We fabricate the non-equiatomic high-entropy alloy (NE-HEA) Fe49.5Mn30Co10Cr10C0.5 (at.%) using spark plasma sintering under various sintering conditions. Each elemental pure powder is milled by high-energy ball milling to prepare NE-HEA powder. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered samples are investigated using various methods. We use the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method to investigate the microstructural characteristics. Quantitative phase analysis is performed by direct comparison of the XRD results. A tensile test is used to compare the mechanical properties of small samples. Next, electron backscatter diffraction analysis is performed to analyze the phase fraction, and the results are compared to those of XRD analysis. By combining different sintering durations and temperature conditions, we attempt to identify suitable spark plasma sintering conditions that yield mechanical properties comparable with previously reported values. The samples sintered at 900 and 1000oC with no holding time have a tensile strength of over 1000 MPa.

Due to the large-scale production and use of synthetic chemicals in industralized countries, various chemicals are found in the aquatic environment, which are often termed as micropollutants. Effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as one of the major sources of these micropollutants. In this article, the current status of occurrence and removal of micropollutants in WWTPs and their management policies and options in domestic and foregin countries were critically reviewed. A large number of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals are found in WWTPs’ influent, and are only partially removed by current biological wastewater treatment processes. As a result, some micropollutants are present in WWTPs’ effluents, which can negatively affect receiving water quality or drinking water source. To better understand and assess the potential risk of micropollutants, a systematic monitoring framework including advanced analytical tools such as high resolution mass spectrometry and bioanalytical methods is needed. Some Western European countries are taking proactive approach to controlling the micropollutants by upgrading WWTP with enahnced effluent treatment processes. While this enahnced WWTP effluent treatment appears to be a viable option for controlling micropollutant, its implementation requires careful consideration of the technical, economical, political, and cultural issues of all stakeholders.

총담관으로의 클립 이동은 복강경 수술의 드문 합병증이다. 저자들은 4년 전 복강경 담낭절제술과 복강경 총담관탐색술을 동시에 받은 66세 남자에서 Hem-o-lok 클립 이동으로 인한 담관 결석 1예를 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하고자 한다. 상복부 통증을 주소로 내원한 환자의 복부 전산화단층촬영에서 담관의 확장과 다량의 담관 결석 및 담관을 침범한 이물질이 의심되었다. 내시경역행담췌관조영술을 하여 다량의 담관 결석과 함께 이물질을 제거하였다. 이물질의 정체는 Hem-o-lok clip이었다. 복강경 담낭절제술과 복강경 총담관탐색술을 받은 환자가 상복부 통증을 호소한다면, 드물지만, 클립 이동에 의한 담관 결석 가능성도 염두에 두어야 한다.

This study was undertaken to investigate whether HEPA filter-equipped air purifiers can remove aerosolized virus, whether the removed virus can re-scatter through the filter, and how long the removed virus keeps its infectivity in the filter. For this investigation, six HEPA filter-equipped air purifiers produced by different companies were tested against PhiX174 and MS2 phages aerosolized by nebulizers. For viral detection from the air, LB agar plates covered with Escherichia coli hosts and an Andersen air sampler were used, and from the surface, the swab method was used. Both the aerosolized PhiX174 and MS2 viruses absorbed by the HEPA filters in the air purifiers were not detected from the air through filters or the surface of the outlet of the air purifiers. During the operation of the air purifiers at medium mode, the infectious viral concentration of these viruses in the HEPA filters decreased to 0%~12.3% as the time period passed. These results regarding infectious viral concentration differences were assumed to be due to the different wind speed and air volume among the six air purifiers. Based on observations over 5 days, the infectious viral concentration of the PhiX174 phage was 8,600 times lower when the air purifier was operated than when it was not operated. Overall, our results demonstrate that HEPA filter-equipped air purifiers can efficiently remove the two aerosolized viruses and the removed viruses in the HEPA filter could not re-spread and maintain their infectivity.

췌장고형종양의 초음파 내시경(endoscopic ultrasound, EUS) 유도하 조직 검사는 기술적 난이도가 높고 침습적이기 때문에 임상에서의 적절한 사용을 위해 엄격한 권고안을 필요로 한다. 이에 대한소화기내시경학회에서는 췌장고형종양의 초음파 내시경 유도하 조직 검사를 위한 임상진료지침을 개발하기 위해 진료지침 개발위원회를 발족하였다. 권고안의 등급과 개별 권고안의 근거 수준은 2014년 출판된 임상진료지침 개발을 위한 Minds Handbook에서 제시된 체계에 기반하여 평가하였다. 본 진료지침 개발위원회는 초음파 내시경 분야의 전문가 16인과 임상진료지침 개발방법론 전문가 1인으로 구성되었으며, 8개 분야에 걸쳐 총 12건의 근거 기반 권고안을 개발하여 췌장고형종양 진단 시 임상의들이 근거에 기반한 임상적 판단을 할 수 있도록 돕고자 하였다. 본 임상 진료지침은 췌장고형종양에서 초음파 내시경 유도하 조직 검사에 대해 다루고 있으며, 권고안에서는 해당 검사의 적응증, 진단 정확도를 최대화하기 위한 기술적 방법론(예: 바늘의 종류 및 직경의 적절한 선택, 충분한 바늘천자횟수, 조직 획득 기술적 방법론, 검체 처리 방법), 시술 관련 합병증, 그리고 숙련도와 교육에 관련된 문제들에 대해 다루고 있다. 본 진료지침은 외부 전문가의 검토를 거쳤으며, 원고작성 시점까지 보고된 가능한 모든 최신 근거들에 기반하여 최선의 진료 방법을 권고하고 있다. 그러나 모든 임상 상황에 본 진료지침을 일괄적으로 적용할 수는 없으며, 기관의 법적/행정적 상황 및 환자의 개별 임상적 상황과 해당 자원의 가용성 등을 고려하여야 한다. 추후 내시경적 기술의 발전과 이로 인한 변화, 임상에서의 최신 근거를 토대로 본 진료지침이 개정될 수 있다.

PURPOSES : The evaluation of the road pavement thickness in an apartment complex through a methodology for estimating the number of construction vehicles is presented. We also show the usability of the new design criteria. METHODS : A field survey plan was established by conducting literature and preliminary surveys, and the structural performance of each section of the road pavement was compared through a structural analysis program. The load on construction vehicles is required for analyzing the ESAL factors of construction vehicles; it is calculated as a methodology for estimating construction vehicles because it is difficult to measure the traffic volume through visual inspection. Accordingly, the extent of damage predicted by road pavement sections in apartment complexes was analyzed to examine the possibility of applying the methodology for estimating the number of construction vehicles. RESULTS : If the road crack exceeds 20% as a result of the site survey of a previous study, structural damage to the road pavement occurs from construction vehicles. Compared to the actual traffic volume observation, an error of 5% took place; therefore, it is necessary to perform a design such that the damage caused by the load of the construction vehicle be 15% or less for proper road performance. Structural analysis through the KENPAVE program showed that the damage caused by the load of the construction vehicle exceeded 20% in all sections except section B (with a thickness of 46 cm). CONCLUSIONS : Owing to the limitations of the test construction section and environmental conditions, it is necessary to assess the effects of various variables by conducting an analysis. This is expected to be applied as a design basis considering more reliable construction vehicles.