• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2014

In the current study, a drug-eluting stent coated with biodegradable polymers and sirolimus was developed by using an ultrasonic nanocoater and characterized in aspects of surface smoothness and coating thickness. In addition, in vitro release profiles of sirolimus by changing top coating layer with different biodegradable polymers were investigated. Smooth surfaces with variable thickness could be fabricated by optimizing polymer concentration, flow rate, nozzle-tip distance, gas pressure, various solvents and ultrasonic power. Smooth surface could be generated by using volatile solvents (acetone, chloroform, and methylene chloride) or post-treating with solvent vapor. Coating thickness could be controlled by varying injection volume or polymer concentration, and higher concentration could reduce the coating time while obtaining the same thickness. The thickness measurement was the most effectively performed by a conventional cutting method among three different methods that were investigated in this study. Release profiles of sirolimus were effectively controlled by changing polymers for top layer. PLGA made the release rate 3 times faster than PDLLA and PLLA and all top layers prevented burst release at the initial phase of profiles. Our results will provide useful and informative knowledge for developing drug-eluting stents, especially coated with biodegradable polymers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.295-303
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• 2007

Nitrogen compounds in municipal wastewater can be divided into biodegradable and nonbiodegradable fractions with biodegradability. Biodegradable nitrogen compounds can be removed through biological nitrification and denitrification processes, and nonbiodegradable nitrogen compounds affect the effluent quality of biological nutrient removal processes. The amount of nitrifiable nitrogen compounds, which are the sum of ammonia and biodegradable organic nitrogen, has been estimated by respirometry. Respirometry shows good estimation of the concentration of nitrifiable nitrogen when a synthetic sample of ammonium chloride is dosed. The estimated concentration of nitrifiable nitrogen compounds in municipal wastewater is close to ammonia concentration in municipal wastewater, but it is lower than that for the synthetic sample. If nitrogen assimilated into cell synthesis of nitrifiers and heterotrophs is considered, the total amounts of nitrifiable nitrogen compounds, which are nitrified and assimilated, could be more accurately estimated. The concentration of nitrifiable nitrogen compounds, which are biodegradable, is about 31 mg N/l, and this is 119% of ammonia and 94% of total nitrogen. Ammonia, nitrate, biodegradable organic nitrogen, and nonbiodegradable nitrogen are about 79%, 1%, 15%, and 5% of the total nitrogen in municipal wastewater, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2013

Physical characteristics of PA (Polyamide) gill net and biodegradable gill net made by PBS (Polybutylene succinate) (mesh size 63mm, mesh thickness number 2, 2.5, 3) were analyzed to investigate catching efficiency of the biodegradable gill net for Pacific herring. Total 11 numbers of catching efficiency tests were carried out using commercial fishing vessel at Imwon port in Kangwon province from May to June 2013. The amount of catches were 1,535.7kg (18 species) through the catching efficiency tests and it is expected that the practicalization of biodegradable gillnet is possible because there is no difference for catches between PA gillnet and PBS gillnet. Catches of herring according to the thickness of net twine was the highest at No.2 and the thicker net twine tends to decrease the catches.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.13-20
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• 2013

In this study, two biodegradable polymer(PLA, PBS) emulsions were treated on agricultural packaging paper such as fruit bagging paper. Water-repellency, mechanical properties, and SEM image with thermal aging were measured on the emulsion treated fruit bagging paper. Biodegradable polymers(such as poly lactic acid, poly butylene succinate) emulsion treated fruit bagging paper had higher water-repellency and strength than other water-repellent(such as acrylic repellent, linseed oil and paraffin wax) treated fruit bagging paper. According to FE-SEM results of polymer emulsion coated fruit bagging paper, the colloidal particles of emulsion after thermal treatment (looks like being) were adhered to the fibers. Thus, using biodegradable polymer emulsion is expected to protect a fruit for a long time.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 1999

Biodegradable films were prepared by solution blending method in the weight ratio of Chitosan and Algin for the purpose of useful bioimplants. The possibility of bioimplants, which prepared from natural polymers as a skin substitute and food wrapping materials were evaluated by measuring the biodegradability. these biodegradable films were inserted in the back of rats and their biodegradability was investigated by hematological change as a function of time. Rats study showed that low-Chitosan induced increments of monocyte and basophil after 48 hours of implantation. And medium-Chitosan showed increase of lymphocyte and decreased neutrophil counts after 48 hours of implantation. Low, medium Chitosan showed high hemoglobin contents, medium and high Chitosan showed high hematocrit value after 48 hours of implantation. As a result, medium, high-Chitosan induced potential incompatibility in the tissue after 48 hours, but there was little effects to the skin inflammation. The values of biodegradable films, which prepared from natural polymers measured in this study were some satisfiable results at short period with those of ideal skin bioimplants and artificial skin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2010

The main purpose of this study is to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) by the general publics, assuming that they pay tax or charge for protecting marine living resources and environment through developing and supplying biodegradable fishing nets. This study employed a contingent valuation method (CVM) which is an econometric method. The survey was conducted by using both double-bounded dichotomous choice and open-ended survey. Tobit model was used for the analysis. The variables included concerns about marine environment and fishing net discarded, sex, age profile, number of family members, educational level and personal disposable income. Annual average WTP per family for the biodegradable fishing net development and supply was estimated at 5,294 won and national WTP amounted to some 84.2 billion won. This includes both of use and non-use value of biodegradable fishing nets.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2010

The tensile strength, permeability and discharge capacity of biodegradable plastic drain boards made with poly lactic acid (PLA) have been tested and verified prior to their usage at field. Based on test results, the tensile strength of biodegradable plastic drain board made with PLA has relatively lower tensile strain and tensile strength than those of plastic drain board. Performance of PLA filter having good permeability and low opening size is proper for the filter of vertical drain board. In case of improving stiffness of PLA filter, biodegradable plastic drain board also satisfies required discharge capacity as use of vertical drain board too.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2015

This study developed biodegradable bi-layered drug-eluting beads and investigated the in-vitro release of fluorouracil and cisplatin from the beads. To manufacture the drug-eluting beads, poly[(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide] (PLGA) with lactide:glycolide ratios of 50:50 and 75:25 were mixed with fluorouracil or cisplatin. The mixture was compressed and sintered at $55^{\circ}C$ to form bi-layered beads. An elution method was employed to characterize the release characteristic of the pharmaceuticals over a 30-day period at $37^{\circ}C$. The influence of polymer type (i.e., 50:50 or 75:25 PLGA) and layer layout on the release characteristics was investigated. The experiment suggested that biodegradable beads released high concentrations of fluorouracil and cisplatin for more than 30 days. The 75:25 PLGA released the pharmaceuticals at a slower rate than the 50:50 PLGA. In addition, the bi-layered structure reduced the release rate of drugs from the core layer of the beads. By adopting the compression sintering technique, we will be able to manufacture biodegradable beads for long-term drug delivery of various anti-cancer pharmaceuticals.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.172-177
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• 2023

Many studies have been conducted on the indiscriminate use of plastic due to the environment problems it has caused all over the world. This problem can be mitigated by using eco-friendly/biodegradable plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms or enzymes. This study focused on addressing the plastic golf tees that are thrown away at golf courses. In order to replace conventional golf tees (ABS) with a more eco-friendly alternative, this study explored a biodegradable plastic and 3D printing method for producing golf tees. Among the biodegradable plastics, PLA (polylactic acid) was found to be a good candidate as an eco-friendly material because it is biodegradable by microorganisms. Thus, golf tees were prepared by using PLA via 3D printing, and the physical and chemical properties of the tees were evaluated. The amorphous region of PLA was confirmed through XRD. Also, FT-IR showed the unique peak of PLA without impurities. It was confirmed through an optical microscope that the specific surface area and roughness had increased. This structure plays a role in firmly fixing the golf tee when it is inserted into the ground. In addition, it was possible to improve the compressive load compared to ABS golf tees while also decreasing the compressive stretching.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.390-393
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• 2004

Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was used as an indicator of microbial activity. In this study OUR at dyeing wastewater in the pilot plant was monitored to examine biological activity. Correlation between inlet COD concentration and maximum OUR showed that maximum OUR was proportional to inlet COD concentration. Changes in the OUR values reflected the changing waste load in the reactor. Consequently, OUR can be used to estimate biological activity of inlet COD concentration. This study showed that biodegradable COD at dyeing wastewater could be calculated from OUR and yield coefficient. Non-biodegradable COD was able to be calculated from a difference between initial COD concentration and biodegradable COD.