• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9731-9737
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• 2014

Large scale secular registry or surveillance systems have been accumulating vast data that allow mathematical modeling of cancer incidence and mortality rates. Most contemporary models in this regard use time series and APC (age-period-cohort) methods and focus primarily on predicting or analyzing cancer epidemiology with little attention being paid to implications for designing cancer registry, surveillance or evaluation initiatives. This research models age-specific cancer incidence rates using logistic growth equations and explores their performance under different scenarios of data completeness in the hope of deriving clues for reshaping relevant data collection. The study used China Cancer Registry Report 2012 as the data source. It employed 3-parameter logistic growth equations and modeled the age-specific incidence rates of all and the top 10 cancers presented in the registry report. The study performed 3 types of modeling, namely full age-span by fitting, multiple 5-year-segment fitting and single-segment fitting. Measurement of model performance adopted adjusted goodness of fit that combines sum of squred residuals and relative errors. Both model simulation and performance evalation utilized self-developed algorithms programed using C# languade and MS Visual Studio 2008. For models built upon full age-span data, predicted age-specific cancer incidence rates fitted very well with observed values for most (except cervical and breast) cancers with estimated goodness of fit (Rs) being over 0.96. When a given cancer is concerned, the R valuae of the logistic growth model derived using observed data from urban residents was greater than or at least equal to that of the same model built on data from rural people. For models based on multiple-5-year-segment data, the Rs remained fairly high (over 0.89) until 3-fourths of the data segments were excluded. For models using a fixed length single-segment of observed data, the older the age covered by the corresponding data segment, the higher the resulting Rs. Logistic growth models describe age-specific incidence rates perfectly for most cancers and may be used to inform data collection for purposes of monitoring and analyzing cancer epidemic. Helped by appropriate logistic growth equations, the work vomume of contemporary data collection, e.g., cancer registry and surveilance systems, may be reduced substantially.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of bone cement-augmented short segment fixation using percutaneous screws for thoracolumbar burst fractures in a background of severe osteoporosis. Methods : Sixteen patients with a single-level thoracolumbar burst fracture (T11-L2) accompanying severe osteoporosis treated from January 2008 to November 2009 were prospectively analyzed. Surgical procedures included postural reduction for 3 days and bone cement augmented percutaneous screw fixation at the fracture level and at adjacent levels without bone fusion. Due to the possibility of implant failure, patients underwent implant removal 12 months after screw fixation. Imaging and clinical findings, including involved vertebral levels, local kyphosis, canal encroachment, and complications were analyzed. Results : Prior to surgery, mean pain score (visual analogue scale) was 8.2 and this decreased to a mean of 2.2 at 12 months after screw fixation. None of the patients complained of pain worsening during the 6 months following implant removal. The percentage of canal compromise at the fractured level improved from a mean of 41.0% to 18.4% at 12 months after surgery. Mean kyphotic angle was improved significantly from $19.8^{\circ}$ before surgery to 7.8 at 12 months after screw fixation. Canal compromise and kyphotic angle improvements were maintained at 6 months after implant removal. No significant neurological deterioration or complications occurred after screw removal in any patient. Conclusion : Bone cement augmented short segment fixation using a percutaneous system can be an alternative to the traditional open technique for the management of selected thoracolumbar burst fractures accompanied by severe osteoporosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2009

Objective : To characterize perioperative biomechanical changes after thoracic spine surgery. Methods : Fifty-eight patients underwent spinal instrumented fusions and simple laminectomies on the thoracolumbar spine from April 2003 to October 2008. Patients were allocated to three groups; namely, the laminectomy without fusion group (group I, n = 17), the thoracolumbar fusion group (group II, n = 27), and the thoracic spine fusion group (group III, n = 14). Sagittal (ADS) and coronal (ADC) angles for adjacent segments were measured from two disc spaces above lesions at the upper margins, to two disc spaces below lesions at the lower margins. Sagittal (TLS) and coronal (TLC) angles of the thoracolumbar junction were measured from the lower margin of the 11th thoracic vertebra body to the upper margin of the 2nd lumbar vertebra body on plane radiographs. Adjacent segment disc heights and disc signal changes were determined using simple spinal examinations and by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical outcome indices were determined using a visual analog scale. Results : The three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of angle changes by ANOVA (p<0.05). All angles in group I showed significantly smaller angles changes than in groups II and III by Turkey's multiple comparison analysis. Coronal Cobb's angles of the thoracolumbar spine (TLC) were not significantly different in the three groups. Conclusion : Postoperative sagittal balance is expected to change in the adjacent and thoracolumbar areas after thoracic spine fusion. However, its prevalence seems to be higher when the thoracolumbar spine is included in instrumented fusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2009

Objective : This study examined the change of range of motion (ROM) at the segments within the dynamic posterior stabilization, segments above and below the system, the clinical course and analyzed the factors influencing them. Methods : This study included a consecutive 27 patients who underwent one-level to three-level dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at our institute. All of these patients with degenerative disc disease underwent decompressive laminectomy with/without discectomy and dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at the laminectomy level without fusion. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, whole lumbar lordosis (from L1 to S1), ROMs from preoperative, immediate postoperative, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 months at whole lumbar (from L1 to S1), each instrumented levels, and one segment above and below this instrumentation were evaluated. Results : VAS scores for leg and back pain decreased significantly throughout the whole study period. Whole lumbar lordosis remained within preoperative range, ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented levels showed a significant decrease. ROM of one level upper and lower to the instrumentation increased, but statistically invalid. There were also 5 cases of complications related with the fixation system. Conclusion : Bioflex posterior dynamic stabilization system supports operation-induced unstable, destroyed segments and assists in physiological motion and stabilization at the instrumented level, decrease back and leg pain, maintain preoperative lumbar lordotic angle and reduce ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented segments. Prevention of adjacent segment degeneration and complication rates are something to be reconsidered through longer follow up period.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Kaltenborn-Evjenth concept of nerve mobilization combined with intermittent cervical segment traction (ICST) on pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, range of motion (ROM) and endurance in persons with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty subjects participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups. The ICST group (n=15) was performed simultaneously with nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the segment with cervical pain at the same time. The intermittent cervical total traction (ICTT) group (n=15) performed nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the whole cervical area at the same time. In this study, outcome measures such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), NDI, ROM, endurance (cranio-cervical flexion test), and passive intervertebral motion performed before and 4 weeks after the experiment were compared to investigate the effects of each intervention. Results: In both groups, there were significant differences in the VAS, NDI scores, and endurance, and there were significant differences between the two groups except for endurance (p<0.05). In the ICST group, significant differences were found in all ROM, and in the ICTT group, significant differences were found in only extension, and there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The ICST group showed more improvement than the ICTT group in pain, NDI scores and ROM. Moreover, our findings show that the ICST could be used as a new strategy for manual therapy in persons with CR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the immediate effects of thoracic mobilization according to segment on disabling low-back pain and the range of motion in patients with chronic low-back pain. METHODS: The participants were divided randomly into two groups: a group (N=12) with pain and disability between the 5th and 9th thoracic vertebrae (T5-T9) and a group (N=12) with pain and disability between the 10th and 12th thoracic vertebrae (T10-T12). The same experiment was conducted in both groups: 10 minutes of thoracic mobilization and 10 minutes of functional massage. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion measurements were applied to the participants in both groups. All participants were measured again immediately after the program was completed. RESULTS: In both groups, the VAS and range of motion measurements showed statistically significant improvement after the experiment (p<.05). No statistically significant difference was revealed between the two groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed positive and immediate effects of thoracic mobilization of patients with chronic low-back pain. But, no significant difference in the thoracic mobilization by segment between the two groups. Based on these results, thoracic mobilization could help to improve pain control and functional activity in patients with chronic low-back pain.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.715-728
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• 2022

A new type of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) with a longitudinally profiled steel plate working as the core (LPBRB) is proposed and experimentally investigated. Different from conventional BRBs with a constant thickness core, both stiffness and strength of the longitudinally profiled steel core along its longitudinal direction can change through itself variable thickness, thus the construction of LPBRB saves material and reduces the processing cost. Four full-scale component tests were conducted under quasi-static cyclic loading to evaluate the seismic performance of LPBRB. Three stiffening methods were used to improve the fatigue performance of LPBRBs, which were bolt-assembled T-shaped stiffening ribs, partly-welded stiffening ribs and stiffening segment without rib. The experimental results showed LPBRB specimens displayed stable hysteretic behavior and satisfactory seismic property. There was no instability or rupture until the axial ductility ratio achieved 11.0. Failure modes included the out-of-plane buckling of the stiffening part outside the restraining member and core plate fatigue fracture around the longitudinally profiled segment. The effect of the stiffening methods on the fatigue performance is discussed. The critical buckling load of longitudinally profiled segment is derived using Euler theory. The local bulging behavior of the outer steel tube is analyzed with an equivalent beam model. The design recommendations for LPBRB are presented finally.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2023

Steel bolted joint is an important part of steel structure, and its damage directly affects the bearing capacity and durability of steel structure. Currently, the existing research mainly focuses on the identification of corroded bolts and corroded bolts respectively, and there are few studies on multiple states. A detection framework of corroded and loosened bolts is proposed in this study, and the innovations can be summarized as follows: (i) Vision Transformer (ViT) is introduced to replace the third and fourth C3 module of you-only-look-once version 5s (YOLOv5s) algorithm, which increases the attention weights of feature channels and the feature extraction capability. (ii) Three states of the steel bolts are considered, including corroded bolt, bolt missing and clean bolt. (iii) Line segment detector (LSD) is introduced for bolt rotation angle calculation, which realizes bolt looseness detection. The improved YOLOv5s model was validated on the dataset, and the mean average precision (mAP) was increased from 0.902 to 0.952. In terms of a lab-scale joint, the performance of the LSD algorithm and the Hough transform was compared from different perspective angles. The error value of bolt loosening angle of the LSD algorithm is controlled within 1.09%, less than 8.91% of the Hough transform. Furthermore, the proposed framework was applied to fullscale joints of a steel bridge in China. Synthetic images of loosened bolts were successfully identified and the multiple states were well detected. Therefore, the proposed framework can be alternative of monitoring steel bolted joints for management department.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2018

The prestressed concrete (PSC) technology that was first developed by Freyssinet has significantly improved over the past century in terms of materials and structural design in order to build longer, slender, and more economic structures. The application of prestressing method in structures, which is determined by the pre-tension or post-tension processes, is also affected by the surrounding conditions such as the construction site, workforce skills, and local transportation regulations. This study proposes a prestressed concrete girder design based on a hybrid segment concept. The adopted approach combines both pre-tension and post-tension methods along a simple span bridge girder. The girder was designed using newly developed 2400 MPa PS strands and 60 MPa high-strength concrete. The new concept and high strength materials allowed longer span, lower girder depth, less materials, and slender design without affecting the lateral stability of the girder. In order to validate the applicability of the proposed hybrid prestressed segments girder, a full-scale 35 m girder was fabricated, and experimental tests were performed under various fatigue and static loading conditions. The experimental results confirmed the feasibility of the proposed long-span girder as its performance meets the railway girder standards. In addition, the comparison between the measured load-displacement curve and the simulation results indicate that simulation analysis can predict the behavior of hybrid segments girders.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1011-1015
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• 2010

하천의 이용과 관리적 측면에서 가장 빈번하게 발생하는 하도의 직선화, 홍수량의 변화, 하상굴착, 하폭의 확대 축소 및 횡단구조물 등은 중규모 스케일의 하천지형을 인위적으로 교란시키는 대표적인 사례이다. 따라서, 이러한 인위적 교란은 하천생태계의 기반인 하천의 물리적 구조를 크게 변화시키므로 하도지형의 응답방향을 규명할 필요가 있다. 하천 유역의 지형은 여러 가지 스케일의 지형단위가 조직화되어 있는 것이므로 대(大) 중(中) 소(小)의 3가지 스케일 지형단위로서 계(系, system)를 계층화하고, 작은 계층의 계(系)에서는 큰 계층의 계(系)를 고정적인 경계조건으로 하여, 그 내부의 여러 가지 특징이나 변화를 규정하는 주요 인자를 이용하여 분석해야 한다. 또한 대(大) 스케일은 유역스케일의 지형스케일이며, 하도의 수계망이나 하도종단형 형상 등이다. 중(中) 스케일은 segment에서 reach 스케일의 지형이며 사행형상, 하천 폭 등이다. 소(小)스케일은 수심의 10배 정도이하의 지형스케일이며, 소규모 하상파 등의 미지형(微地形)이다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 남강과 황강을 대상하천으로 유량 조절과 유사공급이 차단되는 댐하류 및 골재채취와 같은 인위적 교란요인에 의한 중규모(segment scale) 하도지형의 변화와 응답방향을 조사, 분석하였다. 연구결과 유량 및 유사공급량의 변동의 크기에 따라 전체적인 하상저하와 더불어 사주와 소가 소멸되면서 여울과 소가 사라지는 현상이 동조하는 것으로 분석되었으며, 하상의 평탄화에 의하여 저수로의 폭이 넓어져 복열사주가 발달하면서 수심 및 유속의 다양성이 감소되는 것으로 분석되었다.