• Carbon letters
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.103-107
• /
• 2004

The atmospheric pressure plasma treatments ($Ar/O_2$ and $Ar/N_2$) of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were carried out to introduce hydrophilic functional groups on carbon surfaces in order to enhance the hydrogen chloride gas (HCl) adsorption. Surface properties of the ACFs were determined by XPS and SEM. $N_2$/77 K adsorption isotherms were investigated by BET and D-R (Dubinin-Radushkevich) plot methods. The HCl removal efficiency was confirmed by HCl detecting tubes (range:1~40 or 40~1000 ppm). As experimental results, it was found that all plasma-treated ACFs showed the decrease in the pore volume, but the HCl removal efficiency showed higher level than that of the untreated ACFs. This result indicated that the plasma treatments led to the conformation of hydrophilic functional groups on the carbon surfaces, resulting in the increase of the interaction between the ACFs and HCl gas.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.62 no.11
• /
• pp.1566-1570
• /
• 2013

In this paper, we analyzed the electric characteristics of the OLEDs device of which anode ITO has been treated with the oxygen plasma. We fabricated the basic three-layer structure (ITO / AF / $Alq_3$ / $Cs_2CO_3$ / Al) device, analyzed how the oxygen plasma treatments of the ITO surface affects to the electrical characteristics of OLEDs. We also produced a four-layer structure device (ITO / AF / TPD / $Alq_3$ / $Cs_2CO_3$ / Al) with the oxygen plasma treatment. From the comparative analysis to the devices, we confirmed following results. The three-layer structure OLEDs device with oxygen plasma treatment has better characteristics than the device without the treatments; maximum luminance, luminous efficiency, and external quantum efficiency are improved approximately 151 [%], 126 [%], and 175[%], respectively. Also, the electric characteristics of the four-layer structure device with oxygen plasma treatment are improved comparing to the characteristics of the three-layer structure device with oxygen plasma treatment; maximum luminance, luminous efficiency, and external quantum efficiency are improved approximately 144 [%], 115 [%], and 124[%], respectively.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.74-79
• /
• 2019

Periorbital melasma is often refractory to treatment and highly associated with rebound hyperpigmentation or mottled hypopigmentation after laser treatment in Asian patients. In this report, we describe 2 patients with cluster-1 periorbital melasma and 1 patient with cluster-2 periorbital melasma who experienced remarkable clinical improvements after microwave-generated, atmospheric-pressure, non-thermal nitrogen plasma treatments. All patients exhibited limited clinical responses after combination treatments with topical bleaching agents, systemic oral tranexamic acid, and low-fluenced Q-switched neodymium (Nd):yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers. Low-energy nitrogen plasma treatment at 0.75 J elicited remarkable clinical improvement in the periorbital melasma lesions without post-laser therapy rebound hyperpigmentation and mottled hypopigmentation. We deemed that a single pass of nitrogen plasma treatment at 0.75 J induces mild microscopic thermal tissue coagulation and modification within the epidermis while preserving the integrity of the basement membrane in patients with periorbital melasma. Accordingly, nitrogen plasma-induced dermal tissue regeneration could play a role in the treatment of melasma lesions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.229-236
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to determine effects of different selenium (Se) sources on performance, carcass characteristics, blood measures (whole blood Se concentration and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity), and Se concentrations in tissues of finishing Hanwoo steers (Korean native steers). Twenty finishing Hanwoo steers (average body weight=536${\pm}$23.4 kg, average age=approximately 20 months) were allotted to treatments in four groups of five steers per pen for 16 weeks preceding slaughter. Treatments were control (CON), spent mushroom composts from Se-enriched mushrooms (Se-SMC), selenized yeast (Se-Y), and sodium selenite (SS). Dietary Se levels of all treatments except CON were 0.9 mg Se/kg on the dry matter basis. Body weight was measured at the first and final day of trial, and blood samples were collected to analyze whole blood Se concentration and plasma GSH-Px activity at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks. At the end of trial, steers were slaughtered to collect muscle and liver samples for their Se analyses, and carcass data were recorded. In terms of dry matter intake, body weight gain and carcass characteristics, no significant differences among treatments were observed. Whole blood Se concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Se-SMC and Se-Y treatments than for CON at each collection period, with no significant difference between SS and CON. For weeks 2 and 8, there was no significant difference for whole blood Se concentration between Se-SMC and Se-Y, but for weeks 4 and 16, Se-Y treatments were significantly higher (p<0.05) than Se-SMC. No differences were observed for plasma GSH-Px activity between Se-SMC and Se-Y. The Se concentrations in hind leg and liver were significantly different among treatments (p<0.05) and those in both tissues ranked the greatest in Se-Y, followed by Se-SMC, SS, and CON treatments. However, tissue Se concentration for SS was not different from that for CON. These results showed that feeding organic Se sources such as Se-SMC and Se-Y enhanced Se concentration in tissues, while SS, the most common supplement of inorganic Se, was inefficient in Se deposition. Even though Se-Y had a higher Se concentration in tissues than Se-SMC, replacing Se-Y with Se-SMC in diets of beef steers would be an inexpensive way to increase Se concentration in beef.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to investigate the shear bond strength of luting cements used with implant retained restorations on to titanium specimens after different surface treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS. One hundred twenty disc shaped specimens were used. They were divided into three groups considering the surface treatments (no treatment, sandblasting, and oxygen plasma treatment). Water contact angle of specimens were determined. The specimens were further divided into four subgroups (n=10) according to applied cement types: polycarboxylate cement (Adhesor Carbofine-AC), temporary zinc oxide free cement (Temporary CementZOC), non eugenol provisional cement for implant retained prosthesis (Premier Implant Cement-PI), and non eugenol acrylic-urethane polymer based provisional cement for implant luting (Cem Implant Cement-CI). Shear bond strength values were evaluated. Two-way ANOVA test and Regression analysis were used to statistical analyze the results. RESULTS. Overall shear bond strength values of luting cements defined in sandblasting groups were considerably higher than other surfaces (P<.05). The cements can be ranked as AC > CI > PI > ZOC according to shear bond strength values for all surface treatment groups (P<.05). Water contact angles of surface treatments (control, sandblasting, and plasma treatment group) were 76.17° ± 3.99, 110.45° ± 1.41, and 73.80° ± 4.79, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that correlation between the contact angle of different surfaces and shear bond strength was not strong (P>.05). CONCLUSION. The retentive strength findings of all luting cements were higher in sandblasting and oxygen plasma groups than in control groups. Oxygen plasma treatment can improve the adhesion ability of titanium surfaces without any mechanical damage to titanium structure.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This study compared the effect of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and ammonia ($NH_3$) plasmas on the bond strength of resin cement to fiber posts with conventional treatments. Materials and Methods: Sixty-five fiber posts were divided into 5 groups: Control (no surface treatment); $H_2O_2$ (24% hydrogen peroxide for 1 min); Blasting (blasting with aluminum oxide for 30 sec); $NH_3$ ($NH_3$ plasma treatment for 3 min); HMDSO (HMDSO plasma treatment for 15 min). After the treatments, the Ambar adhesive (FGM Dental Products) was applied to the post surface (n = 10). The fiber post was inserted into a silicon matrix that was filled with the conventional resin cement Allcem Core (FGM). Afterwards, the post/cement specimens were cut into discs and subjected to a push-out bond strength (POBS) test. Additionally, 3 posts in each group were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The POBS data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc test (${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: The Blasting and $NH_3$ groups showed the highest POBS values. The HMDSO group showed intermediate POBS values, whereas the Control and $H_2O_2$ groups showed the lowest POBS values. Conclusion: Blasting and $NH_3$ plasma treatments were associated with stronger bonding of the conventional resin cement Allcem to fiber posts, in a procedure in which the Ambar adhesive was used.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three herb supplementations on blood metabolites, hormones, antioxidant activity, immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentration, and ruminal fermentation in steers. Four Holstein steers in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design received four herb treatments. The treatments consisted of the steers' regular diets with addition of: 1) nothing (control), 2) peppermint, 3) clove, and 4) lemongrass at 5% of the diet (DM basis). Clove supplementation increased the plasma concentration of cholesterol by about 10% (from 79 to 87 mg/dl). Peppermint and lemongrass feeding resulted in an increase in the concentrations of plasma urea nitrogen (from 5.9 to 6.9 and 6.4 mg/dl, respectively). The three herb treatments had no effect on other metabolites and hormones. Steers receiving clove supplementation showed a higher plasma antioxidant activity. The three herb treatments caused lower concentrations of IgG in the blood. Peppermint and lemongrass feedings increased, and clove feeding decreased ruminal concentrations of ammonia. There were no significant differences in VFA concentrations among herbal treatments, except for the decrease in propionate concentration in steers receiving clove treatment. This study suggested that clove feeding changed cholesterol metabolism and increased antioxidant activity in plasma, and feeding of three herbs affected immunity system and ruminal fermentation in steers.

• Food Engineering Progress
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.386-391
• /
• 2018

Effects of a commercial scale intervention system combining ultraviolet (UV)-C and plasma treatments on the microbial decontamination of black pepper powder were investigated. The process parameters include treatment time, time for plasma accumulation before treatment, and water activity of black pepper powder. A significant reduction in the number of indigenous aerobic mesophilic bacteria in black pepper powder was observed after treatments lasted for ${\geq}20min$ (p<0.05) and the reduction was differed by powder manufacturer. The microbial reduction rates obtained by individual UV-C treatment, individual plasma treatment, and UV-C/plasma-combined treatment were 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 log CFU/g, respectively, suggesting that the efficacy of the microbial inactivation was enhanced by treatment combination. Nonetheless, neither plasma accumulation time nor powder water activity affected the microbial inactivation efficacy of the combined treatment. The UV-C/plasma-combined treatment, however, decreased lightness of black pepper powder, and the decrease generally increased as operation time increased. The plasma accumulation time of 20 min resulted in significant reduction in both lightness and brown color. The results indicate that the commercial-scale intervention system combining treatments of UV-C and plasma has the potential to be applied in the food industry for decontaminating black pepper powder.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of chlorine water and plasma gas treatment on the quality and microbial control of Latuca indica L. baby Leaf during storage. Latuca indica L. baby leaves were harvested from a plant height of 10cm. They were sterilized with $100{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ chlorine water and plasma-gas (1, 3, and 6hours), and packaged with $1,300cc{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}{\cdot}atm^{-1}$ films and then stored at $8{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and RH $85{\pm}5%$ for 25days. During storage, the fresh weight loss of all treatments were less than 1.0%, and the carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations in packages were 6-8% and 16-17%, respectively for all treatments in the final storage day. The concentration of ethylene in the packages fluctuated between $1-3{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ during the storage and the highest concentration of ethylene was observed at 6 hours plasma treatment in the final storage day. The off-odor of all treatments were almost odorless, the treatments of chlorine water and 1 hour plasma maintained the marketable visual quality until the end of storage. Chlorophyll content and Hue angle value measured at the final storage day were similar to those measured before storage in chlorine water and 1 hour of plasma treatments. E. coli was not detected immediately after sterilization in all sterilization treatments. After 6 hours of plasma treatment, the total bacteria fungus counts were lower than the domestic microbial standard for agricultural product in all sterilization treatments. The total aerobic counts in the end storage day increased compared to before storage, whereas E. coli was not detected in all sterilization treatments. The sterilization effect against bacteria and fungi was the best in chlorine water treatment. Plasma treatment showed sterilization effects, but within a prolonged period of time. In addition, the sterilization effect decreased gradually. These results suggest that chlorine water and plasma treatment were effective in maintaining Latuca indica L. baby Leaf commerciality and controlling microorganisms during postharvest storage.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.331-334
• /
• 2010

In the present study, carbon supports mixed with purified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and carbon blacks (CBs) were used to improve the cell performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Additionally, the effect of $O_2$ plasma treatment on CBs/MWNTs supports was investigated for different plasma RF powers of 100, 200, and 300 W. The surface and structural properties of the CBs/MWNTs supports were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The electrocatalytic activity of PtRu/CBs/MWNTs catalysts was investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurement. In the experimental results, the oxygen functional groups of the supports were increased with increasing plasma RF power, while the average Pt particle size was decreased owing to the improvement of dispersibility of the catalysts. The electrochemical activity of the catalysts for methanol oxidation was gradually improved by the larger available active surface area, itself due to the introduction of oxygen functional groups. Consequently, it was found that $O_2$ plasma treatments could influence the surface properties of the carbon supports, resulting in enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for DMFCs.