• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2003

Background : The pathological features in asthmatic airway remodeling are diverse. The aim of this study was to examine the degree of airway vascularity in relation to the other remodeling parameters in asthmatics. Methods : Bronchial biopsies were done in 34 asthmatic patients, and 6 control subjects. The basement membrane thickness and the subepithelial thickness were measured in the hematoxylin-eosin stained tissue, and the degree of vascularity was measured using type IV collagen immunostaining. Results : 1) Compared to the control subjects, the asthmatics showed a significant increase in the basement membrane thickness ($6.92{\pm}2.01{\mu}m$ vs $9.67{\pm}2.84{\mu}m$, p<0.05) and the subepithelial thickness ($44.49{\pm}31.92{\mu}m$ vs $121.22{\pm}72.79{\mu}m$, p<0.05). 2) Compared to the control subjects, the asthmatics showed a significant increase in the vascular area per unit submucosal area ($4.51{\pm}2.13%$ vs $10.32{\pm}6.08%$, p<0.05). In addition, the number of vessels per unit submucosal area showed an increased tendency without statistical significance. 3) In the asthmatics, the number of vessels and the vascular area per unit submucosal area showed no correlation with the basement membrane thickness, the subepithelial thickness, the severity, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second($FEV_1$), and the methacholine provocative concentration 20($PC_{20}$). Conclusion : This study showed that vascularity was an important parameter in asthmatic airway remodeling but it was not related to the other remodeling parameters such as the basement membrane thickness and the subepithelial thickness. Each of these asthmatic remodeling parameters may have a different clinical significance. Therefore, further studies will be needed.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2024

DLC coatings have been widely applied in industrial fields that require high corrosion resistance due to their excellent mechanical characteristics and chemical stability. In this research, effects of DLC coating thickness and defects on corrosion resistance were investigated for application of metallic bipolar plates in polymer membrane electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs). Results revealed that a DLC coating thickness of 0.7 ㎛ could lead to a defect size reduction of about 75.9% compared to that of 0.3 ㎛.As a result of potentiodynamic polarization experiments, the current density under a potential of 0.6 V was measured to be less than 1 ㎂/cm²,which was an excellent value. Inparticular, the delamination ratio and the decrease rate of maximum pitting depth were up to 84.8% and 63.3%, respectively, with an increase in the DLC coating thickness. These results demonstrate that DLC coating thickness and defects are factors that can affect corrosion resistance of DLC coating and its substrate.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.673-678
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• 2014

Background The depth of graft harvest and the residual dermis available for reepithelization primarily influence the healing of split-skin graft donor sites. When the thigh region is chosen, the authors hypothesize based on thickness measurements that the anterolateral region is the optimal donor site. Methods Full-thickness skin specimens were sampled from the anteromedial, anterior, and anterolateral regions of human cadavers. Skin specimens were cut perpendicularly with a custom-made precision apparatus to avoid the overestimation of thickness measurements. The combined epidermal and dermal thicknesses (overall skin thickness) were measured using a digital calliper. The specimens were histologically stained to visualize their basement membrane, and microscopy images were captured. Since the epidermal thickness varies across the specimen, a stereological method was used to eliminate observer bias. Results Epidermal thickness represented 2.5% to 9.9% of the overall skin thickness. There was a significant difference in epidermal thickness from one region to another (P<0.05). The anterolateral thigh region had the most consistent and highest mean epidermal thickness ($60{\pm}3.2{\mu}m$). We observed that overall skin thickness increased laterally from the anteromedial region to the anterior and anterolateral regions of the thigh. The overall skin thickness measured $1,032{\pm}435{\mu}m$ in the anteromedial region compared to $1,220{\pm}257{\mu}m$ in the anterolateral region. Conclusions Based on skin thickness measurements, the anterolateral thigh had the thickest epidermal and dermal layers. We suggest that the anterolateral thigh region is the optimal donor site for split-skin graft harvests from the thigh.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.794-797
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• 2004

In this study, tensile adhesive strength(TAS) test was carreid out for evaluated the effects of temperature conditions (-20, -10, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, $40^{\circ}C$) on the tensile adhesive characteristics about 4 type waterproofing membranes which were commercially used in bridge decks. And, failure appeariences of waterproofing systems in each temperature after TAS test were observed the sawing surfaces of waterproofing systems for whether or not damaged of waterproofing membranes. Also, correction coefficient of TAS with temperature were calculated using 4 type waterproofing membrane. It could be shown that the higher TAS and shear adhesive strength, the lower temperature, regardless of the type of waterproofing membrane. Temperature sensibility of TAS was especially remarkable in epoxy membrane. Failure type was occurred the ductile failure in $30^{\circ}C\;and\;40^{\circ}C$. From these results, it was shown that if ambient temperature above $30^{\circ}C$ maintains for a long time, waterproofing membrane will be deformed by softening. Otherwise, waterproofing membrane in temperature below $20^{\circ}C$ shown that occurred the brittle failure. From the results of visual observation of cutting surface for specimen, the thin waterproofing membranes shown indented by hot aggregate of the asphalt mixtures. Therefore, it could be known that the specification of waterproofing membrane thickness is necessary by waterproofing membrane type. As temperature change varied with pavement depth, the interface temperature was more important than ambient temperature in TAS test. Now, TAS test results were limited only in $-10^{\circ}C\;and\;20^{\circ}C$ temperature, but correction coefficient of TAS by ambient temperature could be used as a solution to deal with this problem.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.516-521
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• 2011

The basilar membrane, an important functional part of the cochlea, is responsible for spectral separation of vibration signals transmitted from the stapes. In current study, scaled-up polymer membranes designed by mimicking the human basilar membrane were used for investigation of the frequency-separation characteristic. Displacement field formed on each polymer membrane was acquired by Laser Doppler scanning vibrometer and post-processed frequency-wise. The locations of the maximum displacement along the centerline were identified and collected for individual frequency range to produce the frequency-position map of individual polymer membrane. The influences of the membrane thickness and material properties on the variation of the frequency separability were discussed.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.197-200
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• 2013

Silk fibroin is a natural biomaterial that has the biocompatibility and other many advantages. But as a silk fibroin membrane thickness increases, the transparency becomes more opaque. Because the transparency of membranes tissue such as the cornea and dura mater are necessary, transparent membrane is required to replace these transparent membranes. In this study, we fabricated blending silk fibroin membranes that made by mixing the various inorganic salts or polymer in an aqueous solution of silk fibroin. The transparency of the membranes were analyzed. the transparency of these membranes is very different, depending on the mixed materials. Inorganic salts mixed silk membrane was more transparent than the polymer mixed one. Especially, the silk fibroin membrane with calcium chloride was very transparent. We showed the possibility of blending silk fibroin membrane, which can be used in perfect transparent membrane such as the cornea. In the future, we expect that the transparent blending silk fibroin membrane can be used in various medical applications.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.468-474
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• 1995

The disposable glucose bio-sensor using composite of CTA and PCL membrane was developed for measurement of glucose. The most effective membrane was composed of CTA/PCL(80/20, w/w) and glutaraldehyde one-step immobilization method ($10{\mu}m$ thickness) for glucose sensor gave the best result among various methods, considering oxygen permeability and electronic sensitivity. A scanning electron micrograph of the cross-section of a typical asymmetric CTA/PCL composite membrane showed that the membrane fused with a dense layer covered with a GOD-glutaraldehyde. Glucose oxidase immoblilized on the membrane showed the linearity between difference of absolute amperometric values and glucose concentrations within 7mM when the GOD immobilized electrode was used. About 35% of activity was remained after 8 days when the tyrosinase was immobilized on CTA/PCL (80/20) membrane.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2017

Pd-based membranes have been widely used in hydrogen purification and separation due to their high hydrogen diffusivity and infinite selectivity. However, it has been difficult to fabricate thin and dense Pd-based membranes on a porous stainless steel(PSS) support. In case of a conventional PSS support having the large size of surface pores, it was required to use complex surface treatment and thick Pd coating more than $6{\mu}m$ on the PSS was required in order to form pore free surface. In this study, we could fabricate thin and dense Pd membrane with only $3{\mu}m$ Pd layer on a new PSS support manufactured by metal injection molding(MIM). The PSS support had low surface roughness and mean pore size of $5{\mu}m$. Pd membrane were prepared by advanced Pd sputter deposition on the modified PSS support using fine polishing and YSZ vacuum filling surface treatment. At temperature $400^{\circ}C$ and transmembrane pressure difference of 1 bar, hydrogen flux and selectivity of $H_2/N_2$ were $11.22ml\;cm^{-2}min^{-1}$ and infinity, respectively. Comparing with $6{\mu}m$ Pd membrane, $3{\mu}m$ Pd membrane showed 2.5 times higher hydrogen flux which could be due to the decreased Pd layer thickness from $6{\mu}m$ to $3{\mu}m$ and an increased porosity. It was also found that pressure exponent was changed from 0.5 on $6{\mu}m$ Pd membrane to 0.8 on $3{\mu}m$ Pd membrane.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2019

Porous membranes are widely used in industry for removing particulate matter. Unlike conventional porous membrane fabrication methods, the solution spreading phase separation method can form pores very simply. The first step is to wet the mesh with the support layer, then to let the polysulfone solution flow into a solvent without water. The solvent is readily vaporized and the polysulfone is made into a thin film. When the polysulfone solution is mixed with water to form pores, the pore size can be adjusted according to the concentration ratio of the polysulfone solution. The thickness of the membrane is easily controlled by the concentration of the solution. The porous separator has the formation of meshes intact and is very useful for forming a three-dimensional structure. The solution spreading phase separation method proposed in this study is characterized by its high cost competitiveness compared with conventional membranes due to its low production cost and easy process control.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2023

Biofilms significantly affect the performance of wastewater treatment processes in which biodegradability of numerous microorganisms are actively involved, and various technologies have been applied to secure microbial biofilms. Understanding changes in biofilm characteristics by regulating expression of signaling molecules is important to control and regulate biofilms in membrane bioreactor, i.e., biofouling. This study investigated effects of addition of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) as a controllable factor for the microbial signaling system on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and multiple strains in membrane bioreactor. The addition of three AHL, i.e., C4-, C6-, and C8-HSL, at a concentration of 200 ㎍/L, enhanced the formation of the PAO1 biofilm and the degree of increases in the biofilm formation of PAO1 were 70.2%, 76.6%, and 72.9%, respectively. The improvement of biofilm formation of individual strains by C4-HSL was an average of 68%, and the microbial consortia increased by approximately 52.1% in the presence of 200 ㎍/L C4-HSL. CLSM images showed that more bacterial cells were present on the membrane surface after the AHL application. In the COMSTAT results, biomass and thickness were increased up to 2.2 times (PAO1) and 1.6 times (multi-strains) by C4-HSL. This study clearly showed that biofilm formation was increased by the application of AHL to individual strain groups, including PAO1 and microbial consortia, and significant increases were observed when 50 or 100 ㎍/L AHL was administered. This suggests that AHL application can improve the biofilm formation of microorganisms, which could yield an enhancement in efficiency of biofilm control, such as in various biofilm reactors including membrane bioreactor and bioflocculent systems in water/wastewater treatment processes.