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Currently, the Korean nuclear industry uses ZIRLO as material for nuclear fuel cladding(zirconium alloy). KEPCO Nuclear Fuel is in the process of developing a HANA alloy to enable domestic production of cladding. Cladding manufacture involves multistage heat treatments and pickling processes, the latter of which is vital for the removal of defects and impurities on the cladding surface. SMUT that forms on the cladding surface during such pickling process is a source of surface defects during heat treatment and post-treatment processes if not removed. This study analyzes ZIRLO, HANA-4, and HANA-6 alloy claddings to extensively study the SEM/EDS, XRD, and particle size characteristics of SMUT, which are second phase particles that are formed on the cladding surface during pickling processes. Using the analysis results, this study observes SMUT formation characteristics according to Nb concentration in Zr alloys during the washing process following the pickling process. In addition, this study observes SMUT removal characteristics on cladding surfaces according to concentrations of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid in the acid solution.

Zr electrorefining is demonstrated herein using Zirlo tubes in a chloride-fluoride mixed molten salt in the presence of AlF3. Cyclic voltammetry reveals a monotonic shift in the onset of metal reduction kinetics towards positive potential and an increase in intensity of the additional peaks associated with Zr-Al alloy formation with increasing AlF3 concentration. Unlike the galvanostatic deposition mode, a radial plate-type Zr growth is evident at the top surface of the salt during Zr electrorefining at a constant potential of −1.2 V. The diameter of the plate-type Zr deposit gradually increases with increasing AlF3 concentration. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses for the plate-type Zr deposit show that trace amount of Al is incorporated as Zr-Al alloys with different chemical compositions between the top and bottom surface of the deposit. Addition of AlF3 is effective in lowering the residual salt content in the deposit and in improving the current efficiency for Zr recovery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of long- and short-term energy drinks on anxiety-like, depressionlike, and cognitive behavior in adolescent rats. Methods: Adolescent rats (age six weeks) were randomly classified into a control group (CON), a long-term administration group (LT), and a short-term administration group (ST). The LT group was orally administered 1.5 mL/100 g (body weight) of energy drink twice daily for 14 days, the ST group was orally administered for one day, and the control group applied the same amount of normal saline. Later, an open-field test, a forced swim test, novel object recognition test, and an 8-arm radial maze test was conducted to assess the rats’ anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. Results: There were different effects in the long- and short-term groups of energy drink administration. In the LT group, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior increased because of increased movement in the side corner and decrease of immobility time. Also, the time to explore novel objects decreased, and the number of correct responses was reduced, indicating a learning and memory function disorder. However, the ST group was not different from the control group. Conclusion: These results indicate that long-term consumption of energy drinks can increase anxiety-like, depression-like behavior, and this can lead to decrease in learning and memory functions. Thus, nurse and health care providers should understand the impact of energy drink consumption in adolescence to provide appropriate practices and education.

Since early 20th century, phthalates have been widely used as plasticizers. Due to the potential for adverse health effects - particularly reproductive effects - for vulnerable population such as children, phthalates like Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and Benzyl-butyl phthalate (BBP) have been gradually under regulations. Despite the similar adverse health effects, no harmonized regulations exist for these substances. Varying regulations are focused on single/multiple substances in separate product categories, e.g. toys, childcare articles, cosmetics and food packaging materials. Cumulative risks of DEHP, DBP and BBP to children in Korea and Denmark were estimated based on exposure via the environment and food. While the estimated risk was higher in Korea with a median RCR of 0.32 (KR) vs. 0.16 (DK), the back calculated risk from urinary metabolites was higher in Denmark with a median RCR of 0.91 (DK) vs. 0.62 (KR) (unpublished results). The present study aims to assess the aggregated exposure from consumer products assuming that every single product’s regulatory standard is respected. Total exposure to the three phthalates will be estimated taking into account different consumption patterns and life styles of children in Denmark and Korea. The estimated exposure from products will be added to the exposure via the environment and foods and total exposure will be compared to biomonitoring data. The result will verify the appropriateness of current product regulations for DEHP, DBP and BBP such as REACH and directives on cosmetics, building materials, toys and childcare articles. Furthermore, the need for a system approach (Lee et al., 2013) which links existing chemical regulations with environmental management tools such as waste management systems and environmental impact assessment will be discussed in the context of obtaining a better and equal protection of the environment and human health at a territorial level.

Mein Anspruch ist es, parallele Entwicklungen von Electronic Government einerseits und Verwaltungsmodernisierung aufzuzeigen. Deutlich wird, dass die Modernisierung der Verwaltung in der gegenwärtigen Zeit noch große Probleme aufwirft. Die Bedeutung der Informationstechnik für die Entwicklung von Staat und Verwaltung wird kurz beleuchtet, wobei auch die allgemeinen Pläne einer koreanischen nationalen Informationstechnik-Infrastruktur erwähnt werden. Die sog. Regierungsdatenautobahn steht hier im Mittelpunkt. Schliesslich wird dargestellt, dass die Bezüge zwischen Verwaltungsmodernisierung und E-Government in Korea noch nicht überall deutlich wahrnehmbar sind. Electronic Government hat sich vor allem auf die technische Infrastruktur konzentriert, und es wird eingeführt, ohne den Rahmen der Verwaltung zu verändern. Dennoch ist zu erwarten, dass sich in nächster Zeit Erfolge der Verwaltungsmodernisierung durch E-Government einstellen werden.