• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.443-448
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• 2010

In this work, the scintillation properties of CsI:Na crystal were investigated as radiation detection sensor. This scintillation material was grown by a 2-zone vertical Bridgman method. Under X-ray excitation the crystal shows a broad emission band between 280 nm and 690 nm wavelength range, peaking at 413 nm. Energy resolution for $^{137}Cs$ 662 keV $\gamma$-rays of the crystal was measured to be 6.9 %(FWHM). At room temperature, the crystal exhibits three exponential decay time components. The fast and major component of scintillation time profile of the crystal emission decays with a 457 ns time constant. Absolute light yield of the crystal was estimated to be 53,000 ph/MeV using LAAPD. The sample crystal shows proportionality of 30 % in the measured energy range from 31 to 1,333 keV. And the $\alpha/\beta$ ratio of the crystal was 0.14.

• Biodesign
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.96-99
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• 2018

The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of abscesses, sinusitis and food poisoning. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has caused significant clinical issues worldwide. The HslU-HslV complex was first identified as a prokaryotic homolog of eukaryotic proteasomes. HslU is an unfoldase that mediates the unfolding of the substrate proteins, and it works with the protease HslV in the complex. To date, the protein complex has been mostly studied in gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we report the purification and crystallization of the full-length HslU from S. aureus. The crystal diffracted X-rays to a $3.5{\AA}$ resolution, revealing that the crystals belong to space group $P2_1$, with unit cell parameters of a = 166.5, b = 189.6, $c=226.6{\AA}$, and ${\beta}=108.1^{\circ}$. We solved the phage problem by molecular replacement using the structure of HslU from Haemophilus influenzae as a search model. The cell content analysis with this molecular replacement solution revealed that 24 molecules are contained in the asymmetric unit. This structure provides insight into the structural and mechanistic difference of the HslUV complex of gram-positive bacteria.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.539-545
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• 2019

Yttrium-90 is a useful therapeutic radioisotope for tumor treatment because of its high-energy-emitting beta rays. However, it has been difficult to select appropriate collimators and main energy windows for Y-90 Bremsstrahlung imaging using gamma cameras because of the broad energy spectra of Y-90. We used a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the effects of collimator selection and energy windows on Y-90 Bremsstrahlung imaging. We considered both MELP and HE collimators. Various phantoms were employed in the simulation to determine the main energy window using primary-to-scatter ratios (PSRs). Imaging performance was evaluated using spatial resolution indices, imaging counts, scatter fractions, and contrast-to-noise ratios. Collimator choice slightly affected energy spectrum shapes and improved PSRs. The HE collimator performed better than the MELP collimator on all imaging performance indices (except for imaging count). We observed minor differences in SR and SF values for the HE collimator among the five simulated energy windows. The combination of an HE collimator and improved-PSR energy window produced the best CNR value. In conclusion, appropriate collimator selection is an important component of Bremsstrahlung Y-90 photon imaging and main energy window determination. We found HE collimators to be more appropriate for improving the imaging performance of Bremsstrahlung Y-90 photons.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.2579-2585
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• 2022

Ceramics of quaternary garnets (Gd,Y)₃Al₂Ga₃O₁₂ doped with Ce, Tb have been fabricated and evaluated as prospective materials for indirect energy converters of α-and β-voltaic. Samples were characterized at excitation with an X-ray source and an intense 150 keV electron beam and showed good temperature stability of their emission and tolerance to irradiation. The role of X-rays accompanied the α-particle emitting in the increase of the conversion efficiency is clarified. The garnet-type structure of the matrix in the developed materials allows the production of quality crystalline mass with a light yield exceeding that of the commonly used YAG: Ce scintillator by a factor of two times.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.694-701
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• 2012

This study set put to measure the environmental radiation for mountainous regions of National Parks where Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network is not installed. For the measurement method, the space dose was classified at 1 meter high from the surface and the index dose at the surface. The measured radiation energy measured gamma, alpha and beta rays. For selection of national parks, we selected 10 national parks which are within the same distribution in the southern part and central part of the nation. For measurement equipment, INTERCEPTOR$^{TM}$(Thermo, USA, 2006) was used for gamma rays. As for the results of the measurements, for the space gamma dose, a high level was measured at a sea level of 500 meter in national parks with an altitude of less than 1,000 meter. It was found that the value was more than $0.23{\mu}Svh^{-1}$ especially in Bukhan Mountain, Gyeryong Mountain and Wolchul Mountain. In national parks with an altitude of more than 1,000 meter, $1.77{\mu}Svh^{-1}$ was measured at 1,500 meter at Seorak Mountain. Therefore, this is 10 times greater than the background standard dose. The national parks were there were no significant changes in dose were Naejang Mountain, Sobaek and Jiri Mountains. For the measurement of the index dose, a high dose level was measured at middle altitudes of 500 meter and 1,000 meter. For measurement according to the composition types of crust, high doses were recorded at national parks composed of rocks and a lower environmental radiation level was measured at Hanra Mountain where volcanic activities have occurred.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.267-272
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• 2011

Objective : Although iliac crest autograft is the gold standard for lumbar fusion, the morbidity of donor site leads us to find an alternatives to replace autologous bone graft. Ceramic-based synthetic bone grafts such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) provide scaffolds similar to those of autologous bone, are plentiful and inexpensive, and are not associated with donor morbidity. The present report describes the use of Polybone$^{(R)}$ (Kyungwon Medical, Korea), a beta-tricalcium phosphate, for lumbar posterolateral fusion and assesses clinical and radiological efficacy as a graft material. Methods : This study retrospectively analyzed data from 32 patients (11 men, 21 women) who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) using PolyBone$^{(R)}$ from January to August, 2008. Back and leg pain were assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and clinical outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Serial radiological X-ray follow up were done at 1, 3, 6 12 month. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done in 12 month. Radiological fusion was assessed using simple anterior-posterior (AP) X-rays and computed tomography (CT). The changes of radiodensity of fusion mass showed on the X-ray image were analyzed into 4 stages to assess PLF status. Results : The mean NRS scores for leg pain and back pain decreased over 12 months postoperatively, from 8.0 to 1.0 and from 6.7 to 1.7, respectively. The mean ODI score also decreased from 60.5 to 17.7. X-rays and CT showed that 25 cases had stage IV fusion bridges at 12 months postoperatively (83.3% success). The radiodensity of fusion mass on X-ray AP image significantly changed at 1 and 6 months. Conclusion: The present results indicate that the use of a mixture of local autologous bone and PolyBone$^{(R)}$ results in fusion rates comparable to those using autologous bone and has the advantage of reduced morbidity. In addition, the graft radiodensity ratio significantly changed at postoperative 1 and 6 months, possibly reflecting the inflammatory response and stabilization.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.4660-4670
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• 2022

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a novel salt-free reductant used potentially for the separation of U/Pu in the advanced PUREX process. In this work, the radiation stability of HU were systematically investigated in solution by examining the effects of the type of rays (α, β, and γ irradiations), the absorbed dose (10-50 kGy), and the HNO₃ concentration (0-3 mol L^-1). The influence degree on HU radiolysis rates followed the order of the absorbed dose > the ray type > the HNO₃ concentration, but the latter two had moderate effects on HU radiolysis products where NH₄⁺ and NO₂^- were found to be the most abundant ones, suggesting that the differences of α, β, and γ rays should be considered in the study of irradiation effects. The radiolysis mechanism was explored using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and it proposed the dominant radiolysis paths of HU, indicating that the radiolysis of HU was mainly a free radical reaction among ·H, e_aq^-, H₂O, intermediates, and the radiolytic free radical fragments of HU. The results reported here provide valuable insights into the mechanistic understanding of HU radiolysis under α, β, and γ irradiations and reliable data support for the application of HU in the reprocessing of spent fuel.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2016

It has been investigated what kind of characteristic X-ray in electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) is effective for the determination of compounds of Si series materials. After comparing the characteristic X-rays among the primary and secondary lines in $K_{\alpha}$ and $K_{\beta}$ obtained from the Si series standard samples, it was found that the secondary line of $K_{\alpha}$ exhibited the most informative spectrum although the intensity was considerably weak. As a result of analyzing the spectrum shapes of the Si series standard samples, the spectrum shape of the secondary line of $K_{\alpha}$ for SiC was different from those for other Si compounds. To grasp the characteristics of the shape, a line was perpendicularly drawn from the peak top to base line in order to divide a spectrum into two areas. The area ratio of right to left was defined to call as the asymmetry index here. As a result, the asymmetry index value of the SiC was greater than one, while those of other Si compounds were less than one. It was found from the EPMA analysis that identification of SiC became successful to distinguish from other Si compounds and this method was applicable for micro-sized compounds in a practical composite material.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2019

Despite increased evidence of bio-activity following far-infrared (FIR) radiation, susceptibility of cell signaling to FIR radiation-induced homeostasis is poorly understood. To observe the effects of FIR radiation, FIR-radiated materials-coated fabric was put on experimental rats or applied to L6 cells, and microarray analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and wound healing assays were performed. Microarray analysis revealed that messenger RNA expressions of rat muscle were stimulated by FIR radiation in a dose-dependent manner in amount of 10% and 30% materials-coated. In 30% group, 1,473 differentially expressed genes were identified (fold change [FC] > 1.5), and 218 genes were significantly regulated (FC > 1.5 and p < 0.05). Microarray analysis showed that extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and cell migration-related pathways were significantly stimulated in rat muscle. ECM and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated cell migration-related genes were increased. And, results showed that the relative gene expression of actin beta was increased. FIR radiation also stimulated actin subunit and actin-related genes. We observed that wound healing was certainly promoted by FIR radiation over 48 h in L6 cells. Therefore, we suggest that FIR radiation can penetrate the body and stimulate PDGF-mediated cell migration through ECM-integrin signaling in rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2019

The importance of aviation safety has been emphasized recently due to the development of aviation industry. Despite the efforts of each country and the improvement of screening equipment, screening tasks are still difficult and detection failures are frequent. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of feedback on improving signal detection performance applying a Simulated Baggage Screening Program(SBSP) for improving aviation safety. SBSP consists of three parts: image combination, option setting and experiment. The experimental images were color-coded to reflect the items' transmittance of the x-rays and could be combined as researchers' need. In the option, the researcher could set up the information, incentive, and comments needed for training to be delivered on a number of tasks and times. Experiment was conducted using SBSP and participant's performance information (hit, missed, false alarms, correct rejection, reaction time, etc.) was automatically calculated and stored. A total of 50 participants participated and each participant was randomly assigned to feedback and non-feedback group. Participants performed a total of 200 tasks and 20(10%) contained target object(gun and knife). The results showed that when the feedback was provided, the hit, correct rejection ratio and d′ were increased, however, the false alarms and miss decreased. However, there was no significant difference in response criteria(${\beta}$). In addition, implications, limitations of this study and future research were discussed.