• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2020

Purpose: In this study, the accuracies of electron Monte Carlo (eMC) calculation algorithms were evaluated to determine whether electron beams were modeled by optional air profiles (APs) designed for each applicator size. Methods: Electron beams with the energies of 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV for VitalBeam (Varian Medical System, Palo Alto, CA, USA) and 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV for Clinac iX (Varian Medical System) were used. Optional APs were measured at the source-to-detector distance of 95 cm with jaw openings appropriate for each machine, electron beam energy, and applicator size. The measured optional APs were postprocessed and converted into the w2CAD format. Then, the electron beams were modeled and calculated with and without optional APs. Measured profiles, percentage depth doses, penumbras with respect to each machine, and energy were compared to calculated dose distributions. Results: For VitalBeam, the profile differences between the measurement and calculation were reduced by 0.35%, 0.15%, 0.14%, and 0.38% at 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV, respectively, when the beams were modeled with APs. For Clinac iX, the differences were decreased by 0.16%, -0.31%, 0.94%, 0.42%, and 0.74%, at 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV, respectively, with the insertion of APs. Of note, no significant improvements in penumbra and percentage depth dose were observed, although the beam models were configured with APs. Conclusions: The accuracy of the eMC calculation can be improved in profiles when electron beams are modeled with optional APs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2013

Glandular and nonglandular trichomes on the leaf surface of Plectranthus tomentosa were investigated by variable pressure field emission scanning electron microscopy (VP-FESEM). The segments of the plant's leaves were directly mounted without any specimen preparation, and examined at ambient temperature using a variable pressure secondary electron (SE) detector under ca. 15 Pa. Foliar trichomes maintained their shapes and structures without severe surface collapse or charging. The adaxial leaf surface was abundantly covered with different types of trichome. Nonglandular trichomes consisted of a basal cell and a long (up to ca. $300{\mu}m$) stalk. Meanwhile, capitate glandular trichomes had a secretory head and a short or long stalk. Peltate glandular trichomes with globose secretory heads were observed in close contact with the leaf epidermis. Spherical projections on the secretory head showed the secretion process of glandular trichomes. In addition to the trichomes, oval stomata were distributed on the abaxial leaf surface. These results suggest that ambient VP-FESEM can be used to classify the dehydration-sensitive foliar trichomes of succulent plants by SE imaging. At the FESEM resolution, this approach facilitates the rapid and detailed morphological analysis of a variety of trichomes in diverse plant taxa with reduced labor and preparation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.4246-4251
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• 2023

The optimized design of a Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) system, including Delayed Gamma NAA (DGNAA) and Prompt Gamma NAA (PGNAA), has been proposed in this research based on Mevex Linac with 5 MeV electron energy and 50 kW power as a neutron source. Based on the MCNPX 2.6 simulation, the optimized configuration contains; tungsten as an electron-photon converter, BeO as a photoneutron target, BeD₂ and plexiglass as moderators, and graphite as a reflector and collimator, as well as lead as a gamma shield. The obtained thermal neutron flux at the beam port is equal to 2.06 × 10⁹ (# /cm².s). In addition, using the optimized neutron beam, the detection limit has been calculated for some elements such as H-1, B-10, Na-23, Al-27, and Ti-48. The HPGe Coaxial detector has been used to measure gamma rays emitted by nuclides in the sample. By the results, the proposed system can be an appropriate solution to measure the concentration and toxicity of elements in different samples such as food, soil, and plant samples.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.4167-4172
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• 2023

Miniaturized tissue equivalent proportional counters (mini-TEPCs) are proper for radiation dosimetry in medical application because the small size of the dosimeter could prevent pile-up effect under the high intensity of therapeutic beam. However, traditional methods of calibrating mini-TEPCs using internal alpha sources are not feasible due to their small size. In this study, we investigated the use of electron and proton edges on Monte Carlo-generated lineal energy spectra as markers for calibrating a 0.9 mm diameter and length mini-TEPC. Three possible markers for each spectrum were calculated and compared using different simulation tools. Our simulations showed that the electron edge markers were more consistent across different simulation tools than the proton edge markers, which showed greater variation due to differences in the microdosimetric spectra. In most cases, the second marker, y_δδ, had the smallest uncertainty. Our findings suggest that the lineal energy spectra from mini-TEPCs can be calibrated using Monte Carlo simulations that closely resemble real-world detector and source geometries.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.408-414
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• 1999

A selective and sensitive method for the derivatization of total homocysteine (Hcy) and the related compounds in plasma by gas chromatograph (GC)-electron capture detector (ECD) has been developed. To determine total homocysteine, cysteine (Cys), and methionine (Met) in human plasma using GC-ECD, analytes were reduced and converted into their N(O,S)-ethylearbonyl pentafluoropropyl (PFP) ester by derivatization with ethyl chloroformate and pentafluoropropyl alcohol (PFP-OH) in plasma. The best derivatizing agent N(O,S)-ethyl carbonyl PFP ester, was chosen by comparing the sensitivity of derivatized analysis in GC-ECD. The derivatized analytes in plasma were extracted by chloroform, and subsequently back-extracted with hexane and analyzed by GC-ECD. The calibration carves ($R^2$ > 0.990) were linear over the range $5-50{\mu}mol/L$ of Hcy and Met, $40-400{\mu}mol/L$ of Cys spiked in plasma. The detection limit observed by the established method was below $0.5{\mu}mol/L$. This method is highly sensitive and specific in the analysis of Hcy, Cys, and Met. Therefore, we suggest that this method is appropriate in the analysis of trace concentration of Hcy, Cys, and Met in biological fluids.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2006

In this study, a series of experiments were conducted using a standard solution containing ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-endosulfan to follow the removal effect of residual pesticides on soil and aqueous solution. An analytical method for residual pesticides was established by a gas chromatography equipped Ultra II[$(30m{\times}0.25mm(ID){\times}0.25{\mu}m$] capillary column and a ${\mu}$-electron capture detector(${\mu}$-ECD). Recovery rates of residual pesticides for soil samples were 96-100%. The amount of ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-endosulfan that was spread in the soil was checked for various period of time. It indicated that the amount was reduced to 73 and 61%, respectively. When the water spread amount increased from 10 to 100 mL, ${\alpha}$-endosulfan was eliminated from 45 to 85% and while ${\beta}$-endosulfan from 44 to 88%. Removal rates of ${\alpha}$-endosulfan and ${\beta}$-endosulfan were 99% and 98% respectively within 30 minutes. It was assumed that the organic salts and strong alkali elements contained in the pesticide degradator hydrolyzed the residual pesticide.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2009

The superlattice infrared photodetector (SLIP) with an active layer of 8/8-ML InAs/GaSb type-II strained-layer superlattice (SLS) of 150 periods was grown by MBE technique, and the proto-type discrete device was defined with an aperture of $200-{\mu}m$ diameter. The contrast profile of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) image and the satellite peak in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curve show that the SLS active layer keeps abrupt interfaces with a uniform thickness and a periodic strain. The wavelength and the bias-voltage dependences of responsivity (R) and detectivity ($D^*$) measured by a blackbody radiation source give that the cutoff wavelength is ${\sim}5{\mu}m$, and the maximum Rand $D^*$ ($\lambda=3.25{\mu}m$) are ${\sim}10^3mA/W$ (-0.6 V/13 K) and ${\sim}10^9cm.Hz^{1/2}/W$ (0 V/13 K), respectively. The activation energy of 275 meV analyzed from the temperature dependent responsivity is in good agreement with the energy difference between two SLS subblevels of conduction and valence bands (HH1-C) involving in the photoresponse process.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2014

Next Generation Small Satellite-1 (NEXTSat-1) is scheduled to launch in 2017 and Instruments for the Study of Space Storm (ISSS) is planned to be onboard the NEXTSat-1. High Energy Particle Detector (HEPD) is one of the equipment comprising ISSS and the main objective of HEPD is to measure the high energy particles streaming into the Earth radiation belt during the event of a space storm, especially, electrons and protons, to obtain the flux information of those particles. For the design of HEPD, the Geometrical Factor was calculated to be 0.05 to be consistent with the targets of measurement and the structure of telescope with field of view of $33.4^{\circ}$ was designed using this factor. In order to decide the thickness of the detector sensor and the classification of the detection channels, a simulation was performed using GEANT4. Based on the simulation results, two silicon detectors with 1 mm thickness were selected and the aluminum foil of 0.05 mm is placed right in front of the silicon detectors to shield low energy particles. The detection channels are divided into an electron channel and two proton channels based on the measured LET of the particle. If the measured LET is less than 0.8 MeV, the particle belongs to the electron channel, otherwise it belongs to proton channels. HEPD is installed in the direction of $0^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ against the along-track of a satellite to enable the efficient measurement of high energy particles. HEPD detects electrons with the energy of 0.1 MeV to several MeV and protons with the energy of more than a few MeV. Thus, the study on the dynamic mechanism of these particles in the Earth radiation belt will be performed.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2013

We tested for residual pesticide levels in dried vegetables in Seoul, Korea. A total of 100 samples of 13 different types of agricultural products were analyzed by a gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphate detector (GC-NPD), an electron capture detector (GC-${\mu}ECD$), a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MSD), and a high performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). We used multi-analysis methods to analyze for 253 different pesticide types. Among the selected agricultural products, residual pesticides were detected in 11 samples, of which 2 samples (2.0%) exceeded the Korea Maximum Residue limits (MRLs). We detected pesticide residue in 6 of 9 analyzed dried pepper leaves and 1 sample exceeded the Korea MRLs. Data obtained were then used for estimating the potential health risks associated with the exposures to these pesticides. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) range from 0.1% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for bifenthrin to 8.4% of the ADI for cadusafos. The most critical commodity is cadusafos in chwinamul, contributing 8.4% to the hazard index (HI). This results show that the detected pesticides could not be considered a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, an investigation into continuous monitoring is recommended.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.82-82
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• 2012

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) is a powerful tool to investigate the electronic structure of a single-crystalline solid. After the development of a two-dimensional electron detector, it became a basic experimental method in solid state physics comparable to other powerful tools such as x-ray and neutron scatterings. In this tutorial, I talk briefly on the basic principle of ARPES and its recent and future direction of development.