• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2021

Purpose: Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely available drug responsible for a large part of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in developed countries. Although acetaminophen overdose cases in Korea are being continuously reported, there are no reports related to the level of this drug in the patient's blood or of laboratory analysis at emergency departments (ED). This study sought to analyze the acetaminophen overdose cases at a toxicological laboratory and to survey APAP analysis services offered at select EDs. Methods: We analyzed the demographic and analytic data at a toxicological laboratory run by the National Emergency Medical Center (NMC) in 2019-2020. We surveyed the APAP laboratory service in the 38 regional emergency medical centers (EMCs) and 68 local EMCs near the toxicological laboratory. Results: We studied 175 acute poisoning cases (112 women) with positive blood APAP results (mean age 47.0±24.1 years). Suicide attempts comprised 40.0% of the cases and 30.3% APAP overdose events. In the univariate analysis, we observed that patients were significantly younger, with fewer underlying medical diseases. There were a higher number of APAP overdose events, more favorable initial mental status, more toxic quantity intake in the above treatment line group (p<0.05), In multivariate analysis, the toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent in the above treatment line group (p<0.01). Hospital APAP analysis services were available in six EMCs (3/38 regional and 3/68 local). The hospital blood APAP level reporting intervals were shorter than outside-hospital laboratory services (p<0.01, regional 7.0±3.0 vs. 40.6±27.5, local 5.3±3.1 vs. 57.9±45.1 hours). The NMC toxicological laboratory reporting interval was shorter than the other outside-hospital laboratories (p<0.01, regional 5.7±0.6 vs. 50.2±22.7 local 7.5±3.0 vs. 70.5±41.5 hours). Conclusion: Over the treatment line group, toxic amount intake was significantly more frequent. Only six of 106 EMCs have their own APAP analysis service in their hospitals.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the social factors influencing the 'authenticity of suicidal ideation' based post-suicidal care programs in emergency departments (EDs). Methods: This retrospective study was an analysis using the data of patients who had attempted suicide and visited the ED in tertiary urban hospitals from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018. The variables examined included gender, age, history of previous psychiatric disease, suicide method, and the number of previous attempts. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the registration rate for the community-based post-suicide care program. Results: Overall,1,460 suicides were analyzed, 177 (1.16%) showed a high authenticity of suicide. The social factors influencing the authenticity of suicide intent were the unmarried status of men and women, joblessness, history of mental illnesses, more than two previous suicide attempts, the influence of alcohol, and an attempt to commit suicide after midnight more specifically between 24:00 to 6:00 hours in the morning (p<.05). The factors influencing the severity of the condition of high authenticity suicide patients were low Glasgow coma scores (12 points or less), lactate levels, and oxygen saturation observed in the patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment and died (p<.05). Conclusion: The need for evidence-based preventive measures and early assessment tools at the emergency medicine level is emphasized to reduce the rate of suicide attempts. If the results of this study are used in the management of suicide prevention, the evaluation of the authenticity of suicide intent will be more likely to be made at the emergency medicine level, allowing the severity to be assessed earlier.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.434-439
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• 2020

Selective laser melting (SLM) manufactures an alloy using laser as a heat source, and has recently been introduced in the dental industry. However, there is a lack of analytical research on metal-ceramic restorations achieved by SLM. This study evaluates and compares the metal-ceramic bond strength of Co-Cr alloys produced by selective laser melting and casting methods. Co-Cr samples required for this study were produced through the sintering process of ceramics, by applying the SLM and CAST methods. The metal-ceramic bond strength was measured by applying the shear bond strength test. In order to determine the area fraction of adherent ceramic, Si content of the specimen was measured using scanning electron microscopy SEM/ EDS. Results of the metal-ceramic bond strength and AFAC were analyzed by t-test (α = 0.05). No significant difference was observed comparing the bond strength of SLM and CAST Co-Cr alloys (P> 0.05). However, the SLM group had much better ceramic adherence than the CAST group (P < 0.001). Moreover, oxidation characteristics were similar for both SLM and CAST Co-Cr alloys, but metal structures were different. These results imply that although the bond of ceramic and Co-Cr alloy is not related to the manufacturing method, SLM alloys impart better ceramic adherence. This indicates that alloys made with SLM can be used to fabricate upper implant prostheses in the future. In particular, it is expected to overcome the shortcomings of the CAST method, and save time and cost.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Although the calcined oyster shell can be used as a calcium-rich adsorbent for phosphate removal, information about it is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phosphate adsorption characteristics and its mechanism using calcined oyster shells. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, calcined oyster shell (C-OS600) was prepared by calcining oyster shells (P-OS) at 600℃ for 20 min. Phosphate adsorption by C-OS600 was performed under various environmental conditions. Phosphate adsorption by C-OS600 occurred rapidly at the beginning of the reaction, and the time to reach equilibrium was less than 1 h. The optimal isotherm and kinetic models for predicting the adsorption of phosphate by C-OS600 were the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model, respectively, and the maximum adsorption capacity derived from the Langmuir isotherm was 68.0 mg/g. The adsorption properties of phosphate by C-OS600 were dominantly influenced by the initial pH and C-OS600 dose. In addition, SEM-EDS and FTIR analysis clearly showed a difference in C-OS600 before and after phosphate adsorption, which proved that phosphate was adsorbed on the surface of C-OS600. CONCLUSION: Overall, the calcined oyster shell can be considered as an useful and effective adsorbent to treat wastewater containing phosphate.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.318-325
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• 2022

In this study, composites containing undoped and barium-doped Bi₂WO₆:Ba²⁺were investigated for their shielding against diagnostic X-ray. At first, Bi₂WO₆ and barium-doped Bi₂WO₆ were synthesized with different weight percentages of barium oxide through a hydrothermal process. The as-synthesized nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). After that, some shields were generated with undoped and barium-doped Bi₂WO₆:Ba²⁺ nanostructure particles incorporated into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer with different thicknesses and 15% weight of the nanostructure. Finally, the prepared samples were exposed to an X-ray tube at 40, 80, and 120 kV voltages, 10 mAs and, 44.5 cm SID (i.e. the distance from the X-ray beam source to the specimen). Linear and mass attenuation coefficients were also calculated for different samples. The results indicated that, among the samples, the one with 7.5 mmol barium-doped Bi₂WO₆ had the most attenuation at the voltage of 40kV, and the attenuation coefficients would increase with an increase in the amount of barium. The samples with 15 and 17.5 mmol barium-doped Bi₂WO₆ had higher attenuation than the others at 80 and 120 kV. Moreover, the half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL) and 0.25 mm lead equivalent thickness were calculated for all the samples. The lowest HVL value was for the sample with 7.5 mmol barium-doped Bi₂WO₆. As the result clearly show, an increment in the barium-doping content leads to a decrease in both HVL and TVL. In every three voltages, 0.25 mm lead equivalent thickness of the barium-doped composites (7.5 mmol and 15 mmol) had less than the other composites. The lowest value of 0.25 mm lead equivalent thickness was 7.5 barium-doped in 40 kV voltage and 15 mmol barium-doped in 80 kV and 120 kV voltages. These results were obtained only for 15% weight of the nanostructure.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2022

With the expansion of the automobile market, the demand for Nd as an essential rare earth material for automobile motors is rapidly increasing. Research on the calcio-thermic reduction process between Nd₂O₃ and calcium-based alloys has been extensively studied in order to manufacture Nd. In this study, Ca-Cu, as a reducing for Nd₂O₃, was prepared by electrolysis in CaCl₂ molten salt. Cu wire and graphite were employed as a working electrode and a counter electrode for electrolysis reaction, respectively. The reference electrode was manufactured by putting Ag wire in a mixture of AgCl and CaCl₂ at a ratio of 1:99 mol%. The cyclic voltammetry results showed that the deposition of Ca²⁺ on the surface of working electrode was observed from a potential of -1.8 V, and the reduction potential of Ca²⁺ decreased as the reaction temperature increased. The diffusion coefficient of Ca²⁺ calculated by the chronoamperometry experiment was found to be 5.4(±6.8)×10^-6 cm²/s. In addition, Ca-Cu liquid alloy was prepared by applying a constant potential to Cu electrodes. The element ratio of Ca-Cu alloy formed by applying a potential of -2.0 V was found to Ca:Cu=1:4.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.712-722
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• 2021

This study presents a method for conserving shamanistic spirits in Chiseonggwang Buddha. Scientific investigation has revealed that these spirits have been subject to degeneration as a result of severe exfoliation and pollution. The materials and preservation treatment techniques used in create these shamanistic spirits were identified through visual inspection and using appropriate scientific equipment. The different types of background paper, background material, and color pigments used in create the shamanistic spirits were analyzed using a colorimeter, stereoscopic microscope, and SEM-EDS techniques. The analysis revealed that the pulp paper was used as the background and synthetic fiber polyester as the background material. In addition, the study of the pigment revealed that the color components were all synthetic, except for red lead [Pb₃O₄] and oyster shell white [CaCO₃]. Moreover, it was confirmed that the green pigment, identified as emerald green [Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂.3Cu(AsO₂)₂], was a major component of shamanistic spirits in the late 19^th century. The shamanistic spirits in Chiseonggwang Buddha were conserved by identifying raw materials and pigments through this detailed analysis.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.446-451
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• 2022

In this study, to improve capacity and cycle stability, the pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT composites were prepared through electrostatic bonding of nano silicon sheets and CNT. Silica sheets were synthesized by hydrolyzing TEOS on the crystal planes of NaCl, and then nano silicon sheets were prepared by using magnesiothermic reduction method. To fabricate the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites, the negatively charged CNT after the acid treatment was used to assemble the positively charged nano silicon sheets modified with APTES. THF as a solvent was used in the coating process of PFO pitch. The physical properties of the prepared anode composites were analysed by FE-SEM, XRD and EDS. The electrochemical performances of the synthesized anode composites were performed by current charge/discharge, rate performances, differential capacity and EIS tests in the electrolyte LiPF₆ dissolve solvent (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%). It was found that the anode material with high capacity and stability could be synthesized when high composition of silicon and conductivity of CNT were used. The pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT anode composites showed initial discharge capacity of 2344.9 mAh/g and the capacity retention ratio of 81% after 50 cycles. The electrochemical property of pitch coated anode material was more improved than that of the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.124-132
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• 2022

Through scientific analysis, this study identified the material characteristics of metal foil decorating the border line and knotting of the National Folklore Cultural Heritage 'Pouch for the Sutra Embroidered with a Sun and Moon Design'. Through Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy results, it was estimated that silver (Ag) and sulfur (S) were present in the metal foil, and silver leaf was also attached to the medium. S may discolor Ag from yellow to black depending on its concsentration and contact time. Yellow color could not be identified in metal foil at present. But there existed an example of the preparation of a gold-colored flat silver thread; therefore, further research is needed to estimate the original color. The lamella was reddish brown on the back. Aluminum, silicon, and iron were also detected and were the main components found in red soil. This is believed to be the red adhesive in traditional flat gold thread and is considered to be an adhesive-related component of the metal foil. From the gas chromatography mass spectrometry results, the adhesive component was confirmed to be animal glue.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.200-209
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• 2022

In this study, defects generated in the YSZ coating layer of the IN738LC turbine blade are investigated using an optical microscope and SEM/EDS. The blade YSZ coating layer is composed of a Y-Zr component top coat layer and a Co component bond coat layer. A large amount of Cr/Ni component that diffused from the base is also measured in the bond coat. The blade hot corrosion is concentrated on the surface of the concave part, accompanied by separation of the coating layer due to the concentration of combustion gas collisions here. In the top coating layer of the blade, cracks occur in the vertical and horizontal directions, along with pits in the top coating layer. Combustion gas components such as Na and S are contained inside the pits and cracks, so it is considered that the pits/cracks are caused by the corrosion of the combustion gases. Also, a thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer of several ㎛ thick composed of Al oxide is observed between the top coat and the bond coat, and a similar inner TGO with a thickness of several ㎛ is also observed between the bond coat and the matrix. A PFZ (precipitate free zone) deficient in γ' (Ni₃Al) forms as a band around the TGO, in which the Al component is integrated. Although TGO can resist high temperature corrosion of the top coat, it should also be considered that if its shape is irregular and contains pore defects, it may degrade the blade high temperature creep properties. Compositional and microstructural analysis results for high-temperature corrosion and TGO defects in the blade coating layer used at high temperatures are expected to be applied to sound YSZ coating and blade design technology.