• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.351-359
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• 2019

Neurocognitive testing commonly uses the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) to evaluate the overall cognitive function of patients at outpatient clinics, but the MMSE has recently been extensively used in the SNSB II (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery II) for making diagnoses. We retrospectively investigated the results of routine neurocognitive tests and the results of the blood tests of 120 elderly patients who had been referred to a South Central Medical Center from 2017 to 2018 and who had been examined at a public health center. These subjects' space-time capability was high on the sub-region of the global deterioration scale (GDS). GDS showed a significant increase as the Na decreased on the electrolyte analysis. The subjects' concentration, their language-based orientation for space and time, their memory, and their scores for the frontal lobe function on GDS showed statistically significant reductions (P<0.001) For the normal and abnormal groups according to the ALT and creatinine levels, the frontal/execute function areas showed statistically significant differences (P<0.001) as well as negative correlation between GDS and ALT (P<0.01). In conclusion, this study provides basic information to develop test items that are important for patient screening and diagnosis, and several routine blood chemistry factors provide basic information for diagnosing and assessing the status and progress of cognitively impaired patients.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.105-109
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• 2018

We studied graphene synthesis to porous Cu to improve the characteristics of carbon dioxide reduction of cu. Cu powders were formed through Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition(TCVD) to Porous Cu/Graphene structures synthesized with graphene. As a result of electrochemical experiments using a 0.1 M $KHCO_3$ electrolyte at an applied potential of -1.0 V to -1.4 V, the current density of Porous Cu/Graphene was 1.8 times higher than that of Porous Cu. As a result of evaluating the product, CO and $H_2$ were generated to Porous Cu electrode. On the other hand, the product of porous Cu/Graphene produced CO, $CH_4$ and $C_2H_4$. It is considered that the graphene causes longer carbon dioxide adsorption time, which means that the intermediates formed during the reaction remain on the electrode surface for a longer time. As a result, it can be concluded that the production reaction of the C2 compound could be continuously performed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2019

Lithium anodes (13, 15, 17, and 20 wt% Li) were fabricated by mixing molten lithium and iron powder, which was used as a binder to hold the molten lithium, at about $500^{\circ}C$ (discharge temp.). In this study, the effect of applied pressure and lithium content on the discharge properties of a thermal battery's single cell was investigated. A single cell using a Li anode with a lithium content of less than 15 wt% presented reliable performance without any abrupt voltage drop resulting from molten lithium leakage under an applied pressure of less than $6kgf/cm^2$. Furthermore, it was confirmed that even when the solid electrolyte is thinner, the Li anode of the single cell normally discharges well without a deterioration in performance. The Li anode of the single cell presented a significantly improved open-circuit voltage of 2.06 V, compared to that of a Li-Si anode (1.93 V). The cut-off voltage and specific capacity were 1.83 V and $1,380As\;g^{-1}$ (Li anode), and 1.72 V and $1,364As\;g^{-1}$ (Li-Si anode). Additionally, the Li anode exhibited a stable and flat discharge curve until 1.83 V because of the absence of phase change phenomena of Li metal and a subsequent rapid voltage drop below 1.83 V due to the complete depletion of Li at the end state of discharge. On the other hand, the voltage of the Li-Si anode cell decreased in steps, $1.93V{\rightarrow}1.72V(Li_{13}Si_4{\rightarrow}Li_7Si_3){\rightarrow}1.65V(Li_7Si_3{\rightarrow}Li_{12}Si_7)$, according to the Li-Si phase changes during the discharge reaction. The energy density of the Li anode cell was $807.1Wh\;l^{-1}$, which was about 50% higher than that of the Li-Si cell ($522.2Wh\;l^{-1}$).

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.487-492
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• 2021

In this study, the electrochemical properties of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite anode materials were investigated. Using NaCl as a template, silicon sheets were prepared through the stöber method and the magnesiothermic reduction methode. In order to synthesize the anode composite, the silicon sheets and graphite were combined with SDBS. The pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite was synthesized using THF as a solvent for the anode material composite. The physical properties of the prepared anode composites were analysed by XRD, SEM, EDS and TGA. The electrochemical performances of the prepared anode composites were performed by the current charge/discharge, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and EIS tests in the electrolyte LiPF₆ dissolved solvents (EC:DMC:EMC=1:1:1 vol%). As the silicon composition of silicon sheets/graphite composite material increased, the discharge capacity also increased, but the cycle stability tended to decrease. The anode material of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite composite (silicon sheets:graphite=3:7 weight ratio) showed the initial discharge capacity of 1228.8 mAh/g and the capacity retention ratio of 77% after 50 cycles. From these results, it was found that the cycle stability of pitch coated silicon sheets/graphite was improved.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.208-216
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to investigate the status of renal function in patients with COVID-19. The study surveyed a total of 649 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a hospital located in southern Gyeonggi Province, South Korea over a one month period in January 2021. The parameters analyzed were blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The BUN and creatinine of the COVID-19 patients were found to be higher than the normal reference range, specially in males, and in the elderly (60s and 80s or older). The serum electrolyte levels of the patients were observed to be within the reference intervals. Of the subjects, males over 80 years of age had a Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) of 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or less. Recent research suggests that some severe cases of COVID-19 are showing signs of kidney damage, even in those with no prior underlying kidney disease. Thus, assessment of kidney function using multiple indicators could help diagnose abnormal renal function in patients with COVID-19.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2021

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occur in indoor and outdoor industrial and urban areas and cause environmental problems. Malodorous VOCs, along with aesthetic discomfort, can have a serious effect on the human body. Compared with the existing method of reducing malodorous VOCs, a wet scrubbing method using an electrolytic oxidant has the advantage of reducing pollutants and regenerating oxidants. This study investigated the optimal conditions for producing OCl^-, a chlorine-oxidant. Experiments were conducted by changing the type of anode and cathode electrode, the type of electrolyte, the concentration of electrolytes, and the current density. With Ti/IrO₂ as the anode electrode and Ti as the cathode electrode, OClproduction was highest and most stable. Although OCl^- production was similar with the use of KCl or NaCl, NaCl is preferable because it is cheap and easy to obtain. The effect of NaCl concentration and current density was examined, and the OCl^- production rate and concentration were highest at 0.75 M NaCl and 0.03 A cm^-2. However, considering the cost of electric power, OCl^- production under the conditions of 1.00 M NaCl and 0.01 A cm^-2 was most effective among the conditions examined. It is desirable to produce OCl^- by adjusting the current density in accordance with the concentration and characteristics of pollutants.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.534-542
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• 2021

Objective : While balanced crystalloid (BC) could be a relevant fluid regimen with buffer system compared with normal saline (NS), there have been no studies on the optimal fluid for surgery of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). This study aimed to compare the effects of fluid regimens between NS and BC on the metabolic and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for UIA. Methods : This study was designed as a propensity score matched retrospective comparative study and included adult patients who underwent UIA clipping. Patient groups were categorized as NS and BC groups based on the types of pre-operative fluid and the amount of fluid administered during surgery. The primary outcomes were defined as electrolyte imbalance and acidosis immediately after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and duration from the end of the operation to extubation. Results : A total of 586 patients were enrolled in this study, with each of 293 patients assigned to the NS and BC groups, respectively. Immediately after surgery, serum chloride levels were significantly higher in the NS group. Compared to the NS group, the BC group had lower incidence rates of acidemia (6.5% vs. 11.6%, p=0.043) and metabolic acidosis (0.7% vs. 4.4%, p=0.007). As compared to NS group, BC group had significantly shorter duration from the end of the operation to extubation (250±824 vs. 122±372 minutes, p=0.016) and length of stay in ICU (1.37±1.11 vs. 1.12±0.61 days, p=0.001). Throughout multivariable analysis, use of BC was found to be significant factor for favorable post-operative results. Conclusion : This study showed that the patients who received BC during UIA clipping had lower incidence of metabolic acidosis, earlier extubation and shorter ICU stay compared to those who received NS. Therefore, using BC as a peri-operative fluid can be recommended for patients who undergo surgery for UIA.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-399
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• 2011

Material of the gasket for lithium ion battery requires the chemical resistance, the electrical insulting property, the compression set, the anti-contamination level and the low temperature resistance. We compounded ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), which showed widely different solubility parameter index, with adjusting the amount of metal oxide as an activator. We did long-term test and compression set against an electrolyte with consideration for operating conditions in lithium-ion battery. In these tests, we checked the physical, chemical characteristics and the effect to lithium ion battery with different kinds of activators. In case of rubber with ZnO as an activator, through 1000 h depositing test in propylene carbonate which is one of representative solvents, we could get the satisfying characteristics and result. However, $Zn^{2+}$ had eluted in the ion elution test. So, ZnO should be limited in EPDM compound for the gasket material in lithium-ion battery.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.479-485
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• 2011

Pt-Bi/C catalysts supported on carbon black with various Pt/Bi ratios were synthesized by a reduction method. Chloroplatinic acid hydrate ($H_2PtCl_6{\cdot}xH_2O$) and bismuth (III) nitrate pentahydrate ($Bi(NO_3)_3{\cdot}5H_2O$) were used as precursors for Pt and Bi, respectively. Before loading metal on carbon, heat treatment and pretreatment of carbon black in an acidic solution was conducted to enhance the degree of dispersion. The physical property of the synthesized catalysts was investigated by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The XRD pattern of untreated Pt-Bi/C catalyst showed BiPt and $Bi_2Pt$ peaks in addition to Pt peaks. These results imply that Bi atoms were incorporated into the Pt crystal lattice by Pt-Bi alloy formation. The catalytic activity for methanol oxidation was measured using cyclic voltammetry in a mixture of 0.5 M $H_2SO_4$ and 0.5 M $CH_3OH$ aqueous solution. The addition of proper amount of Bi was found to significantly improve catalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The catalytic activity for methanol oxidation was closely related to the stability between electrode and electrolyte. In order to investigate the stability of catalysts, chronoamperometry analysis was carried out in the same solution at 0.6 V.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2021

The PEM(Proton Exchange Membrane)water electrolysis uses the same PEM electrolyte membrane as the PEM fuel cell and proceeds by the same reaction but the opposite direction. The PEM fuel cell has many methods of degradation analysis since many studies have been conducted on the degradation and durability of the membrane and catalyst. We examined whether PEM fuel cell durability evaluation method can be applied to PEM electrolytic durability evaluation. During the PEM electrolytic degradation process, LSV(Linear sweep voltammetry), CV(Cyclic voltammetry), Impedance, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) and FT-IR(Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) were analyzed and compared under the same conditions as the PEM fuel cell. As the PEM fuel cell, hydrogen passing through the membrane was oxidized at the Pt/C electrode, and the hydrogen permeation current density was measured to analyze the degree of degradation of the PEM membrane. Electrode degradation could be analyzed by measuring the electrode active area (ECSA) by CV under hydrogen/nitrogen flowing conditions. While supplying hydrogen and air to the Pt/C electrode and the IrO2 electrode, the impedance of each electrode was measured to evaluate the durability of the electrode and membrane.