• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.597-606
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• 2019

Damage detection based on dynamic characteristics of a structure is one of important roles in structural damage identification. It is difficult to detect local structural damage using traditional dynamic experimental methods due to a limited number of sensors used in an experiment. In this work, a non-contact test stand of fan blades is established, and a full-field noncontact test method, combined with three-dimensional digital image correlation, Bayesian operational modal analysis, and damage indices, is used to detect local damage of a fan blade under ambient excitation without use of baseline information before structural damage. The methodology is applied to detect invisible local damage on the fan blade. Such a method has a seemingly high potential as an alternative to detect local damage of blades with complex high-precision surfaces under extreme working conditions because it is a noncontact test method and can be used under ambient excitation without human participation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.5
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• pp.591-598
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• 2020

Ultrasonic waves provide a non-destructive and sensitive way to monitor the concrete hydration. However, limited works are reported to monitor the evolution of the mechanical parameter at early ages. In this study, modified piezoelectric aggregates are embedded inside a concrete beam to excite and receive primary waves. A hydration index, namely, the variation of ultrasonic waveform (VUW) is developed to characterize the variation of the transmitted waves during the hydration process. The recorded hydration indices are compared with the compressive strength measured by destructive test at different ages. The results show that the VUW is closer to the compressive strength than the other two traditional hydration indices, ultrasonic velocity and wave packet energy. The proposed VUW provides a simple and accurate way to monitor the concrete hydration at early ages.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1123-1141
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• 2016

To explore the application of traditional tuned mass dampers (TMDs) to the earthquake induced vibration control problem, a pounding tuned mass damper (PTMD) is proposed by adding a viscoelastic limitation to the traditional TMD. In the proposed PTMD, the vibration energy can be further dissipated through the impact between the attached mass and the viscoelastic layer. More energy dissipation modes can guarantee better control effectiveness under a suite of excitations. To further reduce mass ratio and enhance the implementation of the PTMD control, multiple PTMDs (MPTMD) control is then presented. After the experimental validation of the proposed improved Hertz based pounding model, the basic equations of the MPTMD controlled system are obtained. Numerical simulation is conducted on the benchmark model of the Canton Tower. The control effectiveness of the PTMD and the MPTMD is analyzed and compared under different earthquake inputs. The sensitivity and the optimization of the design parameters are also investigated. It is demonstrated that PTMDs have better control efficiency over the traditional TMDs, especially under more severe excitation. The control performance can be further improved with MPTMD control. The robustness can be enhanced while the attached mass for each PTMD can be greatly reduced. It is also demonstrated through the simulation that a non-uniformly distributed MPTMD has better control performance than the uniformly distributed one. Parameter study is carried out for both the PTMD and the MPTMD systems. Finally, the optimization of the design parameters, including mass ratio, initial gap value, and number of PTMD in the MPTMD system, is performed for control improvement.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.3_4
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• pp.363-379
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• 2013

Dynamic displacement of structures is an important index for in-service structural condition and behavior assessment, but accurate measurement of structural displacement for large-scale civil structures such as long-span bridges still remains as a challenging task. In this paper, a vision-based dynamic displacement measurement system with the use of digital image processing technology is developed, which is featured by its distinctive characteristics in non-contact, long-distance, and high-precision structural displacement measurement. The hardware of this system is mainly composed of a high-resolution industrial CCD (charge-coupled-device) digital camera and an extended-range zoom lens. Through continuously tracing and identifying a target on the structure, the structural displacement is derived through cross-correlation analysis between the predefined pattern and the captured digital images with the aid of a pattern matching algorithm. To validate the developed system, MTS tests of sinusoidal motions under different vibration frequencies and amplitudes and shaking table tests with different excitations (the El-Centro earthquake wave and a sinusoidal motion) are carried out. Additionally, in-situ verification experiments are performed to measure the mid-span vertical displacement of the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge in the operational condition and the cable-stayed Stonecutters Bridge during loading tests. The obtained results show that the developed system exhibits an excellent capability in real-time measurement of structural displacement and can serve as a good complement to the traditional sensors.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.495-509
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• 2016

Irrigation applications (IA) and increased bud load (BL) are fundamental practices that are used to achieve optimum yields in grape production, while maintaining fruit quality parameters. Two different irrigation amounts (IA-I and IA-II) based on growth stages, in addition to a non-irrigated (rain-fed) control, along with two different BL applications [normal bud load based on traditional pruning practices (1BL) and double bud load (2BL)] were evaluated over a two-year experiment for their effects on the biochemical composition of the berries. Berries from the rain-fed vines had higher sugar levels, whereas no significant change was detected in organic acid levels. The increased bud load (2BL) treatment yielded less sugar in the berries compared to the 1BL control in both years. The total non-colored phenolic compounds (NPC) were greater in the irrigated (especially IA-I) and 2BL treatments than in those of the rain-fed and 1BL control. However, total anthocyanin was greater in the non-irrigated and 1BL control than in the irrigated and 2BL treatments. The antioxidant contents of the berries also varied according to the treatments and years. Our results implied that implementing a higher bud load along with the IA-I irrigation application, in which irrigation applications were 50 and 75% of the cumulative evaporation from the Class A pan during berry set to veraison and veraison to harvest growth stages, respectively, can help in obtaining greater yields in high-plateau viticulture. Thus, if more buds are left on the vines, along with sufficient irrigation and rainfall, yield may increase while maintaining or increasing the biochemical composition of the berries.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.637-648
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• 2018

When the centers of mass and stiffness of a building do not coincide, the structure experiences torsional responses. Such systems can consist of the underlying soil and the super-structure. The underlying soil may modify the earthquake input motion and change structural responses. Specific effects of the input motion shall also not be ignored. In this study, seismic demands of asymmetric buildings considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) under near-fault ground motions are evaluated. The building is modeled as an idealized single-story structure. The soil beneath the building is modeled by non-linear finite elements in the two states of loose and dense sands both compared with the fixed-base state. The infinite boundary conditions are modelled using viscous boundary elements. The effects of traditional and yield displacement-based (YDB) approaches of strength and stiffness distributions are considered on seismic demands. In the YDB approach, the stiffness considered in seismic design depends on the strength. The results show that the decrease in the base shear considering soft soil induced SSI when the YDB approach is assumed results only in the center of rigidity to control torsional responses. However, for fixed-base structures and those on dense soils both centers of strength and rigidity are controlling.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2010

Purpose: Blepharoplasty plays a vital role in facial rejuvenation. Aging eyelids are the result of relaxation of lid structures as the skin, the orbicularis muscle, and mainly the septum, with subsequent protrusion or pseudoherniation of intraorbital fat contents. Traditional blepharoplasty has often involved the excision of excessive lax skin and muscle and removal of fat, leaving the eyelid unnatural and even causing the brow ptosis. The authors propose the septal approach through which the amount of skin excision can be decreased and solid fixation can be achieved in the upper blepharoplasty. Methods: From November 2007 to February 2010, total of 15 patients underwent upper blepharoplasty with septal approach. In 9 patients, orbital septum anchored into the orbital periosteum only. But in 6 patients, the attenuated septum was strengthened through shortening and fixing into orbital periosteum with non-absorbable suture. Results: Pleasing results were obtained from most of the patients. But one patient who had septum anchoring procedure complained of slight undercorrection, therefore secondary operation with septum shortening procedure was followed. Conclusion: We found that the method using orbital septum fixation into orbital periosteum has several advantages: less amount of skin excision, less recurrence rate, and more natural appearance. And the results were reliable and satisfactory.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1357-1368
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• 2018

In this paper, a novel high gain bidirectional modular dc-dc converter (BMC) with unipolar and bipolar structures for dc network interconnections is proposed. When compared with traditional dc grid-connecting converters, the proposed converter can achieve a high voltage gain with a simple modular transformerless structure. A sub-modular structure for the BMC is proposed to eliminate the unbalanced current stress between the different power units (levels) in the BMC. This can realize current sharing and standardized production and assembling. In addition, phase-interval operation is introduced to the sub-modules to realize low voltage and current ripple in both sides of the converter. Furthermore, two types of bipolar topologies of the sub-modular BMC were proposed to extend its application in bipolar dc network connections. In addition, the control system was optimized for grid-connection applications by providing various control strategies. Finally, simulations of a 3-level unipolar sub-modular BMC and a 4-level bipolar sub-modular BMC were conducted, and a 1-kW experimental 3-level unipolar prototype was developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2017

The use of advanced fibre composite materials in bridge engineering offers alternative solutions to structural problems compared to traditional construction materials. Advanced composite or fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials have high strength to weight ratios, which can be especially beneficial where dead load or material handling considerations govern a design. However, the reduced weight and stiffness of FRP footbridges results in generally poorer dynamic performance, and vibration serviceability is likely to govern their design to avoid the footbridge being "too lively". This study investigates the dynamic behaviour of the 51.3 m span Wilcott FRP suspension footbridge. The assessment is performed through a combination of field testing and finite element analysis, and the measured performance of the bridge is being used to calibrate the model through an updating procedure. The resulting updated model allowed detailed interpretation of the results. It showed that non-structural members such as the parapets can influence the dynamic behaviour of slender, lightweight footbridges, and consequently their contribution must be included during the dynamic assessment of a structure. The test data showed that the FRP footbridge is prone to pedestrian induced vibrations, although the measured response levels were lower than limits specified in relevant standards.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2004

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention has been widely used for treatment for many functional disorders, such as substances abuse and mental dysfunction. In general, acupuncture is known to be simple, economic; painless, non-traumatic, and without untoward reaction, being able to inhibit the abstinence syndrome. Although a number of studies on acupuncture have been reported, a few studies described acupuncture effect on drug addiction. Evidences suggest that substances abuses including nicotine, cocaine and alcohol are in part related to its effects on dopamine neurons in the reward pathways of the brain. The effects of acupuncture on drug addiction may be mediated through the neuronal cells within the limbic structures, which are known to be involved in rewarding properties of drug abuse. This essay reviews clinical and experimental evidences for its effectiveness on the drug addiction, and discusses a plausible explanation for the mechanism of acupuncture on substances abuse.