• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.719-722
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• 2019

Gamma-ray images generally suffer from a lot of noise because of low photon detection in the gamma camera system. The purpose of this study is to improve the image quality in gamma-ray images using a gamma camera system with a fast nonlocal means (FNLM) noise reduction algorithm with an acceleration function. The designed FNLM algorithm is based on local region considerations, including the Euclidean distance in the gamma-ray image and use of the encoded information. To evaluate the noise characteristics, the normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and coefficient of variation (COV) were used. According to the NNPS result, the lowest values can be obtained using the FNLM noise reduction algorithm. In addition, when the conventional methods and the FNLM noise reduction algorithm were compared, the average CNR and COV using the proposed algorithm were approximately 2.23 and 7.95 times better than those of the noisy image, respectively. In particular, the image-processing time of the FNLM noise reduction algorithm can achieve the fastest time compared with conventional noise reduction methods. The results of the image qualities related to noise characteristics demonstrated the superiority of the proposed FNLM noise reduction algorithm in a gamma camera system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3398-3402
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• 2022

We fabricated a 15 m long position-sensitive plastic scintillation optical fiber (PSOF) detector consisting of a PSOF, two photomultiplier tubes, four fast amplifiers, and a digitizer. A single PSOF was used as a sensing part to estimate the gamma-ray source position, and ¹³⁷Cs, an uncollimated solid-disk-type radioactive isotope, was used as a gamma-ray emitter. To improve the sensitivity, accuracy, and measurement time of a PSOF detector compared to those of previous studies, the performance of the amplifier was optimized, and the digital signal processing (DSP) was newly designed in this study. Moreover, we could measure very low dose rates of gamma-rays with high sensitivity and accuracy in a very short time using our proposed PSOF detector. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to accurately and quickly locate the position of a very low dose rate gamma-ray source in a wide range of contaminated areas using the proposed position-sensitive PSOF detector.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1855-1866
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• 2017

The synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system can robustly activate endogenous gene expression by a single-guide RNA. This transcriptional modulation has been shown to enhance gene promoter activity and leads to epigenetic changes. Human $interferon-{\gamma}$ is a common natural glycoprotein involved in antiviral effects and inhibition of cancer cell growth. Large quantities of high-purity $interferon-{\gamma}$ are important for medical research and clinical therapy. To investigate the possibility of employing the SAM system to enhance endogenous human $interferon-{\gamma}$ with normal function in innate immunity, we designed 10 single-guide RNAs that target 200 bp upstream of the transcription start sites of the $interferon-{\gamma}$ genome, which could significantly activate the $interferon-{\gamma}$ promoter reporter. We confirmed that the system can effectively and highly activate $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression in several humanized cell lines. Moreover, we found that the $interferon-{\gamma}$ induced by the SAM system could inhibit tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results reveal that the SAM system can modulate epigenetic traits of non-immune cells through activating $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression and triggering JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Thus, this strategy could offer a novel approach to inhibit tumorigenesis without using exogenous $interferon-{\gamma}$.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2005

In this study, the cultural medium used for the efficient production of $\gamma$-PGA with a newly isolated Bacillus sp. RKY3 was optimized. It was necessary to supplement the culture medium with L-glutamic acid and an additional carbon source in order to induce the effective production of $\gamma$-PGA. The amount of $\gamma$-PGA increased with the addition of L-glutamic acid to the medium. The addition of 90 g/L L-glutamic acid to the medium resulted in the maximal yield of $\gamma$-PGA (83.2 g/L). The optimum nitrogen source was determined to be peptone, but corn steep liquor, a cheap nutrient, was also found to be effective for $\gamma$-PGA production. Both the $\gamma$-PGA production and cell growth increased rapidly with the addition of small amounts of $K_2HPO_4$ and $MgSO_4\cdot7H_{2}O$. Bacillus sp. RKY3 appears to require $Mg^{2+}$, rather than $Mn^{2+}$, for $\gamma$-PGA production, which is distinct from the production protocols associated with other, previously reported bacteria. Bacillus sp. RKY3 may also have contributed some minor $\gamma$-PGA depolymerase activity, resulting in the reduction of the molecular weight of the produced $\gamma$-PGA at the end of fermentation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2001

To determine the effect of low dose gamma radiation on the germination and enzyme activities, seeds of Chinese cabbage (Brassica compestris L. cv. Hanyoreum) and radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Chungsukoungzoung) were irradiated at the dose of 2-50 Gy. The germination rate of irradiation group was higher than that of the control. Especially it was highest at the early stage. The germination rate of Chinese cabbage was high at 2 Gy and 8 Gy irradiation group and that of radish was high at 2 Gy, 6 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation group. Growth of both seedlings of Chinese cabbage and radish increased positively in low dose irradiation group. The height of Chinese cabbage was noticeably high at 4 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation group and that of radish at 6 Gy irradiation group. The protein contents of seedlings from seeds irradiated with the low dose gamma radiation was higher than the control, especially at the early stage. The enzyme activities of seedlings from seeds irradiated with the low dose gamma radiation was high at 4 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation group. These results suggest that the germination, growth and enzyme activities of old vegetable seeds could be promoted by the low dose gamma radiation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.20-30
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• 2000

Objective : This experiment was performed in order to study the effect of an aqueous extract of Salviae radix root(SRRAE) on NO production and NOS gene induction from macrophages Methods : To investigate dose-dependent effects of SRRAE for NO release on the $rIFN-{\gamma}-treated$ macrophages, the cells were incubated for 6 hrs in a medium containing $rIFN-{\gamma}$ (5 U/ml), stimulated with SRRAE and incubated in a CO2 incubator. The cells were treated with 5 U/ml $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus 100 g/ml of SRRAE, Then, the cells were incubated with various concentrations of NGMMA at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hrs, Results : SRRAE had no effect on NO production by itself, whereas recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}(rIFN-{\gamma})$ alone showed modest activity, When SRRAE was used in combination with $rIFN-{\gamma}$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of SRRAE on NO production was shown at 6hrs after treatment with $rIFN-{\gamma}$. The SRRAE-induced production of NO was inhibited by NG-monomethyl- L-arginine(NGMMA) and arginase. $rIFN-{\gamma}$ in combination with SRRAE showed a marked increase of the expression of the inducible NOS(iNOS) gene. In addition, the effect of SRRAE was mainly dependent on the SRRAE-induced tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ secretion. Conclusions : SRRAE induces NO production from macrophages as a result of SRRAE-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion. SRRAE may provide a second signal for synergistic induction of NO production in macrophages already induced to express iNOS gene by $rIFN-{\gamma}$.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.229-239
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• 1970

Various thermoluminescent properties of Korean natural quartz for possible use in ${\gamma}$-ray dosimetry has been studied. If the heating is exactly linear, ${\gamma}$-irradiated radiation sensitive (type 1) $\alpha$-quartz can yield a glow curve of single peak, hence glow peak height could be taken as a ${\gamma}$-dose for its dosimetry. Quartz crystal dosimeter exhibited the linearity of thermoluminescent intensity in the range from about 2$\times$10$^{3}$R to 2$\times$10$^{6}$ R, and also had an advantage of low fading because of the high peak temperature (300$\pm$4$0^{\circ}C$). The pulverized quartz sample having the grain size of 0.3<ø<0.9mm showed the linearity of T. L. intensity in the range from 50R to 2$\times$10$^3$R. Therapeutic application of the pulverized sample on the correct measurement of the absorbed dose in a body region of a cancer patient seems to be successful.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.475-481
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• 2014

The aim of this work was to develop the gamma camera system for small animal gamma imaging and environmental radiation monitoring imaging using a parallel hole collimator and pinhole collimator. The small gamma camera system consists of a CsI(Tl) scintillation crystal with 6 mm in thickness and $50{\times}50mm$ in area coupled with a Hamamatsu H8500C PSPMT, are resistive charge divider, pre-amplifiers, charge amplifiers, nuclear instrument modules (NIMs), an analog to digital converter and a computer for control and display. We have developed a radiation monitoring system composed of a combined pinhole gamma camera and a charge-coupled devices (CCD) camera. The results demonstrated that the parallel hole collimator and pinhole collimator gamma camera designed in this study could be utilized to perform small animal imaging and environmental radiation monitoring system. Consequently in this paper, we proved that our gamma detector system is reliable for a gamma camera which can be used as small animal imaging and environmental radiation monitoring system.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2008

Objective : The authors developed a stereotactic device for irradiation of small animals with Leksell Gamma Knife Model C. Development and verification procedures were described in this article. Methods : The device was designed to satisfy three requirements. The mechanical accuracy in positioning was to be managed within 0.5 mm. The strength of the device and structure were to be compromised to provide enough strength to hold a small animal during irradiation and to interfere the gamma ray beam as little as possible. The device was to be used in combination with the Leksell G-$frame^{(R)}$ and $KOPF^{(R)}$ rat adaptor. The irradiation point was determined by separate imaging sequences such as plain X-ray images. Results : The absolute dose rate with the device in a Leksell Gamma Knife was 3.7% less than the value calculated from Leksell Gamma $Plan^{(R)}$. The dose distributions measured with $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ MD-55 film corresponded to those of Leksell Gamma $Plan^{(R)}$ within acceptable range. The device was used in a series of rat experiments with a 4 mm helmet of Leksell Gamma Knife. Conclusion : A stereotactic device for irradiation of small animals with Leksell Gamma Knife Model C has been developed so that it fulfilled above requirements. Absorbed dose and dose distribution at the center of a Gamma Knife helmet are in acceptable ranges. The device provides enough accuracy for stereotactic irradiation with acceptable practicality.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.2410-2416
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• 2016

Recently, most countries in the world have pursued a denuclearization. So it has been of interest to increase to Nuclear weapon in such as North Korea's continued nuclear test. Pulsed gamma rays produced in the nuclear explosion and the space environment can give the big damage to the electronic device in a very short period of time. To confirm the extent of damage of these electronic devices, pulsed gamma irradiation facility that can occur in nuclear weapon or space environment are required. In this paper, we implemented the pulsed gamma-ray detection module and analyzed output of the irradiation test. We have experimented using an electron beam accelerator research facilities in Pohang Accelerator similar conditions to equip and Nuclear weapon. As a result, we confirmed that the pulsed gamma rays emitted by the gamma radiation and electron beam conversion device. The results of this paper will contribute to improve the reliability and accuracy of studies for utilizing pulsed gamma rays.