Indoor Air Pollutant (Toluene) Reduction Based on Ultraviolet-A Irradiance and Changes in the Reactor Volume in a TiO2 Photocatalyst Reactor.

This study experimentally confirmed the effect of TiO2 photocatalysts on the removal of indoor air pollutants. In the experiment, toluene, a representative indoor air pollutant, was removed using a coating agent containing TiO2 photocatalysts. Conditions proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) were applied mutatis mutandis, and a photoreactor for an experiment was manufactured. The experiment was divided into two categories. The first experiment was conducted under ISO conditions using the TiO2 photocatalyst coating agent. In the second experiment, the amount of ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light was varied depending on the lamp's service life, and the volume of the reactor was varied depending on the number of contaminants. The results showed that the TiO2 photocatalytic coating agent reduced the effect of toluene. This reduction effect can be increased as a primary function depending on the changes in the amount of UV-A light and reactor volume. However, because toluene is decomposed in this study, additional organic pollutants such as benzene and butadiene can be produced. Because these pollutants are decomposed by the TiO2 photocatalysts, the overall reduction performance may change. Nonetheless, TiO2 photocatalysts can be used to examine the effect of indoor pollutant reduction in indoor ventilation systems and building materials.

NOx-Reduction Performance Test for TiO2 Paint.

In South Korea, the gradual increase in particulate matter generation has received significant attention from central and local governments. Exhaust gas, which contains nitrogen oxides (NOx), is one of the main sources of particulate matter. In this study, the reduction of NOx using a coating material mixed with a titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst was demonstrated. The NOx reduction performance of the TiO2 photocatalyst-infused coating was evaluated by applying the ISO 22197-1: 2007 standard. Subsequently, the performance was evaluated by changing the NO gas concentration and ultraviolet (UV)-A irradiance under standard experimental conditions. It was determined that NOx reduction can be achieved even if the NO gas concentration and UV-A irradiance are lower than those under the standard conditions when the TiO2 photocatalyst-infused coating was used. This study revealed that NOx reduction can be realized through TiO2 photocatalyst-infused coating in winter or cloudy days with a low solar altitude. It was also confirmed that compared with the UV-A irradiance, the NO gas concentration has a greater effect on the NOx reduction performance of the TiO2 photocatalyst-infused coating. These findings can be used to evaluate a variety of construction materials with TiO2 photocatalysts in the future.

Effects of BMP-2 Delivery in Calcium Phosphate Bone Graft Materials with Different Compositions on Bone Regeneration.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of loading rhBMP-2 onto biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) on bone regeneration, and to examine the efficacies of BCP and CPP as rhBMP-2 carriers. Specimens were divided into the BCP, CPP, BCP/BMP, and CPP/BMP groups; BCP and CPP were in granules and not coated with rhBMP-2. BCP/BMP and CPP/BMP were prepared as discs, which were treated with rhBMP-2 and collagen. Physical and biological features were investigated using in-vitro and in-vivo tests. New bone area percentages (%) in the BCP/BMP and CPP/BMP groups were significantly greater than in the BCP and CPP groups. At weeks 4 and 8 post-implantation, CPP/BMP showed the most new bone growth. Within the limitations of this study, treatment of BCP and CPP with rhBMP-2 significantly enhanced bone regeneration. CPP was found to be a suitable carrier for rhBMP-2.

Formaldehyde and TVOC emission behaviors according to finishing treatment with surface materials using 20 L chamber and FLEC.

Formaldehyde and TVOC are emitted from wood-based panels that are made using wood particles, wood fiber, wood chips and formaldehyde-based resins. This study examined the formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior of medium density fiberboard (MDF) overlaid with three types of uncoated lignocellulosic surface materials (oak decorative veneer, low pressure melamine impregnated paper and high pressure melamine impregnated paper) and four types of coated surface materials (coated paper, two types of finishing foils, and PVC) using the Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) method and a 20 L small chamber method. The uncoated lignocellulosic surface materials exhibited lower formaldehyde and TVOC emission levels. The coated surface materials did not show reduced TVOC emissions but the formaldehyde emission was reduced in the 20 L small chamber test. In the FLEC test, both the uncoated lignocellulosic surface materials and coated surface materials showed lower TVOC and formaldehyde emissions from MDF.

TVOC and formaldehyde emission behaviors from flooring materials bonded with environmental-friendly MF/PVAc hybrid resins.

UNLABELLED: Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was added as a replacement for melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin in the formaldehyde-based resin system to reduce formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the adhesives used between plywoods and fancy veneers. A variety of techniques, including 20-l chamber, field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC), VOC analyzer and standard formaldehyde emission test (desiccator method), were used to determine the formaldehyde and VOC emissions from engineered flooring bonded with five different MF resin and PVAc blends at MF/PVAc ratios of 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 0:100. Although urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin had the highest formaldehyde emission, the emission as determined by desiccator method was reduced by exchanging with MF resin. Furthermore, the formaldehyde emission level was decreased with increasing addition of PVAc as the replacement for MF resin. UF resin in the case of beech was over 5.0 mg/l, which exceeded E2 (1.5-5.0 mg/l) grade. However, MF30:PVAc70 was

[A case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the papilla of Vater].

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is a rare tumor and only a few cases have been reported so far. Here, we report a case of adenosquamous carcinoma in a 76-year-old male who presented with jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Ultrasonography and enhanced abdominal CT scans showed dilated common bile duct (CBD) and intrahepatic bile duct (IHD) with a suspicious obstructing mass in distal CBD. On endoscopy, obstructing and ulcerated mass was noted on the papilla of Vater. Histopathological inspection of the biopsied specimens from mass showed adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. Since the patient refused operation, we inserted a self-expandable metallic stent in distal CBD. This is the first case report on adenosquamous carcinoma of the papilla of Vater in Korea.

Optimal fermentation conditions for enhanced glutathione production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8.

The influence of feedstock amino acids, salt, carbon and nitrogen sources on glutathione production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 was investigated. Glucose, yeast extract, KH2PO4, and L-cysteine were found to be suitable feedstock. Highest glutathione production was obtained after cultivation with shaking for 72 h in a medium containing glucose 3.0% (w/v), yeast extract 3.0%, KH2PO4 0.06% and L-cysteine 0.06%. The glutathione concentration achieved using this medium increased 2.27-fold to 204 mg/l compared to YM basal medium.