• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.135-145
• /
• 2020

Objectives : This study reports the clinical case of a patient diagnosed with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament treated with Korean Medicine focusing on Chuna therapy. Methods : The patient was treated by a doctor from July 18th, 2019 to November 28th, 2019. The patient was diagnosed with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament based on magnetic resonance imaging results and was recommended to undergo surgery at another hospital. The primary complaint of the patient was left neck pain, left arm sensation, right leg sensation, and right leg loss of strength. The doctor treated the patient with Chuna therapy, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, and pharmacopuncture. The effect of treatment was evaluated using visual analogue scale, neck disability index, pain rating score and Japanese Orthopedic Association score. Spurling, compression, and distraction tests were utilized. Results : Visual analogue scale decreased from 10 at the arm and 10 at the leg to 1 and 2, respectively. Neck disability index decreased from 25 to 11, pain rating score decreased from 66 to 1, and Japanese Orthopedic Association score recovered from 12 to 17 points. In addition, positive spurling test, compression test, and distraction test all improved to negative. Conclusions : Korean medicine treatment can be effective for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament patients, even when surgery is recommended. Further clinical studies, such as case series and case-control studies, are required to verify these findings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.417-432
• /
• 2000

A comprehensive analytic study has been conducted to investigate the instability problems of metal-plate-connected (MPC) joints in light frame trusses. The primary objective in this study is to determine the governing factors that constitute the buckling of the metal connectors and their effects on the structural response of joints. Another objective is to recommend design curves for the daily structural design of these joints. The numeric data presented in this paper has emerged from a broad base that was founded on over 350 advanced computer simulations, and was supported by available experimental results obtained by others. This basic-to-applied research includes practical engineering parameters such as size of gaps, shear lengths, gauge (plate thickness) of connectors, size of un-braced areas, failure modes, and progressive disintegration of joints. Square-end members have been emphasized though the results cover the custom-made fitted joints. The results indicate that chord shears cause and dominate the buckling of MPC joints, and the shear length has a more pronounced effect than the size of gaps. Further, large gauges and small un-braced areas improve the buckling response. Several practical recommendations have been suggested throughout the paper such as keeping the ratio of gap/shear length below 3/4 for improving the buckling strength. The study reveals that multi-area joints should not be simplified as single web-to-chord MPC joints such as keeping the ratio of gap/shear length below 3/4 for improving the buckling strength, even where one web is in tension and the other in compression. Finally, the results obtained from this study favorably agree with experimental data by others, and the classic buckling theories for other structural components.

• Advances in Computational Design
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.195-207
• /
• 2020

The present study focuses on the application of artificial neural network (ANN) and Multiple linear Regression (MLR) analysis for developing a model to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and split tensile strength (STS) of the fiber reinforced clay stabilized with grass ash, fly ash and lime. Unconfined compressive strength and Split tensile strength are the nonlinear functions and becomes difficult for developing a predicting model. Artificial neural networks are the efficient tools for predicting models possessing non linearity and are used in the present study along with regression analysis for predicting both UCS and STS. The data required for the model was obtained by systematic experiments performed on only Kaolin clay, clay mixed with varying percentages of fly ash, grass ash, polypropylene fibers and lime as between 10-20%, 1-4%, 0-1.5% and 0-8% respectively. Further, the optimum values of the various stabilizing materials were determined from the experiments. The effect of stabilization is observed by performing compaction tests, split tensile tests and unconfined compression tests. ANN models are trained using the inputs and targets obtained from the experiments. Performance of ANN and Regression analysis is checked with statistical error of correlation coefficient (R) and both the methods predict the UCS and STS values quite well; but it is observed that ANN can predict both the values of UCS as well as STS simultaneously whereas MLR predicts the values separately. It is also observed that only STS values can be predicted efficiently by MLR.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.1243-1251
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of initial clamping force of tension clamp on the performance of an elastic rail fastening system used in sharp curve track. In this study, the initial clamping force and the increasing lateral wheel loads were conducted in the analytical and experimental study, i.e., finite element analysis, laboratory and field test. Using the analytical and experimental results, the performance of the tension clamp was investigated. It was found that the stress of tension clamp depends on the initial clamping force. Therefore the initial clamping force appeared to directly affect the compression stress of the tension clamp. It was found that the compression stress of tension clamp was transferred to the tensile stress by applied the lateral wheel load in service sharp curve track. Further, it was concluded that the initial clamping force was applied on the strengthening force for the tension clamp and then the appropriate initial clamping force was important to ensure a stable performance and long term endurance of tension clamp.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.201-210
• /
• 2005

This paper proposes a power efficient 2-dimensional DCT/IDCT architecture driven by input data to be processed. The architecture achieves low power by taking advantage of the typically large fraction of zero and small-valued input processing data in video and image data compression. In particular, it skips multiplication by zero and dynamically activates/deactivates required bit-slices of fine-grain bit partitioned adders within multipliers and accumulators using simple input ANDing and bit-slice MASKing. The processed results from 1-D DCT/IDCT do not have unnecessary sign extension bits (SEBs), which are used for further power reduction in matrix transposer. The results extracted by bit-level transition activity simulations indicate significant power reduction compared to conventional designs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.116-123
• /
• 2005

Objective: Percutaneous kyphoplasty using a balloon-catheter is an widely accepted method which achieves the restoration of vertebral height and the correction of kyphotic deformity with little complication in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The authors assess the results of 59 patients who underwent kyphoplasty, and analyze the factors that could affect the prognosis. Methods: From December 2001 to May 2003, fifty-nine patients underwent kyphoplasty. The patients included 49 women and 10 men aged 52-85 years. Average t-score on bone marrow density was -3.58. About 7cc of polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) was injected into the fractured vertebral body using $Kyphon^{(R)}$ under local anesthesia. The vertical height of all fractured vertebrae was measured both before and after surgery. Outcome data were obtained by comparing pre- and post-operative VAS score and by assessing postoperative satisfaction, drug dependency and activity. Various clinical factors were analyzed to assess the relationship with the outcome. Results: The VAS score improved significantly, and the mean percentage of restored vertebral height was 53%. The mean improvement in kyphosis was $3.6^{\circ}$. Eighty-nine percent of the patients gained excellent or good results. Any of the clinical factors including the interval between fracture and operation, the degree of height loss, the degree of the vertebral height restoration or the correction rate of kyphosis did not affect the clinical results. Conclusion: Kyphoplasty is associated with a statistically significant improvement in pain and function with little complication. The clinical results are not affected by any clinical parameters. Further follow-up study is needed to determine whether the restoration affects the long-term clinical results.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2001

This paper presents further investigation into the effect of over-expansion cycle in a spark-ignition engine. On the basis of the results obtained in previous studies, several combinations of late-closing (LC) of intake valve and expansion ratio were tested using a single-cylinder production engine. A large volume of intake capacity was inserted into the intake manifold to simulate multi-cylinder engines. With the large capacity volume, LC can decrease the pumping loss and then increase the mechanical efficiency. Increasing the expansion ratio from 11 to 23.9 with LC application can produce about 13% improvement of thermal efficiency which was suggested to be caused by the increased cycle efficiency. The decrease of compression ratio from 11 to 5.5 gives little effect on the thermal efficiency if the expansion ratio could be kept constant. Thus, the expansion ratio is revealed to be a determining factor for cycle efficiency, while compression ratio is no more important, which suggests the usefulness of controlling the intake charge with intake valve closure timing. These were successfully explained by simple thermodynamic calculation and thus the mechanism could be verified by the estimation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.273-277
• /
• 2011

Objective : A single balloon extrapedicular kyphoplasty has been introduced as one of the unilateral approaches for thoracic compression fractures; however, the unilateral extrapedicular technique in the lumbar area needs a further understanding of structures in the lumbar area. The purpose of the present study is to describe methods and pitfalls of this procedure based on the anatomy of the lumbar area and to analyze clinical outcome and complications. Methods : Anatomical evaluation was performed with 2 human cadavers. A retrospective review of unilateral extrapedicular approaches yielded 74 vertebral levels in 55 patients that were treated with unilateral extrapedicular vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Radiographic assessment included the restoration rate of vertebral height and correction of kyphosis. Results : Anatomical evaluation indicates that the safe needle entry zone of bone for the extrapedicular approach was located in the supero-lateral aspect of the junction between the pedicle and vertebral body. The unilateral extrapedicular procedure achieved adequate pain relief with a mean decreases in pain severity of $7.25{\pm}1.5$ and $2.0{\pm}1.4$, respectively. Complications were 1 retroperitoneal hematoma, 6 unilateral fillings and 3 epidural leak of the polymethylmethacrylate. Conclusion : The method of a unilateral extrapedicular approach in kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in the lumbar area might be similar to that in thoracic approach using a route via the extrapedicular space. However, different anatomical characteristics of the lumbar area should be considered.

• Solar Energy
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.18-27
• /
• 1990

The hot water producer by the combination of the solar thermal energy and freon gas compression heat has been developed. Freon R-12 gas was circulated through the system including the solar absorption panel, which has no glassing and no insulation, and the frozen and burst problems were intrinsically eliminated. The manufacturing and running costs may go further down than the regular solar hot water systems.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2018

In order to evaluate the effect of hybrid fibers on the flexural performance of tunnel segment at room temperature, twelve reinforced self-consolidating concrete (SCC) symmetric inclination beams containing steel fiber, macro polypropylene fiber, micro polypropylene fiber, and their hybridizations were studied under combined loading of flexure and axial compression. The results indicate that the addition of mono steel fiber and hybrid fibers can enhance the ultimate bearing capacity and cracking behavior of tested beams. These improvements can be further enhanced along with increasing the content of steel fiber and macro PP fiber, but reduced with the increase of the reinforcement ratio of beams. The hybrid effect of steel fiber and macro PP fiber was the most obvious. However, the addition of micro PP fibers led to a degradation to the flexural performance of reinforced beams at room temperature. Meanwhile, the hybrid use of steel fiber and micro polypropylene fiber didn't present an obvious improvement to SCC beams. Compared to micro polypropylene fiber, the macro polypropylene fiber plays a more prominent role on affecting the structural behavior of SCC beams. A calculation method for ultimate bearing capacity of flexural SCC symmetric inclination beams at room temperature by taking appropriate effect of hybrid fibers into consideration was proposed. The prediction results using the proposed model are compared with the experimental data in this study and other literature. The results indicate that the proposed model can estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of SCC symmetric inclination beams containing hybrid fibers subjected to combined action of flexure and axial compression at room temperature.