• Title/Summary/Keyword: Thickness

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Beneficial Effect of an Agar Mask against Skin Damage Induced by UV Exposure in SKH-1 Hairless Mice (UV조사에 의해 유발된 SKH-1 hairless 마우스의 피부노화에 미치는 한천마스크의 개선효과)

  • Song, Bo Ram;Kim, Ji Eun;Yun, Woo Bin;Lee, Mi Rim;Choi, Jun Young;Park, Jin Ju;Kim, Dong Seob;Lee, Chung Yeoul;Lee, Hee Seob;Lim, Yong;Jung, Min Wook;Kim, Bae Hwan;Hwang, Dae Youn
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.27 no.9
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    • pp.975-985
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    • 2017
  • To investigate the beneficial effects of an agar gel mask (AGM) on UV-induced photoaging, SKH-1 hairless mice were treated with a topical application of AGM and an AGM dipped in essence (AGMdE). The mice were divided into an no radiation group, UV + AGM, UV + AGMdE, and UV + vehicle (PBS) treatment groups. Alterations in skin wrinkles, skin phenotype, histological structures, oxidative status, and toxicity were then evaluated during 4 weeks of exposure. The topical application of AGM and AGMdE inhibited wrinkle formation, suppressed the erythema index, prevented transepidermal water loss, and enhanced skin hydration. In addition, epidermal thickness recovered to a similar level as that in the no irradiation group in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups compared with the UV + vehicle (distilled water) group. Furthermore, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tyrosinase were reduced in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups, although the highest level varied. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups as compared with the UV + vehicle group. No significant alterations induced by most toxic compounds were measured in serum biochemical markers and liver and kidney histological features of the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups. These results suggest that AGM may protect against skin aging by regulating skin morphology, histopathological structures, and oxidative conditions.

Perfluoropolymer Membranes of Tetrafluoroethylene and 2,2,4Trifluofo- 5Trifluorometoxy- 1,3Dioxole.

  • Arcella, V.;Colaianna, P.;Brinati, G.;Gordano, A.;Clarizia, G.;Tocci, E.;Drioli, E.
    • Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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    • 1999.07a
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    • pp.39-42
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    • 1999
  • Perfluoropolymers represent the ultimate resistance to hostile chemical environments and high service temperature, attributed to the presence of fluorine in the polymer backbone, i.e. to the high bond energy of C-F and C-C bonds of fluorocarbons. Copolymers of Tetrafluoroethylene (TEE) and 2, 2, 4Trifluoro-5Trifluorometoxy- 1, 3Dioxole (TTD), commercially known as HYFLON AD, are amorphous perfluoropolymers with glass transition temperature (Tg)higher than room temperature, showing a thermal decomposition temperature exceeding 40$0^{\circ}C$. These polymer systems are highly soluble in fluorinated solvents, with low solution viscosities. This property allows the preparation of self-supported and composite membranes with desired membrane thickness. Symmetric and asymmetric perfluoropolymer membranes, made with HYFLON AD, have been prepared and evaluated. Porous and not porous symmetric membranes have been obtained by solvent evaporation with various processing conditions. Asymmetric membranes have been prepared by th wet phase inversion method. Measure of contact angle to distilled water have been carried out. Figure 1 compares experimental results with those of other commercial membranes. Contact angles of about 120$^{\circ}$for our amorphous perfluoropolymer membranes demonstrate that they posses a high hydrophobic character. Measure of contact angles to hexandecane have been also carried out to evaluate the organophobic character. Rsults are reported in Figure 2. The observed strong organophobicity leads to excellent fouling resistance and inertness. Porous membranes with pore size between 30 and 80 nanometers have shown no permeation to water at pressures as high as 10 bars. However high permeation to gases, such as O2, N2 and CO2, and no selectivities were observed. Considering the porous structure of the membrane, this behavior was expected. In consideration of the above properties, possible useful uses in th field of gas- liquid separations are envisaged for these membranes. A particularly promising application is in the field of membrane contactors, equipments in which membranes are used to improve mass transfer coefficients in respect to traditional extraction and absorption processes. Gas permeation properties have been evaluated for asymmetric membranes and composite symmetric ones. Experimental permselectivity values, obtained at different pressure differences, to various single gases are reported in Tab. 1, 2 and 3. Experimental data have been compared with literature data obtained with membranes made with different amorphous perfluoropolymer systems, such as copolymers of Perfluoro2, 2dimethyl dioxole (PDD) and Tetrafluorethylene, commercialized by the Du Pont Company with the trade name of Teflon AF. An interesting linear relationship between permeability and the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting the membrane has been observed. Results are descussed in terms of polymer chain structure, which affects the presence of voids at molecular scale and their size distribution. Molecular Dyanmics studies are in progress in order to support the understanding of these results. A modified Theodoru- Suter method provided by the Amorphous Cell module of InsightII/Discover was used to determine the chain packing. A completely amorphous polymer box of about 3.5 nm was considered. Last but not least the use of amorphous perfluoropolymer membranes appears to be ideal when separation processes have to be performed in hostile environments, i.e. high temperatures and aggressive non-aqueous media, such as chemicals and solvents. In these cases Hyflon AD membranes can exploit the outstanding resistance of perfluoropolymers.

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Case Study on Economical Fabrication and Erection of Steel Structure and Reduction in Field Erection Time (경제적 철골제작$\cdot$설치 및 공기단축 사례분석연구)

  • Ahn Jae-Bong;Choi Yoon ki
    • Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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    • v.5 no.5 s.21
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    • pp.183-192
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    • 2004
  • Even in Korea the number of steel structure buildings that allow internal space and easy change of their layouts in accordance with the purpose of buildings and box-type steel bridges constructed with thick plates with thickness in a rage just from a few $\beta$AE to \$100\beta$AE is increasing these days and therefore, domestic fabrication and processing technology of members for steel structures is being improved at a pace faster than in the past to meet the growing requirements of consumers for high reliability on quality control on the related steel structures. However, most domestic fabricators os steel structures who are turning out their steel products in accordance with the designs prepared by engineering companies in their respective works for the sake of cost cut more than anything else, hesitating to introduce any advanced new technology into themselves. In the case of the steel structure design application for small and mid-size buildings in particular, it is quite meaningful not only for those who are involved in steel structure business, but also for the people working at construction work fields to review the result of the study on the connections of steel structure members deigned to obtain superb quality of steel structures within short period for steel fabrication and erection at fields in economical ways, as there is a glowing tendency seeking standardization of connection of steel structure members as well as whole structure together with the development on design of construction system of buildings including their exterior and interior decoration materials, manufacture of the related members and fabrication technique structure. This paper has been prepared with the aim to review the peculiar characteristics of buildings constructed with the main frames of steel structures and actual cases of the change made ing the connections between steel structure columns and between columns and girder members in order to reduce the work period necessary for fabrication and erection of steel structures at the maximum as well as the some examples of steel structures fabricated through automatic welding by robots for box-type columns in addition to the description of the problems found in the course of fabricating those steel structures, suggesting possible counter-measures to solve them.

Development of in-situ Sintered Ni-Al Alloy Anode for Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (용융탄산염 연료전지용 in-situ 소결된 Ni-Al 합금 연료극 개발)

  • Chun, H.A.;Yoon, S.P.;Han, J.;Nam, S.W.;Lim, T.H.
    • Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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    • v.9 no.3
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    • pp.124-131
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    • 2006
  • For commercialization of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), it has some problems to be overcome such as decrease of porosity and thickness of the anode under the operating condition (at $650^{\circ}C$ and working pressure of more than 2 $kg_f/cm^2$). Recently, Ni-Al alloy anode has been proposed to replace the conventional Ni-Cr anode as an alternative material to resist a creep and inhibit the sintering. The objective of this research is to sinter the green sheet of Ni-Al alloy anode during single cell pre-treatment process, which has several advantages like cost down and simplification of manufacturing process. However, the Ni-Al alloy anode prepared with a conventional pre-treatment process showed the phase separation of Ni-Al alloy and formation of micropore(${\leqq}0.4{\mu}m$), resulting in low creep resistance and high electrolyte re-distribution. In order to prevent the Ni-Al alloy anode from phase-separating, nitrogen gas was used in the process of pre-treatment. Introducing the nitrogen, the phase separation from Ni-Al alloy into nickel and alumina was minimized and increased creep resistance. However, there was some micropore formation on the surface of Ni-Al alloy anode during the cell operation due to creation of lithium aluminate. Addition of more amount of electrolyte into a cell, especially at cathode, made the cell performance stable for 2,000 hrs. Consequently, it was possible to make the Ni-Al alloy anode with good creep resistance by the modified in-situ sintering technique.

The Growth and Physiological Responses of Cacalia firma Seedlings by Shading Conditions in Forest Farming (임간재배 시 병풍쌈 유묘의 차광처리별 생장 및 생리 반응)

  • Yoon, Jun Hyuck;Jeon, Kwon Seok;Song, Ki Seon;Park, Yong Bae;Moon, Yong Sun;Lee, Do Hyung
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.103 no.1
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    • pp.65-71
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    • 2014
  • Cacalia firma is a perennial plant in Asteraceae, Parasenecio that distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. As dietary style changes for well-being life, consumer's demand of functional food and organic vegetables is getting increased. This study was conducted to investigate the optimum light conditions of P. firmus in forest farming. One year old seedlings were grown under four different light conditions 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50% of sunlight by shading (equals 50%, 30%, 20%, and 10% relative brightness respectively) and non-treated control under full sunlight. They were analyzed for early growth and physiological response. Seedlings grown under 75% shading showed similar height, root growth, and leaf water content to control. However, their leaf length, width, and total leaf area were increased, which caused increased leaf dry weight and total dry weight. Especially, seedlings under 95% shading showed 40% increase in height and more leaf growth and leaf water content, although they had shorter main root length and root collar diameter than control. In addition specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area ratio (LAR) were higher than control and indicated that they were statistically significant difference from control. Higher SLA refers thinner leaf thickness, higher LAR means larger leaf area. The results indicate seedlings under 95% shading have higher water content, thinner leaf, and wider lightinterception areas. It is plausible that P. firmus is active in chlorophyll activities and carbon dioxide assimilation at even lower light conditions. These results suggest that the optimum light level of P. firmus for artificial cultivation in forest farming ranges from 75~95% shading (20%-10% of relative brightness). When salability as 'sanchae' (wild edible greens) is considered, P. firmus could be cultivated under 75% shading in forest farming and expected to have better taste and higher yield. We suggest these results as basic data of P. firmus for possible forest farming.

Effect of Shading Methods on Growth and Fruit Quality of Paprika in Summer Season (파프리카 여름재배시 차광방법이 생육과 과실특성에 미치는 영향)

  • Ha, Jun Bong;Lim, Chae Shin;Kang, Hyo Yong;Kang, Yang Su;Hwang, Seung Jae;Mun, Hyung Su;An, Chul Geon
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.419-427
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    • 2012
  • This study was carried out to investigate the effect of two shading methods, shading agent spray on the glasshouse and internal shading screen treatment, on the growth and fruit quality of paprika (Capsicum annuum L. 'Cupra' and 'Coletti') in summer season cultivation. In the shading agent treatment, a commercial shading agent diluted with water at a ratio of 1 : 4 was sprayed on the roof of a glasshouse. In the internal shading screen treatment, a 10~20% shaded screen was used during the day time when the sun radiation was greater than $700W{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Compared to the unshaded control, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) decreased in the greenhouse in the shading agent (SA) and shading screen (SS) treatments by 20% and 30%, respectively. Lower air temperatures and higher relative humidities were observed in the SA than in both the control and the SS treatment. Time to reach the break point of humidity deficit $8g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ was 2 hours late in the SA than in both the control and the SS treatment. Compared to control, both the SA and the SS treatments showed lower instantaneous temperatures of leaf, fruit, and flower by $2^{\circ}C$, $5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$, respectively. There were no differences in number of branches, stem diameter, and leaf size among treatments although both shading treatments promoted plant height in both cultivars. Botrytis infection ratio declined with the SA treatment by 14.7% in 'Cupra' and 22.1% in 'Coletti' as compared to that in the control. Shading increased fruit size in both cultivars, whereas no differences were observed in the number of locules and thickness of fruit tissue among treatments. Shading treatment increased mean fruit weight by a range of 10 to 15 g per fruit, while it decreased soluble solids contents as compared to that in the control. Similar Hunter values were observed among treatments, while fruit firmness increased slightly in shading treatments. Compared to the control, shading treatments improved marketable fruits by 11.7~22.6% and increased the number of fruits per plant by 4~9.2 in both 'Cupra' and 'Coletti'. The results of this study indicate that shading agent application on the roof of glasshouse would be one of the most effective options to reduce heat stress imposed on the paprika crop in summer cultivation, resulting in improved crop growth and fruit yield.

ENAMEL ADHESION OF LIGHT-AND CHEMICAL-CURED COMPOSITES COUPLED BY TWO STEP SELF-ETCH ADHESIVES (2단계 자가 산부식 접착제와 결합된 광중합과 화학중합 복합레진의 법랑질 접착)

  • Han, Sae-Hee;Kim, Eun-Soung;Cho, Young-Gon
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.169-179
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    • 2007
  • This study was to compare the microshear bond strength $({\mu}SBS)$ of light- and chemically cured composites to enamel coupled with four 2-step self-etch adhesives and also to evaluate the incompatibility between 2-step self-etch adhesives and chemically cured composite resin. Crown segments of extracted human molars were cut mesiodistally, and a 1 mm thickness of specimen was made. They were assigned to four groups by adhesives used: SE group (Clearfil SE Bond) AdheSE group (AdheSE), Tyrian group (Tyrian SPE/One-Step Plus), and Contax group (Contax) Each adhesive was applied to a cut enamel surface as per the manufacturer's instruction. Light-cured (Filtek Z250) or chemically cured composite (Luxacore Smartmix Dual) was bonded to the enamel of each specimen using a Tygon tube. After storage in distilled water for 24 hours, the bonded specimens were subjected to ${\mu}SBS$ testing with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The mean ${\mu}SBS$ (n=20 for each group) was statistically compared using two-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD, and t test at 95% level. Also the interface of enamel and composite was evaluated under FE-SEM. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The ${\mu}SBS$ of the SE Bond group to the enamel was significantly higher than that of the AdheSE group, the Tyrian group, and the Contax group in both the light-cured and the chemically cured composite resin (p < 0.05). 2. There was not a significant difference among the hdheSE group, the Tyrian group, and the Contax group in both the light-cured and the chemically cured composite resin. 3. The ${\mu}SBS$ of the light-cured composite resin was significantly higher than that of the chemically cured composite resin when same adhesive was applied to the enamel (p < 0.05). 4. The interface of enamel and all 2-step self-etch adhesives showed close adaptation, and so the incompatibility of the chemically cured composite resin did not show.

PREPARATION OF AMORPHOUS CARBON NITRIDE FILMS AND DLC FILMS BY SHIELDED ARC ION PLATING AND THEIR TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Takai, Osamu
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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    • 2000.11a
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    • pp.3-4
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    • 2000
  • Many researchers are interested in the synthesis and characterization of carbon nitride and diamond-like carbon (DLq because they show excellent mechanical properties such as low friction and high wear resistance and excellent electrical properties such as controllable electical resistivity and good field electron emission. We have deposited amorphous carbon nitride (a-C:N) thin films and DLC thin films by shielded arc ion plating (SAIP) and evaluated the structural and tribological properties. The application of appropriate negative bias on substrates is effective to increase the film hardness and wear resistance. This paper reports on the deposition and tribological OLC films in relation to the substrate bias voltage (Vs). films are compared with those of the OLC films. A high purity sintered graphite target was mounted on a cathode as a carbon source. Nitrogen or argon was introduced into a deposition chamber through each mass flow controller. After the initiation of an arc plasma at 60 A and 1 Pa, the target surface was heated and evaporated by the plasma. Carbon atoms and clusters evaporated from the target were ionized partially and reacted with activated nitrogen species, and a carbon nitride film was deposited onto a Si (100) substrate when we used nitrogen as a reactant gas. The surface of the growing film also reacted with activated nitrogen species. Carbon macropartic1es (0.1 -100 maicro-m) evaporated from the target at the same time were not ionized and did not react fully with nitrogen species. These macroparticles interfered with the formation of the carbon nitride film. Therefore we set a shielding plate made of stainless steel between the target and the substrate to trap the macropartic1es. This shielding method is very effective to prepare smooth a-CN films. We, therefore, call this method "shielded arc ion plating (SAIP)". For the deposition of DLC films we used argon instead of nitrogen. Films of about 150 nm in thickness were deposited onto Si substrates. Their structures, chemical compositions and chemical bonding states were analyzed by using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Hardness of the films was measured with a nanointender interfaced with an atomic force microscope (AFM). A Berkovich-type diamond tip whose radius was less than 100 nm was used for the measurement. A force-displacement curve of each film was measured at a peak load force of 250 maicro-N. Load, hold and unload times for each indentation were 2.5, 0 and 2.5 s, respectively. Hardness of each film was determined from five force-displacement curves. Wear resistance of the films was analyzed as follows. First, each film surface was scanned with the diamond tip at a constant load force of 20 maicro-N. The tip scanning was repeated 30 times in a 1 urn-square region with 512 lines at a scanning rate of 2 um/ s. After this tip-scanning, the film surface was observed in the AFM mode at a constant force of 5 maicro-N with the same Berkovich-type tip. The hardness of a-CN films was less dependent on Vs. The hardness of the film deposited at Vs=O V in a nitrogen plasma was about 10 GPa and almost similar to that of Si. It slightly increased to 12 - 15 GPa when a bias voltage of -100 - -500 V was applied to the substrate with showing its maximum at Vs=-300 V. The film deposited at Vs=O V was least wear resistant which was consistent with its lowest hardness. The biased films became more wear resistant. Particularly the film deposited at Vs=-300 V showed remarkable wear resistance. Its wear depth was too shallow to be measured with AFM. On the other hand, the DLC film, deposited at Vs=-l00 V in an argon plasma, whose hardness was 35 GPa was obviously worn under the same wear test conditions. The a-C:N films show higher wear resistance than DLC films and are useful for wear resistant coatings on various mechanical and electronic parts.nic parts.

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CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPIC MORPHOLOGY OF DENTIN-RESIN INTERFACE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SHEAR BOND STRENGTH (상아질-레진 계면의 공초점 현미경적 형태 및 전단결합강도와의 관계)

  • Choi, Nak-Won;Cho, Byeong-Hoon;Son, Ho-Hyun
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.310-321
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    • 1999
  • In this in vitro study, confocal laser scanning microscopic morphology of dentin-resin interface and its relationship to shear bond strength were investigated after the exposed dentin surfaces were treated with 3 different kinds of dentin adhesive systems[three-step; Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus(SMPP), self-priming bonding resin; Single Bond(SB), self-etching primer; Clearfil Liner Bond 2(LB2)]. 52 extracted human molar teeth without caries and/or restorations. The experimental teeth were randomly divided into three groups of seventeen teeth each. In five teeth of each group, class V cavities(depth: 1.5mm) with 900 cavosurface angles were prepared at the cementoenamel junction on buccal and lingual surfaces. Bonding resins of each dentin adhesive system were mixed with rhodamine B. Primer of SMPP was mixed with fluorescein. In group 1. the exposed dentin was conditioned with etchant, applied with above primer and bonding resin of SMPP. In group 2, with etchant and self-priming bonding agent of SB. In group 3, with self-etching primer and bonding agent of LB2. After treatment with dentin adhesive systems, composite resin were applied and photocured. The experimental teeth were cut longitudinally through the center line of restoration and grounded so that about $90{\mu}m$-thick wafers of buccolingually orientated dentin were obtained. And, $70{\sim}80{\mu}m$-thick wafers sectioned horizontally, thus presenting a dentinal tubules at 900 to the cut surface of a remaining tooth, were obtained. Primer of SMPP mixed with rhodamine B was applied to these wafers. Confocal laser scanning microscopic investigations of these wafers were done within of 24 hours after treatment. To measure shear bond strength, the remaining twelve teeth of each group were grounded horizontally below the dentinoenamel junction, so that no enamel remained. After applying dentin adhesive systems on the dentin surface, composite was applied in the shape of cylinder. The cylinder was 5mm in diameter, and 2mm in thickness. Shear bond strength was measured using Instron with a cross-head speed of 0.5mm/min. It was concluded as follows ; 1. Hybrid layer of SMPP(mean: $4.56{\mu}m$) was thicker than that of any other groups. This value was not statistically significant thicker than that of SB(mean: $3.41{\mu}m$, p>0.05), and significant thicker than that of LB2(mean: $1.56{\mu}m$, p<0.05). There was a statistical difference between SB and LB2(p<0.05). 2. Although there were variations in the length of resin tag even in a sample, and in a group, most samples in SMPP and SB showed resin tags extending above $20{\mu}m$. But samples in LB2 showed resin tags of $10{\mu}m$ at best. 3. Besides primer's infiltration into demineralized peritubular dentin and dentinal tubules, fluorophore of primer was detected in the lateral branches of dentinal tubules. 4. All groups demonstrated statistically significant differences from one another(p<0.05), with shear bond strengths given in descending order as follows: SMPP(18.3MPa), SB(16.0MPa) and LB2(12.4MPa). 5. LB2 having thinnest hybrid layer($1.56{\mu}m$) showed the lowest shear bond strength(12.4MPa).

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COLOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESIN COMPOSITES BEFORE- AND AFTER-POLYMERIZATION, AND SHADE GUIDES (복합레진의 광중합 전·후와 shade guide의 색차 비교)

  • Chon, Yi-Ju;Cho, Sung-Shik;Um, Chung-Moon
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.299-309
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    • 1999
  • The composite resin, due to its esthetic qualities, is considered the material of choice for restoration of anterior teeth. With respect to shade control, the direct-placement resin composites offer some distinct advantages over indirect restorative procedures. Visible-light-cured (VLC) composites allow dentists to match existing tooth shades or to create new shades and to evaluate them immediately at the time of restoration placement. Optimal intraoral color control can be achieved if optical changes occurring during application are minimized. An ideal VLC composite, then, would be one which is optically stable throughout the polymerization process. The shade guides of the resin composites are generally made of plastic, rather than the actual composite material, and do not accurately depict the true shade, translucency, or opacity of the resin composite after polymerization. So the numerous problems associated with these shade guides lead to varied and sometimes unpredictable results. The aim of this study was to assess the color changes of current resin composite restorative materials which occur as a result of the polymerization process and to compare the color differences between the shade guides provided with the products and the actual resin composites before- and after-polymerization. The results obtained from this investigation should provide the clinician with information which may aid in improved color match of esthetic restoration. Five light activated, resin-based materials (${\AE}$litefil, Amelogen Universal, Spectrum TPH VeridonFil-Photo, and Z100) and shade guides were used in this study. Three specimens of each material and shade combination were made. Each material was condensed inside a 1.5mm thick metal mold with 10mm diameter and pressed between glass plates. Each material was measured immediately before polymerization, and polymerized with Curing Light XL 3000 (3M Dental products, USA) visible light-activation unit for 60 seconds at each side. The specimens were then polished sequentially on wet sandpaper. Shade guides were ground with polishing stones and rubber points (Shofu) to a thickness of approximately 1.5mm. Color characteristics were performed with a spectrophotometer (CM-3500d, Minolta Co., LTD). A computer-controlled spectrophotometer was used to determine CIELAB coordinates ($L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$) of each specimen and shade guide. The CIELAB measurements made it possible to evaluate the amount of the color difference values (${\Delta}E{^*}ab$) of resin composites before the polymerization process and shade guides using the post-polishing color of the composite as a control, CIE standard D65 was used as the light source. The results were as follows. 1. Each of the resin composites evaluated showed significant color changes during light-curing process. All the resin composites evaluated except all the tested shades of 2100 showed unacceptable level of color changes (${\Delta}E{^*}ab$ greater than 3.3) between pre-polymerization and post-polishing state. 2. Color differences between most of the resin composites tested and their corresponding shade guides were acceptable but those between C2 shade of ${\AE}$litefil and IE shade of Amelogen Universal and their respective shade guides exceeded what is acceptable. 3. Comparison of the mean ${\Delta}E{^*}ab$ values of materials revealed that Z100 showed the least overall color change between pre-polymerization and post-polishing state followed by ${\AE}$litefil, VeridonFil-Photo, Spectrum TPH, and Amelogen Universal in the order of increasing change and Amelogen Universal. Spectrum TPH, 2100, VeridonFil-Photo and ${\AE}$litefil for the color differences between actual resin and shade guide. 4. In the clinical environment, the shade guide is the better choice than the shade of the actual resin before polymerization when matching colors. But, it is recommended that custom shade guides be made from resin material itself for better color matching.

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