• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.87-100
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• 1990

For the quantitative evaluation and assessment of radiation exposure from terrestrial component of natural environmental radiation, successive thermoluminescence dosimetry and periodical in-situ gamma ray spectrometry were carried out for a period of 24 months. LiF PTFE dise TLDs and $3&{\phi}{\times}3'$cylindrical NaI(Tl)scintill ation detector in association of portable multichannel analyzer (4096 ch) were used in this study. The doses measured were evaluated and assessed in terms of effective dose equivalent. As a concomitant output, the dose equivalent due to ionizing component of cosmic ray was able to be evaluated. According to the results obtained in terms of variance weighted mean, the annual effective dose equivalents of terrestrial gamma ray and cosmic ray ionizing component in Taejeon area came out to be $564{\pm}4\;{\mu}Sv(64.8{\pm}0.5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ and $300{\pm}2\;{\mu}Sv(34.3{\pm}0.2nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$, respectively, which are reasonable comparably with that appeared in UNSCEAR Report[28]as per caput annual effective dose equivalent in 'areas of normal background radiation'.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.88-91
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• 1964

A rapid and simple method is described here for the determination of scandium in monazite by neutron activation analysis. The sample is irradiated for 20 hours at the neutron flux of $10^{12}$ thermal neutrons/$cm^2$/sec in the TRIGA MARK Ⅱ reactor, after which the sample is decomposed by fusion with concentrated sulfuric acid. The scandium-46 together with scandium carrier are separated from the irradiated sample by precipitating with ammonia, and are extracted by solvent extraction of the thiocyanate complex into ether. The induced radioactivity is measured by gamma scintillation spectrometry using the Multichannel Pulse Height Analyzer connected with 2"${\times}$2" NaI(Tl). The chemical yield is determined gravimetrically by precipitating scandium with mandelic acid. In order to check the efficiency of scandium separation and the errors from interfering activities of the other elements, scandium was separated by the cation exchange resin column, and the results from both samples were compared each other, which showed that the chemical procedure used in this work was as selective as the ion-exchange method with respect to scandium separation. The scandium contents in Korean monazite were found to be about 12 p. p. m.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.1638-1649
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• 2019

Top soil samples across the state of Kuwait numering ninety were collected and analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry, to evaluate the elemental concentration of $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$ and $^{40}K$ and their depletion/enrichment. Results of elemental concentration ranges from 0.48 to 2.61 mg/kg, 0.87-5.23 mg/kg, and 0.24-2.23%, with a mean values of 1.39 mg/kg, 3.47 mg/kg, and 1.18%, for the $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$ and $^{40}K$, respectively. Further analysis was conducted amongst the five identified soil types, i.e. Aquisalids (S1), Calcigypsids (S2), Petrocalcids (S3), Petrogypsids (S4), and torripsamment (S5). The highest radioactivity concentrations from both uranium and thorium were recorded in the S2 (Calcigypsids) soil, with a value of 1.71 (mg/kg) and 4.45 (mg/kg), respectively. Minimum and maximum values of $^{40}K$ are 1.1(%) and 1.27(%) and is prevalent in Aquisalids (S1) and Petrocalcids (S3) soil types, respectively. Ratios of elemental concentration for $^{232}Th/^{238}U$, $^{40}K/^{238}U$, $^{40}K/^{232}Th$ across the soil types are 2.53, 0.09 and 0.03, with a correlation coefficient of 0.92, 0.34, and 0.38, respectively. A progressively higher $^{232}Th/^{238}U$ ratio is observed moving south-wards, indicating lower $^{238}U$ content in soils from the south relative to the northern part. Overall results indicate Kuwait to be relatively an area with low level of natural radioactivity.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.4114-4121
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• 2021

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh with a capacity of 2.4 GWe, is under construction on the bank of the river Padma, at Rooppur in Bangladesh. Measurement of background radioactivity in the natural environment adjacent to RNPP finds great importance for future perspectives. Soil and sediment samples collected from upstream and downstream positions of the Padma River (adjacent to RNPP) were collected and analyzed by HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry for primordial radionuclides. The average activity concentrations (in Bqkg^-1) of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K radionuclides in soil samples were found to be 44.99 ± 3.89, 66.28 ± 6.55 and 553 ± 82.17 respectively. Respective values in sediment samples were found to be 44.59 ± 4.58, 67.64 ± 7.93, 782 ± 108. Relevant radiation hazard indices and dosimetric parameters were calculated and compared with the world average data recommended by US-EPA. Analytical results show non-negligible radiation hazards to the surrounding populace. Measured data will be useful to monitor any change of background radioactivity in the surrounding environment of RNPP following its operation for the generation of nuclear energy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4253-4264
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• 2022

Since the implementation of the phosphate project in Bled El-Hadba (BEH) deposit, western region of Tébessa, no detailed study has been conducted to assess the natural radioactivity distribution and the associated radiological risk parameter for this open-pit mine. For the sake of determining a credible premining reference database for the region of interest, 21 samples were collected from different geological layers of the above-mentioned deposit. Gamma Spectrometry was applied for measuring radioactivity using a high resolution HPGe semiconductor detector. The obtained activity results have shown a significant broad variation in the radioactive contents for the different phosphate samples. The total average concentrations (in Bq·kg^-1) for ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K computed for the different type of phosphate layers were found to be 570 ± 169, 788 ± 280, 52 ± 18, 66 ± 6 and 81 ± 18 respectively. The mean activity concentrations of the measured radionuclides were compared to other regional and worldwide deposits. The ratios between the detected radioisotopes have been calculated for spatial distribution of natural radionuclides in the study area. Based on the aforementioned activity concentrations, the corresponding radiation hazard parameters were assessed. Correlations between the obtained parameters were drawn and a multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson Correlation, Cluster and Factor analysis) was carried out in order to identify the existing relationships.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2023

Background: Food consumption is one of the most important routes for radionuclide intake for the public; therefore, there is the need to have a comprehensive understanding of the amount of radioactivity in food products. Consumption of radionuclide-contaminated food could increase potential health risks associated with exposure to radiation such as cancers. The present study aims to determine radioactivity levels in some food products (milk, rice, sugar, and wheat flour) consumed in Mali and to evaluate the radiological effect on the public health from these radionuclides. Materials and Methods: The health impact due to ingestion of radionuclides from these foods was evaluated by the determination of activity concentration of radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs using gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium detector and radiological hazards index in 16 samples collected in some markets, mall, and shops of Bamako-Mali. Results and Discussion: The average activity concentrations were 9.8±0.6 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, 8.7±0.5 Bq/kg for ²³²Th, 162.9±7.9 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K, and 0.0035±0.0005 Bq/kg for ¹³⁷Cs. The mean values of radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose, internal hazard index, and risk assessment from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and national standards. Conclusion: The results show low public exposure to radioactivity and associated radiological impact on public health. Nevertheless, this study stipulates vital data for future research and regulatory authorities in Mali.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2009

Purpose : Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes. Methods : We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. esults : Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range. Conclusion : The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2014

In the case of the direct measurement of $^{226}Ra$ using a HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer, the interference between gammarays with 186.21 keV of $^{226}Ra$ and 185.7 keV of $^{235}U$ should be corrected to calculate the net peak area in the energy spectrum. In general, it is very difficult to conduct peaks stripping with difference of about 0.5 keV, although a HPGe with the superior resolution is applied and the maximum channels is applied to the spectrometer. In this study, several interference correction techniques in the direct measurement were surveyed to evaluate the feasibility for the measurement of $^{226}Ra$ using the gamma-ray spectrometery. Applying the interference corrections to the analysis of raw materials and by-products, the method validation for the direct measurement of $^{226}Ra$ was conducted by evaluating the measurement uncertainty, linearity, and range. As a result, the optimum method of the interference correction was selected by comparing with the indirect measurement of which progenies of $^{226}Ra$, such as $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$, were analyzed in the secular equilibrium state.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.7
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• pp.924-933
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• 2015

The correlation of the isotopic composition of uranium, plutonium, neodymium, and cesium with the burnup for high burnup pressurized water reactor fuels irradiated in nuclear power reactors has been experimentally investigated. The total burnup was determined by Nd-148 and the fractional $^{235}U$ burnup was determined by U and Pu mass spectrometric methods. The isotopic compositions of U, Pu, Nd, and Cs after their separation from the irradiated fuel samples were measured using thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The contents of these elements in the irradiated fuel were determined through an isotope dilution mass spectrometric method using $^{233}U$, $^{242}Pu$, $^{150}Nd$, and $^{133}Cs$ as spikes. The activity ratios of Cs isotopes in the fuel samples were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. The content of each element and its isotopic compositions in the irradiated fuel were expressed by their correlation with the total and fractional burnup, burnup parameters, and the isotopic compositions of different elements. The results obtained from the experimental methods were compared with those calculated using the ORIGEN-S code.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.603-609
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change of volatile compounds in Dakgalbi cooked by charcoal broiling. Fresh deboned and marinated chicken meat was cooked by electric-pan frying or charcoal broiling and subsequently irradiated with a dose of 0, 10 and 20 kGy. Volatile components from Dakgalbi were analyzed using solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) and identified through the comparison of mass spectrum database. SPME GC-MS analysis shows that a total of 32 volatiles were identified. Among them, aldehydes such as hexanal and octanal, which have relevance to off-flavors such as green, paint, metallic, bean and rancid were detected in Dakgalbi cooked by both methods. However, the contents were less detected in the Dakgalbi cooked by charcoal broiling than in the Dakgalbi cooked by electric-pan frying. Gamma-irradiation caused the change in the formation of these aldehydes in cooked Dakgalbi. The irradiation significantly increased the contents of hexanal and octanal in Dakgalbi cooked by electric-pan frying and a similar increase was found in Dakgalbi cooked by charcoal broiling. However, the contents of the off-flavors were much less in the latter. The results suggest that charcoal broiling might be more effective than electric-pan frying for the reduction of the contents of off-flavor such as hexanal and octanal increased in Dakgalbi by gamma-irradiation.