• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.346-353
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• 2013

Objectives: The goal of this study is to identify the distribution of the foliar fluorine content of vegetation surrounding the area where hydrofluoric acid was accidently released in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do on September 27, 2012. In addition, it also aims to estimate the concentration of hydrogen fluoride in the air on the day of the accident. Methods: Samples of plant leaves were collected on October 7, 2012 within 1 km from the site where the accident occurred. These samples were analyzed for soluble fluorine ion with an ion selective electrode. The ambient concentration of hydrogen fluoride was calculated using the fluoride content in the plant via the dose-rate equation (${\Delta}F$=KCT). Results: The arithmetic and geometric means of the concentrations were 2158.2 and 1183.7mg F $kg^{-1}$ for leaves and, 2.4 and 1.1 ppm HF for the air, respectively. The highest concentration of hydrogen fluoride in the air was 14.7 ppm, which is higher than the maximum concentration reported by the government (1 ppm) and the exposure limit (ceiling, 3 ppm). The concentrations of both fluorine and hydrogen fluoride decreased with increasing distance from the accident site and showed a significant decrease outside of a 500m radius from the site (p <0.05). Conclusions: The area around the accident site was highly polluted with hydrogen fluoride according to the results of this study. Considering the persistency of hydrogen fluoride in the environment, long-term monitoring and environmental impact assessment should be pursued.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Sparse angular sampling has been studied recently owing to its potential to decrease the radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT). In this study, we investigated the analytic reconstruction algorithm in sparse angular sampling using the sinogram interpolation method for improving image quality and computation speed. A prototype of the spectral CT system, which has a 64-pixel Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT)-based photon-counting detector, was used. The source-to-detector distance and the source-to-center of rotation distance were 1,200 and 1,015 mm, respectively. Two energy bins (23~33 keV and 34~44 keV) were set to obtain two reconstruction images. We used a PMMA phantom with height and radius of 50.0 mm and 17.5 mm, respectively. The phantom contained iodine, gadolinium, calcification, and lipid. The Feld-kamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) with the sinogram interpolation method and Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (MLEM) algorithm were used to reconstruct the images. We evaluated the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the materials. The SNRs of iodine, calcification, and liquid lipid were increased by 167.03%, 157.93%, and 41.77%, respectively, with the 23~33 keV energy bin using the sinogram interpolation method. The SNRs of iodine, calcification, and liquid state lipid were also increased by 107.01%, 13.58%, and 27.39%, respectively, with the 34~44 keV energy bin using the sinogram interpolation method. Although the FDK algorithm with the sinogram interpolation did not produce better results than the MLEM algorithm, it did result in comparable image quality to that of the MLEM algorithm. We believe that the sinogram interpolation method can be applied in various reconstruction studies using the analytic reconstruction algorithm. Therefore, the sinogram interpolation method can improve the image quality in sparse-angular sampling and be applied to CT applications.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2014

Purpose: Walking type cultivator used for weeding generated excessive handle vibration as well as bouncing motion depending on the weeding speed. This research was conducted to define a design factor of the rotary weeding blades for reducing soil reaction forces as well as hand vibration. Methods: The motion and forces acting on the rotary blades were reviewed to find out the most influencing parameter on hand vibration. The installation angle (IA) of the blade was selected and analyzed to determine the condition of no reaction force less. For removing the unnecessary upward soil reaction, the design factor theory of weeding blade was suggested based on geometrics and dynamics. For evaluation of design factor theory, the experiment in situ was performed base on ISO 5349:1. The vibration $a_{hv}$ and theoretical value $X_{MF}$ were compared with two groups that one was positive group ($X_{MF}$ > 0) and the other was negative group ($X_{MF}$ < 0). Results: $X_{MF}$ was derived from rotational velocity, forward velocity, disk diameter, weeding depth, blade's width and IA of blade. Two groups had significant difference (p < 0.05). In aspect of the group mean total exposure duration, positive group was 17.53% bigger than negative group. When disk radius 100, 150 and 200 mm, minimum IAs were $4{\sim}27^{\circ}$, $3{\sim}15^{\circ}$ and $2{\sim}10^{\circ}$, respectively. A spread sheet program which calculated XMF was developed by Excel 2013. Conclusions: According to this result, minimum IA of weeding blade for soil reaction reduction could be obtained. For reduction hand-arm vibration and power consumption, minimum IA is needed.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.658-663
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• 2017

Urchin-structured zinc oxide(ZnO) nanorod(NR) gas sensors were successfully demonstrated on a polyimide(PI) substrate, using single wall carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) as the electrode. The ZnO NRs were grown with ZnO shells arranged at regular intervals to form a network structure with maximized surface area. The high surface area and numerous junctions of the NR network structure was the key to excellent gas sensing performance. Moreover, the SWCNTs formed a junction barrier with the ZnO which further improved sensor characteristics. The fabricated urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors exhibited superior performance upon $NO_2$ exposure with a stable response of 110, fast rise and decay times of 38 and 24 sec, respectively. Comparative analyses revealed that the high performance of the sensors was due to a combination of high surface area, numerous active junction points, and the use of the SWCNTs electrode. Furthermore, the urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors showed sustainable mechanical stability. Although degradation of the devices progressed during repeated flexibility tests, the sensors were still operational even after 10000 cycles of a bending test with a radius of curvature of 5 mm.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

In this study, we analyzed the written and drawn explanations of thirty elementary school pre-service teachers in order to examine their perception on the seasonal length of day and night. The main findings are as follows: First, pre-service teachers used the most common term in the description of the texts, such as meridian altitude, axis of rotation, and revolution, and there were more misconceptions in the drawn explanation than in the written explanation. Second, by analyzing the pre-service teachers' perceptions by combining written and drawn explanations, it is possible to detect scientific errors that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is closer when the axis of rotation is tilted in relation to the revolution and seasonal changes due to changes in the orbital radius of the Earth. In addition, there have been types of explanations such as seasonally changing meridian altitudes related to the rotation of the Earth but no change in the location of the Sun. Based on the results of the analysis, we discussed the lack of experience in constructing an explanatory system of specific phenomena using scientific knowledge, lack of observational experiences about natural phenomena, and lack of exposure to other explanatory systems that cause cognitive conflicts. We hope that it will be concrete and practical help to improve the understanding of pre-service teachers in the science domain of primary teacher training program.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.875-882
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• 2015

In 2013, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component of air pollution most closely associated with sufficient evidence of increased cancer incidence by exposure to particulate matter component of air pollution. Motor vehicles are one of a major emission sources of fine particle ($PM_{2.5}$) in urban areas. A large number of epidemiological studies have reported a positive association of morbidity or mortality with distance from the roadside. We conducted this study to assess the association of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations measured at roadside hotspots with those at adjacent residential sites using real-time $PM_{2.5}$ monitors. We conducted real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements for rush hour periods (08:00~10:00 and 18:00~20:00) at 9 roadside air monitoring Hotspot sites in metropolitan Seoul over 3 weeks from October 1 to 21, 2013. Simultaneous measurements were conducted in residential sites within a 100 m radius from each roadside air monitoring site. A SidePak AM510 was used for the real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements. Medians of roadside $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations ranged from $9.8{\mu}g/m^3$ to $38.3{\mu}g/m^3$, while corresponding median values at adjacent residential sites ranged from $4.4{\mu}g/m^3$ to $37.3{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations of residential sites were 0.97 times of hotspot roadside sites. Distributions of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in roadside and residential areas were also very similar. Real-time $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations at residential sites, (100 m adjacent), showed similar levels to those at roadside sites. Increasing the distance between roadside and residential sites, if needed, should be considered to protect urban resident populations from $PM_{2.5}$ emitted by traffic related sources.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2014

Nuclear emergency planning is to plan sheltering, evacuation and iodine prophylaxis for the residents living in the area where the emergency plan is needed, the area is confirmed based on the dose assessment using the source-term through an accident analysis and the data measured from meteorological tower. In this study, the does change before and after protective measures was assessed stochastically based on the one year meteorological data in the condition of the maximum hypothetical accident which can be considered at the research reactor 'HANARO', and the optimized protective measures were derived based on the reference levels defined as a residual dose by ICRP 2007 recommendation which can be applied in a emergency exposure situation. The optimized protective measures for the HANARO in the maximum hypothetical accident were the evacuation to radius 300 m, the sheltering from 300 m to 800 m, the iodine prophylaxis only for the emergency workers under the protective measures for non emergency workers.

• Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2014

We analyzed the demand of competent authorities requiring adequate technical information for initial investigation of chemical accidents. Reflecting technical reports on chemical accident response by environmental agencies in the U.S. and Canada, we presented information on environmental diffusion and toxic effects available for the first chemical accident response. Hydrogen fluoride may have the risk potential to corrode metals and cause serious burns and eye damages. In case of inhalation or intake, it could have severe health effects. The substance itself is inflammable, but once heated, it decomposes producing corrosive and toxic fume. In case of contact with water, it can produce toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive gases and its solution, a strong acid, may react fiercely with a base. In case of hydrogen fluoride leak, the preventive measures are to decrease steam generation in exposed sites, prevent the transfer of vapor cloud and promptly respond using inflammable substances including calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ground limestone, dried soil, dry sand, vermiculite, fly ash and powder cement. The method for fire fighting is to suppress fire with manless hose stanchions or monitor nozzles by wearing the whole body protective clothing equipped with over-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus from distance. In case of transport accident accompanied with fire, evacuation distance is 1,600m radius. In cae of fire, fire suppression needs to be performed using dry chemicals, CO₂, water spray, water fog, and alcohol-resistance foam, etc. The major symptoms by exposure route are dyspnoea, bronchitis, chemical pneumonia and pulmonary edema for respiration, skin laceration, dermatitis, burn, frostbite and erythema for eyes, and nausea, diarrhea, stomachache, and tissue destruction for digestive organs. In atmosphere, its persistency is low, and its bioaccumulation in aquatic organism is also low.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.964-970
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• 2023

As part of the International Maritime Organization ef orts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the maritime industry is exploring low-carbon fuels such as liquefied natural gas and methanol, as well as zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, evaluating them as environmentally friendly alternatives. Particularly, ammonia has substantial operational experience as cargo on transport ships, and ammonia ship engines are expected to be available in the second half of 2024, making it relatively accessible for commercial use. However, overcoming the toxicity challenges associated with using ammonia as a fuel is imperative. Detection is possible at levels as low as 5 ppm through olfactory senses, and exposure to concentrations exceeding 300 ppm for more than 30 min can result in irreparable harm. Using the KORA program provided by the Chemical Safety Agency, an assessment of the potential risks arising from leaks during ammonia bunkering was conducted. A 1-min leak could lead to a 5 ppm impact within a radius of approximately 7.5 km, affecting key areas in Busan, a major city. Furthermore, the potentially lethal concentration of 300 ppm could have severe consequences in densely populated areas and schools near the bunkering site. Therefore, given the absence of regulations related to ammonia bunkering, the potential for widespread toxicity from even minor leaks highlights the requirement for the development of legislation. Establishing an integrated system involving local governments, fire departments, and environmental agencies is crucial for addressing the potential impacts and ensuring the safety of ammonia bunkering operations.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.549-556
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• 2017

This study compared the spatial scattered dose distribution according to whether the recently developed radiation shielding is used or not in order to understand the spatial scattered dose distribution of C-arm. The horizontal side distribution increased by $30^{\circ}$ in the interval of the radius 50 cm on the height of 95 cm based on the head of the patient, and it was measured by increasing $30^{\circ}$ with the interval of 50 cm in the vertical side of each horizontal side. In the same method, the radiation shielding was installed and measured. The result of measurement shows that the horizontal side of 50 cm distance was $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $180^{\circ}$, was $1.77{\pm}0.12$, $1.90{\pm}0.13$, $2.12{\pm}0.14$, and $2.69{\pm}0.15mSv/h$ in the $270^{\circ}$ direction, and was $1.59{\pm}0.12$, $0.99{\pm}0.09$, $1.47{\pm}0.11$, and $1.37{\pm}0.11mSv/h$ after the use of the radiation shielding. In addition, the vertical distribution in horizontal direction $90^{\circ}$ with 50 cm distance was $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$, was $3.85{\pm}0.18$, $9.15{\pm}0.28$, $10.82{\pm}0.31$, and $5.40{\pm}0.22mSv/h$ in $150^{\circ}$, and was $2.03{\pm}0.13$, $4.32{\pm}0.19$, $2.76{\pm}0.16$, and $1.92{\pm}0.13mSv/h\;mR/h$ after the use of the radiation shielding. Both direction showed decrease according to the use of the radiation shielding. Therefore, radiation related workers who work in operating rooms should recognize the spatial scattered dose distribution exactly and need to try to prevent the risk of radiation exposure with proper protective measures.