• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2647-2650
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• 2014

Background: Colorectal cancers(CRC) are the third most common cancer in the western world, with surgery preferred for management of non-metastatic disease and post surgical treatment usually arranged according to the TNM staging system. However, there is still prognostic variation between patients who have the same stage. It is increasingly recognized that variations within disease course and clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients are influenced by not only oncological characteristics of the tumor itself but also host response factors. Recent studies have shown correlation between the inflammatory response and clinical outcomes in various cancers. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been described as a marker for immune response to various stimuli including cancer. Material-Methods: Two hundred eighty-one CRC patients were included in our retrospective analysis, separated into two groups according to a cut-off value for the NLR. Patient data including age, gender, vertical penetration, anatomic location, and differentiation of the tumor, TNM stage, survival rate, and disease-free survival were analyzed for correlations with the NLR. Results: Using ROC curve analysis, we determined a cut-off value of 2.2 for NLR to be best to discriminate between patient survival in the whole group. In univariate analysis, high pretreatment NLR (p=0.001, 95%CI 1.483-4.846), pathologic nodal stage (p<0.001, 95%CI 1.082-3.289) and advanced pathologic TNM stage (p<0.001, 95%CI 1.462-4.213) were predictive of shorter survival. In multivariate analysis, advanced pathologic TNM stage (p=0.001, 95%CI 1.303-26.542) and high pretreatment NLR (p=0.005, 95%CI 1.713-6.378) remained independently associated with poor survival. Conclusions: High pre-treatment NLR is a significant independent predictor of shorter survival in patients with colorectal cancer. This parameter is a simple, easily accessible laboratory value for identifying patients with poorer prognosis.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2013

In this study we proposed a simplified finite element model of anchor bolt system inserted through concrete structures considering clamping forces. The three different finite element types using LS-DYNA are applied for numerical efficiency of the anchor bolt modeling. Combined beam and solid elements are used to reflect the tension state at internal part of anchor bolt due to torques. The clamping forces due to torques are considered by introducing a compression for a nut plane modeled by beam elements. The numerical examples show good agreement with different element types. Parametric studies are focused on the various effects of different element types on the induced axial and shear forces of anchor bolts considering clamping forces.

• KIEE International Transaction on Electrical Machinery and Energy Conversion Systems
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• v.3B no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2003

This paper presents the digital computer performance evaluations of the three-phase self-excited induction generator (SEIG) driven by the variable speed prime mover such as the wind turbine using the nodal admittance approach steady-state frequency domain analysis with the experimental results. The three-phase SEIG setup is implemented for small-scale rural renewable energy utilizations. The experimental performance results give a good agreement with those ones obtained from the digital computer simulation. Furthermore, a feedback closed-loop voltage regulation of the three-phase SEIG as a power conditioner which is driven by a variable speed prime mover employing the static VAR compensator (SVC) circuit composed of the thyristor phase controlled reactor (TCR) and the thyristor switched capacitor(TSC) is designed and considered herein for the wind-turbine driven the power conditioner. To validate the effectiveness of the SVC-based voltage regulator of the terminal voltage of the three-phase SEIG, an inductive load parameter disturbances in stand-alone are applied and characterized in this paper. In the stand-alone power utilization system, the terminal voltage response and thyristor triggering angle response of the TCR are plotted graphically. The simulation and the experimental results prove the effectiveness and validity of the proposed SVC which is controlled by the Pl controller in terms of fast response and high performances of the three-phase SEIG driven directly by the rural renewable energy utilization like a variable-speed prime mover.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 1986

The stiffness matrix of circularly curved frame elements including the warping effects is formulated by the solutions of vlasov's differential equations, and the procedure for the elastic static analysis of curved girder systems by the displacement method is presented. The validity of this method has been demonstrated by comparing the analysis results with other solutions. And if the tangential lines of the two frame element axes connected at any nodal point coincide, the transformation to the global coordinate system can be omitted when we analyze the structures consisting of circularly curved elements. The theory introduced in this thesis can be applied with sufficient accuracy to the structures built up with horizontally circular curved frame elements which have closed or open cross sections and are symmetric to the axis perpendicular to the plane of the curvature, such as prestressed concrete box girder bridges.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1997

A dynamic mathematical model of a thermal power plant with a single drum-type boiler is described with the base on modular concept. The present process model, which is including full scope of the components and high load changes, is based on physical approach through lumped parameters. The module, which means a component of the power plant and must essentially depict the characteristics of the component well, might be interconnected using pressure nodal method in a arrangement determined by users. With the results of the load changes of 75 MW to 95 MW and 95MW to 75 MW with the rate of 3 MW/min, the applicability of the process model is examined connecting to DCS(Dispersion Control System), which has a real running logic of 100 MW real power plant.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2009

Developmental anomalies in the plumule meristem of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) somatic embryos resulted in poor shoot differentiation and reduced plant recovery. Existing meristems with caulogenic potential have never been tested for embryogenesis in peanut. The present experiment was designed to test the mature zygotic embryo axis derived plumule with three meristems for somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic masses and embryos developed from the caulogenic meristems in the axils. Exposure of 2 weeks in primary medium with $90.5{\mu}M$ 2,4-D suppressed the shoot tip differentiation temporarily which then regained the ability to form the shoot on withdrawal of 2,4-D. Exposure of 4 weeks in primary medium with $90.5{\mu}M$ 2,4-D suppressed the shoot tip differentiation irreversibly. No shoot formation was noted from the tips in any of the cultures which were in secondary medium with $13.6{\mu}M$ 2,4-D. Development of somatic embryos directly from axillary meristems was confirmed histologically. Conversion frequency of these embryos was 11%. Thus, in this report, we describe a method to obtain somatic embryos from the determined organogenic buds of the axillary meristem, by culturing the nodal explant vertically on embryo induction medium. It also displays the possibility of obtaining both embryogenic and organogenic potential in two parts of the same explant simultaneously. The possibility of extending this approach for genetic transformation in in vivo system through direct DNA delivery or Agrobacterium injection in meristems can also be explored. Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes, we have demonstrated the possibility of gene transfer in the axillary meristems of seed-derived plumule explant.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.903-909
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• 1999

Background: The current study was undertaken to investigate the results of a modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure devised by the authors. The aim of the technical modification was in improving the left atrial contractility. Material and Method: Between July 1997 and December 1998, 34 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year duration underwent a modified Maze III procedure. The assessment of the left atrial function was made by various echocardiographic measurements and SA nodal recovery was evaluated by HRV Holter monitoring. Result: All 34 patients were in sinus rhythm. On echocardiography, right atrial contraction was detected in 32 patients(94.1%) and left atrial contraction in 33 patients(97.1%). The echocardiographic A wave at 1, 6, and 12 months or more were 50.5$\pm$31.5, 62.1$\pm$25.1, 66$\pm$20.6 cm/sec, respectively, and the E wave measurements at the same time points were 152$\pm$31.1, 134.4$\pm$35.2, 133$\pm$27.5 cm/sec. The corresponding A/E ratios were 0.32$\pm$0.13, 0.48$\pm$0.18, 0.5$\pm$0.15, showing a rising trend. Treadmill evaluation at 6 months showed a mean 82% increase in heart rate after excising, and the SDNN and SDANN upon HRV Holter at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were 65.3$\pm$28.1/87.8$\pm$27.2 ms, and 60.0$\pm$24.1/83.4$\pm$25.7 ms, respectively, showing a predoinant autonomic recovery in the parasympathetic system(PSDNN = 0.01, PSDANN =0.015). Conclusion: The results of our data suggest that the current modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure was efective in enhancing the postoperative left atrial contractility.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.557-568
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• 2002

For the evaluation of the capability of a tubular member of an offshore structure to absorb the collision energy, a simple method can be employed for the collision analysis without performing the detailed analysis. The most common simple method is the rigid-plastic method. However, in this method any characteristics for horizontal movement and rotation at the ends of the corresponding tubular member are not included. In a real structural system of an offshore structure, tubular members sustain a certain degree of elastic support from the adjacent structure. End fixity has influences in the behaviors of a tubular member. Three-dimensional FEM analysis can include the effect of end fixity fully, however in viewpoints of the inherent computational complexities of the 3-D approach, this is not the recommendable analysis at the initial design stage. In this paper, influence of end fixity on the behaviors of a tubular member is investigated, through a new approach and other approaches. A new analysis approach that includes the flexibility of the boundary points of the member is developed here. The flexibility at the ends of a tubular element is extracted using the rational reduction of the modeling characteristics. The property reduction is based on the static condensation of the related global stiffness matrix of a model to end nodal points of the tubular element. The load-displacement relation at the collision point of the tubular member with and without the end flexibility is obtained and compared. The new method lies between the rigid-plastic method and the 3-demensional analysis. It is self-evident that the rigid-plastic method gives high strengthening membrane effect of the member during global deformation, resulting in a steeper slope than the present method. On the while, full 3-D analysis gives less strengthening membrane effect on the member, resulting in a slow going load-displacement curve. Comparison of the load-displacement curves by the new approach with those by conventional methods gives the figures of the influence of end fixity on post-yielding behaviors of the relevant tubular member. One of the main contributions of this investigation is the development of an analytical rational procedure to figure out the post-yielding behaviors of a tubular member in offshore structures.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.655-669
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• 1995

Restorative procedures can lead to weakening tooth due to reduction and alteration of tooth structure. It is essential to prevent fractures to conserve tooth. Among the several parameters in cavity designs, cavity isthmus is very important. In this study, amalgam 0 cavity was prepared on maxillary first premolar. Two dimensional finite element models were made by serial photographic method and isthmus(1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 of intercuspal distance) were varied. Three or four-nodal mesh were used for the two dimensional finite element models. The periodontal ligament and alveolar bone surrounding the tooth were excluded in these models. 1S model was sound tooth with no amalgam cavity. B model was assumed perfect bonding between the restoration and cavity wall. Both compressive and tensile forces were distributed directly to the adjacent regions. A load of 500N was applied vertically at the first node from the lingual slope of the buccal cusp tip. This study analysed von Mises stress, 1 and 2 directional normal stress and Y and Z axis translation with FEM software Super SAPII Version 5.2 (Algor Interactive System Co.) and hardware 486 DX2 PC. The results were as :follows : 1. 1S model was slightly different with 1B model in stress distibution. 1S, 2B, 3B, 4B models showed similiar stress distribution. 2. 1S model and four B models showed similiar pattern in Y axis and Z axis translation. 3. 1S model and four B models showed the bending phenomenon in the translation. 4. As increasing of the width of the cavity, experimental group was similiar with the control group in stress distribution. 5. As increasing of the width of the cavity, experimental group was similiar with the control group in Y and Z axis tranlation.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle activity and muscle strength according to verbal command volume during isokinetic and isometric quadricep exercises. Methods: To measure muscle activity and muscle strength, surface electrodes were attached to the participants, as they sat on a Biodex chair. The isometric exercise was performed three times, with maximum exercise at $30^{\circ}$ bending angle, based on a maximum extension state of the knee at $0^{\circ}$. The average holding time was unified to three seconds. In addition, the isokinetic exercise was performed three times, at $60^{\circ}/sec$. The verbal command ranged between 0∾60 dB and 0∾75 dB. Muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (4D-MT, Relive, Gimhae, Korea). The Biodex System 4 was used to measure the isometric and isokinetic strength of the nodal line, and 4D-MT was used to measure muscle activity. Results: There were significant improvements in the maximal and relative muscle strengths, when the 0∾ 60 dB and 0∾75 dB verbal commands were applied with isokinetic extension/flexion (p<.05). The isokinetic exercise (0∾75 dB) group showed a significant difference in the vastus medialis oblique muscle activity change (p<.05), while the isometric exercise (0∾75 dB) group showed a significant difference in the rectus femoris muscle activity change (p<.05). Conclusions: Our results reveal that verbal commands effectively improve muscle activity and muscle strength during isokinetic and isometric quadricep exercises.