Natural uranium-contaminated soil in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) was generated by decommissioning of the natural uranium conversion facility in 2010. Some of the contaminated soil was expected to be clearance level, however the disposal cost burden is increasing because it is not classified in advance. In this study, pre-classification method is presented according to the ratio of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and contaminated uranium in the soil. To verify the validity of the method, the verification of the uranium radioactivity concentration estimation method through γ-ray analysis results corrected by self-absorption using MCNP6.2, and the validity of the pre-classification method according to the net peak area ratio were evaluated. Estimating concentration for 238U and 235U with γ-ray analysis using HPGe (GC3018) and MCNP6.2 was verified by 􀟙-spectrometry. The analysis results of different methods were within the deviation range. Clearance screening factors (CSFs) were derived through MCNP6.2, and net peak area ratio were calculated at 295.21 keV, 351.92 keV(214Pb), 609.31 keV, 1120.28 keV, 1764.49 keV(214Bi) of to the 92.59 keV. CSFs for contaminated soil and natural soil were compared with U/Pb ratio. CSFs and radioactivity concentrations were measured, and the deviation from the 60 minute measurement results was compared in natural soil. Pre-classification is possible using by CSFs measured for more than 5 minutes to the average concentration of 214Pb or 214Bi in contaminated soil. In this study, the pre-classification method of clearance determination in contaminated soil was evaluated, and it was relatively accurate in a shorter measurement time than the method using the concentrations. This method is expected to be used as a simple pre-classification method through additional research.

The decommissioning of Korea Research Reactor Units 1 and 2 (KRR-1&2), the first research reactors in South Korea, began in 1997. Approximately 5,000 tons of waste will be generated when the contaminated buildings are demolished. Various types of radioactive waste are generated in large quantities during the operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and in order to dispose of them in a disposal facility, it is necessary to physico-chemically characterize the radioactive waste. The need to transparently and clearly conduct and manage radioactive waste characterization methods and results in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, acceptance standards is emerging. For radioactive waste characterization information, all information must be provided to the disposal facility by measuring and testing the physical, chemical, and radiological characteristics and inputting related documents. At this time, field workers have the inconvenience of performing computerized work after manually inputting radioactive waste characterization information, and there is always a possibility that human errors may occur during manual input. Furthermore, when disposing of radioactive waste, the production of the documents necessary for disposal is also done manually, resulting in the aforementioned human error and very low production efficiency of numerous documents. In addition, as quality control is applied to the entire process from generation to treatment and disposal of radioactive waste, it is necessary to physically protect data and investigate data quality in order to manage the history information of radioactive waste produced in computerized work. In this study, we develop a system that can directly compute the radioactive waste characterization information at the field site where the test and measurement are performed, protect the stored radioactive waste characterization data, and provide a system that can secure reliability.

This study selected the optimal conditions for enzyme treatment that can promote the extraction of functional components from Salvia plebeia (SP) and confirmed solubilization characteristics, functional component contents, and applicability evaluation in pilot-scale, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity. The optimal conditions of pectinase, 1%, and 2 h (P) were determined through the enzyme treatment of SP. The water-soluble index and total polyphenol content were the highest in P compared to 100oC reflux condition for 2 h (CON). Component analysis performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that flavonoid contents were increased 6.6-9.5 times in the P compared to CON. There was no difference in component content when comparing the measurement lab-scale and pilot scale. CON and P indicated cytoprotective effect against H2O2-induced RAW 264.7 cells. CON and P pre-treatment also reduced the production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, P showed higher antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities than CON. These results suggested that P has a higher concentration of bioactive compounds through enzyme treatment than that obtained from CON. Thus, it can be used as a primary material for industrial utilization, such as developing functional food materials using SP.

The inclusion of conductive carbon materials into lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for constructing an electrical network of electrodes. Considering the demand for cells in electric vehicles (e.g., higher energy density and lower cell cost), the replacement of the currently used carbon black with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) seems inevitable. This review discusses how CNTs can contribute to the development of advanced LIBs for EVs. First, the reason for choosing CNTs as a conducting agent for the cathode is discussed in terms of energy density. Second, the reinforcing effect of CNTs on the anode is described with respect to the choice of silicon as the active material. Third, the development of water-based cathode fabrication as well as dry electrode fabrication with aid of CNTs is discussed. Fourth, three technical hurdles, that is, the price, dispersion issue, and entrapped metal impurities, for widespread use of CNTs in LIBs are discussed.

본 연구에서는 수확 후 저장 기간에 따른 절화 장미의 수명 변화를 알아보았다. 절화장미 ‘Antique Curl’을 수확 직후 4℃ 암조건의 저장고에서 0일(무처리), 1일, 3일, 5일, 7일간 보존 용액 처리 후 습식 저장하였다. 저장이 끝난 절화는 24℃ 실 내 광환경으로 옮겨 절화 보존제 유무 조건에서 절화수명을 조사하였다. 그 결과, 절화수명은 저장기간 3일차까지는 20일 전후로 높았으나, 5일차 이후 유의적으로 감소했다. 절화 보 존제는 절화수명 연장에 효과적이지는 않았으나 절화의 꽃목 굽음 현상을 완화시켰다. 엽록소 형광(Fv/Fm)은 저장 기간과 관계없이 0.78~0.82 수준으로 나타났으며 저장기간에 의한 광 생리 기능저하는 확인되지 않았다. 결과적으로 절화장미 ‘Antique Curl’의 상업적 저장 기한은 최대 5일로 확인되었다.

The objectives of this study are to increase the contents of functional compounds and antioxidant activity obtained from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extracts using fermentation and enzyme. The optimal conditions (1%, Aspergillus luchuensis) for extraction methods were determined through fermentation treatment of ginger (concentrations of 0.5 and 1%; Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus luchuensis). The quality characteristics of the ginger extract for each treatment method (HW, hot water treated; EZ, enzyme; AL, fermentation; ALEZ, fermentation and enzyme) were observed using the optimal conditions. The water-soluble index (WSI) and total sugar content of the ALEZ increased by 2.6 times and 6.5 times, respectively, compared with that of the HW. However, the sum of gingerol and shogaol contents of ALEZ were 73.9% in ratio compared with lower than that of the HW. Antioxidant contents were generally higher in ALEZ, similar to the WSI trend. Therefore, ALEZ was more effective in enhancing antioxidant activity than EZ and AL. The fermentation and enzymatic approach described in this study would be beneficial to food industries for developing ginger functional products and materials.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a gastrointestinal disorder with diverse symptoms but no structural or organic manifestations. Benachio-F® (herein named ‘BF-1’) is an over-the-counter liquid digestive formulated with multiple herbal extracts, which has been reported to improve symptoms of FD. A total two experiments were conducted. First, we examined whether BF-1 can modulate the progression of FD through two experimental rat models. A total of three doses (0.3x, 1x, 3x of the human equivalent dose) were used. In the gastric emptying model, both 1x (standard) or 3x (3-fold-concentrated) BF-1 enhanced gastric emptying was compared with that of vehicle-treated animals. In a feeding inhibition model induced by acute restraint stress, treatment with 1x or 3x BF-1 led to a similar degree of restoration in food intake that was comparable to that of acotiamide-treated animals. Among the constituents of BF, fennel is known for its choleretic effect. Thus, we next investigated whether a novel BF-based formula (named ‘BF-2’) that contains an increased amount of fennel extract (3.5-fold over BF-1), has greater potency in increasing bile flow. BF-2 showed a superior choleretic effect compared to BF-1. Furthermore, the postprandial concentration of serum secretin was higher in animals pretreated with BF-2 than in those pretreated with BF-1, suggesting that the increased choleretic effect of BF-2 is related to secretin production. Our results demonstrate that BF-1 can modulate the pathophysiological mechanisms of FD by exerting prokinetic and stress-relieving effects, and that BF-2 has a better choleretic effect than BF-1.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been recognized as a therapeutic tool for various diseases due to its unique ability for tissue regeneration and immune regulation. However, poor survival during in vitro expansion and after being administrated in vivo limits its clinical uses. Accordingly, protocols for enhancing cell survivability is critical for establishing an efficient cell therapy is needed. CDDOMe is a synthetic C-28 methyl ester of 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-oic acid, which is known to stimulate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)- antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Herein, report that CDDO-Me promoted the proliferation of MSCs and increased colony forming units (CFU) numbers. No alteration in differentiation into tri-lineage mesodermal cells was found after CDDO-Me treatment. We observed that CDDO-Me treatment reduced the cell death induced by oxidative stress, demonstrated by the augment in the expression of Nrf2-downstream genes. Lastly, CDDO-Me led to the nuclear translocation of NRF2. Our data indicate that CDDO-Me can enhance the functionality of MSCs by stimulating cell survival and increasing viability under oxidative stress.

We investigated the effect of a synthetic complement peptide C3a on the outcome of Brucella abortus 544 infection in a murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cell. First, we determined the highest non-cytotoxic concentration of the peptide in the cell line. We also found that the peptide significantly increased the growth of the bacteria at 8 and 24 h. Although the number of bacterial CFU was also elevated at 48 and 72 h, the increases were not significant as compared to controls. We further investigated the effect of C3a peptide on the growth of Brucella by pre-incubating the peptide at various temperatures and found that the effect was reversed at 24 h post-incubation suggesting that incubation of peptide at high temperatures including 65°C or 95°C could inactivate its action. This also could indicate the beneficial effect of high temperature during infection. Although several studies reported the inhibitory effect of different antimicrobial peptides including C3a, the present study preliminarily revealed that it had no positive contribution on the control of B. abortus 544 infection in vitro and indirectly to its receptor, CD88, which belongs to GPCR. Moreover, the encouraged further exploration of the effect of other similar peptides would be performed for the purpose of finding Brucella-host cell interaction for the control of disease progression.