• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.759-777
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• 2013

In this paper, a topology optimization method based on the element independent nodal density (EIND) is developed for continuum solids with multiple load cases and multiple constraints. The optimization problem is formulated ad minimizing the volume subject to displacement constraints. Nodal densities of the finite element mesh are used a the design variable. The nodal densities are interpolated into any point in the design domain by the Shepard interpolation scheme and the Heaviside function. Without using additional constraints (such ad the filtering technique), mesh-independent, checkerboard-free, distinct optimal topology can be obtained. Adopting the rational approximation for material properties (RAMP), the topology optimization procedure is implemented using a solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method and a dual programming optimization algorithm. The computational efficiency is greatly improved by multithread parallel computing with OpenMP to run parallel programs for the shared-memory model of parallel computation. Finally, several examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed techniques.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.412-417
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• 2008

In a traditional topology optimization method, material properties are usually distributed by finite element density and visualized by a gray level image. The distribution method based on element density is adequate for a great mass of 2-D topology optimization problems. However, when it is used for 3-D topology optimization, it is always difficult to obtain a smooth model representation, and easily appears a virtualconnect phenomenon especially in a low-density domain. The 3-D structural topology optimization method has been developed using the node density instead of the element density that is based on SIMP (solid isotropic microstructure with penalization) algorithm. A computer code based on Matlab was written to validate the proposed method. When it was compared to the element density as design variable, this method could get a more uniform density distribution. To show the usefulness of this method, several typical examples of structure topology optimization are presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.901-920
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• 2016

MeshFree methods have become popular owing to the ease with which high stress gradients can be identified and node density distribution can be reformulated to accomplish faster convergence. This paper presents a strategy for nodal density refinement with strain energy as basis in Element-Free Galerkin MeshFree technique. Two popular flat plate problems are considered for the demonstration of the proposed strategies. Issue of integration errors introduced during nodal density refinement have been addressed by suggesting integration cell refinement. High stress effects around two symmetrical semi-circular notches under in-plane axial load have been addressed in the first problem. The second considers crack propagation under mode I and mode II fracture loading by the way of introducing high stress intensity through line crack. The computational efficacy of the adaptive refinement strategies proposed has been highlighted.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2014

Purpose: Nodal metastasis is the main prognostic factor in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We investigated the association between tumor-associated lymphatics and OSCC characteristics. Methods: Thirty-four specimens were used for the immunohistochemical staining with the antibody for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, phosphorylated VEGFR-3, D2-40, and matrix metallproteinases (MMPs). We observed the distribution of the lymphangiogenic factors and quantified the degree of expression. We determined lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and lymphatic vessel dilatation with D2-40 immunostaining. We assessed the association of LVD or lymphatic vessel dilatation with tumor progression or tumor differentiation. Results: OSCC cells expressed lymphangiogenic ligands. Lymphangiogenic receptor, VEGFR-3, was expressed and activated in some tumor cells as well as in tumor-associated endothelial cells. LVD was not associated with tumor size or nodal status, but lymphatic vessel dilatation was higher in tumors with nodal metastasis, and also higher in poorly differentiated tumors. In stromal area of OSCC, MMP-1 and MMP-10 were up-regulated and the basement membrane of tumor-associated endothelial cells was destroyed by these collagenases. Conclusion: In the primary tumors with nodal metastasis, especially in poorly differentiated OSCC, tumor cells invaded the dilated lymphatic vessels via ruptured sites. MMP-1 and MMP-10 are important in the lysis of the glycocalyx inside the tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.529-539
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• 2008

Background and Purpose : Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most aggressive tumors of the head and neck area. OSCC is known to preferentially metastasize via lymphatic system, and resulting cervical lymph node metastasis is the most reliable of treatment failure. But the biological mechanism of the regional nodal metastasis is not clear. So, we determined metastasis-related factors in orthotopic nude mouse models of OSCC. Experimental Design : Two cell lines-KB and YD-10B cells, established from human oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma, were xenografted into the tissue space of athymic murine mouth floor. The mice were followed for tumor development and growth, the murine tumors were examined histopathologically for local invasion or regional or distant metastasis. Finally, we performed immunohistochemical assays with antiepithelial growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2, phosphorylated VEGFR-2/3 (pVEGFR-2/3) antibodies. We also determined the microvessel density. Results : Transplantation of human OSCC tumor cells into the mouth floor successfully resulted in the formation of orthotopic tumors. KB cell line showed significantly higher tumor proliferation and higher nodal metastatic potential than YD-10B cell line. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated higher expression of EGFR/pEGFR, VEGF, and pVEGFR-2/3 as well as higher microvessel density in KB murine tumors than in YD-10B murine tumors. Conclusion : An orthotopic model of OSCC in athymic mice was established which copies the cervical lymph nodal metastasis of human OSCC. Our mouth floor model should facillitate the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cervical nodal metastasis of OSCC.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.2415-2421
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• 2020

The axial heterogeneous void distribution in a fuel channel is a relevant and important issue during nuclear reactor analysis for LWR, especially for boiling water channel-type reactors. Variation of the coolant density in fuel channel has an effect on the neutron spectrum that will in turn have an impact on the values of absolute reactivity, the void reactivity coefficient, and the fuel isotopic compositions during irradiation. This effect is referring to as the history effect in light water reactor calculations. As the void reactivity effect is positive in RBMK type reactors, the underestimation of water density heterogeneity in 3D reactor core numerical calculations could cause an uncertainty during assessment of safe operation of nuclear reactor. Thus, this issue is analysed with different cross-section libraries which were generated with WIMS8 code at different reference water densities. The libraries were applied in single fuel model of the nodal code of QUABOX-CUBBOX/HYCA. The thermohydraulic part of HYCA allowed to simulate axial water distribution along fuel assembly model and to estimate water density history effect for RBMK type fuel.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.505-520
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• 2002

Based on the modal coordinates of the structure, a finite-element and CQC (complete quadratic combination) method for analyzing the coupled buffeting response of long-span bridges is presented. The formulation of nodal equivalent aerodynamic buffeting forces is derived based on a reasonable assumption. The power spectral density and variance of nodal displacements and elemental internal forces of the bridge structure are computed using the finite-element method and the random vibration theory. The method presented is very efficient and can consider the arbitrary spectrum and spatial coherence of natural winds and the multimode and intermode effects on the buffeting responses of bridge structures. A coupled buffeting analysis of the Jiangyin Yangtse River Suspension Bridge with 1385 in main span is performed as an example. The results analyzed show that the multimode and intermode effects on the buffeting response of the bridge deck are quite remarkable.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.166-171
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• 1999

Background and Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the appearance of recurrent and residual lesions in the head and neck tumors, and to evaluate the usefullness of CT and MRI. Materials and Methods: CT(n=42) and MRI(n=4) of 44 patients with recurrent head and neck tumors were reviewed retrospectively. Primary tumor sites were larynx/hypopharynx in 15, oral cavity/floor of mouth in 13, base of tongue/tonsil in 5, nasopharynx in 4, palate in 2, and others in 5 patients. Therapeutic modalities included sugery and radiotherapy in 23, radiotherapy in 11, surgery in 5, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 4, and chemotherapy in 1 patient. Results: The patterns of tumor recurrence were nodal recurrence(n=17), primary tumor bed recurrence combined with nodal recurrence(n=12), primary tumor bed recurrence(n=10) and residual primary tumors(n=5). The most common appearance of residual/recurrent primary tumor on CT was focal or diffuse heterogenous mass with or without surrounding fat or muscle infiltration(25/27). On MRI, the recurrent lesions showed intermediate signal intensity on T1 weighted image and high signal intensity on T2 weighted image with heterogenous enhancement in the most cases(n=3). 38 out of 44 nodal recurrences(86%) which had been pathologically or clinically proved were more than 1 cm in diameter or contained central low density on CT scan. Conclusion: Although CT and MRI findings of recurrent and residual tumors of the head and neck were nonspecific, in the majority the lesions manifested as a mass at primary tumor bed and/or nodal disease including contralateral side of the neck. And CT and MRI are valuable for revealing above lesions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 1993

The human's biomechanical structure keeps an optimal state by adapting the original biomechanical structure according to a change in the physical environment. This phenomenon is believed to be the main cause of loosening of the total hip replacement which is used widely in these days. In this study the bone density change due to artificial hip joint, which is generally believed as bone-remodeling, was investigated by the finite element method. For this, 2-D FEM models with 4 nodal point elements were constructed for intact and implanted cases. The density was calculated by comparing the relative amounts of effective stress for these two cases. In this way, calculated new density values were used in the next step as input values and this procedure repeated until convergence was obtained. Severe density change was detected at the femoral cortex of the proximal-medial side as expected. Moreover, following surprising result was found from this analysis. Titanium alloy prosthesis showed less density change compared to stainless steel prosthesis at earlier stage, however, almost same amount of the density change was detected at final stage. It was also found that other design parameters could not significantly affect its density change.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.191-210
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• 2012

The Force Density Method (FDM) is a well known and extremely versatile tool in form finding of cable nets. In its linear formulation such method makes it possible to find all the possible equilibrium configurations of a net of cables having a certain given connectivity and given boundary conditions on the nodes. Each singular configuration corresponds to an assumed force density distribution. Its improvement as Non-Linear Force Density Method (NLFDM) introduces the possibility of imposing assigned relative distances among the nodes, the tensile level in the elements and/or their initial undeformed length. In this paper an Extended Force Density Method (EFDM) is proposed, which makes it possible to set conditions in terms of given fixed nodal reactions or, in other words, to fix the positions of a certain number of nodes and, at the same time, to impose the intensity of the reaction force. Through such extension, the (EFDM) enables us to deal with form findings problems of cable nets subjected to given constraints and, in particular, with mixed structures, made of cables and struts. The efficiency and the robustness of method are assessed through comparisons with other form finding techniques in dealing with characteristic applications to the prestress design of cable systems. As a further extension, the EFDM is applied to structures having some parts not yet geometrically defined, as can happen in designing new creative forms.