• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.10
• /
• pp.3849-3854
• /
• 2022

The present work aims to optimize the radiation protection efficiency for ion-selective containers used in the liquid treatment for the nuclear power plant (NPP) cooling cycle. Some naturally occurring rocks were examined as filler materials to reduce absorbed dose and equivalent dos received from the radioactive waste container. Thus, the absorbed dose and equivalent dose were simulated at a distance of 1 m from the surface of the radioactive waste container using the Monte Carlo simulation. Both absorbed dose and equivalent dose rate are reduced by raising the filler thickness. The total absorbed dose is reduced from 7.66E-20 to 1.03E-20 Gy, and the equivalent dose is rate reduced from 183.81 to 24.63 µSv/h, raising the filler thickness between 0 and 17 cm, respectively. Also, the filler type significantly affects the equivalent dose rate, where the redorded equivalent dose rates are 24.63, 24.08, 27.63, 33.80, and 36.08 µSv/h for natural rocks basalt-1, basalt-2, basalt-sill, limestone, and rhyolite, respectively. The mentioned results show that the natural rocks, especially a thicker thickness (i.e., 17 cm thickness) of natural rocks basalt-1 and basalt-2, significantly reduce the gamma emissions from the radioactive wastes inside the modified container. Moreover, using an outer cementation concrete wall of 15 cm causes an additional decrease in the equivalent dose rate received from the container where the equivalent dose rate dropped to 6.63 µSv/h.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.57 no.8
• /
• pp.27.1-27.6
• /
• 2015

This study was designed to investigate the effects of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and granulosa cells monolayer on nuclear maturation and cleavage rates of ovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The COCs (n = 2814) were matured in maturation medium supplemented with various concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (0, 5, 10, $15{\mu}g/ml$), oocytes were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ with 5 % $CO_2$ for 24 h in three culture systems: (a) maturation medium (MM; n = 884), (b) co-cultured with granulosa cells (CG; n = 982) and (c) co-cultured with granulosa cells and cells were further cultured in MM for 12 h (CG + 12hMM; n = 948). Our results showed that ${\alpha}$-tocopherol had no effect on GVBD and MII as compared to control group, but when ${\alpha}$-tocopherol added to maturation medium the rate of cleavage decreased. This indicates interaction of above mentioned factors in any of the treatments showed no significant differences on the rate of maturation and cleavage stages (MII, GVBD and cleavage) (p > 0.05). The oocytes co-cultured with granulosa cells for 24 h had beneficial effects on cleavage rate. The maximum MII and cleavage rates were achieved when oocytes had extra 12 h culture in the maturation medium without granulosa cells. Results also showed our modified co-culture system (CG + 12hMM), improved rates of MII and the cleavage in comparison with other studied maturation systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.55-70
• /
• 2024

The loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat not only to business sustainability and investment risk but also to societal well-being. Nature serves as a crucial driver for long-term business viability and economic prosperity. The Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), established in September 2023, mandates that companies assess and disclose their impacts on nature. Despite this, many businesses lack a full understanding of their reliance on and impact upon natural capital and ecosystem services, leading to insufficient disclosures. This study evaluates the applicability of TNFD's assessment methodologies and indicators within a domestic context, highlighting the condition of nature and ecosystem services, and exploring potential synergies with national biodiversity policies. Our analysis suggests that TNFD necessitates a unique approach to the spatial and temporal data and methodologies traditionally employed in environmental impact assessments. This includes assessing the reciprocal influences of corporate activities on natural capital and ecosystem services via the LEAP framework. Moreover, in industries where the choice of specific indicators depends on unique sectoral traits, developing a standardized strategy for data and assessment indicators-adapted to local conditions-is crucial due to the variability in the availability of assessment tools and data. The proactive engagement of the private sector in ecosystem restoration projects is particularly promising for contributing towards national biodiversity objectives. Although TNFD is in its nascent phase, its global adoption by numerous companies signifies its potential impact. Successful implementation of TNFD is anticipated to deepen businesses' and financial institutions' understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services, thereby reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.314-318
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a measurement system for determining photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) distribution and illumination efficiency of LED lamps. Methods: The system was composed of a linear moving sensor part (LMSP), a rotating part to turn the LMSP, a body assembly to support the rotating part, and a motor controller. The average PPF of the LED lamp with natural cooling and water cooling was evaluated using the measurement system. Results: The PPF of LED lamp with water cooling was 3.1-31.7% greater than that with natural cooling. Based on the measured value, PPF on the horizontal surface was predicted. Illumination efficiency of the LED lamp was slightly increased with water cooling by 3.4%, compared with natural cooling. A simulation program using MATLAB was developed to analyze the effects of the vertical distance from lighting sources to growing bed, lamp spacing, and number of LED lamps, on the PPF distribution on the horizontal surface. The uniformity of the PPF distribution of the LED lamps was fairly improved with 15 cm spacing, as compared to the 5 cm spacing. By simulation, PPF of $217.0{\pm}27.9{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ was obtained at the vertical distance of 40 cm from six LED lamps with 12 cm spacing. This simulated PPF was compared to the measured one of $225.9{\pm}25.6{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. After continuous lighting of 346 days, the relative PPF of LED lamps with water cooling and natural cooling was decreased by 6.6% and 22.8%, respectively. Conclusions: From these results, it was concluded that the measurement system developed in this study was useful for determining PPF and illumination efficiency of artificial lighting sources including LED lamp.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.149-159
• /
• 2005

Samples were collected from five stations in February, May, July, and September 2004 to investigate seasonal variations in the phytoplankton community and the relationship between dominant genera and environmental factors in Asan Bay. In February, microphytoplankton contributed 80% to the total chlorophyll a. Diatom dominated the phytoplankton community, accounting for 85.9% of the total cell number, followed by dinoflagellates (6%). Dominant species were Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira spp. Abundant diatom, including S. costatum and Thalassiosira spp., may be affected by water temperature and silicate at Station 1 and 2 in February 2004. In May, the nanophytoplankton contribution to total phytoplankton was higher than in other seasons. However, abundance of S. costatum and Thalassiosira spp. decreased, since the growth of S. costatum and Thalassiosira spp. might be limited by phosphates (P) resulting from low P concentration and a high DIN:DIP ratio in the outer region. In July, dominant phytoplankton groups were diatom (39%), cryptophyceae (28%), and cyanophyceae (20%). Dominant genera were Oscillatoria spp. and phytoflagellate of a monad type in the inner region (Station 1 and 2), whereas S. costatum was dominant in the outer region (Station 4 and 5). In September, dominant phytoplankton were diatom (69%) and cryptophyceae (28%). Dominant genera were phytoflagellate of the monad type, S. costatum in the inner region, while Chaetoceros spp. was dominant in the outer region.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2 s.66
• /
• pp.122-133
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The amyloid $\beta$-protein ($A\beta$) is the principal component of the senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and elicits a toxic effect on neurons in vitro and in vivo. Many environmental factors including antioxidants and proteoglycans modify $A{\beta}toxicity$. In this study, we have investigated the protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A\beta$-induced oxidative cell death in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Methods : For this study, we used MTT reduction assay for detection of protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells. We also used cell-based $\beta$-secretase assay system to investigate the inhibitory effect of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root on $\beta$-secretase activity. Results : We previously reported that methanol extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root strongly attenuated cytotoxicity induced by the three $A\beta$ fragments ($A{\beta}_{25-35},\;A{\beta}_{1-42}\;A{\beta}_{1-43}$) to both SK-N-MC and PC12 cells. In the present study, we found that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol had strong protective effects against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells and inhibitory potency to $\beta$-secretase activity. Conclusion : These results suggest that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol may contain the protective component(s) against $A\beta$-induced cell death in PC12 cells as well as inhibitory component(s) to $\beta$-secretase activity.