• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.458-462
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• 2009

We have synthesized ABC linear triblock copolymers, i.e., polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polylactide, via sequential anionic and ring-opening polymerizations. In the first anionic polymerization step, styrene was polymerized in cyclohexane using sec-butyllithium as the initiator. Poly (styryl) lithium was hydroxylated by the addition of ethylene oxide, and the subsequent protonation with methanolic HCl. In the second anionic polymerization step, potassium naphthalenide was used to deprotonate the hydroxyl group of the PS to generate the macroinitiator of PS-$O^-K^+$. Polymerization of ethylene oxide was performed in THF and terminated with methanolic HCl. In the ring-opening polymerization step, the PS-b-PEO-$AlEt_2$ macroinitiator was prepared from an $AlEt_3$/pyridine system in THF, and the polymerization of lactide was performed at $90^{\circ}C$. The resulting block copolymers showed well-defined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions as revealed by $^1H$- NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.429-439
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• 2011

Objectives: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is classified as a human carcinogen, but EtO is still widely used to sterilize heat-sensitive materials in hospitals. Employees working around sterilizers are exposed to EtO after sterilization. The aim of the present study was to assess the exposure of EtO level, coupled with occupationally induced micronuclei from hospital workers. The influence of genetic polymorphisms of detoxifying genes (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and DNA repair genes (XRCC1 and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei in relation to exposure of EtO was also investigated. Methods: The study population was composed of 35 occupationally exposed workers to EtO, 18 student controls and 44 unexposed hospital controls in Korea. Exposure to EtO is measured by passive personal samplers. We analyzed the frequencies of micronuclei by performing cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) and GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 were also genotyped by performing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group, student controls and hospital controls were $18.00{\pm}7.73$, $10.47{\pm}7.96$ and $13.86{\pm}6.35$ respectively and their differences were statistically significant, but no significant differences according to the level of EtO were observed. There was a dose-response relationship between the frequencies of micronuclei and cumulative dose of EtO, but no significantly differences were observed. We also investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei, but there were no differences in the frequencies of micronuclei by genetic polymorphisms. Conclusions: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group was significantly higher than control groups. A dose-response relationship was found between the level of EtO exposure and the frequencies of micronuclei, but no statistically differences were observed. We also found that the frequencies of micronuclei were increased according to cumulative EtO level. There was no association of the genetic GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 state with the frequency of micronuclei induced by EtO exposure.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.382-387
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• 2012

Ethylene oxide ($C_2H_4O$, EtO) is used as a raw material for the production of ethylene glycol and other industrially important material such as ethanolamines and also used as a disinfecting agent. It is applied for gas-phase sterilization of thermally sensitive medical equipment, and for processing of storage facilities as a mixture with fluorinated hydrocarbon. In this perspective, accurate determination of the mole fractions of components in the liquefied gas mixture is required for the quality control and safety of production and use. Each component of the liquefied gas mixture has different chemical and physical properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point. Therefore, we can suppose that analytical results can be different according to the introduction method for the gas phase of upper layer, or for the liquid phase of lower layer in gas cylinder. In this study, we designed a new on-line sample injection device for the liquefied gas mixture in liquid or gas state, and applied to the analysis of liquefied gas mixture of ethylene oxide and fluorinated hydrocarbons by GC/AED (gas chromatograph-atomic emission detector). We studied performance of AED, and effect of sample introduction and selected wavelength to the accuracy and repeatability of analytical results.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.24.1-24.1
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• 2009

Tantalum carbo-nitride($T_aC_xN_y$) films were deposited with chemical vapor deposition(CVD) using tert-butylimido tris-diethylamido tantalum (TBTDET, $^tBu-N=Ta-(NEt_2)_3$, $Et=C_2H_5$, $^tBu=C(CH_3)_3$) between $350^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ with argon as a carrier gas. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)spectroscopy was used to study the thermal decomposition behavior of TBTDET in the gas phase. When the temperature was increased, C-H and C-N bonding of TBTDET disappeared and the peaks of ethylene appeared above $450^{\circ}C$ in the gas phase. The growth rate and film density of $T_aC_xN_y$ film were in the range of 0.1nm/min to 1.30nm/min and of $8.92g/cm^3$ to $10.6g/cm^3$ depending on the deposition temperature. $T_aC_xN_y$ films deposited below $400^{\circ}C$ were amorphous and became polycrystal line above $500^{\circ}C$. It was confirmed that the $T_aC_xN_y$ film was a mixture of TaC, graphite, $Ta_3N_5$, TaN, and $Ta_2O_5$ phases and the oxide phase was formed from the post deposition oxygen uptake. With the increase of the deposition temperature, the TaN phase was increased over TaC and $Ta_3N_5$ and crystallinity, work function, conductivity and density of the film were increased. Also the oxygen uptake was decreased due to the increase of the film density. With the increase of the TaC phase in $T_aC_xN_y$ film, the work function was decreased to 4.25eV and with the increase of the TaN phase in $T_aC_xN_y$ film,it was increased to 4.48eV.

• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.165-179
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• 2015

Archives have historical and academic values. That is why the study of preservation conditions and the environment for the effective management of various records progress. However, materials such as paper and adhesives will inevitably cause biological damages. These damages spread into the inner side of archives, which would make it impossible to recover. For example, archival records from Malaysia and Oman are easily exposed to biological damage because of these countries' hot and humid climate. As such, once records are damaged, disinfection operations are customary in these areas. Methyl bromide (MeBr) and ethylene oxide (EtO) were used in the disinfection process as they showed good insecticidal effect. However their antibacterial effect are negligible. As such, the need for an environmental-friendly fumigator was evident. An environmental-friendly fumigator is designed to improve storage stability. Such equipment is expected to contribute to prevention of damages to cultural heritages through its use of vaporization technology, maintenance of a disinfection space (chamber), and self-generation of nitrogen.