• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.86 no.5
• /
• pp.647-661
• /
• 2023

It is recognized that the installation of energy dissipation devices, such as the tuned mass damper (TMD), decreases the dynamic response of structures, however, the best parameters of each device persist hard to determine. Unlike many works that perform only a deterministic optimization, this work proposes a complete methodology to minimize the dynamic response of footbridges by optimizing the parameters of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) taking into account uncertainties present in the parameters of the structure and also of the human excitation. For application purposes, a steel footbridge, based on a real structure, is studied. Three different scenarios for the MTMD are simulated. The proposed robust optimization problem is solved via the Circle-Inspired Optimization Algorithm (CIOA), a novel and efficient metaheuristic algorithm recently developed by the authors. The objective function is to minimize the mean maximum vertical displacement of the footbridge, whereas the design variables are the stiffness and damping constants of the MTMD. The results showed the excellent capacity of the proposed methodology, reducing the mean maximum vertical displacement by more than 36% and in a computational time about 9% less than using a classical genetic algorithm. The results obtained by the proposed methodology are also compared with results obtained through traditional TMD design methods, showing again the best performance of the proposed optimization method. Finally, an analysis of the maximum vertical acceleration showed a reduction of more than 91% for the three scenarios, leading the footbridge to acceleration values below the recommended comfort limits. Hence, the proposed methodology could be employed to optimize MTMD, improving the design of footbridges.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.96-105
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are known to be insufficiently effective in all patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of MAD therapy according to OSA severity and to investigate the risk factors for the lack of response to MAD therapy. Methods: A total of 29 patients diagnosed with OSA received an adjustable two-piece MAD treatment. Sleep parameters measured with the home sleep apnea test device, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were retrospectively assessed both before and after the MAD treatment. Results: The patients were classified into three groups according to AHI severity: mild (n=16, AHI<15), moderate (n=6, 15≤AHI<30), and severe OSA (n=7, AHI≥30). MAD therapy significantly improved the sleep parameters (p<0.001 for AHI and p=0.004 for minimum SpO₂) and daytime sleepiness (p<0.001 for ESS). Furthermore, successful outcomes (reduction in AHI>50% and AHI<10 events/h) were achieved in 83.3% and 71.4% of moderate and severe OSA cases, respectively. Of 13 patients with moderate and severe OSA, 10 were classified as responders and 3 as non-responders. The non-responders had significantly lower baseline value of SpO₂ (p=0.049 for average SpO₂ and p=0.007 for minimum SpO₂) and higher baseline AHI (p=0.049) than the responders. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that MAD is effective in the majority of patients with OSA of varying severities. The success of MAD therapy does not seem to depend solely on AHI severity. In addition to AHI, minimum SpO₂ may be a prognostic measure of the efficacy of MAD treatment in clinical dental practice.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.519-526
• /
• 2023

This study was intended to evaluate the shielding rate of radiation shields manufactured using 3D printers that have recently been used in various fields by comparing them with existing shields made of lead, and to find out their applicability through experiments. A 3D printer shield made of tungsten filament 1 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm shield, RNS-TX (nanotungsten) 1.1 mm, lead 0.2 mmPb, and 1mmPb were exposed to ^99mTc, ¹⁸F, and ²⁰¹TI for 15, 30, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes after measuring cumulative dose three times. Based on this, the shielding rate of each shield was calculated based on the dose in the absence of the shield. In addition, ^99mTc, ¹⁸F, and ²⁰¹TI were located 100 cm away from the phantom in which the OSLD nano Dot device was inserted, and if there was no shield for 60 minutes, the dose of thyroid was measured using 1.0 mm of lead shield, 1.1 mm of RNS-TX shield, and 2 mm of tungsten shield made by 3D printer. The use of shields during radiation shielding emitted from open radiation sources all resulted in a reduction in dose. The radiation dose emitted from the radionuclides under the experiment was all reduced when the shield was used. This study has been confirmed that tungsten is a material that can replace lead due to its excellent performance and efficiency as shield, and that it even shows the possibility of manufacturing a customized shield using 3D printer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 2024

Purpose : This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture for each condition using information from laser acupuncture trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov from January 2013 to June 2023. Methods : We quantitatively and qualitatively analysed the results of 16 clinical trials of laser acupuncture whose research results were confirmed. A risk of bias assessment was also carried out to assess the quality of each clinical trial. Results : A meta-analysis including three clinical trials was conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of laser acupuncture and sham laser acupuncture in reducing pain and found that the laser acupuncture group had a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the sham laser acupuncture group. In addition, 11 of the 13 trials not included in the meta-analysis showed a positive effect of laser acupuncture. Conclusion : Although laser acupuncture has a long history of clinical use and a lot of research, there is still some scepticism due to the lack of a clear mechanism of action and inconsistent reports of clinical effectiveness. In addition, there is a significant lack of systematic reviews of clinical evidence for major disease specific, and ongoing research is needed to establish an objective evidence base for the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.161-171
• /
• 2024

The efficient management of pain and discomfort is essential for successful dental treatment and patient compliance. Dental professionals are commonly evaluated for their ability to perform treatment with minimal patient discomfort. Despite advancements in traditional local dental anesthesia techniques, the pain and discomfort associated with injections remain a concern. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on novel dental anesthetics and associated devices designed to alleviate pain and discomfort during dental procedures. The Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were used to prepare the review. Six databases and two sources of gray literature were searched. This review analyzed 107 sources from 1994 to 2023. Local anesthesia devices were grouped into computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) systems, intraosseous anesthesia (IOA), vibratory stimulation devices, and electronic dental anesthesia (EDA). CCLAD systems, particularly the Wand and Single-Tooth Anesthesia, have been the most researched, with mixed results regarding their effectiveness in reducing pain during needle insertion compared to traditional syringes. However, CCLAD systems often demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain during anesthetic deposition, especially during palatal injections. Limited studies on IOA devices have reported effective pain alleviation. Vibrating devices have shown inconsistent results in terms of pain reduction, with some studies suggesting their primary benefit is during needle insertion rather than during the administration phase. EDA devices are effective in reducing discomfort but have found limited applicability. These findings suggest that the CCLAD systems reduce injection pain and discomfort. However, the evidence for other devices is limited and inconsistent. The development and research of innovative technologies for reducing dental pain and anxiety provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and improved patient care in dental practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2024

The conventional degreasing process involves removing oil and contaminants at temperatures above 80℃, resulting in excessive energy consumption, increased process costs, and environmental issues. In this study, we aimed to find the optimal degreasing conditions for the pre-treatment process of electro-galvanizing cold-rolled steel sheets, conducted efficiently at room temperature without the need for a separate heating device. To achieve this, we developed a room temperature degreasing solution and a brush-type degreasing tool, aiming to reduce energy consumption and normalize the decrease in degreasing efficiency caused by temperature reduction. Alkaline degreasing solution were prepared using KOH, SiO₂, NaOH, Na₂CO₃, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, with KOH and NaOH as the main components. To enhance the degreasing performance at room temperature, we manufactured additives including sodium oleate, sodium stearate, sodium palmitate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, silicone emulsion, and EDTA-Na. Room temperature additives were added to the alkaline degreasing solution in quantities ranging from 0.1 to 20 wt.%, and the uniformity of degreasing and the adhesion of the galvanized layer were evaluated through Dyne Test, T-bending Test, OM, SEM, and EDS analyses. The results indicated that the optimal degreasing solution composition consisted of NaOH (30 g/L), Na₂CO₃ (30 g/L), SLS (6 g/L), and room temperature additives (≤1 wt%).

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2024

Recently, extensive studies have been carried out to enhance various performance aspects such as the durability, lifespan, and hardness by combining diverse materials or developing novel materials. The utilization of superhydrophobic surfaces, particularly in the automotive, textile, and medical device industries, has gained momentum to achieve improved performance and efficiency. Superhydrophobicity refers to a surface state where the contact angle when water droplets fall is above 150°, while the contact angle during sliding motion is smaller than 10°. Superhydrophobic surfaces offer the advantage of water droplets not easily sliding off, maintaining a cleaner state as the droplets leave the surface. Surface modification involves two fundamental steps to achieve superhydrophobicity: surface roughness increase and surface energy reduction. However, existing methods, such as time-consuming processes and toxic organic precursors, still face challenges. In this study, we propose a method for superhydrophobic surface modification using lasers, aiming to create roughness in micro/nanostructures, ensuring durability while improving the production time and ease of fabrication. The mechanical durability of superhydrophobic samples treated with lasers is comparatively evaluated against chemical etching samples. The experimental results demonstrate superior mechanical durability through the laser treatment. Therefore, this research provides an effective and practical approach to superhydrophobic surface modification, highlighting the utility of laser treatment.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2024

In this study, blended 6,13-Bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TP):2-Decyl-7-phenyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1] benzothiophene (BT):Poly styrene (PS) TFT at different ratios were explored for their potential application as light absorption sensors. Due to the mixing of BT, both off current reduction and on/off ratio improvement were achieved at the same time. In particular, the TP:BT:PS (1:0.25:1 w/w) sample showed excellent light absorption characteristics, which proved that it is possible to manufacture a high-performance light absorption device. Through analysis of the crystal structure and electrical properties of the various mixing ratios, it was confirmed that the TP:BT:PS (1:0.25:1 w/w) sample was optimal. The results of this study outline the expected effects of this innovation not only for the development of light absorption devices but also for the development of mixed organic semiconductor (OSC) optoelectronic systems. Through this study, the potential to create a multipurpose platform that overcomes the limitations of using a single OSC and the potential to fabricate a high-performance OSC TFT with a fine-tuned optical response were confirmed.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.270-276
• /
• 2024

In this study, we analyzed the stick slip characteristics through friction experiments on materials used in mechanical and electronic products, and propose improvements to reduce abnormal noise generated inside refrigerators. To analyze the stick slip phenomenon of the materials, we fabricated a friction testing device and conducted friction experiments. Additionally, we measured the vibration and noise levels of internal components to analyze the occurrence and location of abnormal noise inside the refrigerator. By comparing the results of the refrigerator's phenomenon analysis and friction experiment, we confirm that the abnormal noise occurring inside the refrigerator is caused by the stick slip phenomenon of internal components. Finally, to propose improvements for abnormal noise reduction, we performed friction experiments using the Taguchi method and validated the performance of the proposed improvements by applying them to refrigerators.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.166-175
• /
• 2024

In this paper, the Window-Masking Method and HAT (Hardware Attached Top) CPU SoM (System on Module) are used to improve the performance and reduce the weight of the MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network) network synchronization system using time division redundancy. We propose converting it into a RISC-V based soft-core MCU and mounting it on an FPGA, a hardware accelerator. It was also verified through experiment. In terms of performance, by applying the proposed technique, the synchronization acquisition range is from -50dBm to +10dBm to -60dBm to +10dBm, the lowest input level for synchronization is increased by 20% from -50dBm to -60dBm, and the detection delay (Latency) is 220ns. Reduced by 43% to 125ns. In terms of weight reduction, computing resources (48%), size (33%), and weight (27%) were reduced by an average of 36% by replacing with soft-core MCU.