• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.319-324
• /
• 2001

Objectives : The percutaneous vertebroplasty provides a good result in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. But, the epidural leakage of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) after vertebroplasty may decrease the therapeutic effects because of the compression of thecal sac and/or nerve roots. The authors carried out a prospective study to evaluate the causative factors of epidural leakage of PMMA and to assess the influence on the outcome. Methods : This study involved 347 vertebral levels of compression fractures in 159 patients. Among these, the epidural leakages were identified in 92 vertebral levels(26.5%) in 64 patients(40.3%) on post-operative CT scan. Results : The incidence of epidural leakage of PMMA was significantly higher in the level above T7(p=0.001). The large amount of the injected PMMA and the use of an injector also increased the incidence(p=0.03 and p=0.045, respectively). The position of the needle tip in the vertebral body and the pattern of venous drainage did not influence. The immediate post-operative visual analogue scale(VAS) scores and facial scales(FS) were higher in the patients with epidural leakage(p=0.009). But there were no significant differences between the two groups after three months of operation(p=0.541). Conclusions : The incidence of epidural leakage of PMMA after percutaneous vertebroplasty appears to have relationship with the amount of PMMA and the levels injected. The epidural leakage of PMMA reduced the immediate therapeutic effects of vertebroplasty, but did not influence the late outcome. However, the epidural leakage should be avoided because of its potential neurological complications.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.1655-1666
• /
• 2003

It is experimentally well-known that high anisotropies of the turbulent flow field are dominant inside the tip leakage vortex, which is attributable to a substantial proportion of the total loss and constitutes one of the dominant mechanisms of the noise generation. This anisotropic nature of turbulence invalidates the use of the conventional isotropic eddy viscosity turbulence models based on the Boussinesq assumption. In this study, to check whether an anisotropic turbulence model is superior to the isotropic ones or not, the results obtained from the steady-state Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations based on the RNG k-$\varepsilon$ model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) are compared with experimental data for two test cases: a linear compressor cascade and a forward-swept axial-flow fan. Through this comparative study of turbulence models, it is clearly shown that the RSM, which can express the production term and body-force term induced by system rotation without introducing any modeling, should be used to predict quantitatively the complex tip leakage flow, especially in the rotating environment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.339-345
• /
• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and the risk factors of newly developed vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Methods : We performed a retrospective review of the 244 patients treated with PVP from September 2006 to February 2011. Among these patients, we selected 49 patients with newly developed VCFs following PVP as the new VCFs group, and the remaining 195 patients as the no VCFs group. The new VCFs group was further divided into 2 groups : an adjacent fractures group and a nonadjacent fractures group. The following data were collected from the groups : age, gender, body weight/height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) score of the spine and femur, level of initial fracture, restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height, and intradiscal cement leakage, volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Results : Age, gender, mean body height/weight, mean BMI and volume of PMMA of each of the group are not statistically significantly associated with fractures. In comparison between the new VCFs group and the no VCFs group, lower BMD, intradiscal cement leakage and anterior vertebral height restoration were the significant predictive factors of the fracture. In addition, new VCFs occurrence at the adjacent spines was statistically significant, when the initial fracture levels were confined to the thoracolumbar junction, among the subgroups of new VCFs. Conclusion : Lower spinal BMD, the greater anterior vertebral height restoration rate and intradiscal cement leakage were confirmed as risk factors for newly formed VCFs after PVP.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.563-572
• /
• 2010

Both multi-channel temperature monitoring and geophysical electric survey were performed together for an embankment to assess the leakage zone. Temperature variation according to space and time on the inner parts of engineering constructions (e.g.: dam and slope) can be basic information for diagnosing their safety problem. In general, as constructions become superannuated, structural deformation (e.g.: cracks and defects) could be generated by various factors. Seepage or leakage of water through the cracks or defects in old dams will directly cause temperature anomaly. This study shows that the position of seepage or leakage in dam body can be detected by multi-channel temperature monitoring using thermal line sensor. For that matter, diverse temperature monitoring experiments for a leakage physical model were performed in the laboratory. In field application of an old earth fill dam, temperature variations for water depth and for inner parts of boreholes located at downstream slope were measured. Temperature monitoring results for a long time at the bottom of downstream slope of the dam showed the possibility that temperature monitoring can provide the synthetic information about flowing path and quantity of seepage of leakage in dam body. Geophysical data by electrical method are also added to help interpret data.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
• /
• v.24 no.11
• /
• pp.1091-1097
• /
• 2013

This paper presents a rectifier with comparator using unbalanced body biasing in $0.11{\mu}m$ RF CMOS process. It is composed of MOSFETs and two comparators. The comparator is used to reduce reverse leakage current which occurs when the load voltage is higher than input voltage. For the comparator, unbalanced body biasing is devised. By using unbalanced body biasing, reference voltage for comparator changing from high state to low state is increased, and it reduces time interval for leakage current to flow. 13.56 MHz 2 Vpp signal is used for input and $1k{\Omega}$ resistor and 1 nF capacitor are used for output load for simulation and experimental environment. In simulation environment, voltage conversion efficiency(VCE) is 87.5 % and Power conversion efficiency(PCE) is 50 %. When the rectifier is measured, VCE shows 90.203 % and PCE shows 45 %.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.11 no.2 s.35
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2007

This paper presents the leakage safety of two O-rings, which are located at the rectangular groove between a valve body and a valve stem. The leakage safety analysis of 0-ring seals has been computed as functions of a compression set and a liquefied petroleum gas pressure of a LPG cylinder using a FEM program, MARC. The FEM computed results indicate that the loads from the filling pressure of $8kg/cm^2$ to the upper limit of the safety valve, $24.8kg/cm^2$ work safely according to the pressure vessel code. But two O-rings should consider the aging effects for an increased safety of the o-ring.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 1997

It has been demonstrated that majority of cells in the mammalian body such as myocytes and epithelial cells of skin and intestine respond to mechanical force or environmental factors and exhibit partial disruption of cell membrane, i. e., cell wounding, even in a physiological condition. Myocardial cells are rather apt to be wounded than other cells since they are definitely exposed to mechanical stress by contraction-relaxation and blood flow. However, the mechanism how myocardial cells protect themselves against cell wounding is not yet clarified. On this background, the present study was performed to elucidate whether albumin leakage is related to cell wounding and to assess whether diltiazem, a potent calcium channel blocker, is beneficial in isoproterenol-induced cell wounding in the heart. Hearts isolated from New Zealand White rabbits ($1.5\sim2.0kg$ body weight, n=20) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to bolus administration of isoproterenol and diltiazem as following order: $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at zero min (the beginning point): $16{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 20min; $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 25min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 45 min; $160{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 65 min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 70 min. During all experiments, the left ventricular function was recorded, albumin leakage in the coronary effluents was analyzed by electrophoresis and Western blot, and myocardial cell membranes were examined by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by t-test and linear regression test. Isoproterenol significantly increased the inotropic and chronotropic contractions, coronary flow, and frequency of arrhythmia, however, diltiazem did not influence on hemodynamics except decrease in the frequency of arrhythmia and a slight decrease in contractility. Isoproterenol also resulted partial disruption of myocardial cell membrane and inclose in albumin leakage, while diltiazem pretreatment showed number of electron-dense plaques in the cell membrane and a tendency of decrease in albumin leakage. These results indicate that albumin leakage may be an indirect index of cell wounding in the heart and diltiazem nay be beneficial to protect myocardial cells against isoproterenol-induced cell wounding. It is likely that diltiazem promotes resealing process of the cell membrane.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2007

Objective : Percutaneous approach to the middle thoracic vertebra through the transpedicular route for the patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is difficult due to the small size of the pedicle and parasagittally oriented vertebra body anatomy. The percutaneous vertebral body access [PVBA] technique utilizing the posterolateral extrapedicular approach avoids the pedicle and provides direct access to the vertebral body. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the middle thoracic vertebrae. Methods : A retrospective review was done on 20 patients who underwent vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique performed for painful osteoporotic compression fracture in the middle thoracic vertebrae at 22 levels from May 2003 to June 2006. The average amount of the injected cement was 1.5-2.5ml. The postprocedural outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. Results : The treated vertebrae were T5 [1 level], T6 [5 levels], 17 [7 levels], and T8 [9 levels]. The compression rate and kyphotic angle were improved after procedure from $18%{\pm}13.4$ to $16%{\pm}13.8$ [p > 0.05] and from $6.9^{\circ}{\pm}6.7$ to $6.6^{\circ}{\pm}6.2$ [p>005], respectively. Preprocedural VAS was $8.2{\pm}0.70$ and was decreased to $2.1{\pm}1.02$ [p < 0.01] after treatment. Postprocedural cement leakage was noted in 3 levels [13.7%]. There were no cases of leakage to epidural space or neural foramen, segmental artery injury, and pneumothorax. Conclusion : These results suggest that the complication rates are low and good results can be achieved with vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for the osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures especially in the middle thoracic vertebrae.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 1998.07d
• /
• pp.1462-1464
• /
• 1998

Poly-Si TFT(Thin Film Transistor) is a electronic device that can be applied to the field of large area electronics such as AMLCD. We have fabricated the poly-Si TFT with lateral body terminal that is counter-doped body electrode and investigated the electrical characteristics of it. The lateral body terminal being short with s terminal, we have measured the transfer charac (Vg-ld) and the output characteristic (Vd-ld) fabricated devices. The measured result showe only that leakage current in OFF-state was re and Kink effect in ON-state was suppressed bu that in output characteristic curve the output Id was sustained constantly with the output v Vd in the saturation region.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.456-461
• /
• 2010

This study compares the criteria of earth leakage breakers (ELB) and analyzes the characteristics of an Igc-free ELB operated by an active component which is not misoperated by capacitive current. Even for the same ELB, the earth leakage current flowing through the human body is estimated to be differ greatly depending on the power source, voltage, location and status of contact, contact time duration, etc. Earth leakage breakers are classified based on the rated voltage, rated sensing current, rated operating time etc. Mounting and demounting of the existing equipment can be performed easily since an $I_{gc}$-free ELB is manufactured with the same structure as a conventional ELB. The rated operating current of a conventional and an $I_{gc}$-free ELB is 30mA, the sensing current is 25mA and the rated non-operating current is 15mA. In the analysis of non-operating current characteristics, the rated non-operating current of 15mA was satisfied up to a 20mA charging current in the conventional ELB, but does not satisfy the rated non-operating current as it operates when the resistive leakage current is lower than 15mA for a charging current exceeding 20mA. Also, the ELB is misoperated without a resistive leakage current when the charging current exceeded 25mA. However, the newly developed $I_{gc}$-free ELB satisfied the rated non-operating current even when the charging current was 60mA. Also, in comparison to the interrupting characteristics, it was confirmed that the charging current satisfying the rated non-operating current of the $I_{gc}$-free ELB was three times higher than that of the conventional ELB.