• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.3335-3343
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• 2021

The impact of gamma radiation on a commercial off the shelf microcontroller board has been investigated. Three different tests have been performed to ascertain the radiation tolerance of the device from a nuclear decommissioning deployment perspective. The first test analyses the effect of radiation on the output voltage of the on-board voltage regulator during irradiation. The second test evaluated the effect of gamma radiation on the voltage characteristics of analogue and digital inputs and outputs. The final test analyses the functionality of the microcontroller when using an external, shielded voltage regulator instead of the on-board voltage regulator. The results suggest that a series of latch-ups occurs in the microcontroller during irradiation, causing increased current drain which can damage the voltage regulator if it does not have short-circuit protection. The analogue to digital conversion functionality appears to be more sensitive to gamma radiation than digital and analogue output functionality. Using an external, shielded voltage regulator can prove beneficial when used for certain applications. The collected data suggests that detaching the voltage regulator can extend the lifespan of the platform up to approximately 350 Gy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.131-136
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• 2018

Background: We investigated the current characteristics of a thin-film Ag electrode on a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond. The CVD diamond is widely recognized as a radiation detection material because of its high tolerance against high radiation, stable response to various dose rates, and good sensitivity. Additionally, thin-film Ag has been widely used as an electrode with high electrical conductivity. Materials and Methods: Considering these properties, the thin-film Ag electrode was deposited onto CVD diamonds with varied deposition thicknesses (${\fallingdotseq}50/98/152/257nm$); subsequently, the surface thickness, surface roughness, leakage current, and photo-current were characterized. Results and Discussion: The leakage current was found to be very low, and the photo-current output signal was observed as stable for a deposited film thickness of 98 nm; at this thickness, a uniform and constant surface roughness of the deposited thin-film Ag electrode were obtained. Conclusion: We found that a CVD diamond radiation detector with a thin-film Ag electrode deposition thickness close to 100 nm exhibited minimal leakage current and yielded a highly stable output signal.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.860-866
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• 2019

The lead element or its salts are good radiation shielding materials. However, their toxic effects are high. Due to less toxicity of bismuth salts, the radiation shielding properties of the bismuth salts have been investigated and compared to that of lead salts to establish them as a better alternative to radiation shielding material to the lead element or its salts. The transmission geometry was utilized to measure the mass attenuation coefficient (${\mu}/{\rho}$) of different salts containing lead and bismuth using a high-resolution HPGe detector and different energies (between 81 and 1333 keV) emitted from point sources of $^{133}Ba$, $^{57}Co$, $^{22}Na$, $^{54}Mn$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{60}Co$. The experimental ${\mu}/{\rho}$ results are compared with the theoretical values obtained through WinXCOM program. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with their experimental ones. The radiation protection efficiencies, mean free paths, effective atomic numbers and electron densities for the present compounds were determined. The bismuth fluoride ($BiF_3$) is found to have maximum radiation protection efficiency among the selected salts. The results showed that present salts are more effective for reducing the intensity of gamma photons at low energy region.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권9호
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• pp.3470-3477
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• 2022

Soils are porous materials with high shielding capability to attenuate gamma and X-rays. The disposal of radionuclides throughout the soil profile can expose the living organisms to ionizing radiation. Thus, studies aiming to analyze the shielding properties of the soils are of particular interest for radiation shielding. Investigations on evaluating the shielding capabilities of highly weathered soils are still scarce, meaning that additional research is necessary to check their efficiency to attenuate radiation. In this study, the radiation shielding properties of contrasting soils were evaluated. The radiation interaction parameters assessed were attenuation coefficients, mean free path, and half- and tenth-value layers. At low photon energies, the photoelectric absorption contribution to the attenuation coefficient predominated, while at intermediate and high photon energies, the incoherent scattering and pair production were the dominant effects. Soils with the highest densities presented the best shielding properties, regardless of their chemical compositions. Increases in the attenuation coefficient and decreases in shielding parameters of the soils were associated with increases in clay, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ amounts. In addition, this paper provides a comprehensive description of the shielding properties of weathered soils showing the importance of their granulometric fractions and oxides to the attenuation of the radiation.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.709-719
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• 2022

Recently, as the importance of environmental protection has emerged, interest in new and renewable energy is also increasing worldwide. In particular, the solar energy sector accounts for the highest production rate among new and renewable energy in Korea due to its infinite resources, easy installation and maintenance, and eco-friendly characteristics such as low noise emission levels and less pollutants during power generation. However, although climate prediction is essential since solar power is affected by weather and climate change, solar radiation, which is closely related to solar power, is not currently forecasted by the Korea Meteorological Administration. Solar radiation prediction can be the basis for establishing a reasonable new and renewable energy operation plan, and it is very important because it can be used not only in solar power but also in other fields such as power consumption prediction. Therefore, this study was conducted for the purpose of improving the accuracy of solar radiation. Solar radiation was predicted by a total of three weather variables, temperature, humidity, and cloudiness, and solar radiation outside the atmosphere, and the results were compared using various models. The CatBoost model was best obtained by fitting and comparing the Boosting series (XGB, CatBoost) and RNN series (Simple RNN, LSTM, GRU) models. In addition, the results were further improved through Time series cross-validation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.2405-2425
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• 2014

Radiation exposure leads to several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis, thereby affecting the survival of organisms. This review explores the radiation countermeasure properties of fourteen (14) plant extracts or plant-derived compounds against these cellular manifestations. It was aimed at evaluating the possible role of plants or its constituents in radiation countermeasure strategy. All the 14 plant extracts or compounds derived from it and considered in this review have shown some radioprotection in different in vivo, ex-vivo and or in vitro models of radiological injury. However, few have demonstrated advantages over the others. C. majus possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects appears to be promising in radioprotection. Its crude extracts as well as various alkaloids and flavonoids derived from it, have shown to enhance survival rate in irradiated mice. Similarly, curcumin with its antioxidant and the ability to ameliorate late effect of radiation exposure, combined with improvement in survival in experimental animal following irradiation, makes it another probable candidate against radiological injury. Furthermore, the extracts of P. hexandrum and P. kurroa in combine treatment regime, M. piperita, E. officinalis, A. sinensis, nutmeg, genistein and ginsan warrants further studies on their radioprotective potentials. However, one that has received a lot of attention is the dietary flaxseed. The scavenging ability against radiation-induced free radicals, prevention of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation, reduction in radiation cachexia, level of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis, are some of the remarkable characteristics of flaxseed in animal models of radiation injury. While countering the harmful effects of radiation exposure, it has shown its ability to enhance survival rate in experimental animals. Further, flaxseed has been tested and found to be equally effective when administered before or after irradiation, and against low doses (${\leq}5Gy$) to the whole body or high doses (12-13.5 Gy) to the whole thorax. This is particularly relevant since apart from the possibility of using it in pre-conditioning regime in radiotherapy, it could also be used during nuclear plant leakage/accidents and radiological terrorism, which are not pre-determined scenarios. However, considering the infancy of the field of plant-based radioprotectors, all the above-mentioned plant extracts/plant-derived compounds deserves further stringent study in different models of radiation injury.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권17호
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• pp.7401-7405
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• 2014

Background: Postoperative chemoradiotherapy is accepted as standard treatment for stage IB-IV, M0 gastric cancer. Radiotherapy (RT) planning of gastric cancer is important because of the low radiation tolerance of surrounding critical organs. The purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric aspects of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) treatment plans, with the twin aims of evaluating the adequacy of 2D planning fields on coverage of planning target volume (PTV) and 3D conformal plans for both covering PTV and reducing the normal tissue doses. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients with stage II-IV gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy using 3DRT. For each patient, a second 2D treatment plan was generated. The two techniques were compared for target volume coverage and dose to normal tissues using dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis. Results: 3DRT provides more adequate coverage of the target volume. Comparative DVHs for the left kidney and spinal cord demonstrate lower radiation doses with the 3D technique. Conclusions: 3DRT produced better dose distributions and reduced radiation doses to left kidney and spinal cord compared to the 2D technique. For this reason it can be predicted that 3DRT will result in better tumor control and less normal tissue complications.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2023

To effectively and safely manage the radiation exposure to nuclear power plant (NPP) workers in accidents, major overseas NPP operators such as the United States, Germany, and France have developed and applied realistic 3D model radiation dose assessment software for workers. Continuous research and development have recently been conducted, such as performing NPP accident management using 3D-VR based on As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) planning tool. In line with this global trend, it is also required to secure technology to manage radiation exposure of workers in Korea efficiently. Therefore, in this paper, it is described the application method and assessment results of radiation exposure scenarios for workers in response to accidents assessment technology, which is one of the fundamental technologies for constructing a realistic platform to be utilized for radiation exposure prediction, diagnosis, management, and training simulations following accidents. First, the post-accident sampling after the Loss of Coolant Accident(LOCA) was selected as the accident and response scenario, and the assessment area related to this work was established. Subsequently, the structures within the assessment area were modeled using MCNP, and the radiation source of the equipment was inputted. Based on this, the radiation dose distribution in the assessment area was assessed. Afterward, considering the three principles of external radiation protection (time, distance, and shielding) detailed work scenarios were developed by varying the number of workers, the presence or absence of a shield, and the location of the shield. The radiation exposure doses received by workers were compared and analyzed for each scenario, and based on the results, the optimal accident response scenario was derived. The results of this study plan to be utilized as a fundamental technology to ensure the safety of workers through simulations targeting various reactor types and accident response scenarios in the future. Furthermore, it is expected to secure the possibility of developing a data-based ALARA decision support system for predicting radiation exposure dose at NPP sites.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.194-199
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• 2000

목적 :직장암의 림프액 배액의 주된 경로는 종양의 위치가 항문환에 근접한 경우를 제외하고는 근위부플 향하므로 수술 후 방사선치료의 조사영역을 결정함에 있어서 전통적인 방법에 따를 경우 하부 골반강과 회음부에 불필요한 방사선조사를 하게될 수 있다. 본 연구는 하전방 절제술을 시행받은 직장암 환자에서 방사선치료 조사영역의 하연을 전통적인 방법에 의하지 않고 수술 문합부로부터 2 cm 내지 3 cm 하방으로 환자 개별적으로 결정하는 경우에 있어서 치료 실패의 양상이 어떠한 영향을 받는가를 알아보기 위하여 수행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1994년 9월부터 1998년 5월까지 성균관의대 삼성서울병원에서 근치적 하전방 절제술과 수술 후 방사선치료를 시행한 Modified Astler-Coiler (MAC) 병기 B2에서 C3까지인 88명의 직장암 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 남녀 환자 수는 각각 설명씩이었으며 연령의 중앙값은 57세(32-81세)였다. 2명의 환자를 제외한 모든 환자에서 저용량의 5-fluorouracil을 포함한 항암 화학요법을 병용하였으며, 수술 후 방사선치료는 6, 10, 15 MV X-ray를 이용하여 후전-좌우 대향의 3문 조사법으로 전골반부에 45 Gy와 종양 병소부위에 6 Gy를 5.5주간 걸쳐서 조사하였다. 연구 기간 초기의 16명의 환자에서는 전통적인 방사선조사영역 결정법을 적용하여 폐색공 하단, 또는 수술 문합부의 2 cm 내지 3 cm 하방 중에서 보다 낮은 쪽을 방사선조사영역의 하연으로 정하였으며, 나머지 72명의 환자에서는 수술 문합부에서 2 cm 내지 3 cm 하방에서 조사영역 하연을 개별적으로 결정하였는데 이와 같은 개별화된 방사선 치료 조사영역의 결정으로 55명(76$\%$)의 환자에서 방사선치료 조사영역 부피를 감소시킬 수 있었다. 이 두 군에 대해 생존율, 국소 종양 억제율, 무병생존율을 조사하여 비교하였고 예후 인자의 유의성을 조사하였다. 결과 : 추적 관찰 기간은 7개월부터 58개월이었으며, 중앙 추적기간은 27개월이었다. MAC 병기로 구분 시 B2가 32명(36$\%$), B3가 2명($2\%$), Cl이 2명($2\%$), C2가 50명($57\%$), C3가 2명($2\%$) 이었다. 전체 환자의 2년과 4년 생존율은 각각 $94\%$와 $68\%$였으며, 2년과 4년 무병 생존율은 각각 $86\%$과 $58\%$였다. 첫 치료 실패로서 국소 재발이 4명, 원격전이가 14명, 그리고 국소 재발과 원격전이가 동시에 있는 경우가 1명이었다. 방사선치료 조사영역의 하연 결정을 전통적인 방법을 적용한 군과 수술 문합부의 위치에 따라서 환자 개별적으로 결정한 군을 비교하여 볼 때 국소 종양 억제율과 무병 생존율은 각각 유의한 통계적인 차이를 보이지 않았다(p=42, p=68). 종양 색전자의 존재는 생존율, 국소 종양 억제율, 무병 생존율에 각각 영향을 미치는 유의한 위험인자로 관찰되었다. 결론 : 하전방 절제술을 시행받은 직장암 환자들의 수술 후 방사선치료 조사영역의 하연을 결정함에 있어서 각환자들의 병소 위치에 따라 개별적으로 결정하는 방법은 전통적인 하연 결정방법에 비하여 국소 종양 억제율과 무병생존율에 있어서 동등한 결과를 얻을 수 있었으며, 방사선치료 조사영역의 부피를 줄여 줌으로써 불필요한 방사선치료 부작용과 후유증의 감소를 얻을 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.230-236
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• 2011

방사선이용의 사회적 수용성 제고 방안의 일환으로 일반대중 가운데 장기적인 관점에서 여론의 주도층 역할을 하게 될 대학생을 대상으로 전공자와 비전공자 사이에 방사선이용 분야별 필요성 인식 차이를 파악하여 방사선이용에 대한 국민이해 증진사업의 효율적인 전략구상에 필요한 근거자료를 제공하고자 한다. 2010년 11월 교육통계서비스(http://cesi.kedi.re.kr) 기준, 전국 4년제 대학교 177개교, 전문대학 146개교 중 전체 24.0%에 해당하는 78개교의 재학생을 표본으로 선정하여 방사선이용 분야별 필요성 인식수준을 설문조사 하였다. 그 결과 전공자와 비전공자 모두 의료분야의 필요성 인식수준이 높았고, 전공자와 비전공자 모두 농업분야의 필요성 인식수준이 가장 낮게 나타났다. 6개 방사선이용 분야 모두 전공자가 비전공자보다 필요성 인식수준을 높게 나타냈다. 각 분야별로 남학생, 의료방사선 경험이 있는 경우, 관련 교육을 받은 경우에 필요성 인식수준이 높았다. 이는 여학생, 의료방사선 경험이 없는 경우, 관련 교육경험이 없는 경우에 대해서는 보다 다양한 정보제공으로 필요성 인식 수준을 상대적으로 더 높일 필요가 있다고 본다. 각 지역별, 방사선이용 분야별 정책결정에 있어서 본 연구결과에 나타난 집단의 특성을 고려한다면 방사선이용에 대한 국민이해 증진사업을 효율적으로 달성하는데 도움이 될 것이라고 사료된다.