• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.139-147
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• 2019

Glutamate decarboxylase catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), contributing to pH homeostasis through proton consumption. The reaction is the first step toward the GABA shunt. To date, the enzymes involved in the glutamate metabolism of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida have not been elucidated. In this study, an open reading frame of P. damselae subsp. piscicida, showing homology to the glutamate decarboxylase or putative pyridoxal-dependent aspartate 1-decarboxylase genes, was isolated and cloned into an expression vector to produce the recombinant enzyme. Preliminary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry characterization of the purified recombinant enzyme revealed that it catalyzed not only the decarboxylation of glutamate but also the transamination of GABA. This enzyme of P. damselae subsp. piscicida could be bifunctional, combining decarboxylase and transaminase activities in a single polypeptide chain.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.255-261
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• 2022

A reliable and well-characterized dosimetry system which is traceable to the international measurement system, is the key element to quality assurance in radiation processing with cobalt-60 gamma rays, X-rays, and electron beam. This is specifically the case for health-regulated processes, such as the radiation sterilization of single use medical devices and food irradiation for preservation and disinfestation. Polyethylene is considered to possess a lot of interesting dosimetric characteristics. In this work, a detailed study has been performed to determine the dosimetric characteristics of a commercialized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FTIR). Correlations have been established between the absorbed dose and radiation induced infrared absorption in polyethylene having a maximum at 965 cm^-1 (transvinylene band) and 1716 cm^-1 (ketone-carbonyl band). We have found that polyethylene dose-response is linear with dose for both bands up to1000 kGy. For transvinylene band, the dose-response is more sensitive if irradiations are made in helium. While, for ketone-carbonyl band, the dose-response is more sensitive when irradiations are carried out in air. The dose-rate effect has been found to be negligible when polyethylene samples are irradiated with electron beam high dose rates. The irradiated polyethylene is relatively stable for several weeks after irradiation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1757-1762
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• 2023

Radiological hazards from external exposure of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) scales residues, generated during the extraction process of oil and gas production in southern Algeria, are evaluated. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured using high-purity gamma-ray spectrometry (GeHP). Mean activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, found in scale samples are 4082 ± 41, 1060 ± 38 and 568 ± 36 Bq kg^-1, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent (Ra_eq), external and internal hazard indices (H_ex, H_in), and gamma index (I_γ) are also evaluated. All hazard parameter values were greater than the permissible and recommended limits and the average annual effective dose value exceeded the dose constraint (0.3 mSv y^-1). However, for occasionally exposed workers, the dose rate of 0.65 ± 0.02 mSv y^-1 is lower than recommended limit of 1 mSv y^-1 for public.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2017

A gamma-ray peak of $^{226}Ra$ (186.2 keV) overlaps with one of $^{235}U$ (185.7 keV) in a gamma-ray spectrometry system. Though reference peaks of $^{235}U$ can be used to correct the peak interference of $^{235}U$ in the analysis of $^{226}Ra$, this requires a complicated calculation process and a high limit of quantitation. On the other hand, evaluating $^{226}Ra$ using the correction constant in the overlapped peak can make a rapid measurement of $^{226}Ra$ without the complicated calculation process as well as overcome the disadvantage in the indirect measurement of $^{214}Bi$, which means the confinement of $^{222}Rn$ gas in a sample container and a time period to recover the secular equilibrium. About 93 samples with 6 species for raw-materials and by-products were prepared to evaluate the activity of $^{226}Ra$ using the correction constant. The results were compared with the activity of $^{214}Bi$, which means the indirect measurement of $^{226}Ra$, to validate the method of the direct measurement of $^{226}Ra$ using the correction constant. The difference between the direct and indirect measurement of $^{226}Ra$ was generally below about ${\pm}20%$. However, in the case of the phospho gypsum, a large error of about 50% was found in the comparison results, which indicates the disequilibrium between $^{238}U$ and $^{226}Ra$ in the materials. Application results of the contribution ratio of $^{226}Ra$ were below about ${\pm}10%$. The direct measurement of $^{226}Ra$ using the correction constant can be an effective method for its rapid measurement of raw materials and by-products because the activity of $^{226}Ra$ can be produced with a simple calculation without the consideration of the integrity of a sample container and the time period to recover the secular equilibrium.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2015

The thallium-doped sodium iodide [NaI(Tl)] scintillation detector is preferred as a gamma spectrometer in many fields because of its general advantages. A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) has recently been developed and its application area has been expanded as an alternative to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). It has merits such as a low operating voltage, compact size, cheap production cost, and magnetic resonance compatibility. In this study, an array of SiPMs is used to develop an NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer. To maintain detection efficiency, a commercial NaI(Tl) $2^{\prime}{\times}2^{\prime}$ scintillator is used, and a light guide is used for the transport and collection of generated photons from the scintillator to the SiPMs without loss. The test light guides were fabricated with polymethyl methacrylate and reflective materials. The gamma spectrometer systems were set up and included light guides. Through a series of measurements, the characteristics of the light guides and the proposed gamma spectrometer were evaluated. Simulation of the light collection was accomplished using the DETECT 97 code (A. Levin, E. Hoskinson, and C. Moison, University of Michigan, USA) to analyze the measurement results. The system, which included SiPMs and the light guide, achieved 14.11% full width at half maximum energy resolution at 662 keV.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2021

Subsurface rock produces heat from the decay of radioactive isotopes in constituent minerals and gamma-ray emissions, of which the magnitude is dominated by the contents of the major radioactive isotopes (e.g., U, Th, and K). The heat production is generally calculated from the rock density and contents of major isotopes, which can be determined by mass spectrometry of drilled core samples or rock fragments. However, such methods are not easily applicable to deep boreholes because core samples recovered from depths of several hundred meters to a few kilometers are rarely available. A geophysical logging technique for boreholes is available where the U, Th, and K contents are measured from the gamma-ray spectrum. However, this technique requires the density to be measured separately, and the measurement depth of the equipment is still limited. As an alternative method, a normal gamma-ray logging tool was adopted to estimate the heat production from the total gamma activity, which is relatively easy to measure. This technical report introduces the development of the proposed method for evaluating the heat production of a granitic rock mass with domestic commercial borehole logging tools, as well as its application to a ~2 km deep borehole for verification.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.577-588
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• 2020

We evaluated the distributions of primordial radionuclides and effective dose rate of the Ogcheon Group, which includes rocks with high uranium content. Terrestrial gamma radiation was measured at 421 points using a portable gamma ray spectrometer. Dividing the study area into five geological units (og1, og2, og3, og4, and igneous rocks) revealed no significant difference in the concentration of surface radioactivity among the types. The concentrations of 40K, eU, and eTh for all samples ranged from 0.7% to 10.3% (average 5.2%), 0.6 to 287.0 ppm (average 8.5 ppm), and 4.0 to 102.4 ppm (average 31.3 ppm), respectively. The absorbed dose rate in the study area (calculated from the activity concentrations of 40K, eU, and eTh) was in the range of 28.84 to 1,714.5 nGy/h (average 195.4 nGy/h). Among the five geological units, the lowest average was 166.3 nGy/h (for og1) and the highest average was 233.3 nGy/h (for og2; median 198.1 nGy/h). The outdoor effective dose rate for the area obtained from the absorbed dose rate was in the range of 0.04 to 2.10 mSv/y (average 0.24 mSv/y). Except for the four sites located in the uranium-bearing coal bed of og2, none of the studied sites exceeded 1 mSv/y.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.574-581
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• 2011

A Gram-positive bacterium was isolated from the saline soils of Jangpura (U.P.), India, and showed high-level of radiation-resistant property and survived upto 12.5 kGy dose of gamma radiation. The 16S rDNA sequence of this strain was examined, identified as Bacillus sp. strain HKG 112, and was submitted to the NCBI GenBank (Accession No. GQ925432). The mechanism of radiation resistance and gene level expression were examined by proteomic analysis of whole-cell extract. Two proteins, 38 kDa and 86.5 kDa excised from SDS-PAGE, which showed more significant changes after radiation exposure, were identified by MALDI-TOF as being flagellin and S-layer protein, respectively. Twenty selected 2-DE protein spots from the crude extracts of Bacillus sp. HKG 112, excised from 2- DE, were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) out of which 16 spots showed significant changes after radiation exposure and might be responsible for the radiation resistance property. Our results suggest that the different responses of some genes under radiation for the expression of radiation-dependent proteins could contribute to a physiological advantage and would be a significant initial step towards a fullsystem understanding of the radiation stress protection mechanisms of bacteria in different environments.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.348-355
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• 2017

Aster yomena (AY) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat cough, bronchial asthma, and insect bites in Korea. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by AY ethanol extract. Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that AY markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR-{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by AY treatment. And inhibited the expression of FAS, a protein responsible for lipid synthesis, transport and storage. Oral administration of AY (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg, P.O/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. AY was orally administered for 4 weeks to extract liver and epididymal fat, and hematoxylin and eosin staining(H&E staining) was observed. Observation showed that the fat concentration of liver tissue tended to decrease dose-dependently and decreased significantly at 500 mg/kg concentration. The AY-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased triglycerides and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. These results indicate that AY exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.302-306
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• 2009

A trace amount of boron in steel significantly influences its mechanical and physical properties. A prompt gamma ray activation analysis (PGAA) method is used to measure boron in low alloy steel samples of KRISS 101-01-C21~C26. NIST SRMs of 362, 364, 1761 and 1767 serve as the control standards to validate the measurement method. The measured values of the NIST SRMs are consistent with their certified values within the expected uncertainties, except for that of NIST SRM 362. Experimental uncertainties are evaluated according to the guidelines given by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The expanded uncertainties are calculated with a coverage factor of 2, at approximately 95% confidence level. The calculated relative expanded uncertainties of boron mass fractions are between 3% and 7% at the mg/kg level. The results are compared with the results measured by the solvent extraction-inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) method.