• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.72 no.2
• /
• pp.217-227
• /
• 2019

The methodology known as "shape sensing" allows the reconstruction of the displacement field of a structure starting from strain measurements, with considerable implications for structural monitoring, as well as for the control and implementation of smart structures. An approach to shape sensing is based on the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM) that uses a variational principle enforcing a least-squares compatibility between measured and analytical strain measures. The structural response is reconstructed without the knowledge of the mechanical properties and load conditions but based only on the relationship between displacements and strains. In order to efficiently apply iFEM to the most common structural typologies of civil engineering, its formulation according to the kinematical assumptions of the Bernoulli-Euler theory is presented. Two beam inverse finite elements are formulated for different loading conditions. Depending on the type of element, the relationship between the minimum number of required measurement stations and the interpolation order is defined. Several examples representing common applications of civil engineering and involving beams and frames are presented. To simulate the experimental strain data at the station points and to verify the accuracy of the displacements obtained with the iFEM shape sensing procedure, a direct FEM analysis of the considered structures is performed using the LUSAS software.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1809-1821
• /
• 2021

Ovarian cystadenofibroma is a benign ovarian tumor that is characterized by a consistent percentage of masses, which remain indeterminate in ultrasonography and require magnetic resonance (MR) investigation; they may mimic borderline or malignant lesions. Three main morphologic patterns, resembling different ovarian neoplasms, can be identified in cystadenofibromas: multilocular solid lesions, unilocular cystic lesions with parietal thickening, and purely cystic masses. However, a cystoadenofibroma has typical features, such as T2-weighted hypointensity associated with no restrictions in diffusion-weighted imaging (the so-called "dark-dark appearance") and progressive post-contrast enhancement (type I perfusion curve). The purpose of this study was to review the features of ovarian cystadenofibromas in MR imaging and to suggest pearls and pitfalls regarding their correct diagnosis.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 2019

The present study was conducted to investigate anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaves of Ilex latifolia Thunb (I. latifolia) in in vivo and in vitro. Writhing responses induced by acetic acid and formalin- and thermal stimuli (tail flick and hot plate tests)-induced pain responses for nociception were evaluated in mice. I. latifolia (50 - 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and ibuprofen (100 mg/kg, p.o.), a positive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response and the second phase response (peripheral inflammatory response) in the formalin test, but did not protect against thermal nociception and the first phase response (central response) in the formalin test. These results show that I. latifolia has a significant anti-nociceptive effect that appears to be peripheral, but not central. Additionally, I. latifolia (50 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) and 3,5-di-caffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester ($5{\mu}M$) isolated from I. latifolia as an active compound significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production and mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$, in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that I. latifolia can produce antinociceptive effects peripherally, but not centrally, via anti-inflammatory activity and supports a possible use of I. latifolia to treat pain and inflammation.

• Journal of Power Electronics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1015-1026
• /
• 2018

A family of dual-DC-input (DI) dual-buck inverters (DBIs) is proposed by employing a DI switching cell as the input of traditional DBIs. Three power ports, i.e. a low voltage DC input port, a high voltage DC input port and an AC output port, are provided by the proposed DI-DBIs. A low voltage DC source, whose voltage is lower than the peak amplitude of the AC side voltage, can be directly connected to the DI-DBI. This supplies power to the AC side in single-stage power conversion. When compared with traditional DBI-based two-stage DC/AC power systems, the conversion stages are reduced, and the power rating and power losses of the front-end Boost converter of the DI-DBI are reduced. In addition, five voltage-levels are generated with the help of the two DC input ports, which is a benefit in terms of reducing the voltage stresses and switching losses of switches. The topology derivation method, operation principles, modulation strategy and characteristics of the proposed inverter are analyzed in-depth. Experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed DI-DBIs.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.259-267
• /
• 2004

The practice of introducing and grouting reinforced fiber glass pipes or bar into the core to be excavated to maintain stable the tunnel face during excavation has been applied to many tunnels, where difficult geotechnical conditions are present, with good results in terms of safety and speed of works. This reinforcing technique, initially developed to be used jointly with the mechanical precut in clay, has been widely used with other geotechnical conditions as the only type of reinforcement or joined with other ground consolidation and/or reinforcement techniques (i.e. steel pipes or jet-grouting umbrella). At present same numerical researches have been carried out to find which are the real working conditions of the reinforcing elements but no final results have been obtained for the definition of the best design approaches. In this work the results of a three dimensional parametric numerical model is presented.

• Korean Membrane Journal
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2001

The counter-diffusion of two gaseous substances permeating a polymeric membrane has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The aim of the study was to find mutual effects, if any, that could influence the permeability and diffusivity data. The experimental data were obtained with an isostatic permeameter operating at ambient pressure and 303 K: helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide methane were used as permeating gas at different partial pressure; helium or nitrogen as equilibrating or carrier gas. No evident mutual effect of the counter-diffusing gas was observed. The theoretical analysis gave some insight into the phenomena and it was concluded that at near-atmospheric pressures, and in the absence of swelling phenomena no mutual interaction exists. On a theoretical basis any mutual interaction between diffusing and counter-diffusing gases could only occur: i) at high pressures , when the free movement of permeating gas molecules within the polymer is hindered by the counter-diffusing gas; ii) when a large part of the free volume fraction is occupied by the counter--diffusing gas; iii) swelling phenomena modify the structure and free volume fraction of the polymer.

• Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.425-444
• /
• 2013

We construct some hyperbolic hyperelliptic space forms whose fundamental groups are generated by only two or three isometries. Each occurring group is obtained from a supergroup, which is an extended Coxeter group generated by plane re ections and half-turns. Then we describe covering properties and determine the isometry groups of the constructed manifolds. Furthermore, we give an explicit construction of space form of the second smallest volume nonorientable hyperbolic 3-manifold with one cusp.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.630-637
• /
• 2016

The chemical components and biological activity of Camellia mistletoe, Korthalsella japonica (Loranthaceae) are relatively unknown compared to other mistletoe species. Therefore, we investigated the phytochemical properties and biological activity of this parasitic plant to provide essential preliminary scientific evidence to support and encourage its further pharmaceutical research and development. The major plant components were chromatographically isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography and their structures were elucidated using tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance anlysis. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanol extract of K. japonica (KJ) and its isolated components was evaluated using a nitric oxide (NO) assay and western blot analysis for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Three flavone di-C-glycosides, lucenin-2, vicenin-2, and stellarin-2 were identified as major components of KJ, for the first time. KJ significantly inhibited NO production and reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at $100{\mu}g/mL$ while similar activity were observed with isolated flavone C-glycosides. In conclusion, KJ has a simple secondary metabolite profiles including flavone di-C-glycosides as major components and has a strong potential for further research and development as a source of therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.1585-1591
• /
• 2008

The aim of the present work was to monitor metabolic and hormonal profiles in newborn kids, born from dams fed diets with low or high levels of energy requirements. Starting from the last month of pregnancy, 14 goats were randomly allocated to two groups: Group LD (low diet) and Group HD (high diet) that received a diet that covered 80% and 140% of their energy requirement, respectively. At delivery, the kids were weighed and a blood sample was taken before they suckled colostrum (Time 0) and 1, 2, 3, 12 and 24 h after they started suckling. Plasma insulin, IGF-I, glucose, fT3 and fT4 concentrations were not influenced by the dietary treatments, but a significant effect of time was observed as they progressively increased during the first 12 h of life. Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, globulin and total protein plasma concentrations were significantly higher in Group HD than those of Group LD. In Group HD, cortisol concentrations were significantly lower than those of Group LD. Positive correlations were observed between LW and IGF-I (r = 0.71; p<0.05), plasma insulin and glucose (r = 0.79; p<0.05) and total protein and globulin concentrations (r = 0.97; p<0.001). Our results show that perinatal nutrition affects newborn goat kids' metabolic and hormonal profile.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2021

The quantified analysis of damages to wastewater treatment plants by natural disasters is essential to maintain the stability of wastewater treatment systems. However, studies on the quantified analysis of natural disaster effects on wastewater treatment systems are very rare. In this study, a total disaster index (DI) was developed to quantify the various damages to wastewater treatment systems from natural disasters using two statistical methods (i.e., AHP: analytic hierarchy process and PCA: principal component analysis). Typhoons, heavy rain, and earthquakes are considered as three major natural disasters for the development of the DI. A total of 15 input variables from public open-source data (e.g., statistical yearbook of wastewater treatment system, meteorological data and financial status in local governments) were used for the development of a DI for 199 wastewater treatment plants in Korea. The total DI was calculated from the weighted sum of the disaster indices of the three natural disasters (i.e., TI for typhoon, RI for heavy rain, and EI for earthquake). The three disaster indices of each natural disaster were determined from four components, such as possibility of occurrence and expected damages. The relative weights of the four components to calculate the disaster indices (TI, RI and EI) for each of the three natural disasters were also determined from AHP. PCA was used to determine the relative weights of the input variables to calculate the four components. The relative weights of TI, RI and EI to calculate total DI were determined as 0.547, 0.306, and 0.147 respectively.