• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.28.1-28.13
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• 2023

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the onset and evolution of cognitive impairments, often considered a transitional stage to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The genetic traits of MCI patients who experience a rapid progression to AD can enhance early diagnosis capabilities and facilitate drug discovery for AD. While a genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a standard tool for identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to a disease, it fails to detect SNPs with small effect sizes due to stringent control for multiple testing. Additionally, the method does not consider the group structures of SNPs, such as genes or linkage disequilibrium blocks, which can provide valuable insights into the genetic architecture. To address the limitations, we propose a Bayesian bi-level variable selection method that detects SNPs associated with time of conversion from MCI to AD. Our approach integrates group inclusion indicators into an accelerated failure time model to identify important SNP groups. Additionally, we employ data augmentation techniques to impute censored time values using a predictive posterior. We adapt Dirichlet-Laplace shrinkage priors to incorporate the group structure for SNP-level variable selection. In the simulation study, our method outperformed other competing methods regarding variable selection. The analysis of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data revealed several genes directly or indirectly related to AD, whereas a classical GWAS did not identify any significant SNPs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.217-235
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• 2024

Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) nowadays are widely used as the main parts of momentous structures, and its connection has gained increasing attention as the complexity in configuration and load transfer mechanism. This paper proposes a novel CFST pier-to-footing incorporating tube-confined RC encasement. Such an innovative approach offers several benefits, including expedited on-site assembly, effective confinement, and collision resistance and corrosion resistance. The seismic behavior of such CFST pier-to-footing connection was studied by testing eight specimens under quasi-static cyclic lateral load. In the experimental research, the influences on the seismic behavior and the order of plastic hinge formation were discussed in detail by changing the footing height, axial compression ratio, number and length of anchored bars, and type of confining tube. All the specimens showed sufficient ductility and energy dissipation, without significant strength degradation. There is no obvious failure in the confined footing, while local buckling can be found in the critical section of the pier. It suggests that the footing provides satisfactory strength protection for the connection.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.526-535
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• 2024

This paper proposes a safety-critical standby component unavailability model that contains aging effects caused by the elapsed time from installation, component degradation due to surveillance tests, and imperfect maintenance actions. An application of the model to a Motor-Operated Valve and a Motor-Driven Pump involved in the HPIS of a VVER/1000-V446 nuclear power plant is demonstrated and compared with other existing models at component and system levels. In addition, the effects of different unavailability models are reflected in the NPP's risk criterion, i.e., core damage frequency, over five maintenance periods. The results show that, compared with other models that do not simultaneously consider the full effects of degradation and maintenance impacts, the proposed model realistically evaluates the unavailabilities of the safety-related components and the involved systems as a plant age function. Therefore, it can effectively reflect the age-dependent CDF impact of a given testing and maintenance policy in a specified time horizon.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2024

The current study investigates the seismic performance of shear-dominant RC columns retrofitted with iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe SMA). Three RC columns with insufficient transverse reinforcement were designed and fabricated for lateral cyclic loading tests. Before testing, two specimens were externally confined with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and self-prestressed Fe SMA strips. The test results showed that both CFRP and Fe SMA performed well in preventing severe shear failure exhibited by the unretrofitted control specimen. Furthermore, the two retrofitted specimens showed ductile flexural responses up to the drift ratios of ±8%. In terms of damage control, however, the Fe SMA confinement was superior to CFRP confinement in that the spalling of concrete was much less and that the rupture of confinement did not occur.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.4112-4119
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• 2023

This study employs the microshear test method to examine the local mechanical properties of narrow-gap welded joints, revealing the mechanical inhomogeneity by evaluating the microshear strength, stress-strain curves, and failure strain. On this basis, the influence of weld joints micromechanical inhomogeneity on the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) fracture toughness is investigated. From the root weld layer to the cover weld layer, the fracture toughness at the center of the weld seam demonstrates an increasing trend, with the experimental and calculated CTOD values showing a good correspondence. The microproperties of the welded joints significantly impact the load-bearing capacity and fracture toughness. During the deformation process of the "low-matching" microregions, the plastic zone expansion is hindered by the surrounding microregion strength constraints, thus reducing the fracture toughness. In contrast, during the deformation of the "high-matching" microregions, the surrounding microregions absorb some of the loading energy, partially releasing the concentrated stress at the crack tip, which in turn increases the fracture toughness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2024

In recent decades, the majority of studies have concentrated on the utilization of Steel Square Hollow Section (SHS) columns, with minimal attention given to reinforcing columns exhibiting inherent defects. This study addresses this gap by introducing initial vertical and horizontal defects at three distinct locations (top, middle, and bottom) and employing Carbon-FRP for reinforcement. The research investigates the dimensional and positional impacts of these defects on the axial behavior of SHS columns. A total of 29 samples, comprising 17 with defects, 11 strengthened, and 1 defect-free control, underwent examination. The study employed ABAQUS modeling and conducted experimental testing. Results revealed that defects located at different positions significantly diminished the load-bearing capacity and initial performance of the steel columns. Axial loading induced local buckling and lateral rupture, particularly at the defect side, in short columns. Notably, horizontal (across the column's width) and vertical (along the column's height) defects in the middle led to the most substantial reduction in strength and load-bearing capacity. The axial compressive failure increased with the length-to-width ratio of the defect. Moreover, the application of four carbon fiber layers to strengthen the steel columns resulted in increased Energy Dissipation and a delayed onset of local buckling in the face of axial ruptures.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2008

In order to test the adhesive capacity of carbon fiber sheet, a static loading method for bending-behavior-type beam specimens, cut in half was developed and test was conducted with compressive strength of concrete set as the test parameter. The tests were performed to prescribe adhesive shear strength based upon the result of shear failure as well as verification of testing method. First of all, the test method proved to be reliable in determining the adhesive shear strength. The test result also exhibited two types of variations in adhesive shear strength. Among two types of variations, average and minimum values for adhesive shear strength, relatively stable results, 3.41MPa and 2.11MPa, respectively. Particularity in the adhesive shear strength with respect to compressive shear strength was not found.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.51-61
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• 2007

A series of three shear wall specimens were tested under constant axial stress and reversed cyclic lateral loading to evaluate the capacity of seismic retrofit proposed for the shear wall with the opening induced by remodeling. One specimen was tested in the as-built condition and the others were retrofitted prior to testing. The retrofit involved the use of carbon fiber sheets and steel plates (thickness ; 3mm) over the entire face of the wall. Specimens were 1/2-scale representations of a one-story wall in a Korean apartment building that was built in 1980. The test results showed that failure mechanism of specimens governed by shear fracture and the strength of specimens was varied with according to the retrofitting strategies.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.146-157
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• 2024

Despite numerous air mattresses marketed to prevent Pressure Ulcers (PU), none have fully succeeded due to residual pressure surpassing critical levels. We introduces an innovative medical bed system aiming at complete PU prevention. This system employs a unique 4-bar link mechanism, moving keys up and down to manage body pressure. Each of the 17 keys integrates a sensor controller, reading pressure from 10 sensors. By regulating motor input, we maintain body pressure below critical levels. Keys are equipped with a servo drive and sensor controller, linked to the main controller via two CAN series. Using fuzzy or PI/IP controllers, we adjust keys to minimize total error, dispersing body pressure and ensuring comfort. In case of controller failure, keys alternate swiftly, preventing ulcer development. Through experimental tests under varied conditions, the fuzzy controller with tailored membership functions demonstrated swift performance. PI control showed rapid convergence, while IP control exhibited slower convergence and oscillations near zero error. Our specialized medical robot bed, incorporating 4-bar links and pressure sensors, underwent testing with three controllers-fuzzy, PI, and IP-showcasing their effectiveness in keeping body pressure below critical ulcer levels. Experimental results validate the proposed approach's efficacy, indicating potential for complete PU prevention.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.31 no.2 s.85
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• pp.261-270
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of plasma arc light which can reduce the curing time dramatically compared by shear bond strengths and failure patterns of the brackets bonded with visible light in direct bracket bonding. Some kinds of brackets were bonded with the Transbond$^{\circledR}$ to the human premolars which were embedded in the resin blocks according to the various conditions. After bonding, the shear bond strength was tested by Instron universal testing machine and in addition , the amount of residual adhesive remaining on the tooth after debonding was measured by the stereoscope and assessed with adhesive remnant index(ARI). The results were as follows : 1. When plasma arc light was used for bonding the brackets, the shear bond strength was clinically sufficient in both metal and ceramic brackets, but resin brackets showed significantly lower bond strength but which was clinically useful. 2. When metal brackets were bonded using visible light, there was no significant difference in shear bond strength due to the light-curing time and the bond strength was clinically sufficient. 3. When the adhesive failure patterns of brackets bonded with plasma arc light were observed by using the adhesive remnant index, the bond failure of the metal and resin bracket occurred more frequently at bracket-adhesive interface but the failure of the ceramic bracket occurred more frequently at enamel-adhesive interface. 4. There was no statistically significant difference of the shear bond strength and adhesive failure pattern between metal bracket bonded for 2 seconds by curing with plasma arc light and 10 seconds by curing with visible light. 6. When metal brackets were bonded using plasma arc light, the shear bond strength decreased as the distance from the light source increased. The above results suggest that plasma arc light can be clinically useful for bonding the brackets without fear of the decrease of the shear bond strength.