure major competencies—comprising knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personal characteristics—required to perform specific tasks. Thus, It is essential to develop assessing tools to measure the existing major competencies in physical therapy, enabling more effective management of educational outcomes on competencies. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop an assessment tool for measuring major competencies within the Department of Physical Therapy. Design: Delphi survey research. Methods: This study was conducted based on the three major competencies and six sub-competencies of the Physical Therapy Department. To develop an assessing tool for measuring major competencies, conversion of the achievement factor into behavioral statements, and expert panel group Delphi survey was conducted. Results: The results of the Delphi survey indicated 0.88 to 1, exceeding the established threshold and demonstrating adequate validity. Conclusion: A total of 54 preliminary questions for the major competency assessing tool were developed through the Major Curriculum Committee. Through the Delphi survey, the validity of the 54 preliminary questions for major competencies was secured.

Herbivorous insects can be exposed to soil contaminants via trophic transfer. To assess the effect of accumulated arsenate (As(V)) in host plants on aphids across generations, Myzus persicae were reared for several generations on pepper (Capsicum annuum) grown in soil treated with 0, 2, 4, and 6 mg of As(V) per kg. In the first generation, the body length of M. persicae significantly (p < 0.05) increased on As(V)-treated plants (μ = 1.29 mm) compared to untreated plants (μ = 1.21 mm). Aphids showed higher fecundity on plants treated with 2mg/kg of As(V) (15.3) compared to untreated ones (10.6), but it decreased again under the 4mg/kg (11.4) and 6mg/kg (11.2) treatments. When newborns were transferred to untreated plants after being reared on each treatment for two previous generations, they exhibited higher fecundity as their parents were treated with higher levels of As(V). While more research is needed to understand the unexpected beneficial effects, this study highlights the complex impacts of soil As(V) on aphid dynamics which span multiple generations.

The family Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) is known as one of the largest families in Microlepidoptera, encompassing about 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species worldwide. However, the genus Altenia Sattler, 1960 has been poorly studied in Korea, with only one known species. Here we introduce a new species, Altenia parascriptella sp. nov., from Korea, providing photos of adults and genitalia for both sexes, along with diagnostic characteristics.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 μM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 μM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.

가는잎향유[Elsholtzia angustifolia (Loes.) Kitag.]는 화형 이 아름답고, 정유 특유의 향기가 좋아서 분화용 및 지피용 관 상식물로 수요가 증가하고 있고, 전초에는 약효가 있다고 알 려져 있다. 본 연구는 가는잎향유의 육묘에 미치는 플러그 트 레이 셀 사이즈, 파종립수, 차광정도, 추비농도 등의 영향을 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 연구결과, 플러그 트레이 셀 사 이즈는 용량이 증가할수록 유묘의 초장, 엽수, 마디수, 근장, 지상부 생체중이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 파종 립수는 2립 파 종 시 가장 효율적이었고, 파종량이 증가할수록 생육이 감소 하였다. 차광정도가 높아질수록 초장은 증가하였고, 경직경, 엽수, 마디수는 55% 차광에서 가장 우수하였다. 추비 처리 시 공시비료 1000배 처리구에서 생육이 가장 양호하였다. 따라 서 가는잎향유의 육묘 시 162셀 트레이에 원예상토를 채운 다음 셀 당 2립 파종한 후 55% 차광막이 설치된 육묘상에서 공시비료 1000배로 엽면시비하는 것이 가장 효과적인 것으로 생각된다.

Hydraulic conductivity is a critical design parameter for buffers in high-level radioactive waste repositories. Most employed prediction models for hydraulic conductivity are limited to various types of bentonites, the main material of the buffer, and the associated temperature conditions. This study proposes the utilization of a novel integrated prediction model. The model is derived through theoretical and regression analyses and is applied to all types of compacted bentonites when the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and dry density for each compacted bentonite is known. The proposed model incorporates parameters such as permeability ratio, dynamic viscosity, and temperature coefficient to enable accurate prediction of hydraulic conductivity with temperature. Based on the results obtained, the values are in good agreement with the measured values for the selected bentonites, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed model. These results contribute to the analysis of the hydraulic behavior of the buffer with temperature during periods of high-level radioactive waste deposition.

The objectives of this paper are: (1) to conduct the thermal analyses of the disposal cell using COMSOL Multiphysics; (2) to determine whether the design of the disposal cell satisfies the thermal design requirement; and (3) to evaluate the effect of design modifications on the temperature of the disposal cell. Specifically, the analysis incorporated a heterogeneous model of 236 fuel rod heat sources of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) to improve the reality of the modeling. In the reference case, the design, featuring 8 m between deposition holes and 30 m between deposition tunnels for 40 years of the SNF cooling time, did not meet the design requirement. For the first modified case, the designs with 9 m and 10 m between the deposition holes for the cooling time of 40 years and five spacings for 50 and 60 years were found to meet the requirement. For the second modified case, the designs with 35 m and 40 m between the deposition tunnels for 40 years, 25 m to 40 m for 50 years and five spacings for 60 years also met the requirement. This study contributes to the advancement of the thermal analysis technique of a disposal cell.

As the decommissioning of domestic nuclear power plants (Gori Unit 1 and Wolseong Unit 1) becomes more visible, many research projects are being conducted to safely and economically decommissioning of domestic nuclear power plants (NPPs). After permanent shutdown, decommissioning of NNPs proceeds through decontamination, cutting of main equipment, waste disposal and site restoration stages. And various technologies are applied at each stage. In particular, remote cutting of neutron induced structures (RV, RVI, etc.) is a technology used in developed countries in the cutting stage, and remote cutting has been evaluated as a core technology for minimizing workers’ radiation exposure. Generally, remote cutting technologies are divided into mechanical/thermal/electrical cutting. Among various thermal cutting technologies, plasma arc cutting (PAC) is more economical and easily to remote control than other cutting technologies, and is also effective in cutting STS304 plates. PAC is a thermal cutting technology that melts the base material at the cutting area with a plasma arc heat source and removes melted material by blowing it out with cutting gas. The cutting quality depends on the stand-off distance and power (current), material thickness, cutting speed, etc., while double arcing will occur if the cutting conditions are not suitable. A monitoring system that can confirm double arcing during remote cutting is necessary because double arcing can reduce cutting quality, increase secondary waste (increase kerf and aerosol), and cause non-cutting. In this study, we used an ultrahigh-speed camera equipped with a band-pass filter to capture clear arc shapes, and measured voltage waveforms with a data acquisition system. We studied a monitoring method that can confirm the occurrence of double arcing by synchronizing the obtained arc shape and voltage waveform, and the effects of double arcing on the STS304 plates. The results of this study are expected to be helpful in the development of the remote cutting process using plasma arc cutting when decommissioning of domestic NPPs.

Nuclear facilities present the important task related to the migration and retention of radioactive contaminants such as cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), and cobalt (Co) for unexpected events in various environmental conditions. The distribution coefficient (Kd) is important factor for understanding these contaminants mobility, influenced by environmental variables. This study focusses the prediction of Kd values for radionuclides within solid phase groups through the application of machine-learning models trained on experimental data and open source data from Japan atomic energy agency. Three machine-learning models, such as the convolutional neural network, artificial neural network, and random forest, were trained for prediction model of the distribution coefficient (Kd). Fourteen input variables drawn from the database and experimental data, including parameters such as initial concentration, solid-phase characteristics, and solution conditions, served as the basis for model training. To enhance model performance, these variables underwent preprocessing steps involving normalization and log transformation. The performances of the models were evaluated using the coefficient of determination. These results showed that the environmental media, initial radionuclide concentration, solid phase properties, and solution conditions were significant variables for Kd prediction. These models accurately predict Kd values for different environmental conditions and can assess the environmental risk by analyzing the behavior of radionuclides in solid phase groups. The results of this study can improve safety analyses and longterm risk assessments related to waste disposal and prevent potential hazards and sources of contamination in the surrounding environment.

The nuclear facilities at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) have generated a variety of organic liquid radwaste and radiation levels are also varied. At KAERI, the organic liquid radwaste has been stored at Radioactive Waste Treatment Facility (RWTF) temporarily due to the absence of the recognized treatment technique while inorganic liquid radwaste can be treated by evaporation, bituminization, and solar evaporation process. The organic liquid radioactive waste such as spent oil, cutting oil, acetone, ethanol, etc. was generated from the nuclear facilities at KAERI. Among the organic liquid radioactive wastes, spent oil is particularly significant. According to the nuclear safety act, radioactive waste can be cleared by incineration and landfilling if it meets the criteria of less than 10 μSv/h for individual dose and 1 person – Sv/y for collective dose. Dose assessment was performed on some organic liquid radioactive waste with a very low possibility of radioactive contamination stored in RWTF at KAERI. As a result, it was confirmed that some wastes met the regulatory clearance standards. Based on this, it was approved by the regulatory body, and this became the first case in Korea and KAERI for permission for regulatory clearance of organic liquid radioactive waste by landfill after incineration.

The thermal evaluations for the conceptual design of the deep geological repository considering the improved modeling of the spent fuel decay heat were conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics computational program. The maximum temperature at the surface of a disposal canister for the technical design requirement should not exceed 100°C. However, the peak temperature at the canister surface should not exceed 95°C considering the safety margin of 5°C due to several uncertainties. All thermal evaluations were based on the time-dependent simulation from the emplacement time of the canister to 100,000 years later. In particular, the heat source condition was set to the decay heat rate and axial decay heat profile of the PLUS7 fuel with 4.0wt% U-235 and 45 GWD/MTU. The thermal properties of the granitic rock in South Korea were applied to the host rock region. For the reference design case, the cooling time of the SNF was set to 40 years, the distance between the deposition holes 8 meters and that between the deposition tunnels 30 meters. However, the peak temperature at the canister surface at 10 years was 95.979°C greater than 95°C. This design did not meet the thermal safety requirement and needed to be modified. For the first modified case, when the distance between the deposition tunnels was set to 30 meters, three cooling time cases of 40, 50 and 60 years and five distances of 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 meters between the deposition holes were considered. The design with the distances of 9 and 10 meters between the deposition holes for the cooling time of 40 years and all five distances for 50 and 60 years were less than 95°C. For the second modified case, when the distance between the deposition holes was set to 8 meters, three cooling time cases of 40, 50 and 60 years and five distances of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 meters between the deposition tunnels were considered. The design with the distances of 35 and 40 meters between the deposition tunnels for the cooling time of 40 years, the distances of 25, 30, 35 and 40 meters for 50 years and all five distances for 60 years were less than 95°C. As a result, the peak temperature at the canister surface decreased as the cooling time and the distance between the deposition holes and the tunnels increased.