• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.43-48
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• 2016

Background: Work Ability Index (WAI) is a well-known and valid self-report tool that has been widely used in various studies to identify and avoid early retirement and work-related disability. Nevertheless, very few studies have been carried out to evaluate work ability in Iran. We aimed to investigate the WAI and the effect of work-related stress on it among Iranian workers. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study was carried out among 449 workers from five working sectors in three big cities of Iran. Work ability and work-related stress were measured using the Persian version of WAI and the Persian version of Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool. Results: More than a third of the workers surveyed (34.70%) did not have an appropriate level of work ability (WAI < 37). There was a significant correlation between subscales of work-related stress and the mean score of WAI. Furthermore, the variables of body mass index, sleep quality, exercise activity, job tenure, and three subscales of work-related stress including demands, supervisor support, and role were significant predictors of WAI. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the interventional programs must be focused on improving supervisors support, eliminating ambiguity and conflicts in the role of workers in their job and organization, reducing job demands, improving sleep quality, and increasing exercise activity.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.244-254
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• 2018

Surface modified poly ${\text\tiny{L}}$-lactic acid (PLLA) samples with hydroxyapatite (HA), heparin and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) mediated by polydopamine (pDA) coating (PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2) were prepared, and their effects on the enhancements of bone formation and osseointegration were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as compared to PLLA, PLLA/pDA/HA, and PLLA/pDA/Hep/BMP-2. The changes in surface chemical compositions, morphologies and wettabilities were observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle measurements. Pre-coating of HA particles with pDA provided uniform and homogeneous anchoring of particles to PLLA surface. In addition, the strong ionic interaction between heparin and pDA led PLLA surface readily heparinized for loading of BMP-2. In vitro experiments revealed that the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin (OCN) gene expression were higher in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell lines grown on PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2 than on control PLLA, PLLA/pDA/HA, and PLLA/pDA/Hep/BMP-2. In vivo studies using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) also showed that PLLA/pDA/HA/Hep/BMP-2 screw exhibited greatest value of bone volume (BV) and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) among samples. Histological evaluations with H&E and Von Kossa staining demonstrated that a combination of HA and BMP-2 contributed to the strong osseointegration.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.549-566
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• 2022

Mining of ore minerals (sfalerite, cinnabar, and chalcopyrite) from the old mine has led in significant environmental effects as contamination of soils and plants and acidification of water. Also, nanoparticles (NP) have obtained global importance because of their widespread usage in daily life, unique properties, and rapid development in the field of nanotechnology. Regarding their usage in various fields, it is suggested that soil is the final environmental sink for NPs. Nanoparticles with excessive reactivity and deliverability may be carried out as amendments to enhance soil quality, mitigate soil contaminations, make certain secure land-software of the traditional change substances and enhance soil erosion control. Meanwhile, there's no record on the usage of Nano superior substances for mine soil reclamation. In this study, five soil specimens have been tested at 4 sites inside the region of mine (<100 m) to study zeolites, and iron sulfide nanoparticles. Also, through using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), this study has tried to appropriately estimate the mechanical properties of soil under the effect of these Nano particles. Considering the RMSE and R2 values, Zeolite Nano materials could enhance the mine soil fine through increasing the clay-silt fractions, increasing the water holding capacity, removing toxins and improving nutrient levels. Also, adding iron sulfide minerals to the soils would possibly exacerbate the soil acidity problems at a mining site.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.204-210
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• 2023

This study focuses on analyzing medical device standards and regulatory requirements in the medical device industry, based on the Medical Device Act in Korea. The objective of this analysis is to determine whether the domestic standards for medical devices in Korea align with international and regional standards. Furthermore, it aims to identify the current application of domestic standards in ensuring the safety and essential performance of medical devices. The analysis revealed that out of a total of 281 domestic standards, 127 standards reference international standards. In terms of the application of domestic standards to specific items, there were 473 types of instruments/machines, 30 types of medical supplies, and 45 types of dental materials. However, the level of compliance with international standards among the domestic medical device standards was only 21%. Upon detailed analysis, general and collateral standards accounted for 24%, while particular standards accounted for 19%. This indicates a significant deviation from the latest international standards. On the other hand, the level of compliance with international standards was analyzed to be 60% for particular standards and 72% for general and collateral standards in Korean industrial standards (KS). Considering these results, the disparities between domestic standards and international standards underscore the need for discussions on domestic medical device regulation and standardization. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the significance of maintaining up-to-date medical device standards and ensuring their alignment with international standards to ensure the safety and quality of medical devices. The findings highlight the necessity for further efforts to strengthen the domestic standardization system in order to promote the development of safe and high-quality medical devices.

• 한국표면공학회지
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

This study reports a fabrication of $TiO_2$ on the surface of dental implants by pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering from a Ti target. A systematic investigation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of $TiO_2$ films was carried out with the variation of $O_2$ contents and substrate temperatures. The effects of deposition parameters on the fabricated structures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Hydrophilic properties were evaluated by measuring water contact angles on the film surface. With increasing $O_2$ contents up to 40%, surface roughness of $TiO_2$ film increased while relatively smooth surface was obtained with 50% $O_2$ contents. Surface roughness and adhesion strength both increased as substrate temperature increased up to $200^{\circ}C$. From these results, hydrophilic and adhesive properties of the present $TiO_2$ films synthesized with 40% $O_2$ at $200^{\circ}C$ are regarded to be suitable for bio-compatible applications.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.6-10
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• 2007

In the present study, we investigated the formation of self-organized nanostructure oxide layers on CP Ti and Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy in an electrolyte of 1M phosphoric acid and 1.5 wt% Hydrofluoric acid. The morphology of oxide film on substrate was observed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy The surface roughness of titanium oxide film was analyzed by atomic force microscopy and the crystalline of specimen was investigated using X-ray diffractometer. The results of this study showed that well-aligned titanium oxide nanotubes are formed with diameter of approx. 100nm and length of approx. 500nm with CP Ti. However, it is clear that TiTaNb alloy highly irregular structure with various diameters. Transmission electron microscope investigations show that the specimens were confirmed as amorphous. Such titanium oxide nanotubes are expected a well-adhered bioacitive surface layer on titanium substrate for orthopedics and dental implants.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제74권4호
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• pp.567-576
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• 2020

Considerable controversy surrounds the choice of the best abutment type for implant prosthetics. The two most common structures are hex and non-hex abutments. The non-hex abutment typically furnishes a larger contact area between itself and the implant than that provided by a hex structure. However, when a hex abutment is loaded, the position of its contact area may be deeper than that of a non-hex abutment. Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the different biomechanical behaviors of an internal bone-level implant based on the abutment type-hex or non-hex-and clinical crown length under static and cyclic loadings using finite element analysis (FEA). The hex structure was found to increase the implant and abutment stability more than the nonhex structure among several criteria. The use of the hex structure resulted in a smaller volume of bone tissues being at risk of hypertrophy and fatigue failure. It also reduced micromovement (separation) between the implant components, which is significantly related to the pumping effect and possible inflammation. Both static and fatigue analyses, used to examine short- and long-term stability, demonstrated the advantages of the hex abutment over the non-hex type for the stability of the implant components. Moreover, although its impact was not as significant as that of the abutment type, a large crown-implant ratio (CIR) increased bone strain and stress in the implant components, particularly under oblique loading.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.236-241
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• 2013

필로카르핀은 Pilocarpus 속으로부터 유일하게 분리되는 이미다졸계 알칼로이드로서 상당히 제약적으로 중요하다. Pilocarpus jaborandi로부터 필로카르핀을 추출하기 위하여 환경친화적인 효소를 이용한 추출법을 이용하였다. 본 연구에서는 상업적으로 이용할 수 있는 효소칵테일인 Viscozyme$^{(R)}$L을 사용하였다. 추출 조건은 기질, 효소, 온도 및 pH 등에 기초하여 최적화되었다. 가장 높은 수율을 위한 최적화 조건은 pH4인 50 mM 아세트산 40 ml 하에서 $45^{\circ}C$, 100 mg 기질, 30시간 반응이였다. 최적의 추출 효소농도는 10%이였다. Viscozyme$^{(R)}$L 처리로부터 얻어진 전체 필로카르핀 함유량($1.14{\mu}g/mg$) 수준은 기존 처리방법에서 얻어지는 양($0.37{\mu}g/mg$)보다 3.08배 높은 것을 확인하였다.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.524-529
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• 2006

For the repairing of bone defect, autogenous or allogenic bone grafting remains the standard. However, these methods have numerous disadvantages including limited amount, donor site morbidity and spread of diseases. Tissue engineering technique by culturing stem cells may allow for a smart solution for this problem. Adipose tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells that can be differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat or muscle by exposing them to specific growth conditions. In this study, the authors procured the stem cell from buccal fat pad and differentiate them into osteoblast and are to examine the bone induction capacity. Buccal fat-derived cells (BFDC) were obtained from human buccal fat pad and cultured. BFDC were analyzed for presence of stem cell by immunofluorescent staining against CD-34, CD-105 and STRO-1. After BFDC were differentiated in osteogenic medium for three passages, their ability to differentiate into osteogenic pathway were checked by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin red staining and RT-PCR for osteocalcin (OC) gene expression. Immunofluorescent and biochemical assays demonstrated that BFDC might be a distinguished stem cells and mineralization was accompanied by increased activity or expression of ALP and OC. And calcium phosphate deposition was also detected in their extracelluar matrix. The current study supports the presence of stem cells within the buccal fat pad and the potential implications for human bone tissue engineering for maxillofacial reconstruction.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제23권11호
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• pp.643-648
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• 2013

Activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from rice husks using the chemical activation method with KOH, NaOH, a combination of (NaOH + $Na_2CO_3$), and a combination of (KOH + $K_2CO_3$) as the chemical activating reagents. The activated carbon with the highest surface area (around $2000m^2/g$) and high porosity, which allows the absorption of a large number of ions, was applied as electrode material in electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs). The AC for EDLC electrodes is required to have a high surface area and an optimal pore size distribution; these are important to attain high specific capacitance of the EDLC electrodes. The electrodes were fabricated by compounding the rice husk activated carbons with super-P and mixed with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) at a weight ratio of 83:10:7. AC electrodes and nickel foams were assembled with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as the electrolyte. Electrochemical measurements were carried out with a three electrode cell using 6 M KOH as electrolyte and Hg/HgO as the reference electrode. The specific capacitance strongly depends on the pore structure; the highest specific capacitance was 179 F/g, obtained for the AC with the highest specific surface area. Additionally, different activation times, levels of heating, and chemical reagents were used to compare and determine the optimal parameters for obtaining high surface area of the activated carbon.