Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used as key components in electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS) owing to their high energy density, long cycle life, and stable operation. The rapid expansion of the EV market has intensified the demand for advanced graphite anode materials that combine cost competitiveness with superior electrochemical performance, including fast-charging capability and structural stability. This study presents an integrated approach for optimizing the physical spheronization of natural graphite and synthesizing a high-performance coating pitch (CP) for chemical spheronization. The correlation between mechanical stress and morphological evolution during the process was quantitatively analyzed using an Air Classifier Mill (ACM). Optimal spheronization was achieved by aligning theoretically calculated stress levels (≈ 3.72 MPa for particle rounding and > 14.86 MPa for fracture) with experimental results. High-performance coating pitches were prepared via stepwise polymerization of pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), followed by Thin Layer Evaporation (TLE)-based molecular weight distribution tailoring. The resulting pitch exhibited a softening point of 279.4 °C, coking value of 70.7%, and zero quinoline insoluble (QI) content, and was applied as a coating precursor. The optimized spheronized graphite anode showed excellent electrochemical properties, including an initial Coulombic efficiency of 92.6% and 97.4% capacity retention after 50 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) analyses further confirmed efficient lithium-ion diffusion at both the surface and core, demonstrating suitability for fast-charging LIB applications.

북극 지역은 수십 년 동안 전례 없는 기후 변화를 겪고 있으며, 이는 해빙의 현저한 감소와 항해 가능 기간의 확대를 가져왔다. 본 연구에서는 2013년부터 2024년까지의 북극 선박교통 데이터베이스(ASTD)와 2021년부터 2025년까지의 러시아 북동 항로(NSR) 포털 등 의 포괄적인 데이터셋을 활용하여, 해빙 손실과 이에 따른 북동 항로, 북서 항로 및 북극해 중앙항로를 따라 항해 가능한 기간의 확장에 대한 통합 평가를 제시하였다. 연구 결과 1990년부터 2024년까지 9월의 해빙 범위가 32% 감소했으며, NSR의 항해 가능 일수는 두 배 이상 증가한 것을 확인하였다. 선박 통항 기록을 분석한 결과, 최근에는 연간 600회 이상의 상선 항해가 이루어졌으며 선종 및 기국이 다양하 게 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 특히 ASTD를 러시아의 NSR 통항 허가서와 구별하여 방법론적 차이를 명확히 하는 데 중점을 두었다. 2023년 이후 주요 행정 규제의 변화와 상업적 변화를 반영하여 비빙선(Non-ice class vessel)에 대한 접근성이 확대된 것이 중요한 추세로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 북극 해양 활동의 활성화로 인한 경제적 기회와 동시에 생태 환경적 위험을 가져오고 있으며, 북극 해역에서 지속 가능한 활동을 보장하기 위해서는 능동형 다국적 거버넌스의 필요성을 제기한다.

This study investigates how writing tasks in 10th-grade English textbooks in South Korea have evolved across six national curricula, from the 5th to the 2022 Revised Curriculum, excluding the 2009 Revised Curriculum, which did not mandate the use of textbooks for this grade level. The study examined writing tasks from 16 textbooks, analyzing their instructional focus, the integration of pre-, while-, and post-writing components, degree of collaboration, and genre distribution. The findings indicate a gradual shift from sentence-level, language-focused tasks to paragraph-level, meaningmaking tasks. Process-oriented elements, particularly pre- and post-writing components, have become more common, though post-writing activities remain limited to peer review. The provision of paragraph skeletons has increased over time. Peer-based collaboration has increased, but group writing tasks have nearly disappeared. Genre coverage has broadened over time, yet expository writing continues to dominate. This study underscores the importance of continued attention to how writing is represented in instructional materials to support more pedagogically informed L2 writing instruction.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of water temperature during the gonadal inactive season on the sex ratio of Tegillarca granosa, a sequential hermaphroditic bivalve. The sex ratio (F:M) of the group reared in wild was 1:1.3 (n=40:52), and the female ratio was 43.5%. In experimental groups that experienced different water temperature conditions (5.0, 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0℃) in an indoor aquarium during the gonadal inactive stage, the male ratio tended to increase as the water temperature increased. The correlation between water temperature and sex ratio was calculated as R2=0.7748. The results suggest that for sequential hermaphroditic bivalves, population sizes may decrease as the proportion of females decreases if water temperatures continue to rise due to climate warming.

국제해사기구(IMO)의 선박 환경규제 강화에 따라 선박 배출 온실가스 저감을 위한 대체연료 및 새로운 추진시스템의 도입이 활발히 진행되고 있다. 특히 연료전지와 배터리를 결합한 하이브리드 전기추진시스템은 배출가스 제로 및 높은 에너지 효율을 통해 차세 대 친환경 선박의 주요 대안으로 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 전기추진시스템에 적용되는 암모니아 개질기의 선박 탑재를 위한 시험기준과 절차를 개발하고 그 타당성을 검증하였다. 암모니아는 저장 용이성, 운송 효율성 및 무탄소 배출 특성으로 인해 차세대 수소 공급원으로 주목받지만, 고온 개질기 필요, 독성 및 부식성, 잔류 암모니아 슬립 등 복합적 기술 문제와 안정성 확보 방안이 필수적이다. 이를 해결하기 위한 방안으로 본 논문은 실선 운항 조건을 반영한 4가지 핵심 시험항목(수소 생산량, 수소 순도, 잔류 암모니아 슬립, 경 사안정성)을 도출하고, 각 항목별로 시험환경, 절차, 측정기준, 수용기준을 포함한 정량적 시험방법론을 제시하였다. 해당 시험기준은 ISO 14687, IMO IGF Code 등 국제 기준을 기반으로 연계되며, 실선박에서의 신뢰성, 반복성, 실현가능성을 확보하기 위한 기반 자료로 활용 가 능하다.

Background: Aquatic exercise utilizing hot springs helps individuals with nonspecific knee pain by reducing joint stress and providing a safe environment for movement. It can improve muscle strength and balance, enhancing overall functional mobility. Objects: This study aims to examine the muscle strength of knee flexion, knee extension, dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion, as well as to investigate static and dynamic balance in middleaged females after performing hot spring aquatic exercise for 4 weeks. Methods: Twenty-two middle-aged females participated in the study. The participants performed hot spring aquatic exercise for 4 weeks. The hot spring aquatic exercise consisted of aquatic walking, aquatic stretching, aquatic side step, aquatic forward reach, aquatic squat, leg lift, and aquatic arm and leg rotation. Muscle strength was measured using microFET2, while static balance was assessed through the one-leg stance test, and dynamic balance was evaluated using the Y-balance test. This study utilized the paired t-test for statistical analysis, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: The muscle strength of bilateral knee flexion showed a significant increase in the pre- and post-comparison (p < 0.05), and the muscle strength of bilateral knee extension also improved significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant increase was observed in the muscle strength of bilateral dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). The one-leg stance test performed while supporting on the right leg showed a significant increase in the pre- and post-comparison (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the dynamic balance measurements performed while supporting on both the right and left legs demonstrated significant improvements in both legs when compared before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In individuals with nonspecific knee pain, a 4-week hot spring aquatic exercise program can contribute to the improvement of lower extremity strength, as well as static and dynamic balance ability.

The purpose of this study is to analyze effect of Army Risk Assessment System(ARAS) which is used to prevent safety accident in ROK army. Based on prior research, we select 4 indicators which are related to accident prevention effect and analyze the differences before and after ARAS operation for each indicators by using Paired-Samples T-Test. Also, we analyze the correlation between degree of ARAS operation and status of safety accidents of 112 ROK Army units. We conduct an evaluation of each function within the system using IPA method. The results of this study are as follows; All 4 indicators are improved compared to before ARAS operation, and the differences are statistically significant. Also, there is negative correlation between the degree of ARAS operation and the occurrence of safety accidents. So, the operation of ARAS has a positive effect on preventing safety accidents. Finally among the 15 functions of ARAS, 4 functions require improvement. The findings of this study have implications for proposing necessity of computerized system in enforcing Risk Assessment. Also, whether or not operating ARAS is important, but it is also important to operate it well. Lastly, We propose improvement plans for each function to operate it well.

This study aimed to reconfirm the sex change scale and pattern of Tegillarca granosa. Although the sex ratio (female : male, female proportion) of T. granosa was 1:2.32 (30.2%) at the initial stage (2011) of the study, it was 1:0.94 (51.5%) after one year (2012) in the same population. The increase of the female proportion was greater in the 2+ year class (23.0%) when compared to the 1+ year class (19.2%). Overall, sex change ratio of 37.6% was observed in this population of T. granosa. The sex change ratio of the 2+ year class (39.3%) was higher than that of the 1+ year class (35.3%). And sex change ratio in the males (42.2%) was higher than that in the females (26.9%). The female proportion was the opposite of the result from 2006~2007, and one of the causes was presumed to be the difference in cumulative water temperature during the gonadal inactive stage (winter).

Background:Agricultural work is physically demanding and is associated with a high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. It is challenging to comprehensively understand the present status of work-related diseases and injuries among farmers in underdeveloped countries.Objects:This study aimed to elucidate the current status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in local farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, and identify the agricultural factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (AFWMP) and healthy living and healthy behavior factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (HFWMP).Methods:The Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development at Yonsei University conducted a survey of 126 households in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2014. A total of 116 individuals (73 men, 43 women) representing each household answered the questionnaires.Results:1) Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) most commonly occurred when performing heavy lifting and most frequently occurred in the lower back. 2) Age, self-perceived labor intensity, and months of farming work were significantly higher in the pain group than those in the non-pain group. 3) Overall work-related musculoskeletal pain intensity (WPI) showed positive and negative correlations with years of farming experience and self-perceived health status, respectively. 4) In binary logistic regression, the occurrence of WMSP showed significant associations with self-perceived labor intensity. 5) On multiple linear regression analysis, age, months of farming work, and self-perceived health status had a significant impact on overall WPI.Conclusion:The WMSP of farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia was related to the characteristics of farm working and health status. Furthermore, HFWMP and AFWMP were the chief factors affecting the occurrence of WMSP in farmers in Tigray. Therefore, both HFWMP and AFWMP should be considered for clinical health assessments of farmers with WMSP in underdeveloped African countries.

Background: Deficiencies in the ability to maintain balance are common in elderly. Augmented feedback such as knowledge of results (KR) can accelerate learning and mastering a motor skill in older people. Objects: We designed this study to examine whether one session of Wii-Fit game with self-regulated KR is effective for elderly people, and to compare the effect of two different timings of self-regulated KR conditions. Methods: Thirty-nine community-dwelling elders, not living in hospice care or a nursing home, participated in this study. During acquisition, two groups of volunteers were trained in 10 blocks of a dynamic balancing task under the following 2 conditions, respectively: (a) a pre-trial self-regulated KR (n1=18), or (b) a post-trial self-regulated KR (n2=21). Immediate retention tests and delayed retention tests of balancing performance were administered in 15 minutes and 24 hours following acquisition period, respectively. Results: In both groups, significant improvements of balancing performances scores were observed during the acquisition period. Regardless of the group, mean of balancing performance scores on retention tests were well-maintained from the final session. There were no significant differences between groups in balancing performance scores during the acquisition period (p>.05); however, the post-trial self-regulated KR group exhibited significantly higher balancing performance scores in both the immediate retention test and delayed retention test than that of the pre-trial self-regulated KR group (p<.05). Conclusion: Therefore, subjects who regulated their feedback after a dynamic balancing task, during the acquisition period, experienced more efficient motor learning during the retention period than did subjects who regulated their feedback before a dynamic balancing task. Accordingly, in case of presenting the KR of motor learning in clinical settings to elders who reduced dynamic balance abilities, the requesting time of KR is imperative according to self-estimation processes as well as types of KR and practice.

Various types of radioactive liquid and solid wastes are generated during the operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. To remove radionuclides Co-60, Cs-137 etc. from a liquid waste, the ion-exchange process based on organic resins has been commonly used for the operation of nuclear facilities. Due to the considerations for the final disposal of process endproduct, other treatment methods such as adsorption, precipitation using some inorganic materials have been suggested to prepare for large amounts of waste during decommissioning. This study evaluated sintering characteristics for radioactive precipitates generated during the liquid waste treatment process. The volume reduction efficiency and compressive strength of sintered pellets were the major parameters for the evaluation. Major components of a simulated precipitate were some coagulated (oxy) hydroxides containing light elements, such as Si, Al, Mg, Ca, and zeolite particles. Green pellets compressed to around 100 MPa were heated at a range of 750~850°C to synthesize sintered pellets. It was observed that the volume reduction percentages were higher than 50% in the appropriate sintering conditions. The volume reduction was caused by the reduction of void space between particles, which is an evidence of partial glassification and ceramization of the precipitates. This result can also be attributed to conversion reactions of zeolite particles into other minerals. The compressive strength ranged from 6 to 19 MPa. These results also showed a significant correlation with the volume reduction of sintered body. Although our lab-scale experiments showed many benefits of sintering for the precipitates, optimized conditions are needed for large-scale practical applications. Evaluation of sintering characteristics as a function of pellet size and further testing will be conducted in the future.

Radioactive waste can be classified according to the concentration level for radionuclides, and the disposal method is different through the level. Gamma analysis is inevitably performed to determine the concentration of radioactive waste, and when a large amount of radioactive waste is generated, such as decommissioning nuclear facilities, it takes a lot of time to analyze samples. The performance of a lot of analysis can cause human errors and workload. In general, gamma analysis is performed using by HPGe detector. Recently, for convenience of analysis, commercial automatic sample changers applicable to the HPGe detectors were developed. The automatic sample changers generate individual analysis reports for each sample. In this study, gamma analysis procedure was improved using the application of the automatic sample changer and the automated data parsing using by Python. The application of automatic sample changers and data parsing technique can solve the problems. The human errors were reduced to 0% compared to the previous method by improving the gamma analysis procedure, and working time were also dramatically reduced. This automation of analysis procedure will contribute to reducing the burden of analysis work and reducing human errors through various improvements.

Heavy water (D2O) is a coolant as well as a moderator of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). During operation of PHWRs, deuterium (H-2, D) in heavy water is gradually converted to tritium (H-3, T), which is a radioactive nuclide with a half-life of 12.3 years, by capturing neutron. Various radioactive wastes contaminated by T are generated upon the PHWR operation. Owing to the similarity of D and T, they behave together a form of water (either liquid or vapor) in a normal circumstance. To handle D and T with the water form is quite difficult because it is not a solid and is highly mobile in nature. In this study, a mineralization technique to fix D and T in a solid form is suggested. It is considered that hydroxide minerals, which have low solubility in water, might tightly bind D and T in non-mobile, solid-state media. Feasibility of this strategy is studied by using a copper-based hydroxide mineral, atacamite. Atacamite is a natural mineral found in copper deposits with chemical formula of Cu2Cl(OH)3. Atacamite can be simply synthesized in laboratories by a precipitation method using copper chloride and calcium carbonate as precursors. Both chemicals were added into heavy water to obtain pale-green precipitates. Heavy water is the only source for D in this reaction and thus deuterated mineral is expected to be form. The obtained deuterated mineral, suspected to be Cu2Cl(OD)3, was then immersed in natural deionized water (extremely low D2O concentration) for several days to identify how fast D in Cu2Cl(OD)3 dissolves into water. In a preliminary Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, absorption peaks related to HDO and D2O were not observed in the deionized water which is recovered after the immersion test, suggesting that D remained stable in the synthesized mineral. However, owing to low detection limit of FTIR, more precise analysis should be taken to clearly identify the stability of D of the deuterated atacamite. If deuterated hydroxide minerals are found to have sufficiently high D stability in natural water, they can be further treated with cement or other stabilization media to form a final wasteform for underground disposal.