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A Clinical Study of Tinnitus (耳鳴에 관한 임상적 연구)

  • Choi, In-Hwa
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.134-145
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    • 2001
  • Introduction: Noises in the ear, whether real or imagined, are called tinnitus. Subjective causes of tinnitus(which is heard only by the patient) are extremely common and the majority of them are treated conservatively. For certain individuals their tinnitus is a major handicap; for others a trivial concern. The most common from of subjective tinnitus is a rushing, hissing or buzzing noise; it is frequently associated with sensorineural heanng loss. The patient may be unaware of the hearing loss, especially if it is a high frequency deficit of moderate severity. The character of the tinnitus may give a clue to the etiology. But the patient often has difficulty in explaining his/her tinnitus in absolute terms, as they have no other tinnitus with which to compare it but their own Tinnitus, like pain, is a subjective state and trying to objectively assess the severity is problematic. Audiological techniques to match subjective loudness to machine-produced noise may offer some help, in that sound intensity matches can bear little correspondence to subjective complaint. In spite of many studies, most patients presently seen complaining of tinnitus are told by their doctors that there is no treatment and that they will have to learn to live with this symptom. Objectives: To perform a clinical analysis of tinnitus and estimate the efficacy of Oriental Medical treatment according to the Byeonjeung(辨證). Subject: We studied 34 patients with complaints of tinnitus who had visited Pundang Cha Oriental Medicine Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology from March 1998 to February 2000. All of them had been treated 2 or 3 times a week with acupuncture treatment and had taken herbs according to the Byeonjeung(辨證) method. It was therefore possible for me to know whether their symptoms improved or not. Parameters Observed and Method: We treated them with acupuncture & herb-medication. Sometimes we gave them moxibustion or negative therapy with bloodletting at the acupuncture points(耳門, 聽宮, 聽會). Parameters Observed 1) Distribution of age & sex 2) Chief complaints 3) The sites of tinnitus 4) The quality of tinnitu 5) The duration of disease 6) The problem induced tinnitus 7) Factors increasing disease severity 8) The classification of the Byeonjeung(辨證) 9) The efficacy of treatments Results: 1. Age and sex distribution: The most common occurrence was found in males in their twenties: 6 males($17.7\%$), and in females in their thirties and over sixty: 8 females($23.5\%$). Total patient numbers for men and women were 20 men($58.8\%$), 14 women ($41.2\%$). 2. The most frequent major complaints were hearing disturbances related to tinnitus; and dizziness with tinnitus; each comprising 10 cases($29.4\%$). There were also 7 patients($20.6\%$) with only tinnitus. 3. Tinnitus sites: 13($38.2\%$) said that they felt tinnitus in both ears, equally. In the right ear, 9($26.5\%$), in the left, 6($17.7\%$). 4. The most frequent descriptive symptoms of tinnitus were: humming, hissing, buzzing etc. 5. The duration of disease. 14cases($41.2\%$) had a duration of less than 1 year. 6. 15cases($44.1\%$) complained that it was hard to watch TV or make a phone call because of tinnitus. 10 cases($29.4\%$) complained about depression. 7. Factors increasing severity of tinnitus: ⅰ) fatigue: 18cases($52.9\%$) ⅱ) stress/ tension: 10 cases($29.4\%$) ⅲ) alcohol and tobacco: 5cases($l4.7\%$) 8. Classification through Byeonjeung : ⅰ) 19 cases($55.9\%$) were classified as showing Deficiency syndrome. ⅱ) 15 cases($44.l\%$) were classified as showing Excess syndrome. The deficiency of Qi was 7($20.6\%$), deficiency of Xue, 8($23.5\%$) and insufficiency of the Kidney Yin & Yang, 4($11.8\%$). The flare of Liver fire was 8($23.5\%$) and phlegm-fire, 7($20.6\%$), 9. The efficacy of treatments showed: an improvement in 17cases($50.0\%$); no real improvement or changes in 13 cases($38.2\%$); and some worsening in 4 cases($11.8\%$). In the group with deficiency in Qi, 4($57.1\%$) improved, 1($14.3\%$) showed no change and 2($28.6\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of deficiency in Xue, 6($75.0\%$) improved, 2($25.0\%$) showed no change. In the cases of insufficiency of Kidney Yin & Yang, 3($75.0\%$) showed no change and 1($25.0\%$) were aggravated. In the group of flare of Liver fire, 4($50.0\%$) improved, 3($37.5\%$) no change and 1($12.5\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of phlegm-fire, 3($42.9\%$) improved, 4($57.1\%$) showed no change. Conclusion: We would recommend that any further studies of tinnitus utilize trial treatments of longer than 2 months duration, as any positive effects observed in our study showed that improvement occurred fairly slowly. And we suggest that this study could be utilized as a reference for clinical Oriental Medical treatment of tinnitus. If we try to apply music or sound therapy treatment properly combined with ours, we expect it to provide psycological stability in addition to inducing masking effects, even though it may not directly decrease or completely remove tinnitus.

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Awareness Activation of Dance Copyrights and Research of Effectiveness Plans (무용의 저작권 인식 활성화와 실효성 방안 연구)

  • LEE, Seoeun
    • Trans-
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    • v.2
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    • pp.1-38
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    • 2017
  • Dance, as an art which expresses thoughts and emotions by movement human, is included in work that its copyright has to be protected, choreographers who are creators and dancers who are performing can exercise their rights included in copyright laws. However, artists who work in the dancing scene have lack of awareness about copyrights and the application level is low. The purpose of this thesis is to look into the current status and issues about dance copyright and to discuss activation plans and effectiveness plans for dance copyrights. The main point is to check into the level of awareness for dance copyrights with choreographers, dancers and students majoring in dance who are in charge of the art of dancing, to present issues about the necessity of the dance copyrights protection plans by analyzing interviews-in-depth and to prepare the dance copyrights protection plans which are concretely realistic. For the research methods, first, I looked into ideas and contents about copyrights through a document research and then, wanted to prepare theoretical background by reviewing actual cases of performing art copyrights related to dance. Next, I carried out surveys about awareness of copyrights with students majoring in dance, choreographers and dancers then carried out analysis of actual proof. Also, I chose three famous dancers who are actively performing in the current dancing scene and did interviews-in-depth about dance copyrights then carried out a recording analysis. I tried to complement the analysis by discussing deeper which I couldn't deal with in the previous surveys and to contemplate awareness activation of dance copyrights and plans. As a result of the research, the level of the awareness about dance copyrights through age, major, education and career was very low. The level of awareness was almost same compared to the previous research 10 years ago. 'Music', which can be an element of copyright issue in dance, was the highest in rate, and dance was recognized as an art which is combined with various elements as a combination work. The way of protection for works of choreography and performance only used data preservation and contracts and didn't register copyrights or record in dace notation. Majority of responders answered that they couldn't have any education about copyrights while they were recognizing the necessity of education and management for copyrights. The analysis of interviews-in-depth was also matched to the result of the previous surveys and a deeper discussion about the status of dance copyrights and issues was carried out. The plans of effectiveness for dance copyrights through the result of previous research are as followings. First, an advanced education is necessary above all to increase the awareness and application of copyrights in dancing scene. Long-term education like study curriculums and short-term education like special courses and seminars should be combined, and education about copyrights for dance groups, choreographers, dancers and students majoring in dance should keep on going. Second, revision of performing art works is necessary for the activation of dance copyrights, and establishing a dance copyright association to manage copyrights systematically and training dance copyright experts are necessary as well. Third, as the way of copyright protection for choreographers and dancers, an establishment for relation gain and loss about copyrights is necessary when creating dance works and performing, and registration of dance works should be activated. Also, the dancing scene should sign contracts for choreography and performance and this contract culture should be activated, and it should systematically preserve and manage choreography and performance records through basic ways. Hereby, it is considered to prepare a foundation to foster the awareness of dance copyrights and activate dance copyrights.

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Evaluation of Steroid Therapy in Tuberculous Pleurisy - A prospective, randomized study - (결핵성 흉막염에서 스테로이드의 치료 효과 - 전향적, 임의추출법에 의한 비교 -)

  • Bang, Jei So;Kim, Myong Sik;Kwak, Seung Min;Cho, Chul Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.52-58
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    • 1997
  • Background : Tuberculous pleurisy has been treated With a combined regimen of corticosteroids- antimicrobial therapy. But whether such combination therapy add to benefits is unknown. We evaluate the effects of corticosteroid and its routine application in relief of clinical symptoms, absorption of pleural effusion, and pleural adhesions. Methods : A prospective, randomized study of the role of corticosteroid in the treatment of tuberculous pleurisy was performed in 83 patients(nonsteroid group: 50 patients, steroid group: 33 patients) from June, 1991 to September, 1994. Results : 1) The mean duration from symptoms(fever, chest pain, dyspnea) to relief was 3.8 days in the steroid group, and 7.4 days in the nonsteroid group(P<0.05). Clinical symptoms including fever, chest pain, sputum and weight loss were relieved more rapidly in the steroid group than other symptoms(weakness, night sweating and dyspnea). 2) Pleural effusion was taken an averge of 88 days in the steroid group and 101 days in the nonsteroid group 10 be absorbed completely(p>0.05) 3) The incidence of pleural adhesions was 17/33(5l.5%) in the steroid group and 32/50(64%) in the nonsteroid group(p>0.05) 4) Side effects of corticosteroids were observed in only one patient causing epigastric pain and discontinuation of drug. Conclusion : Corticosteroid exert benefitial role in the more rapid relief of clinical symptoms to patients with tuberculous pleurisy, but absortion of pleural effusion and occurrence of pleural adhesions was not influenced significantly Therefore, its routine application should be reevaluated.

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Arthroscopic Treatment of Metallic Suture Anchor Failures after Bankart Repair (Bankart 수술 후 발생한 금속 봉합 나사못 합병증의 관절경적 치료)

  • Shin, Sang-Jin;Jung, Jae-Hoon;Kim, Sung-Jae;Yoo, Jae-Doo
    • Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.70-76
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: This study presents 5 patients who had metallic anchor protrusion on glenoid after Bankart repair in anterior shoulder instability and reviewed the cause, clinical feature and arthroscopic removal technique. Method and Materials: 5 male with average age of 22 years (range 19 to 25 years) were included. 4 patients had arthroscopic Bankart repair and 1 patient had open repair for anterior shoulder instability. They had protruded metallic suture anchors on glenoid and the protruded suture anchors were removed arthroscopically using larger suture anchor empty inserter. Results: 4 patients had painful clicking sound with motion of abduction and external rotation and 1 patient showed shoulder instability. The ROM showed normal except mild degrees loss of external rotation. The position of protruded metallic anchor was 2, 3 and 5 O'clock in three patients and 4 O'clock in 2 patients. In 2 patients, the metallic suture anchor was malpositioned about 5mm off on the medial side from the anterior glenoid edge. All had Outerbrige classification Grade II-III chondral damage on humeral head and 1 patient showed glenoid cartilage destruction. None had shoulder instability after 2 years of follow-up. Constant score was 65 preoperatively and 89 postoperatively. ASES score was 67 preoperatively and 88 postoperatively. Conclusion: Symptoms of protruded suture anchor are not combined with instability. Most of symptoms were revealed from the rehabilitation period and confused with postoperative pain. Prompt diagnosis and early arthroscopic removal or impaction of protruded metallic suture anchor is recommended because of serious glenohumeral cartilage destruction. This is easy and simple and reproducible method to remove protruded metallic suture anchor arthroscopically.

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Recent Trends of Immunologic Studies of Herbal Medicine on Rheumatoid Arthritis (류마티스 관절염에 대한 한약의 면역학적 연구동향)

  • Choi, Do-young;Lee, Jae-dong;Back, Yong-hyeon;Lee, Song-shil;Yoo, Myung-chul;Han, Chung-soo;Yang, Hyung-in;Park, Sang-do;Ryu, Mi-hyun;Park, Eun-kyung;Park, Dong-seok
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.177-196
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    • 2004
  • Objective : Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that pathogenesis is not fully understood and one of the most intractable musculoskeletal diseases. The concern in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has been increased since 1980's and many immunotherapeutic agents including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were developed and became the mainstay of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cure of the disease has hardly been achieved. In oriental medicine, rheumatoid arthritis is related to Bi-Zheng(痺證), that presents pain, swelling, andlor loss of joint function as major clinical manifestations, and also known to be deeply involved in suppression of immune function related to weakness of Jung-Ki(正氣). The herbal medicine, empirically used, could be a potential resource of development of new immunotherapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We developed a search strategy using terms to include "rheumatoid arthritis and herbal medicine" combined with "Chinese medicine" and/or "Oriental medicine". The search was focused on experimental studies of herbal medicine (January 1999 to May 2004), which is known to have effects on immune function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Computerized search used Internet databases including KISS and RISS4U (Korea), CNKI (China), MOMJ (Main Oriental Medicine Journal, Japan), and PubMed. The articles were selected from journals of universities or major research institutes. Results : The literature search for experimental studies on effects of herbal medicine on immunity of rheumatoid arthritis retrieved a total of 21 articles (Korea; 8, China ; 12, Japan ; 1). Of 21 articles, 10 were related to single-drug formula, 2 to drug interaction, and 9 to multi-drug formula. Single-drug formula was mainly used for aqua-acupuncture and researches on active components. Studies of drug interaction emphasized harmony of Ki-Hyul(氣血) and balance of Han-Yeul(寒熱). Multi-drug regimen was mainly found among formulas for Bo-Ki-Hyul(補氣血) and Bo-Sin(補腎). Conclusion : Studies on rheumatoid arthritis were performed both in vitro and in vivo in vitro study, LPS-stimulated splenocytes and synoviocytes were treated with herbal medicine, resulting in proliferation and activation of immune cells and suppression of cytokine activities in vivo study CIA animal model demonstrated that herbal medicine decreased antibody production and improved function of immune cells. In cellular and molecular study herbal medicine showed profound effects on the level of mRNA expression of certain cytokines related to immune function. This study revealed that herbal medicine has significant immune modulatory action and could be used for recovery of immune dysfunction of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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Effect of Dietary Combined Probiotics(Any-Lac, ®) Supplementation Contained with Phaffia rhodozyma on the Growth Performances and Meat Quality of Pigs (Phaffia rhodozyma 균주를 포함한 복합생균제(Any-Lac, ®)의 급여가 돼지의 성장과 육질에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Kyeong-Su;Lim, Jong-Cheol;Shin, Myeong-Su;Choi, Yang-Il;Lee, Suk-Cheon;Cho, Seong-Ku
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.50 no.5
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    • pp.657-666
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    • 2008
  • This study investigated the effects of dietary probiotics which contained antioxidant astaxanthin on growth performances and meat quality in two pigs farms. A total of 2,400 pigs were gilt and barrow with same number assigned to one of two treatments. The two treatments were control(commercial feed), treatment(probiotics 0.1% feed). Each treatment had 3 replicates. Weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were periodically recorded for 90 days. Survival ratio was shown 99.85% in treatment group. Average daily gain was higher in treatment group(0.91kg) than that of control(0.84kg). Back fat thickness was lower in treatment group than that of control, even though the treatment group tended to be higher carcass weight. The treatment group trended higher carcass weight, back fat thickness was lower in treatment group than control. The ratio of carcass grade A was shown higher in treatment than that of control, respectively. Treatment group showed higher value of fat content and water holding capacity. Treatment showed lower value than control in shear force and cooking loss. Hunter value(a and b) of treatment group in meat color was higher than control. Treatment group was lower cholesterol content than control. Control group was shown higher unsaturated fatty acid(stearic acid(C18:0)) value than treatment. Treatment group was shown lower saturated fatty acid(oleic acid(C18:1)) value than that of control. These results suggested that the supplementation of probiotics contained Phaffia rhodozyma could be used effectively for increase productivity of livestock industry.

Anxiety and Depression of The Korean Residents in China (중국 거주 조선인의 불안과 우울에 관한 실태)

  • SaKong, Jeong-Kyu;Cheung, Seung-Douk;Kim, Chang-Su;Kim, Cheol-Gu;Kim, Bong-Jin
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.275-287
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    • 1992
  • In order to survey the reality of anxiety and depression among the Koreans residing in China, a study was conducted between January and March of 1991, on the residents of Yun-Kil city, with subjects of 472 Koreans and 479 Chinese. The evaluation was based on the questionairs, named Combined self-rating anxiety depression scale(CADS), distributed among the subjects. ANOVA and t-test were applied for data processing. The results were as follows : There was not significant difference in the mean of total scores between the two groups. The scores of Koreans were $29.70{\pm}7.03$, while those of Chinese were $29.45{\pm}9.01$. The score of the CADS above 50(clinially significant level) was seen in 12(2.54%) Koreans and 21(4.38%) Chinese. The anxiety-depression scores relating to the items of indigestion and decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, apprehension, decreased libido were relatively high among the Koreans. The items appeared low in scores among the Koreans were faintness, fear, suicidal rumination, hopelessness, paresthesias. The highs among the Chinese were facial flushing, anxiousness, dissatisfaction, suicidal rumination. The items appeared low among the Chinese were fear, faintness, paresthesias, weight loss, suicidal rumination. In the comparison of evaluation by items between the two groups, the items placing the Koreans significantly higher over the Chinese are indigestion & decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, apprehension, decreased libido. The Chinese marked significantly higher in facial flushing, anxiousness, dissatisfaction, suicidal rumination. Those in the case of female (p<0.01 respectively), less than twenty years old (p<0.01 respectively), dissatisfied with family relationship(p<0.01 respectively), with past history of psychiatric hospitalization(Koreans p<0.01, Chinese p<0.05), pessimistic toward future, present, past self image(p<0.01 respectively) had significantly higher scores in both groups. In religion, neither group showed significant difference. In religion, neither group showed significant difference. In marital status, the Koreans showed a higher degree of divorce and separation and the Chinese in singleness(p<0.01 respectively). The Korean were higher in illiteracy and the Chinese had more college education(p<0.01 respectively). In place of growth, the Koreans showed not much difference in the areas while more Chinese grew up un large cities(p<0.01). More Koreans lived in the dormitory while the Chinese were engaged more in self-cooking(p<0.01 respectively). In pocket money per mouth, more Koreans were less than 1 dollar while the Chinese were between 7 and 10 dollars(p<0.01 respectively). There were no significant difference between two groups about religion.

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Studies on the Packaging and Preservation of Kimchi (우리나라 김치의 포장과 저장방법에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Yang-Hee;Yang, Ick-Whan
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.207-218
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    • 1970
  • Studies were carried out to develope the most economical and practical methods of packaging and preservation of kimchi, so commercialization of kimchi manufacture could proceed rapidly. The results obtained may be summarized as following. (1) It is generally established that the acceptable range of lactic acid content of kimchi is between 0.4% and 0.75%. Based on sensory evaluation, kimchi having lactic acid content below 0.4% and above 0.75% was not edible, and the time of optimum taste corresponded to the vicinity of 0.5% of lactic acid content. For the refrigeration storage with or without preservatives, the packaging kimchi in plastic film must be done at the lactic acid content of 0.45%, for lactic acid fermentation will continue slowly after the packaging. However, for the heat sterilized kimchi the packaging should be done at the 0.5% of lactic acid content for the best because lactic acid fermentation is completely stopped after the packaging. (2) Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycello were chosen as suitable packaging materials. Polyethylene is cheapest among them but kimchi packaged in this film was damaged frequently in handling process and gave off kimchi flavor. On the other hand polypropylene also gave off kimchi flavor, but its higher mechanical strength gave better protection to kimchi and it had superior display effect due to the transparancy. Therefore polypropylene made much better packaging material. Polycello proved to be the best packaging material from the standpoint of physical characteristics but its price is higher than that of other plastic films. To be effective, the thickness of plastic films for packaging kimchi must exceed 0.08mm. (3) Keeping property of kimchi appeared to be excellent by means of freezing. However, by the time the frozen kimchi was thawed out at room temperature, moisture loss due to drip was extensive, rendering the kimchi too stringy. (4) Preservation of kimchi at refrigerated temperatures proved to be the best method and under the refrigerated condition the kimchi remained fresh as long as 3 months. The best results were obtained when kimchi was held at $0^{\circ}C$. (5) In general, preservatives alone were not too elective in preserving kimchi. Among them potassium sorbate appeared to be most effective with the four fold extension of self-life at $20^{\circ}C$ and two fold extension at $30^{\circ}C$. (6) In heat sterilization the thickness of packaged kimchi product had a geat effect upon the rate of heat penetration. When the thickness ranged from 1.5 to 1.8cm, the kimchi in such package could be sterilized at $65^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes. Kimchi so heat treated could be kept at room temperature as long as one month without apparent changes in quality. (7) Among combination methods, preservation at refrigerated and heat sterilization could be favorably combined. When kimchi was stored at $4^{\circ}C$ after being sterilized at $65^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes, it was possible to preserve the kimchi for more than 4 months.

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Investigation of Plugging and Wastage of Narrow Sodium Channels by Sodium and Carbon Dioxide Interaction (소듐과 이산화탄소 반응에 의한 소듐유로막힘 및 재료손상 현상 연구)

  • Park, Sun Hee;Min, Jae Hong;Lee, Tae-Ho;Wi, Myung-Hwan
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.54 no.6
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    • pp.863-870
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    • 2016
  • We investigated the physical/chemical phenomena that a slow loss of $CO_2$ inventory into sodium after the sodium-$CO_2$ boundary failure in printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs), which is considered for the supercritical $CO_2$ Brayton cycle power conversion system of a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). The first phenomenon is plugging inside narrow sodium channels by micro cracks and the other one is damage propagation referred to as wastage combined with the corrosion/erosion effect. Experimental results of plugging shows that sodium flow immediately stopped as $CO_2$ was injected through the nozzle at $300{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ in 3 mmID sodium channels, whereas sodium flow stopped about 60 min after $CO_2$ injection in 5 mmID sodium channels. These results imply that if pressure boundary of sodium-$CO_2$ fails a narrow sodium channel would be plugged by reaction products in a short time whereas a relatively wider sodium channel would be plugged with higher concentration of reaction products. Wastage by the erosion effect of $CO_2$ (200~250 bar) hardly occurred regardless of the kinds of materials (stainless steel 316, Inconel 600, and 9Cr-1Mo steel), temperature ($400{\sim}500^{\circ}C$), or the diameter of the $CO_2$ nozzle (0.2~0.8 mm). Velocities at the $CO_2$ nozzle were specified as Mach 0.4~0.7. Our experimental results are expected to be used for determining the design parameters of PCHEs for their safeties.

Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis in North Korean Refugees (북한이탈주민에서의 결핵의 임상적 고찰)

  • Choi, Chang-Min;Jeong, Woo-Kyoung;Kang, Cheol-In;Kim, Doh-Hyung;Kim, Young-Keun;Heo, Sang-Taek;Kim, Hee-Jin
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.60 no.3
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    • pp.285-289
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    • 2006
  • Background : North Korea's economic and public health problems began in the early 1990s as a result of the gradual loss of economic support from its communist allies, combined with an inordinate number of natural disasters. The decline in public health has increased the incidence of tuberculosis in North Koreans and refugees. This study investigated tuberculosis situation in North Korean refugees in order to prepare for the future impact of tuberculosis control in Korea. Material and Methods : From 2001 to 2005, tuberculosis patients among North Korean refugees who were diagnosed before or after arriving in South Korea, based on the official records of OO hospital, were enrolled in this study. The demographic and clinical data of the cases were evaluated retrospectively. Results : A total of 42 TB cases were reviewed during the study period. Of these, 37 (88.1%) cases were pulmonary TB. based on the cases identified among the number of North Korean refugees' arriving each year, the annual incidence of pulmonary TB were 900 per 100,000 in 2004, 700 in 2003, The number of smear-positive patients was 20 (47.6%) and the number of culture-positive patients was 18 (42.9%). Of the M. tuberculosis isolates, 2 cases were found to be susceptible to all anti-TB drugs available, 4 were resistant to isoniazid, and 3 were multi-drug resistant. Conclusion : The prevalence of pulmonary TB in North Korean Refugees is high. In addition, North Korean refugees suffer from more severe tuberculosis in bacteriological and radiological aspects.