• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 1984

A great variety of nuclear gamma rays emitted from fission and activation products of spent nuclear fuel contains much information that can be elicited without affecting the integrity of the fuel elements. But the extraction of such information from the complex spectrum is difficult and requires computer codes. In the present work, a versatile code 'CAERI' was developed which locates peaks and calculates their areas for X-rays as well as gamma rays using elegant features of some widely used programs for gamma-ray peak fitting. 'CAERI' coded in FORTRAN used infinite series approximation more accurate than other workers various, simple, piecewise series approximations for evaluations of the Voigt function which represents the X-ray peak with non-negligible natural line width. 'CAERI' can handle even a complex multiplet consisting of peaks from X-rays and gamma rays in arbitrary mixture, which one often encounters in the isotopic analysis of heavy elements such as U and Pu. The results of the fitting performed on the test spectra of $^{177m}\;Lu\;{\gamma}-ray\;and\;^{235}U\;K_{\alpha}$X-ray show good agreement with those by previous workers.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.158-165
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• 2017

Background: Nuclear facilities in South Korea have generally adopted pressurized ion chambers to measure ambient gamma ray exposure rates for monitoring the impact of radiation on the surrounding environment. The rates assessed with pressurized ion chambers do not distinguish between natural and man-made radiation, so a further step is needed to identify the cause of abnormal variation. In contrast, using NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors to detect gamma energy rates can allow an immediate assessment of the cause of variation through an analysis of the energy spectra. Against this backdrop, this study was conducted to propose a more effective way to monitor ambient gamma exposure rates. Materials and Methods: The following methods were used to analyze gamma energy spectra measured from January to November 2016 with NaI detectors installed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) dormitory and Hanbat University. 1) Correlations of the variation of rates measured at the two locations were determined. 2) The dates, intervals, duration, and weather conditions were identified when rates increased by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more. 3) Differences in the NaI spectra on normal days and days where rates spiked by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more were studied. 4) An algorithm was derived for automatically calculating the net variation of the rates. Results and Discussion: The rates measured at KAERI and Hanbat University, located 12 kilometers apart, did not show a strong correlation (coefficient of determination = 0.577). Time gaps between spikes in the rates and rainfall were factors that affected the correlation. The weather conditions on days where rates went up by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more featured rainfall, snowfall, or overcast, as well as an increase in peaks of the gamma rays emitted from the radon decay products of $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ in the spectrum. This study assumed that $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ exist at a radioactive equilibrium, since both have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes. Provided that this assumption is true and that the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from the radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should be present between the two energy levels. This study proved that this assumption was true by demonstrating a linear correlation between the count rates of these two gamma peaks. In conclusion, if the count rates of these two peaks detected in the gamma energy spectrum at a certain time maintain the ratio measured at a normal time, such variation can be confirmed to be caused by natural radiation. Conclusion: This study confirmed that both $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes, thereby existing in a radioactive equilibrium in the atmosphere. If the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from these radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should exist between the two energy levels.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1023-1026
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• 2013

The electronic equipment which was exposed to high level pulsed radiation is damaged as Upset, Latchup, and Burnout. Those damages has come from the instantaneous photocurrent from electron-hole pairs generated in itself. Such damages appeared as losses of power in military weapon system or of blackout in aerospace equipment and eventually caused in gross loss of national. In this paper, we have implemented a RDC(Radiation detection and control module) as part of the radiation protection technology of the electronic equipment or devices from the pulsed gamma radiation. The RDC which is composed of pulsed gamma-ray detection sensor, signal processors, and pulse generator is designed to protect the important electronic circuits from the pulse radiation. To verify the functionality of the RDC, LM118s which had damaged by the pulse radiation were tested. The test results showed that the test sample applied with a RDC was worked well in spite of the irradiation of the same pulse radiation. Through the experiments we could confirm that the radiation protection technology implemented with RDC had the functionality of radiation protection to the electronic devices.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.197-201
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• 2006

Daily and seasonal variations of the ambient gamma ray exposure rates were measured by using a pressurized ion chamber from January 2003 to December 2005 in the CheongJu Regional Radiation Monitoring Post and the patterns of the distributions were studied. The annual average of the daily variation of the exposure rate was $\sim0.17{\mu}R/h$. The exposure rate was found to be maximum during 8:00 am to 9:00 am and minimum during 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For the annual data, the exposure rate was the minimum during the month of February. The exposure rate increased from February to mid-October (except during the period from May to July with no change) and decreased from October to February. The seasonal variation was found to be about $1{\mu}R/h$. Most of the measured values (96%) of the exposure rates fell under the normal distribution with a deviation of less than 4.8% and the remaining 4% had large fluctuations caused mainly by the rainfalls.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 1999

Tomato (Lycopericum esculentum $M_{ILL}$ cv. Seokwang and cv. Housemomotaro) seeds were irradiated with the doses of $1{\sim}20$ Gy from $^{60}Co$ $\gamma$-ray source to investigate the effect of the low dose $\gamma$-ray radiation on the early growth and resistance to subsequent high dose of radiation. Germination rate of seeds irradiated with low dose $\gamma$-ray was enhanced in Seokwang cultivar but not in Housemomotaro cultivar. Seedling height increased in 4 Gy and 8 Gy irradiation group of both cultivars. Plant height of Seokwang cultivar was depressed in low dose irradiation group but fresh weight was increased in 2 Gy and 4 Gy irradiation group. In Housemomotaro cultivar, plant height increased in 12 Gy and 20 Gy irradiation group and fresh weight increased in 4 Gy and 20 Gy irradiation group. Growth inhibition of tomato plants by high dose radiation was noticeably reduced by pre-irradiation of low dose radiation. Resistance to subsequent high dose of radiation was enhanced in 2 Gy and 8 Gy Irradiation group of Seokwang cultivar and in 2 Gy and 12 Gy irradiation group of Housemomotaro cultivar.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to see the radiation protection effect of the oral injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts on the small intestine and uterus of female SD Rat as a natural radiation protection agent. The experimental group was divided into four groups: Normal Control group (NC group), Injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts group (DZ group), irradiated group after injecting Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts (DZ+IR group). The whole body of SD Rat was irradiated with gamma-ray 10Gy, and the administration of oral Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. Extract was 2 cc (71.56 mg/day/kg) once a day for 2 weeks. For this study, chages in blood cell levels, SOD assay, small intestine and uterus were observed. In the 21st white blood cell level, the DZ+IR group recovered to a normal level, and the IR group didn't. The IR group villus length was lower than other groups on Day 1. IR group was partially recovered, and DZ+IR group was recovered like the NC group on Day 21. In the case of the first-day endometrium, the IR group was thin and the boundary was cloudy, and the DZ+IR group was thicker and the boundary was clearer than the IR group. Day 21 IR group still did not recover, and DZ+IR group recovered like NC group. This is believed to have radiation protection effects in the blood cells and small intestine and uterus of the irradiated female SD Rat, and is expected to be useful for the study of natural radiation protection materials.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.29-53
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• 2023

High-strength shielding concrete against gamma radiation is a priority for many medical and industrial facilities. This paper aimed to investigate the gamma-ray shielding properties of high-strength hematite concrete mixed with silica fume (SF) with nanoparticles of lead dioxide (PbO₂), tungsten oxide (WO₃), and bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃). The effect of mixing steel fibres with the aforementioned binders was also investigated. The reference mixture was prepared for high-strength concrete (HSCC) containing 100% hematite coarse and fine aggregate. Thirteen mixtures containing 5% SF and nanoparticles of PbO₂, WO₃, and Bi₂O₃ (2%, 5%, and 7% of the cement mass, respectively) were prepared. Steel fibres were added at a volume ratio of 0.28% of the volume of concrete with 5% of nanoparticles. The slump test was conducted to workability of fresh concrete Unit weight water permeability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity tests were conducted to assess concrete's engineering properties at 28 days. Gamma-ray radiation of 137Cs emits photons with an energy of 662 keV, and that of 60Co emits two photons with energies of 1173 and 1332 keV were applied on concrete specimens to assess radiation shielding properties. Nanoparticles partially replacing cement reduced slump in workability of fresh concrete. The compressive strength of mixtures, including nanoparticles was shown to be greater, achieving 94.5 MPa for the mixture consisting of 7.5 PbO2. In contrast, the mixture (5PbO₂-F) containing steel fibres achieved the highest values for splitting tensile, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity (11.71, 15.97, and 42,840 MPa, respectively). High-strength shielded concrete (7.5PbO2) showed the best radiation protection. It also showed the minimum concrete thickness required to prevent the transmission of radiation.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 1979

For accurate and easily shielding irregular shaped organ, its minimized penumbra region and a low melting point alloy 'Lead Y' and synchronizing instrument have been developed. The 'Lead Y' is the quaternary eutectic alloy and it is composed of Lead 30.0% Tin 11.5% Bismuth 48 5% Cadmium 10.0% The density of its at $22^{\circ}C$ is $9.8g/cm^3$ and the melting temperature has $40^{\circ}C\;to\;68^{\circ}C$. The thickness of 'Lead Y' for perfect shielding of Co-60 gamma ray and LINAC 10MeV x-ray is 6cm and 7cm respectively. The 'Lead Y' shielding block is casted directly on the styrofoam from which is cut with hot wire of synchronizer device. The special features and advantages of the Lead Y shielding block could be summarized as follows; 1. The shielding block for radiotherapy is rapidly processed only with boiling water and styrofoam. 2. It is not injure one's health and not danger of a fire, because of not generating of any metals vapor and evil smelling. 3. It is very effective to minimize secondary penumbra for the protection of healthy tissue from unnecessary ionizing radiation regardless of the magnification source to skin distance. 4. The HVL of the Lead Y is 1.2cm for Co-60 gamma ray and it's shielding effect is almost same as the pure lead block. 5. The hardness of Lead Y is 1.5 times higher than lead block. 6. It's reavailability is higher than lead block and then one block of Lead Y is reavailable about 30 to 40 times. 7. It is usefull for shielding of x-ray, gamma ray, beta-ray, electron and neutron radiation. 8. The materials for Lead Y are easy to acquire with reasonable price and tractable.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2919-2926
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• 2023

In this paper, rare earth element (REE)/polyester composites were designed with lanthanum oxide, gadolinium oxide, and lutetium oxide as ray shielding agents, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the base. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out using FLUKA software. We found that the radiation protection performance of the composite is affected by the type and amount of REE; a higher amount of REE equated to a better radiation protection performance of the composite. When the thickness of the composite and total thickness of the REE is constant, the number of superimposed layers inside the composite does not affect its shielding performance. Compared with a single-type REE/PET composite, a mixed-type REE/PET composite has a wider range of γ-ray absorption and better radiation protection performance. When the mass ratio of PET to REE is 2:8 and different types of REE are mixed with equal mass, several 0.2 cm-thick mixed-type REE/PET composites can shield >70% of 60 and 80 KeV γ-rays.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2009

In our present study, total methanol extracts prepared from B. platyphylla var. japonica showed a significant increase in cell proliferation upon the induction of oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide or $\gamma$-ray irradiation. Total methanol extracts were fractionated into five separate preparations i.e. n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water fractions. Among these, the ethylacetate and butanol fractions of B. platyphylla var. japonica showed the highest protective effects against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. These fractions also showed strong protective effects against $\gamma$-ray irradiation. When we evaluated the cytotoxicity of these fractions, the butanol fraction showed no effects in a colony formation assay. In addition, the butanol fraction showed a cell proliferation activation effect evidenced by significant increase in the colony formation of $\gamma$-ray irradiated cells. Both a radical scavenging activity and clonogenic activity assay suggested that the mechanism behind this protective effect against reactive oxygen species may be due to the radical scavenging and cell proliferation activity of B. platyphylla var. japonica extracts.