• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.297-303
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• 2019

Background: Absorbable plates are widely used in open reduction and internal fixation surgeries for facial bone fractures. Absorbable plates are made of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polydioxane (PDS), or various combinations of these polymers. The degradation patterns of absorbable plates made from different polymers and clinical courses of patients treated with such plates have not been fully identified. This study aimed to confirm the clinical courses of facial bone fracture patients using absorbable plates and compare the degradation patterns of the plates. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 47 cases in 46 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery using absorbable plates to repair facial bone fractures. All surgeries used either PLA/PGA composite-based or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite-based absorbable plates and screws. Clinical courses were confirmed and comparisons were conducted based on direct observation. Results: There were no naturally occurring foreign body reactions. Post-traumatic inflammatory responses occurred in eight patients (nine cases), in which six recovered naturally with conservative treatment. The absorbable plates were removed from two patients. PLA/PGA compositebased absorbable plates degraded into fragments with non-uniform, sharp surfaces whereas PLLA/HA composite-based absorbable plates degraded into a soft powder. Conclusion: PLA/PGA composite-based and PLLA/HA composite-based absorbable plates showed no naturally occurring foreign body reactions and showed different degradation patterns. The absorbable plate used for facial bone fracture surgery needs to be selected in consideration of its degradation patterns.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.499-509
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• 1998

In the absorption process of water vapor in a liquid film, the composition of the gas phase, in which a non-absorbable gas is combined with the absorbate influences the transport characteristics remarkably. In the present study, the absorption processes of water vapor into aqueous solution of lithium bromide in the presence of non-absorbable gases were investigated analytically. The continuity, momentum, energy and diffusion equations for the solution film and gas phase were formulated in integral forms and solved numerically. It was found that the mass transfer resistance in gas phase increased with the concentration of non-absorbable gas. However the primary resistance to mass transfer was in the liquid phase. As the concentration of non-absorbable gas in the absorbate increased, the liquid-vapor interfacial temperature and concentration of absorbate in solution decreased, which resulted in the reduction of absorption rate. The reduction of mass transfer rate was found to be significant for the addition of a small amount of non-absorbable gas to the pure vapor, especially at the outlet of an absorber where non-absorbable gases accumulated. At higher non-absorbable gas concentration, the decrease of absorption flux was almost linear to the volumetric concentration of non-absorbable gas.

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.6
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• pp.56-66
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• 1998

The absorption process of water vapor in a liquid film is an important process in LiBr-Water absorption system. The composition of the gas phase, in which a non-absorbable gas is combined with the absorbate, influences the transport characteristics. In the present work, the absorption processes of water vapor into aqueous solutions of lithium bromide in the presence of non-absorbable gas are investigated. The continuity, momentum, energy and diffusion equations for the solution film and gas are formulated in integral forms and solved numerically. It is found that the mass transfer resistance in gas phase increases with the concentration of non-absorbable gas. However the primary resistance to mass transfer is in the liquid phase. As the concentration of non-absorbable gas in the absorbate increases, the interfacial temperature and concentration of absorbate in solution decrease, which results in the reduction of absorption rate. The reduction of mass transfer rate is found to be significant for the addition of a small amount of non-absorbable gas to the pure vapor, especially at the outlet of tube where the non-absorbable gas accumulates. At higher non-absorbable gas concentration, the decrease of absorption rate seems to be linear to the concentration of non-absorbable gas.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.489-498
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• 1998

Among the heat/mass exchange units composing an absorption system, the absorber, where the refrigerant vapor is absorbed into the liquid solution is the one least understood. In the present study, the effects of non-absorbable gas on the absorption process of aqueous lithium bromide solution falling film inside a vertical tube were experimentally investigated. In the range of film Reynolds number of 30 ~ 195, heat and mass transfer characteristics were investigated as a function of non-absorbable gas volumetric concentration, 0.2 ~ 20%. An increase of non-absorbable gas volumetric concentration degraded the mass transfer rate dramatically in the absorption process. The reduction of mass transfer rate was significant for the addition of small amount of non-absorbable gas to the pure vapor. At film Reynolds number of 130, an increase of non-absorbable gas concentration from 0.2 to 6.0% resulted in the decrease of mass transfer rate by 36% and 20% of non-absorbable gas by 59%. However the decrease of film Nusselt number with the increase of volumetric concentration of non absorbable gas was relatively smaller than the decrease of Sherwood number. Critical film Reynolds number was identified to exist for the maximum heat and mass transfer regardless of the volumetric concentration of non-absorbable gases.

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2001

In the present study, the effects of film Reynolds number (60∼200) and volumetric content of non-absorbable gases (0∼10%) in water vapor on the absorption process of aqueous LiBr solution were investigated experimentally. The formation of solution film on the horizontal tubes of six rows was observed to be complete for Re>100. Transition film Reynolds number was found to exist above which the Nusselt number and Schmidt number diminishes with solution flow rate. As the concentration of non-absorbable gases increased, mass transfer rate decreased more seriously than heat transfer rate did. the degradation effects of non-absorbable gases seemed to be significant especially when small amount of non-absorbable gases was introduced to the pure water vapor.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.218-225
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• 2000

In the present study, the effects of film Reynolds number (60∼200) and volumetric content of non-absorbable gases (0∼10%) in water vapor on the absorption process of aqueous LiBr solution were investigated experimentally. The formation of solution film on the horizontal tubes of six rows were observed to be complete for Re>100. Transition film Reynolds number were found to exist above which the Nusselt number and Schmidt number diminishes with solution flow rate. As the concentration of non-absorbable gases increased, mass transfer rate decreased more seriously than heat transfer rate did. The degradation effects of non-absorbable gases seemed to be significant especially when small amount of non-absorbable gases were introduced to the pure water vapor.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.233-238
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• 2019

Background: The open reduction of craniofacial bone fractures requires internal fixation using metal plates and screws, which have been considered the gold standard. However, metal implants pose a risk of palpation, protrusion, and foreign body reaction, and they may require an additional operation for removal. Recently, good results have been reported for absorbable implants which complement the disadvantages of metal implants. This study presents the results of using absorbable mesh, plates, and screws with cyanoacrylate for more accurate and firmer fixation of comminuted fractures of the maxilla. Methods: In total, 235 patients underwent operations for comminuted fractures of the maxilla. From January 2012 to December 2014, absorbable mesh and screws were used in 114 patients, while from January 2015 to December 2017, absorbable mesh, plates, and screws with cyanoacrylate were used in 121 patients. Open reduction of the bone fragments was performed, after which absorbable implants were accurately molded and fixed by screws. Results: All patients underwent postoperative computed tomography scans, which showed highly accurate reduction and firm fixation in the patients who underwent procedures using absorbable implants, screws, and cyanoacrylate. There were no postoperative complications or cases of abnormal facial contour. Conclusion: When absorbable implants and screws are used for maxillary fractures, no additional surgery to remove the metal plate is required. In addition, the use of cyanoacrylate enables accurate and firm fixation of the tiny bone fragments that cannot be fixed with screws.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Absorbable plates are used widely for fixation of facial bone fractures. Compared to conventional titanium plating systems, absorbable plates have many favorable traits. They are not palpable after plate absorption, which obviates the need for plate removal. Absorbable plate-related infections are relatively uncommon at less than 5% of patients undergoing fixation of facial bone fractures. The plates are made from a mixture of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-DL-lactic acid or poly-DL-lactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and the ratio of these biodegradable polymers is used to control the longevity of the plates. Degradation rate of absorbable plate is closely related to the chance of infection. Low degradation is associated with increased accumulation of plate debris, which in turn can increase the chance of infection. Predisposing factors for absorbable plate-related infection include the presence of maxillary sinusitis, plate proximity to incision site, and use of tobacco and significant amount of alcohol. Using short screws in fixating maxillary fracture accompanied maxillary sinusitis will increase the rate of infection. Avoiding fixating plates near the incision site will also minimize infection. Close observation until complete absorption of the plate is crucial, especially those who are smokers or heavy alcoholics. The management of plate infection is varied depending on the clinical situation. Severe infections require plate removal. Wound culture and radiologic exam are essential in treatment planning.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.456-465
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• 1998

Effect of a non-absorbable gas on the absorption process in a vertical tube absorber was investigated numerically. The water vapor mined with air as the non-absorbable gas is absorbed into LiBr/water solution film. The flow is assumed to be laminar and fully developed in both liquid and gas phases. The diffusion and energy equations were solved in both phases to give the temperature and concentrations, from which heat and mass fluxes were determined. It was shown that the local absorption rate decreases as the mass fraction of air in water vapor increases. The vapor pressure of water at the liquid-vapor interface reduces significantly since the non-absorbable gas is accumulated near the interface. The effect of non-absorbable gases on absorption rate becomes larger as the mass flow rate of the vapor decreases. For small amount of non-absorbable gases the total absorption rate of water vapor increases as the mass flow rate of the vapor decreases. Total absorption rate increases as the mass flow rate of the vapor increases for large concentration of non-absorbables at the inlet of an absorber.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.581-589
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• 2003

Film absorption involves simultaneous heat and mass transfer in the gas-liquid system. While the non-absorbable gas does not participate directly In the absorption process. its pretence does affect the overall heat and mass transfer. An experimental study was performed to investigate the heat and mass transfer characteristics of LiBr-H$_2$O solution flow ing over 6-row horizontal tubes with the water vapor absorption in the pretence of non-absorbable gases. The volumetric concentration of non-absorbable gas, air, was varied from 0.17 to 10.0%. The combined effects of the solution flow rate and its concentration on the heat and mass transfer coefficients were also examined. The presence of 2％ volumetric concentration of air resulted in a 25% reduction in the Nusselt number and 41% reduction in the Sherwood number Optimum film Reynolds number was found to exist at which the heat and mass transfer reach their maximum value independent of air contents. Reduced Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. defined as the ratio of Nusselt and Sherwood numbers at given non-absorbable gas content to that with pure water vapor, were correlated to account for the reduction in the heat and mass transfer due to non-absorbable gases in a falling film absorption process.