• 제목/요약/키워드: step coverage

검색결과 186건 처리시간 0.032초

Deposition and Characteristics of TiN Thin Films by Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE 법에 의한 TiN 박막의 증착 및 특성)

  • Kim, Dong-Jin;Jung, Young-Bae;Lee, Myung-Bok;Lee, Jung-Hee;Lee, Yong-Hyun;Hahm, Sung-Ho;Lee, Jong-Hwa
    • Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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    • 제37권6호
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    • pp.43-49
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    • 2000
  • The TiN thin films were deposited by ALE(atomic layer epitaxy) on (100) silicon substrate. The TiN thin films were characterized by means of XRD, 4-point probe, AFM, AES and SEM. TEMAT(terakis(ethyl methy lamino)titanium) and $NH_3$ were injected into the reactor in sequence of TEMAT-$N_2-NH_3-N_2$ to ensure a saturated surface reaction. As a result, the depostion rate of the TiN film was controlled by self-limiting growth mechanism at temperature range form 150 to 220 $^{\circ}C$. Deposited TiN films, all of which show amorphous structure, had a fixed deposition rate of 4.5 ${\AA}$/cycle. The resistivity of 210 ~ 230 ${\mu}{\Omega}{\cdot}$cm and the surface r.m.s. roughness of 7.9 ~ 9.3 ${\AA}$ were measured. When TiN film of 2000 ${\AA}$ were deposited, a excellent step coverage were observed in a trench structure of 0.43${\mu}m$ contacts with 6:1 aspect ratio.

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Wheel tread defect detection for high-speed trains using FBG-based online monitoring techniques

  • Liu, Xiao-Zhou;Ni, Yi-Qing
    • Smart Structures and Systems
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    • 제21권5호
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    • pp.687-694
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    • 2018
  • The problem of wheel tread defects has become a major challenge for the health management of high-speed rail as a wheel defect with small radius deviation may suffice to give rise to severe damage on both the train bogie components and the track structure when a train runs at high speeds. It is thus highly desirable to detect the defects soon after their occurrences and then conduct wheel turning for the defective wheelsets. Online wheel condition monitoring using wheel impact load detector (WILD) can be an effective solution, since it can assess the wheel condition and detect potential defects during train passage. This study aims to develop an FBG-based track-side wheel condition monitoring method for the detection of wheel tread defects. The track-side sensing system uses two FBG strain gauge arrays mounted on the rail foot, measuring the dynamic strains of the paired rails excited by passing wheelsets. Each FBG array has a length of about 3 m, slightly longer than the wheel circumference to ensure a full coverage for the detection of any potential defect on the tread. A defect detection algorithm is developed for using the online-monitored rail responses to identify the potential wheel tread defects. This algorithm consists of three steps: 1) strain data pre-processing by using a data smoothing technique to remove the trends; 2) diagnosis of novel responses by outlier analysis for the normalized data; and 3) local defect identification by a refined analysis on the novel responses extracted in Step 2. To verify the proposed method, a field test was conducted using a test train incorporating defective wheels. The train ran at different speeds on an instrumented track with the purpose of wheel condition monitoring. By using the proposed method to process the monitoring data, all the defects were identified and the results agreed well with those from the static inspection of the wheelsets in the depot. A comparison is also drawn for the detection accuracy under different running speeds of the test train, and the results show that the proposed method can achieve a satisfactory accuracy in wheel defect detection when the train runs at a speed higher than 30 kph. Some minor defects with a depth of 0.05 mm~0.06 mm are also successfully detected.

Wear and corrosion coatings by MO-PACVD and dual plasma processes (MO-PACVD 및 복합 플라즈마 공정에 의한 내마모 내식성 코팅)

  • 김선규
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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    • 한국표면공학회 1999년도 추계학술발표회 초록집
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    • pp.3-4
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    • 1999
  • 최근 산업이 고속도화, 고능률화 및 고정멸화의 추세로 발전함에 따라 우수한 내마모성, 인성, 고온 안정성 및 내구성을 갖는 공구 및 금형을 요구하게 되었다. 그러나 이와같은 성질들은 어떤 단일 재료에서는 얻을 수 없으며 적당한 기판공구나 금혈위에 내마모성 보호피막을 coating함으로 비교적 저렴하게 얻을 수 있다. 화학증착법으로 TiC, TiN등을 증착시킬때에는 $1000^{\circ}C$정도의 반응온도가 필요하며 이러한 증착온도는 모재가 초경합금일때는 문제가 안되나 강재일 경우 모재의 연화와 칫수변화의 문제를 야기시킨다. 최근에는 플라즈마를 사용하여 증착반응온도를 $550^{\circ}C$ 이하로 낮추는 플라즈마 화학 증착볍(PACVD)이 대두되고 있다. 그러나 이 방법어서 는 뚱착하려는 금속원소가 TiCl4의 형태로 공급되고 있으므로 생성된 층이 염소를 포함하고 있다. 이 층에 잔존하는 염소는 층의 기계적 성질을 저하시키고 층내의 stress를 유발시킨다. 또한 HCI개스의 생성으로 인하여 펌프 및 장비의 부식이 촉진 된다 이러한 결점을 극복하기 위하여 금속유기화합물 전구체(metallo-organic precursor)로 $TiCl_4$를 대체하고자 하는 연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있으며 본 연구실에서 이에 대하여 연구한 결과를 소개하고자 한다. diethylamino titanium을 전구체로 사용하여 $H_2,\;N_2,\;Ar$분위기하에서 pulsed d.c.를 사용하는 MO-PACVD에 의하여 $150~250^{\circ}C$의 저온에서 Al 2024 기판에 TiCN층 형 성을 하였다. 전구체 증발온도는 $74~78^{\circ}C$의 온도범위어야 하며 고경도의 코탱층은 54% duty, 14.2kHz, 450V의 조건에서 얻어졌으며 duty, 주파수, 전압이 증가함에 따라 경도는 저하되었다. 이때의 표면 morphology를 SEM으로 조사한바 dome structure가 크게 발달되었음을 알 수 있었다. 본 실험의 온도 범위내에서 얻은 TiCN 증착반응의 활성화에너지는 7.5Kcal/mol이었다. 증착된 TiCN층은 우수한 내마모섣을 나타내었으며 스크래치테스트 결과 17N의 엄계하중을 나타내었다. 본 연구에서 변화 시킨 duty, 주파수, 전압의 범위에서는 층의 밀착력은 크게 변화하지 않았다. titanium isopropoxide를 전구체로 사용하여 Hz, Nz 분위기하에서 d.c.를 사용하는 MO-PACVD에 의하여 Ti(NCO) 코팅층을 SKDll, SKD61, SKH9 공구강에 형성시키는 공정을 개발하였다. 최적의 Ti(NCO) 코탱층을 얻기 위해 유입전구체 부피%의 양은 향착압력의 5%를 넘지 않아야 되고 수소와 젤소 가스비가 1:1일 때 가장 높은 코팅층의 경도값을 나타내었다. 수소와 질소 가스비가 3:7일 때 TiFeCr(NCO)의 복화합물 코팅층이 형성됨을 알 수 있었고 500t의 증착온도에서 얻은 Ti(NCO) 코팅층이 높은 경도값과 좋은 내식성을 나타내었다. 또한 이와같은 Ti(NCO) 코팅공정과 본 실험실에서 개발한 확산층만 형성시키는 plsma nitriding 공정을 결합하여 복합코탱층을 형성하였는데 이 복합코팅층은 고경도와 우수한 내마모성, 내식성 뿐만 아니라 10)N 이상의 뛰어난 밀착력을 나타내었다. 현재 많이 사용되고 있는 PVD법은 step coverage가 좋지 않은 점과 cost intensive p process라는 단점이 있다. MO-PACVD법은 이러한 문제를 해결할 수 있는 방법으로서 앞으로 지속적인 도전이 요구되는 분야이다.

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Study of Low-K Si-O-C-H Thin Films (Si-O-C-H 저유전율 박막의 특성 연구)

  • 김윤해;이석규;김형준
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 한국진공학회 1999년도 제17회 학술발표회 논문개요집
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    • pp.106-106
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    • 1999
  • 반도체 소자가 소브마이크론 이하로 집적화 되어감에 따라, RC 신호 지연 및 간섭 현상, 전력 소비의 증가 문제가 심각하게 대두되고 있다. 이러한 문제를 개선하기 위해서는, 현재 층간 절연막으로 상용화되어 있는 SiO2 박막을 대체할 저유전율 박막의 개발이 필수적이며, 많은 연구자들이 여러 가지 새로운 유기물질과 무기물질은 제안하고 있다. 반도체 공정상의 적합성을 고려할 때, 이들 여러물질 중에서 알킬기를 함유한 SiO2 박막(이하 'Si-O-C-H 박막'으로 표기)에 많은 관심이 집중되고 있다. Si-O-C-H 박막은 알킬기에 의해 형성된 나노 스케일의 기공에 의해 작은 유전율을 가지게 된다. 따라서, 박막내의 알킬기의 함유량이 많을수록 보다 작은 유전율을 얻을 수 있다. 그러나 과다한 알킬기의 함유는 Si-O-C-H 박막의 열적 특성을 열화시키는 부정적인 효과도 있다. 본 연구에서는 bis-trimethylsilylmethane(BTMSM, H9C3-Si-CH2-Si-C3H9) precursor를 이용하여 Si-O-C-H 박막을 증착하였다. BTMSM precursor의 중요한 특징중 하나는, 두 실리콘 원자 사이에 Si-CH2 결합이 존재한다는 사실이다. Si-CH2 결합은 양쪽의 Si에 의해 강하게 결합되어 있어서, BTMSM precursor를 사용하여 Si-O-C-H 박막은 유전상수도 작을 뿐 아니라, 열적으로도 안정된 특성이 얻어질 것으로 기대된다. Si-O-C-H 박막의 열적 안정성을 평가하기 위하여, 고온 열처리 전후의 FT-IR 스펙트럼 분석과 C-V(capacitance-voltage) 측정에 의한 유전상수 변화를 살펴보았다. 또한 증착된 박막의 미세구조 및 step coverage 특성 관찰을 위하여 SEM(scanning electron microscopy) 및 TEM(transmission electron micfroscopy) 분석을 하였다. 변화하였으며 이는 포토루미네슨스의 변화의 원인으로 판단된다. 연구하였다. CeO2 와 Si 사이의 계면을 TEM 측정에 의해 분석하였고, Ce와 O의 화학적 조성비를 RBS에 의해 측정하였다. Si(100) 기판위에 증착된 CeO2 는 $600^{\circ}C$ 낮은 증착률에서 seed layer를 하지 않은 조건에서 CeO2 (200) 방향으로 우선 성장하였으며, Si(111) 기판 위의 CeO2 박막은 40$0^{\circ}C$ 높은 증착률에서 seed layer를 2분이상 한 조건에서 CeO2 (111) 방향으로 우선 성장하였다. TEM 분석에서 CeO2 와 Si 기판사이에서 계면에서 얇은 SiO2층이 형성되었으며, TED 분석은 Si(100) 과 Si(111) 위에 증착한 CeO2 박막이 각각 우선 방향성을 가진 다결정임을 보여주었다. C-V 곡선에서 나타난 Hysteresis는 CeO2 박막과 Si 사이의 결함때문이라고 사료된다.phology 관찰결과 Ge 함량이 높은 박막의 입계가 다결정 Si의 입계에 비해 훨씬 큰 것으로 나타났으며 근 값도 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 포유동물 세포에 유전자 발현벡터로써 사용할 수 있음으로 post-genomics시대에 다양한 종류의 단백질 기능연구에 맡은 도움이 되리라 기대한다.다양한 기능을 가진 신소재 제조에 있다. 또한 경제적인 측면에서도 고부가 가치의 제품 개발에 따른 새로운 수요 창출과 수익률 향상, 기존의 기능성 안료를 나노(nano)화하여 나노 입자를 제조, 기존의 기능성 안료에 대한 비용 절감 효과등을 유도 할 수 있다. 역시 기술적인 측면에서도 특수소재 개발에 있어 최적의 나노 입자 제어기술 개발 및 나노입자를 기능성 소재로 사용하여 새로운 제품의 제조와 고압 기상 분사기술의 최적화에 의한 기능성 나노 입자 제조 기술을 확립하고 2차 오염 발생원인 유기계 항균제를 무기계 항균제로 대

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Fabrication of ZrO2 Nano Tube by Atomic Layer Deposition with Exposure Time Control System (전구체 노출 시간을 조절하는 원자층 증착기술에 의한 ZrO2 나노 튜브 제조)

  • Shin, Woong-Chul;Ryu, Sang-Ouk;Seong, Nak-Jin;Yoon, Soon-Gil
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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    • 한국전기전자재료학회 2007년도 추계학술대회 논문집
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    • pp.39-39
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    • 2007
  • 원자층 증착(Atomic Layer Deposition: ALD) 방법은 반응물질들을 펄스형태로 챔버에 공급하여 기판표면에 반응물질의 표면 포화반응에 의한 화학적 흡착과 탈착을 이용한 박막증착기술이다. ALD법은 기존의 화학적 기상증착(Chemical Vapor Deposition: CVD)과 달리 자기 제한적 반응(self-limiting reaction) 에 의하여 반응가스가 기판 표면에서만 반응하고 가스와 가스 간에는 반응하지 않는다. 따라서 박막의 조성 정밀제어가 쉽고, 파티클 발생이 없으며, 대면적의 박막 증착시 균일성이 우수하고, 박막 두께의 정밀 조절이 용이한 장점이 있다. 이러한 ALD 방식으로 3차원의 반도체 장치 구조물에 산화막 등을 형성하는 공정에서 중요한 요소 중의 하나는 전구체의 충분한 공급이다. 따라서 증기압이 높은 전구체를 선호하는 경향이 있다. 그러나 증기압이 낮은 전구체를 사용할 경우, 공급량이 부족하여 단차 도포성(step coverage)이 떨어지는 문제가 있다. 원자층 증착 공정에서 전구체를 충분히 공급하기 위해전구체 온도를 증가시키거나 전구체의 공급시간을 늘리는 방법을 사용한다. 그러나 전구체 온도를 상승시키는 경우, 전구체의 변질이나 수명을 단축시키는 문제점을 발생시킬 수 있으며. 전구체를 충분히 공급하기 위하여 전구체의 공급시간을 늘이는 방법을 사용하면, 원하는 박막을 형성하기 위하여 소요되는 공정시간과 전구체 사용량이 증가된다. 본 논문에서는 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위해 반응기 안에서 전구체 노출 시간을 조절하는 새로운 ALD 공정을 소개한다. 특히 이러한 기술을 적용하면 나노튜브를 성장시키는데 매우 유리하다. 본 연구에서 전구체 노출 시간을 조절하기 위하여 사용된 ALD 장비는 Lucida-D200-PL (NCD Technology사)이며 (TEMA)Zr와 H2O를 사용하여 ZrO2 나노튜브를 폴리카보네이트 위에 성장시켰다. 전구체의 노출 시간은 반응기의 Stop 밸브를 이용하여 조절하였으며, SEM, TEM 등을 이용하여 나노튜브의 균일성과 단차피복성 등의 특성을 관찰하였다. 그 결과 전구체 노출시간을 조절함으로써 높은 종횡비를 갖는 나노튜브를 성장 시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 또한 낮은 증기압을 가지는 전구체를 이용하여도 우수한 특성의 나노튜브를 균일하게 성장시킬 수 있었다.

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Formation of a MnSixOy barrier with Cu-Mn alloy film deposited using PEALD

  • Moon, Dae-Yong;Hwang, Chang-Mook;Park, Jong-Wan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 한국진공학회 2009년도 제38회 동계학술대회 초록집
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    • pp.229-229
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    • 2010
  • With the scaling down of ultra large integrated circuits (ULSI) to the sub-50 nm technology node, the need for an ultra-thin, continuous and conformal diffusion barrier and Cu seed layer is increasing. However, diffusion barrier and Cu seed layer formation with a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method has become difficult as the technology node is reduced to 30 nm and beyond. Recent work on self-forming barrier processes using PVD Cu alloys have attracted great attention due to the capability of conformal ultra-thin barrier formation using a simple technique. However, as in the case of the conventional barrier and Cu seed layer, PVD of the Cu alloy seed layer will eventually encounter the difficulty in conformal deposition in narrow line trenches and via holes. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been known for its good step coverage and precise thickness control, and is a candidate technique for the formation of a thin conformal barrier layer and Cu seed layer. Conformal Cu-Mn seed layers were deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) at low temperature ($120^{\circ}C$), and the Mn content in the Cu-Mn alloys were controlled form 0 to approximately 10 atomic percent with various Mn precursor feeding times. Resistivity of the Cu-Mn alloy films decreased by annealing due to out-diffusion of Mn atoms. Out-diffused Mn atoms were segregated to the surface of the film and interface between a Cu-Mn alloy and $SiO_2$, resulting in self-formed $MnO_x$ and $MnSi_xO_y$, respectively. No inter-diffusion was observed between Cu and $SiO_2$ after annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ for 12 h, indicating an excellent diffusion barrier property of the $MnSi_xO_y$. The adhesion between Cu and $SiO_2$ was enhanced by the formation of $MnSi_xO_y$. Continuous and conductive Cu-Mn seed layers were deposited with PEALD into 32 nm $SiO_2$ trench, enabling a low temperature process, and the trench was perfectly filled using electrochemical plating (ECD) under conventional conditions. Thus, it is the resultant self-forming barrier process with PEALD Cu-Mn alloy film as a seed layer for plating Cu that has further potential to meet the requirement of the smaller than 30 nm node.

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Characteristics of $Al_2O_3/TiO_2$ multi-layers as moisture permeation barriers deposited on PES substrates using ECR-ALD

  • Gwon, Tae-Seok;Mun, Yeon-Geon;Kim, Ung-Seon;Mun, Dae-Yong;Kim, Gyeong-Taek;Park, Jong-Wan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 한국진공학회 2009년도 제38회 동계학술대회 초록집
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    • pp.457-457
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    • 2010
  • Flexible organic light emitting diodes (F-OLEDs) requires excellent moisture permeation barriers to minimize the degradation of the F-OLEDs device. Specifically, F-OLEDs device need a barrier layer that transmits less than $10^{-6}g/m^2/day$ of water and $10^{-5}g/m^2/day$ of oxygen. To increase the life time of F-OLEDs, therefore, it is indispensable to protect the organic materials from water and oxygen. Severe groups have reported on multi-layerd barriers consisting inorganic thin films deposited by plasma enhenced chemical deposition (PECVD) or sputtering. However, it is difficult to control the formation of granular-type morphology and microscopic pinholes in PECVD and sputtering. On the contrary, atomic layer deoposition (ALD) is free of pinhole, highly uniform, conformal films and show good step coverage. Thus, $Al_2O_3/TiO_2$ multi-layer was deposited onto the polyethersulfon (PES) substrate by electron cyclotron resonance atomic layer deposition (ECR-ALD), and the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) were measured. WVTR of moisture permeation barriers is dependent upon density of films and initial state of polymer surface. A significant reduction of WVTR was achieved by increasing density of films and by applying low plasma induced interlayer on the PES substrate. In order to minimize damage of polymer surface, a 10 nm thick $TiO_2$ was deposited on PES prior to a $Al_2O_3$ ECR-ALD process. High quality barriers were developed from $Al_2O_3$ barriers on the $TiO_2$ interlayer. WVTR of $Al_2O_3$ by introducing $TiO_2$ interlayer was recorded in the range of $10^{-3}g/m^2.day$ at $38^{\circ}C$ and 100% relative humidity using a MOCON instrument. The WVTR was two orders of magnitude smaller than $Al_2O_3$ barriers directly grown on PES substrate without the $TiO_2$ interlayer. Thus, we can consider that the $Al_2O_3/TiO_2$ multi-layer passivation can be one of the most suitable F-OLEDs passivation films.

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Effect of Risk Perception of Horticultural Facility Farmers on the Purchase Intention Insurance -Focusing on Jeju island - (원예시설 농가의 위험지각이 보험 구매의도에 미치는 영향 - 제주도를 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Ho-Seung;Kang, Seung-Eun
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • 제21권11호
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    • pp.490-502
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    • 2021
  • Horticultural facility farmers subscribe to crop accident insurance and insurance products secured by horticultural facilities in preparation for possible risks in the facility. Insurance is purchased to prepare for natural disasters such as typhoons, hail, frostbite, heavy rain, and strong wind damage covered by the product. In order to find out the effect of risk perception, which is a subjective perception of the risks of a given situation, on horticultural facility farmers' intention to purchase horticultural facility insurance products, the risk perception and insurance purchase intention were analyzed. A t-test was conducted to determine the impact relationship between farm size, insurance coverage, and risk perception, and multiple regression analysis was conducted to verify the effect of personal characteristics and behavioral factors such as subjective perception, reference group, media exposure, and compensation understanding. In addition, a three-step regression analysis by Baron & Kenny was conducted to confirm the mediating role of personal characteristics and behavioral factors in the relationship between risk perception and insurance purchase intention. As a result of the study, although there was no difference in farm size, it was analyzed that policy holders had a higher degree of risk perception than non-subscribers, and that compensation understanding had the greatest influence and subjective knowledge had the smallest influence. In addition, these four factors were verified to have a mediating effect on the relationship between risk perception and insurance purchase intention. These results are expected to provide practical help to the development and marketing activities of horticultural facility insurance products.

Comparison of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Uniform Scanning Proton Therapy (USPT), and Intensity-modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) for Prostate Cancer: A Treatment Planning Study (전립선 암 환자의 IMRT, USPT, 및 IMPT 기법에 따른 치료효과 비교)

  • Son, Kihong;Cho, Seungryong;Kim, Jin Sung;Han, Youngyih;Ju, Sang Gyu;Ahn, Sung Hwan;Shin, Eunhyuk;Shin, Jung Suk;Park, Won;Pyo, Hongryul;Choi, Doo Ho
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • 제24권3호
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    • pp.154-161
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    • 2013
  • This study assessed compared photon and proton treatment techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), uniform scanning proton therapy (USPT), and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), for a total of 10 prostate cancers. All treatment plans delivered 70 Gy to 95% of the planned target volume in 28 fractions. IMRT plans had 7 fields for the step and shoot technique, while USPT and IMPT plans employed two equally weighted, parallel-opposed lateral fields to deliver the prescribed dose to the planned target. Inverse planning was then incorporated to optimize IMPT. The homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) for the target and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for organ at risk (OAR) were calculated. Although the mean HI and CI for target were not significantly different for each treatment techniques, the NTCP of the rectum was 2.233, 3.326, and 1.707 for IMRT, USPT, and IMPT, respectively. The NTCP of the bladder was 0.008, 0.003, and 0.002 respectively. The NTCP values at the rectum and bladder were significantly lower using IMPT. Our study shows that using proton therapy, particularly IMPT, to treat prostate cancer could be beneficial compared to 7-field IMRT with similar target coverage. Given these results, radiotherapy using protons, particularly optimized IMPT, is a worthwhile treatment option for prostate cancer.

Interpreting Bounded Rationality in Business and Industrial Marketing Contexts: Executive Training Case Studies (집행관배훈안례연구(阐述工商业背景下的有限合理性):집행관배훈안례연구(执行官培训案例研究))

  • Woodside, Arch G.;Lai, Wen-Hsiang;Kim, Kyung-Hoon;Jung, Deuk-Keyo
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • 제19권3호
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    • pp.49-61
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    • 2009
  • This article provides training exercises for executives into interpreting subroutine maps of executives' thinking in processing business and industrial marketing problems and opportunities. This study builds on premises that Schank proposes about learning and teaching including (1) learning occurs by experiencing and the best instruction offers learners opportunities to distill their knowledge and skills from interactive stories in the form of goal.based scenarios, team projects, and understanding stories from experts. Also, (2) telling does not lead to learning because learning requires action-training environments should emphasize active engagement with stories, cases, and projects. Each training case study includes executive exposure to decision system analysis (DSA). The training case requires the executive to write a "Briefing Report" of a DSA map. Instructions to the executive trainee in writing the briefing report include coverage in the briefing report of (1) details of the essence of the DSA map and (2) a statement of warnings and opportunities that the executive map reader interprets within the DSA map. The length maximum for a briefing report is 500 words-an arbitrary rule that works well in executive training programs. Following this introduction, section two of the article briefly summarizes relevant literature on how humans think within contexts in response to problems and opportunities. Section three illustrates the creation and interpreting of DSA maps using a training exercise in pricing a chemical product to different OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers. Section four presents a training exercise in pricing decisions by a petroleum manufacturing firm. Section five presents a training exercise in marketing strategies by an office furniture distributer along with buying strategies by business customers. Each of the three training exercises is based on research into information processing and decision making of executives operating in marketing contexts. Section six concludes the article with suggestions for use of this training case and for developing additional training cases for honing executives' decision-making skills. Todd and Gigerenzer propose that humans use simple heuristics because they enable adaptive behavior by exploiting the structure of information in natural decision environments. "Simplicity is a virtue, rather than a curse". Bounded rationality theorists emphasize the centrality of Simon's proposition, "Human rational behavior is shaped by a scissors whose blades are the structure of the task environments and the computational capabilities of the actor". Gigerenzer's view is relevant to Simon's environmental blade and to the environmental structures in the three cases in this article, "The term environment, here, does not refer to a description of the total physical and biological environment, but only to that part important to an organism, given its needs and goals." The present article directs attention to research that combines reports on the structure of task environments with the use of adaptive toolbox heuristics of actors. The DSA mapping approach here concerns the match between strategy and an environment-the development and understanding of ecological rationality theory. Aspiration adaptation theory is central to this approach. Aspiration adaptation theory models decision making as a multi-goal problem without aggregation of the goals into a complete preference order over all decision alternatives. The three case studies in this article permit the learner to apply propositions in aspiration level rules in reaching a decision. Aspiration adaptation takes the form of a sequence of adjustment steps. An adjustment step shifts the current aspiration level to a neighboring point on an aspiration grid by a change in only one goal variable. An upward adjustment step is an increase and a downward adjustment step is a decrease of a goal variable. Creating and using aspiration adaptation levels is integral to bounded rationality theory. The present article increases understanding and expertise of both aspiration adaptation and bounded rationality theories by providing learner experiences and practice in using propositions in both theories. Practice in ranking CTSs and writing TOP gists from DSA maps serves to clarify and deepen Selten's view, "Clearly, aspiration adaptation must enter the picture as an integrated part of the search for a solution." The body of "direct research" by Mintzberg, Gladwin's ethnographic decision tree modeling, and Huff's work on mapping strategic thought are suggestions on where to look for research that considers both the structure of the environment and the computational capabilities of the actors making decisions in these environments. Such research on bounded rationality permits both further development of theory in how and why decisions are made in real life and the development of learning exercises in the use of heuristics occurring in natural environments. The exercises in the present article encourage learning skills and principles of using fast and frugal heuristics in contexts of their intended use. The exercises respond to Schank's wisdom, "In a deep sense, education isn't about knowledge or getting students to know what has happened. It is about getting them to feel what has happened. This is not easy to do. Education, as it is in schools today, is emotionless. This is a huge problem." The three cases and accompanying set of exercise questions adhere to Schank's view, "Processes are best taught by actually engaging in them, which can often mean, for mental processing, active discussion."

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