• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 1999

In this paper, as a preliminary study for developing a full 3D electron dose calculation algorithm, We developed 2.5D electron dose calculation algorithm by extending 2D pencil-beam model to consider three dimensional geometry such as air-gap and obliquity appropriately. The dose calculation algorithm was implemented using the IDL5.2(Research Systems Inc., USA), For calculation of the Hogstrom's pencil-beam algorithm, the measured data of the central-axis depth-dose for 12 MeV(Siemens M6740) and the linear stopping power and the linear scattering power of water and air from ICRU report 35 was used. To evaluate the accuracy of the implemented program, we compared the calculated dose distribution with the film measurements in the three situations; the normal incident beam, the 45$^{\circ}$ oblique incident beam, and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. As results, about 120 seconds had been required on the PC (Pentium III 450MHz) to calculate dose distribution of a single beam. It needs some optimizing methods to speed up the dose calculation. For the accuracy of dose calculation, in the case of the normal incident beam of the regular and irregular shaped field, at the rapid dose gradient region of penumbra, the errors were within $\pm$3 mm and the dose profiles were agreed within 5%. However, the discrepancy between the calculation and the measurement were about 10% for the oblique incident beam and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. In conclusions, we expended 2D pencil-beam algorithm to take into account the three dimensional geometry of the patient. And also, as well as the dose calculation of irregular field, the irregular shaped body contour and the air-gap could be considered appropriately in the implemented program. In the near future, the more accurate algorithm will be implemented considering inhomogeneity correction using CT, and at that time, the program can be used as a tool for educational and research purpose. This study was supported by a grant (＃HMP-98-G-1-016) of the HAN(Highly Advanced National) Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, R.O.K.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2010

Cyberknife with small field size is more difficult and complex for dosimetry compared with conventional radiotherapy due to electronic disequilibrium, steep dose gradients and spectrum change of photons and electrons. The purpose of this study demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as verification tool of measurement dose for delivering accurate dose by comparing measurement data using the diode detector with results by Geant4 simulation. The development of Monte Carlo Model for Cyberknife was done through the two-step process. In the first step, the treatment head was simulated and Bremsstrahlung spectrum was calculated. Secondly, percent depth dose (PDD) was calculated for six cones with different size, i.e., 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm and 60 mm in the model of water phantom. The relative output factor was calculated about 12 fields from 5 mm to 60 mm and then it compared with measurement data by the diode detector. The beam profiles and depth profiles were calculated about different six cones and about each depth of 1.5 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The results about PDD were shown the error the less than 2% which means acceptable in clinical setting. For comparison of relative output factors, the difference was less than 3% in the cones lager than 7.5 mm. However, there was the difference of 6.91% in the 5 mm cone. Although beam profiles were shown the difference less than 2% in the cones larger than 20 mm, there was the error less than 3.5% in the cones smaller than 20 mm. From results, we could demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as dose verification tool.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: The ferronickel and rapid cooling slags used in present study are industrial wastes derived from a steel factory in Korea. These slags are used as almost road construction materials after magnetic separation. However, the use of slag to remove phosphorus from wastewater is still a relatively less explored. The objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of ferronickel slag (FNS) and rapid cooling slag (RCS) as sorbents for phosphorus removal in wastewater. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the adsorption characteristics of the FNS and RCS for the phosphorus. Adsorption behaviour of the phosphorus by the FNS and RCS was evaluated using both the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm equations. FNS and RCS were divided into two sizes as effective sizes. Effective sizes of FNS and RCS were 0.5 and 2.5 mm, respectively. The adsorption capacities (K) of the phosphorus by the FNS and RCS were in the order of RCS 0.5 (0.5105) > RCS 2.5 (0.3572) ${\gg}$ FNS 2.5 (0.0545) ${\fallingdotseq}$ FNS 0.5 (0.0400) based on Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities (a; mg/kg) of the phosphorus determined by the Langmuir isotherms were in the order of RCS 0.5 (3,582 mg/kg) > RCS 2.5 (2,983 mg/kg) > FNS 0.5 (320 mg/kg) ${\fallingdotseq}$ FNS 2.5 (187 mg/kg). RCS 0.5 represented the best sorbent for the adsorption of phosphorus. In the experiment, the Langmuir model showed better fit with our data than the Freundlich model. CONCLUSION: This study indicate that the use of RCS in constructed wetlands or filter beds is a promising solution for phosphorus removal via adsorption and precipitation mechanisms.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2010

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for normal body function and functions as an essential constituent of selenoproteins. This study was carried out to investigate effect of selenium on the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and tumor formation in a mouse model. Five-week old ICR mice were acclimated for one week and fed different selenium diet (0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 ppm) for 12 weeks. Animals received three intraperitoneal injections of azoxymethane (10 mg/kg B.W. in saline for 3 weeks), followed by 2% dextran sodium sulfate in the drinking water for a week. There were four experimental groups, including a normal control group and three different selenium levels groups. After sacrifice, the total numbers of aberrant crypt (AC) and ACF were measured in the colonic mucosa after methylene blue staining. The number of tumors was noted for tumor incidence. Liver selenium concentration was measured using ICP-AES method. Gutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was determined using a GPx assay kit in the liver and colon. TUNEL assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining were performed to examine the cell apoptosis and cell proliferation, respectively. Immunohistochemistry of $\beta$-catenin was also performed on the mucous membrane tissue of colon. The activity of GPx in the liver and colon was decreased in the selenium-deficient diet group while it was increased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. Apoptotic positive cells were increased in the selenium-overloaded diet group but decreased in the selenium-deficient diet group. PCNA staining area was decreased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. In addition, the $\beta$-catenin protein level in the selenium-deficient diet group was increased but decreased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. These results indicate that dietary selenium might exert a modulating effect on colon cancer by inhibiting the development of ACF and colon tumor formation in this mouse model.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2009

The demand for rainfall data in gridded digital formats has increased in recent years due to the close linkage between hydrological models and decision support systems using the geographic information system. One of the most widely used tools for digital rainfall mapping is the PRISM (parameter-elevation regressions on independent slopes model) which uses point data (rain gauge stations), a digital elevation model (DEM), and other spatial datasets to generate repeatable estimates of monthly and annual precipitation. In the PRISM, rain gauge stations are assigned with weights that account for other climatically important factors besides elevation, and aspects and the topographic exposure are simulated by dividing the terrain into topographic facets. The size of facet or grid cell resolution is determined by the density of rain gauge stations and a $5{\times}5km$ grid cell is considered as the lowest limit under the situation in Korea. The PRISM algorithms using a 270m DEM for South Korea were implemented in a script language environment (Python) and relevant weights for each 270m grid cell were derived from the monthly data from 432 official rain gauge stations. Weighted monthly precipitation data from at least 5 nearby stations for each grid cell were regressed to the elevation and the selected linear regression equations with the 270m DEM were used to generate a digital precipitation map of South Korea at 270m resolution. Among 1.25 million grid cells, precipitation estimates at 166 cells, where the measurements were made by the Korea Water Corporation rain gauge network, were extracted and the monthly estimation errors were evaluated. An average of 10% reduction in the root mean square error (RMSE) was found for any months with more than 100mm monthly precipitation compared to the RMSE associated with the original 5km PRISM estimates. This modified PRISM may be used for rainfall mapping in rainy season (May to September) at much higher spatial resolution than the original PRISM without losing the data accuracy.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.418-428
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance exercise(RE) on beta-amyloid(Aβ) metabolism, neuronal cell death, and cognitive function in the transgenic mice model of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Fourteen transgenic(tg) mice and fourteen non-transgenic(non-tg) mice were divided into four groups: (1)non-tg-control(NTC, n=7) (2)non-tg-RE(NTRE, n=7) (3)tg-control(TC, n=7), and (4)tg-RE(TRE, n=7). The groups with RE were performed to progressive RE on ladder equipment for 8 weeks. The groups with RE were performed to progressive RE on ladder equipment for 8 weeks. After then, the cognitive function was measured by using the water maze test, and Aβ metabolism-related proteins, neuronal cell death, and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway were also measured. Here, we found escape latency and time were significantly increased in the TC compared to the NTC group, but it was significantly reduced in the TRE group, indicating RE may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction. Next, we found an increased in Aβ protein of TC compared to NTC, but it was significantly reduced in the TRE group following RE. In neuronal cell death, Bcl-2 was also significantly decreased and Bax was significantly increased in the TC compared to the NTC group, but RE can increase Bcl-2 and reduce Bax, which may elevate the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. We further found a decrease in the level of ADAM10 and RARβ protein was significantly increased whereas increased in ROCK1 and BACE1 expression level was significantly reduced following RE in the TRE compared to the TC group. In addition, the level of SIRT1/PGC-1α proteins was decreased in the TC group compared to NTC group, but, these markers were significantly increased in the TRE group following RE. Therefore, our finding indicated that RE may ameliorate cognitive deficits by reducing Aβ protein and neuronal cell death via regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α, amyloidogenic pathway, and non-amyloidogenic pathway, which may play a role in an effective strategy for AD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.3
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• pp.259-270
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• 2020

Extreme weather events, such as heat and drought, have occurred frequently over the past two decades. This has led to continuous reports of cases of forest damage due to physiological stress, not pest damage. In 2014, pine trees were collectively damaged in the forest genetic resources reserve of Sogwang-ri, Uljin, South Korea. An investigation was launched to determine the causes of the dieback, so that a forest management plan could be prepared to deal with the current dieback, and to prevent future damage. This study aimedto 1) understand the topographic and structural characteristics of the area which experienced pine tree dieback, 2) identify the main causes of the dieback, and 3) predict future risk areas through the use of machine-learning techniques. A model for identifying risk areas was developed using 14 explanatory variables, including location, elevation, slope, and age class. When three machine-learning techniques-Decision Tree, Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were applied to the model, RF and SVM showed higher predictability scores, with accuracies over 93%. Our analysis of the variable set showed that the topographical areas most vulnerable to pine dieback were those with high altitudes, high daily solar radiation, and limited water availability. We also found that, when it came to forest stand characteristics, pine trees with high vertical stand densities (5-15 m high) and higher age classes experienced a higher risk of dieback. The RF and SVM models predicted that 9.5% or 115 ha of the Geumgang Pine Forest are at high risk for pine dieback. Our study suggests the need for further investigation into the vulnerable areas of the Geumgang Pine Forest, and also for climate change adaptive forest management steps to protect those areas which remain undamaged.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.40 no.3 s.108
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• pp.296-309
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• 2005

In this study, we investigated the change of future land-surface and relationships of land-surface change with geo-spatial information, using a Bayesian prediction model based on a likelihood ratio function, for analysing the land-surface change of the Gongju area. We classified the land-surface satellite images, and then extracted the changing area using a way of post classification comparison. land-surface information related to the land-surface change is constructed in a GIS environment, and the map of land-surface change prediction is made using the likelihood ratio function. As the results of this study, the thematic maps which definitely influence land-surface change of rural or urban areas are elevation, water system, population density, roads, population moving, the number of establishments, land price, etc. Also, thematic maps which definitely influence the land-surface change of forests areas are elevation, slope, population density, population moving, land price, etc. As a result of land-surface change analysis, center proliferation of old and new downtown is composed near Gum-river, and the downtown area will spread around the local roads and interchange areas in the urban area. In case of agricultural areas, a small tributary of Gum-river or an area of local roads which are attached with adjacent areas showed the high probability of change. Most of the forest areas are located in southeast and from this result we can guess why the wide chestnut-tree cultivation complex is located in these areas and the capability of forest damage is very high. As a result of validation using a prediction rate curve, a capability of prediction of urban area is $80\%$, agriculture area is $55\%$, forest area is $40\%$ in higher $10\%$ of possibility which the land-surface change would occur. This integration model is unsatisfactory to Predict the forest area in the study area and thus as a future work, it is necessary to apply new thematic maps or prediction models In conclusion, we can expect that this way can be one of the most essential land-surface change studies in a few years.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2004

Flat panel based digital radiography (DR) systems have recently become useful and important in the field of diagnostic radiology. For DRs with amorphous silicon photosensors, CsI(TI) is normally used as the scintillator, which produces visible light corresponding to the absorbed radiation energy. The visible light photons are converted into electric signal in the amorphous silicon photodiodes which constitute a two dimensional array. In order to produce good quality images, detailed behaviors of DR detectors to radiation must be studied. The relationship between air exposure and the DR outputs has been investigated in many studies. But this relationship was investigated under the condition of the fixed tube voltage. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the DR outputs and X-ray in terms of the absorbed energy in the detector rather than the air exposure using SPEC-l8, an X-ray energy spectrum model. Measured exposure was compared with calculated exposure for obtaining the inherent filtration that is a important input variable of SPEC-l8. The absorbed energy in the detector was calculated using algorithm of calculating the absorbed energy in the material and pixel values of real images under various conditions was obtained. The characteristic curve was obtained using the relationship of two parameter and the results were verified using phantoms made of water and aluminum. The pixel values of the phantom image were estimated and compared with the characteristic curve under various conditions. It was found that the relationship between the DR outputs and the absorbed energy in the detector was almost linear. In a experiment using the phantoms, the estimated pixel values agreed with the characteristic curve, although the effect of scattered photons introduced some errors. However, effect of a scattered X-ray must be studied because it was not included in the calculation algorithm. The result of this study can provide useful information about a pre-processing of digital radiography.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2005

Effects of co-solvent polarity, citric acid, pressure, temperature, run time, and co-solvent ratio on extraction of major flavonoids from Lonicera Flos were investigated using supercritical fluid $CO_{2}(SF-CO_{2})$. HPLC analysis revealed addition of pure methanol resulted in low extraction yield of major flavonoids, luteoloin (Lu), Quercetin (Qu), Apigenin (Ap). Under same condition, as co-solvent polarity increased, yields of major flavonoids increased gradually, At optimum co-solvent extraction condirion of 60% aqueous methanol (10%, v/v), yields of Lu, Qu, and Ap were 42.09, 28.18, and 3.49 mg/100 g, respectively. Addition of citric acid to 60% aqueous methanol gave higher, with addition of 1% citrie acid resulting in highest yields of 63.2 (Lu), 39.35 (Qu), and 5.79 (Ap) mg/100 g. Optimum extraction conditions of major flavonoids were 200 bar, $50^{\circ}C$, 60 min, and $CO_{2}$-methanol-water(20: 1.8: 1.2).