• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.806-813
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• 2018

$^{222}Rn$ exists in nature in the form of a rare radioactive gas. In terms of environmental radiation, issues regarding $^{222}Rn$ have persisted because of its radiological hazardousness. Ulju County is one of the regions of Ulsan metropolitan city, with a population of 227,699. Ulju County has the highest density of industrial complexes in Korea. In this study, $^{222}Rn$ radioactivity concentration was measured and analyzed in 57 schools in Ulju County using 114 passive LR-115 type detectors to secure radiological safety and confirm basic information for reduction of resident exposure to $^{222}Rn$. The effective dose of $^{222}Rn$ was assessed to find the actual risk of the concentration surveyed in schools to human beings. The dose depended on four factors: subjects, $^{222}Rn$ concentration, dose coefficient, and time. The individuals subjected to dose estimation were classified into three types: students, teachers, and office workers. The subjects had different dwelling locations and times. The findings demonstrate that the radiological hazard to students and workers at schools in Ulju County owing to $^{222}Rn$ is negligible in terms of $^{222}Rn$ activity recommendation level.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2021

Background: Salmonella enteritidis (SE) was the main cause of the pandemic of foodborne salmonellosis. The surface of eggs' shells can be contaminated with this bacterium; however, washing them with sodium hypochlorite solution not only reduces their flavor but also heavily impacts the environment. An alternative to this is surface sterilization using low-energy electron beam. It is known that irradiation with 1 kGy resulted in a significant 3.9 log reduction (reduction factor of 10,000) in detectable SE on the shell. FAO/IAEA/WHO indicates irradiation of any food commodity up to an overall average dose of 10 kGy presents no toxicological hazard. On the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration has deemed a dose of up to 3 kGy is allowable for eggs. However, the maximum dose permitted to be absorbed by an edible part (i.e., internal dose) is 0.1 Gy in Japan and 0.5 Gy in European Union. Materials and Methods: The electron beam (EB) depth dose distribution in the eggshell was calculated by the Monte Carlo method. The internal dose was also estimated by Monte Carlo simulation and experimentation. Results and Discussion: The EB depth dose distribution for the eggshells indicated that acceleration voltages between 80 and 200 kV were optimal for eggshell sterilization. It was also found that acceleration voltages between 80 and 150 kV were suitable for reducing the internal dose to ≤ 0.10 Gy. Conclusion: The optimum irradiative conditions for sterilizing only eggshells with an EB were between 80 and 150 kV.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2239-2246
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• 2024

The present study aimed to assess the radioactive hazards associated with the application of granitoid rocks in building materials. An HPGe spectrometer was used to detect the levels of the radioactive elements uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40 in the granitoid rocks. The results showed that the levels of these elements were lower (38.32 < 33 Bq kg^-1), comparable (47.19-45 Bq kg^-1) and higher (992.26 ≫> 412 Bq kg^-1) than the worldwide limits for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K concentration, respectively. The exposure to gamma radiation of granitoid rocks was studied by various radiological hazard variables like the absorbed dose rate (D_air), the outdoor and indoor annual effective dose (AED_out and AED_in), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). A variety of statistical methods, including Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used, to study the relationship between the radioactive elements and the radiological hazards. According to statistical analysis, the main radioactive risk of granitoid rocks is contributed to by the elements uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40. Granitoid rocks can be applied in building materials, but under control to prevent risk to the public.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2011

Some industrial minerals used in domestic industries such as monazite, apatite, bauxite, and ilmenite belong to NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) because they show a high radioactivity. Products, semi-products, wastes, and by-products which show higher radioactivity than NORM belong to TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials). Apatite used for manufacturing phosphate fertilizer in Namhae Chemical company belongs to NORM, and its by-product, phospo-gypsum, belongs to TENORM. A geological investigation is needed for the future environmental impact assessment of the Namhae Chemical company's site. According to survey results of the Namhae Chemical company's site, soil mineral composition indicated the mixture of minerals derived from the country rock (quartz, feldspar, mica, $l4{\AA}$ mineral, kaolin and amphibole) and minerals from the gypsum open-air storage yard (gypsum and apatite). Soil samples showed average content of U 4.6 ppm and Th 10 ppm, which are similar to average crustal abundances. They also show average contents of $^{40}K$ 191-1,166 Bq/kg, $^{226}Ra$ 15.6-710 Bq/kg, and $^{232}Th$ 17.4-72.7 Bq/kg, which indicate moderate levels of radio nuclide. But $^{226}Ra$ anomaly in the gypsum open storage yard is clearly confirmed and $^{232}Th$ anomaly is also confirmed in the east road side of the factory and nearby mountain areas. Soil external hazard indices ranged 0.24-2.01 with the average 0.54. Although most external hazard indices were lower than 1, which means radiation hazard index to be negligible, 5 samples out of total 40 samples showed higher values than 1, and further detailed investigation is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.245-253
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• 2011

The hazard level will be increased with the augmentation of the dose received by patients. Therefore, patients radiation dose have been analyzed by this study for the radiology clinics located at Seoul and Gyeongin area from August 2009 to September 2010. In the case of the front and rear directional inspection of skull, patient radiation dose was turned out to be 1.75mGy for radiology clinic, 3.00mGy for UK, 3.00mGy for Japan, and 5.00mGy for Germany, therefore, radiology clinic was the lowest. In the case of lateral directional inspection of skull, patient radiation dose was turned out to be 1.49mGy for radiology clinic, 1.50mGy for 3rd medical institution, therefore, radiology clinic was measured lower, and it was lower than 3.00mGy which is the recommended dose of IAEA. In order to reduce medical exposure of patient, optimization of efficient protection of radiation and reduction of medical radiation exposure are thought to be required by observing recommendation of international organization based on the result of this study.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.198-207
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• 2017

Purpose: Whether preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is better than postoperative CRT in oncologic outcome and toxicity is contentious in prospective randomized clinical trials. We systematically analyze and compare the treatment result, toxicity, and sphincter preservation rate between preoperative CRT and postoperative CRT in stage II-III rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1990 to 2014 for relevant trials. Only phase III randomized studies performing CRT and curative surgery were selected and the data were extracted. Meta-analysis was used to pool oncologic outcome and toxicity data across studies. Results: Three randomized phase III trials were finally identified. The meta-analysis results showed significantly lower 5-year locoregional recurrence rate in the preoperative-CRT group than in the postoperative-CRT group (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.84; p = 0.004). The 5-year distant recurrence rate (p = 0.55), relapse-free survival (p = 0.14), and overall survival (p = 0.22) showed no significant difference between two groups. Acute toxicity was significantly lower in the preoperative-CRT group than in the postoperative-CRT group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in perioperative and chronic complications (p = 0.53). The sphincter-saving rate was not significantly different between two groups (p = 0.24). The conversion rate from abdominoperineal resection to low anterior resection in low rectal cancer was significantly higher in the preoperative-CRT group than in the postoperative-CRT group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: As compared to postoperative CRT, preoperative CRT improves only locoregional control, not distant control and survival, with similar chronic toxicity and sphincter preservation rate in rectal cancer patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.246-251
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• 2006

Organic compost is a useful fertilizer for organic farming. However, it poses a microbiological hazard to the farm produce because most of the compose are originated from excrementitious matters of domestic animals. Irradiation was performed to improve microbiological safety of organic compost and the effectiveness of gamma-irradiation for inactivating Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli was investigated. Total aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria in 16 produce or commercial compose were ranged from $10^5\;to\;10^7\;CFU/mL\;and\;0\;to\;10^3\;CFU/mL$, respectively. All coliform bacteria in the composts were eliminated by irradiation at 5 kGy, while about $10^2\;CFU/mL$ of total aerobic bacteria survived up to 10 kGy of irradiation. In the inoculation test the test organisms (inoculated at $10^7\;CFU/mL$) were eliminated by irradiation at 3 kGy. $D_{10}$ values of inoculated Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli in the compost were $0.4{\pm}0.05\;and\;0.39{\pm}0.03kGy$. It was considered that $3{\sim}5kGy$ of gamma irradiation was effective for radicidation (radiation sterilization of pathogenic microbes) of organic fertilizer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.7
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• pp.467-477
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to offer data base for establishment of dental training x-ray generator based safety usage through surveying real radiation safety management state of radiation worker's in plan of operations that have dental training x-ray generators and use it. For it, comprehensive references were surveyed referring reports of current state of regulation technique development and domestic radiation safety evaluation and nuclear related legislation regarding radiation safety management of dental training x-ray generators. On the basis of it, questionnaires were filled in about respondent's general characteristic radiation safety manager's status current state of radiation safety management and the level of knowledge & consciousness. For the study, the survey was conducted to 224 people of radiation safety managers and university graduates training assistants and full-time professors who can treat dental training x-ray generators in education center. through this survey 95 questionnaires were used as analysis materials except the insufficient and omitted responses. As a method of analysis, the frequency and percentage were figured out with the general characteristics and safety manager's status. Chi-square test for frequency and correlation per question analysis and Pearson correlation analysis for crosslevel correlation were done with current state of radiation safety management and knowledge & consciousness level. As a result, running dental training x-ray generators was dealt with by 20's to 40's who have high education level over post undergraduate degree and major in dental hygienic. In addition, female have higher consciousness level for radiation safety management than male. It shows significal linear relation statistically(${\chi}^2$ >5, 0.1${\chi}^2$ >5, 0.3${\chi}^2$ >5, 0.3

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2012

Objective : The objective of study is to evaluate the incidence of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) in breast cancer patients with parenchymal brain metastases (PBM) and clinical risk factors for the development of LMC. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients who had undergone surgical resection (SR) and 156 patients with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) as an initial treatment for their PBM from breast cancer in our institution and compared the difference of incidence of LMC according to clinical factors. The diagnosis of LMC was made by cerebrospinal fluid cytology and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Results : A total of 27 patients (14%) in the study population developed LMC at a median of 6.0 months (range, 1.0-50). Ten of 27 patients (37%) developed LMC after SR, whereas 17 of 156 (11%) patients who received WBRT were diagnosed with LMC after the index procedure. The incidence of LMC was significantly higher in the SR group compared with the WBRT group and the hazard ratio was 2.95 (95% confidence interval; 1.33-6.54, p<0.01). Three additional factors were identified in the multivariable analysis : the younger age group (<40 years old), the progressing systemic disease showed significantly increased incidence of LMC, whereas the adjuvant chemotherapy reduce the incidence. Conclusion : There is an increased risk of LMC after SR for PBM from breast cancer compared with WBRT. The young age (<40) and systemic burden of cancer in terms of progressing systemic disease without adjuvant chemotherapy could be additional risk factors for the development of LMC.

• 한국방재학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.219-219
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• 2011

순 장파복사량은 지표면으로 입사되는 하강 장파복사량(Downward Longwave Radiation, $R_{ld}$)과 지표면에서 반사되는 상승 장파복사량(Upward Longwave Radiation, $R_{lu}$)의 차이로 정의되는데 이는 에너지 수지 및 농업기상 연구의 중요한 주제 중 하나로서 다루어져 온 순복사량의 중요한 요소이다. 일반적으로 $R_{lu}$의 경우 지표면 온도와 방사율(emissivity)를 이용하여 산출되므로 정확히 추정이 가능하나, $R_{ld}$의 경우 대기 최상층에서 관측되는 방사량과 지표면 근처의 방사량을 함께 고려해야 하므로 실측이 어렵다. $R_{ld}$는 야간 복사계(pyrgeometer)를 이용하여 직접적으로 측정할 수 있지만 관측기기 자체가 구비되어있는 관측소가 적어 매우 드물게 이용된다. 또한 단파 복사 에너지 측정 기기에 비해 비용이 많이들고 종종 관측값이 큰 오차를 가지고 있기 때문에 실무에 적용하기 힘든 단점이 있다. 따라서 기상 관측소에서 얻어지는 증기압과 온도 관측치를 물리식, 경험식 등에 적용하여 산정하게 된다. 현재는 $R_{ld}$의 추정은 관측된 방사량간의 관계를 나타내는 경험식을 기반으로 지표면 근처의 대기 온도와 습도를 이용하여 산출하는 방법이 널리 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 증발산 산정 알고리즘 개발의 시발점으로써 $R_{ld}$를 먼저 구하고 $R_{lu}$를 구하였다. 신뢰성 높은 방법을 이용하여 $R_{ld}$를 구하게 되면 정확도 높은 $R_N$을 구하는 데 기여할 수 있으며, 궁극적으로 보다 정확한 증발산을 산정할 수 있게 된다. $R_{ld}$는 일반적으로 clear sky 조건 하에서의 복사 에너지 플럭스($R_{ldc}$)를 구한 후 구름의 양에 따라 보정한다. 하강 장파복사량의 경우 널리 사용되는 공식 중 하나인 Brutsaert의 공식을 사용하였다. 광릉, 해남에 위치한 플럭스 타워지점에서 실측된 기온과 실제 수증기압을 입력인자로 사용하여 지점별 $R_{ldc}$를 먼저 구하고 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) 영상자료를 이용하여 검증한 뒤 최종적으로 남한지역을 대상으로 순 장파복사량 지도를 작성하였다. 이를 위해 MODIS 07 대기 프로파일 산출물(Atmospheric Profile Product)중 기온 및 이슬점온도를 추출하여 산정식의 입력자료로서 사용하였다. 상승 장파복사량의 경우 MODIS 11 지표면 온도 산출물(Land Surface Temperature product)를 이용하여 산정하였다. 이는 남한 지역의 증발산량 추정 및 에너지 수지 연구를 위한 중요한 기본 자료로서 유용하게 사용될 수 있으리라 사료된다.