• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2096-2106
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• 2023

Rotating machinery is widely applied in important equipment of nuclear power plants (NPPs), such as pumps and valves. The research on intelligent fault diagnosis of rotating machinery is crucial to ensure the safe operation of related equipment in NPPs. However, in practical applications, data-driven fault diagnosis faces the problem of small and imbalanced samples, resulting in low model training efficiency and poor generalization performance. Therefore, a deep convolutional conditional generative adversarial network (DCCGAN) is constructed to mitigate the impact of imbalanced samples on fault diagnosis. First, a conditional generative adversarial model is designed based on convolutional neural networks to effectively augment imbalanced samples. The original sample features can be effectively extracted by the model based on conditional generative adversarial strategy and appropriate number of filters. In addition, high-quality generated samples are ensured through the visualization of model training process and samples features. Then, a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) is designed to extract features of mixed samples and implement intelligent fault diagnosis. Finally, based on multi-fault experimental data of motor and bearing, the performance of DCCGAN model for data augmentation and intelligent fault diagnosis is verified. The proposed method effectively alleviates the problem of imbalanced samples, and shows its application value in intelligent fault diagnosis of actual NPPs.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2023

In this study, microscopic observation was made on the surface of cement paste immersed in an aquatic environment for 100 days at electrochemical treatment to mitigate the leaching of alkali ions. To quantitatively rank the hydration products, unhydrated grains and porosity in the interfacial region, the backscattered electron(BSE) images were obtained by scanninng electron microscopy. As a result, it was found that the porosity on the surface was significantly reduced by the electrochemical treatment, while unhydrated grains were more or less increased presumably limited hydration reaction under electric charge. At electrochemical treatment, Ca²⁺ ions present in C-S-H gel could be precipitated with OH^- to form Ca(OH)₂ then to lower C-S-H gel and simultaneously to enhance Ca(OH)₂. Substantially, the risk of alkali leaching could be lowered by the limited ionized matrix under electrochemical treatment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1855-1862
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• 2023

Graphite crucibles are used for melting uranium and its alloys in VIM furnace. Various coating materials namely Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, MgO etc. are applied on the inner surface of the crucibles using paint brush or thermal spray technique to mitigate U-C interaction. These leads to significant amount of carbon pick-up in uranium. In this study, the attempts are made to develop multilayer coatings comprising of SiC/Y₂O₃ and Mo/Y₂O₃ on graphite to study the feasibility of minimizing U-C interaction. The parameters are optimized to prepare SiC coating of about 70㎛ thickness using CVD technique on graphite coupons and subsequently Y₂O₃ coating of about 250㎛ thickness using plasma spray technique. Molybdenum and Y₂O₃ layers were deposited using plasma spray technique with 70㎛ and 250㎛ thickness, respectively. Interaction studies of the coated graphite with molten uranium at 1450℃ for 20 min revealed that Y₂O₃ coating with SiC interlayer provides physical barrier for uranium-graphite interaction, however, this led to the physical separation of coating layer. Y₂O₃ coating with Mo interlayer provided superior barrier effect showing no degradation and the coatings remained intact after interaction tests. Therefore, the Mo/Y₂O₃ coating was found to be a promising solution for minimizing carbon pick-up during uranium/uranium alloy melting.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Purpose - Using a sample of Korean multinational corporations, we examine whether the relationship between tax risk and the implied cost of capital discriminates between the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) of highly rated firms. Design/methodology - Firms with high tax risks have an increased uncertainty of future cash flows. Therefore, as the volatility of future cash flow increases, information asymmetry and the required return increases. Highly rated ESG firms can reduce information asymmetry, thereby weakening the positive relationship between tax risk and cost of capital. We employ the standard deviation of the cash effective tax rate as proxy of tax risk. We utilize the ESG rating data of the Korea Corporate Governance Service (KCGS). We use a PEG model, MPEG model, and GM model to measure the implied cost of capital. Findings - We find a positive association between the implied cost of capital and tax risk. The positive relationship between tax risk and the implied cost of capital weakens in highly rated ESG firms. Highly rated ESG firms prefer a stable tax position to invest after-tax cash flows into sustainable management. Therefore, the negative effects of tax risk on cost of capital can be reduced. Originality/value - This study provides empirical evidence that ESG activities can mitigate the negative impact of tax risk on the cost of capital for Korean multinational corporations. In a business environment where ESG activities are more important, the empirical results that ESG activities can reduce the corporate risk of Korean FDI companies are expected to provide implications for the ESG activities of multinational corporations.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.429-440
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• 2023

This research investigates the deployment of waterproofing technologies in construction, with a specific focus on augmenting worker safety, work environment, and solve the difficulty of securing skilled workers. Implementing liquid waterproofing cement equipment resulted in a remarkable increase in adhesion performance by around 20%, coupled with a twofold acceleration in operational speed. The application of primer spraying apparatus led to a two-fold improvement in both penetration and adhesion performance, concurrently boosting the work speed by approximately the same factor. With urethane spraying equipment, the workload could be reduced to a third for the same layer thickness, adhesion performance enhanced by approximately 1.4 times, and workability improved by about 1.4 to 1.5 times. These findings suggest that such technological interventions can potentially enhance work efficiency, improve the quality of output, and mitigate safety accidents that are commonplace in manual operations. Furthermore, these advancements present promising solutions to the ongoing challenges of sourcing highly-competent workers in the industry.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2B
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• pp.131-139
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• 2009

Recently frequent occurrences of heavy rainfall and increases of rainfall intensity resulted in severe flood damage in Korea. In order to mitigate the vulnerability of flood, it is necessary to estimate proper design rainfalls considering the increasing trend of extreme rainfalls for hydrologic planning and design. This study focused the estimation of design rainfalls in a design target year. Tests of trend indicated that there are 7 sites showing increasing trends among 56 sites which have hourly data more than 30 years in Korea. This study analyzed the relationship between mean of annual maximum rainfalls and parameters of the Gumbel distribution. Based on the relationship, this study estimated the probability density function and design rainfalls in a design target year, and then constructed the rainfall-frequency curve. The proposed method estimated the design rainfalls 6-20% higher than those from the stationary rainfall frequency analysis.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5C
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• pp.263-271
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• 2008

Investigation and analysis of the debris flow characteristics such as basin topography, geologic conditions of initiation location and triggering rainfall are required to systematically mitigate debris flow hazard. In this paper, 48 debris flows which had caused some damages to the highway in the past 5 years are investigated and their characteristics of basic topography and triggering rainfall are analyzed. Debris flows are found to occur in small basins having the area of $0.01{\sim}0.65km^2$ range and mostly initiated by the surficial failure of natural slope having the inclination of 29~55 degree during the intense rainfall. As for the triggering rainfall, rainfall of 2 to 5 year recurrence frequency are found to be able to trigger the debris flow and magnitude of debris flow in a basin could depend on the rainfall intensity and cumulative amount.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.5-11
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• 2023

The engineering industry heavily relies on fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum to generate energy through combustion. However, this process emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. To mitigate this issue, researchers have explored various methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, one of which is carbon dioxide underground storage technology. This innovative technology involves capturing carbon dioxide from industrial plants and injecting it into the saturated ground layer beneath the earth's surface, storing it securely underground. Despite its potential benefits, carbon dioxide underground storage efficiency needs improvement to optimize storage in a limited space. To address this challenge, our research team has focused on improving storage efficiency by utilizing surfactants. Furthermore, we evaluated how different carbon dioxide states, including gaseous, liquid, and supercritical, impact storage efficiency based on their respective pressures and temperatures within the underground reservoir. Our findings indicate that using surfactants and optimizing the injection rate can effectively enhance storage efficiency across all carbon dioxide states. This research will pave the way for more efficient carbon dioxide underground storage, contributing to mitigating the environmental impact of fossil fuels on the planet.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.269-278
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• 2022

Utilization of high-voltage electrolyte additive(s) at a small fraction is a cost-effective strategy for a good solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and performance improvement of a lithium-rich layered oxide-based high-energy lithium-ion cell by avoiding the occurrence of metal-dissolution that is one of the failure modes. To mitigate metal-dissolution, we explored fluorinated dual-additives of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and di(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)carbonate (DFDEC) for building-up of a good SEI in a 4.7 V full-cell that consists of high-capacity silicon-graphite composite (15 wt% Si/C/CF/C-graphite) anode and Li_1.13Mn_0.463Ni_0.203Co_0.203O₂ (LMNC) cathode. The full-cell including optimum fractions of dual-additives shows increased capacity to 228 mAhg^-1 at 0.2C and improved performance from the one in the base electrolyte. Surface analysis results find that the SEI stabilization of LMNC cathode induced by dual-additives leads to a suppression of soluble Mn²⁺-O formation at cathode surface, mitigating metal-dissolution event and crack formation as well as structural degradation. The SEI and structure of Si/C/CF/C-graphite anode is also stabilized by the effects of dual-additives, contributing to performance improvement. The data give insight into a basic understanding of cathode-electrolyte and anode-electrolyte interfacial processes and cathode-anode interaction that are critical factors affecting full-cell performance.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2022

Caring for patients with cancer is highly stimulating and rewarding, attracting health professionals to the field who enjoy the challenge of managing a complex illness. Health professionals often form close bonds with their patients as they confront ongoing disease or treatment impacts, which may be associated with multiple losses involving function and/or eventual loss of life. Ongoing exposure to patient loss, along with a challenging work setting, may pose significant stress and impact health professionals' well-being. The prevalence rates of burnout and compassion fatigue (CF) are significant, yet health professionals have little knowledge on these topics. A 6-week continuing education program consisting of weekly small-group video-conferencing sessions, case-based learning, and an online community of practice was delivered to health care providers providing oncology care. Program content included personal, organization and team-related risk and protective factors associated with CF, grief models, and strategies to mitigate against CF. Content analysis was completed as part of the program evaluation. In total, 189 participants (93% nurses) completed the program, which was associated with significant improvements in confidence and knowledge of CF and strategies to support self and team resilience. Qualitative themes and vignettes from experiences with the program are presented. Key themes included knowledge gaps, a lack of support related to CF and strategies to support resilience, organization-and team-based factors that can inhibit expression about the impacts of clinical work, the health professional as a "person" in caregiving, and the role of personal variables, self-skill practices, and recommendations for education and support for self and teams.