• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2019

This study is a neutron activation for concrete that shields medical linear accelerator facilities. Comparison of general concrete and low activation concrete. The simulation method was simulated using MCNPX (Ver. 2.5.0) and FISPACT-2010, and the shielding ability for photon and neutron beams was calculated and neutron activation evaluation was carried out. As a result, the shielding capacity was 20 ~ 50 cm efficient in general concrete, and activate evaluation in low activation concrete was calculated to be low in radioactivity concrete, but all were estimated to not exceed their own allowable concentration in self - disposal. As a result of the comprehensive analysis, it is considered effective to use ordinary concrete.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

This paper investigates the importance of various environmental factors that have a strong influence on strawberry yields grown in greenhouse using the pattern recognition methods. The environmental factors influencing the production of strawberries were six factors such as average inside temperature, average inside humidity, average $CO_2$ level, average soil temperature, cumulative solar radiation, and average illumination. The results of analyzing the observed data using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) showed that the most significant factor influencing the strawberry production was average soil temperature, average inside humidity, and cumulative solar radiation. Second, the results of analyzing the observed data using Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) showed that the most influential factors on the strawberry yields, such as average $CO_2$ level, average inside humidity, and average illumination were differently given for each farms. However, these results are based on the distance in 3D space and can be deduced from the fact that there is not a large difference between these distances. Therefore, in order to increase the harvest of strawberries cultivated in the farms, it is necessary to manage the environmental factors such as thoroughly controlling the humidity and maintaining the concentration of $CO_2$ constantly by ventilation of the greenhouse.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.444-446
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• 2011

Nanosized polystyrene (PS) particles with the narrow size distribution were synthesized from styrene monomer at the presence of the surfactant (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP), the solvent of 95 % alcohol, and the initiator of benzoyl peroxide (BPO). Since the emulsion polymerization method was applied, many factors could have effects on the size of PS particles during polymeric process. Aside from the concentration of monomer, surfactant and initiator, the factors such as the stirring speed and the ultrasonic radiation were mainly studied. By adjusting the radiating time, PS particles with their size of about 400 nm were synthesized.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.3383-3387
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• 2023

A new dyed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film dosimeter based on 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MMT) tetrazolium dye is proposed in this study for measuring high gamma radiation dose. Gamma cell irradiator that contains Co-60 gamma-ray source was used to expose the novel MMT-PVA films to different doses up to 25 kGy. The changed in optical property of irradiated and unirradiated films were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results show that the dose sensitive and the linear range of irradiated films were increased considerably with increase of MMT concentration from 1 to 5 mM. The dose response of dyed PVA film changed substantially with changing relative humidity (12-74%) as well as irradiation temperature (10-40 ℃). The absorbance of the unirradiated films does not change up to 10 days in dark while a significant increase in their absorbance was reported for similar films under fluorescent light. The irradiated dosimeters that kept in dark showed a perfect stability for 54 days. It was found that no obvious impact of dose rate on the irradiated MMT-PVA film dosimeters.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1757-1762
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• 2023

Radiological hazards from external exposure of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) scales residues, generated during the extraction process of oil and gas production in southern Algeria, are evaluated. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured using high-purity gamma-ray spectrometry (GeHP). Mean activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, found in scale samples are 4082 ± 41, 1060 ± 38 and 568 ± 36 Bq kg^-1, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent (Ra_eq), external and internal hazard indices (H_ex, H_in), and gamma index (I_γ) are also evaluated. All hazard parameter values were greater than the permissible and recommended limits and the average annual effective dose value exceeded the dose constraint (0.3 mSv y^-1). However, for occasionally exposed workers, the dose rate of 0.65 ± 0.02 mSv y^-1 is lower than recommended limit of 1 mSv y^-1 for public.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2023

The biosphere has important function in the safety assessment of a radioactive waste disposal facility. A biosphere model in the safety assessment needs various input data that contain significantly inherent uncertainties. This paper reviews the effects of the input data on the radiological impact assessment from main radionuclides such as ¹⁴C and ⁹⁹Tc in the biosphere model. In addition, it is confirmed that the safety criteria is met, when the conservative input data for the intake rate, soil to plant concentration ratio, and distribution coefficients of the radionuclides are applied and probabilistic analysis are conducted in the biosphere model. Nevertheless, it is required to generate site-specific input data for the confidence building and reduce excessive conservatism in the biosphere model.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2024

Radioactive liquid waste generated during operation and overhaul is collected and reused through the radioactive liquid waste treatment system and continuous monitoring system in the nuclear power plant or discharged to the outside if it satisfies the limit within the control and monitoring. However, there are concerns about boric acid management, which controls the power output of nuclear power plants in radioactive liquid waste. Due to the behavior of boric acid, it is difficult to remove it in the existing liquid radwaste system, and the concentration of boric acid water discharged tends to be higher than the natural state of 5 ppm, so additional facilities should be considered. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the radiological effects of radioactive waste treatment facilities that are under development and use them as a basis for managing worker exposure and evaluating the safety of facilities in the future.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.437-442
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• 2023

This study conducted a comparative analysis of dose evaluations for ingestion of animal products based on data from nuclear power plants in the Republic of Korea, using methodologies from the Republic of Korea, 'IAEA TRS-472', and 'CSA N288.1:14'. The research focused on tritium, the most significant constituent among the gaseous and liquid radioactive emissions. The combined evaluation of tritium, in the form of tritiated water (HTO) and organically bound tritium (OBT), yielded results of 1.143 μSv y^-1 for the Republic of Korea, 0.965μSv y^-1 for 'TRS-472', and 0.886μSv y^-1 for 'N288.1:14'. Despite the Republic of Korea's guidelines not considering OBT, the evaluation results for the Republic of Korea were higher compared to other methodologies. This discrepancy was attributed to the unique approach of not considering the moisture content per individual in the calculations of plant and feed concentration in the Republic of Korea and the simultaneous consideration of specific-activity model and transfer model. The study highlights the necessity of developing dose evaluation models tailored to regional characteristics and underscores the importance of including OBT in these evaluations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.2452-2457
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• 2024

To obtain site-specific values of the Derived Concentration Guideline Levels (DCGLs) for decommissioning of KRR-1&2, the soil density and distribution coefficient values for Cs-137, a major contaminant radionuclide, were determined. The soil density was evaluated according to the test method established by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (KATS). The distribution coefficient was evaluated using a batch test. The validity of using the evaluated soil density and distribution coefficient as site-specific values was assessed through radiation dose assessment reflecting these values. Average soil density value obtained was 1.738 g/cm³, which was within the typical range of normal soil density, 1.0-1.8 g/cm³. The average distribution coefficient value was 7,754 mL/g. Applying the maximum, average, and minimum values of the evaluated soil density and distribution coefficient showed similar radiation dose results, thus suggesting that it is reasonable to use the average values of each parameter as site-specific values. Findings of this study can help determine DCGLs that reflect the characteristics of the research reactor site.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2001

Calpains are a family of cysteine proteases existing primarily in two forms designated by the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration needed for activation in vitro, $\mu$-calpain (calpain-I) and m-calpain (calpain-II). The physiologica1 roles of calpains remain unclear. Many groups have proposed a role for calpains In apoptosis, but their patterns of activation are not well characterized. Calpains have been implicated in neutrophil apoptosis, glucocorticoid-induced thymocyte apoptosis, as well as many other apoptotic pathways. Calpain activation in apoptosis is usually linked upstream or downstream to caspase activation, or in a parallel pathway alongside caspase activation. Calpains have been suggested to be involved in DNA fragmentation (via endonuclease activation), but also as effector proteases that cleave cellular proteins involved in DNA repair, membrane associated proteins and other homeostatic regulatory proteins. Recently, our laboratory demonstrated $\mu$-calpain activation in NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreducatse 1 (NQO1)-expressing cells after exposure to $\beta$-lapachone, a novel quinone and potential chemo- and radio-therapeutic agent. Increased cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ in NQO1-expressing cells after $\beta$-lapachone exposures were shown to lead to $\mu$-calpain activation. In turn, $\mu$-calpain activation was important for substrate proteolysis and DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis. Upon activation, $\mu$-calpain translocated to the nucleus where it could proteolytically cleave PARP and p53. We provided evidence that $\beta$-lapachone-induced, $\mu$-calpain stimulated, apoptosis did not involve any of the known caspases; known apoptotic caspases were not activated after $\beta$-lapachone treatment of NQO1-expressing cells, nor did caspase inhibitors have any effect on $\beta$-1apachone-induced cell death. Elucidation of processes by which $\beta$-1apachone-stimulated $\mu$-calpain activation and calpains ability to activate endonucleases and induce apoptosis independent of caspase activity will be needed to further develop/modulate $\beta$-lapachone for treatment of human cancers that over-express NQO1.