• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.71-79
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• 2023

In this study, we employed anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants for the hydrophilization of porous substrates used in the fabrication of pore-filling membranes. We investigated the extent of hydrophilization based on the type of surfactant, its concentration, and immersion time. Furthermore, we used the hydrophilized substrates to produce pore-filling anion exchange membranes and compared their ion conductivity to determine the optimal hydrophilization conditions. For the ionic surfactants used in this study, we observed that hydrophilization progressed rapidly from the beginning of immersion when the applied concentration was 3.0 wt%, compared to lower concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%). In contrast, for the relatively larger molecular weight non-ionic surfactants, smooth hydrophilization was not observed. There was no apparent correlation between the degree of hydrophilization and the ion conductivity of the anion exchange membrane. This discrepancy suggests that an excessive hydrophilization process during the treatment of porous substrates leads to excessive adsorption of the surfactant on the sparse surfaces of the porous substrate, resulting in a significant reduction in porosity and subsequently decreasing the content of polymer electrolyte capable of ion exchange, thereby greatly increasing the electrical resistance of the membrane.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.125-133
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• 2017

Purpose: After the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine in 1995 in Korea, it was included in the national immunization program in 2013. In the post-Hib vaccine era, some studies in other countries reported that invasive Hib disease affects adults, especially the elderly and immunocompromised persons, more often than it affects children. To evaluate disease susceptibility, quantitative and qualitative analysis of anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) antibodies were carried out in Korean adults aged 20 to 85 years. Methods: Sera were collected from 39 healthy adults (20 to 50 years of age) and from 30 elderly adults (75 to 85 years of age) who did not have immune-compromising conditions. The concentration of anti-PRP immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum bactericidal indices (SBIs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum bactericidal assay. Results: Geometric mean concentrations of anti-PRP IgG and geometric mean SBIs were $0.88{\mu}g/mL$ (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 3.85) and 354 (95% CI, 50 to 2,499) in young adults and $1.67{\mu}g/mL$ (95% CI, 0.53 to 5.24) and 449 (95% CI, 146 to 1,376) in elderly adults, respectively. When the threshold of seropositivity for anti-PRP IgG was applied as 0.15 or $1.0{\mu}g/mL$, which is the protective antibody level in children, seropositive rates were 87.2% or 53.8% in young adults and 100% or 60% in elderly adults. The seropositivity rates of the SBI ($SBI{\geq}4$) were 82.1% and 100% in the groups, respectively. Conclusions: Most subjects in the adult and elderly adult groups display immunity to Hib based on quantitative and qualitative antibody levels, but not all. Because high immunization and low Hib circulation rates may reduce the natural Hib immunity in the population, monitoring Hib immunity as well as disease are needed continuously.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.2A
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• pp.129-136
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• 2011

Recently studies on functional concrete with a photocatalytic material such as $TiO_2$ have actively been carried out in order to remove air pollutants. The absorbtion of $TiO_2$ from those studies is applied by it being directly mixed into concrete or by suspension coated on the surface. When it comes to the effectiveness, the former process is less than that of the latter compared with the $TiO_2$ use. As a result, the direct coating of $TiO_2$ on materials' surface is more used for effectiveness. The Surface spread of it needs to have a more than $400^{\circ}C$ heat treat done to stimulate the activation and adhesion of photocatalysis. Heat treat consequently leads hydration products in concrete to be dehydrated and shrunk and is the cause of cracking. The study produces $TiO_2$ used Sol-gel method which enables it to be coated with a low temperature treat, applies it to pearlite using Lightweight Aggregate Concrete fixed with a low temperature treat and evaluates the spread performance of it. In addition to this, the size of pearlite is divided into two types: One is 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm and the other is more than 5.0 mm for the benefit of finding out the removal characteristics of $CH_3CHO$ whether they are affected by pearlite size, mixing method and ratio with $TiO_2$ and elapsed time. The result of this experiment shows that although $TiO_2$ produced by Sol-gel method is treated with 120 temperature, it maintains a high spread rate on the XRF(X ray Florescence) quantitative analysis which ranks $TiO_2$ 38 percent, $SiO_2$ 29 percent and CaO 18 percent. In the size of perlite from 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm, the removal characteristic of $CH_3CHO$ from a low temperature heated Lightweight concrete appears 20 percent higher when $TiO_2$ with Sol-gel method is spreaded on the 7 percent of surface. In other words, the removal rate is 94 percent compared with the 72 percent where $TiO_2$ is mixed in 10 percent surface. In more than 5.0 mm sized perlite, the removal rate of $CH_3CHO$, when $TiO_2$ is mixed with 10 percent, is 69 percent, which is similar with that of the previous case. It suggests that the size of pearlite has little effects on the removal rate of $CH_3CHO$. In terms of Elapsed time, the removal characteristic seems apparent at the early stage, where the average removal rate for the first 10 hours takes up 84 percent compared with that of 20 hours.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.420-427
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• 2016

This study was conducted on the sediment remediation using micro-bubble to remove fine particles. For this study, characteristics of contamination and release in sediment were analyzed. And then, the characteristics of bubbles on removal efficiency was investigated at various operation conditions. In particle size distribution of the sediment used for the study, the proportion of clay and silt (<0.075 mm) was about 7.7%, sand (0.075~4.75 mm) was about 67.8%, and gravel (${\geq}4.75$) was 24.5%. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of the sediment were 2,790~3,260, 261~311 mg/kg respectively. Ignition loss and water content were 4.1~9.6, 32.9~53.2% respectively. In analysis of removal efficiency according to operation conditions of micro-bubble, it was the highest when operation condition is pressure 6 atm, pressurized water ratio 30%, and coagulant dosage 15 ppm. At the time, the sediment's removal efficiency was 19.9%. Accordingly removal efficiency of TN and TP were 21.4, 22.6% respectively. Finally a research was found that fine particles in sediment were almost removed by micro-bubble, which led to decrease nutrients' release at about 20.1~64.3% in comparison to sediment including lots of fine particles.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 1998

Purposes : This study was performed to evaluate the seropositivities and levels of term pregnant women and their neonates, and the transplacental transfer rate of maternal Epstein-Barr Virus-specific IgG(VCA IgG and EBNA IgG) from term pregnant women to their neonates. Subjects and Methods : During Jan. 1, 1997 to Mar. 31. 1997, we collected the 42 pairs of sera from pregnant women and umbilical cord of their neonates in Korea University Ansan Hospital. The serum levels of VCA IgG and EBNA IgG were measured by the ELISA method. Results : 1) The seropositivities of VCA IgG were 100% in mothers and neonates. There was no statistical difference of mean VCA IgG levels between mothers and neonates. There was significant correlation of VCA IgG levels between maternal sera and neonatal umbilical cord sera(correlation coefficient r=0.5214, P<0.001). 2) The seropositivities of EBNA IgG were 100% in mothers and neonates. There was no significant difference of the mean EBNA IgG levels between mothers and neonates. There was significant correlation of EBNA IgG levels between maternal sera and neonatal umbilical cord sera (correlation coefficient r=0.7244, P<0.001). 3) There was no correlation between VCA IgG and EBNA IgG levels of maternal sera. Conclusion : Seropositivities of EBV CA IgG and EBNA IgG of term-pregnant women and their neonates were 100% and no significant differences of antibody levels were found in two groups. It seems that EBV Antibody levels in Korean mothers and neonates were high enough to protect primary EBV infection during early infancy.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.388-395
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• 2016

This paper explores the photocatalytic sensitivity of cement mortar incorporated with recycled $TiO_2$ from waste water sludge. Basically, $TiO_2$ cluster sank down slowly to the bottom of cement mortar specimen before setting and hardening process. This leads the mismatch of $TiO_2$ concentration on the top and the bottom faces of a specimen. This poorly dispersed $TiO_2$-cement mortar naturally exhibits poor NOx removal efficiency especially on the top of cementitious structure. In architectural engineering application such as building or housing structures, one can simply filp over from the bottom so that more $TiO_2$ concentrated surface can be placed outward into the air. However, in highway pavement case, this could not be applicable due to in-situ installation of concrete pavement. Hence, the dispersion of $TiO_2$ cluster inside the cementitous material is getting important issue onto road construction application. To elaborate this issue, according to our results, silica fume, high-ranged water reducer, viscosity agent, blast furnace slag were not enhanced much of dispersion characteristics of $TiO_2$ cluster. The combination of foaming agent and accelerator of hardening with viscosity agent and small grain size of fine aggregate may help the dispersion of $TiO_2$ inside cementitious materials. Even though the enhanced dispersion were applied to the specimen, NOx removal efficiency doest not change much for the top surface of the specimen. This concurrently affected by the presence of tiny air voids and the dispersion of $TiO_2$ in that these voids could easily adsorbed NOx gas with the aid of large surface area.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.414-419
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• 2007

Background: Replacing the ascending aorta is a standard surgical option for treating acute type A aortic dissection. But replacing the aortic arch has recently been reported as an acceptable procedure for this disease. We compared the effects of aortic arch replacement for treating acute type A aortic dissection with the effects of ascending aortic replacement. Material and Method: From 2002 to 2006, 25 patients undewent surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection, 12 patients undewent ascending aortic replacement and 13 patients underwent aortic arch replacement. Among the aortic arch group, an additional distal stent-graft was inserted during the operation in 5 patients. 19 patients (11 arch replaced patients and 8 ascending aortic replaced patients) were followed up at the out patient clinic for an average of $756{\pm}373$ days. All the patients undewent CT scanning and we analyzed their distal aortic segments. Result: 4 patients who underwent ascending aortic replacement died, so the overall mortality rate was 16%. Among the 11 long term followed-up arch replacement patients, 2 patients (18.1 %) developed distal aortic dilatation and one of them underwent thoracoabdominal aortic replacement later on. However, among the 8 the ascending aortic replaced patients, 5 patients (62.5%) developed distal aortic dilatation. Conclusion: Aortic arch replacement is one of the safe options for treating acute type A aortic dissection. Aortic arch replacement for treating acute type A aortic dissection could contribute to a reduced distal aortic dilatation rate and fewer secondary aortic procedures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.420-427
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• 2007

Background: Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) due to bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can be a surgical challenge for surgeons. We analyzed the follow-up outcomes after performing omentopexy and thoracoplasty for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. Material and Mehod: Between December 1991 and January 2006, 9 patients underwent BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. There were 7 males and 2 females (mean age: $45.9{\pm}9$ years). The patients were followed up for a mean of 58 months (median: 28 months, range: $6{\sim}169$). When we performed omentopexy, the surgical procedures for empyema were thoracoplasy for 8 patients and the Clagett procedure for 1 patient. Thoracoplasty was performed for the latter patient due to recurrence of empyema, Result: For the 8 patients who were treated by omentopexy and thoracoplasty, there was 1 operation-related death due to sepsis. During follow up, 1 patient, who was treated by omentopexy and a Clagett procedure, died of acute hepatitis 40 months postoperatively. The early mortality was 11.1% (8/9). Of the 8 patients, including the 1 late death patient, successful closure of the BPF were achieved in all patients (8/9) and the empyema was cured in 7 patients (7/8). Conclusion: The BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap was an effective method for treating PPE with BPF due to 75-destroyed lung, and thoracoplasty with simultaneous omentopexy was effective and safe for removing dead space if the patient was young and in a good general condition.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.85-96
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• 2023

The study involved the categorization of domestic lakes located in South Korea into three groups based on their salinity levels: upstream reservoirs with salinity less than 0.3 psu, estuarine reservoirs with salinity ranging from 0.3 to 2 psu, and brackish lagoons with salinity exceeding 2 psu. Subsequently, the research assessed variations in the concentrations of total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T-P) in the sediment of these lakes using statistical analysis, specifically one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, a laboratory core incubation test was conducted to investigate the benthic nutrient fluxes in Songji lagoon (salinity: 11.80 psu), Ganwol reservoir (salinity: 0.73 psu), and Janggun reservoir (salinity: 0.08 psu) under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. The findings revealed statistically significant differences in the concentrations of T-N and T-P among sediments in the lakes with varying salinity levels (p<0.05). Further post-hoc analysis confirmed significant distinctions in T-N between upstream reservoirs and estuarine reservoirs (p<0.001), as well as between upstream reservoirs and brackish lagoons (p<0.01). For T-P, a significant difference was observed between upstream reservoirs and brackish lagoons (p<0.01). Regarding benthic nutrient fluxes, Ganwol Lake exhibited the highest diffusive flux of NH₄⁺-N, primarily due to its physical characteristics and the inhibition of nitrification resulting from its relatively high salinity. The flux of NO₃^--N was lower at higher salinity levels under aerobic conditions but increased under anoxic conditions, attributed to the impact of salinity on nitrification and denitrification. Additionally, the flux of PO₄^3--P was highest in Songji Lake, followed by Ganwol Lake and Janggun Reservoir, indicating that salinity promotes the diffusive flux of phosphate through anion adsorption competition. It's important to consider the influence of salinity on microbial communities, growth rates, oxidation-reduction processes, and nutrient binding forms when studying benthic diffusive nutrient fluxes from lake sediments.