In this study, carbon fibers were heat-treated in a nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere according to temperature to elucidate the mechanism of chemical state changes and oxygen functional group changes on the carbon fiber surface by analyzing the mechanical and chemical properties of carbon fibers. Carbon fibers before and after heat treatment were analyzed using FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning), UTM (Universal Tensile Testers), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), and surface-free energy. In the nitrogen atmosphere, which is an inert gas, the tensile strength was equivalent to that of the virgin up to 500 °C but decreased to 71% with respect to the virgin at 1000 °C. Furthermore, as the temperature increased from room temperature to 1000 °C, the oxygen functional group and the polar free energy gradually decreased compared with the virgin. On the other hand, in the oxygen atmosphere, which is an active gas, the tensile properties were not significantly different from those of the virgin up to 300 °C but gradually decreased at 500 °C. Above 600 °C, the carbon fibers deteriorated, and measurement was impossible. The oxygen functional group decreased at 300 °C, but above 300 °C, among the oxygen functional groups, the hydroxyl group and the carbonyl group increased. Furthermore, the lactone group formed and rapidly increased compared with the virgin, and the polar free energy increased as the temperature increased.
Background
Caregivers of people with dementia find it extremely difficult to choose the best care method because of complex environments and the variable symptoms of dementia. To alleviate this care burden, interventions have been proposed that use computer- or web-based applications. For example, an automatic diagnosis of the condition can improve the well-being of both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Other interventions support the individual with dementia in living independently.
Objective
The aim of this study was to develop an ontology-based care knowledge management system for people with dementia that will provide caregivers with a care guide suited to the environment and to the individual patient’s symptoms. This should also enable knowledge sharing among caregivers.
Methods
To build the care knowledge model, we reviewed existing ontologies that contain concepts and knowledge descriptions relating to the care of those with dementia, and we considered dementia care manuals. The basic concepts of the care ontology were confirmed by experts in Korea. To infer the different care methods required for the individual dementia patient, the reasoning rules as defined in Semantic Web Rule Languages and Prolog were utilized. The accuracy of the care knowledge in the ontological model and the usability of the proposed system were evaluated by using the Pellet reasoner and OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner!, and a survey and interviews were conducted with caregivers working in care centers in Korea.
Results
The care knowledge model contains six top-level concepts: care knowledge, task, assessment, person, environment, and medical knowledge. Based on this ontological model of dementia care, caregivers at a dementia care facility in Korea were able to access the care knowledge easily through a graphical user interface. The evaluation by the care experts showed that the system contained accurate care knowledge and a level of assessment comparable to normal assessment tools.
Conclusions
In this study, we developed a care knowledge system that can provide caregivers with care guides suited to individuals with dementia. We anticipate that the system could reduce the workload of caregivers.
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