When storing spent fuel in a dry condition, it becomes essential to ensure that any remaining moisture bound to the canister and spent fuel is effectively removed and stored within an inert gas environment. This is crucial for preserving the integrity of the spent fuel. According to the NRC- 02-07-C-006 report, it is advised to reduce pressure gradually or in incremental stages to prevent the formation of ice. In the context of vacuum drying, it is desirable to perform testing using a prototype model; however, utilizing a prototype model can be difficult due to budget constraints. To address this limitation, we designed and constructed a laboratory-scale vacuum drying apparatus. Our aim was to assess the impact of vacuum pump capacity on the drying process, as well as to evaluate the influence of canister volume on drying efficiency. The vacuum drying tests were carried out until the surface temperature of the water inside reached 0.1°C. In the tests focusing on vacuum pump capacity, vacuum pumps with capacities of 100, 200, 400, and 600 liters were employed. The outcomes of these tests indicated that smaller vacuum pump capacities resulted in increased evaporation rates but also prolonged drying times. In the case of drying tests based on canister volume, canisters with volumes of approximately 100 and 200 liters were utilized. The results revealed that larger canister volumes led to longer drying times and lower rates of evaporation. Consequently, if we were to employ an actual dry storage cask for vacuum drying the interior of the canister, it is anticipated that the process would require a substantial amount of time due to the considerably larger volume involved.

The saturation of wet storage facilities constructed and operated within nuclear power plant sites has magnified the significance of research concerning the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel. Not only do wet storage facilities incur higher operational and maintenance costs compared to dry storage facilities, but long-term storage of metal-clad fuel assemblies submerged in aqueous tanks is deemed unsuitable. Consequently, dry storage is anticipated to gain prominence in the future. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that quantitatively assessing the residual water content remains elusive even when employing the apparatus and procedures utilized in the existing dry storage processes. The presence of residual water can only be inferred from damage or structural alterations to the spent nuclear fuel during its dry storage, making precise prediction of this element crucial, as it can be a significant contributor to potential deformations and deterioration. The aforementioned challenges compound the issue of retrievability, as substantial complexities emerge when attempting to retrieve spent nuclear fuel for permanent disposal in the future. Consequently, our research team has established a laboratory-scale vacuum drying facility to investigate the sensitivity of various parameters, including canister volume, pump capacity, water surface area, and water temperature, which can exert thermohydraulic influences on residual water content. Moreover, we have conducted dimensional analysis to quantify the thermohydraulic effects of these parameters and express them as dimensionless numbers. These analytical approaches will subsequently be integrated into predictive models for residual water content, which will be further developed and validated at pilot or full-scale levels. Furthermore, our research team is actively engaged in experimental investigations aimed at fine-tuning the duration of the pressure-holding phase while optimizing the evaporation process under conditions designed to avert the formation of ice caused by abrupt temperature fluctuations. Given that the canister is constructed from acrylic material, we are able to identify, from a phenomenological perspective, the specific juncture at which the boiling phenomenon becomes manifest during the vacuum drying process.

The Agency needs to maintain a solid and reliable foundation for recruited inspectors by providing practical training at commercial nuclear power plants. The Comprehensive Inspection Exercise (CIE) is a basic training which consists of a simulation of a Design Information Verification (DIV) Visit, a Physical Inventory Verification (PIV) at a nuclear power plant, including Complementary Access. The basic curriculum includes a pre-course session, auditing exercises, fresh fuel (bundles and assemblies) measurements, spent fuel (bundles and assemblies) measurements, verification of design features, as well as nuclear material flow. ROK has been holding the lightwater reactor (LWR) / heavy-water reactor (CANDU) training course (CIE) from 2010 every year with about 2 weeks curriculum through MSSP (Member State Support Program). LWR and CANDU are operated by KHNP. To efficiently carry out the safeguards, IAEA receives the contribution through the ROK support program and implement R&D for the nuclear material inspection. ROK has been supporting and contributing total 22 tasks to IAEA in-cash and in-kind. Among them, this training provides for a course on safeguards verification activities at CANDU and LWR facilities. This course offers inspectors a unique opportunity to understand diversion scenarios and to familiarize themselves with instruments specifically used at CANDU and LWR facilities (OFPS and DCVD), as well as spent fuel dry storage transfer verification activities and dry storage dual sealing arrangements. KINAC performs PoC (Point of Contact) on behalf of NSSC and coordinates work between IAEA and KHNP. Additionally, KINAC first discusses with KHNP that can host light-water reactors and heavy-water reactors with KHNP at the beginning of each year. In order to hold a successful training, ROK plans and carries out a lot of process including agenda, accommodation, equipment movement, logistics and so on in consultation with the IAEA and facilities.

As a promising anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), cobalt sulfide ( CoS2) has attracted extensive attention due to its high theoretical capacity, easy preparation, and superior electrochemical activity. However, its intrinsic low conductivity and large volume expansion result in poor cycling ability. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon-coated CoS2 nanoparticles (N–C@ CoS2) were prepared by a C3N4 soft-template-assisted method. Carbon coating improves the conductivity and prevents the aggregation of CoS2 nanoparticles. In addition, the C3N4 template provides a porous graphene-like structure as a conductive framework, affording a fast and constant transport path for electrons and void space for buffering the volume change of CoS2 nanoparticles. Benefitting from the superiorities, the Na-storage properties of the N–C@CoS2 electrode are remarkably boosted. The advanced anode delivers a long-term capacity of 376.27 mAh g− 1 at 0.1 A g− 1 after 500 cycles. This method can also apply to preparing other metal sulfide materials for SIBs and provides the relevant experimental basis for the further development of energy storage materials.

Graphene-based sensors have emerged as significant tools for biosensing applications due to their unique electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In this study, we have developed an innovative and sensitive aptasensor based on the surfacemodified graphene for the detection of lung cancer biomarker CA125. The sensor leverages the combination of graphene surface and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) electrodeposition to achieve a high level of sensitivity and selectivity for the biomarker detection. A noticeable decrease in electron transfer resistance was observed upon the AuNPs deposition, demonstrating the enhancement of electrochemical performance. Our experimental findings showed a strong linear relationship between the sensor response and CA125 concentrations, ranging from 0.2 to 15.0 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.085 ng/ mL. This study presents a novel approach to lung cancer detection, surpassing the traditional methods in terms of invasiveness, cost, and accuracy. The results from this work could pave the way for the development of graphene-based sensors in various other biosensing applications.

Aurantii Fructus Immature (AFI) and Aurantii Fructus (AF) are two important traditional Chinese herbs. As the harvesting time varies, the medicinal value of the plants is not uniform. Consequently, it has been difficult to quickly recognize them within the realm of traditional Chinese medicine. Separation and detection technologies are employed in combination to create fingerprints for identification. We proposed the utilization of graphene-assisted electrochemical fingerprint technology to acquire fingerprints of two varieties of medicinal materials. Simultaneously, we also obtained their fingerprints through HPLC. Two fingerprint recognition technologies were compared for their effectiveness. The findings demonstrate that the signals obtained through electrochemical fingerprinting have a higher recognition rate.

PURPOSES : A model for minimizing cutting loss and determining the optimum layout of blocks in pavements was developed in this study. METHODS : Based on literature review, a model which included constraints such as the amount, volume, overlap, and pattern, was developed to minimize the cutting loss in an irregular pavement shape. The Stach bond, stretcher bond, and herringbone patterns were used in this model. The harmony search and particle swarm algorithms were then used to solve this model. RESULTS : Based on the results of the model and algorithms, the harmony search algorithm yielded better results because of its fast computation time. Moreover, compared to the sample pavement area, it reduced the cutting loss by 20.91%. CONCLUSIONS : The model and algorithms successfully optimized the layout of the pavement and they have potential applications in industries, such as tiling, panels, and textiles.

선박의 설계과정에 있어, 선박의 중량은 유체역학적 성능에 큰 영향을 미치는 가장 중요한 요소 중 하나이다. 선박은 일반적으 로 최적의 흘수와 배수량을 갖는 하나의 조건으로 설계되지만, 실제로는 연료의 소비, 선박 평형수의 충전과 적재 조건과 같은 운항 활동 으로 인해 선박의 중량 및 흘수가 일정 범위 내에서 바뀐다. 본 연구에서는 소형선박을 대상으로 3가지 하중조건에 따른 선박의 저항성능 변화를 모형실험과 수치해석을 통해 연구하였다. 마지막으로 2050년까지 CO2 배출 가스를 50% 감축한다는 국제해사기구(IMO) 목표를 따 라 선박의 저항 성능을 개선하여 동력 요구 사항을 줄이기 위해 선박의 중량 변화에 따른 저항성능의 민감도를 연구하였다. 연구 결과, 선박의 중량변화에 따른 효과는 낮은 프루드 수에서 크게 나타나는 것으로 확인되며, 저항성능에 대한 연구 결과, 설계 흘수의 적재조건 을 기준으로 배수량이 11.1% 증가하고, 흘수가 5% 증가한 Over load의 적재조건에서 운항 시 선체의 총 저항이 모형시험과 CFD 시뮬레이 션에서 각각 15.97%, 14.31%까지 증가하는 것을 볼 수 있다.

닭 사체를 이용하여 장소, 기온, 습도별 시식성 곤충상을 파악하기 위해 대전광역시 전민동 일대의 3개의 장소 를 선택하여 닭 사체별로 유인되는 곤충의 종류와 군집 상의 차이와 출현양상을 조사하였다. 이를 위해, 닭 사체에 유인되는 곤충을 주기적으로 채집하고 해당 일자의 온도와 습도를 조사하여 기록했으며, 채집한 곤충들은 외부 형태적 특징으로 분류하고 개체수를 확인했다. 조사결과, 딱정벌레목과 파리목의 개체가 가장 많았고, 그 외에 바퀴목, 벌목, 노린재목 분류군에 속하는 다양한 곤충들이 유인된 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구 결과는 법곤충 시식성 곤충을 연구하는데 중요한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있도록 결과를 종합정리하였다.

The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a native species in East Asia specialized in box trees (Buxus sp.) but has recently invaded most European countries. Due to the absence of its natural enemies in Europe, the economic impact is serious in most countries. In order to find parasitoids as biological control agents in Korea, C. perspectalis larvae were collected from ornamental and native box trees from various regions of the country from 2022 to 2023. While rearing them in the insectary, several parasitoids emerged from the larvae. We found at least six larval parasitoids, including five wasp species and one fly species. Molecular diagnosis using the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that most samples were 90–97% identical to the data in the NCBI database. Further studies are required to determine biological and parasitic characteristics, such as developmental rate, fecundity, host specificity, and parasitic rate, to clarify the suitability of parasitoids as biological control agents.

Many insects form mutualistic relationships with microbial symbionts, crucial for their physiological processes. The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, establishes a unique gut symbiosis with the genus Caballeronia and consistently acquires these symbionts from surrounding soil with each generation. As a result, the bean bug unavoidably consumes a variety of environmental microbes, including potential pathogens. To address this, the bean bug has developed a specialized organ in its midgut that selectively filters out non-symbiotic microbes, thereby preventing contamination of its symbiotic organ. In this study, we identified a pathogenic strain from the genus Burkholderia that lethally affects the bean bug post-invasion of the symbiotic organ. This pathogen employs a strategy of mimicking the motility of native symbionts to infiltrate the symbiont sorting organ and displays a pronounced resistance against antimicrobial agents produced by the host. Upon establishing itself in the symbiotic organ, the pathogen breaches the midgut cells, leading to host mortality, and subsequently disperses into the external environment. Our findings unveil a cunning pathogenic tactic that exploits the mimicry of native symbionts within an insect's symbiotic framework.

Natural enemy insects, including predators and parasitoids, are beneficial organisms that feed upon other agricultural pests. Using natural enemy insects to suppress or prevent outbreak of pests is a key component of integrated pest management strategy. It is safe, effective, and environmentally friendly and can be applied easily to the greenhouses, filed crops and orchards. Rearing and application of natural enemy insects in biocontrol in China have a long history. As early as 1700 years ago, the predator Oecophylla smaragdina has been used for controlling many kinds of citrus pests. Up to now, more than 30 species of natural enemies that can be artificially mass produced and widely used for biological control of many kinds of pests, including caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, leaf mites and scales in China. The annual average application area of natural enemies is over 11.34 million hectares. However, with the increasing demand of using natural enemies in biological control programs, the development of natural enemy insect industrialization still face many challenges. It is urgent to explore more effective candidate natural enemies, improve the production efficiency, increase the shelf life of products and enhance the colonization of natural enemy insects after release, and thus facilitate the commercially production and application of natural enemies. This is of great significance for comprehensively promoting the use of green prevention and control techniques for crop diseases and pests, reducing the use of chemical pesticides, ensuing the quality and safety of food and agricultural products, and ultimately promoting sustainable agricultural development.