A lot of CANDU Spent Fuels (CSFs) have been stored in spent nuclear fuel pools and dry storage facilities. In accordance with the enhanced nuclear regulations, the initial characteristics of CSF should be inspected to ensure the integrity of CSF and the reliable operation of storage system before loading it into a cask for long-term dry storage. For the inspections, an initial characteristics measurement equipment was designed, which is used for Pool-Side Examination (PSE) in the spent fuel pool of the pressurized heavy water reactor nuclear power plant. Measurements using the equipment consist of non-contact inspections and contact inspections. The non-contact inspections do not affect CSF integrity, whereas the integrity of CSF can be reduced during the contact inspections under abnormal operating conditions because the probe of equipment may apply specific loads to the CSF. Therefore, the structural integrity evaluations of equipment and CSF are performed using Finite Element (FE) analyses for four combinations based on two abnormal conditions and two probe positions. The used abnormal conditions are the pressing load condition and the scratching load condition, and two probe positions are the center and bottom of the fuel rod in the longitudinal direction, respectively. In this evaluation, the bottoms of the fuel rod or CSF are defined as the regions facing the bottom surface of equipment. The analysis of the pressing load condition is performed by pressing the probe of the equipment in radial direction of the CSF fuel rod. That of the scratching load condition is carried out by applying a specific radial load to the CSF fuel rod using the probe and then applying the load to the surface of the fuel rod while moving axially along the surface. All combinations are analyzed considering geometric, boundary and material non-linearity under the dynamic load, which is dependent on the equipment operating velocity. The stresses of CSF and equipment components were obtained from these analyses. The maximum stress of each component was generated at the combination on the scratching load condition for the bottom position among the four combinations. The obtained maximum stresses are lower than the yield stress for each component material. Also, the CSF is not overturned due to the support plate of the equipment in all analyses. Therefore, the structural integrity and safety of the equipment and the CSF are maintained under abnormal operating conditions during the inspection using the initial characteristic measurement equipment.

As remote sensing measures, satellite imagery has played an essential role in verifying nuclear activities for decades. Starting with the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, thousands of satellites are currently missioning in space. Since the 2000s, the level of detail in pixels of an image (spatial resolution) has been significantly improving, thereby identifying objects less than one meter, even tens of centimetres. The more things are identifiable, the wider regions become targets for observation. With the increasing number of satellites, computer vision technology is required to explore the applicability of algorithm-based automation. This paper aims to investigate the R&D publications worldwide from the 1990s to the present, which have tried to apply algorithms to verify any clandestine nuclear activities or detect anomalies at the site. The versatile open-source publications, including the IAEA, ESARDA, US-DOE national laboratories, and universities, are extensively reviewed from the perspective of nuclear nonproliferation (or counter-proliferation). Thus, target objects for applications are essentially located in nuclearrelated sites, and the source type of satellite sensors focuses on electro-optical images with high spatial resolution. The research trend over time by groups is discussed with limitations at the time in order to contemplate the role of algorithms in the field and to present recommendations on a way forward.

The global nuclear nonproliferation regime has developed over the past 50 years based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) with three pillars: disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Due to climate change and energy security in recent years, nuclear energy has been in the spotlight as an electricity generation source, and many countries are paying attention to introducing nuclear power plants (NPP). Whereas exporters pursue profit by selling their NPP, international organisations and member states that seek nuclear nonproliferation are concerned with potential proliferation risks by expanding the nuclear power industry worldwide. Simultaneously, the member states’ right to peaceful use of nuclear energy has to be guaranteed as specified in NPT Article IV. Accordingly, the trade of nuclear power between the member states taking full responsibility is desirable from the nonproliferation perspective. This paper investigates whether the countries capable of exporting their nuclear power have complied with the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, deriving the role and position that South Korea is faced with, accordingly, has to take. The dynamics of exporters’ competitiveness are discussed, emphasising that compliance with the regime must be considered a qualification when exporting NPP. The achievement that South Korea has attained, fulfilling its role and responsibility under the regime, is highlighted. Since South Korea has developed the nuclear power industry in cooperation with the United States under the NPT and the ROK-US Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, the status quo of the two countries in the nuclear nonproliferation and industrial landscape is discussed. Among the newcomers who have officially announced the plan to introduce NPP, Saudi Arabia is put in a crucial position to aggregate or alleviate nuclear nonproliferation. To this end, the rationale for the ROK-US cooperation is proposed, evaluating the value of nuclear nonproliferation in support of exporting nuclear power.

This paper presents a strategic adoption model for blockchain technology in nuclear nonproliferation by analysing the implementation of legally binding agreements and leveraging results from governmentleading sectors. Blockchain has been emerging as not only a single promising technology but a foundational one which can be combined with diverse sectors. From the national point of view, it is imperative that the government formulates policy for fostering blockchain-related industries, thereby, gaining a competitive advantage at the national level. Accordingly, the Korean government has established the Blockchain Technology Development and Diffusion Strategies in 2018 and 2020, respectively, to verify the technology by supporting pilot projects for apposite industries, such as customs clearance, transhipment of containers, record-keeping of meat processing, and smart contracts. In addition, the strategies announce to support liaison with regulatory sandbox and cooperation between the projects. Internationally, on the other hand, nuclear nonproliferation imposes the duties of verifying that member states under the NPT and the Safeguards Agreement obey the IAEA mandate, “Atoms for Peace and Development”. Similarly, bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements and administrative arrangements specify reporting obligations for the origin and history records of the Trigger List items. Meanwhile, commercial and industrial secrets and other confidential information of any entities involved have to be securely protected. Provided accompanying activities accomplish the integrity of records and mutual transparency, it brings more credibility, and further, the competitiveness of the state’s nuclear industry. In conclusion, the tasks that the Republic of Korea implements as an exemplary country complying with the nuclear nonproliferation regime have many similarities with the pilot projects that have been or are being carried out under national strategies for fostering blockchain technology elsewhere. This implies that the leveraging of the subsets can derive a new competitive model in blockchain adoption that contributes to the competitiveness of the national nuclear industry due to the advanced nuclear regulations.

본 연구의 목적은 남자 테니스 선수의 생맥산 섭취가 혈중 지질 및 동맥경화 지수에 미치 는 영향을 조사하는 것이었다. 남자 대학 테니스 선수 17 명을 4 주간의 고강도 테니스 하계훈련 중 생 맥산 섭취 여부에 따라 생맥산 섭취군(n=9)과 위약 대조군(n=8)으로 나누었다. 테니스 하계훈련은 4 주 간 주 5 회 실시하였으며, 운동강도는 예비심박수의 70~90%로 실시하였다. 생맥산은 아침 식사 전, 운 동 중, 운동 중, 운동 후 1 회 110ml, 저녁 식사 후 1 일 총 7 회 770ml 를 섭취하였다. 모든 데이터에 대해 평균 및 표준 편차를 사용하였으며, 시기간 및 생맥산 섭취그룹의 효과를 확인하기 위하여 반복 측정분산분석법을 사용하였고, 생맥산 섭취 후 혈중 지질의 차이에 대한 관련성을 알아보기 위하여 Pearson 의 상관분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구결과, 생맥산 섭취군은 혈중 지질(중성지방, 총콜레스테롤, 고밀도지단백콜레스테롤, 저밀도지단백 콜레스테롤)과 동맥경화지수가 유의하게 개선되었으며, ⲆTG, Ⲇ LDL 및 ⲆTC 간에는 유의한 상관관계가 나타났다. 결론적으로 남자 대학 테니스 선수의 고강도 트레이 닝 시 생맥산 섭취는 혈중 지질 및 동맥경화 지수에 긍정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있어 운동 보조제로서 효 과적인 스포츠 음료가 될 수 있음을 시사한다.

Dietary supplements derived from natural sources are an essential factor in optimizing athletic performance. It has been proposed that the extract of Momordica charantia (M. charantia) that is known as a bitter melon can be potentially used as a novel supplement for health promotion. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of the M. charantia extract when administered in the form of a sports drink, and we evaluated changes in body composition and metabolic factors in tennis players after 4-week consumption of the extract. Eight male college tennis players were instructed to consume an M. charantia extract 6 times per day (3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, and the total daily intake was 600 ml). Collected data were analyzed using paired t-tests to examine the changes over time after consumption of the M. charantia extract. The results revealed a significant increase in the trunk muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and daily calorie intake (p < 0.05). Levels of protein, minerals, and total body water showed an increased tendency (not statistically significant), whereas intracellular water and extracellular water showed a decreased trend. Furthermore, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle mass showed an increased tendency. In conclusion, consumption of the M. charantia extract caused an increase in parameters related to protein, muscle mass, and metabolism. It seems that follow-up studies related to fatigue, inflammation, and stress hormones related to the M. charantia extract consumption would be needed.

단창형의 Geiger-Muller 계수관을 이용한 표면오염검사에서 베타선을 측정하기 위해 외부로 노출된 디텍터를 보호하는 방법으로 랩을 사용하고 있는데 이 방법이 측정계수율과 교정인자에 미치는 영향을 분석하고 방사선작업종사자에게 과도한 랩의 사용은 베타선의 측정값에 영향을 줄 수 있음을 인지시켜주고자 하였다. 실험방법은 3 KBq, 1.5 KBq, 0.3 KBq의 에너지가 다른 베타선을 이용하여 랩 두께에 따른 베타선 측정계수율과 교정인자의 변화를 비교ㆍ분석하였다. 실험 대상으로는 2012년 3월 한국인정기구 (KOLAS) 인증을 받은 교정센터에서 보유한 단창형의 Geiger-Muller 계수관을 대상으로 하였으며, Cl-36(Chlorine)과 Sr-90(Strontium)을 베타선 방사선원으로 사용하였다. 측정계수율은 랩 두께가 증가할수록 감소함을 확인 할 수 있었고 교정인자는 랩 두께가 증가할수록 증가하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 측정계수율의 감소와 교정인자의 변화는 기기지시값의 정확도를 감소시킬 수 있지만 디텍터의 오염 및 손상 또한 베타선 측정에서 중요한 영향을 주기 때문에 어느 정도 두께의 랩을 사용함이 가장 효과적인지 알아볼 필요성이 있다. 측정계수율과 교정인자의 낮은 변화율을 보여주는 두께의 랩을 사용한다면 디텍터를 보호하면서 베타선의 측정값에도 영향을 최소한으로 줄 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.