• Title/Summary/Keyword: Long-term field exposure

Search Result 46, Processing Time 0.035 seconds

Functional outcome predictors following mandibular reconstruction with osteocutaneous fibula free flaps: correlating early postoperative videofluoroscopic swallow studies with long-term clinical results

  • Gonzalez, Santiago R.;Hobbs, Bradley;Vural, Emre;Moreno, Mauricio A.
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • /
    • v.41
    • /
    • pp.30.1-30.8
    • /
    • 2019
  • Background: Advancements in the field of microvascular surgery and the widespread adoption of microvascular surgical techniques have made the use of osteocutaneous fibula free flaps the standard of care in the surgical management of segmental mandibular defects. Although the literature possesses abundant evidence to support the effectiveness of fibula free flaps as a reconstructive method, there are relatively few studies reporting on outcomes as objectively measured by videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). The purpose of this study is to explore the potential correlation between early postoperative VFSS and the long-term swallowing outcomes in patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flaps. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with osteocutaneous fibular free flaps between 2009 and 2012. Demographics, clinical variables, VFSS data, and diet information were retrieved. Penetration and aspiration findings on VFSS, long-term oral feeding ability, and the need for gastrostomy tube were statistical endpoints correlated with postoperative clinical outcomes. Results: Thirty-six patients were reviewed (15 females and 21 males) with a mean age of 54 years (7-81). Seventeen cases were treated for malignancy. The size of the bony defect ranged from 3 to 15 cm (mean = 9 cm). The cutaneous paddle, a surrogate for soft tissue defect, ranged from 10 to 125 ㎠ (mean = 52 ㎠). A gastrostomy tube was present in patients preoperatively (n = 8), and postoperatively (n = 14). Seventeen patients had neoadjuvant exposure to radiation. Postoperative VFSS showed penetration in 13 cases (36%) and aspiration in seven (19%). Overall, 29 patients (80.6%) achieved unrestricted diet, and this was statistically correlated with age (p = 0.037), radiation therapy (p = 0.002), and preoperative gastrostomy tube (p = 0.03). The presence of penetration or aspiration on VFSS was a strong predictor for long-term unrestricted oral diet (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Early postoperative VFSS is an excellent predictor for long-term swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction with osteocutaneous fibula free flaps.

Implications of full-scale building motion experience for serviceability design

  • Denoon, Roy O.;Kwok, Kenny C.S.
    • Wind and Structures
    • /
    • v.14 no.6
    • /
    • pp.537-557
    • /
    • 2011
  • While there are a number of guidelines used throughout the world in the assessment of acceptability of tall building accelerations, none are based on systematically conducted surveys of occupant reaction to wind-induced motion. In this study, occupant response data were gathered by both a self-reporting mechanism and by interviewer-conducted surveys in control tower structures over a period of four years. These two approaches were designed in conjunction with experimental psychologists to ensure unbiased reporting. The data allowed analysis of perception thresholds and tolerability at different building frequencies and in different wind climates. The long-term nature of the studies also allowed an investigation of the causes and effects of adaptation to building motion. As the surveys were designed to allow multiple use during single storms, the effects of exposure duration were investigated. A final exit survey was conducted at the primary survey location to investigate views of the acceptability of wind-induced motion and the factors underlying these views. The findings of the field studies indicate that none of the currently used acceleration guidelines address all of the factors that contribute to occupant dissatisfaction. An alternative framework for assessing acceleration acceptability is proposed.

Impact of aggressive exposure conditions on sustainable durability, strength development and chloride diffusivity of high performance concrete

  • Al-Bahar, Suad;Husain, A.
    • Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
    • /
    • v.2 no.1
    • /
    • pp.35-48
    • /
    • 2015
  • The main objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term performance of various concrete composites in natural marine environment prevailing in the Gulf region. Durability assessment studies of such nature are usually carried out under aggressive environments that constitute seawater, chloride and sulfate laden soils and wind, and groundwater conditions. These studies are very vital for sustainable development of marine and off shore reinforced concrete structures of industrial design such as petroleum installations. First round of testing and evaluation, which is presented in this paper, were performed by standard tests under laboratory conditions. Laboratory results presented in this paper will be corroborated with test outcome of ongoing three years field exposure conditions. The field study will include different parameters of investigation for high performance concrete including corrosion inhibitors, type of reinforcement, natural and industrial pozzolanic additives, water to cement ratio, water type, cover thickness, curing conditions, and concrete coatings. Like the laboratory specimens, samples in the field will be monitored for corrosion induced deterioration signs and for any signs of failureover initial period ofthree years. In this paper, laboratory results pertaining to microsilica (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), epoxy coated rebars and calcium nitrite corrosion inhibitor are very conclusive. Results affirmed that the supplementary cementing materials such as GGBS and SF significantly impacted and enhanced concrete resistivity to chloride ions penetration and hence decrease the corrosion activities on steel bars protected by such concretes. As for epoxy coated rebars applications under high chloride laden conditions, results showed great concern to integrity of the epoxy coating layer on the bar and its stability. On the other hand corrosion inhibiting admixtures such as calcium nitrite proved to be more effective when used in combination with the pozzolanic additives such as GGBS and microsilica.

Development of Wearable Device for Monitoring Working Environment in Pig House (양돈장 작업환경 모니터링을 위한 웨어러블 장비개발)

  • Seo, Il-Hwan
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
    • /
    • v.62 no.1
    • /
    • pp.71-81
    • /
    • 2020
  • Enclosed pig house are creating an environment with high concentrations of gas and dust. Poor conditions in pig farms reduce pig weight and increase disease and accidents for livestock workers. In the pig house, the high concentration of harmful gas may cause asphyxiation accidents to workers and chronic respiratory disease by long-term exposure. As pig farm workers have been aging and feminized, the damage to the health of the harsh environment is getting serious, and real-time monitoring is needed to prevent the damage. However, most of the measuring devices related to humidity, harmful gas, and fine dust except temperature sensors are exposed to high concentrations of gas and dust inside pig house and are difficult to withstand for a long time. The purpose of this study is to develop an wearable based device to monitor the hazardous environment exposed to workers working in pig farms. Based on the field monitoring and previous researches, the measurement range and basic specifications of the equipment were selected, and wearable based device was designed in terms of utilization, economic efficiency, size and communication performance. Selected H2S and NH3 sensors showed the average error of 5.3% comparing to standard gas concentrations. The measured data can be used to manage the working environment according to the worker's location and to obtain basic data for work safety warning.

The Relationship between Pesticide Exposure and Central Nervous System Symptoms (농약 노출과 중추신경 증상과의 관련성)

  • Kwon, Young-Jun;Kang, Tae-Sun;Kim, Kyung-Ran;Lee, Kyung-Sook;Ju, Young-Su;Song, Jae-Chul
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.29 no.2
    • /
    • pp.265-285
    • /
    • 2004
  • Objectives: The acute toxic effects of pesticide are well known. Concern has also been expressed that long-term exposure may result in damage to the central nervous system. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that central nervous system symptoms might occur due to pesticide exposure. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, first, cumulative exposure index (CEI) was estimated. Neurologic symptoms (Q-16 questionnaire) for 541 farmers (exposed to pesticides) were compared with 119 non-exposed persons in spraying season nine rural areas in Korea. Results: The pesticides poisoning rates for last 3 months were 67.2% for orchard farmers, 55.3%for dry field farmers, and 20.5% for husbandry farmers, respectively, showing significant difference (p<0.001). Compared with non-exposure group, exposure groups (especially, orchard farmers) reported significantly more neurologic symptoms and had a higher overall neurological symptoms score (p<0.001). Factors related to the positive neurological symptoms (answers "yes" to six or more of Q-16 questionnaire) adjusted for age, sex, education level, smoking and alcohol drinking were type of farming (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.50-6.30 in orchard farmers vs non-exposure group), CEI (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.12-6.78 in Q3 vs Q1), past poisoning (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.21-3.20 vs normal), current mild poisoning (OR 3.03, 9500 CI 1.47-6.22 vs normal) and current moderate poisoning (OR 6.34, 95% CI 3.03-13.25 vs normal), respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that long-term exposure to pesticides appears to be associated with subtle changes in the central nervous system.

  • PDF

Durability Evaluation and Defect Pattern Analysis in Railway Bridge Through Field Investigation (현장조사를 통한 철도 고가교 구조물의 내구성 평가 및 결함 패턴 분석)

  • Kwon, Seung Jun
    • Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
    • /
    • v.17 no.1
    • /
    • pp.10-20
    • /
    • 2013
  • Because of the defect in design, damage in using period, and deterioration in long term exposure to severe environmental condition, degradation of performance in RC (Reinforced Concrete) structures has occurred. This paper contains durability performance evaluation in railway bridges which covers eight districts through field investigation. For the target structures, durability performance is evaluated and the critical problems in use are derived. Additionally, service lifes for the deteriorated structures are evaluated through Durability-Environment index method based on the results from field investigation, and the results are compared with those from the condition assuming the structures without defect, damage, and deterioration. The target structures which consist of RC T girder, PSC girder, RC box, and Rahmen are investigated and the critical damage patterns are derived. They are evaluated to be cracks in PSC girder end, flexural cracks in PSC girder, crack around EPT anchor, and flexural cracks in RC T girder and RC box. The reasons for the critical patterns are also investigated. This study can be utilized for the repair planning considering the different district and the structure types.

The Study on the Influence of Capstone Design & Field Training on Employment Rate: Focused on Leaders in INdustry-university Cooperation(LINC) (캡스톤디자인 및 현장실습이 취업률에 미치는 영향: 산학협력선도대학(LINC)을 중심으로)

  • Park Namgue
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
    • /
    • v.18 no.4
    • /
    • pp.207-222
    • /
    • 2023
  • In order to improve employment rates, most universities operate programs to strengthen students' employment and entrepreneurship, regardless of whether they are selected as the Leading Industry-Innovative University (LINC) or not. In particular, in the case of non-metropolitan universities are risking their lives to improve employment rates. In order to overcome the limitations of university establishment type and university location, which absolutely affect the employment rate, we are operating a startup education & startup support program in order to strengthen employment and entrepreneurship, and capstone design & field training as industry-academia-linked education programs are always available. Although there are studies on effectiveness verification centered on LINC (Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation) in previous studies, but a longitudinal study was conducted on all factors of university factors, startup education & startup support, and capstone design & field training as industry-university-linked education programs as factors affecting the employment rate based on public disclosure indicators. No cases of longitudinal studies were reported. This study targets 116 universities that satisfy the conditions based on university disclosure indicators from 2018 to 2020 that were recently released on university factors, startup education & startup support, and capstone design & field training as industry-academia-linked education programs as factors affecting the employment rate. We analyzed the differences between the LINC (Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation) 51 participating universities and 64 non-participating universities. In addition, considering that there is no historical information on the overlapping participation of participating students due to the limitations of public indicators, the Exposure Effect theory states that long-term exposure to employment and entrepreneurship competency enhancement programs will affect the employment rate through competency enhancement. Based on this, the effectiveness of the 2nd LINC+ (socially customized Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation) was verified from 2017 to 2021 through a longitudinal causal relationship analysis. As a result of the study, it was found that the startup education & startup support and capstone design & field training as industry-academia-linked education programs of the 2nd LINC+ (socially customized Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation) did not affect the employment rate. As a result of the longitudinal causal relationship analysis, it was reconfirmed that universities in metropolitan areas still have higher employment rates than universities in non-metropolitan areas due to existing university factors, and that private universities have higher employment rates than national universities. Among employment and entrepreneurship competency strengthening programs, the number of people who complete entrepreneurship courses, the number of people who complete capstone design, the amount of capstone design payment, and the number of dedicated faculty members partially affect the employment rate by year, while field training has no effect at all by year. It was confirmed that long-term exposure to the entrepreneurship capacity building program did not affect the employment rate. Therefore, it was reconfirmed that in order to improve the employment rate of universities, the limitations of non-metropolitan areas and national and public universities must be overcome. To overcome this, as a program to strengthen employment and entrepreneurship capabilities, it is important to strengthen entrepreneurship through participation in entrepreneurship lectures and actively introduce and be confident in the capstone design program that strengthens the concept of PBL (Problem Based Learning), and the field training program improves the employment rate. In order for actually field training affect of the employment rate, it is necessary to proceed with a substantial program through reorganization of the overall academic system and organization.

  • PDF

Sulphate Reducing Bacteria and Methanogenic Archaea Driving Corrosion of Steel in Deep Anoxic Ground Water

  • Rajala, P.;Raulio, M.;Carpen, L.
    • Corrosion Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.18 no.6
    • /
    • pp.221-227
    • /
    • 2019
  • During the operation, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear power plant radioactive contaminated waste is produced. This waste is stored in an underground repository 60-100 meters below the surface. The metallic portion of this waste comprises mostly carbon and stainless steel. A long-term field exposure showed high corrosion rates, general corrosion up to 29 ㎛ a-1 and localized corrosion even higher. High corrosion rate is possible if microbes produce corrosive products, or alter the local microenvironment to favor corrosion. The bacterial and archaeal composition of biofilm formed on the surface of carbon steel was studied using 16S rRNA gene targeting sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analyses of the microbial community. The functional potential of the microbial communities in biofilm was studied by functional gene targeting quantitative PCR. The corrosion rate was calculated from weight loss measurements and the deposits on the surfaces were analyzed with SEM/EDS and XRD. Our results demonstrate that microbial diversity on the surface of carbon steel and their functionality is vast. Our results suggest that in these nutrient poor conditions the role of methanogenic archaea in corrosive biofilm, in addition to sulphate reducing bacteria, could be greater than previously suspected.

Cryopreservation of Somatic Embryos of Soapbeny (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.) by Vitrification

  • Kim, Hyun-Tae;Yang, Byeong-Hoon;Park, Young-Goo
    • Korean Journal of Plant Resources
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.665-669
    • /
    • 2006
  • Somatic embryos do not survive at exposure to liquid nitrogen temperatures without cryoprotective treatments. A simplified technique which simultaneously induces and cryoprotects embryogenic calli using plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2) followed by dehydration was developed for the cryopreservation of Soap berry genetic resources. Vitrification is a way of removing the moisture in vegetation through PVS2. The PVS2 vitrification solution consisted of 30% glycerol (w/v), 15% ethylene glycol (w/v), 15% Dimethylsulfoxide (w/v) in B5 medium containing 0.4M sucrose. Two tests were done. The one was to eliminate moisture at $0^{\circ}C$ and the other at $25^{\circ}C$. In both cases the best results came out at a vitrification time of $10{\sim}20$ minutes. It was also found that the survival rate was higher at $0^{\circ}C$ than at $25^{\circ}C$. In particular, the survival rate reached more than 80%. Water-damaged embryos turned brown and stoped growth, but energetic embryos took on a milky hue and show a very vigorous growth rate. Successful cryopreservation of somatic embryos of soapberry can be used to establish in vitro genebanks for long-term conservation of Soapberry genetic resources to complement field genebanks and other in vitro methods already being used.

A study of the light trapping mechanism in periodically honeycomb texture-etched substrate for thin film silicon solar cells

  • Kim, Yongjun;Shin, Munghun;Park, Hyeongsik;Yi, Junsin
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
    • /
    • 2016.02a
    • /
    • pp.147.2-148
    • /
    • 2016
  • Light management technology is very important for thin film solar cells, which can reduce optical reflection from the surface of thin film solar cells or enhance optical path, increasing the absorption of the incident solar light. Using proper light trapping structures in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells, the thickness of absorber layers can be reduced. Instead, the internal electric field in the absorber can be strengthened, which helps to collect photon generated carriers very effectively and to reduce light-induced loss under long-term light exposure. In this work, we introduced a chemical etching technology to make honey-comb textures on glass substrates and analyzed the optical properties for the textured surface such as transmission, reflection and scattering effects. Using ray optics and finite difference time domain method (FDTD) we represented the behaviors of light waves near the etched surfaces of the glass substrates and discussed to obtain haze parameters for the different honey-comb structures. The simulation results showed that high haze values were maintained up to the long wavelength range over 700 nm, and with the proper design of the honey-comb structure, reflection or transmission of the glass substrates can be enhanced, which will be very useful for the multi-junction (tandem or triple junction) thin film a-Si:H solar cells.

  • PDF