• Advances in environmental research
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.87-107
• /
• 2018

Water quality monitoring network needs periodic evaluations based on environmental demands and financial constraints. We used a genetic algorithm to optimize the existing water quality monitoring stations on the Sefid-Rud River, which is located in the North of Iran. Our objective was to optimize the existing stations for drinking and irrigation purposes, separately. The technique includes two stages called data preparation and the optimization. On the data preparation stage, first the basin was divided into four sections and each section was consisted of some stations. Then, the score of each station was computed using the data provided by the water Research Institute of the Ministry of energy. After that, we applied a weighting method by providing questionnaires to ask the experts to define the significance of each parameter. In the next step, according to the scores, stations were prioritized cumulatively. Finally, the genetic algorithm was applied to identify the best combination. The results indicated that out of 21 existing monitoring stations, 14 stations should remain in the network for both irrigation and drinking purposes. The results also had a good compliance with the previous studies which used dynamic programming as the optimization technique.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.109-122
• /
• 2014

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane is widely used for water treatment. However, the weak mechanical strength of PVDF limits its application. To enhance its tensile strength, a double-layer composite hollow fiber membrane, with PVDF and polyetherimide as the external and inner layers, respectively, was successfully prepared through phase inversion technique. The effects of additive content, air gap distance, N,N-dimethyl-acetamide content in the inner core liquid, and the temperature of external coagulation bath on the membrane structure, permeation flux, rejection, tensile strength, and porosity were determined. Experimental results showed that the optimum preparation conditions for the double-layer composite hollow fiber membrane were as follows: PEG-400 and PEG-600, 5 wt%; air gap distance, 10 cm; inner core liquid and the external coagulation bath should be water; and temperature of the external coagulation bath, 40 C. A single layer PVDF hollow fiber membrane (without PEI layer) was also prepared under optimum conditions. The double-layer composite membrane remarkably improved the tensile strength compared with the single-layer PVDF hollow fiber membrane. The permeation flux, rejection, and porosity were also slightly enhanced. High-tensile strength hollow fiber PVDF ultrafiltration membrane can be fabricated using the proposed technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.46-54
• /
• 2012

One major safety issue of surface operations is the occurrence of runway incursions. Runway incursions are the consequence of multiple operational and/or environmental factors. Human error is known to contribute to almost every runway incursion. One major contributing factor for runway incursion is crew's lack of situational awareness during airport surface operations, induced by weather considerations, by complex airport factors or by crew technique itself; it is also caused by ATC issues. Various airport factors may affect pilot situational awareness, distract the crew, or lead to crew confusion. The recommendations to avoid runway incursions are manifold; Proper Crew's CRM/TEM skills, adequate communication technique, proper knowledge of airport surface markings, lights and signs and preparation of preparation of expected taxi out/in routing. Also runway incursion risk assessment on specific airport before flight may lead to aware of risk level and contribute to prevent runway incursion.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.489-494
• /
• 2013

Nano-sized titanium oxide powders were synthesized by a polymer matrix technique using pulp and Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) as starting materials. The synthesized powders were characterized by XRD and FE-SEM. The particle size of the powders was controlled by preparation conditions, such as heat treatment temperature and time. After investigating various drying and heat treatment conditions, 50-100 nm sized homogeneous titanium oxide particles were obtained by treating at $600^{\circ}C$ for 1 h. The crystallization and rapid growth of particles was accelerated by increasing heat treatment temperature and time. Anatase phase generated below $600^{\circ}C$ transformed to the rutile phase with increasing heat treatment temperature. Moreover, above $800^{\circ}C$, heat treatment time had a very large influence on particle growth, and changing the heating condition also had a large influence on crystal growth.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.535-542
• /
• 1993

It was investigated in this study that a preparation method, activation energy, surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution and DTA analysis of the dry gel in process of producing monolithic porous gel in Li2O-Al2O3-TiO2-SiO2 system by the sol-gel technique using metal alkoxides. Activation energy for gellation according to the variation of water concentration and the kind of catalysts ranged from 10 to 20kcal/mole. Monolithic dry gels were prepared after drying at 9$0^{\circ}C$ when the amount of water for gellation was 4~8 times more than the stoichiometric amount, that was necessary for the full hydrolysis of the mixed metal alkoxide. The specific surface area, the pore volume, the average pore radius of the dried gel at 18$0^{\circ}C$ according to the various kinds of catalyst were about 348~734$m^2$/g, 0.35~0.70ml/g and 10~35$\AA$, respectively. It showed that the dry gels were porous body. As a result ofthe analysis of DTA, it was confirmed that the exothermaic peaks at 715$^{\circ}C$ and 77$0^{\circ}C$ was clue to the crystallization of dried gel.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.53.1-53.11
• /
• 2020

Objectives: This study investigated the incidence of root dentin defects after the use of different post space preparation (PSP) drills. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two bovine incisors were selected and obtained 14-mm-long root sections. Twelve roots served as controls with no intervention (G1). The 60 root canals remaining were instrumented using the crown-down technique with the ProTaper Next system and obturated using the lateral condensation technique. Specimens were randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 12) according to the operative steps performed: G2, root canal instrumentation and filling (I+F); G3, I+F and PSP with Gates-Glidden drills; G4, I+FI+F and PSP with Largo-Peeso reamers; G5, I+F and PSP with Exacto drill; and G6, I+F and PSP with WhitePost drill. Roots were sectioned at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm from the apex, and digital images were captured. The presence of root dentin defects was recorded. Data were analyzed by the χ² test, with p < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Root dentin defects were observed in 39.6% of the root sections. No defects were observed in G1. G5 had significantly more cracks and craze lines than G1, G2, and G3 (p < 0.05), and more fractures than G1, G2, G3, and G4 (p < 0.05). When all root sections were analyzed together, significantly more defects were observed at the 12-mm level than at the 3-mm level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PSP drills caused defects in the root dentin. Gates-Glidden drills caused fewer root defects than Largo-Peeso reamers and Exacto drills.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.619-627
• /
• 1996

There are increasing use of composite resin in the posterior teeth and the new indirect inlay technique was introduced for compensating much troubles faced in direct technique. Many researchers insisted that overall properties of restorative materials were enhanced by an additional curing but this technique still has a problems about using cement material. Resin inlay obtains retention force from friction and another adhesion to tooth structure. A shape of cavity preparation was noted but studies about cement thickness and bond strength with cavity divergency are rare. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of cavity divergency on cement thickness and bond strength of resin inlay. Cavities, which divergency was $6^{\circ}$, $16^{\circ}$, and $26^{\circ}$ in each group, were prepared and their divergency was verified by Adobe Photoshop program through the image capture with stereo microscope and FlexCam. Inlays were fixed into the cavities with a resin cement, Superbond and were handled under chemical (in 75% ethanol for 24 hrs.) and thermal stress (500 cycles from $5^{\circ}$ to $55^{\circ}C$). MXT 70 (x400) was used for measuring the cement thickness and bond strength was evaluated with a universal testing machine. Following results were obtained : 1. The cement thickness in Mean (S.D.) were; 35.58 (10.31)${\mu}m$ in $6^{\circ}$ group, 35.97 (10.49)${\mu}m$ in $16^{\circ}$ group, and 41.43 (9.33)${\mu}m$ in $26^{\circ}$ group. But there was no significant difference between groups. 2. The bond strength in Mean (S.D.) were ; 33.18 (5.53)kg in $6^{\circ}$ group, 23.47 (13.40)kg in $16^{\circ}$ group, and 19.75 (10.48)kg in $26^{\circ}$ group. $6^{\circ}$ group showed significantly higher value compared to $16^{\circ}$ and $26^{\circ}$ groups (p<0.05). Although the results of this study indicate $6^{\circ}$ divergency will be good for resin inlay, cavity preparation with this type will have lots of difficulties in manufacturing, try-in, and cementation procedures, such as deformation. So it is concluded that $16^{\circ}$ divergent cavity preparation is recommended in resin inlay technique.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.85-96
• /
• 1994

In this study, 24 curved resin blocks were prepared by one of the following four methods: 1) Conventional technique using K-flexo files 2) Step-back technique using K-flexo files 3) Crown-down technique using K-flexo files 4) Canal Master instrumentation using Canal Master Resin blocks were sectioned, photographed, and evaluated the mean centering ratio and the mean area of dentin removed before and after the instrumentation. The results were as follows : I. the mean centering ratio 1. In the level 1 and level 3, there was no significant difference in the mean centering ratio. 2. In the level 2, Step-back technique showed the worst mean centering ratio among the tested groups(p<0.001) and there was no significant difference between the other three groups. 3. In the level 4, Canal Master instrumentation and Step-back technique showed better mean centering ratio than the other two techniques(p<0.001) and there was no significant difference between the two techniques. II. the mean area of dentin removed 1. In the level l and level 3, there was no significant difference in the mean area of dentin removed. 2. In the level 2, Canal Master instrumentation removed less dentin than the other three techniques(P<0.01). 3. In the level 4, Crown-down technique removed less dentin than the other three techniques(P<0.05).

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.67-96
• /
• 2011

Studies in scientific visualization have disclosed a visual chain among many scientific visualizations, which starts from the photographs that have many details to diagrams that enable scientists to make specific claims due to their abstract characters. Located at both ends of the visual chain, photographs and diagrams are regarded as being different kinds and having different characteristics. The photographs - or microphotographs to be precise - that this paper discusses, however, had been removed of unnecessary details and were prepared with carful attention to illustrative functions that diagrams usually perform. Following microphotographic changes in a Korean laboratory, this article shows that the knowledge of specimen preparation was transmitted from an American leading group to the Korean laboratory through a direct contact, and that with this, the technique of taking microphotographs of the laboratory was much improved. The specimen preparation method is, however, a tacit knowledge that is invisible in both group's papers. This article argues that the method of specimen preparation is the driving force that made the microphotographs act like carefully prepared diagrams and acquire objectivity.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2017

Objectives: To determine the optimal timing for post space preparation of root canals sealed with epoxy resin-based AH Plus sealer in terms of its polymerization and influence on apical leakage. Materials and Methods: The epoxy polymerization of AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey) as a function of time after mixing (8, 24, and 72 hours, and 1 week) was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microhardness measurements. The change in the glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of the material with time was also investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fifty extracted human single-rooted premolars were filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus, and randomly separated into five groups (n = 10) based on post space preparation timing (immediately after root canal obturation and 8, 24, and 72 hours, and 1 week after root canal obturation). The extent of apical leakage (mm) of the five groups was compared using a dye leakage test. Each dataset was statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test (${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: Continuous epoxy polymerization of the material with time was observed. Although the $T_g$ values of the material gradually increased with time, the specimens presented no clear $T_g$ value at 1 week after mixing. When the post space was prepared 1 week after root canal obturation, the leakage was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05), among which there was no significant difference in leakage. Conclusions: Poor apical seal was detected when post space preparation was delayed until 1 week after root canal obturation.