• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2021

Electrospinning is a cost-effective and versatile method for producing submicron fibers. Although this method is relatively simple, at the theoretical level the interactions between process parameters and their influence on the fiber morphology are not yet fully understood. In this paper, the aim was finding optimal electrospinning parameters in order to obtain the smallest fiber diameter by using Taguchi's methodology. The nanofibers produced by electrospinning a solution of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in Dimethylformamide (DMF). Polymer concentration and process parameters were considered as the effective factors. Taguchi's L9 orthogonal design (4 parameters, 3 levels) was applied to the experiential design. Optimal electrospinning conditions were determined using the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio with Minitab 17 software. The morphology of the nanofibers was studied by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Thereafter, a tensile tester machine was used to assess mechanical properties of nanofibrous scaffolds. The analysis of DoE experiments showed that TPU concentration was the most significant parameter. An optimum combination to reach smallest diameters was yielded at 12 wt% polymer concentration, 16 kV of the supply voltage, 0.1 ml/h feed rate and 15 cm tip-to-distance. An empirical model was extracted and verified using confirmation test. The average diameter of nanofibers at the optimum conditions was in the range of 242.10 to 257.92 nm at a confidence level 95% which was in close agreement with the predicted value by the Taguchi technique. Also, the mechanical properties increased with decreasing fibers diameter. This study demonstrated Taguchi method was successfully applied to the optimization of electrospinning conditions for TPU nanofibers and the presented scaffold can mimic the structure of Extracellular Matrix (ECM).

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2021

Mesoporous polystyrene (PS) and polyethersulfone (PES) membranes have been fabricated by reverse-thermally induced phase separation (RTIPS) process, using flash freezing. The mesoporous pores can be created by the nano-scaled phase separation induced by the formation and growth of solvent crystals in the dope solution in RTIPS process. RTIPS process has been characterized through analysis on the enthalpy change in the solvent of the dope solution, the morphology of the membrane fabricated with different polymer content, and the pore size distribution and its standard deviation of pore size of the membrane with polymer content via DSC, SEM, and BET, respectively. It is found that the kinetic aspect of the dope solution, i.e., the crystallization of solvent is a crucial factor to determine the structure of membrane fabricated in RTIPS rather than the thermodynamic aspect of the dope solution.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2021

The Commercial polymeric membranes like Polysulfone (PSF), Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) which are an integral part of water purification investigation were chosen for the shockwave (SW) exposure experiment. These membranes were prepared by blending polymer (wt. %) / DMF (solvent) followed by phase-inversion casting technique. Shockwaves are generated by using Reddy Tube lab module (Table-top Shocktube) with range of pressure (1.5, 2.5 and 5 bar). Understanding the changes in membrane before and after shock wave treatment by parameters, i.e., pure water flux (PWF), rejection (%), porosity, surface roughness (AFM), morphology (SEM) and contact angle which can significantly affect the membrane's performance. Flux values PSf membranes shows increase, 465 (pristine) to 524 (1.5wt%) LMH at 50 Psi pressure and similar enhancement was observed at 100Psi (625 to 696 LMH). Porosity also shows improvement from 73.6% to 76.84% for 15wt% PSf membranes. It was observed that membranes made of polymers such as PAN and PSF (of high w/w %) exhibits some resistance against shockwaves impact and are stable compared to other membranes. Shockwave pressure of up to 1.5 bar was sufficient enough to change properties which are crucial for performance. Membranes exposed to a maximum pressure of 5 bar completely scratched the surface and with minimum pressure of 1.5bar is optimum enough to improve the water flux and other parameters. Initial results proved that SW may be suitable alternative route to minimize/control membrane fouling and improve efficiency.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the Missing Teeth (MT; mean number of missing permanent teeth) index experienced by year for adults between the ages of 19 and 64. Methods: This study was conducted by analyzing the raw data of participants in the 4th to 8th periods of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). For the statistical program, IBM SPSS / WIN 26 was used and an independent sample t-test was performed. Results: The average number of MT by year showed a decreasing trend. In 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011, the average number of MT by sex was higher among females, and this was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, in 2019, males had a higher average number of MT than females, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Males had a higher average number of MT than females in Korea, so it is considered that oral health programs or oral hygiene management according to sex are necessary.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2022

We prepared a CsPbI₂Br solution using Cesium iodide (CsI), Lead (II) bromide (PbBr₂) and Lead (II) iodide (PbI₂) materials into a polar solvent mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A simple spin coating technique was used for the fabrication of CsPbI₂Br absorber layer in the solution process. In order to prepare uniform coating of absorber film we adopted a hot-air process in assocation with the spin coating. It was confirmed that the thin film manufactured by the hot-air process had a higher absorption rate than that without it, and the optical band gap was measured 1.93 eV. The thin film of absorber was uniformly prepared and revealed the Black α-Cubic crystal phase as proved through X-ray diffraction analysis. Finally, a perovskite solar cell having an n-i-p structure was manufactured with a CsPbI₂Br perovskite absorption layer. From the solar cell, we obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.97% in a forward measurement.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.377-384
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• 2010

We perform a comparative study to investigate the properties of the new energetic chain extender (AzPD). A series of poly(glycidyl azide)/poly(tetramethylene oxide)-based energetic segmented polyurethane (GAP/PTMG ESPU) with different chain extender, which is 3-azidopropane-1,2-diol (AzPD), 1,4-butane diol (1,4-BD), or 1,5 pentane diol (1,5-PD), was synthesized by solution polymerization in dimethyl formamide (DMF) and their phase behaviors were investigated. The ESPUs were characterized with Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results of the ATR FT-IR analysis of the urethane carbonyl group region showed that the 'free' C=O fraction was higher in GAP/PTMG AzESPU (0.5) than GAP/PTMG BDESPU (0.44) and GAP/PTMG PDESPU (0.41) for 7 days samples after preparation and that it was similar in the range of 0.26~0.29 for three 60 days ESPU samples. DMA curves of the GAP/PTMG AzESPU for 7 days samples showed amorphous polymers, but GAP/PTMG BDESPU and GAP/PTMG PDESPU showed viscoelastic behaviors with rubbery plateau and the flow region. However, DMA curves of the GAP/PTMG AzESPU for 60 days samples showed viscoelastic behaviors with rubbery plateau and the flow region like GAP/PTMG PDESPU, but GAP/PTMG BDESPU did not show the flow region. From phase behaviors with ATR FT-IR, DSC and DMA analysis, GAP/PTMG AzESPU showed good phase-mixing between components. However, it represented viscoelastic behavior of TPE similar to GAP/PTMG PDESPM according to phase equilibrium progress with aging time.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.418-429
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• 2011

Novel chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), ruthenium(III), and zirconyl(II) complexes of $N^1,N^2$-bis(3-((3-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene-amino)propyl)phthalamide ($H_4L$, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental, physical, and spectral analyses. The spectral data showed that the ligand behaves as either neutral tridentate ligand as in complexes 2-5 with the general formula $[H_4LMX_2(H_2O)]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), X = Cl or $NO_3$), neutral hexadentate ligand as in complexes 10-12 with the general formula $[H_4LM_2Cl_6]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M=Fe(III), Cr(III) or Ru(III)), or dibasic hexadentate ligand as in complexes 6-9 with the general formula $[H_2LM_2Cl_2(H_2O)_4]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (M = Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) or Mn(II), and 13 with general formula $[H_4L(ZrO)_2Cl_2]{\cdot}8H_2O$. Molar conductance in DMF solution indicated the non-ionic nature of the complexes. The ESR spectra of solid copper(II) complexes 2, 5, and 6 showed $g_{\parallel}$ >g> $g_e$, indicating distorted octahedral structure and the presence of the unpaired electron in the $N^1,N^2$ orbital with significant covalent bond character. For the dimeric copper(II) complex $[H_2LCu_2Cl_2(H_2O)_4]{\cdot}3H_2O$ (6), the distance between the two copper centers was calculated using field zero splitting parameter for the parallel component that was estimated from the ESR spectrum. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the compounds showed that, some of metal complexes exhibited a greater inhibitory effect than standard drug as tetracycline (bacteria) and Amphotricene B (fungi).

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2011

In this research, the preparation processes for making a series of $\omega$-mercapto alkylamine 1 and $\omega$-mercapto alkanoic acid 2 useful for studying of the self-assembled monolayer(SAM) are described. The preparation methods of the first goal materials, $\omega$-mercapto alkylamines 1 were carried out as follows: First, $\omega$-phthalimide alkanol 3 was synthesized from commercially available potassium phthalimide derivatives and $\omega$-bromoalkanol in DMF at $80{^{\circ}C}$ via substitution reaction. After refluxing $\omega$-phthalimide alkanol 3 with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol followed by treating with c-HCl, $\omega$-aminoalkanol 4 was obtained in 76-98% yield, accompanied with side-product 5. Bromination of hydroxyl moiety of $\omega$-aminoalkanol 4 using aqueous hydrobromic acid furnished $\omega$-bromoamine 6 in 34-97% yields. Substitution reaction 6 with thiourea in 95% ethanol gave $\omega$-aminoalkanthiuronium 7, which was treated with aqueous strong base and aqueous strong sulfuric acid gave desired products, $\omega$-mercapto alkylamines 1 through overall 5 steps. The second target material, $\omega$-mercapto alkanoic acid 2 was prepared via 2 steps. $\omega$-bromo alkanoic acid was reacted with thiourea to give $\omega$-thiourea alkanoic acid 7 in 69-85%, which was treated with aqueous strong base and strong acid to furnish $\omega$-mercapto alkanoic acid 2 in 50-98%. The fabricated long-chain alkylthiol(LCAT) can be used as linkers to immobilize protein, enzyme and various kinds of biomolecules on the surface of metallic materials(Au, Pt, Ti) by SAM, and can be useful chemical tools for the application study on the surface modification of metallic materials.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.448-454
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a water fluoridation program (WFP) on prevention of dental caries in Gimhae City, Korea, with reference to the results of 2012 Korean National Oral Health Survey (KNOHS). In WFP population, 972 subjects including 8-, 10- and 12-year-old children in Gimhae City were examined in 2009. The WFP in Gimhae city has been implemented since 1999. 1872 subjects in non-fluoridated small and medium sized cities similar to Gimhae city were selected from 2012 KNOHS data as the control population. Two dentists who received training in KNOHS with an inter-examiner-agreement examined oral health status of all subjects. To assess the effects of WFP on dental caries, caries preventive fraction was estimated by assessing the differences of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS) index, DMFS in pit and fissures and smooth surfaces between WFP population and the control. Univariate analysis of variance adjusted for gender and number of fissure-sealed teeth or surfaces was conducted. DMFT of 12-year-old subjects (n=354) in WFP and control population (n=1,518) were 1.60 and 2.12, respectively, with an estimated prevention effect of 24.7%. Caries preventive fraction on pit and fissure, and smooth surfaces of WFP subjects was estimated 27.5% and 24.0%, among subjects aged 12 years, respectively. WFP in Gimhae City, Korea reduced the prevalence of dental caries and is recommended as a public oral health program where a fluoride-containing toothpastes are commonly used.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2006

To evaluate the T1, T2 magnetic relaxation properties of water molecule according to molecular weight of paramagnetic complex. 4-aminomethyicyclohexane carboxylic acid (0.63 g, 4 mmol) was mixed with the suspension solution of DMF (15 ml) and DTPA-bis-anhydride (0.71 g, 2 mmol) to synthesize the ligand. The ligand was then mixed with $Gd_2O_3$ (0.18 g, 0.5 mmol) to synthesize Gd-chelate. For the measurement of magnetic relaxivity of paramagnetic compounds, the compounds were diluted to 1 mM and then the relaxation times were measured at 1.57 (64 MHz). Inversion-recovery pulse sequence was employed for T1 relaxation measurement and CPMG (Carr-Purcell-Meiboon-Gill) pulse sequence was employed for T2 relaxation measurement. In case of inversion recovery sequence, total 35 images with different inversion time(T1)s ranging from 50 msec to 1,750 msec. To estimate the relaxation times, the signal intensity of each sample was measured using region of Interest (ROI) and then fitted by non-linear least square method to yield T1, T2 relaxation times and also R1 and R2. Compared to T1=($205.1{\pm}2.57$) msec and T2=($209.4{\pm}4.28$) msec of Omniscan (Gadodiamide), which is commercially available paramagnetic MR agent, T1 and T2 values of new paramagnetic complexes were reduced along with their molecular weight. That is, T1 value was ranged from $(96.35{\pm}2.04)\;to\;(79.38{\pm}1.55)$ msec and T2 value was ranged from $(91.02{\pm}2.08)\;to\;(76.66{\pm}1.84)$ msec. Among new paramagnetic complexes, there is a tendency that the R1 and R2 increase as the molecular weight is increases. As molecular weight of paramagnetic complex increases, T1 and T2 relaxation times reduce and thus the increase of relaxivity (R1 and R2) Is proportional to molecular weight.