• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2011

Substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons receive synaptic inputs from primary afferent $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers, where nociceptive information is integrated and modulated by numerous neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. A number of studies were dedicated to the molecular mechanism underlying the modulation of excitability or synaptic plasticity in SG neurons and revealed that second messengers, such as cAMP and cGMP, play an important role. Recently, cAMP and cGMP were shown to downregulate each other in heart muscle cells. However, involvement of the crosstalk between cAMP and cGMP in neurons is yet to be addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether interaction between cAMP and cGMP modulates synaptic plasticity in SG neurons using slice patchclamp recording from rats. Synaptic activity was measured by excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) elicited by stimulation onto dorsal root entry zone. Application of 1 mM of 8-bromoadenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) or 8-bromoguanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) for 15 minutes increased EPSCs, which were maintained for 30 minutes. However, simultaneous application of 8-BrcAMP and 8-Br-cGMP failed to increase EPSCs, which suggested antagonistic cross-talk between two second messengers. Application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) that prevents degradation of cAMP and cGMP by blocking phosphodiesterase (PDE) increased EPSCs. Co-application of cAMP/cGMP along with IBMX induced additional increase in EPSCs. These results suggest that second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, might contribute to development of chronic pain through the mutual regulation of the signal transduction.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.236-242
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• 2011

The two objectives of this study were, first, to determine the optimal friction welding process parameters using finite element simulations and, second, to evaluate the mechanical properties of the friction welded zone for large piston rods in marine diesel engines. Since the diameters of the rod and its connecting part are very different, the manufacturing costs using friction welding are reduced compared to those using the forging process of a single piece. Modeling is a generally accepted method to significantly reduce the number of experimental trials needed when determining the optimal parameters. Therefore, because friction welding depends on many process parameters such as axial force, initial rotational speed and energy, amount of upset and working time, finite element simulations were performed. Then, friction welding experiments were carried out with the optimal process parameter conditions resulting from the simulations. The base material used in this investigation was AISI 4140 with a rod outer diameter of 280 mm and an inner diameter of 160 mm. In this study, various investigation methods, including microstructure characterization, hardness measurements and tensile and fatigue testing, were conducted in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the friction welded zone.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.369-375
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• 2014

Flexible roll forming allows profiles to have variable cross-sections. However, the profile may have some shape errors, such as, warping which is a major defect. The shape error is induced by geometrical deviations in both the concave zone and the convex zone. In the current study, flexible roll forming was modeled with FE simulations to analyze the shape error and the longitudinal strain distribution along the flange section over the profile. A distribution of analytically calculated longitudinal strains was used to develop relationships between the shape error and the longitudinal strain distribution as a function of the defined shape parameters for the profile. The FE simulations showed that the shape error is primarily affected by the deviations between the distribution of analytically calculated longitudinal strain and the longitudinal strain distribution of the profile. The results show that the shape error can be controlled by designing the shape parameters to control the geometrical deviations at the flange section in the transition zones.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.446-455
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• 1997

A Combined extrusion operation consists of forward and backward extrusion forming and it is possible to make the process be simple by employing it. But the metal flow pattern induced by the operation is hard to analyze accurately because the flows are non-steady, which have at least two directions dependent upon each other. So engineers in the industrial factories had conducted the two extrusion operations separately. A new process was designed by the industrial expert for forming of an alu-minum preform using the combined extrusion operation. In this study, experiments and finite element analysis was carried out to determine the process parameters. Through the preliminary experiment, it was shown that warm forming condition was more desirable than cold or hot ones. And optimal shape of initial billet could be also determined. From the compatibility test, bonde-lube was chosen as the optimal lubricant and 20$0^{\circ}C$ as the material temperature by the inspection of micro-structure. The operation was simulated by the rigid-plastic finite element method to examine the metal flow. Disap-pearing of dead metal zone was observed as the punch fell down and desirable shape was obtained from the one operation. As a result of this study, 7 operations could be reduced and 225% of material saved.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.342-346
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• 2009

Forming characteristics for the bundle extrusion of Cu-Ti bimetal wires are investigated, which can identify the process conditions for weak mechanical bonding at the contact surface during the direct extrusion of a Cu-Ti bimetal wire bundle. Bonding mechanism between Cu and Ti is assumed as a cold pressure welding. Then, the plastic deformation at the contact zone causes mechanical bonding and a new bonding criterion for pressure welding is developed as a function of the principal stretch ratio and normal pressure at the contact surface by analyzing micro local extrusion at the contact zone. The averaged deformation behavior of Cu-Ti bimetal wire is adopted as a constitutive behavior at a material point in the finite element analysis of Cu-Ti wire bundle extrusion. Various process conditions for bundle extrusions are examined. The deformation histories at the three points, near the surface, in the middle and near the center, in the cross section of a bundle are traced and the proposed new bonding criterion is applied to predict whether the mechanical bonding at the Cu-Ti contact surface happens. Finally, a process map for the direct extrusion of Cu-Ti bimetal wire bundle is proposed.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.362-368
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• 2011

For the purpose of improving crashworthiness qualities and maximizing weight saving efficiency, TWB's(tailor welded blanks) of quench-hardenable boron steel sheet formed by hot stamping processes has been used for automotive BIW (body in white) applications. In this work, the flow behaviors of TWB of quench-hardenable boron steel sheet were investigated in uniaxial tension tests at elevated temperature. TWB's having a uniform thickness of 1.4mm were fabricated by laser welding. Specimens with two weld line directions were used to test the mechanical property and reliability of the weld zone. After heating at $950^{\circ}C$ for 5min, the specimens were subjected to tension test at 650, 700 and $800^{\circ}C$ with a strain rate of 0.01 /s and at $700^{\circ}C$ with strain rates of 0.01, 0.1 and 1/s. The ultimate strength of the weld zones was higher than that of the base materials at 650 and $700^{\circ}C$, but was similar to the base metal at $800^{\circ}C$. Fracture occurred at the base material at 650 and $700^{\circ}C$, but at the weld zone at $800^{\circ}C$.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2019

To study the eccentric compression behavior of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) columns, six UHPFRC columns and one high-strength concrete (HSC) column were tested. Variation parameters include load eccentricity, volume of steel fibers and stirrup ratio. The crack pattern, failure mode, bearing capacity, and deformation of the specimens were studied. The results showed that the UHPFRC columns had different failure modes. The large eccentric compression failure mode was the longitudinal tensile reinforcements yielded and many horizontal cracks appeared in the tension zone. The small eccentric compression failure mode was the longitudinal compressive reinforcements yielded and vertical cracks appeared in the compressive zone. Because of the bridging effect of steel fibers, the number of cracks significantly increased, and the width of cracks decreased. The load-deflection curves of the UHPFRC columns showed gradually descending without sudden dropping, indicating that the specimens had better deformation. The finite element (FE) analysis was performed to stimulate the damage process of the specimens with monotonic loading. The concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model was adopted to characterize the behaviour of UHPFRC. The contribution of the UHPFRC tensile strength was considered in the bearing capacity, and the theoretical calculation formulas were derived. The theoretical calculation results were consistent with the test results. This research can provide the experimental and theoretical basis for UHPFRC columns in engineering applications.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2024

This study delves into the interaction dynamics between lateral notches and inclusions, providing valuable insights for more effective engineering of structural components. By employing the finite element method, the research analyzes how inclusions affect the dimensions and contours of the plastic zone under confined plasticity conditions. Several parameters were investigated, including loading influence, the distance between the inclusion and notch tip, inclusion stiffness, and the distribution of Von Mises stress, as well as normal stresses σxx and σyy, and Comparison between different stresses. Examining stress distributions under varying loading conditions reveals a significant intensification, particularly near the crack tip. Moreover, the presence of an inclusion near the notch base reduces both the size and shape of the plastic zone. The distribution of the stresses for different loads knows an increase in intensity, especially near the crack head, which is the most requested by the tensile forces on its upper part, which can cause either the crack's initiation or opening, inducing significant stresses.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

The vertical drain method recently being used in Korea is one of the popular soft ground improvement methods, and it is divided into the sand drain method, the pack drain method, the paper drain method, and the PBD method according to the drainage. However, these methods generate the disturbed zone called the smear zone when the drainage is penetrated into the in-situ ground. The characteristics of the smear zone generated cause the problems that the coefficient of permeability decreases, and then the consolidation time in the design becomes longer than expected. Even though the coefficient of horizontal consolidation and the coefficient of permeability in the smear zone are very important design factors directly influencing the degree of consolidation, in the existing studies, these coefficients have been empirically derived by the coefficient of vertical consolidation and used for the design. However, in case that these coefficients derived by the coefficient of vertical consolidation are applied to the actual design, a loss of the duration of construction and a loss of economical efficiency can be happened because of the inaccuracy of the coefficient of horizontal consolidation and the coefficient of permeability. Hence, in this study, in order to understand such influence, the laboratory test was carried out so as to reasonably determine the coefficient of permeability and the coefficient of consolidation in diverse ground conditions. Then, the range of smear effect on clay and silt was estimated with monitoring data through the laboratory test.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.501-508
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• 2009

This study aims to clarify the characteristics of the physical and mechanical properties of soil-slope failure of Okcheon metamorphic zone. Soil samples were collected from 35 collapsed and uncollapsed artificial slopes along national roads. A series of laboratory experiments was carried out to examine physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks. The results show that failure slopes have weakness of failure at 0.75 of AMI or higher, 32% of liquid limit or higher, and 31% of saturated moisture content or higher. The plastic index of failure slopes is correlated to wet density and saturated density. It turned out that failure could easily happen according to a high plastic index even if the void ratio was low. The greater the contents of bigger-sized soil, i.e. contents of sands and gravels rather than of clays, is the greater the chance to fail at the slope.