• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1123-1131
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• 2008

In this study, measurement uncertainty of instrumental neutron activation analysis was evaluated for ambient As concentration in PM2.5. Expanded uncertainties of the measurements were calculated by applying both ISO-GUM approximation and Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS). The estimate of As concentration on a specific day by the Monte Carlo Simulation differed from that of ISO-GUM approximation by less than 4%. Relative expanded uncertainties of As concentrations from a total number of 60 PM2.5 samples were also estimated to be more or less than 10% with 95% confidence level using the Monte Carlo Simulation. Sensitivity test of the measurement uncertainties showed that $\gamma$-ray counting error(62.3%), efficiency(18.5%), air volume(12.3%), neutron flux(2.3%), and absolute gamma-intensity(1.8%) are major factors of uncertainty variations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.462-468
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• 2022

The selection and effective utilization of peak-fitting software for conventional gamma-ray spectrum analysis is significant for accurate determination of the mass fraction of elements, particularly in complex peak regions. Majority of the peak-fitting programs can derive similar peak characteristics for singlet peaks, but very few programs can deconvolute multi-peaks in a complex region. The deconvolution of multi-peaks requires special peak-fitting functions, such as left and right-skew distributions. In the this study, 843.76 keV (²⁷Mg) peak area from the complex region (840 keV-850 keV) determined and compared using four different peak-fitting programs, namely, GammaVision, Genie2000, HyperLab, and HyperGam. The 843.76 keV peak interfered with 841.63 keV (^152mEu) and 846.81 keV (⁵⁶Mn). The total Mg concentration was determined through k₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis by applying the isotopic interference correction factor ²⁷Al(n,p)²⁷Mg through the simultaneous determination of Al concentration. HyperLab and HyperGam peak-fitting programs reported consistent peak areas, and resultant concentrations agreed with the certified values of matrix-certified reference materials.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.509-513
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• 2002

In this study, instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to assess the concentration level of inorganic trace elements in Korean women blood serum. It was found out that high concentration of Na and Cl incurs analytical interference, but 12 elements of Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb, Se, Zn can be determined under the condition of interference minimization. Serum samples collected from 63 women were analyzed and the concentration level and range of the elements were evaluated. NIST SRMs were analyzed simultaneously for analytical quality control. The average values of Na and Cl determined in serum samples are around 3000 mg/L, Ca is 100 mg/L and K is 200 mg/L. Besides, Br, Se and Zn have concentration level of 6.0, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. It was found that there is no significant difference between the present values and reported values.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 1988

Some pattern recognition methods have been used to characterize Korean ancient porcelainsherds using their elemental composition as analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A combination of analytical data by means of statistical linear discriminant analysis(SLDA) has resulted in removal of redundant variables, optimal linear combination of meaningful variables and formulation of classification rules. The plot in the first-to-second discriminant scores has shown that the three distinct territorial regions exist among porcelainsherds of Kyungki, Chunbuk-Chungnam, and Chunnam, with respective efficiencies of 20/30, 22/27 and 14/15. Similar regions have been found to exist among punchong porcelain and ceradonsherds of Kyungki, Chungnam and Chunbuk, with respective efficiencies of 7/9, 15/16 and 6/6. Classification has been further attempted by statistical isolinear multiple component analysis(SIMCA), using the sample set selected appropriately through SLDA as training set. For this purpose, all analytical data have been used. An agreement has generally been found between two methods, i.e., SLDA and SIMCA.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 2011

Background and Objectives: Iodine is an essential constituent of the thyroid hormones associated with the growth and development of humans and animals as an inorganic nutrition. This element may be accumulated in human blood, tissues and body through the intake of foodstuffs, a beverage, a nutritional supplement and a medicine, among others. The aim of the research is to find out a better medicinal stuff for the thyroid cancer patient who required a low level of iodine diet. Methods: Neutron activation analysis (NAA) used for the iodine analysis is one of nuclear analytical techniques using radiation and radioisotopes and very useful as sensitive analytical technique for performing both qualitative and quantitative multi-elemental non-destructive analysis of major, minor and trace components in variety of environmental and biological materials. In this study, iodine contents in ten kinds of oriental herb medicinal products, which is frequently used to cancer patients are determined by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) at the HANARO research reactor. The samples prescribed are manufactured as powdered form for taking medicine easily. The analytical quality control is performed to assure an uncertainty of the measurement and to compensate the measured data using a biological certified reference material, NIST SRM 1572, Citrus Leaves. The measured value is $1.89{\pm}0.35mg/kg$, and the relative error is 2.88%, and relative standard deviation is 19 % due to high counting error by small counts of gamma ray spectrum. The standard deviations for other elements such as Cl, K, Mn and Na were in the range of 2 to 8%. Result: The level of iodine contents of Biki-huan, Chungryong-huan and Chungcho-huan, samples detected is less than 6 mg/kg except Hangam Plus sample (more than 210 mg/kg) and six samples were not detected. Iodine in the samples of Shoxiho-tang, Shopunghualhyl-tang, Shocungryong-tang, Banhasaxim-tang, Insampaedox-san and Myunyuk Plus were not measured, but possible level of content can be estimated from the detection limits. In addition, the concentrations of some major elements like Cl, K, Mn, Na, in the samples were determined with the detection limits. Conclusions: Most of samples showed low iodine contents of less than 6 mg/kg but it turned out that most of testing samples can be used to classify the level of iodine diet samples considering the recommended low level of iodine diet 50 ${\mu}g$/day, and a better medicinal stuff for the thyroid cancer patient can be found.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 1976

A nondestructive, instrumental neutron activation analysis using a Ge(Li) detector is applied to investigate the present levels of mercury and other trace elements in some fresh-water fish. The results show large variations of mercury content which are indicative of important local sources and indicate the inter-dependence relations between two of some trace elements. Analytical results for mercury in antracites are also given with the concern for their combustion as one of major causes of the mercury pollution.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.459-467
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• 2016

In order to assess the pollution status and distribution characteristics of PM and PM-bound species, PM10 samples were collected using mini-volume air sampler at the subway cabin in Daejeon city. Measurements of about 24 elements including toxic metals (e.g., As, Cr, Mn, V, Zn) in PM10 were made by instrumental neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence. The average PM10 concentration was $59.3{\pm}14.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in the subway cabin with a range of 42.2 to $97.4{\mu}g/m^3$, while the associated elemental concentrations were varied in the range of $10^{-3}$ to $10^5ng/m^3$. It was found that the concentration of Fe ($12.5{\mu}g/m^3$) was substantially higher than any other element. The Fe concentration was apportioned by about 20% of the PM10 concentration. The results of factor analysis indicate that there are no more than six sources in the cabin (e.g., brake-nonferrous metal particle, resuspended rail dust, fuel combustion, vehicle exhaust, black carbon, Cr-related).

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2005

In this study, instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of about 30 trace elements in airborne particulate (PM2.5) samples at urban area of Daejeon city located in the southwestern region of Korea. An inspection of the measurement data indicates that the distribution patterns of trace elements could clearly distinguish the elements with their concentrations ranging over five orders of magnitude. The mean values for Lu and Dy were found to be the lowest at values of 0.01 and $0.04ng/m^3$, while those for K and Fe showed the highest value of 671 and $653ng/m^3$, respectively. The results of correlation analysis showed that PM2.5 concentrations can exhibit much more enhanced correlations with the elements of earth crustal components. The results of factor analysis further indicated that there are no more than six factors with statistical significance, which may exert dominant roles in regulating the elemental concentration levels in the study area. Enrichment factor analysis supports explicit interpretation of results found by this factor analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.123-124
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• 2001

본 연구는 대전 1, 2 공단지역을 대상으로 2000년 4월부터 2001년 1월까지 매주 1회, 24시간동안 분진시료를 포집하고, 포집된 42개의 시료를 대상으로 기기 중성자 방사화 분석법을 이용하여 독성 중금속을 포함한 약 30여종의 미량금속을 정량하고 그 특성을 파악하고자 한다. (중략)

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 1992

Nondestructive neutron activation analysis of copper in high purity Aluminum samples which can be used as a parameter of impurity is investigated and determined. Other 23 trace impurity elements in the samples are also determined. In the analysis of copper, the new irradiation method using thermal column was applied to reduce the interfering activity of 24Na produced by 27Al(n,$\alpha$)24Na reaction induced by fast neutron. As a result, the interference can be reduced to 100 times more than other activation methods. Also the influence by activity of 24Na is found in the range of 2~3 %. It has been observed that the copper contents in so-ratted“six nine”class standard aluminum samples are about 0.54 $\pm$ 0.08 ppm. By the comparison with other values re-ported, our results are reasonable and can be available as a improved routine analysis.