• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2015

The elbow reflex, a principal reflex in the upper extremity, plays an important role in the diagnosis of cervical spine syndromes. In this study, the muscle activations of brachial biceps and triceps, and the kinematics of upper extremities were predicted using an activation model for the stretch reflex. The muscle activations that equated the simulation results estimated by the analysis model with the experimental results were obtained first, and the activations obtained from the simulations were compared with the electromyography signals obtained from the experiments, for model validation. The root mean squares error of the joint angles (obtained from experiments and simulation using the suggested model) was 0.056, a value that is half of that obtained using the previous model. This demonstrates that the suggested model corresponded well with the actual reflex.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2013

The char oxidation characteristics of high ash coal were experimentally investigated at several temperatures (from 900 to $1300^{\circ}C$) for 4 types of coals (Gunvor, Glencore, Noble, and ECM) under atmospheric pressure in a drop tube furnace (DTF). The char reaction rate was calculated from the exhaust gas concentrations (CO and $CO_2$) using FT-IR, and the particle temperature was measured using the two-color method. In addition, the activation energy and pre-exponential factor for high ash coal char were calculated based on the Arrhenius equation. The results show that as the ash content increases, the particle temperature and area reactivity decreases. This is because in high ash coal, the large heat capacity of the ash, ash vaporization, and relatively low fixed carbon content of ash suppress combustibility during char oxidation. As a result, the higher ash content of coal leads to high activation energy.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2014

Most analytical models of the human body have focused on conscious responses. A patellar tendon reflex, a representative example of spinal reflexes, occurs without a neural command. Muscle forces and activation of the quadriceps femoris muscles in healthy adults during patellar tendon reflex are identified in this study. The model is assumed to move in the sagittal plane, and the thigh and the trunk are assumed to be fixed in a sitting position so that the shank can move similar to a pendulum. The knee joint is modeled as a revolute joint, and the ankle joint is modeled as a fixed joint so that the shank and the foot can be regarded as one rigid body. Muscle forces are calculated following the inverse dynamic approach. Kinematic data obtained from an experiment (Mamizuka, 2007) are used as input data. Muscle activations are identified using a Hill-type muscle model. The obtained simulation results are compared with experimental results for validating the model and the underlying assumptions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2010

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protects various tissues and cells from ischemic insults and is activated by many stimuli including mechanical stretch. Therefore, this study investigated if the activation of AMPK is involved in stretch-induced cardioprotection (SIC). Intraventricular balloon and aorto-caval shunt (ACS) were used to stretch rat hearts ex vivo and in vivo, respectively. Stretch preconditioning reduced myocardial infarct induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and improved post-ischemic functional recovery. Phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were increased by mechanical stretch and ACC phosphorylation was completely blocked by the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C. AMPK activator (AICAR) mimicked SIC. Gadolinium, a blocker of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs), inhibited the stretch-induced phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, whereas diltiazem, a specific L-type calcium channel blocker, did not affect AMPK activation. Furthermore, SIC was abrogated by Compound C and gadolinium. The in vivo stretch induced by ACS increased AMPK activation and reduced myocardial infarct. These findings indicate that stretch preconditioning can induce the cardioprotection against I/R injury, and activation of AMPK plays an important role in SIC, which might be mediated by SACs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.518-524
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• 2016

The thermal aging effects on mechanical properties and microstructures in China low-activation martensitic steel have been tested by aging at $550^{\circ}C$ for 2,000 hours, 4,000 hours, and 10,000 hours. The microstructure was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the grain size and martensitic lath increased by about $4{\mu}m$ and $0.3{\mu}m$, respectively, after thermal exposure at $550^{\circ}C$ for 10,000 hours. MX type particles such as TaC precipitated on the matrix and Laves-phase was found on the martensitic lath boundary and grain boundary on aged specimens. The mechanical properties were investigated with tensile and Charpy impact tests. Tensile properties were not seriously affected by aging. Neither yield strength nor ultimate tensile strength changed significantly. However, the ductile-brittle transition temperature of China low-activation martensitic steel increased by $46^{\circ}C$ after aging for 10,000 hours due to precipitation and grain coarsening.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2009

This study investigated whether orthodontic force influences the production of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in vivo, both of which are affected by cortical activation. Mechanical force was applied to the maxillary premolars of orthodontic patients by fitting the transpalatal arch prior to cortical activation of the gingival tissue. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were then collected from each patient using paper strips before and after 1, 3, 7 or 14 days of treatment. The OPG and RANKL levels in the GCF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The levels of OPG were significantly increased after 1 day of fitting the appliance and decreased to basal levels at 3 days after fitting. In contrast, the RANKL levels were dramatically decreased at 1 day after fitting, but recovered to those of the untreated control at 3 days after the force application. The force-mediated changes in the OPG and RANKL levels of the GCF were unaffected by cortical activation during these experimental periods. Collectively, these results suggest that an acute and severe change between the OPG and RANKL levels plays an important role in stimulating the cellular responses required for alveolar bone remodeling by orthodontic treatment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 2002

For two kinds of 25Cr-20Ni stainless steels, STS310J1TB and STS310S with and without a small amount of Nb and N, creep behavior has been studied in a stress and temperature range from 147 to 392 MPa and from 923 to 773 K with a special reference to tertiary creep. The average creep life of STS310J1TB was about 100 times longer than that of the STS310S. The apparent activation energy for the initial creep rate was 330 kJ/mol in STS310J1TB, while that of the STS310S was 274kJ/mol in a power law creep region and 478 kJ/mol in a region of power law breakdown (PLB). The activation energy for STS310S below PLB is close to the for self-diffusion. When compensating for the temperature dependence of the Young's modulus and the omega value, it was found that the apparent activation energy for STS310J1TB was reduced to the activation energy for diffusion of chromium atom in gamma steel. The stress exponent of STS310S was about 12.3 above PLB and 5.1 in a power law creep region. Notwithstanding that the creep condition for STS310J1TB was in a power law creep region, its stress exponent was 7.9 larger than that of STS310S corresponding to the same creep conditions. This was ascribed to the presence of fine precipitates in STS310J1TB.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.198-208
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• 2015

Objective: To quantify, for each activation, the effect of preactivations of differing distribution and intensity on the neutral position of T-loops (7-mm height), specifically the horizontal force, moment to force (M/F) ratio, and load to deflection ratio. Methods: A total 100 loops measuring $0.017{\times}0.025$ inches in cross-section were divided into two groups (n = 50 each) according to composition, either stainless steel or beta-titanium. The two groups were further divided into five subgroups, 10 loops each, corresponding to the five preactivations tested: preactivations with occlusal distribution ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$), gingival distribution ($20^{\circ}$), and occlusal-gingival distribution ($40^{\circ}$). The loops were subjected to a total activation of 6-mm with 0.5-mm iterations. Statistical analysis was performed using comprised ANOVA and Bonferoni multiple comparison tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The location and intensity of preactivation influenced the force intensity. For the M/F ratio, the highest value achieved without preactivation was lower than the height of the loop. Without preactivation, the M/F ratio increased with activation, while the opposite effect was observed with preactivation. The increase in the M/F ratio was greater when the preactivation distribution was partially or fully gingival. Conclusions: Depending on the preactivation distribution, displacement of uprights is higher or lower than the activation, which is a factor to consider in clinical practice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2004.07b
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• pp.1270-1273
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• 2004

The combination of methane-chemical activation and Self-propagating High-temperature synthesis (SHS) has widened the possibilities for both methods. For YBCO systems the investigation showed that a short-term mechano-chemical activation of initial powders before SHS leads to single-phase and ultra-fine products. A new technique for preparation ultra-fine high-temperature superconductors of YBCO composition with a grain size d < $1{\mu}m$ is developed. The specific feature of the technique is formation of the $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$ crystalline lattice directly from an X-ray amorphous state arising as a result of mechanical activation of the original oxide mixture. The technique allows the stage of formation of any intermediate reaction products to be ruled out. X-ray and magnetic studies of ultra-fine high temperature superconductors (HTS) are carried out. Dimension effects associated with the microstructure peculiarities are revealed. A considerable enhancement of inter-grain critical currents is found to take place in the ultra-fine samples investigated.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.966-970
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• 2005

To measure the thickness of liquid films from 10 to 60 ${\mu}m$, we used photochromic dye activation. And we used silicone oil with 10 centi-Stokes and commercial photochromic dyes. To make films with exact and known thicknesses, we used two glass wafers. A film formed between two wafers after placing a drop of liquid of known volume on one wafer and covering the other. The film thickness could be estimated from the diameter of wafer and the dropped liquid volume. To quantitatively evaluate the result, captured the images using digital camera then analyzed the images using the image tool. The gray scale intensity using the captured images of activated dye with these thicknesses showed the repeatability below ${\pm}$ 1.0% when measured with a silicone oil solution containing 0.1% SO and SO-ANTH dyes. And we showed that photochromic dye activation method could be used to measure our liquid film thickness ranges.