• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 2016

We develop a manufacture procedure for the production of a patient specific customized bolus (PSCB) using a 3D printer (3DP). The dosimetric accuracy of the 3D-PSCB is evaluated for electron beam therapy. In order to cover the required planning target volume (PTV), we select the proper electron beam energy and the field size through initial dose calculation using a treatment planning system. The PSCB is delineated based on the initial dose distribution. The dose calculation is repeated after applying the PSCB. We iteratively fine-tune the PSCB shape until the plan quality is sufficient to meet the required clinical criteria. Then the contour data of the PSCB is transferred to an in-house conversion software through the DICOMRT protocol. This contour data is converted into the 3DP data format, STereoLithography data format and then printed using a 3DP. Two virtual patients, having concave and convex shapes, were generated with a virtual PTV and an organ at risk (OAR). Then, two corresponding electron treatment plans with and without a PSCB were generated to evaluate the dosimetric effect of the PSCB. The dosimetric characteristics and dose volume histograms for the PTV and OAR are compared in both plans. Film dosimetry is performed to verify the dosimetric accuracy of the 3D-PSCB. The calculated planar dose distribution is compared to that measured using film dosimetry taken from the beam central axis. We compare the percent depth dose curve and gamma analysis (the dose difference is 3%, and the distance to agreement is 3 mm) results. No significant difference in the PTV dose is observed in the plan with the PSCB compared to that without the PSCB. The maximum, minimum, and mean doses of the OAR in the plan with the PSCB were significantly reduced by 9.7%, 36.6%, and 28.3%, respectively, compared to those in the plan without the PSCB. By applying the PSCB, the OAR volumes receiving 90% and 80% of the prescribed dose were reduced from $14.40cm^3$ to $0.1cm^3$ and from $42.6cm^3$ to $3.7cm^3$, respectively, in comparison to that without using the PSCB. The gamma pass rates of the concave and convex plans were 95% and 98%, respectively. A new procedure of the fabrication of a PSCB is developed using a 3DP. We confirm the usefulness and dosimetric accuracy of the 3D-PSCB for the clinical use. Thus, rapidly advancing 3DP technology is able to ease and expand clinical implementation of the PSCB.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2009

The applicability of a well-type autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing reactive barrier (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $3m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) as a long-term treatment option for nitrate removal in groundwater was evaluated. Pilot-scale (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $8m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) flow-tank experiments were conducted to examine remedial efficacy of the well-type reactive barrier. A total of 80 kg sulfur granules as an electron donor and Thiobacillus denitrificans as an active bacterial species were prepared. Thiobacillus denitrificans was successfully colonized on the surface of the sulfur granules and the microflora transformed nitrate with removal efficiency of ~12% (0.07 mM) for 11 days, ~24% (1.3 mM) for 18 days, ~45% (2.4 mM) for 32 days, and ~52% (2.8 mM) for 60 days. Sulfur granules attached to Thiobacillus denitrificans were used to construct the well-type reactive barrier comprising three discrete barriers installed at 1-m interval downstream. Average initial nitrate concentrations were 181 mg/L for the first 28 days and 281 mg/L for the next 14 days. For the 181 mg/L (2.9 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~2% (0.06 mM), ~9% (0.27 mM), and ~15% (0.44 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. For the 281 mg/L (4.5 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~1% (0.02 mM), ~6% (0.27 mM), and ~8% (0.37 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. Nitrate plume was flowed through the flow-tank for 49 days by supplying $1.24\;m^3/d$ of nitrate solution. During nitrate treatment, flow velocity (0.44 m/d), pH (6.7 to 8.3), and DO (0.9~2.8 mg/L) showed little variations. Incomplete destruction of nitrate plume was attributed to the lack of retention time, rarely transverse dispersion, and inhibiting the activity of denitrification enzymes caused by relatively high DO concentrations. For field applications, it should be considered increments of retention time, modification of well placements, and intrinsic DO concentration.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.362-367
• /
• 1997

A field experiment was conducted to determine an optimum control time of water foxtail(Alopecurus aequalis var. amurensis Ohwi), a most troublesome weed, in no-tillage dry seeded rice. Paraquat, a non-selective herbicide, was applied at 1.5 days interval from March 15 to May 15 at a concentration of 3,000ml per hectar and its control efficacy to A. aequalis was recorded before and after seed sowing. In addition. other characters such as decayed injury of A. aequalis to rice seedling, and its influence of seedling stand were also investigated in relation to rice grain yield. Dry weight of A. aequalis was rapidly increased with delay in control time from 42g/$m^2$at March 15 to 237g/$m^2$ at May 15. The amount of its regrowth at seeding time was highest with 68.3g, when paraquat was applied at March 15, then decreased thereafter and it was less than 6.2g when paraquat was applied after April 15 which indicates above 98% control rate. The control rate of A. aequalis, at 30 days after paraquat application way likewise similar to that the seeding time. Rice seedling stands in the plot treated with paraquat before April 15 were not affected by decayed injury of A. aequalis while decayed injury of 3 to 4 degree for those after April 30 application was noted. Dwarf virus disease on rice seedling due to occurrence of A. aequalis was not observed when A. aequalis was controled from March 30 to May 15 while it was occurred in the plot of March 15 application and the untreated control. The control plot of A. aequalis at April 15 had the highest grain yield with 4.79ton/10a. Based on control rate of A. aequalis, seedling stands of rice, virus disease, and rice grain yield, the most suitable control time of A. aequalis in no-tillage dry seeded rice is considered to be about April 15.