• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.3202-3205
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• 2023

The k₀-standardization neutron activation analysis method has successfully determined the mass fraction of elements of interest using around a hundred analytical radionuclides. However, several very short-lived nuclides with half-life less than 100 s have not been used at Dalat research reactor. One of the reasons is that the values of k₀-factors of these nuclides are significantly different. Therefore, this work focused on re-determination and evaluation of k₀-factors of very short-lived nuclides ¹¹⁰Ag (T_1/2 = 24 s) and ^46mSc (T_1/2 = 18.75 s). The results of determination of the short-lived nuclides revealed that k₀-factor of ¹¹⁰Ag is significantly difference between the existing data and the obtained results in this work. The evaluation of the k₀-factors was done by using the obtained results for application of k₀-NAA for NIST-1566b and NIST-2711A standard reference materials.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2650-2655
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• 2023

In the process of growth and development, plants not only absorb essential nutritional elements, but also absorb radioactive and non-essential elements from the environment, and their distribution varies in different parts of the plant. In this study, neutron activation analysis and gamma spectrometry were performed on stems, roots, and leaves of vegetables. The results indicate that the accumulation of radionuclides and multi-elements depends on the plant type and plant parts. Activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th in plants were accumulated in the following order: Roots > Stems > Leaves. The highest concentrations of ⁴⁰K and ²¹⁰Pb were observed in the stems and leaves of plants, respectively. Essential nutrient requirements of plants are in the following order: K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn. Among the nonessential metals, the concentration of Na in the vegetable sample was much greater than those of the other elements. The K/Na ratio in the plant depends on the type of plant and the translocation within the plant.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.55-65
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• 2004

We have used the Naju Oryang-dong Kiln, the Jar coffin producing center from the 5th to early 6th century A.D. found for the first time in Korea in 2002 and conducted trace element analysis of Jar coffin objects excavated in Jar coffin the old tomb area formed mainly around Yeongsan valley, the consuming area of the same period as our main research objects. For this analysis, we have used both the NAA method, the non-parametric micro-minerals analysis. In order to compare and verify these remains, we have used the results from the analysis on the Jar coffin remains in the Mandong remains, Jeonbuk district. We have quantitatively analyzed 17 types of elements from the Jar coffin remains sample to allow for various and correct analysis. With their results, we could find out that the jar coffins made in Oryang-dong kiln teo are statistically identical to those in Daean-ri Old tomb/Shinchon-ri 9th old tomb, Okya-ri old tomb, and Banam-Old tomb. Also, we can conclude that there is a high possibility that ongwans produced from Oryang-dong kiln being used in Daean-ri Old tomb/Shinchon-ri 9th old tomb, Okya-ri old tomb, and Banam-Old tomb was distributed through some form of trade. On the other hand, we could obtain other analysis results that jar coffins excavated and investigated in the Mandong remains and Ithe npyong Old tomb were likely from other Jar coffin kilns through trade and distribution.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.160-173
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• 2012

Roofing tile research conducted in Korea so far is mostly related to studies on roofing tile patterns excavation report on the roof tile klin site in the aspects of archeology architecture and history of art. There have been continuous studies on kiln ground and manufacture techniques of roofing tiles. However it is difficult to find roofing tiles research based on scientific experiments. The research on this paper performs physical and chemical experimental study to understand order, manufacturing techniques and other characteristics of Chosun Dynasty roofing tiles excavated in Dongdaemun stadium. As for physical experimental study water absorption, specific gravity, whole-rock Magnetic susceptibility rate and Differential Thermal Analysis are conducted. As for chemical experimental study, neutron activation analysis(NAA), microstructure observation, X-ray diffractometry(XRD) analysis are conducted. Result of neutron activation analysis and statistical analysis on piece of roof tile 22 samples clearly show that the roofing tile samples are from different time line and places. It also shows different composition when compare average value of rare earth resources per findspots. It means roofing tiles were manufactured from clay mineral from several places. Close inspection using XRD and polarization microscope reveals that main components of roofing tiles are quartz and felspar. Mica and Illite are found partially. XRD analysis shows mullite mineral composition which occurs when roofing tile is calcined around $1000^{\circ}C$. Differential thermal analysis shows gradual exothermic peak near $900^{\circ}C$. Based on these results, it is assumed that roofing tile is made at $900{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$. result of XRD analysis shows mullite were made near $1000^{\circ}C$. in Differential Thermal Analysis shows gradual exothermic peak near $900^{\circ}C$. this results shows that roof tiles were made near 900~1000 near $1000^{\circ}C$ mean value of whole-rock Magnetic susceptibility rate. When performed comparative analysis using whole-rock Magnetic susceptibility rate average value, findspots provided no certain classification to arrange. Nonetheless low whole-rock Magnetic susceptibility rate 0.2~0.78(${\times}103$ SI unit) is found when roofing tile patterns are Pasangmun, Taesangmun, Eosangmun, Kyukjamun, Heongsunmun. Overall absorptivity is 14~21%. It is similar to 14~18% of roofing tile from Chosun Dynasty. There is only 1.4~2.5g/cm3 of roof tile sample specific gravity. The analysis finds no difference in specific gravity by findspots.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.343-356
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• 2016

The Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) has developed a dual-purpose metal cask for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel that has been generated by domestic light-water reactors. The metal cask was designed in compliance with international and domestic technology standards, and safety was the most important consideration in developing the design. It was designed to maintain its integrity for 50 years in terms of major safety factors. The metal cask ensures the minimization of waste generated by maintenance activities during the storage period as well as the safe management of the waste. An activation evaluation of the main body, which includes internal and external components of metal casks whose design lifetime has expired, provides quantitative data on their radioactive inventory. The radioactive inventory of the main body and the components of the metal cask were calculated by applying the MCNP5 ORIGEN-2 evaluation system and by considering each component's chemical composition, neutron flux distribution, and reaction rate, as well as the duration of neutron irradiation during the storage period. The evaluation results revealed that 10 years after the end of the cask's design life, $^{60}Co$ had greater radioactivity than other nuclides among the metal materials. In the case of the neutron shield, nuclides that emit high-energy gamma rays such as $^{28}Al$ and $^{24}Na$ had greater radioactivity immediately after the design lifetime. However, their radioactivity level became negligible after six months due to their short half-life. The surface exposure dose rates of the canister and the main body of the metal cask from which the spent nuclear fuel had been removed with expiration of the design lifetime were determined to be at very low levels, and the radiation exposure doses to which radiation workers were subjected during the decommissioning process appeared to be at insignificant levels. The evaluations of this study strongly suggest that the nuclide inventory of a spent nuclear fuel metal cask can be utilized as basic data when decommissioning of a metal cask is planned, for example, for the development of a decommissioning plan, the determination of a decommissioning method, the estimation of radiation exposure to workers engaged in decommissioning operations, the management/reuse of radioactive wastes, etc.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-166
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• 1989

A study of rare-earth mineralization in Kyemyungsan metasedimentary formation of Precambrian Ogcheon Group was carried out in the Mt. Eore Area near Choongju City based on the thorium (Th) and uranium (U) count data of geophysical airborne survey. This rare-earth mineralization was found in the magnetite-bearing banded quartizite which contains diagnostically some amounts of the metamict allanite. The brown colored allanites are distributed as aggregates of fine grains and sometimes banded structures with magnetite (inter growth) along the banding. The ore bed is displaced by the small faults and granite intrusions, and separated 5 ore blocks. The dimensions of the outcrop are 50-80 m in width, 1,500 m in length with the strike of $N70-80^{\circ}E$ and dip of $50-80^{\circ}NW$. In the field, the values of total gamma ray count of GR-101A scintillometer were able to measure more than 400 cps and maximum 1,500 cps, which data are coincided with the values of GR-310 gamma ray spectrometer and the gamma ray count of well logging data. The chemical compositions of the allanites from EPMA data are ranged from$\sum^{TR_2O_3}$ 18.57% to 26.00%, and the cerium oxides ($Ce_2O_3$) of allanite are positive relation with $La_2O_3$, MgO, FeO, MnO and negative relation with $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, $Nd_2O_3$. The result of Neutron Activation Analysis (N.A.A.), Multi-Channel Analysis (M.C.A.) and wet chemistry of 25 outcrop samples for the elements of REE, Zr, U, Th shows strong anomalies. The good correlation elements with the thorium (Th) are the elements of La, Ce, LREE, $TR_2O_3$, Pr, Sm, Yb, Lu by the increasing order.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 2005

Se is well known as an anti-oxidant trace element and many customers are interested in an analysis and contents of Se in the various foodstuff samples. This study was aimed at establishig and comparing an analytical method for the determination of the Se in biological samples by neutron activation analysis using two nuclides, $^{75}Se$ and $^{77m}Se$. Keeping this objective, three NIST biological standard reference materials were chosen and the concentrations of the Se were determined under the prefixed analytical conditions such as the irradiation, decay and measurement time. The measured values by both analytical methods were evaluated with certified values. In addition, the detection limits and measurement uncertainty for the analytical results using $^{75}Se$ and $^{77m}Se$ were compared with each other.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.491-499
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• 2003

Selenium is a strong antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals. The prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases is increasing in Korean adults with increasing age. The increased cell damage from free radicals has been implicated in the etiology of these diseases, and evidence is accumulating that the low selenium status that comes with advanced aged is involved in the prevalence of age-associated diseases. However, little is known about the selenium status of Koreans, its age-related change and its relationship to dietary nutrient intake. In this study, the serum selenium levels of healthy adult females according to life cycle and its association with blood albumin levels and nutrient intake were examined. Serum selenium level was measured with the Huwo research reactor using the neutron activation analysis method (NAA). The overall proportion of women with selenium deficiency, serum selenium concentrations below 7.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 9.4%. The average serum selenium levels were 12.39 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 9.45 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and 9.16 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in the young adult, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively, showing a reduction of selenium status with advancing age. Selenium deficiency was seen only in the elderly group. Generally, serum selenium levels positively or negatively correlated with nutrient intake, but these association patterns differed depending on the age. The nutrients that showed positive correlations with selenium levels were proteins and phosphate in the young adult group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), and total calcium, potassium and vegetable-origin calcium in the middle-aged group. Vitamin C and fiber were the negative correlated nutrients with serum selenium levels in the elderly group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis of the determining factors responsible for selenium status showed that age and serum albumin levels were important factors which explained up to 26.9% variances in serum selenium levels. The average selenium concentrations of Korean adult female subjects were above the deficiency levels in all three age groups. There was a tendency toward decreasing selenium levels as the age of the subjects increased. The factors with the strongest in-fluence on selenium status in healthy adult Korean females were age and serum protein status. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 491~499, 2003)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.135-143
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• 1971

In order to find out the degree of mercury contamination of common foodstuffs a series of determination was carried out by a highly sensitive activation analysis and the following results were obtained. 1. Polished rice contained 0.050 ppm of mercury whereas rice bran had 0.095 ppm mercury which was found in other grain in lesser degree. 2. Vegetables and fruits also contained $0.035{\sim}0.190\;ppm$ of mercury with relatively small variations from sample except persimmon which had a considerably higher amount of mercury. 3. Soybean sprout contained an unexpectantly high amount of mercury. 4. Of the animal products chicken and egg contained more mercury than the meat.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.1273-1279
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• 2016

Production of iodine-131 by neutron activation of tellurium in tellurium dioxide ($TeO_2$) material requires a target that meets the safety requirements. In a radiopharmaceutical production unit, a new lid for a can was designed, which permits tight sealing of the target by using tungsten inert gaswelding. The leakage rate of all prepared targets was assessed using a helium mass spectrometer. The accepted leakage rate is ${\leq}10^{-4}mbr.L/s$, according to the approved safety report related to iodine-131 production in the TRIGA Mark II research reactor (TRIGA: Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics). To confirm the resistance of the new design to the irradiation conditions in the TRIGA Mark II research reactor's central thimble, a study of heat effect on the sealed targets for 7 hours in an oven was conducted and the leakage rates were evaluated. The results show that the tightness of the targets is ensured up to $600^{\circ}C$ with the appearance of deformations on lids beyond $450^{\circ}C$. The study of heat transfer through the target was conducted by adopting a one-dimensional approximation, under consideration of the three transfer modes-convection, conduction, and radiation. The quantities of heat generated by gamma and neutron heating were calculated by a validated computational model for the neutronic simulation of the TRIGA Mark II research reactor using the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code. Using the heat transfer equations according to the three modes of heat transfer, the thermal study of I-131 production by irradiation of the target in the central thimble showed that the temperatures of materials do not exceed the corresponding melting points. To validate this new design, several targets have been irradiated in the central thimble according to a preplanned irradiation program, going from4 hours of irradiation at a power level of 0.5MWup to 35 hours (7 h/d for 5 days a week) at 1.5MW. The results showthat the irradiated targets are tight because no iodine-131 was released in the atmosphere of the reactor building and in the reactor cooling water of the primary circuit.