• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1970-1978
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to optimize the target, moderator, and collimator (TMC) in a neutron beam generator for the accelerator-based BNCT (A-BNCT) system. The optimization employed the Monte Carlo Neutron and Photon (MCNP) simulation. The optimal geometry for the target was decided as the one with the highest neutron flux among nominates, which were called as angled, rib, and tube in this study. The moderator was optimized in terms of consisting material to produce appropriate neutron energy distribution for the treatment. The optimization of the collimator, which wrapped around the target, was carried out by deciding the material to effectively prevent the leakage radiations. As results, characteristic of the neutron beam from the optimized TMC was compared to the recommendation by the International Atomic Energy Agent (IAEA). The tube type target showed the highest neutron flux among nominates. The optimal material for the moderator and collimator were combination of Fluental (Al₂0₃+AlF₃) with ⁶⁰Ni filter and lead, respectively. The optimized TMC satisfied the IAEA recommendations such as the minimum production rate of epithermal neutrons from thermal neutrons: that was 2.5 times higher. The results can be used as source terms for shielding designs of treatment rooms.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2016

We developed a flexible and micro-thick electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding nanofabric layer that also functions as a water resisting and heat sinking material. Electrospinning followed by a simple heat treatment process was carried on to produce the EMI-shielding Ni/C hybrid nanofibers. The ambient oxygen partial pressure ($pO_2$ = 0.1, 0.7, 1.3 Torr) applied during the heat treatment was varied in order to optimize the effectiveness of EMI-shielding by modifying the size and crystallinity of the magnetic Ni nanoparticles distributed throughout the C nanofibers. Permittivity and permeability of the nanofibers under the electromagnetic (EM) wave frequency range of 300 MHz~1 GHz were measured, which implied the EMI-shielding effectiveness (SE) optimization at $pO_2$ = 0.7 Torr during the heat treatment. The materials' heat diffusivity for both in-plane direction and vertical direction was measured to confirm the anisotropic thermal diffusivity that can effectively deliver and sink the local heat produced during device operations. Also, the nanofibers were aged at room temperature in oxygen ambient for water resisting function.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

Ex-situ reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride (CT) by iron sulfide in a batch reactor was characterized in this study. Reactor scaled-up by 3.5 L was used to investigate the effect of reductant concentration on removal efficiency and process optimization for ex-situ degradation. The experiment was conducted by using both liquid-phase and gas-phase volume at pH 8.5 in anaerobic condition. For 1 mM of initial CT concentration, the removal of the target compound was 98.9% at 6.0 g/L iron sulfide. Process optimization for ex-situ treatment was performed by checking the effect of transition metal and mixing time on synthesizing iron sulfide solution, and by determining of the regeneration time. The effect of Co(II) as transition metal was shown that the reaction rate was slightly improved but the improvement was not that outstanding. The result of determination on the regeneration time indicated that regenerating reductant capacity after $1^{st}$ treatment of target compound was needed. Due to the high removal rates of CT, ex-situ reductive dechlorination in batch reactor can be used for basic treatment for the chlorinated compounds.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2018

Process modeling with activated sludge models (ASMs) is useful for the design and operational improvement of biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes. Effective utilization of ASMs requires the influent fraction analysis (IFA) of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). However, this is difficult due to the time and cost involved in the design and operation steps, thereby declining the simulation reliability. Harmony Search (HS) algorithm was utilized herein to determine the relationships between composite variables and state variables of the model IWA ASM1. Influent fraction analysis was used in estimating fractions of the state variables of the WWTP influent and its application to 9 wastewater treatment processes in South Korea. The results of influent $S_s$ and $Xs+X_{BH}$, which are the most sensitive variables for design of activated sludge process, are estimated within the error ranges of 8.9-14.2% and 3.8-6.4%, respectively. Utilizing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) fraction analysis for influent wastewater, it was possible to predict the concentrations of treated organic matter and nitrogen in 9 full scale BNR processes with high accuracy. In addition, the results of daily influent fraction analysis (D-IFA) method were superior to those of the constant influent fraction analysis (C-IFA) method.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.125-142
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• 2012

Clean development mechanism (CDM) validity study was conducted to suggest better and more adaptable CDM scenario on water treatment plant (WTP). Potential four scenarios for CDM project; improvement of intake pumping efficiency, hydro power plant construction, solar panel construction and system optimization of mechanical mixing process were evaluated on S-WTP in Korea. Net present value (NPV) of each scenario was estimated based on sensitivity analysis with the variable factors to investigate the CDM validity percentile. Hydro power plant construction was the best option for CDM business with 97.76% validity and $1,127,069 mean profit by 9,813 $tonsCO_2e$/yr reduction. CDM validity on improvement of intake pumping efficiency was 90.2% with $124,305 mean profit by huge amount of $CO_2$ mitigation (10,347 $tonsCO_2e$/yr). System optimization of mechanical mixing process reduced 15% of energy consumption (3,184 $tonsCO_2e$/yr) and its CDM validity and mean profit was 77.25% and $23,942, respectively. Solar panel construction could make the effect of 14,094 $tonsCO_2$ mitigation annually and its CDM validity and mean profit was 64.68% and $228,487, respectively.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.546-552
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• 2020

In this study, optimization research was conducted through statistical analysis with the aim of maximizing the efficiency of organic matter reduction and hydrogen production by applying electrolysis process at sewage treatment plant. Statistical analysis and optimal operating conditions of organic matter removal efficiency and H2 generation, which varied with various conditions in the electrolysis process, were derived using response surface methodology. As a result, 1,268 μS/cm of conductivity, 350 A current, and pH 3.2 was found to be the optimum condition to reach the desired value as 38% of organic matter reduction and 2.58 L/min of H2 production. The experiment also determined that the optimization study was reliable. Base on this study, it was confirmed that the removal of organic matter and hydrogen production could be stably by applying the electrolysis process in the sewage treatment plant.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2015

Purpose: Corn is a major commercial crop targeted for genetic modification owing to its high consumer demand as a foodstuff for humans and livestock, as well as its other industrial applications. However, the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops is controversial. Indeed, several countries have banned the importation of GM seeds that can germinate. Therefore, development of effective, convenient, and nondestructive methods to inhibit seed germination is required. Methods: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of microwave heat treatment for inhibition of germination of corn kernels and for optimization of power and exposure time required for effective aging treatment. Artificial inhibition was induced in corn kernels using microwave heat treatment. Seven power levels were examined (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 W) at each of the four exposure times (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 min). Results: Corn kernels could be aged effectively after heating for 0.5~1.0 min at powers greater than 800 W, with increasing efficacy observed at higher powers. Further analysis showed that the most effective inhibition of germination was observed at 1000 W for 40 s. This setting did not cause any physical damage to the corn kernels. Conclusions: Optimal inhibition of corn kernel germination was achieved using higher power for shorter times, which may be useful for industrial corn seed treatment.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2021

Background and Objectives This study was undertaken to assess the stability and efficacy of laser therapy (808 nm), Liquiband (a commercial topical skin adhesive product), and a combination treatment, for application in oral ulcers. Materials and Methods The oral ulcer rat animal model was used to determine the efficacy of photobiomodulation, Liquiband, or combination therapy. Ulcers were induced by injecting 60% acetic acid in the oral mucosa. Three days after ulcer confirmation, the chemically induced ulcers were treated with either laser (808 nm), Liquiband, or a combination of both, every two days for 8 days (4 sessions). Combination therapy was performed by first treating with laser followed by application of the Liquiband. Reduction in ulcer area size was subsequently determined, and animals were sacrificed at 5 and 10 days after the last administration, for histological observation of the extracted oral ulcer tissue samples. Results In this study, treatment with either laser (808 nm) or commercial Liquiband product as well as the combined treatment significantly enhanced oral ulcer healing in the rat animal model. The effect of laser treatment is mainly attributed to collagen synthesis, whereas application of the Liquiband promotes vascularization and formation of granulation tissue. Our results indicate that further optimization of the combined therapy could synergistically and significantly enhance oral ulcer healing. Conclusion Laser or Liquiband treatment of oral ulcer in the rat animal model exert different outcomes, but both methods confirm significant effects relative to the untreated group. The combined treatment group with laser and Liquiband showed marked oral ulcer healing, but further optimization is required to get highly significant results and establish the potential synergistic effect of the combination therapy, as compared to the individual enhancing effects of healing oral ulcers.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.10
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• pp.1577-1583
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• 2018

Tumor-treating fields therapy involves placing pads onto the patient's skin to create a low- intensity (1 - 3 V/cm), intermediate frequency (100 - 300 kHz), alternating electric field to treat cancerous tumors. This new treatment modality has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA to treat patients with both newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma. To deliver the prescribed electric field intensity to the tumor while minimizing exposure of organs at risk, we developed an optimization method for the electric field distribution in the body and compared the electric field distribution in the body before and after application of this optimization algorithm. To determine the electric field distribution in the body before optimization, we applied the same electric potential to all pairs of electric pads located on opposite sides of models. We subsequently adjusted the intensity of the electric field to each pair of pads to optimize the electric field distribution in the body, resulting in the prescribed electric field intensity to the tumor while minimizing electric fields at organs at risk. A comparison of the electric field distribution within the body before and after optimization showed that application of the optimization algorithm delivered a therapeutically effective electric field to the tumor while minimizing the average and the maximum field strength applied to organs at risk. Use of this optimization algorithm when planning tumor-treating fields therapy should maintain or increase the intensity of the electric field applied to the tumor while minimizing the intensity of the electric field applied to organs at risk. This would enhance the effectiveness of tumor-treating fields therapy while reducing dangerous side effects.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 1998

IMRT optimization method on multiple slice has been developed by using gradient based algorithm. On about 10-30 CT slices including treatment region of a patient, dose optimization has been performed slice by slice to meet the condition that each organ should be exposed below maximum tolerable doses and that the tumor dose within the range of 100$\pm$5 %. Field size was limited to 8$\times$8 cm$^2$ and in this condition, beam divergence was not taken into account to calculate dose distribution. Total dose distribution was calculated by superposing each beamlet whose dose distribution had been precalculated. In order to investigate beam number dependency, dose optimization was performed for one, three, five, seven, and nine coplanar beams and then each optimization index was evaluated. It is found that optimization time was proportional to number of slices to be optimized, and the most efficient plan was obtained from the case of three-to-seven incident beams with respect to calculation time and optimization index. In conclusion, dose optimization of multiple slice was able to be obtained by repeating dose optimization of single slice under condition that the beam size is not too large to ignore beam divergence. And it turns out that result of dose optimization was so sensitive to the position of isocenter that some method to optimize isocenter position is needed to improve it.