• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2013

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate effects of different smoothing kernel sizes on brain tissue-masked susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) obtained from normal elderly subjects using voxel-based analyses. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy human volunteers (mean $age{\pm}SD$ = $67.8{\pm}6.09$ years, 14 females and 6 males) were studied after informed consent. A fully first-order flow-compensated three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence ran to obtain axial magnitude and phase images to generate SWI data. In addition, sagittal 3D T1-weighted images were acquired with the magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echo sequence for brain tissue segmentation and imaging registration. Both paramagnetically (PSWI) and diamagnetically (NSWI) phase-masked SWI data were obtained with masking out non-brain tissues. Finally, both tissue-masked PSWI and NSWI data were smoothed using different smoothing kernel sizes that were isotropic 0, 2, 4, and 8 mm Gaussian kernels. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using a paired t-test between PSWI and NSWI for each smoothing kernel size. Results: The significance of comparisons increased with increasing smoothing kernel sizes. Signals from NSWI were greater than those from PSWI. The smoothing kernel size of four was optimal to use voxel-based comparisons. The bilaterally different areas were found on multiple brain regions. Conclusion: The paramagnetic (positive) phase mask led to reduce signals from high susceptibility areas. To minimize partial volume effects and contributions of large vessels, the voxel-based analysis on SWI with masked non-brain components should be utilized.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.54-67
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• 1991

In geological media with anisotropic properties, the strength anisotropy in intact rock is the most important issue in engineering aspects. Point-ioad(P/L) strength test designed to estimate the uniaxial compressive strength(${\sigma}_c$) can be used to evaluate the anisotropic strength characteristics of rocks. The relationship between ${\sigma}_c$ and P/L strength indices(I$_s$), obtained from the banded gneisses distributed in the Cheongyang area, varies depend mainly on the dip angle($\beta$) of foliation. The axial P/L strength indicies(I$_{sa}$) decreases with the increment of $\beta$, whereas diametral P/L strength indices(I$_{sa}$) increase with it. However, the ${\sigma}_c$ decreases with the increments of $\beta$ below about 40$^{\circ}$, but it increases with the increments of $\beta$ over about 40$^{\circ}$ in general. The correlation between ${\sigma}_c$ and I$_s$ suggests that ${\sigma}_c$ is related to the Isa withing low angle($\beta$<40$^{\circ}$) and the I$_{sd}$ within high angle ($\beta$>40$^{\circ}$), respectively. The ratios of I$_s$ to ${\sigma}_c$ are obtained as 11 to 14 in the the gneisses in the study area. The ratio of 24, which is generally adopted value, cannot always be truthworth to the gneisses in the study area. The ratio for the dykes, however, show a good correlation as 21 to 24.5 and, the value of 24 can be used for a homogeneous and isotropic materials such as dykes.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.815-826
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• 1994

Skew bridges are found frequently in new bridge construction due to geographical conditions when new constructing bridges are put across the existing highways, railroads or rivers. This study is to investigate the static behaviors of the steel deck plates of skew bridges which are increasingly used in bridges due to outstanding quality of structural steels, development of welding techniques, in order to reduce dead loads and period of constructions. The static behaviours of steel deck plates are analyzed using general purpose FE code SAP90 by modeling the skewed deck plates with rigorous finite elements, as the skew angles vary. The results of finite element analysis for the behaviors of steel deck plates and concrete slabs in acute, obtuse corners and center of decks are compared and discussed as the skew angles vary from $90^{\circ}$ to $30^{\circ}$. Two types of decks are treated, as isotropic plates and orthotropic plates, respectively. From the results of finite element analysis, it is found that more moments, reactions, and deflections occur at the obtuse corners than at the center of skewed decks regardless of isotropy or orthotropy. Especially, in case of the skewed deck plates with skew angles less than 45 degrees, significantly large discrepancies for the values of those internal forces are shown between the skewed and right deck plates. This study estimates the characteristics of deck behaviors according to skew angles, and proposes limitations of skew angles and the ciritical regions of decks.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 1977

The effects of extracellular calcium concentrations and several concentration of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, norepinephrine, ouabain on the force of isometric contraction of isolated atrial preparations obtained from rabbits were determined at $11{\sim}14$ different frequencies of contraction. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in all preparations. In most preparations, rested-state contraction was induced at the range of $120{\sim}400$ seconds stimulation interval. Over the range of intervals from 120 to 10 seconds negative inotropic effect of activation (NIEA) was predominant, so the steady-state contractile force progressively declined. At the intervals of 3 seconds, changes in the cumulated negative and positive isotropic effect of activation (PIEA) practically cancelled each other under steady-state conditions. At the interval from 3 seconds to 0.25 seconds, the additional cumulation of PIEA was greater than that of the NIEA. When the intervals between contractions were shorter than 0.25 seconds, the cumulation of the NIEA was again predominant. The positive inotropic effect of cardiac glycoside resulted at least in large part from increase in the rested-state contraction. No significant effect on the PIEA was found. The decay of the NIEA was apparently greatly accelerated in the presence of high concentration of ouabain, but this may also be a reflection of their action on the state determining the strength of the rested-state contraction. In the case of extracellular calcium concentration increment, the similar results with the ouabain treatment were obtained. Norepinephrine produced more powerful inotropic effect at shorter stimulation interval than long. The rested-state contraction and the decay of the NIEA were not significantly altered in the presence of norepinephrine, but cumulated PIEA and the amount of PIEA produced by each contraction were significantly increased. Aconiti tuber butanol fraction showed similar results with that of norepinephrine. The increment of contractile force at various contraction frequency were dose-responsive in the presence of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction. It is suggested that the positive inotropic effect of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction at various contraction frequency may be due to increase of the cumulation of PIEA and the amount of PIEA produced by each beat.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2008

Statement of problem: Over the past two decades, implant supported fixed prosthesis have been widely used. However, there are few studies conducted systematically and intensively on the splinting effect of implant systems in mandible. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in stress distributions in the mandibular implants with splinting or non-splinting crowns by performing finite element analysis. Materials and methods: Cortical and cancellous bone were modeled as homogeneous, transversely isotropic, linearly elastic. Perfect bonding was assumed at all interfaces. Implant models were classified as follows. Group 1: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 2: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type Group 3: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 4: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type An load of 100N was applied vertically and horizontally. Stress levels were calculated using von Mises stresses values. Results: 1. The stress distribution and maximum von Mises stress of two-length implants (8.5mm, 13mm) was similar. 2. The stress of vertical load concentrated on mesial side of implant while the stress of horizontal load was distributed on both side of implant. 3. Stress of internal connection type was spreading through abutment screw but the stress of external connection type was concentrated on cortical bone level. 4. Degree of stress reduction was higher in the external connection type than in the internal connection type.