• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.679-682
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• 2015

The Hiroshima Astrophysical Science Center (HASC) was founded in 2004 at Hiroshima University, Japan. The main mission of this institute is the observational study of various transient objects including gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, novae, cataclysmic variables, and active galactic nuclei by means of multi-wavelength observations. HASC consists of three divisions; the optical-infrared astronomy division, high-energy astronomy division, and theoretical astronomy division. HASC is operating the 1.5m optical-infrared telescope Kanata, which is dedicated to follow-up and monitoring observations of transient objects. The high-energy division is the key operation center for the Fermi gamma-ray space telescope. HASC and the high-energy astronomy group in the department of physical science at Hiroshima University are closely collaborating with each other to promote multi-wavelength time-domain astronomy. We report the recent activities of HASC and some science topics pursued by this multi-wavelength collaboration.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.52.1-52.1
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• 2021

We present the results of multi-epoch, multi-frequency monitoring of a blazar 4C +29.45, which was regularly monitored as part of the Interferometric Monitoring of GAmma-ray Bright AGNs program - a key science program of the Korean Very long baseline interferometry Network (KVN). Observations were conducted simultaneously at 22, 43, 86 and 129 GHz during the 4 years from December 2012 to December 2016. We also used additional data from the 15 GHz Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) monitoring program. From the 15 GHz light curve, we estimated the variability time scales of the source during several radio flux enhancements. We found that the source experiencesd 6 radio flux enhancements with variability time scales of 9-187 days during the observing period, yielding corresponding variability Doppler factors of 9-27. From the multi-frequency simultaneous KVN observations, we were able to obtain accurate radio spectra of the source and hence to more precisely measure the turnover frequencies 𝜈_r of synchrotron self-absorbed (SSA) emission with a mean value of ${\bar{\nu}_r}=28.9GHz$. Using jet geometry assumptions, we estimated the size of the emitting region at the turnover frequency. Taking into account these results, we found that the equipartition magnetic field strength is up to two orders of magnitudes higher than the SSA magnetic field strength (0.6-99 mG). This is consistent with the source being particle dominated.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.37-37
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• 2014

Magnetic fields appear to be ubiquitous in astrophysical environments. The existence of magnetic fields in the large-scale structure of the universe has been established through observations of Faraday rotation and synchrotron emission, as well as through recent gamma-ray observations. Yet, the nature and origin of the magnetic fields remains controversial and largely unknown. In this talk, I briefly summarize recent developments in our understanding of the nature and origin of magnetic fields. I also describe a plausible scenario for the origin of the magnetic fields; seed fields were created in the early universe and subsequently amplified during the formation of the large-scale structure of the universe. I then discuss the prospect of observation of magnetic fields in the large-scale structure of the universe.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.61.1-61.1
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• 2016

As a new way to explore the universe, astronomers are now performing time-domain astronomy by surveying the universe looking for new transient phenomena and taking movies of the universe with telescopes. Large-area, time-series survey of astronomical objects are uncovering many interesting, fast-changing objects that have now been poorly understood before, such as GRBs, tidal disruption phenomena, and new types of supernova. In order to characterize these new, exciting events, it is very critical to perform follow-up observations, and 1-2m telescopes can effectively contribute to such efforts. Since 2007, our group has been performing follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and interesting transients using BOAO and other KASI facilities. Here, we present results from several key transient studies that were done by using BOAO: (1) tidal disruption event Swift J1644+57; (2) SN 2011fe that occurred in M101; and (3) several GRB events. These study demonstrates the usefulness of BOAO as a powerful transient follow-up facility. Finally, we will discuss how BOAO research activities can possibly be bolstered in this newly emerging field of astronomy.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.38.1-38.1
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• 2015

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are one of the most energetic astrophysical events and are thought to be the dominant source of Galactic cosmic rays (CRs). A recent report on observations of gamma rays from the vicinity of SNRs have shown strong evidence that Galactic CR protons are accelerated by the shock waves of the SNRs. The actual gamma-ray emission from pion decay should depend on the diffusion of CRs in the interstellar medium. In order to quantitatively analyze the diffusion of high-energy CRs from acceleration sites, we have performed test particle numerical simulations of CR protons using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation of an interstellar medium swept-up by a blast wave. We analyse the CRs diffusion at a length scale of order a few pc, and show the Richtmeyer-Meshkov instability can provide enough turbulence downstream of the shock to make the diffusion coefficient close to the Bohm level for energy larger than 30 TeV for a realistic interstellar medium.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.377-384
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• 2005

Since gamma-ray bursts(GRBs) have been first known to science societites in 1973, many scientists are involved in their studies. Observations of GRB afterglows provide us with much information on the environment in which the observed GRBs are born. Study of GRB afterglows deals with longer timescale emissions in lower energy bands (e.g., months or even up to years) than prompt emissions in gamma-rays. Not all the bursts accompany afterglows in whole ranges of waveleogths. It has been suggested as a reason for that, for instance, that radio and/or X-ray afterglows are not recorded mainly due to lower sensitivity of detectors, and optical afterglows due to extinctions in intergalactic media or self-extinctions within a host galaxy itself. Based on the idea that these facts may also provide information on the GRE environment, we analyze statistical properties of GRB afterglows. We first select samples of the redshift-known GRBs according to the wavelength of afterglow they accompanied. We then compare their distributious as a function of redshift, using statistical methods. As a results, we find that the distribution of the GRBs with X-ray afterglows is consistent with that of the GRBs with optical afterglows. We, therefore, conclude that the lower detection rate of optical afterglows is not due to extinctions in intergalactic media.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2023

In this study, we examined the effects of gamma irradiation dosage on the mycelial growth of Auricularia auricula-judae and performed analyses of fruiting body yield, growth characteristics, taste, fragrance, and mineral composition. Assessments of mycelial growth in response to gamma irradiation at different intensities revealed an enhancement in the growth of fungi exposed to irradiation at 200 Gy. Fruiting body yield was also highest at 200 Gy, followed by 800 Gy and the control group. On the basis of these observations, we subsequently applied gamma ray doses of 200 and 800 Gy to examine the effects of irradiation on fungal quality characteristics. In terms of the taste of fruiting bodies, we detected no significant differences among the control, 200 Gy, and 800 Gy groups. Contrastingly, with respect to fragrance, we found that fungi treated with 200 Gy were characterized by a pattern that differed from those of the control and other treatment groups. Furthermore, whereas we detected no significant difference among treatments with respect total dietary fiber content, calcium content was found to be higher in the treatment groups compared with the control group, with the highest content being measured in fungi exposed to 800 Gy irradiation. Copper content was confirmed to be higher in the control group, whereas there were no significant differences between the fungi irradiated with 200 and 800 Gy. Contrastingly, the highest levels of zinc were detected in response to 200 Gy irradiation, followed by 800 Gy. Collectively, our findings thus indicate that gamma irradiation can contribute to promoting increases in the fruiting body yield and mineral contents of mushrooms.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.36.2-36.2
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• 2010

CQUEAN (Camera fo QUasars in EArly uNiverse) is a newly developed camera by CEOU for the 2.1m telescope at the McDonald Observatory, Texas, USA. We report the early science results from the commissioning run of CQUEAN which include the observations of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows and quasars at z ~ 5.5. Although the data were originally taken to test the instrument performance, the results are already very encouraging. We uncovered GRB afterglows at z = 0.8 - 1.4, with our data being used for the international collaboration research to understand the nature of GRBs. The unique filter sets we employed are providing the data which are effective for selecting quasars at z ~ 5.5. The special aspects of CQUEAN - high sensitivity at 0.8-1.1 ${\mu}m$ and fast readouts - will allow us to produce many interesting through surveys of high redshift quasars and fast follow-up of transient objects such as GRBs and exoplanets in future.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.34-34
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• 2005

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2022

Background: Epidemiological observations such as mental retardation, physical deformities, etc., in children besides different types of cancer in the adult population of the Malwa region have been reported. The present study is designed to get insight into the role of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in causing detrimental health effects observed in the general population of this region. Materials and Methods: Deep soil samples were collected from different locations in the Malwa region. Their activity concentrations were determined using low-level background gammaray spectrometry. High efficiency and high purity germanium detector capped in a lead-shielded chamber having a resolution of 1.8 keV at 1,173 keV and 2.0 keV at the 1,332 keV line of ⁶⁰Co was used in the present work. Data were evaluated with Genie-2000 software. Results and Discussion: Mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in deep soil were found to be 101.3 Bq/kg, 65.8 Bq/kg, and 688.6 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean activity concentration of ²³⁸U was found to be three and half times higher than the global average prescribed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). It was further observed that the activity concentration of ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K has a magnitude that is nearly one and half times higher than the global average prescribed by UNSCEAR. In addition, the radioisotope ¹³⁷Cs which is likely to have its origin in radiation fallout was also observed. It is postulated that the NORM present in high quantity in deep soil somehow get mobilized into the water aquifers used by the general population and thereby causing harmful health problems. Conclusion: It can be stated that the present work has been able to demonstrate the use of low background gamma-ray spectrometry to understand the role of NORM in causing health-related effects in a general population of the Malwa region of Punjab, India.