• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.880-893
• /
• 2019

Objective: To assess the technical performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) for measuring liver stiffness. Materials and Methods: The Ovid-MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies reporting the technical performance of 2D-SWE, including concerns with technical failures, unreliable measurements, interobserver reliability, and/or intraobserver reliability, published until June 30, 2018. The pooled proportion of technical failure and unreliable measurements was calculated using meta-analytic pooling via the random-effects model and inverse variance method for calculating weights. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential causes of heterogeneity. The pooled intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for interobserver and intraobserver reliability were calculated using the Hedges-Olkin method with Fisher's Z transformation of the correlation coefficient. Results: The search yielded 34 articles. From 20 2D-SWE studies including 6196 patients, the pooled proportion of technical failure was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.9%). The pooled proportion of unreliable measurements from 20 studies including 6961 patients was 7.5% (95% CI, 4.7-11.7%). In the subgroup analyses, studies conducting more than three measurements showed fewer unreliable measurements than did those with three measurements or less, but no intergroup difference was found in technical failure. The pooled ICCs for interobserver reliability (from 10 studies including 517 patients) and intraobserver reliability (from 7 studies including 679 patients) were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.90) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89-0.95), respectively, suggesting good to excellent reliability. Conclusion: 2D-SWE shows good technical performance for assessing liver stiffness, with high technical success and reliability. Future studies should establish the quality criteria and optimal number of measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.211-223
• /
• 2018

In global apparel product development, flat is one of the most important key factor for technical design communication. Proportionally correct flats based on correct scaled human body figures are imperative to be successful in the fashion business. In this study the researchers were to develop body templates for flats for Korean women body types using data from 'Size Korea 2004 (5th)', which is a Korean government apparel sizing project to analyze women's body measurements (age range 7-49). We measured 13 height measurements, 6 width measurements, 8 circumference measurements, 6 length measurements, 3 angle measurements and 5 body measurements. A body figure (i.e., schema) for each group was created by Pattern Design Software (PAD) System 4.1. Muscle was added to the schema created by Adobe Illustrator to ensure a better visualization and convenience for industry uses for flats. Developed body figure template of representative type had the largest difference in height level compared to exiting figures. It had a bigger head, lower crotch level, and longer crotch depth and hip length than existing figures.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.319-338
• /
• 2015

The electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique makes use of surface-bonded lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches as impedance transducers measuring impedance variations monitored on host structural components. The present experimental work further evaluate an alternative to the conventional EMI technique which performs measurements of the variations in the output voltage of PZT transducers rather than computing electromechanical impedance (or admittance) itself. This paper further evaluates a variant of the EMI approach presented in a previous work of the present authors, suitable, for low-cost concrete structures monitoring applications making use of a credit card-sized Raspberry Pi single board computer as core hardware unit. This monitoring approach is also deployed by introducing a new damage identification index based on the ratio between the area of the 2-D error ellipse of specific probability of EMI-based measurements containment over that of the 2-D error circle of equivalent probability. Experimental results of damages occurring in concrete cubic and beam specimens are investigated under increasing loading conditions. Results illustrate that the proposed technique is an efficient approach for identification and early detection of damage in concrete structures.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.101-118
• /
• 2001

This paper reports the field measurements concerning pressure equalization of rainscreen facades carried out at the Technical University of Eindhoven (TUE) in the Netherlands. The field facility including the details of test panel, meteorological tower, instrumentation, data collection and analysis is presented. Results of investigations into cavity response for various leakage and venting configurations are discussed. Frequency domain techniques have been utilized to show the influence of wind as well as facade characteristics on the pressure equalization performance. Further, this paper presents an early attempt to synthesize the experimental results into existing building codes.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2014

The heating produced by the absorption of radiofrequency (RF) has been considered a secondary undesirable effect during MRI procedures. In this work, we have measured the power absorbed by distilled water, glycerol and egg-albumin during NMR and non-NMR experiments. The samples are dielectric and examples of different biological materials. The samples were irradiated using the same RF pulse sequence, whilst the magnetic field strength was the variable to be changed in the experiments. The measurements show a smooth increase of the thermal power as the magnetic field grows due to the magnetoresistive effect in the copper antenna, a coil around the probe, which is directly heating the sample. However, in the cases when the magnetic field was the adequate for the NMR to take place, some anomalies in the expected thermal powers were observed: the thermal power was higher in the cases of water and glycerol, and lower in the case of albumin. An ANOVA test demonstrated that the observed differences between the measured power and the expected power are significant.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.203-206
• /
• 2001

The mathematical processing (unfolding) of pulse height spectra from a scintillation detector helps to calculate the photon fluence rate energy distribution in a measured photon field. The data processing is based on the knowledge of detection system response function and directional dependence respectively. The experimental results of the photon fields measurements in the vicinity of the spent fuel temporary storage and inside the storage hall are presented. The containers Castor 440 are used for temporary storing of the burnt up fuel assemblies in the Czech nuclear power plant Dukovany. A set of periodical measurements was performed in order to get basic information on the time dependence of the photon fields spatial distributions and spectral characteristics in the temporary storage hall and its vicinity. The photon fields were measured by the scintillation system. The obtained photon fields spatial distributions and spectral characteristics present the information on the radiation hazard in the storage.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.81 no.6
• /
• pp.737-750
• /
• 2022

Timber-Concrete Composite construction system consists of combining timber beam or deck and concrete with different connectors. Different fastener types are used in Timber-Concrete Composite systems. In this paper, the effects of two types of fasteners on structural behavior are compared. First, the notches were opened on timber beam, and combined with reinforced concrete slab by fasteners. This system is called as Notched Connection System. Then, timber beam and reinforced concrete slab were combined by new type designed fasteners in another model. This system is called as Notched-Slab Approach. Two laboratory models were constructed and bending tests were performed to examine the fasteners' effectiveness. Bending test results have shown that heavy damage to concrete slab occurs in Notched Connection System applications and the system becomes unusable. However, in Notched-Slab Approach applications, the damage concentrated on the fastener in the metal notch created in the slab, and no damage occurred in the concrete slab. In addition, non-destructive experimental measurements were conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics. To validate the experimental results, initial finite element models of both systems were constituted in ANSYS software using orthotropic material properties, and numerical dynamic characteristics were calculated. Finite element models of Timber-Concrete Composite systems are updated to minimize the differences by manual model updating procedure using some uncertain parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.641-649
• /
• 2016

Highly precision body measurements represent basic data required by industry and researches who wish to utilize information about the human body. The proficiency and expertise of the measurers have a significant influence on the error and accuracy of data when various parts from multiple subjects' bodies are measured. Therefore, in order to measure accurate body measurements (when measuring bodies directly), it is necessary to conduct objective analyses on errors. This study calculated the Relative Technical Error of Measurement (%TEM) using data that measured each of 24 subjects and discussed errors and methods to reduce errors by conducting comparison analysis based on measured items and objects. The result of analysis indicated that the errors based on age and gender of the objects of measurement were minor; however, there were comparatively distinct differences in measured errors based on measured items. 'Right and left Shoulder Angle' for all measured subjects displayed the greatest errors and standard deviations. 'Height' dimension, Lateral Malleolus Height and Head Height had big errors; in addition, 'Circumference', Neck Base Circumference and Armscye Circumference also had big errors. More careful measurements of such items with big errors require additional educational plan such as a proposal for more objective and detailed measurement methods. Items with small errors but big standard deviations such as Waist Circumference, Calf Circumference, Minimum Leg Circumference, Chest Circumference, Hip Circumference and Waist Circumference confirmed that errors for them greatly decreased with repeated experiments and resultant measurers increased proficiency; consequently, repeated measuring experiments for these items greatly enhance accuracy.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
• /
• 2002.07b
• /
• pp.1125-1128
• /
• 2002

Tantalum pentoxide (Ta$_2$O$\sub$5/) is a candidate for use in metal-insulator-metal diode in switching devices for active-matrix liquid-crystal displays. The MIM diode with very low threshold voltage and perfect symmetry was fabricated. High quality Ta$_2$O$\sub$5/ thin films were obtained by using an anodizing method. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope observations, auger electron spectroscopy, ellipsometry measurements, and electrical measurements, such as current - voltage(I-V) measurements were performed to investigate Ta$_2$O$\sub$5/ films and their reliability and indicated that the obtained TaOx thin films were reliable Ta$_2$O$\sub$5/ films for the applications. Furthermore, in this paper, we discuss the effects of top-electrode metals and annealing conditions. The conduction mechanism of the leakage current and the symmetry characteristics related to the Schottky emission and Poole-Frankel effect are also discussed using the results of electrical measurements and conduction barrier theory.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.397-407
• /
• 2021

This paper investigates the optimal sensor placements and capabilities of this procedure for dynamic characteristics identification of arch dams. For this purpose, a prototype arch dam is constructed in laboratory conditions. Berke arch dam located on the Ceyhan River in city of Osmaniye is one of the highest arch dam constructed in Turkey is selected for field verification. The ambient vibration tests are conducted using initial candidate sensor locations at the beginning of the study. Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods are used to extract experimental dynamic characteristics. Then, measurements are repeated according to optimal sensor locations of the dams. These locations are specified using the Effective Independence Method. To determine the optimal sensor locations, the target mode shape matrices which are obtained from ambient vibration tests of the selected dam with a large number of accelerometers are used. The dynamic characteristics obtained from each ambient vibrations tests are compared with each other. It is concluded that the dynamic characteristics obtained from initial measurements and those obtained from a limited number of sensors are compatible with each other. This situation indicates that optimal sensor placements determined by the Effective Independence Method are useful for dynamic characteristics identification of arch dams.