• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.260-269
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• 2002

The fire resistance of particulate polypropylene composite systems were investigated by using various reinforced particles such as zeolite, talc, $CaCO_3$ particles. In this study, The effect of particle size on the thermal properties of composite and the effect of reinforced particles on the fire resistance were studied. The inorganic reinforced particles used in this study were recycled zeolite(average particle diameter=85.34 $mu extrm{m}$), $CaCO_3$ (33.93 $mu extrm{m}$), and talc (18.51 $mu extrm{m}$). The fire resistance of composite systems was thoroughly examined by measuring limited oxygen index (LOI, ASTM D2863) and cone calorimetry (ASTM E1354, ISO 5660). Thermal stability of composite systems was thoroughly examined by measuring TGA. The flame retardants (DBDPO) and reinforced particles reduce the maximum heat release rate (M-HRR) in the order of Talc > $CaCO_3$ > recycled Zeolite. Comparing the cone calorimetry experimental results of the particle reinforced polymer composite system exhibited twice higher efficiency than DBDPO in polypropylene systems, and the LOI also showed similar trends to the cone calorimetry experiments. The optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to investigate the composites ash layer and the core fracture surfaces in the burning process. The reinforcing inorganic particles seemed to accumulate at the surface of ash layer, and subsequently intercept the oxygen transport and heat transfer into the core area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.63-71
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• 2009

In order to improve flame retardancy, the halogen free organic melamine phosphate(M-P) flame retardant was synthesized from melamine and phosphoric acid by the reaction of precipitation. The ignition test was carried out preparing hybrid flame retardant compound($H_bFRC$) consisting of organic M-P and inorganic Mg$(OH)_2$ as a flame retardant in the polyolefin resins. The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of flame retardant aluminum composite panel($H_bFRC$-ACP) were performed to investigate the possibility of the composite material, which was contained M-P, as a inner core for $H_bFRC$-ACP. For this study, the results of ignition test indicate that a char formation and drip suppressing effect, and combustion time reduced as the content of M-P increased. The limited oxygen index(LOI) values were measured 17.4vol% and 31.5vol% for LDPE only and $H_bFRC$-3(M-P content: 15wt%), respectively. And it was verified that the $H_bFRC$-3 was needed more oxygen quantity with the increase of M-P content when it combustion. Also, the results from thermogravimetric analysis were observed endothermic peak at $350^{\circ}C$ and $550^{\circ}C$, it was confirmed predominant thermal stability though the wide temperature range by the mixture of M-P and Mg$(OH)_2$. The LDPE-ACP (using only LDPE as a inner core), $35.13kW/m^2$ of heat release rate(HRR) and 13.43MJ/m2 of total heat release(THR) were measured while the $H_bFRC$-ACP, $10.44kW/m^2$ of HRR and 1.84MJ/m2 of THR were measured by results of cone calorimeter test. In case of $H_bFRC$-ACP, the average gas emission amount of CO and $CO_2$ could be decreased down to 25% and 20%, respectively, in comparison with LDPE-ACP. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength and adhesion strength of $H_bFRC$-ACP were revealed slightly high values $54N/mm^2$, $152N/mm^2$ and 120N/25mm, respectively, compared with LDPE-ACP. It was confirmed that flame retardancy was improved with the synergy effect because of char formation by M-P and hydrolysis by Mg$(OH)_2$. The result of this study suggest that $H_bFRC$ can be applied for an adequate halogen free flame retardant composite material as a inner core for ACP.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2011

Purpose: Surfactants have been used to improve oxygenation for infants with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). We evaluated the change of pulmonary indices after surfactant therapy for MAS through a systematic meta-analysis. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled studies (RCTs) were identified by database searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, up to June 2011, and by additional hand searches. Data were extracted regarding pulmonary indices, such as the oxygen index and arterial alveolar oxygen gradient. Meta-analyses were separately conducted for the studies of surfactant lavage therapy and surfactant bolus therapy. The risk of bias was assessed, and clinical as well as statistical heterogeneities were also investigated. Results: Two RCTs for bolus surfactant therapy and two RCTs for surfactant lavage therapy were identified. The oxygenation index results were heterogeneous between the two studies in which bolus surfactant therapy was given, while a/A $PO_2$ showed significantly better results in the treatment group over time after use of surfactant (12 hours: WMD 0.08, 95% CI 0.04-0.12; 24 hours: WMD 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.28). For surfactant lavage therapy, both studies consistently suggested an interventional benefit in terms of the pulmonary indices although it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Surfactant therapy appeared to improve oxygenation of infants with MAS. Since a limited number of RCTs are available in the current literature and those studies were also clinically heterogeneous in terms of illness severity and the method of surfactant use, further research is needed to gather evidence to support surfactant therapy in MAS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.976-986
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• 1996

BACKGROUND : Dyspnea is common among patients with cardiopulmonary disease, and "daily disability" is defined as a functional impairment resulting from exercise intolerance. The maximal oxygen uptake(VO2max) during exhausting work is not only the best single physical indicator of the capacity of a man for sustaining hard muscular work, but also the most objective method by which one can determine the physical fitness of an individual as reflected by his cardiovascular system. However, the expense, time and personnel requirements make this procedure prohibitive for testing large group. The walking test is well-known type of exercise and it cost nothing to perform and have good reproducibility. Thus we performed the walking test and investigated correlations with spirometry, ABG and exercise test. METHOD: We observed the walking test and exercise test by cycle ergometer in 37 patients who visited our hospital because of dyspnea. Arterial blood gas analysis and spiromety, dyspnea index were performed, too. RESULT : (1) The VO2max was significantly lower in patients with COPD and cardiovascular disease than asthma and dyspnea on exertion group(p<0.05). The walking test distance was also lower in former. (2) The 12 minute walking test was significantly correlated with VO2max, PaCO2, FVC(%), FEV1(%) in all patients(p<0.05), and the walking test was only conelated with VO2max in patients with COPD(p<0.05). (3) In COPD patients, the VO2max was best correlated with FEV1(%) and FVC(%) and significantly correlated with walking test. But there was no correlation between walking test and FEV1(%) & FVC(%). (4) The 6 minute walking test was well correlated with 12 minute walking test(r=0.92. p<0.01). CONCLUSION : The walking test is the simple method for assessing exercise performance in patient with cardiopulmonary disease and a reliable indicator for VO2max. And the walking test is practical method for assessing on everyday disability rather than maximal exercise capacity. The 6 minute walking test is highly correlated with 12 minute walking test and a less exhausting for the patients and a time-saving for the investigator.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2011

In this study, silicone rubber filled with environmentally-friendly perlite was prepared by mechanical mixing in order to improve thermal properties, such as heat and fire resistances. We found that the properties of silicone rubber composites depended on perlite concentration by various characterization methods. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) indicated that the initial degradation temperature of silicone/perlite composite was higher than that of pristine silicone rubber. The gas torch test showed that the opposite side temperature of composite materials was remarkably low as compared to that of pristine silicone rubber. In addition, the composites containing 5 wt% and 10 wt% of perlite showed remarkable thermal stability at elevated temperatures according to the results of both fireproof furnace tests under the RABT condition and carbonization furnace tests. The images from a scanning electron microscope(SEM) showed the degree of dispersion of perlite in silicone rubber. Finally, it was confirmed that limited oxygen index(LOI) was increased with perlite concentration.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.234-240
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• 2009

$Mg(OH)_2$ particles were prepared by precipitation and a hydrothermal treatment to examine the effect of $MgCl_2$ concentration, alkali type and concentration, temperature, hydrothermal treatment on the formation of $Mg(OH)_2$ particles using full factorial design, as one of DOE (Design of experiment) methods. The primary particle size is similar to the secondary particle size for the samples after the hydrothermal treatment, where the average particle size of $Mg(OH)_2$ increased with increasing the concentration of $MgCl_2$ and hydrothermal temperature and decreasing alkali/Mg molar ratio. On the other hand, for the samples prepared from precipitation, the secondary particle size is larger than the primary particles due to aggregation. The difference in alkaline source is that the particles prepared from $NH_4OH$ exhibit the larger size with better dispersion than those from NaOH. Low density polyethylene and ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (LDPE-EVA) resin composed of the smaller secondary particle size of $Mg(OH)_2$ shows a higher limited oxygen index (LOI) at 50 and 55% loading, but the smaller primary particle size may result in a better grade in UL-94 tests. At the high loading of 60%, all samples with any preparation methods exhibit V-0 grade but the LOI value depends on not only primary particle size but also dispersion state.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.836-845
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• 1999

Background : Obesity is present in the majority of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) and is considered to be a major risk factor for its development. A reduction in body weight has been associated with substantial improvement in the severity of apnea. However, a variety of treatment strategies for obesity have yielded limited sucess. This study was done to determine resting energy expenditure(REE) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the correlation between the severity of sleep apnea and REE, and to investigate whether leptin influences REE and correlated with the severity of sleep apnea in 39 patients with OSA and 45 controls matched for obesity. Method : Overnight polysomnography was performed on all subjects using standard techniques. Measurements of REE were made using a Sensormedic Vmax 229 and a canopy system. Serum leptin concentration was measured by human leptin RIA kit of LINCO Research INC. Results : REE was greater in patients with OSA compared with controls, but there was no difference between the two groups on REE%. And also there was no significant correlation between anthropometric data, polysomnographic data and REE%. Serum leptin was linearly related to body mass index(BMI), apnea index, apnea hypopnea index and lowest arterial oxygen saturation($SaO_2$) but not related to REE%. Conclusion : This study suggests the followings. Firstly patients patients with sleep apnea have a pattern of obesity characterized by energy homeostasis at an elevated body weight set-point. In order to achieve a lower body weight in these patients, it may be necessary to increase energy expenditure by increasing physical activity. Secondly leptin level was not correlated with REE, suggesting that leptin may predominantly regulate body fat by altering eating behavior rather than calorigenesis. Lastly leptin level was significantly correlated with the severity of sleep apnea. These elevated level of leptin in patients of sleep apnea may be related to the obesity, however it needs further studies to determine the relationship between the severity of sleep apnea and serum leptin.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.227-250
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• 1999

The free radical theory of aging was introduced in 1956 by Denham Harman. This aging theory proposed that normal aging results from random deleterious damage to tissues by free radical and supplying antioxidant lead to decrease oxidative damage, inhibit aging process. In this study, we investigated antioxidantive effects of four Korean constitutional prescriptions for 'Soum' constitution - Palmulgunjatang(Y1), Sipyimiguanjungtang(Y2), Osuyubujayijungtang(Y3) and Seungyangyikkibujatang(Y4). Antioxidative activity of this prescriptions was examined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyrdazyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging effects and erythrocyte hemolysis inhibitory effects. Y2 and Y3 were shown to have relatively high antioxidative activity on this methods. In additions, result of the cytoprotective effects of Korean constitutional prescriptions agianst 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical initiator, induced cytotoxcity in human hepatoblastoma cell line was similarly obtained. On the basis of this result, we assayed the antioxidative effects of Y2 and Y3 on experimental oxidative damage, induced in mouse by 100mg/kg AAPH. Male ICR mouse were given oral administration of 500mg/kg Y2 and Y3 for 4 weeks. Thiobarbuturic acid reactive substance (TBARS) and protein degradation level in liver, plasma and brain as index of oxidative damage were decreased and thiol compound, total antioxidant status in plasma were increased by Y2 administration. But, Y3 injected group was decreased only protein degradation level in brain. Also, glutathione, a potent water-soluble endogenous antioxidant, concentration was increased by Y2 and Y3 administration in liver and brain. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity as a major antioxidative enzyme in vivo were not shown change by Y2 and Y3 administration. On the basis of these result, Y2 have an antioxidative effects on both water-soluble fraction and lipid-solube fraction in cell and tissues. But, Y3 has a lower antioxidative effects on lipid-soluble fraction than Y2 in cell and tissues. These results suggest that Y2 has a antioxidative effects by protect the tissue against oxygen free radical mediated oxidative damage and Y3 has a limited antioxidaitve effects on water-soluble fraction in vivo. Therefore, we make report that Y2 is more effective prescriptions for anti-aging or therapeutics of diseases.