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LiNixCoyAlzO2 (NCA) is one of the most promising candidates of cathode material for lithium ion batteries because of its high capacity, energy density, and low cost. However, Ni-rich NCA cathode materials suffer from side reaction (formation of lithium carbonate and hydrogen fluoride attack) between electrolyte and surface of electrode and irreversible phase transition leading to capacity fading and thermal instability. These problems could be improved by coating and doping of transition metal elements. Si doping contributes to stabilization of the unstable R-3m structure, and Ti coating is capable of prohibiting the direct physical contact of electrode with electrolyte. In this work, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) cathode materials coated or/and doped by Ti and Si elements were fabricated by co-precipitation method using the ball-milling. The crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical properties are investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), and WBCS3000 (WonA tech Co., Ltd.). The EIS and charge/discharge results of Si doped and Ti coated NCA exhibited the lowest resistance value (147.19 Ω) and capacity retentions of 88% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C.

In this study, NiS/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized by simple heat treatment method of three graphene materials (graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (N-rGO)) and NiS precursor. The morphology and crystal structure of NiS/graphene nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties were also investigated. NiS/graphene nanocomposites homogeneously wrapped by graphene materials have been successfully manufactured. Among the three nanocomposites, NiS/N-rGO nanocomposite exhibited the highest initial and retention capacity in discharge, respectively, of 1240 mAh/g and 467 mAh/g up to 100 cycles at 0.5 C.

Purpose This study aimed to (1) figure out the difference in motion smoothness between a nonpathologic shoulder and the other with a rotator cuff tear by measuring the angular velocity using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor and (2) propose the parameters to describe the difference because there is no literature on this topic. Material and Methods We enrolled patients with rotator cuff disease diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The intact shoulder of participants was compared with the shoulder with rotator cuff tear by using IMU on the basis of the parameters that establish motion smoothness: the number of peaks, the peak velocity–to–mean velocity ratio (PV/MV), and the number of sign reversals. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed with respect to tear size (small to medium vs. large to massive). In addition, correlations with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and symptom duration (months) were evaluated. Results Among 24 patients (15 males, 9 females), all 3 parameters for the motion quality of patients with a rotator cuff tear exhibited significant difference. The parameters showed a significant difference between the small to medium tear group and the large to massive tear group. A negative correlation was found between symptom duration and parameters of motion quality, except for PV/MV. Conclusions Motion quality assessment using IMU showed a marked difference in the shoulder with a rotator cuff tear compared with the intact shoulder. Hence, IMU-based parameters for dynamic motion quality could be considered as an option for assessing the function of the shoulder.

The Mood Disorder Cohort Research Consortium (MDCRC) study is designed as a naturalistic observational prospective cohort study for early-onset mood disorders (major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders type 1 and 2) in South Korea. The study subjects consist of two populations: 1) patients with mood disorders under 25 years old and 2) patients with mood disorders within 2 years of treatment under 35 years old. After successful screening, the subjects are evaluated using baseline assessments and serial follow-up assessments at 3-month intervals. Between the follow-up assessments, subjects are dictated to check their own daily mood status before bedtime using the eMood chart application or a paper mood diary. At the regular visits every 3 months, inter-visit assessments are evaluated based on daily mood charts and interviews with patients. In addition to the daily mood chart, sleep quality, inter-visit major and minor mood episodes, stressful life events, and medical usage pattern with medical expenses are also assessed. Genomic DNA from blood is obtained for genomic analyses. From the MDCRC study, the clinical course, prognosis, and related factors of early-onset mood disorders can be clarified. The MDCRC is also able to facilitate translational research for mood disorders and provide a resource for the convergence study of mood disorders.

This paper aimed to review currently available cohort studies of subjects with mood disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Using the PubMed and KoreaMed databases, we reviewed eight major cohort studies. Most studies recruited participants with MDD and BD separately, so direct comparison of factors associated with diagnostic changes was difficult. Regular and frequent follow-up evaluations utilizing objective mood ratings and standardized evaluation methods in a naturalistic fashion are necessary to determine detailed clinical courses of mood disorders. Further, biological samples should also be collected to incorporate clinical findings in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. An innovative cohort study that can serve as a platform for translational research for treatment and prevention of mood disorders is critical in determining clinical, psychosocial, neurobiological and genetic factors associated with long-term courses and consequences of mood disorders in Korean patients.

An in situ electrokinetic (EK) system was designed and applied to highly saline greenhouse soil with a view to investigating the effects of the EK process on growing crops. In situ EK tests in field scale were conducted on the salt accumulated lands in the greenhouse where cabbages and lettuces were being cultivated. A voltage gradient of 0.25–0.6 V cm−1 was applied for 50 days in the cultivated lands. The changes in the process, viz. current, voltage, and soil temperatures, were monitored. After the EK process, the initial electrical conductivity (EC, 6.0 dS m−1) of the soil was reduced to about 1.7 dS m−1 homogeneously below the recommended value (2.5 dS m−1). The growth rate of cabbages and lettuces under EK treatment was about twice higher than those in the untreated area. The present study revealed that the EK process encourages the growth of the crops considerably and also removes the salts in the soil efficiently during the growth of the crops.

Pilot-scale electrokinetic (EK) separation field tests (2.2 m×10 m×0.2 m, W×L×D) were performed in a greenhouse to investigate the effects of pulse power on salt removal from saline soil. Initially, greenhouse soil had high electrical conductivity (EC; about 6–21 dS/m), and contained mainly Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, and Na+ ions. After 1 month of treatment, the soil EC was reduced 56% using EK direct current (DC), whereas EK pulses (200 kHz) showed a similar (55%) or enhanced EC reduction (72%). Ca2+ removal was higher using EK pulses, because the pulses were effective at increasing soil–solution interactions, which dissolved additional Ca2+ ions. In addition, EK pulses consumed less than half the electric power of EK DC (134–144 kW·h/m3 vs. 268–354 kW·h/m3) during the same period. Therefore, pulse power both enhances salt removal and saves energy in EK soil remediation.

An electrokinetic (EK) field study was performed on a pilot scale (2.2 × 3.3 × 0.3 m3, W × L × D) in a greenhouse by using Fe electrodes and bentonite backfill. When a constant voltage gradient was applied, the current intensity was affected by electrode position, and the soil temperature increased with the current intensity. After the EK treatment, the soil pH was little changed and the cations were hardly removed because of the ion exchange in the bentonite. However, the anions were mostly removed by electromigration, resulting in the reduction of the soil electrical conductivity. The field study demonstrated that in situ EK process is feasible for the remediation of greenhouse soils. In addition, the improvement of EK system and the role of bentonite backfill were discussed.

The addition of excessive fertilizer to the soil in greenhouse makes salts accumulate in the soil, such as nitrate, sulfate, sodium and so on. As a result, productivity of crops in greenhouse decreases and the quality of crops is also deteriorated. In this study, electrokinetic (EK) technique in a field was applied to remove the salts from the soil in a greenhouse for growing chrysanthemum. EK experiments were carried out for 2 ridges with dimensions of 3 m in length and 2 m in width. Initial electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil was extremely high (20–60 dS/m), but it varied too much with positions due to the heterogeneity of the soil. Electrode modules implanted in each furrow were composed of 4 anodes and 3 cathodes. High Silicon Cast Iron (HSCI) rod and Fe plate were used for anode and cathode material, respectively. In this study, we introduced the EK systems which equipped electrodes, data acquisition system, water supplying to the soil, and EOF drain system in greenhouse. In order to check the process during EK experiments, we monitored total current, total voltage, the current of each electrode, and the temperature of soil with variable positions. After applying a constant voltage (∼0.8 V/cm) to the soil for 2 months, EC change, pH change, moisture, and salts concentrations such as Na+, K+, Cl−, NO3−, and so on were investigated with different positions. Experimental results showed that in situ EK technique reduced the concentration of main salts such as sodium, nitrate, and chloride to 90% effectively. However, other salts such as sulfate, magnesium, and calcium were not removed from the soil effectively. The effects of in situ EK technique on the removal of salts from the soil of greenhouse were discussed.

Laboratory electrokinetic (EK) tests were conducted for the restoration of saline soil which contained mainly Na+, Cl− and ions. The effect of anode materials on salt removal was investigated by comparing various anodes such as dimensionally-stable anode, Pt, Si/BDD (boron-doped diamond), and Fe electrode. In all tests Na+ and Cl− were easily removed from the soil (>97%). Fe tests showed higher reduction of concentration and resulted in higher electrical conductivity reduction (∼90%) than the other anode tests. The results demonstrated that the EK process can reduce soil salinity effectively and the Fe anode is more suitable for restoration of sulfate-rich saline soil than other insoluble anodes.

PSALI is referred to the supplementary lighting for the interior lighting under the daily lighting situation, and pursuant to the pertinent regulations in energy savings design standard and others in recent architecture works, the importance thereof has been increasing gradually coupled with the energy performance index (EPI), energy savings plan and the like as well as expansion of submittal and implementation policies. However, this type of PSALI studies indeed have a number of limitations since it has surrounding environmental conditions in direction, season, region, climate, time, opening rate, window area ratio, actual index, reflection rate of finishing materials and others in the architecture work as well as frequent changes in interior lighting environment for variables in daily light volume flowing into the interior, and others. Therefore, this study has analyzed existing advance research cases to produce the actual-sized model and scaled-down model, and installed the artificial lighting of LED light source possible to reproduce with same capability on both models. As a result of comparison and analysis of the artificial lighting with the key light, it has certain level of error rate from the scaled down lighting device in certain rate and actual model butit was noticeably significant within specific scope.

In greenhouses, excessive nutrients generally accumulate in the soil, which may induce adverse effects on crop yield and quality. In situ electrokinetic (EK) tests were conducted on a pilot-scale to remove nitrate from greenhouse soil for 64 days using a specially designed electrode module. When a pair of electrodes was installed horizontally in the furrows (EK pilot test I), a significant amount of nitrate was removed by electromigration towards the anode although the electroosmotic flow was not obtained. In the other test (EK pilot test II), where two anodes and one cathode were placed in the furrows and under the ridge, respectively, the efficiency of nitrate removal was comparable with that in the EK pilot test I. However, the removal pattern was asymmetric with respect to the cathode because soil heterogeneity affected the main transport mechanism, electromigration or electroosmosis, depending on location. After the EK treatment the overall efficiency of the nitrate removal was >90% in both tests. The main cation, K + was also removed, and thereby the electrical conductivity of the soil was reduced up to 87%. The energy consumed for the EK pilot test I operation was much lower than that used in the EK pilot test II. During the EK tests, indigenous nitrate reducing bacteria were introduced to enhance nitrate biodegradability but the effect of bio-augmentation was insignificant. From the results it can be concluded the EK technology is feasible to remove salts from greenhouse soils and the EK pilot system I is more applicable to greenhouse soil remediation. However, there is still a room for improvement to achieve a successful field application.

Phosphorus is considered the limiting nutrient in eutrophication of agricultural soil in Korea. This study evaluates the coupled application of electrokinetic process by iron and titanium electrodes for removal of phosphate from agricultural soils. Experiments were conducted to evaluate phosphate removal under the following conditions: (I) control; (II) 1% starch addition in the soil without EK; (III) 1% starch addition at the anolyte using a cast iron anode and a carbon cathode; (IV) no starch addition using a cast iron anode and a carbon cathode, and; (V) 1% starch at the anolyte using a titanium anode and a carbon cathode. When an iron anode was used under 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 V/cm, the removal of phosphate was significant at 2 V/cm. The addition of starch also helps to remove nitrate significantly using an iron electrode. The results reveal that iron electrodes result in significantly more removal compared to titanium electrodes.

Organic and trace metal pollutants are removed by employing various electrodes in an electrokinetic (EK) process. Stainless steel was used either as an anode or a cathode by various investigators in electroremediation systems. In the present study, the role of SS316L as an anode and cathode in EK system was studied by the measurements of pH, conductivity of electrolyte, and potential of the anode and cathode at different current densities. The weight loss of the anode and cathode and the leaching of chromium, iron, and nickel at different current densities were measured and discussed with an electroosmosis process. The electrochemical behavior of SS316L electrode in neutral, acidic and alkaline pH in soil environment was studied by an electrochemical technique viz. polarization study. Surface analysis of SS316L after EK was done by XPS and SEM. The higher conductivity was noticed at anolyte when compared to catholyte. The weight loss of the anode was in the following order 0.615 > 0.307 > 0.123 mA/cm2 and the cathode corrosion rate was vice versa. Peroxide production was also noticed at the anolyte, which may encourage the degradation of the total organic content (TOC) in the soil. The OCP (open circuit potential) of SS316L was about +75 mV vs SCE in the soil extract; while adding acetic acid, the potential shifted to the positive side, to about +380 mV vs SCE. The breakdown potential and the range of passivation potential were higher in acetic acid added system when compared to other systems. Pitting was observed on both the anode and cathode within 48 h during the EK process. The present study concludes that SS is not a proper electrode material for the EK process.

DC (Direct current) is used in electrokinetic (EK) technology to extract hazardous materials from soils. Besides, AC (alternating current) electric field is also used to induce particle and fluid motion in electrokinetics. The influence of AC and DC on electrokinetic phenomena was studied for the removal of nitrate complex in soil environment. The experiments were performed by employing three systems – DC, AC, and AC overlapped DC. The removal of cations was higher at the anodic spot while applying DC. Involvement of AC on cation removal was very poor and nitrate removal was about 50%. AC and DC can be used for the removal of nitrate complex in agricultural soils.

Results: The dementia group showed impairment on the PAL and SRM tasks. The results of the other two subtests were not different between the two groups. The mean adjusted total errors on the PAL task was higher in the de- mentia group (130.88) than in the control group (51.38), which was statistically significant (p

To examine regional abnormalities in the brains of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), we assessed the gray matter (GM) density using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). We compared magnetic resonance images (MRIs) acquired from 71 OCD patients and 71 age- and gender-matched normal controls and examined the relationship between GM density and various clinical variables in OCD patients. We also investigated whether GM density differs among the subtypes of OCD compared to healthy controls. We detected significant reduction of GM in the inferior frontal gyrus, the medial frontal gyrus, the insula, the cingulate gyrus, and the superior temporal gyrus of OCD patients. A significant increase in GM density was observed in the postcentral gyrus, the thalamus, and the putamen. Some of these regions, including the insular and postcentral gyrus, were also associated with the severity of obsessive- compulsive symptoms. These findings indicate that the frontal-subcortical circuitry is dysfunctional in OCD, and suggest that the parietal cortex may play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease.

The corrosion of mild steel in marine environments was studied with respect to induced alternating current (AC), direct current (DC) and the superimposed AC+DC sources. Corrosion rate determination at the different applied AC, DC and AC+DC current densities was carried out by conventional weight loss method for the exposure period of 24 h. The quantitative estimation of leaching of iron into solution was done by using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). Mild steel specimens were subjected to surface examinations after treatment with various AC, DC and AC+DC current densities. Surface analysis was done by optical microscopy. The salient features of this investigation are AC source accelerate the corrosion of mild steel in the presence of marine environments, but the extent of corrosion was increased when it was superimposed with DC. Especially, upto the corrosion current density, the AC field is not a great threat for mild steel and uniform corrosion was observed, But after the corrosion current density, AC accelerate the pitting corrosion of mild steel in marine media. Surface micrographs showed severe pitting at the higher AC sources. The concentration of iron was increased above the corrosion current density. The electrochemical measurements coupled with surface examination and solution analysis proved to be a very effective tool by means of characterizing the AC corrosion effect of mild steel in marine environments.

Sensors are involved in the corrosion monitoring and structural monitoring of concrete structures. In this investigation attempts have been made on the corrosion monitoring of concrete structures by employing embeddable reference sensor. Alkaline manganese dioxide (MnO2) sensor was fabricated in the laboratory as suitable as an embeddable use into the concrete structures. The electrochemical stability of sensor in concrete environments was examined in saturated calcium hydroxide solutions, a synthetic concrete pore solution and an extracts obtained from ordinary Portland cement. Sensor is embedded into the concretes and the performance was studied in the absence and presence of chloride ions for the exposure period of 18 months. Polarisation behaviour and impedance characteristics of the sensor in mortar were carried out in three aqueous solutions namely distilled water, 3% NaCl solution and natural sea water. This investigation covers the tests in solutions representing concrete environments, electrochemical studies in mortar and the long-term exposure studies in concrete.

In this investigation, the influence of mineral admixture, namely fly ash (FA) on the corrosion performance of steel in mortar and concrete was studied and evaluated by some accelerated short-term techniques in sodium chloride solutions. Electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential measurements and anodic polarization studies were carried out. An impressed voltage technique and macrocell corrosion study was also carried out to understand the optimum level of replacement of FA with better corrosion resistance properties. Results are compared with conventional gravimetric weight loss measurements. The alkalinity and the free chloride contents are estimated. The FA replacement levels namely 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% with respect to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was chosen for the present study and the results are compared with OPC specimens without FA.

Alternating current (AC) corrosion of mild steel in marine environments under cathodic protection (CP) condition was studied. Electrochemical studies at the two protection potentials namely −780 and −1100 mV versus SCE were examined by different techniques. DC polarization study was carried out for mild steel in natural seawater and 18.5 g/L NaCl solution to evolve corrosion current density. The corrosion rate determination, pH of the end experimental solution and surface morphology of the mild steel specimens under the influence of different AC current densities were studied. The amount of leaching of iron into the solution was estimated using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. All these techniques revealed that AC influences the corrosion of mild steel in the presence of marine environments even though CP was given. Surface micrographs revealed that spreading of red rust products noticed on the mild steel surface. At −780 mV CP, red rusts are visually seen when the AC source was above 10 A/m 2 in both the media but red rusts are appeared after 20 A/m 2 in the case of −1100 mV CP. Weight loss measurements coupled with surface examination and solution analysis is a effective tool to characterize and quantify the AC corrosion of mild steel in marine environments.

Alkaline manganese dioxide (MnO2), metal–metal oxide (MMO) and graphite reference sensors are fabricated in the laboratory as suitable as an embeddable use into the concrete structures. Sensors are embedded into the cement mortars and the electrochemical studies were carried out in the absence and presence of chloride ions. The electrochemical stability of the sensors was examined for the exposure period of one year. Polarisation behaviour and impedance characteristics of the sensors embedded in mortar was carried out in three aqueous solutions, namely distilled water, 3% NaCl and natural sea water.

Cylindrical titanium surface activated with mixed metal–metal oxides (MMO) (though similar to permanent impressed current titanium anodes used in cathodic protection) was used as a reference sensor for concrete environments. The performance characteristics were evaluated in a saturated calcium hydroxide solution (pH 12.5), a synthetic concrete pore solution (pH 13.5) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) extracts (pH 13.0), which correspond to the concrete environments. The electrochemical stability of the MMO electrode was studied in the said concrete environments and in various buffer solutions (pH 4, 7 and 10) for an exposure period of 180 days. Simultaneous experiments were carried out to realize the performance of the MMO electrode in various solutions containing different concentration of chloride. The self-corrosion studies of the MMO electrode both in concrete environments and in other solutions with and without addition of chloride were carried out gravimetrically for an exposure period of 180 days. The polarization behavior of the MMO electrode in the concrete environments was carried out potentiodynamically with a progressive addition of chloride. All the studies revealed that the MMO was a suitable sensory electrode for concrete structures both in the absence and presence of chloride ions.

The increase in activated carbon content accelerated the corrosion of rebar (steel) in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar containing fly ash and different percentages of carbon. The alkalinity of the cement was greatly affected with increased carbon contents, and when the quantity of carbon was increased, cement lost its characteristic colour. For the exposure period of one year, more than 60% of the surface area was rusted when the carbon content was increased beyond 8%. Corrosion rates comparable to OPC were obtained for up to 6% carbon level. Therefore it was concluded that the upper limit of replacement for various admixed carbon systems, under aggressive alternate wetting and drying conditions with 3% NaCl, was 6–8%.

Literature dealing with corrosion induced by alternating currents (AC) is examined in this review of the considerable quantity of laboratory test and field test data that has appeared in the literature over the last 50 years or more. These data provide insight not only into the presence or absence of AC induced effects under various conditions of environment and materials but also into the influence of these effects on corrosion rate.

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) may be involved in the clinical and cognitive expressions of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is a heterogenous region with respect to its cytoarchitecture, function and connectivity. This study was designed to examine the morphological abnormality of the anterior subregion of OFC and its relationship to clinical symptoms and cognitive performance in patients with OCD. We divided the OFC into anterior and posterior subregions using an external landmark and measured the gray matter volumes of each by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in age- and sex-matched groups, which consisted of 34 OCD and 34 normal volunteers. Clinical and cognitive evaluations were completed using Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and four sets of neuropsychological tests that assessed executive functions and visual memory. Volume reduction of the left anterior OFC was observed in patients with OCD versus normal controls. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between left anterior OFC gray matter volume and the copy score of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test in patients with OCD. These results suggest that left anterior subregion volume reduction of the OFC may be related to impaired organizational strategies in patients with OCD.

Because of the continuous growth of energy consumption and the tendency to site power lines and pipelines along the same route, the close proximity of power lines and buried metallic pipelines has become more and more frequent. Therefore, there has been and still is a growing concern about possible hazards resulting from the influence opower lines on metallic pipelines. Underground pipelines that run parallel to or in close proximity to power lines are subjected to induced voltages caused by the time-varying magnetic fields produced by the power line currents. The induced electro-motive force causes currents circulation in the pipeline and voltages between the pipeline and surrounding earth. This paper analyses the induced voltage on the gas pipelines buried in parallel with overhead HV lines.

In this paper, we show three-dimensional distribution of voltages resulted from the leakage current originated from outdoor electrical facilities in a submerged area. In case these facilities are grounded by the neutral line mUltiple grounding method, the existence of ungrounded electrical facilities can cause a disastrous effect on near-by passengers. In order to investigate this situation, we installed a real-scale test field for the experiment type I (for the leakage current path between a enclosure grounded electrical facility and another enclosure grounded one), and that for the experiment type 11 (for the leakage current path between a enclosure grounded electrical facility and another ungrounded one). For both cases, we carried out three-dimensional monitoring of the voltage distribution while varying additional conditions such as the exposure of the underground cables and the fmishing of cable connection part. The result shows that a disastrous effect on human safety can arise from the leakage current without a pertinent measure for the construction and maintenance of outdoor electrical facilities.

Recently, advanced countries have used the corrosion monitoring system in chemical plants and oil tanks in order to protect them from corrosion because corrosion causes large accidents, soil pollution, and money loss. Generally, the owners of such facilities adopt Cathodic Protection (CP) systems for corrosion protection. However, Korea has adopted neither the CP system nor the corrosion monitoring system for oil tanks yet. This study presents a system we developed. It is a system that can not only automatically and remotely monitor corrosion but also remotely control corrosion by using a high efficiency CP rectifier. We hope that the results of this study will be used for the effective and economic operation of CP system. It can also extend the life of an oil tank.

We proposed an integrated management system for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, which were controlled by a remote monitoring server. All the information transferred by the charging stations was stored in the database, and was used for the analysis. Using the accumulated data, the proposed system was able to predict the amount of electricity. The system users could read various reports using a Web browser. In addition, the proposed system could be used in V2G due to its bidirectional communication and remote control abilities.

The nitrate concentration of surface has become a serious concern in agricultural industry through out the world. In the present study, nitrate was removed in the soil by employing electro-bioremediation, a hybrid technology of bioremediation and electrokinetics. The abundance of Bacillus spp. as nitrate reducing bacteria were isolated and identified from the soil sample collected from a greenhouse at Jinju City of Gyengsangnamdo, South Korea. The nitrate reducing bacterial species were identified by 16 s RNA sequencing technique. The efficiency of bacterial isolates on nitrate removal in broth was tested. The experiment was conducted in an electrokinetic (EK) cell by applying 20 V across the electrodes. The nitrate reducing bacteria (Bacillus spp.) were inoculated in the soil for nitrate removal process by the addition of necessary nutrient. The influence of nitrate reducers on electrokinetic process was also studied. The concentration of nitrate at anodic area of soil was higher when compared to cathode in electrokinetic system, while adding bacteria in EK (EK + bio) system, the nitrate concentration was almost nil in all the area of soil. The bacteria supplies electron from organic degradation (humic substances) and enhances NO3− reduction (denitrification). Experimental results showed that the electro-bio kinetic process viz. electroosmosis and physiological activity of bacteria reduced nitrate in soil environment effectively. Involvement of Bacillus spp. on nitrification was controlled by electrokinetics at cathode area by reduction of ammonium ions to nitrogen gas. The excellence of the combined electro-bio kinetics technology on nitrate removal is discussed.

Reductions in the level of N-acetylaspartate within subcortical structures of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been reported in several studies. However, there have been, as yet, no reports regarding N-acetylaspartate levels in the prefrontal cortex of adult drug-naive OCD patients. The authors used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1)H-MRSI) to investigate regional N-acetylaspartate level abnormalities and changes after 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy with citalopram in drug-naive OCD patients.Thirteen drug-naive OCD patients and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects were included in this study. N-acetylaspartate levels (obtained from ratios of N-acetylaspartate with creatine, choline, and creatine plus choline) in the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, frontal white matter, and parietal white matter were measured by (1)H-MRSI. In OCD patients, measurements were taken before and after 12 weeks of citalopram treatment. Correlations between N-acetylaspartate concentrations in regions of interest and clinical measures were also assessed.Drug-naive OCD patients exhibited significantly lower N-acetylaspartate levels in the prefrontal cortex, frontal white matter, and anterior cingulate at baseline than did comparison subjects. Significant increases in N-acetylaspartate level were detected in the prefrontal cortex and frontal white matter in OCD patients after 12 weeks of citalopram treatment.These data suggest that reductions in neuronal viability occur in the frontal region of OCD patients and that these reductions may be partly reversible.

The superior temporal gyrus (STG) may be involved in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Moreover, the anterior STG has rich interconnections with the orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala, and plays a role in visuospatial processing, which is impaired in patients with OCD. This study was designed to examine the morphological abnormalities of the anterior STG and their relationships with visuospatial function and clinical symptom in patients with OCD. We measured gray matter volumes of the anterior STG [rostral STG and planum polare (PP)] by three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging in age- and sex-matched groups, which consisted of 22 patients with OCD and 22 normal volunteers. Visuospatial function and clinical symptom were assessed using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory. We found significant volume reductions in bilateral PPs, but there were no significant correlations between brain volumes and the ROCF copy score, immediate or delayed recall score, and clinical symptom in patients with OCD. These results suggest that volume reduction of the anterior STG, especially the PP, may be related to the pathophysiology of OCD, but further research may be needed to explore a relationship of the PP volume change with cognitive impairment observed in patients with OCD.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in the cognitive dysfunctions ofpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over a 1-year period of pharmacological treat-ment. Twenty-one OCD patients and 20 normal subjects underwent neuropsychological tests andclinical evaluations on three separate occasions (baseline, 4 months, and 1 year after the start ofmedications). OCD patients continued to show significant impairments in the following cognitivemeasures compared with the normal controls: accuracy of immediate and delayed recall on theRey-Osterrieth complex figure tests, the numbers of responses on the category fluency test, theresponse time on the trail making test – part A, and the number of perseverative response and per-severative errors on the Wisconsin card sorting test. The findings in this study suggested thatimpaired performance on cognitive domains, such as visuospatial memory and verbal fluency mayunderline the pathology of OCD. Key words category, fluency test, cognitive dysfunctions, obsessive-compulsive disorder; Rey-Osterrieth com-plex figure tests.

In electrolytic interference circumstances such as underground pipelines in the vicinity of DC rail transportation power systems, either drainage methods or ICCP method has been widely used in order to secure the integrity of the pipelines. The drainage method is applied either by forced drainage system in which the driving voltage for draining the stray current from the pipelines is controlled by thyristors or by polarized drainage system which connects the pipeline with the railroads by diodes. In ICCP method, the phase-controlled rectifier with thyristors is in common use. Both methods, however, cannot respond to the dynamic fluctuation of the stray current. As a result, the pipe-to-soil potentials of the pipelines near railroads vary rapidly and therefore a new counter measure with dynamic response is necessary. In this paper, we introduce a new rapid potential-controlled rectifier consisting of full bridge circuits for bidirectional power output and IGBT switching device. Field test comparison with the existing forced drainage method showed the effectiveness of the developed rectifier for securing the pipelines under electrolytic interference.

In present, most of metallic structures (gas pipeline, oil pipeline, water pipeline, etc) are running parallel with subway and power line in Korea. Moreover subway system and power line make a stray current due to electrical corrosion on metallic structures. The owner of metallic structures has a burden of responsibility for the protection of corrosion and the prevention against big accident such as gas explosion or soil pollution and so on. So, they have to measure and analyze the data about P/S(Pipe to Soil) potential, amplitude of stray current, point of source of stray current and so. In this paper, results of development about data logger apparatus for measurement stray current of subway and power line are presented.

Because of the continuous growth of energy consumption and the tendency to site power lines and pipelines along the same route, the close proximity of power lines and buried metallic pipelines has become more and more frequent. Therefore, there has been and still is a growing concern about possible hazards resulting from the influence of power lines on metallic pipelines. Underground pipelines that run parallel to or in close proximity to power lines are subjected to induced voltages caused by the time-varying magnetic fields produced by the power line currents. The induced electro-motive force causes currents circulation in the pipeline and voltages between the pipeline and surrounding earth. This paper analyses the induced voltage on the gas pipelines buried in parallel with overhead power distribution lines.