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In this study, condensation reduction methods with high field applicability to various types of underground parking lots in apartment buildings were selected and tested. The selected methods included floor-insulating drainage plates, induction fans with heating wires, and an automatic control ventilation system based on indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity. The effectiveness of these methods was evaluated via real-world field experiments. The results indicated that while the insulating drainage plates initially blocked the cold, their long-term effectiveness matched that of normal drainage plates (difference 0.1°C). The induction fan with a heating wire showed average increases of 0.8°C and 2.7°C in wall surface temperature after one and three months, compared to normal induction fans. The absolute humidity of the automatic control ventilation decreased by 1.8 g/kg after 10 h of operation during rainy weather, whereas the manual control ventilation system increased by 0.6 g/kg under the same conditions. This study offers insights into the most effective application of these methods for various parking lot configurations.

Apartment housing in South Korea mainly uses underfloor radiant heating systems. However, the performance of these systems has not improved significantly in recent years. The heat storage capacity of the floor influences the heating energy required and impacts the comfort level of occupants. Thermal energy storage materials, such as phase change materials (PCMs), can be employed to increase the heat storage capacity. This study aims to investigate the appropriate installation position and phase change temperature of PCMs applied to an underfloor radiant heating system. Two mock-up tests were conducted. First, the PCM was installed on the top, side, and bottom of the heating pipe, and the floor surface temperature was compared with that of a conventional floor structure in each case. Second, PCMs with phase change temperatures of 34 and 43 ℃ were installed in different rooms, and the floor surface temperatures were compared. The results indicated that PCMs should ideally be installed at the bottom of the heating pipe, and a phase change temperature of 34 ℃ is appropriate for use in Korean underfloor radiant heating systems.

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.

Windcatcher louvers are designed to capture air flowing outside a building in order to increase its natural ventilation. There are no studies that have designed the shape of the louver to increase the natural ventilation efficiency of the building. This study aimed to conduct a computational fluid dynamics simulation and mock-up test of a Clark Y airfoil-type windcatcher louver designed to increase the natural ventilation in a building. The following test results were obtained. The optimal angle of attack of the airfoil was calculated via a numerical analysis, which demonstrated that the wind speed was at its highest when the angle of attack was 8°; further, flow separation occurred at angles exceeding 8°, at which point the wind speed began to decrease. The results of the mock-up test demonstrated that the time required to reduce the concentration of fine particles in the indoor air was 120 s shorter when the windcatcher was installed than when it was not, which indicating that the time to reduce particles represents a 37.5%reduction. These results can be seen as reducing the energy consumption of ventilation in the building because the natural ventilation efficiency is increased.

General cool roof is effective for reduction of cooling load, but it has a problem of increasing heating load. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to complement the disadvantages of the cool roof system by utilizing phase change characteristics of phase change material (PCM). The study was carried out to verify the thermal performance of the PCM cool roof system by measuring the temperature on the top and bottom of the PCM cool roof system by making a miniature model (600 × 600 × 600 mm). PCM was inserted and not inserted, and the temperature difference according to the finish color (brown and white) was compared. As a result, the plate surface temperature using PCM was lower than that without PCM, and time-lag of temperature increase occurred. As a result of the comparison of temperature according to the finish color (brown and white), white showed a low temperature distribution up to 16.35°C. Even at room temperature, white maintained a low temperature distribution of 5.40°C than brown. The use of PCM cool roof system in roof finishes could lower the surface temperature and keep the room temperature low.

Apartment buildings in Korea have adopted underfloor heating systems using web construction methods based on concrete and hot water systems. However, since such systems consume significant amounts of energy for heating owing to their low thermal storage performance, it is necessary to develop a new system that can minimize energy consumption by improving concrete thermal storage performance. This study proposes a phase-change material (PCM) underfloor heating system to reduce energy consumption in apartment buildings. An optimal design for a PCM underfloor heating system is proposed, and thermal storage performance of the proposed system is evaluated experimentally. The temperature range of the PCM for underfloor heating is also calculated considering the proposed design and comfortable heating conditions for domestic apartment buildings. Results indicate that a PCM underfloor heating system can be constructed in the following order: (1) a 210 mm concrete slab, (2) a 20 mm cushioning material, (3) 40 mm of mortar including a 10 mm PCM thermal storage container, and (4) 40 mm of finishing mortar including wire mesh and hot water pipes. The temperature range of the PCM used for underfloor heating in domestic apartment buildings is 32–45°C. Experimental tests reveal that thermal storage performance of underfloor heating systems that apply 35, 37, 41, and 44°C as representative PCM temperatures is superior to existing systems.

We assessed the usefulness of phase-change material (PCM)-based thermal plates fabricated from wood-plastic composites (WPCs) in mitigating the urban heat island effect. The thermal performance of plates containing PCMs with two different melting temperatures and with two different albedo levels was evaluated. The results showed that the PCM with a melting temperature of 44 °C maintained lower surface and inner temperatures than the PCM with a melting temperature of 25 °C. Moreover, a higher surface albedo resulted in a lower surface temperature. However, the thermal performance of PCMs with different melting temperatures but the same surface albedo did not differ. Using PCM-based materials in roof finishing materials can reduce surface temperatures and improve thermal comfort.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface characteristics and response of osteoblast-like cell at SLA surface treated with NaOH. Materials and methods: Three kinds of specimens were fabricated for the experiment groups. Control group was a machined surface, SLA group was a conventionally SLA treated surface, and SLA/NaOH gorup was SLA surface treated with NaOH. To evaluate the surface characteristics, the surface elemental composition (XPS), surface roughness and surface contact angle were evaluated in each group. And the cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, cell proliferation and ATP activity of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells) were compared in each group for evaluatation of the cell responses. Statistical comparisons between groups were carried out via one-way ANOVA using the SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA), and then performed multiple comparisons. The differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. Results: SLA surface treated with NaOH (SLA / NaOH group) was changed to hydrophilic surface. All groups did not show the cytotoxicity to the MG-63. In cell adhesion studies, SLA / NaOH group showed the higher degree of adhesion than anothers (P<.05), Up to 7 days of incubation, the proliferation was showed the increasing tendency in all groups but SLA / NaOH group showed the highest cell proliferation between the three groups (P<.05). At 7 days of incubation, there was no difference in ALP activities between the three groups, but at 14 days, SLA / NaOH group showed significant increase in ALP activities (P<.05). Conclusion: In this study, SLA surface treated with NaOH promoted cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. It means that SLA/NaOH group is possible to promote osseointegration of implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to develop environment-friendly Hwangtoh binder for application of Hwangtoh for interior wall finishing materials in the housing. To mix with Hwangtoh powder, water soluble melamine-polyurethane copolymer (MPU) resin with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), CaCO3, and inorganic fillers were designed. Far infrared ray irradiation, total VOC (TVOC) emission behavior, surface bonding strength, and surface crack behavior were studied by comparing to epoxy/Hwangtoh blend as control. For TVOC emission behavior, the 20 L small chamber method was used and the results satisfied the requirements of the excellent grade of TVOC of Korea Air Clean Association. To utilize the advantage of Hwangtoh, such as high absorbency, self-purification, deodorizing, sanitizing properties, and radiation of far infrared rays in the field of modern housing, this study was the foundation to develop environment-friendly binders for Hwangtoh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 ≤E1 (below 1.5 mg/l) grade. Because formaldehyde emission is caused by formaldehyde-based resin, the engineered floorings bonded with PVAc only had emissions of just 0.25 mg/l. The results of formaldehyde emission by the 20-l small-chamber and FLEC methods showed a similar tendency with those from the desiccator method. After the replacement of UF resin by MF resin, PVAc addition further reduced formaldehyde emission. With increasing installation time, formaldehyde emission factors (EFs) were decreased. Furthermore, the results of the desiccator method correlated with those of the 20-l chamber and FLEC methods. VOC emission results by 20-l small-chamber and FLEC methods were similar to the formaldehyde and aldehyde emission results. VOCs were calculated between C6 and C16 as total VOC (TVOC). The TVOC EF results by 20-l small-chamber and FLEC methods were comparable with that of formaldehyde emission by FLEC. Although the major emitted harmful gas from wood-based composites was formaldehyde, it was followed by VOC emission. Although it was hard to compare directly the 20-l chamber and FLEC results because the data were based on the sum of only four VOC compounds, the VOC analyzer can be applied as a pre-test method for TVOC emission test. The TVOC emission results were also similar to the FLEC results. Due to its good correlation with the TVOC emission levels obtained from the standard desiccator, FLEC and 20-l chamber methods, the VOC analyzer can be successfully applied to the measurement of TVOC emissions from adhesives used in building materials. Practical Implications This paper presents TVOC and formaldehyde emission behaviors from the engineered floorings that used in Korean housing recently. To reduce emissions, MF/PVAc hybrid resins were used as bonding material. Normally, TVOC and formaldehyde emissions in indoor conditions are caused by interior materials. The results explained ‘materials control’ of interior materials are the first way to improve indoor air quality. There is a need to study about environmental-friendly materials for solving indoor air quality problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first report of parasite and fungal disease separated from domestically reared Atlantic salmon in Korea; the characteristics of the pathogens were identified, and histopathological analysis was conducted. Fungal and parasitic diseases were detected in Atlantic salmon and were isolated as Saprolegnia parasitica and Neoparamoeba perurans based on morphological and genetic analysis. External symptoms observed in Atlantic salmon infected with S. parasitica include fin ulcers and hemorrhage, abdominal hemorrhage, and necrosis of the gills and gill covers. The histopathological analysis results showed necrosis, hemorrhaging, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the abdominal muscles, while only inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the gill covers. The clinical symptoms observed in Atlantic salmon infected with N. perurans included excessive mucus secretion in the gills, a dense amoebic presence on the gill filaments, respiratory distress, and opening of the mouth and gill covers after death. Through histopathological analysis, we observed lesions in epithelial cells, characterized by the proliferation of epithelial cells and the fusion of secondary lamellae. Numerous lamellae were observed to be attached or fused with each other. To ensure the successful establishment of the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry in Korea, it is essential to swiftly quarantine infected fish based on the morphological characteristics of S. parasitica and N. perurans revealed in this study, along with the external symptoms of Atlantic salmon infected with these pathogens. Developing disease control strategies based on the findings of this research is imperative.

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.

The present research aims at promoting the stability and applicability of a hybrid daylighting system combining daylight and artificial light, which eventually enables a constant and pleasant luminous flux of the mixed light delivered by a terminal device installed indoors. That is, the present system allows a constant amount of luminous flux through its terminal device similar to an electric lamp, demonstrating its energy efficiency as well as comfortableness. The system effectively combines two different types of light, as solar rays are collected by a solar tracking sun light collector. The mixed light is transmitted indoors by optical fiber cables all the way to terminal devices installed indoors and discharged as needed. This feature enables the utilization of daylight to its full capacity, promoting solar availability. In this study, the photometry of hybrid lighting was experimentally measured and analyzed by using a spectrometer for different portions of sunlight when maintaining a constant luminous flux of mixed light. The effectiveness of hybrid lighting was explored for a number of cases in actual conditions, and the system was capable of delivering a constant illuminance of 1200 lux on a plane located 1.1 m away from the terminal device (light emitter). Finally, the system was installed in a test cell to verify its effectiveness for indoor illumination.