• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.214-225
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• 2022

Background: The conventional cerium-doped Gd₂Al₂Ga₃O₁₂ (GAGG(Ce)) scintillator-based gamma-ray imager has a bulky detector, which can lead to incorrect positioning of the gammaray source if the shielding against background radiation is not appropriately designed. In addition, portability is important in complex environments such as inside nuclear power plants, yet existing gamma-ray imager based on a tungsten mask tends to be weighty and therefore difficult to handle. Motivated by the need to develop a system that is not sensitive to background radiation and is portable, we changed the material of the scintillator and the coded aperture. Materials and Methods: The existing GAGG(Ce) was replaced with Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO), a scintillator with high gamma-ray detection efficiency but low energy resolution, and replaced the tungsten (W) used in the existing coded aperture with lead (Pb). Each BGO scintillator is pixelated with 144 elements (12 × 12), and each pixel has an area of 4 mm × 4 mm and the scintillator thickness ranges from 5 to 20 mm (5, 10, and 20 mm). A coded aperture consisting of Pb with a thickness of 20 mm was applied to the BGO scintillators of all thicknesses. Results and Discussion: Spectroscopic characterization, imaging performance, and image quality evaluation revealed the 10 mm-thick BGO scintillators enabled the portable gamma-ray imager to deliver optimal performance. Although its performance is slightly inferior to that of existing GAGG(Ce)-based gamma-ray imager, the results confirmed that the manufacturing cost and the system's overall weight can be reduced. Conclusion: Despite the spectral characteristics, imaging system performance, and image quality is slightly lower than that of GAGG(Ce), the results show that BGO scintillators are preferable for gamma-ray imaging systems in terms of cost and ease of deployment, and the proposed design is well worth applying to systems intended for use in areas that do not require high precision.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3907-3912
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• 2023

Radiation portal monitors (RPMs) installed at airports and harbors to prevent illicit trafficking of radioactive materials generally use large plastic scintillators. However, their energy resolution is poor and radionuclide identification is nearly unfeasible. In this study, to improve isotope identification, a RPM system based on a multi-array plastic scintillator and convolutional neural network (CNN) was evaluated by measuring the spectra of radioactive sources. A multi-array plastic scintillator comprising an assembly of 14 hexagonal scintillators was fabricated within an area of 50 × 100 cm². The energy spectra of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴K (KCl) were measured at speeds of 10-30 km/h, respectively, and an energy-weighted algorithm was applied. For the CNN, 700 and 300 spectral images were used as training and testing images, respectively. Compared to the conventional plastic scintillator, the multi-arrayed detector showed a high collection probability of the optical photons generated inside. A Compton maximum peak was observed for four moving radiation sources, and the CNN-based classification results showed that at least 70% was discriminated. Under the speed condition, the spectral fluctuations were higher than those under dwelling condition. However, the machine learning results demonstrated that a considerably high level of nuclide discrimination was possible under source movement conditions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4671-4677
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• 2023

For the first time Pb, Ni, and Cu nanocomposites were synthesized by versatile solution combustion synthesis using Aloevera extract as a reducing agent, to study the potential applications in X-ray/gamma, neutron, and Bremsstrahlung shielding. The synthesized Lead-Nickel-Copper (LNC) nanocomposites were characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-VIS, and FTIR for the confirmation of successful synthesis. PXRD analysis confirmed the formation of multiphase LNC NCs and the Scherrer equation and the W-H plot gave the average crystal sizes of 19 nm and 17 nm. Surface morphology using SEM and EDX confirmed the presence of LNC NCs. Strong absorption peaks were analyzed by UV visible spectroscopy and the direct energy gap is found to be 3.083 eV. Functional groups present in the LNC NCs were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray/gamma radiation shielding properties were measured using NaI(Tl) detector coupled with MCA. It is found to be very close to Pb. Neutron shielding parameters were compared with traditional shielding materials and found LNC NCs are better than lead and concrete. Secondary radiation shielding known as Bremsstrahlung shielding characteristics also studied and found that LNC NCs are best in secondary radiation shielding. Hence LNC NCs find shielding applications in ionizing radiation such as X-ray/gamma and neutron radiation.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.264-272
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• 2012

In this paper, we report THz generation and detection characteristics investigated by InGaAs semiconductor epilayers, as results of a basic study obtained from the InGaAs-based THz transmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx). High-temperature and low-temperature (LT) grown InGaAs epilayers were prepared by the molecular beam epitaxy technique for the characterization of THz generation and detection, respectively, and the surface emission based on the photo-Dember effect was tried for THz generation. THz wave was generated by irradiation of a Ti:Sapphire fs pulse laser (60 ps/83 MHz), and a LT-GaAs Rx was used for the THz detection. The frequency band shown in the spectral amplitudes Fourier-transformed from the measured current signals was ranging in 0.5~2 THz, and the signal currents were exponentially increased with the Tx beam power. The THz detection characteristics of LT-InGaAs were investigated by using an Rx with dipole (5/20 ${\mu}m$) antenna, and the cutoff frequency was ~2 THz.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2002

Effect of scatter media materials and thickness, located between radioactivity and small gamma camera, on imaging characteristics was evaluated. The small gamma camera developed for breast imaging was consisted of collimator, NaI(T1) crystal(60$\times$60$\times$6 ㎣), PSPMT(position sensitive photomultimplier tube), NIMs and personal computer. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to evaluate the system sensitivity with different scatter media thickness(0~8 cm) and materials(air and acrylic) with parallel hole collimator and diverging collimator. The sensitivity and spatial resolution was measured using the small gamma camera with the same condition applied to the simulation. Counts was decreased by 10%(air) and 54%(acryl) with the parallel hole collimator and by 35%(air) and 63%(acryl) with the diverging collimator. Spatial resolution was decreased as increasing the thickness of scatter media. This study substantiate the importance of a gamma camera positioning and the minimization of the distance between detector and target lesion in the clinical application of a gamma camera.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-90
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• 2015

The fission track registration techniques for accurate determinations of uranium in solid- and liquid-state geological materials were recommended and their applicability were examined. The determination of uranium can be achieved by optical counting of neutron-induced fission tracks of $^{235}U$ registered on solid-state track detectors under high magnification. In a dry registration method using powdered pellets of rocks (e.g., granite and coal) showing good uranium-affinity, it was not easy to decide an overall mean concentration over the total sample owing to track-clusters caused by frequent presence of uranium-bearing minerals. Separate scanning for homogeneous and track-clustered parts may be an alternative choice. Assuring the homogeneity over the whole sample, high reproducibilities were confirmed both from duplicate detections using mica and Lexan polycarbonate detectors and from multiple measurements at different thermal neutron fluences. The wet registration method using sealed quartz tubes is recommended to overcome the common heterogeneity in uranium concentrations of $10^1ppm$ and more. Adopting the wet registration, the uranium homogeneity was recovered below the $10^0ppm$ level and the lower detection limit was proved to reach without difficulty the $10^2ppb$ (i.e. $ng\;g^{-1}$) level.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2007

Purpose: In this study we propose a block-iterative method for reconstructing Compton scattered data. This study shows that the well-known expectation maximization (EM) approach along with its accelerated version based on the ordered subsets principle can be applied to the problem of image reconstruction for Compton camera. This study also compares several methods of constructing subsets for optimal performance of our algorithms. Materials and Methods: Three reconstruction algorithms were implemented; simple backprojection (SBP), EM, and ordered subset EM (OSEM). For OSEM, the projection data were grouped into subsets in a predefined order. Three different schemes for choosing nonoverlapping subsets were considered; scatter angle-based subsets, detector position-based subsets, and both scatter angle- and detector position-based subsets. EM and OSEM with 16 subsets were performed with 64 and 4 iterations, respectively. The performance of each algorithm was evaluated in terms of computation time and normalized mean-squared error. Results: Both EM and OSEM clearly outperformed SBP in all aspects of accuracy. The OSEM with 16 subsets and 4 iterations, which is equivalent to the standard EM with 64 iterations, was approximately 14 times faster in computation time than the standard EM. In OSEM, all of the three schemes for choosing subsets yielded similar results in computation time as well as normalized mean-squared error. Conclusion: Our results show that the OSEM algorithm, which have proven useful in emission tomography, can also be applied to the problem of image reconstruction for Compton camera. With properly chosen subset construction methods and moderate numbers of subsets, our OSEM algorithm significantly improves the computational efficiency while keeping the original quality of the standard EM reconstruction. The OSEM algorithm with scatter angle- and detector position-based subsets is most available.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.20-31
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• 2022

Purpose Broad Quantification Calibration(B.Q.C) is the procedure for Quantitative Analysis to measure Standard Uptake Value(SUV) in SPECT/CT scanner. B.Q.C was performed with Tc-99m, I-123, I-131, Lu-177 respectively and then we acquired the phantom images whether the SUVs were measured accurately. Because there is no standard for SUV test in SPECT, we used ACR Esser PET phantom alternatively. The purpose of this study was to lay the groundwork for Quantitative Analysis with various isotopes in SPECT/CT scanner. Materials and Methods Siemens SPECT/CT Symbia Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold were used for this study. The procedure of B.Q.C has two steps; first is point source Sensitivity Cal. and second is Volume Sensitivity Cal. to calculate Volume Sensitivity Factor(VSF) using cylinder phantom. To verify SUV, we acquired the images with ACR Esser PET phantom and then we measured SUV_mean on background and SUV_max on hot vials(25, 16, 12, 8 mm). SPSS was used to analyze the difference in the SUV between Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold by Mann-Whitney test. Results The results of Sensitivity(CPS/MBq) and VSF were in Detector 1, 2 of four isotopes (Intevo 16 D1 sensitivity/D2 sensitivity/VSF and Intevo Bold) 87.7/88.6/1.08, 91.9/91.2/1.07 on Tc-99m, 79.9/81.9/0.98, 89.4/89.4/0.98 on I-123, 124.8/128.9/0.69, 130.9, 126.8/0.71, on I-131, 8.7/8.9/1.02, 9.1/8.9/1.00 on Lu-177 respectively. The results of SUV test with ACR Esser PET phantom were (Intevo 16 BKG SUV_mean/25mm SUV_max/16mm/12mm/8mm and Intevo Bold) 1.03/2.95/2.41/1.96/1.84, 1.03/2.91/2.38/1.87/1.82 on Tc-99m, 0.97/2.91/2.33/1.68/1.45, 1.00/2.80/2.23/1.57/1.32 on I-123, 0.96/1.61/1.13/1.02/0.69, 0.94/1.54/1.08/0.98/ 0.66 on I-131, 1.00/6.34/4.67/2.96/2.28, 1.01/6.21/4.49/2.86/2.21 on Lu-177. And there was no statistically significant difference of SUV between Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold(p>0.05). Conclusion Only Qualitative Analysis was possible with gamma camera in the past. On the other hand, it's possible to acquire not only anatomic localization, 3D tomography but also Quantitative Analysis with SUV measurements in SPECT/CT scanner. We could lay the groundwork for Quantitative Analysis with various isotopes; Tc-99m, I-123, I-131, Lu-177 by carrying out B.Q.C and could verify the SUV measurement with ACR phantom. It needs periodic calibration to maintain for precision of Quantitative evaluation. As a result, we can provide Quantitative Analysis on follow up scan with the SPECT/CT exams and evaluate the therapeutic response in theranosis.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2010

Purpose: TOMO therapy treatment for a relatively long run Beam time and temperature-sensitive detector, such as CT clinics in optimal temperature ($20~21^{\circ}$) to maintain a constant temperature in addition to its own Chamber Cooling system is activating. TOMO This clinic has been reduced in the patients' body temperature to keep the sheets and covers over the treated area. Therefore, these materials for any changes in the organization gives the dose were analyzed. Materials and Methods: To compare changes in the organization Dose Phantom cheese (Cheese Phantom) were used, CT-simulation taking the center point of the cheese phantom PTV (Planning Target Volume, treatment planning target volume) by setting Daily dose 200 cGy, 3 meetings planned treatment. PTV, PTV +7 cm, PTV +14 cm, the total count points on the phantom using the Ion chamber cover without any substance to measure the dose, and one of the most commonly used treatment, including the frequently used four kinds of bedding materials (febric 0.8 mm, gown 1.4 mm, rug, 3.3 mm, blanket 13.7 mm) and covered with a phantom and the dose measured at the same location were analyzed 3 times each. Results: PTV, PTV +7 cm, PTV +14 cm from the point of any substance measured in the state are covered with four kinds of materials (fabric, gown, rug, blanket) was measured in the covered states and compares their results, PTV respectively -0.17%, -0.44%, -0.53% and -0.9% change, PTV +7 cm, respectively -0.04%, +0.07%, +0.06%, +0.07%, were changed, PTV +14 cm, respectively 0%, -0.06%, -0.02%, +0.6%, respectively. Conclusion: These results TOMO treatment to patients to maintain their body mass by using PTV thickness of the material decreased in proportion to. PTV +7 cm, but showed slight changes in the point, PTV +14 cm at the point of the dose was increased a little. Sejijeom all the difference in treatment tolerance ${\pm}3%$ range, this is confirmed in the coming treatment will not affect the larger should be considered.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.424-433
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• 2017

Antioxidants are used in the manufacturing of commercial food packages made of polyolefin plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene for the purpose to delay the oxidation reaction of the polymer due to oxygen or traces of ozone in the atmosphere. Additives in plastics may be migrated from the packaging materials into foods, thereby presenting a potential health risk to the consumer. Therefore, it is necessary to determine migration level of antioxidants from food packaging materials to foodstuffs in order to take proactive management. In this study, we have developed a method for the analysis of 10 antioxidants, which are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Cyanox 2246, 425 and 1790, Irgafos 168, and Irganox 1010, 1330, 3114 and 1076, migrated from the food packaging materials into four food simulants for aqueous, acidic, alcoholic and fatty foods. The antioxidants were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatograph-ultraviolet detector with 276 nm after solid-phase extraction with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridge or dilution with isopropanol. The analytical method showed a good linearity of coefficient ($R^2{\geq}0.99$), limits of detection (0.11~0.41 mg/L), and limits of quantification (0.34~1.24 mg/L). The recoveries of antioxidants spiked to four food simulants ranged from 71.3% to 109.4%. The migrated antioxidants in this study were within the safety levels that resulted from the safety assessment by the estimated daily intake to the tolerable daily intake.