A twelve-year-old, spayed female Siamese cat was presented for health screening. Abdominal radiography revealed a large amount of mineral opacity substances of various sizes and shapes, along with mild gaseous dilation proximal to the lesion. Ultrasonography showed hyperechoic surface with acoustic shadowing at the ileum and wall thickening of the ileum. Enterotomy was performed to remove the foreign bodies, which were numerous hairball- and stone-like objects. Analysis of the enteroliths revealed a composition of calcium phosphate. Although enterolithiasis is considered rare in cats, it should be included in the differential diagnosis when numerous pebble-like mineral opacity lesions are observed.

This study examined whether the perceptions of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and individual and environmental factors related to healthy eating changed after the COVID-19 pandemic among adults living in Daqing, China. Data were collected through two rounds of online surveys conducted from April to May 2021 and from March to April 2023, using a questionnaire previously validated for use in Daqing. Using the snowball sampling method, 571 adult participants were recruited, most of whom were Daqing oilfield workers or members of their families. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine if the differences in the perceptions of the TPB and dietary environments exist during and after the pandemic after controlling for potential confounders. Scores of several subcomponents of TPB and mean scores of longterm intentions increased but scores of subcomponents and overall mean of motivation decreased after the outbreak. Multiple linear regression showed that only motivation for healthy eating decreased after the pandemic. Influenced by the pandemic, people increased their healthy eating behaviors. Nevertheless, as the pandemic subsided and the pace of life accelerated, people tended to choose convenient foods over healthy options. Consequently, the motivation for healthy eating has declined post-pandemic compared to during the pandemic.

Stoneflies (Plecoptera) are known for being sensitive to water pollution and are used as bioindicators for evaluating water quality. Among them, Nemouridae, especially the genus Nemoura, which are commonly referred to as winter stoneflies, can be found around streams even during the cold winter months. Nemoura geei Wu, 1929, among them, was originally described from Beijing and is widely distributed in Korea, China, Japan, and the Russian Far East. Here, we report the development and characterization of new functional microsatellite markers of N. geei using high-throughput sequencing technology. A total of 80,661 microsatellite loci were identified with a total length of 1,801,591 bp. The average length was 22.34 bp, and microsatellites occupied 0.42% of the entire sequence. The novel 20 microsatellite markers developed in this study can be usefully applied to the population genetics analyses as important genetic resources for understanding the ecological and evolutionary characteristics of a stonefly species at the population level in Korea.

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a prominent technology that can preserve superior genetic traits of animals and expand the population in a short time. Hematological characters and endocrine profiles are important elements that demonstrate the stability of the physiological state of cloned animals. To date, several studies regarding cloned camels with superior genes have been conducted. However, detailed hemato-physiological assessments to prove that cloned camels are physiologically normal are limited. In this study, We evaluated the hemato-physiological characteristics of cloned male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Methods: Therefore, we analyzed variations in hematological characteristics and endocrine profiles between cloned and non-cloned age-matched male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries ). Two groups each of male and female cloned and non-cloned camels were monitored to investigate the differences in hemato-physiological characteristics. Results: All the animals were evaluated by performing complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and endocrinological tests. We found no significant difference between the cloned and non-cloned camels. Furthermore, the blood chemistry and endocrine profiles in male and female camels before maturity were similar. Conclusions: These results suggest that cloned and non-cloned camels have similar hematological characteristics and endocrine parameters.

This study analyzed the impact of Higher-order resources on profit sustainability for domestic companies using a mathematical statistical model. Higher-order resources refer to resources that do not directly affect profits but influence other resources that directly contribute to profits. As a result of analysis using 30 years of actual data from more than 650 domestic companies, the average duration of competitive advantage including high-order resources was found to be about twice as long as the period suggested by the autoregressive model excluding high-order resources. Through this, if companies want to earn more profits over a long period of time than their competitors, they must not only possess resources that are more valuable, rare, difficult to imitate, and non-substitutable compared to their competitors, but also that higher-order resources can contribute to changes in these resources over time. It was confirmed that it must lead the long-term profit difference. High-level resources include strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) capabilities, and good forecasting.

Background: Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive source for veterinary regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug development. Here we used vitamin C (Vc) to improve the reprogramming efficiency of canine iPSCs, and its functions in the reprogramming process were elucidated. Methods: Retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc (OSKM), and GFP was employed to induce reprogramming in canine fetal fibroblasts. Following transduction, the culture medium was subsequently replaced with ESC medium containing Vc to determine the effect on reprogramming activity. Results: The number of AP-positive iPSC colonies dramatically increased in culture conditions supplemented with Vc. Vc enhanced the efficacy of retrovirus transduction, which appears to be correlated with enhanced cell proliferation capacity. To confirm the characteristics of the Vc-treated iPSCs, the cells were cultured to passage 5, and pluripotency markers including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Tra-1-60 were observed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of endogenous pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog, Rex1, and telomerase) were also verified by PCR. The complete silencing of exogenously transduced human OSKM factors was observed exclusively in canine iPSCs treated with Vc. Canine iPSCs treated with Vc are capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro and have spontaneously differentiated into three germ layers. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize a straightforward method for enhancing the efficiency of canine iPSC generation and provide insight into the Vc effect on the reprogramming process.

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.

A new annual dose evaluation system called E-DOSE has been developed. The system is based on the methodology of the previous version, K-DOSE60, which uses the dose evaluation methods of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-60). However, E-DOSE is coded in ABAP to be compatible with the KHNP’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, SAP. This allows E-DOSE to use the real-time data from SAP, which minimizes the need for user intervention. The socio-environmental data, which was previously managed by the staff of each plant sites, can now managed in the system in a centralized manner. This is a significant improvement over the previous system, as it reduces the risk of errors and makes it easier to track and manage data. The system also automatically generates the reports required by regulations. EDOSE is expected to minimize the occurrence of human errors in preparing and managing the input data. This is because the system uses the data from SAP, which is less prone to errors than manually entered data. Additionally, the automatic generation of reports reduces the risk of errors in report preparation. E-DOSE is also expected to improve work efficiency. This is because the system automates many of the tasks involved in annual dose evaluation, such as data entry, calculation, and report generation. Overall, E-DOSE is a significant improvement over the previous annual dose evaluation system. It is more efficient, accurate, and user-friendly.

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 periodic safety review (PSR), for all operating nuclear power plants in Korea, has been conducted in accordance with SSG-25, a guideline suggested by the IAEA, The PSR is performed through the review of the regulatory body after the operator’s self-evaluation. In order to guarantee a high level of safety in consideration of the changed environment, such as operating experience (OE) and technology development, it should be comprehensively and integratedly performed, and it is also carried out every 10 years after the operation permit. However, in case that all or part of the reactor facilities have been permanently shut down, such as Kori Unit 1 and Wolsong Unit 1, Around a half of reactor facilities are not in operation. The periodic safety evaluation may not be conducted for unused parts if there is no safety hazard and if there are some difficulties for applying periodic safety evaluation. In considering that the biggest purpose of PSR safety (by PSR definition of KINS guideline) is to improve and accumulated factors such as aging deterioration, facility change, operation experience, and technological development for operating nuclear power plants. It refers to a comprehensive safety evaluation that is periodically performed during the period of operation of a nuclear power plant. It is necessary to review whether PSR should be performed for a nuclear power plant that is permanently shut down after nuclear power plant operation is terminated. Also, in IAEA SSR 2/2 Rev1, it is defined that PSR is performed during the nuclear power plant operation period. “Requirement 12: Periodic safety review, Systematic safety assessments of the plant, in accordance with the regulatory requirements, shall be performed by the operating organization throughout the plant’s operating lifetime, with due account taken of operating experience and significant new safety related information from all relevant sources”. Recently, Kori Unit 1 and Wolsong Unit 1 were decided to permanently shut down in June 2017 and December 2019, and are currently being prepared for decommissioning. According to the Wolsong decommissioning plan, decontamination and demolition will be completed by 2032. The PSR for permanent shutdown of Kori Unit 1 was submitted to the regulatory body in December 2018 and is under approval review. In the case of the permanent shutdown PSR of Wolsong Unit 1, the project will be launched in May 2023 and the PSR will be submitted to the regulatory body in May 2024. In the case of Wolsong Unit 1, it is necessary to operate the various systems, including the systems related to the spent fuel storage tank, even during the period of permanent shutdown. Such as the heavy water related systems used in common with Wolsong Unit 2, are essential operating systems. Based on Basic Subject Index (BSI), 112 out of 218 systems require operation, indicating that about 50% of systems require operation even after permanent shutdown. Decommissioning of systems and equipment will begin after the transfer to modular air-cooled canister storage (MACSTOR) by the end of 2025, and then in-depth discussions will be needed whether PSR evaluation is meaningful.

In order to evaluate the integrity of the reactor pressure vessel, various test specimens necessary to identify irradiation embrittlement. The degree of irradiation embrittlement of the vessel material by neutrons, from the construction to the end of the life of the plant, is evaluated by a monitoring plan that called surveillance program (a series of all plans to analyze and evaluate embrittlement through various tests and analyzes by placing a test piece inside the reactor pressure vessel and taking out a piece at an appropriate time according to the number of operation years and taking necessary measures for safe operation). The reactor monitoring specimens for Kori Unit-1 are located by axis at S (57°), T (67°), R (77°), N (237°), P (247°) and V (257°). Six surveillance capsules are attached to the inside of the pressure vessel around the core and to the outside of the thermal shield. This surveillance container determines the withdrawal timing of the surveillance container according to the provisions of ASTM E185-82. In the monitoring test piece, there are neutron dosimeter materials to measure and evaluate the irradiated neutron flux, and Ni, Cu, Fe, Co-Al, Cd, and shielded Co-Al monitors are wired in the monitoring container. Each axial position is contained in a spacer hole. The neutron dosimetry monitor measures the neutron dose using isotopes produced by neutrons during operation of the reactor. The Al-Co specimen, which can evaluate the degree of radioactivity of cobalt, is located on the lower part of the specimen. The content of Co in the Al-Co specimen is 0.15%, and when expressed in ppm, it is 1,500 ppm, which is similar to the cobalt content of 1,414 ppm in the internal structure of the reactor vessel presented in NUREG-3474. If the radiation value of the Al-Co sample in the reactor monitoring specimen can be measured, the radiation value of the internal structure of the reactor can be indirectly compared. Since the monitoring specimen is located outside of the thermal shield, radiation should be less than that of the thermal shield. Korea Reactor Monitoring Technology performed gamma measurement on Al-Co specimens in 6 monitoring specimens, and although there are differences depending on the sample, it shows radioactivity values around the order of 1E+07 dps/g, or Bq/g. In conclusion, it is thought that using this measurement values, it is possible to verify the evaluation of internal structure radiation for Kori unit-1 decommissioning.

Strategic item export control aims to maintain international peace and safety and serves as a significant nuclear non-proliferation regime that directly impacts a nation’s security. Therefore, establishing an autonomous export control system at the state level is crucial, and one of the most efficient methods to achieve this is by enhancing an export company’s management system. Accordingly, many advanced countries, such as the United States, Europe, and Japan, have operated their own internal compliance programs (CP or ICP) to manage and screen the export of strategic items as a corporate social responsibility and risk mitigation measure. In Korea, which has a high dependence on trade, the need for CP was continuously confirmed, but the system was introduced in 2004, relatively late compared to other advanced countries. So far, the Korean government has made steady efforts to develop and establish the system and is actively encouraging businesses to obtain Compliance Program certification to autonomously manage strategic items. Major technologically advanced countries utilize technology transfer as a tool for economic sanctions, trade security, and strategic technology management, and they continue to strengthen their control regimes. In these countries, CP certification is considered a standard practice for export control among mid-sized and large enterprises. It serves as a vital risk management system that protects companies from unforeseen incidents. However, in Korea, the application of CP under the Foreign Trade Act is limited to dual-use items and does not extend to the nuclear export control system. Therefore, this paper analyzes international cases and CP requirements in countries like the United States, Japan, Europe, and Singapore. As a result of the review, the application of CP into Korea’s nuclear export control could be a coexistence means that can strengthen supply chain control as well as provide benefits not to impede technical research, international trade, and exchanges.

자생식물은 관상용, 약용, 식량자원으로 활용될 수 있는 잠재력을 지닌 고유 유전자원이다. 돌부추(Allium koreanum H.J. Choi & B.U. Oh)는 우리나라 해안 암반지대에 분포하는 자생식물 중 하나로, 기후변화와 서식지 감 소로 인해 보전 가치가 높은 식물이다. 이번 연구는 온도와 과산화수소가 돌부추의 발아에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 종자를 무처리(대조군) 또는 1% 과산화수소(H2O2)로 90분간 처리한 종자를 준비해 15, 20, 25°C 로 설정된 식물 생장 챔버에 배치하였다. 그 결과, 파종 23일 후 15°C에서 42%인 발아율이 20°C와 25°C에서 각각 18%와 0%인 발아율보다 2배 이상 높았으며, H2O2 처리 여부와 관계없이 15°C에서 발아율이 42%로 가장 높았다. H2O2 처리와 관계없이 최종 발아율 50%(T50)에 도달하는 일수는 20°C에서 가장 짧았지만, 일평균 발아율(MDG)은 15°C에서 가장 높았다. 따라서 1%의 H2O2 처리는 돌부추의 발아율에 큰 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 15°C의 온도가 돌부추의 발아율을 높이는 데 최적인 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구 결과는 돌부추의 발아를 위한 기초 연구 자료로 활 용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.