• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.2253-2261
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• 2022

In this study, nano-scaled shielding materials were assembled and fabricated by doping different weight percentages of Nano-mercuric oxide (N-HgO) into Nano-Bentonite (N-Bent) based on using (100-x% N-Bent + x% N-HgO, x = 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt %). The fabricated N-HgO/N-Bent nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and SEM and evaluated to evaluate their shielding properties toward gamma radiation by using four different γ-ray energies form three point sources; 356 keV from ¹³³Ba, 662 keV from ¹³⁷Cs as well as 1173, and 1332 keV from ⁶⁰Co. The γ-rays mass attenuation coefficients were plotted as a function of the doped N-HgO concentrations into N-HgO/N-Bent nanocomposites. The computed values of mass attenuation coefficients (µ_m), effective atomic number (Z_eff) and electron density (N_el) by the as-prepared samples were found to increase, while the half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) were identified to decrease upon increasing the N-HgO contents. It was concluded also that the increase in N-HgO concentration led to a direct increase in the mass attenuation coefficient from 0.10 to 0.17 cm²/g at 356 keV and from 0.08 to 0.09 cm²/g at 662 keV. However, a slight increase was observed in the identified mass attenuation coefficients at (1172 and 1332 keV).

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

Background: The evaluation of skyshine distribution, release of airborne radioactive nuclides, and soil activation and groundwater migration were required for radiological assessment of the impact on the environment surrounding In-Flight (IF)-system facility of the RAON (Rare isotope Accelerator complex for ON-line experiment) accelerator complex. Materials and Methods: Monte Carlo simulation by MCNPX code was used for evaluation of skyshine and activation analysis for air and soil. The concentration model was applied in the estimation of the groundwater migration of radionuclides in soil. Results and Discussion: The skyshine dose rates at 1 km from the facility were evaluated as 1.62 × 10^-3 μSv·hr^-1. The annual releases of ³H and ¹⁴C were calculated as 9.62 × 10^-5 mg and 1.19 × 10^-1 mg, respectively. The concentrations of ³H and ²²Na in drinking water were estimated as 1.22 × 10^-1 Bq·cm^-3 and 8.25 × 10^-3 Bq·cm^-3, respectively. Conclusion: Radiological assessment of environmental impact on the IF-facility of RAON was performed through evaluation of skyshine dose distribution, evaluation of annual emission of long-lived radionuclides in the air and estimation of soil activation and groundwater migration of radionuclides. As a result, much lower exposure than the limit value for the public, 1 mSv·yr^-1, is expected during operation of the IF-facility.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.3046-3053
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• 2023

Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic agent, poses a serious health hazard when inhaled or ingested in significant amounts. The water of the Padma river will be used as a tertiary coolant for the soon-to-be-commissioned 'Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant'. Hence, it is important to assess the radiological status of the river prior to the commission of this power plant. Therefore, for the first time, 25 samples of water were collected from various locations of the Padma River and analyzed for radon concentration using the RAD H₂O (DURRIDGE) radon monitoring device. The radon concentrations were found in the range from 0.077 ± 0.036 to 0.494 ± 0.211 Bq/L with a mean of 0.250 ± 0.093 Bq/L. All the concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits of WHO (100 Bq/L) and USEPA (11.1 Bq/L). The mean annual effective dose due to the radon exposure via inhalation and ingestion pathways were 0.638 µSv/y and 0.629 µSv/y, respectively, which were all well below the annual effective dose recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv/y). Since Bangladesh lacks a national safety limit of radon in water, this pioneering study provides baseline data on radon levels for the environment around Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study is to purify uranium (U[VI])-contaminated soil-flushing effluent using the precipitation-distillation process for clearance. Precipitation and distillation are commonly used techniques for water treatment. We propose using a combination of these methods for the simple and effective removal of U(VI) ions from soil-flushing effluents. In addition, the U concentration (Bq/g) of solid waste generated in the proposed treatment process was analyzed to confirm whether it satisfies the clearance level. Materials and Methods: Uranium-contaminated soil was decontaminated by soil-flushing using 0.5 M sulfuric acid. The soil-flushing effluent was treated with sodium hydroxide powder to precipitate U(VI) ions, and the remaining U(VI) ions were removed by phosphate addition. The effluent from which U(VI) ions were removed was distilled for reuse as a soil-flushing eluent. Results and Discussion: The purification method using the precipitation-distillation process proposed in this study effectively removes U(VI) ions from U-contaminated soil-flushing effluent. In addition, most of the solid waste generated in the purification process satisfied the clearance level. Conclusion: The proposed purification process is considered to have potential as a soil-flushing effluent treatment method to reduce the amount of radioactive waste generated.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.207-215
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• 2024

This study focuses on measuring the levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in the soil of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as well as the associated health hazard. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected from various locations and analyzed for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K radioactivity levels using a High Purity Germanium detector (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer with a photo-peak efficiency of approximately 52.3%. The average values obtained for these radionuclides are 35.6 ± 5.7 Bqkg^-1, 47 ± 12.5 Bqkg^-1, and 877 ± 153 Bqkg^-1, respectively. The level of ²³²Th is slightly higher and ⁴⁰K is 2.2 times higher than the internationally recommended limit of 30 Bqkg^-1 and 400 Bqkg^-1, respectively. Various parameters were calculated based on the results obtained, including Radium Equivalent (Ra_eq), External Hazard (H_ex), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGDE), Annual Effective Dose Rate, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), which are 170.3 ± 24 Bqkg^-1, 0.46 ± 0.06 Bqkg^-1, 81.4 ± 2.04 nGy h^-1, 582 ± 78.08 µSvy^-1, 99.8 ± 13.5 µSv Gy^-1, and 0.349 ± 0.04, respectively. These values are below the limits recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 2002. This study highlights the potential radiation threats associated with natural radioactivity levels in the soil of Swabi and provides valuable information for public health and safety.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3804-3811
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• 2024

The study focuses on creating new boro-silicate glasses doped with SnO₂ for radiation shielding. It examines how substituting Na₂O with SnO₂ affects their structural, optical, and shielding properties. Density increases from 2.406 to 2.488 g/cm³ with rising SnO₂, measured via the Archimedes Method. The examination for the glassy phase was performed using the XRD diffractometer. UV/Vis spectrophotometer analysis reveals reduced refractive index (2.412-1.976) and increased optical absorption-band gap (direct: 3.648-5.662 eV; indirect: 2.994-5.163 eV) with SnO₂ concentrations of 0-9 mol.%). The effectiveness of the radiation shielding was assessed over the 0.059-1.408 MeV gamma-ray energy interval. The analysis demonstrates that when the concentration of SnO₂ increases, the synthesized glasses' linear attenuation coefficient improves. As the SnO₂ content was raised between 0 and 9 mol%, the linear attenuation coefficient rose between 0.489 and 2.892 cm^-1 (at energy of 0.059 MeV) and between 0.126 and 0.128 cm^-1 (at energy of 1.408 MeV), respectively. As the SnO₂ content was raised between 0 and 9 mol%.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3558-3565
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• 2024

The linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) of four soils (Black cotton (S1), Sandy (S2), Clay (S3), and Sandy (S4)) samples were measured at photon energies released from radioisotopes Co⁵⁷ (122 keV), Ba¹³³ (356 keV), ²²Na (511 and 1275 keV), Cs¹³⁷ (662 keV), Mn⁵⁴ (840 keV), and Co⁶⁰ (1330 keV) using a gamma spectrometer includes a NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. The experimental measurements were confirmed utilizing the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code. The linear attenuation coefficient values enhanced from 0.256 cm^-1 to 0.296 cm^-1 (at E_γ of 122 keV), from 0.126 cm^-1 to 0.142 cm^-1 (at E_γ of 662 keV), and from 0.0938 cm^-1 to 0.105 cm^-1 (at E_γ of 1275 keV), raising the (Fe + Mn) concentration from 0.912 wt% to 11.214 wt%, as well as raising the soil samples density from 1.62 g/cm³ to 1.79 g/cm³. The study also shows an enhancement in the half value thickness, transmission factor, radiation protection efficiency and lead's equivalent thickness due to the enrichment of Fe + Mn concentrations within the studied soils. The results show that the Black cotton soil exhibits better shielding properties for γ-ray than the other soils.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.694-699
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• 2009

The antimutagenic activities of ethanol extracts of Korean and American propolis were tested using Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 with two indirect mutagens of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) with S9 mix. Additionally, their antimicrobial activities against acne-related pathogenic strains of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated using both paper disk method and agar dilution method. Ethanol extracts of Korean and American propolis showed strong inhibitory effects, in a dose dependant manner, against the mutagenicities induced by Trp-P-1 and 2-AA. The antimutagenic effect of ethanol extracts of Korean propolis showed significantly higher protective activity than that of American propolis against the Trp-P-1 induced mutagenicity of S. Typhimurium TA98 at the lower concentration ($1-10\;{\mu}g$), but significantly lower protective activity at the higher concentration ($50-200\;{\mu}g$). The antimutagenic effect of ethanol extract of Korean propolis showed significantly higher protective activity than that of American propolis against the 2-AA induced mutagenicity at the concentration of $1\;{\mu}g$, but significantly lower protective activity than that of the American at the higher concentration ($50-200\;{\mu}g$). Both extracts showed strong antimicrobial activities against all the acne-related pathogens tested, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range $1,500-5,000\;{\mu}g/mL$.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.34 no.s02
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• pp.66-80
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• 1989

Salt injury in rice is caused mainly by the salinity in soil and in the irrigated water, and occasionaly by salinity delivered through typhoon from the sea. The salt concentration of rice plants increased with higher salinity in the soil of the rice growing. The climatic conditions, high temperature and solar radiation and dry conditions promote the salt absorption of rice plant in saline soil. The higher salt accumulation in the rice plant generally reduces the root activity and inhibits the absorption of minerals of rice plant, resulting the reduction of photosynthesis. The salt damages of rice plant, however, are different from different growth stage of rice plants as follows: 1. Germination of rice seed was slightly delayed up to 1.0％ of salt concentration and remarkably at 1. 5％, but none of rice seeds were germinated at 2.5％. This may be due to the delayed water uptake of rice seeds and the inhibition of enzyme activity, 2. It was enable to establish rice seedlings at seed bed by 0.2％ of salt concentration with some reduction of leaf elongation. The increasing of 0.3％ salt concentration caused to the seedling death with varietal differences, but most of seedlings were death at 0.4％ with no varietal differences. 3. Seedlings grown at the nursery over 0.1％ salt, gradually reduced in rooting activity after transplanting according to increasing the salt concentration from 0.1％ up to 0.3％ of paddy field. However, the seedlings grown in normal seed bed showed no difference in rooting between varieties up to 0.1％ but significantly different at 0.3％ between varieties, but greatly reduced at 0.5％ and died at last in paddy after transplanting. 4. At panicle initiation stage, rice plant delayed in heading by salt damage, at meiotic stage reduced in grains and its filling rate due to inhibition of glume and pollen developing, and salt damage at heading stage and till 3 weeks after heading caused to reduction of fertilization and ripening rate. In viewpoint of agricultural policy the overcoming strategy for salt injury is to secure sufficient water source. Irrigation and drainage systems as well as underground drainage is necessary to desalinize more effectively. This must be the most effective and positive way except cost. By cultural practice, growing the salt tolerant variety with high population could increase yield. The intermittent irrigation and fresh water flooding especially at transplanting and from panicle initiation to heading stage, the most sensitive to salt injury, is important to reduce the salt content in saline soil. During the off-cropping season, plough and rotavation with flooding followed by drainage, or submersion and drainage with groove could improve the desalinization. Increase of nitrogen fertilizer with more split application, and soil improvement by lime, organic matter and forign soil addition, could increase the rice yield. Shift of trans-planting is one of the way to escape from the salt injury.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.244-252
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• 2009

This research aims at comparison of climatic conditions of sweet pepper's greenhouse between Korea (KOR) and the Netherlands (NL) to find out the reason of much lower yield in KOR than NL focus-ing on greenhouse climatic conditions. Hence, greenhouse climate data were obtained from each one commercial glasshouse in both countries. The crops (cv. 'Derby') were grown on rockwool slab with two stems per plant with 3.75plants/$m^2$ in KOR and three stems per plant with 2.5plants/$m^2$ or four stems per plant with 1.875plants/$m^2$ in NL. Even though plant density was differed but stem density was on the same to 7.5stems/$m^2$. There was no significantly difference on weekly growth of sweet pepper plant both countries, whereas harvested nodes to whole nodes of NL's plant was more than two times higher compared to KOR. The averaged daily global radiation during the whole growing periods was 14.5MJ/$m^2$/day in KOR and l2.1MJ/$m^2$/day in NL. Averaged 24h temperature was similar to both glasshouse as $21.6^{\circ}C$ in KOR and $21.2^{\circ}C$ in NL during the whole growing periods, however the variance was higher in KOR than NL. Humidity deficit (HD) was observed higher in KOR during the whole growing periods. Averaged day $CO_2$ concentration was measured contrary pattern in both countries because of heating to greenhouse on NL winter season. Averaged 24h temperature and day $CO_2$ concentration to daily global radiation was regular pattern in NL, whereas there are large scatter in KOR. Consequently, more irregular greenhouse climate condition in KOR could be induced irregularly crop growth.