• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2018

A radiation detection sensor was developed and characterized by combining three types of CsI(Tl) scintillators and an array-type SiPM to detect the radioactive contamination of discharged water in real time. The characterization results showed that type 3 exhibited the most desirable characteristics in response linearity (R-square: 0.97889) according to detection sensitivity and incident radiation dose. Furthermore, in terms of spectral characteristics, type 3 exhibited 16.54% at 0.356 MeV (the emission gamma ray energy of $^{133}Ba$), 10.28% at 0.511 MeV (the emission gamma ray energy of $^{22}Na$), 9.68% at 0.356 MeV (the emission gamma ray energy of $^{137}Cs$), and 2.55% and 4.80% at 1.173 MeV and 1.332 MeV (the emission gamma ray energies of $^{60}Co$), respectively. These measurements confirmed the good energy characteristics. The results were used to evaluate the spectral characteristics and energy linearity in a mixed source using type 3 with the best detection characteristics. It was confirmed that the gamma ray peaks of $^{133}Ba$, $^{22}Na$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{60}Co$ were well resolved. Moreover, it was confirmed that R-square, which is an indicator of energy linearity, was 0.99986. This indicates a good linearity characteristic. Based on this study, further commercialization studies will contribute to measurements in real time and to the management of the contamination caused by radioactive wastewater or radioactive material leakage, which originate from facilities that use radioactive isotopes or care facilities.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.185-189
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• 2011

As nuclear industry has been developed, a various types of radiological contamination has occurred. After 9.11 terror in U.S.A., it has been concerned that terrorists' active area has been enlarged to use nuclear or radioactive substance. Recently, the most powerful earth-quake stroke, which triggered a massive tsunami in Japan and then Fukushima nuclear power plant reactor has suffered from a serious accident in history. The Fukushima reactor accident has occurred an anxiety of radiation leaks and about 170,000 people have been evacuated from the accidental area near the nuclear power plant. For these reasons, a social chaos can be occurred if radiological contamination occurs to the supply system for the drinking water. As such, the establishment of the radiation monitoring system for the city main water system is compelling for the national security. In this study, a feasibility test of radiation monitoring system which consists of unified hybrid-type radiation detectors was experimented for multi detection system by using gamma-ray imaging. The hybrid-type radiation sensors were fabricated with CsI(Tl) scintillators and photodiodes. A preamplifier and amplifier was also fabricated and assembled with the sensor in the shielding case. For the preliminary test of detection of radiological contamination in the river, multi CsI(Tl)-PIN photodiode radiation detectors and $^{137}Cs$ gamma-ray source were used. The DAQ was done by Linux based ROOT program and NI DAQ system with Labview program. The simulated contamination was assumed to be occurred at Gapcheon river in Daejeon city. Multi CsI(Tl)-PIN photodiode radiation detectors were positioned at the Gapcheon river side. Assuming that the radiological contaminations flows in the river the $^{137}Cs$ gamma-ray source has been moved and then, the contamination region was reconstructed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.293-297
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• 1989

Electron contamination due to the interaction between radiation beam and material was analyzed for the factors such as source-skin distance (SSD), field size, tray characteristics and position of filter, which can affect the surface dose in Cobalt teletherapy. Surface dose in open beam was more influenced by SSD with increasing field size. Relative surface charge (RSC) increased with the use of tray (solid, circular hole, slotted), compared with open beam, which is thought to be due to increased electron contamination of the tray. To reduce the surface dose, 0.4mm thick Lipowitz metal filter was used. Compared with open beam, RSC decreased by 8.8%, 11.3%, 13.3%, 16.6%, 19.3% and 21.7% for the field size of $5{\times}5$, $10{\times}10$, $15{\times}15$, $20{\times}20$, $25{\times}25$ and $30{\times}30cm^2$, respectively. On the contrary, use of Lipowitz metal filter increased RSC at 60cm or less SSD. Surface dose was effectively reduced with Lpowitz metal filter placed right below solid tray in Cobalt teletherapy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1259-1265
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• 2020

A beta ray scanner was proposed for in-situ discrimination of beta and gamma ray radioactivity. This scanner is based on the principle that gamma and beta rays experience different changes in detection efficiency in scintillators with different geometries, especially with regard to the scintillator thickness. The ratios of the counting rates of gamma rays (R_gamma), beta rays (R_beta), and sample measurements (R_total) in a thick scintillator to those in a thin one are reported. The parameter X_thick, which represents the counting rate contributed by beta rays to the total counting rate in the thick scintillator, was derived as a function of those ratios. The values of R_gamma and R_beta for ⁶⁰Co and ⁹⁰Sr sources were estimated as 3.2 ± 0.057 and 0.99 ± 0.0049, respectively. The estimated beta ray contributions had relative standard deviations of 2.05-4.96%. The estimated range of the beta rays emitted from ⁹⁰Sr was 19 mm as per the Monte Carlo N-Particle simulation, and this value was experimentally verified. Homogeneous and surface contaminations of ⁶⁰Co and ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y were simulated for application of the proposed method. The counting rate contributed by the beta rays was derived and found to be proportional to the concentration of ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y contamination.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.112-122
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• 2013

Current status of soil contamination with fluorine and its source were investigated. The basic principles and procedures of various techniques for the analysis of fluorine contents in soil and solid phase samples were summarized in this review. Analysis of fluorine in solid matrices can be achieved by two types of techniques: (i) UV/Vis spectrophotometer or ion selective electrode (ISE) analysis after performing appropriate extraction steps and (ii) direct solid analysis. As the former cases, the standard method of Korean ministry of environment, alkali fusion-ISE method, pyrohydrolysis, oxygen bomb combustion, aqua regia digestion-automatic analysis, and sequential extraction-ISE method were introduced. In addition, direct analysis methods (i.e., X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and proton induced gamma-ray emission spectrometry) and atomic spectrometry combining with the equipment for introducing solid phase sample were also reviewed. Fluorine analysis techniques can be reasonably selected through site-specific information such as matrix condition, contamination level, the amount of samples and the principles of various methods for the analysis of fluorine presented in this review.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.101-105
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• 2018

In this paper, a neutron moderation system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) based on a $^{252}Cf$ neutron source is proposed. Different materials have been studied in order to produce a high percentage of epithermal neutrons. A moderator with a construction mixture of $AlF_3$ and Al, three reflectors of $Al_2O_3$, BeO, graphite, and seven filters (Bi, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ti, a two-layer filter of Ti+Bi, and a two-layer filter of Ti+Pb) is considered. The MCNPX simulation code has been used to calculate the neutron and gamma flux at the output window of the neutronic system. The results show that the epithermal neutron flux is relatively high for four filters: Ti+Pb, Ti+Bi, Bi, and Ti. However, a layer of Ti cannot reduce the contribution of ${\gamma}$-rays at the output window. Although the neutron spectra filtered by the Ti+Bi and Ti+Pb overlap, a large fraction of neutrons (74.95%) has epithermal energy when the Ti+Pb is used as a filter. However, the percentages of the fast and thermal neutrons are 25% and 0.5%, respectively. The Bi layer provides a relatively low epithermal neutron flux. Moreover, an assembly configuration of 30% $AlF_3+70%$ Al moderator/$Al_2O_3$ reflector/a two-layer filter of Ti+Pb reduces the fast neutron flux at the output port much more than other assembly combinations. In comparison with a recent model suggested by Ghassoun et al., the proposed neutron moderation system provides a higher epithermal flux with a relatively low contamination of gamma rays.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 1970

Korean Paldal variety rice, harvested November and hulled into polished and unpolished forms in April, 1969, packed in the straw bags and the kraft paper bags. Being irradiated with 10, 30 and 50 krad ${\gamma}-ray$, the samples were stored at room temperature for testing infestation, uric acid content, fat acidity, riboflavin content and panel test. The results are as follows. 1. The kraft bag lot with polished rice or unpolished rice manifested the apparent disinfestation with $30{\sim}50$ krad irradiation. On the other hand, in the straw bag lot the irradiation effects on disinfestation were weakened through summer on account of the second contamination. 2. The changes of uric acid content in rice were proportional to the state of infestation. 3. Fat acidity, which has a close relation with the rancidity of fat in rice, increased during storage and showed some increasing tendency in the irradiated lot with $30{\sim}50$ krad. 4. In comparison with the control lot, riboflavin content was not affected by 50 krad irradiation. 5. With 10, 30 and 50 krad dose, the irradiated lot should have no significant difference in taste, odour, color and viscosity for the panel test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

$^{68}Ga$ was eluted from a $^{68}Ge/^{68}Ga$ radionuclide generator. $^{68}Ga$ decays into $^{68}Zn$, with a half life=67.8min. The decay is 88.9 % by ${\beta}$+ and 11.1 % by EC. The main ${\beta}$+ decay (87.7 %) is to the ground level of $^{68}Zn$ and it is a pure positron emission branch. A small fraction decays ${\beta}$+ (1.2 %) into an excited level of $^{68}Zn$, which promptly decays into the ground level with a ${\gamma}$ (1.077 Mev). This can constitute prompt gamma contamination in the PET data, if the 1.077 Mev ${\gamma}$ has a scatter interaction in the patient, and generates a lower energy ${\gamma}$ in coincidence with the positron annihilation pair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate standardized uptake value(SUV) before and after applying prompt gamma rays correction on $^{68}Ga$-DOTATOC PET/CT image. Fifty patient underwent PET/CT 1 hour after injection of the $^{68}Ga$-DOTATOC. The SUVmax and SUVmean of lesions and normal tissues (Pituitary, Lung, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Intestine) were evaluated before and after applying prompt gamma correction on $^{68}Ga$-DOTATOC PET/CT image. Additionally, the SUVmax of each lesions and SUVmean of the soft tissues were measured on images. and target to background ratios (TBR) were calculated as quantitative indices. Among 15 patients, 25 of lesions (Pancreas, Liver, Thoracic Spine, Brain) with increased uptake on $^{68}Ga$-DOTATOC PET/CT image. SUVmax and SUVmean were increased in lesion site and normal tissue after prompt gamma rays correction. TBR was $51.51{\pm}49.28$ and $55.50{\pm}53.12$ before and after prompt gamma rays correction, respectively. (p<0.0001)

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.141-147
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• 2010

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of retort process and gamma irradiation on reduction of total bacterial populations in spicy chicken sauce, which is served on top of the steamed rice. Commercial spicy chicken sauce was treated with retort and gamma ray at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 kGy. Total aerobic bacterial populations were then enumerated on plate count agar and isolated bacteria from the test samples were identified using PCR analysis. Moreover, gamma ray sensitivity of identified bacteria was evaluated by $D_{10}$ values, and genotoxicity of gamma-irradiated samples was examined. Gamma irradiation at 3 kGy reduced total aerobic bacterial cell counts in spicy chicken sauce below detection limit, but total aerobic bacterial cell counts in test samples treated with retort were 2.1 log CFU/g. Identified bacteria from the samples were Bacillus subtilis, B. amyloiquefaciense, and B. pumils, and the $D_{10}$ values for B. subtilis and B. cereus were 0.39 ($R^2\;=\;0.921$) and 0.28 log CFU/g ($R^2\;=\;0.904$), respectively. The SOS chromotest showed that the gamma-irradiated spicy chicken sauce did not cause mutagenicity. These results indicate that gamma irradiation of spicy chicken sauce could be useful in ensuring microbial safety.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1781-1795
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• 2024

This study investigated the levels of radioactivity in soil surrounding a phosphate fertilizer factory in Egypt, aiming to assess potential risks to the population exposed to radiation. Concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured in soil samples collected from two subsites: one near the factory (subsite 1) and another further away (subsite 2). Two different systems were used for measuring radioactivity, a high-purity gamma ray spectroscopy system with an HPGe detector for gamma-emitting isotopes and a CR-39 solid nuclear track detector for alpha-emitting radon gas. Subsite 1, located close to the factory, displayed significantly elevated levels of ²²⁶Ra compared to global background levels (514 and 456 Bq/kg vs. 35 Bq/kg). Additionally, the concentrations of ²³⁸U (241.06 Bq/kg vs. global average 35 Bq/kg), ²³²Th (16.15 Bq/kg vs. global average 30 Bq/kg), and ⁴⁰K (146.36 Bq/kg vs. global average 400 Bq/kg) were all above global averages. Furthermore, a high concentration of radon gas (337.06 μSv/y) was measured at subsite 1. The strong positive correlation observed between ²²⁶Ra and ²³⁸U (0.96256) provides further evidence of potentially elevated radioactivity levels near the factory. In contrast, subsite 2, situated farther from the factory, exhibited natural radioactive background levels within international limits. Quantitative analysis revealed that gamma ray absorbed doses for ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th exceeded global averages in some samples. Specifically, ²²⁶Ra doses ranged from 7.8 to 46.26 ppm (exceeding the 20 ppm global average in some cases), and ²³²Th doses ranged from 1.98 to 9.14 ppm (exceeding the 10 ppm global average in some cases). The concentration of ⁴⁰K, however, remained within the global range (0.07%-0.69 %). The observed imbalances in the ratios of Th/U (0.17-0.24 Bq/kg and 0.73-0.24 ppm) and U/Ra (0.81-0.73 Bq/kg and 0.73-0.17 ppm), both of which are significantly lower than their respective global averages of 4 and 2.4, point towards the presence of fertilizer-derived contamination. This conclusion is further supported by the high phosphate concentrations detected in the samples. Overall, this study suggests that radioactive contamination near the phosphate fertilizer factory significantly exceeds global background levels and international limits in some cases. This raises concerns about potential risks posed to surrounding agricultural land and crops.