• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.367-375
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• 2006

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) is well adopted for community wastewater treatment for its simplicity, performance and various advantageous treatment options. SBR is now drawing attention for its process modification such as coupled with membrane bioreactor, reverse osmosis or applying different media to achieve high removal efficiency. This study focused on the improved efficiency of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous removal by applying zeolite materials called bioceramics to the SBR. Two laboratory-scale SBR units were operated in the same operating conditions - one with bioceramics called Bioceramic SBR (BCSBR) and the other without bioceramics used as control. Routine monitoring of COD, TP, $NH_3-N$, $NO_3-N$ was performed throughout this study. COD removal was about 80% to 100% and phosphorous removal was about 60% in the process whereas $NH_3-N$ removal efficiency was found to be 99.9% in the BCSBR unit. Addition of bioceramics also improved sludge characteristics such as sludge dewaterability, specific gravity and particle size. BCSBR can withstand high ammonia shock loading leading to the better treatment capacity of high ammonia containing wastewater. The cause of improved removal efficiencies within the biological reactor could be attributed to the biochemosorption mechanisms of bioceramics. Absorption/adsorption or desorption capacity of bioceramics was tested through laboratory experiments.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.7
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and migration of Endosequence Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer (BC Sealer) compared to MTA Fillapex and AH Plus. Materials and Methods: BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, and AH Plus were placed in contact with culture medium to obtain sealers extracts in dilution 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. 3T3 cells were plated and exposed to the extracts. Cell viability and migration were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Scratch assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: The MTT assay revealed greater cytotoxicity for AH Plus and MTA Fillapex at 1:1 dilution when compared to control (p < 0.05). At 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, all sealers were similar to control (p > 0.05) and MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than BC Sealer (p < 0.05). Scratch assay demonstrated the continuous closure of the wound according to time. At 30 hours, the control group presented closure of the wound (p < 0.05). At 36 hours, only BC Sealer presented the closure when compared to AH Plus and MTA Fillapex (p < 0.05). At 42 hours, AH Plus and MTA Fillapex showed a wound healing (p > 0.05). Conclusions: All tested sealers demonstrated cell viability highlighting BC Sealer, which showed increased cell migration capacity suggesting that this sealer may achieve better tissue repair when compared to other tested sealers.

• Solar Energy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-28
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• 1995

In this study, the history of Korean traditional Ondol was investigated and the latent heat materials and bioceramics were selected to develop the latent heat storage-bioceramics Ondol system based on the Korean traditional Ondol(sensible heat storage type), and the thermal characteristics of Ondol were analyzed experimentally The results could be summarized as follows; 1. Korean traditional Ondol has been originated in "Whaduk" which had been utilized continuously for about $2{\times}10^6$ years from the Old Stone Age to the Bronze Age, and Korean traditional Ondol using in these days has been utilized for about 976 years from the Koryu Dynasty to the Modern Ages. 2. $Na_2SO_4{\cdot}10H_2O(SSD)$ was selected as latent heat material for the latent heat storage Ondol. 3. Ondol unit was filled with the latent heat material of 0.63 kg and the dimension of Ondol unit was $400mm{\times}400mm{\times}27mm(width{\t\imes}depth{\times}height)$. 4. The comfortable surface temperature($23{\sim}29^{\circ}C$) of the latent heat storage Ondol was lasted 5 hours at the room temperature of $16{\sim}18^{\circ}C$, whereas that of sensible heat storage Ondol was lasted only 1.0 hours in the same conditions. 5. For the thermal effect of bioceramics, the Ondol air temperature i.n case of bioceramics treatment on the pannel was higher than that of without bioceramics treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2017

Objectives: Recently, bioceramic sealers like EndoSequence BC Sealer (BC Sealer) have been introduced and are being used in endodontic practice. However, this sealer has limited research related to its retreatability. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the retreatability of two sealers, BC Sealer as compared with AH Plus using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) analysis. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six extracted human maxillary incisors were instrumented and randomly divided into 4 groups of 14 teeth: 1A, gutta-percha, AH Plus retreated with chloroform; 1B, gutta-percha, AH Plus retreated without chloroform; 2A, gutta-percha, EndoSequence BC Sealer retreated with chloroform; 2B, gutta-percha, EndoSequence BC Sealer retreated without chloroform. Micro-CT scans were taken before and after obturation and retreatment and analyzed for the volume of residual material. The specimens were longitudinally sectioned and digitized images were taken with the dental operating microscope. Data was analyzed using an ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test. Fisher exact tests were performed to analyze the ability to regain patency. Results: There was significantly less residual root canal filling material in the AH Plus groups retreated with chloroform as compared to the others. The BC Sealer samples retreated with chloroform had better results than those retreated without chloroform. Furthermore, patency could be re-established in only 14% of teeth in the BC Sealer without chloroform group. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the BC Sealer group had significantly more residual filling material than the AH Plus group regardless of whether or not both sealers were retreated with chloroform.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.10.1-10.11
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the color stability, solubility, and surface characteristics of 3 calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) after immersion in different solutions. Materials and Methods: ProRoot white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) were placed in cylindrical molds and stored at 37℃ for 24 hours. Each specimen was immersed in distilled water, 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine, or 0.1% octenidine hydrochloride (OCT) for 24 hours. Color changes were measured with a spectrophotometer. Solubility was determined using an analytical balance with 10^-5 g accuracy. The surface characteristics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance, the Tukey test, and the paired t-test. Results: MTA exhibited significant discoloration in contact with NaOCl (p < 0.05). White precipitation occurred on the surfaces of Biodentine and ERRM after contact with the solutions, and none of the materials presented dark brown discoloration. All materials showed significant solubility after immersion in the solutions (p < 0.05), irrespective of the solution type (p > 0.05). The surface topography and elemental composition of the samples showed different patterns of crystal formation and precipitation depending on the solution type. Conclusions: All materials presented some amount of solubility and showed crystal precipitation after contact with the solutions. Biodentine and ERRM are suitable alternatives to ProRoot MTA as they do not exhibit discoloration. The use of OCT can be considered safe for CSCs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated the biocompatibility and bioactive potential of NeoMTA Plus mixed as a root canal sealer in comparison with MTA Fillapex. Materials and Methods: Polyethylene tubes filled with NeoMTA Plus (n = 20), MTA Fillapex (n = 20), or nothing (control group, CG; n = 20) were inserted into the connective tissue in the dorsal subcutaneous layer of rats. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens were processed for paraffin embedding. The capsule thickness, collagen content, and number of inflammatory cells (ICs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunolabeled cells were measured. von Kossa-positive structures were evaluated and unstained sections were analyzed under polarized light. Two-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by the post hoc Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Results: At 7 days, the capsules around NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex had more ICs and IL-6-immunostained cells than the CG. However, at 60 days, there was no significant difference in the IC number between NeoMTA Plus and the CG (p = 0.1137) or the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.4062), although a greater number of IL-6-immunostained cells was observed in the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.0353). From 7 to 60 days, the capsule thickness of the NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex specimens significantly decreased, concomitantly with an increase in the collagen content. The capsules around root canal sealers showed positivity to the von Kossa stain and birefringent structures. Conclusions: The NeoMTA Plus root canal sealer is biocompatible and exhibits bioactive potential.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.13
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the nanoleakage of root canal obturations using calcium silicate-based sealer according to different drying methods. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two extracted mandibular premolars with a single root canal and straight root were selected for this study. After canal preparation with a nickel-titanium rotary file system, the specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups according to canal drying methods (1: complete drying, 2: blot drying/distilled water, 3: blot drying/NaOCl, 4: aspiration only). The root canals were obturated using a single-cone filling technique with a calcium silicate-based sealer. Nanoleakage was evaluated using a nanoflow device after 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month. Data were collected twice per second at the nanoscale and measured in nanoliters per second. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (p < 0.05). Results: The mean flow rate measured after 24 hours showed the highest value among the time periods in all groups. However, the difference in the flow rate between 1 week and 1 month was not significant. The mean flow rate of the complete drying group was the highest at all time points. After 1 month, the mean flow rate in the blot drying group and the aspiration group was not significantly different. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the canal drying method had a significant effect on leakage and sealing ability in root canal obturations using a calcium silicate-based sealer. Thus, a proper drying procedure is critical in endodontic treatment.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.44.1-44.15
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• 2021

Tumor peptides associated with MHC class I molecules or their synthetic variants have attracted great attention for their potential use as vaccines to induce tumor-specific CTLs. However, the outcome of clinical trials of peptide-based tumor vaccines has been disappointing. There are various reasons for this lack of success, such as difficulties in delivering the peptides specifically to professional Ag-presenting cells, short peptide half-life in vivo, and limited peptide immunogenicity. We report here a novel peptide vaccination strategy that efficiently induces peptide-specific CTLs. Nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated from a biodegradable polymer, poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), attached to H-2K^b molecules, and then the natural peptide epitopes associated with the H-2K^b molecules were exchanged with a model tumor peptide, SIINFEKL (OVA_257-268). These NPs were efficiently phagocytosed by immature dendritic cells (DCs), inducing DC maturation and activation. In addition, the DCs that phagocytosed SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs potently activated SIINFEKL-H2K^b complex-specific CD8⁺ T cells via cross-presentation of SIINFEKL. In vivo studies showed that intravenous administration of SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs effectively generated SIINFEKL-specific CD8⁺ T cells in both normal and tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, intravenous administration of SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs into EG7.OVA tumor-bearing mice almost completely inhibited the tumor growth. These results demonstrate that vaccination with polymeric NPs coated with tumor peptide-MHC-I complexes is a novel strategy for efficient induction of tumor-specific CTLs.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.228-236
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• 2015

Urbanization causes many environmental, hydrological and ecological problems such as distortion of the natural water circulation system, increase in nonpoint source pollutants in stormwater runoff, degradation of surface water quality, and damage to the ecosystem. Due to the increase in impervious surface by urbanization, developed countries apply low impact development (LID) techniques as important alternatives to reduce the impacts of urbanization. In Korea, LID techniques were employed since 2012 in order to manage nonpoint source pollutants. LID technology is a technique for removing pollutants using a variety of physical, chemical and biological mechanisms in plants, microorganisms and filter media with the reduced effluence of stormwater runoff by mimicking natural water circulation system. These LID facilities are used in a variety of filter media, but an assessment has not been carried out for the comprehensive comparison evaluation of adsorption and desorption characteristics for the pollutant removal capacity. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the adsorption and desorption characteristics of various filter media used in the LID facilities such as sand, gravel, bioceramic, wood chips and bottom ash etc. in reducing heavy metals(Pb, Cu). In this study, the adsorption affinity for Pb in all filter media was higher than Cu. Pseudo second order equation and Langmuir-3 isotherm are more applicable in the adsorption kinetic model and adsorption isotherm model, respectively. As a result of the desorption experiment, the filter media does not exceed KSLT which is the hazardous substance leaching limit, showing the capability of the filter media in LID. The bioceramic and woodchip as filter medias were evaluated and exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Pb.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.194-200
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• 2016

The impervious surface rate increased by urbanization causes various problems on the environment such as water cycle distortion, heat island effect, and non-point pollutant discharges. The Low Impact Development (LID) techniques are significantly considered as an important tool for stormwater management in urban areas and development projects. The main mechanisms of LID technologies are hydrological and environmental pollution reduction among soils, media, microorganisms, and plants. Especially, the media provides important functions on permeability and retention rate of stormwater runoff in LID facilities. Therefore, this research was performed to assess the pollutant removal efficiency for different types of media such as zeolite, wood chip, bottom ash, and bio-ceramic. All media show high pollutant removal efficiency of more than 60% for particulate materials and heavy metals. Double layered media is more effective in reducing heavy metals by providing diverse sizes of micro-pores and macro-pores compared to the single layered media. The results recommend the use of different sizes of media application is more cost-effective in LID than a single size of media. Furthermore, soluble proportion of total heavy metal in the stormwater is an important component in proper media selection and arrangement.