The radiological characterization of SSCs (Structure, Systems and Components) plays one of the most important role for the decommissioning of KORI Unit-1 during the preparation periods. Generally, a regulatory body and laws relating to the decommissioning focus on the separation and appropriate disposal or storage of radiological waste including ILW (intermediate level waste), LLW (low level waste), VLLW (very low level waste) and CW (clearance waste), aligned with their contamination characteristics. The result of the preliminary radiological characterization of KORI Unit-1 indicated that, apart from neutron activated the RV (reactor vessel), RVI (reactor vessel internals), and BS (biological shielding concrete), the majorities of contamination were sorted to be less than LLW. Radiological contamination can be evaluated into two methods. Due to the difficulties of directly measuring contamination on the interior surfaces of the pipe, called CRUD, the assessment was implemented by modeling method, that is measuring contamination on the exterior surfaces of the pipes and calculating relative factors such as thickness and size. This indirect method may be affected by the surrounding radiation distribution, and only a few gamma nuclides can be measured. Therefore, it has limitation in terms of providing detailed nuclide information. Especially, α and β nuclides can only be estimated roughly by scaling factors, comparing their relative ratios with the existing gamma results. To overcome the limitation of indirect measurement, a destructive sampling method has been employed to assess the contamination of the systems and component. Samples are physically taken some parts of the systems or components and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory to evaluate detailed nuclides and total contamination. For the characterization of KORI Unit-1, we conducted the radiation measurement on the exterior surfaces of components using portable instruments (Eberline E-600 SPA3, Thermo G20-10, Thermo G10, Thermo FH40TG) at BR (boron recycle system) and SP (containment spray system) in primary system. Based on these results, the ProUCL program was employed to determine the destructive sample collection quantities based on statistical approach. The total of 5 and 8 destructive sample quantities were decided by program and successfully collected from the BR and SP systems, respectively. Samples were moved to laboratory and analyzed for the detail nuclide characteristics. The outcomes of this study are expected to serve as valuable information for estimating the types and quantities of radiological waste generated by decommissioning of KORI Unit-1.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value-added products is a remarkable approach for mitigating CO2 emissions caused by the excessive consumption of fossil fuels. However, achieving the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 still faces some bottlenecks, including the large overpotential, undesirable selectivity, and slow electron transfer kinetics. Various electrocatalysts including metals, metals oxides, alloys, and single-atom catalysts have been widely researched to suppress HER performance, reduce overpotential and enhance the selectivity of CO2RR over the last few decades. Among them, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted a great deal of interest because of their advantages over traditional electrocatalysts such as maximized atomic utilization, tunable coordination environments and unique electronic structures. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms involved in the electroreduction of CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) and the fundamental concepts related to electrocatalysis. Then, we present an overview of recent advances in the design of high-performance noble and non-noble singleatom catalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction.

Ablative material in a rocket nozzle is exposed to high temperature combustion gas, thus undergoes complicated thermal/chemical change in terms of chemical destruction of surface and thermal decomposition of inner material. Therefore, method for conjugate analysis of thermal response inside carbon/phenolic material including rocket nozzle flow, surface chemical reaction and thermal decomposition is developed in this research. CFD is used to simulate flow field inside nozzle and conduction in the ablative material. A change in material density and a heat absorption caused by the thermal decomposition is considered in solid energy equation. And algebraic equation under boundary layer assumption is used to deduce reaction rate on the surface and resulting destruction of the surface. In order to test the developed method, small rocket nozzle is solved numerically. Although the ablation of nozzle throat is deduced to be higher than the experiment, shape change and temperature distribution inside material is well predicted. Error in temperature with experimental results in rapid heating region is found to be within 100 K.

Interferon induced transmembrane protein-1 (Ifitm-1) has been reported to have an important role in primordial germ cell formation, and it has expressed in female reproductive organ. In the present study, Ifitm-1 gene expression was identified in testes and all part of epididymis using western immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, Ifitm-1 expression was observed on the head of spermatozoa. To investigate the role of Ifitm-1 gene expression in behavior of spermatozoa after acrosome reaction, fresh sperm was incubated with calcium ionophore to induce acrosome reaction, whereas the expression of Ifitm-1 was not altered after the acrosome reaction. Then to identify the effect of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and other seminal parameters, different concentration of Ifitm-1 antibody was incubated with spermatozoa, and seminal parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Interestingly, motility, progressive, and VAP were increased in the sperm with Ifitm-1 antibody treated compared to rabbit serum, however other parameters such as straightness were not changed. In order to identify the functional significance of Ifitm-1 in fertilization, capacitated spermatozoa were pre-incubated with anti- Ifitm-1 antibody and subsequently examined the ability to adhere to mouse oocytes. However, any defection or alteration in sperm-egg fusion was not found, Ifitm-1 antibody treated or non-treated spermatozoa showed a normal penetration. Although the precise role of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and following fertilization need to be elucidated, this study suggests that the activation of Ifitm-1 on the sperm may enhance the motility of spermatozoa in mice.

To understand the oviposition biology of arrowhead scale, Unaspis yanonensis (Kuwana) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), the longevity and fecundity of the overwintered females were examined at various temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, and 32℃). The total fecundity increased with rising temperature, showed a maximum of 260.9 crawlers per female at 24℃, and then declined thereafter. Females showed a periodical oviposition activity. The 1st cycle fecundity was identified at all temperatures examined, and was not significantly different between 16 and 28℃. However, the 2nd cycle fecundity and later cycle fecundity were much lower at 16, 20, and 32℃ than those at 24 and 28℃. The pre-oviposition period ranged from 49.0 d at 16℃ to 19.7 d at 32℃, and was the shortest 19.4d at 28℃. The linear lines of mean development rates (1/mean pre-oviposition period) against temperatures provided the estimate of low-threshold temperature 8.7℃ for pre-oviposition stage and the thermal constant of 358.1 DD. The lower threshold temperature and thermal constant for the completion of U. yanonensis pre-oviposition period well predicted the first crawler occurrences in the fields.