• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.9
• /
• pp.2107-2118
• /
• 2020

The nuclear reactor coupled with supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO₂) Brayton cycle has good prospects in generation IV reactors. Turbomachineries (turbine and compressor) are important work equipment in circulatory system, whose performances are critical to the efficiency of the energy conversion system. However, the sharp variations of S-CO₂ thermophysical properties make turbomachinery performances more complex than that of traditional working fluids. Meanwhile, almost no systematic analysis has considered the effects of turbomachinery efficiency under different conditions. In this paper, an in-house code was developed to realize the geometric design and performance prediction of S-CO₂ turbomachinery, and was coupled with systematic code for Brayton cycle characteristics analysis. The models and methodology adopted in calculation code were validated by experimental data. The effects of recompressed fraction, pressure and temperature on S-CO₂ recompression Brayton cycle were studied based on detailed design of turbomachinery. The results demonstrate that the recompressed fraction affects the turbomachinery characteristic by changing the mass flow and effects the system performance eventually. By contrast, the turbomachinery efficiency is insensitive to variation in pressure and temperature due to almost constant mass flow. In addition, the S-CO₂ thermophysical properties and the position of minimum temperature difference are significant influential factors of cyclic performance.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2008.07a
• /
• pp.2106-2107
• /
• 2008

이 논문은 국내 저압접지방식의 현장적용화를 위한 실증시험장 구축과 실증시험의 검증을 위한 시뮬레이션 환경 구축에 관한 논문이다. 외함접지방식에 의존하고 있는 국내 저압접지방식은 IEC에서 제안하고 있는 접지방식에 비하여 낙후되어 있고, 이에 대한 증거로서 선진국에 비하여 십수배에 달하는 감전사고 발생을 들 수 있다. 이러한 국내 실정을 극복하고자, IEC저압접지방식에 대한 실증시험장 구축을 목적하고 있으며, 그에 대한 일환으로 실증시험 검증용 시뮬레이션 환경 구축을 수행하고 있다. 본 논문은 TN-S 방식의 접지방식으로 구성된 배전계통을 PSCAD/EMTDC를 이용하여 모델링하고, 도체-외함-접지의 동시지락을 모의함으로서 외함도체의 전위상승과 감전사고의 발생 가능성을 모의하였다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.295-304
• /
• 2021

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a hematopoietic malignancy driven by promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor A (PML-RARA) fusion gene. The therapeutic drugs currently used to treat APL have adverse effects. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is an anticancer medicine with high effectiveness and low toxicity. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms of GRh2-induced PML-RARA degradation and apoptosis in human APL cell line (NB4 cells) remain unclear. Methods: Apoptosis-related indicators and PML-RARA expression were determined to investigate the effect of GRh2 on NB4 cells. Z-VAD-FMK, LY294002, and C 87, as inhibitors of caspase, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) pathways were used to clarify the relationship between GRh2-induced apoptosis and PML-RARA degradation. Results: GRh2 dose- and time-dependently decreased NB4 cell viability. GRh2-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and caspase3, caspase8, and caspase9 activation in NB4 cells after a 12-hour treatment. GRh2-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells was accompanied by massive production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage and upregulated Bax/Bcl-2 expression. GRh2 also induced PML/PML-RARA degradation, PML nuclear bodies formation, and activation of the downstream p53 pathway in NB4 cells. Z-VAD-FMK inhibited caspase activation and significantly reversed GRh2-induced apoptosis and PML-RARA degradation. GRh2 also upregulated TNF-α expression and inhibited Akt phosphorylation. LY294002, an inhibitor of the PI3K pathway, enhanced the antitumor effects of GRh2, and C 87, an inhibitor of the TNF-α pathway, reversed NB4 cell viability, and GRh2-mediated apoptosis in a caspase-8-dependent manner. Conclusion: GRh2 induced caspase-dependent PML-RARA degradation and apoptosis in NB4 cells via the Akt/Bax/caspase9 and TNF-α/caspase8 pathways.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.191-198
• /
• 2021

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.10
• /
• pp.4068-4076
• /
• 2024

In the event of severe accidents in pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants, the potential leakage of radioactive aerosols through containment cracks poses a considerable radioactive hazard to the public. Understanding aerosol transport and retention in cracks helps reduce the conservatism and uncertainty of radioactive hazard assessment. Concrete cracks are recognized as a pivotal pathway for the leakage of radioactive aerosols, and several researchers have undertaken experimental investigations concerning the aerosol transport and retention in concrete cracks. However, the majority of these studies have rather low gas flow Reynolds numbers. In this work, an experimental setup is built to study aerosol transport and retention in concrete cracks under high Reynolds number flow. The TiO₂ aerosol with a mass median diameter of 1 ㎛ and two concrete crack specimens are used in experiments. The results of gas flow experiments indicate that the Reynolds number is capable of reaching 10547. Combining the flow experimental data and Suzuki's formula, the equivalent heights of these two crack specimens are approximated as 303.67 ㎛ and 231.48 ㎛. The experimental results indicate a notably high retention rate of aerosols, exceeding 0.8. Furthermore, under high Reynolds number flow, the retention rate varies over a relatively narrow range, with the larger the equivalent height of the crack resulting in a lower retention rate. The experimental results match well with the mechanistic analysis based on inertial deposition theory, demonstrating the rationality of the inertial deposition theory.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The inability to adequately judge the efficacy of cleaning and sanitation procedures in deli departments is a recognized food safety concern. In a prior study, our research group demonstrated that visual inspection of cleaned produce processing surfaces could be enhanced through the use of a portable fluorescence imaging device that detected residual produce residues. Methods: To explore the feasibility of using fluorescence imaging to similarly detect residual deli residues, spectra of American, Cheddar, Provolone, and Swiss cheeses and of processed chicken, ham, roast beef, and turkey were acquired using a laboratory hyperspectral imaging system. Circular punches of these commodities were placed onto stainless steel and high density polyethylene coupons for imaging. The coupon materials were selected to represent common surfaces found in deli departments. Results: Analysis of hyperspectral fluorescence images showed that cheeses exhibited peaks in the blue-green region and at around 675 nm. Meats exhibited peaks in the blue-green region with one of four ham and one of four chicken brands exhibiting peaks at around 675 nm, presumably due to use of plant-derived additives. When commodities were intermittently imaged over two weeks, locations of spectral peaks were preserved while intensity of peaks at shorter wavelengths increased with time. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that fluorescence imaging techniques have the potential to enhance surface hygiene inspection in deli departments and, given the immediate availability of imaging results, to help optimize routine cleaning procedures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.232-238
• /
• 2005

There are growing needs for improving the general performances of the domestic working environment evaluation organizations. For this purpose, introduction of laboratory accreditation program has been suggested. This study was conducted as a part of this effort. With a questionnaire developed in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17025, the current status of industrial hygiene (IH) laboratories in terms of manpower, management and technical aspects. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The average working staffs' number of the working environment evaluation organizations was $6.8{\pm}3.3$ persons. In addition, 49% of all organizations are run by less than 5 persons. This suggests that manpower of Korean IH laboratories is very limited. 2. IH laboratories surveyed in this study obtained 53% of the points by the international standard. And there is significant correlation between the number of staffing and total scores (P<0.05). 3. The period of work experience is one of the most important factors to determine the working capability. The average year of work experience of the laboratories' directors was $13.5{\pm}5.3$ years. Directors with more wok experiences obtained higher scores on the questions that ask to prove the appropriateness of the research methodology (p<0.05). 4. As for academic qualifications of laboratory directors, 14% had Ph.D., 31% with Master's, 29% with Bachelor's, and 4% had Associate degree. There was significant correlation between the total scores and the general managers' academic background (p<0.05). The 27% of laboratory directors have majored in either industrial hygiene or health, 8% majored in medicine, another 8% majored environmental studies, and 6% majored in chemistry. 5. Only 14% of all IH laboratories surveyed employ directors with Certified Industrial Hygienist licence, 41% have general managers with Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (Level 1) licence, and 45% of all laboratories either employ directors without relevant qualification or did not respond. When the laboratory manger holds relevant qualification, laboratory health and safety management was better (p<0.05). 6. When compared to the general international standard in terms of the management, and 55% in terms of technological level.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.52-62
• /
• 2013

Objectives: To investigate the association between psychological distress and obesity among law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the United States. Methods: Self-reported data on psychological distress based on six key questions were obtained from LEOs who participated in the National Health Interview Survey (2004-2010). We used Prochaska's cut-point of a Kessler 6 score ${\geq}5$ for moderate/high mental distress in our analysis. Mean levels of body mass index (BMI) were compared across three levels of psychological distress. Results: The average age of LEOs (n = 929) was 39.3 years; 25% were female. Overall, 8.1% of LEOs had moderate or high psychological distress; 37.5% were obese (BMI ${\geq}30$). Mean BMI increased with increasing psychological distress (no distress, BMI = $27.2kg/m^2$; mild distress, $27.6kg/m^2$; and moderate/high distress, $33.1kg/m^2$; p = 0.016) after adjustment for age, race, income, and education level among female officers only. Physical activity modified the association between psychological distress and BMI but only among male LEOs (interaction p = 0.002). Among male LEOs reporting low physical activity, psychological distress was positively associated with BMI ($30.3kg/m^2$ for no distress, 30.7 for mild distress, 31.8 for moderate/high distress; p = 0.179) after adjustment, but not significantly. This association was not significant among males reporting high physical activity. Conclusion: Mean BMI significantly increased as psychological distress increased among female LEOs. A longitudinal study design may reveal the directionality of this association as well as the potential role that physical activity might play in this association.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.199-207
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Tomatoes, an important agricultural product in fresh-cut markets, are sometimes a source of foodborne illness, mainly Salmonella spp. Growth cracks on tomatoes can be a pathway for bacteria, so its detection prior to consumption is important for public health. In this study, multispectral Visible/Near-Infrared (NIR) reflectance imaging techniques were used to determine optimal wavebands for the classification of defect tomatoes. Methods: Hyperspectral reflectance images were collected from samples of naturally cracked tomatoes. To classify the resulting images, the selected wavelength bands were subjected to two-band permutations, and a supervised classification method was used. Results: The results showed that two optimal wavelengths, 713.8 nm and 718.6 nm, could be used to identify cracked spots on tomato surfaces with a correct classification rate of 91.1%. The result indicates that multispectral reflectance imaging with optimized wavebands from hyperspectral images is an effective technique for the classification of defective tomatoes. Conclusions: Although it can be susceptible to specular interference, the multispectral reflectance imaging is an appropriate method for commercial applications because it is faster and much less expensive than Near-Infrared or fluorescence imaging techniques.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.603-608
• /
• 2005

We recently isolated a novel probiotic strain, Lactobacillus fermentum PL9005 (KCCM-10250), from infant feces and showed that it had a potential immunoenhancing effect. In the present study, a safety assessment of the bacteria was performed using a BALB/c mouse model. Mice were administered with L. fermentum PL9005 daily for 28 days. There were no detectable changes in body weight, feed intake, or clinical signs, and no significant difference in hematological parameters or blood biochemistry between the L. fermentum PL9005-fed and control groups. Bacterial translocation was detected in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen of some mice with and without L. fermentum PL9005 feeding, however, the organisms were not related to ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005; this was confirmed by PCR using a species-specific primer. No gross lesions were detected in the liver, spleen, or intestine of L. fermentum PL9005-fed or control mice. Mucosal thickness in the ileum, cecum, and colon of L. fermentum PL9005-fed mice was not significantly different from that of corresponding organs in control mice. No inflammation or epithelial cell degeneration in the intestines was observed in any mice. These results indicate that ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005 is safe in mice and can be applied in the functional food market.