• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.84-89
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• 2023

Background: Food consumption is one of the most important routes for radionuclide intake for the public; therefore, there is the need to have a comprehensive understanding of the amount of radioactivity in food products. Consumption of radionuclide-contaminated food could increase potential health risks associated with exposure to radiation such as cancers. The present study aims to determine radioactivity levels in some food products (milk, rice, sugar, and wheat flour) consumed in Mali and to evaluate the radiological effect on the public health from these radionuclides. Materials and Methods: The health impact due to ingestion of radionuclides from these foods was evaluated by the determination of activity concentration of radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs using gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium detector and radiological hazards index in 16 samples collected in some markets, mall, and shops of Bamako-Mali. Results and Discussion: The average activity concentrations were 9.8±0.6 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, 8.7±0.5 Bq/kg for ²³²Th, 162.9±7.9 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K, and 0.0035±0.0005 Bq/kg for ¹³⁷Cs. The mean values of radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose, internal hazard index, and risk assessment from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and national standards. Conclusion: The results show low public exposure to radioactivity and associated radiological impact on public health. Nevertheless, this study stipulates vital data for future research and regulatory authorities in Mali.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권5호
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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.

• 한국수자원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수자원학회 2019년도 학술발표회
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• pp.153-153
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• 2019

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of hydrological processes. Accurate estimates of ET variation are of vital importance for natural hazard adaptation and water resource management. This study first developed a soil water index (SWI)-based Priestley-Taylor algorithm (SWI-PT) based on the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), SWI, net radiation, and temperature. The algorithm was then compared with a modified satellite-based Priestley-Taylor ET model (MS-PT). After examining the performance of the two models at 10 flux tower sites in different land cover types over East Asia and Australia, the daily estimates from the SWI-PT model were closer to observations than those of the MS-PT model in each land cover type. The average correlation coefficient of the SWI-PT model was 0.81, compared with 0.66 in the original MS-PT model. The average value of the root mean square error decreased from $36.46W/m^2$ to $23.37W/m^2$ in the SWI-PT model, which used different variables of soil moisture and vegetation indices to capture soil evaporation and vegetative transpiration, respectively. By using the EVI and SWI, uncertainties involved in optimizing vegetation and water constraints were reduced. The estimated ET from the MS-PT model was most sensitive (to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in forests) to net radiation ($R_n$) in grassland and cropland. The estimated ET from the SWI-PT model was most sensitive to $R_n$, followed by SWI, air temperature ($T_a$), and the EVI in each land cover type. Overall, the results showed that the MS-PT model estimates of ET in forest and cropland were weak. By replacing the fraction of soil moisture ($f_{sm}$) with the SWI and the NDVI with the EVI, the newly developed SWI-PT model captured soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration more accurately than the MS-PT model.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권7호
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• pp.2388-2394
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• 2023

The radioactivity concentration of environmental radionuclides was analyzed for soil and sand at eight locations within a radius of 255 m centered on the Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Science (DIRAMS), Korea. The average activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th were 661.1 Bq/kg-dry, 0.9 Bq/kg-dry, 21.9 Bq/kg-dry, and 11.1 Bq/kg-dry, respectively. The activity of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs was lower than the 3-year (2017-2019) average reported by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, respectively. Due to the nature of granite-rich soil, the radioactivity of ⁴⁰K was 0.6-fold higher than in other countries, while ¹³⁷Cs was in the normal fluctuation range (15-30 Bq/kg-dry) of the concentration of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests. The activity of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th was lower than in Korean soils reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K for the soil and sand samples from DIRAMS were within the range specified by UNSCEAR in 2000. The radium equivalent activity and internal and external hazard index values were below the recommended limits (1 mSv/y). These radionuclide concentration (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs) data can be used for regional environmental monitoring and ecological impact assessments of nuclear power plant accidents.

• 자원환경지질
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.37-48
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• 2011

국내에서 유통되는 산업원료물질 중 모나자이트, 인회석, 저어콘, 보오크사이트, 티탄철석 등은 천연방사성핵종을 함유한 원료광물로서 '자연기원방사성물질 (NORM)'에 속한다. 이러한 원료광물을 사용하여 제조된 제품, 반제품, 부산물 또는 폐기물이 원료광물보다 천연방사성핵종의 농도가 증가된 물질은 '인위적으로 농축된 자연기원방사성물질 (TENORM)'로 분류한다. 인산비료를 제조하는 남해화학(주)에서 사용하는 인회석은 NORM에. 부산물로 생산되는 인산석고는 TENORM에 해당된다. 이와 같은 NORM을 대량 사용하는 사용시설인 남해화학(주) 내부 및 주변 지역 지질환경에 대한 영향평가가 필요하다. 이러한 배경에서 이 공장 내부 및 주변 지역의 지질특성, 토양에 대한 광물학적 및 지화학적 분석을 수행하여 향후 관리를 위한 과학적인 기초자료를 제공하고자 한다. 남해화학(주) 공장 내부 및 인근 지역 토양의 광물조성은 석영, 장석, 운모, $14{\AA}$광물, 고령토, 각섬석 등 모암으로부터 유래된 광물조성과 석고, 인회석 등 석고 야적장에서 유래된 광물조성으로 혼화되어 있다. 이 지역 토양의 평균 U 함량은 4.6 ppm, Th 함량은 10 ppm으로서 지각의 평균 함량과 거의 유사하다. 토양의 $^{40}K$의 농도는 191-1,166 Bq/kg, $^{226}Ra$의 농도는 15.6-710 Bq/kg이고 $^{232}Th$의 농도는 17.4-72.7 Bq/kg으로서 극히 높은 핵종 농도는 보이지 않으나 상대적으로 높은 $^{226}Ra$ 농도는 인산석고 적재장에서 뚜렷이 확인되며 $^{232}Th$ 농도가 높은 지점은 공장 동편 도로변 및 산체에서 잘 확인된다. 토양시료의 외부위해지수 범위는 0.24-2.01이며 평균 0.54로서 전체적으로는 위해 기준치로 제시되는 1.0 이하이지만 일부 지점에서는 1.0 이상이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권3호
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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.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the risk of both individual and combined health behaviors on premature mortality in middle aged men in Korea. Methods: In total, 14 533 male subjects 40 to 59 years of age were recruited. At enrollment, subjects completed a baseline questionnaire, which included information about socio-demographic factors, past medical history, and life style. During the follow-up period from 1993 to 2008, we identified 990 all-cause premature deaths using national death certificates. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of each health risk behavior, which included smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and lack of sleep hours. Using the Cox model, each health behavior was assigned a risk score proportional to its regression coefficient value. Health risk scores were calculated for each patient and the HR of all-cause premature mortality was calculated according to risk score. Results: Current smoking and drinking, high body mass index, less sleep hours, and less education were significantly associated with all-cause premature mortality, while regular exercise was associated with a reduced risk. When combined by health risk score, there was a strong trend for increased mortality risk with increased score (p-trend < 0.01). When compared with the 1-9 score group, HRs of the 10-19 and 20-28 score groups were 2.58 (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.19 to 3.03) and 7.09 (95% CIs, 5.21 to 9.66), respectively. Conclusions: Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, drinking, and regular exercise, have considerable impact on premature mortality and should be assessed in combination.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.347-353
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• 2010

사용후핵연료를 파이로 건식처리하면 사용후핵연료 자체 내에 존재하는 세슘, 스트론튬, 초우라늄 계열 등이 중간저장 되어 영구처분 방사선원항에서 제외되므로 사용후핵연료집합체를 구성하는 구조재, 즉 금속폐기물의 방사선원항이 중요해지게 된다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 $17{\times}17$ KOFA 사용후핵연료 10 톤이 파이로 건식처리 되었을 경우를 가정하여 각 구조재 부품별로 방사선원항 특성을 분석하였다. 우선 구조재 부품별로 질량 및 부피를 상세히 계산하였다. 핵연료 상단 및 하단 고정체에서의 중성자스펙트럼이 노심과 다르므로 각 구조재 부품별로 핵반응단면적라이브러리를 KENO-VI/ORIGEN-S 모듈로 직접 생산하였으며, 이를 적용하여 ORIGEN-S 코드로 방사화 방사선원항을 평가하였다. 평가결과 원자로 방출후 10 년 시점에서의 방사능세기, 붕괴열, 위해지수 값은 각각 $1.40{\times}10^{15}$ Bequerels, 236 Watts, $4.34{\times}10^9m^3$-water 로 나타났으며, 이는 사용후핵연료 자체 값의 0.7 %, 1.1 %, 0.1 %에 해당하는 값이다. 방사능세기, 붕괴열, 위해지수 모든 측면에서는 금속폐기물 전체물량의 1 %만을 차지하는 인코넬 718 그리드판이 가장 중요한 것으로 평가되었으며, 특히 이를 따로 분리하여 관리하면 금속폐기물 전체 방사능세기를 20~45 % 정도, 위해지수를 30~45 % 정도 감소시킬 수 있는 것으로 나타났다. 전체적으로 볼 때, 금속폐기물의 방사능세기 및 위해지수는 처분시스템 설계 시 중요한 인자로 고려되어야 하나, 붕괴열은 그 열량이 작아 중요하지 않은 것으로 나타났다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.185-192
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• 2010

거대핵세포(megakaryocyte)에서 유래된 혈소판은 백혈구와 더불어 방사선에 민감하여 가장 먼저 감소하므로 방사선장해의 지표로 활용된다. 따라서 혈소판이 부족하게 되면 점상출혈(dot hemorrhage)이 계속되고 혈구 수의 감소와 면역기능 저하로 이어진다. 특히, 전신조사(whole body irradiation)로 4~6 Gy를 받을 경우, 3주 후 혈소판이 최하로 감소되어 출혈과 빈혈에 의한 조혈기계 장해의 사망원인이 된다. 따라서 본 연구는 혈소판 장해의 메카니즘을 밝히고 방어효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 실험에 사용한 방어물질은 마늘 성분의 알리인(Alliin)을 사용하였으며, rat의 꼬리 정맥에 투여한 후 전자현미경(TEM)으로 관찰하였다. 연구 결과, 5 Gy 방사선조사(Irradiation) 후 10일 경과된 혈소판 조직에서는 세포막이 심하게 손상되어 풍선모양으로 부풀어 올랐으며, 당질층(glycocalyx)이 비후되었다. 조사 후 20일 경과된 혈소판에서는 소기관들의 형태를 알아볼 수 없을 정도로 손상되었으며, 세포질의 내용물이 간질부위로 유출되어 손상이 매우 심하였다. 또한 과립들의 형태도 관찰되지 않았다. 30일 경과된 혈소판에서는 가운데 부분에서 공포(vacuole)가 생기고 조직의 손상이 관찰되었다. 하지만 Alliin을 정맥 투여한 실험군에서는 과립(granules)들의 형태가 대조군과 같이 일정하게 유지되고 있었으며, 세포막의 손상도 확인되지 않았다. 따라서 Alliin의 혈관투여시 혈소판의 방사선방어 효과를 확인할 수 있었다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.233-241
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• 1997

The research on chromosomes is very significant in cytogenetics since genes of the chromosomes control revelation of the inheritance plasma. The human chromosome analysis is widely used to study leukemia, malignancy, radiation hazard, and mutagen dosimetry as well as various congenital anomalies such as Down's, Klinefelter's, Edward's, and Patau's syndrome. The framing and analysis of the chromosome karyogram, which requires specific cytogenetic knowledge is most important in this field. Many researches on automated chromosome karyotype analysis methods have been carried out, some of which produced commercial systems. However, there still remains much room to improve the accuracy of chromosome classification and to reduce the processing time in real clinic environments. In this paper, we proposed a hierarchical artificial neural network(HANN) to classify the chromosome karyotype. We extracted three or four chromosome morphological feature parameters such as centromeric index, relative length ratio, relative area ratio, and chromosome length by preprocessing from ten human chromosome images. The feature parameters of five human chromosome images were used to learn HANN and the rest of them were used to classify the chromosome images. The experiment results show that the chromosome classification error is reduced much more than that of the other researchers using less feature parameters.