• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.10-13
• /
• 2023

To confirm the room-temperature superconductivity at ambient pressure as claimed in recent arXiv preprints by Lee et al., we followed the original authors' systematic solid-state synthesis recipe to reproduce Cu-doped Pb-apatite, known as LK-99. Using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, we identified inclusion of various impurities alongside the apatite phase in our sample. While the sample exhibited an overall semiconducting behavior in electrical transport, an intriguing resistivity anomaly at 380 K was observed, possibly originating from a structural phase transition of the Cu_2-δS impurity. Based on the transport and magnetization measurements, we conclude that the sample is a non-magnetic semiconductor, with absence of superconductivity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.403-418
• /
• 2024

In this paper, vibration and energy absorption characteristics of a nanostructure which is composed of two embedded porous annular/circular nanoplates coupled by a viscoelastic substrate are investigated. The modified couple stress theory (MCST) and the Gurtin-Murdoch theory are applied to take into account the size and the surface effects, respectively. Furthermore, the structural damping effect is probed by the Kelvin-Voigt model and the mathematical model of the problem is developed by a new hyperbolic higher order shear deformation theory. The differential quadrature method (DQM) is employed to obtain the out-of-phase and in-phase frequencies of the structure in order to predict the dynamic response of it. The acquired results reveal that the vibration and energy absorption of the system depends on some factors such as porosity, surface stress effects, material length scale parameter, damping and spring constants of the viscoelastic foundation as well as geometrical parameters of annular/circular nanoplates. A bird's-eye view of the findings in the research paper offers a comprehensive understanding of the vibrational behavior and energy absorption capabilities of annular/circular porous nanoplates. The multidisciplinary approach and the inclusion of porosity make this study valuable for the development of innovative materials and applications in the field of nanoscience and engineering.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.196-201
• /
• 2024

Nevus lipomatosus superficialis (NLS) is a hamartoma of adipose tissue, rarely reported in the past 100 years. We treated one case, and we conducted a systematic review of the literature. A 41-year-old man presented with a cutaneous multinodular lesion in the posterior region near the right auricle. The lesion was excised and examined histopathologically. To review the literature, we searched PubMed with the keyword "NLS." The search was limited to articles written in English and whose full text was available. We analyzed the following data: year of report, nation of corresponding author, sex of patient, age at onset, duration of disease, location of lesion, type of lesion, associated symptoms, pathological findings, and treatment. Of 158 relevant articles in PubMed, 112 fulfilled our inclusion criteria; these referred to a total of 149 cases (cases with insufficient clinical information were excluded). In rare cases, the diagnosis of NLS was confirmed when the lesion coexisted with sebaceous trichofolliculoma and Demodex infestation. Clinical awareness for NLS has increased recently. NLS is an indolent and asymptomatic benign neoplasm that may exhibit malignant behavior in terms of huge lesion size and specific anatomical location. Early detection and curative treatment should be promoted.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 1995.10a
• /
• pp.15.2-22
• /
• 1995

Evaluating stiffness of near-surface materials has been one of the critically important tasks in many civil engineering works. It is the main goal of geotechnical characterization. The so-called deflection-response method evaluates the stiffness by measuring stress-strain behavior of the materials caused by static or dynamic load. This method, however, evaluates the overall stiffness and the stiffness variation with depth cannot be obtained. Furthermore, evaluation of a large-area geotechnical site by this method can be time-consuming, expensive, and damaging to many surface points of the site. Wave-propagation method, on the other hand, measures seismic velocities at different depths and stiffness profile (stiffness change with depth) can be obtained from the measured velocity data. The stiffness profile is often expressed by shear-wave (S-wave) velocity change with depth because S-wave velocity is proportional to the shear modulus. that is a direct indicator of stiffiiess. The crosshole and downhole method measures the seismic velocity by placing sources and receivers (geophones) at different depths in a borehole. Requirement of borehole installation makes this method also time-consuming, expensive, and damaging to the sites. Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) method places both source and receivers at the surface, and records horizontally-propagating surface waves. Based upon the theory of surfacewave dispersion, the seismic velocities at different depths are calculated by analyzing the recorded surface-wave data. This method can be nondestructive to the sites. However, because only two receivers are used, the method requires multiple measurements with different field setups and, therefore, the method often becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore. the inclusion of noise wavefields cannot be handled properly, and this may cause the results by this method inaccurate. When multi-channel recording method is employed during the measurement of surface-waves, there are several benefits. First, usually single measurement is enough because multiple number (twelve or more) of receivers are used. Second, noise inclusion can be detected by coherency checking on the multi-channel data and handled properly so that it does not decrease the accuracy of the result. Third, various kinds of multi-channel processing techniques can be applied to f1lter unwanted noise wavefields and also to analyze the surface-wavefields more accurately and efficiently. In this way, the accuracy of the result by the method can be significantly improved. Fourth, the entire system of source, receivers, and recording-processing device can be tied into one unit, and the unit can be pulled by a small vehicle, making the survey speed very fast. In all these senses, multi-channel recording of surface waves is best suited for a routine method for geotechnical characterization in most of civil engineering works.

• Journal of Science Education
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2011

There is an increasing emphasis on science teaching in inclusion education setting, but still few research and practice in science education field including science teacher training course as well. It is well known that teaching efficacy of teacher is an important factor to influence teaching behavior and students' learning, but it is hard to find related studies about self-efficacy on teaching science for the disabled students. In this study pre-service science teachers' self-efficacy on science teaching for the disabled students was investigated and analyzed. For this a questionnaire consisted of 3 sub-scale like learning efficacy scale, teaching efficacy scale, and outcome expectancy scale was enacted to 97 pre-service science teachers. As a result, pre-service science teachers showed relatively low efficacy in teaching but showed positive learning efficacy and outcome expectancy. There was no meaningful difference in distribution of efficacy belief by gender, however the experience of teaching science for the disabled students made difference in outcome expectancy. From this study the implication for science teacher training course was inferred to meet the needs for science education in inclusion setting.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.149-176
• /
• 2009

In the recent e-learning environment, avatars are often used to help learners get familiar with the contents, which is ultimately to motivate them to study more. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether avatars have actually the desirable effect on users of e-learning materials. Surprisingly, however, no extensive study has been conducted on this crucial issue Accordingly, main objectives this study are summarized as follows. First, we need to gain better understanding of how much learners' trust towards avatars (termed as "avatar trust") is transferred to learners' trust towards e-learning contents (termed as "contents trust"). Second, we need to investigate how much learners' personal relationships with avatars as well as learning behaviors change depending on avatar types (attractive vs. professional) and contents complexity (easy vs. difficult). As described in the study objectives, in order for us to analyze empirical data more systematically, we classified avatar types into two: "attractive" and "professional;" the contents are categorized as either "easy" or "difficult." Therefore, it is essential for this study to build a prototype e-learning website on which our research purpose can be realized and tested effectively with proper avatar types and e-learning contents. For this purpose, we built a prototype e-learning website, in which avatars are invited from currently working avatar instructors used in real-world e-learning websites, and e-learning contents are adapted from real-world contents about Java programming topic, which have been proved to have shown high quality and reliability. Our research method includes questionnaire survey by inviting a number of valid respondents comprised of office workers who are believed to have high demands for the e-learning contents as well as those who have previous experience with avatar instructors. Respondents were given one of the four e-learning experiment conditions (2 avatar types x 2 contents types) on a random basis. Each experimental e-learning condition is framed to have the same quality but different avatar type and content complexity. Then the respondents are asked to fill out the survey form which has questions about avatar trust, contents trust, personal relationships with avatar, and learning behavior, among others. Regarding the constructs used in research model, we based them rigorously on previous studies. For example, we used six constructs such as behavior to give information (BGI), behavior to obtain information (BOI), need for inclusion wanted, need for control wanted, contents trust, and avatar trust. To measure them, 7-Likert scales were used in the questionnaire. E-learning performance was measured indirectly through two constructs such as BGI and BOI. Six constructs used in the research model were adopted and revised from the FIRO-B model suggested by Schutz. Empirical results are as follows: First, professional avatars are more effective for difficult contents, while attractive avatars were not as effective for easy contents. Second, our study results ascertained that avatar trust transfers to contents trust regardless of avatar types and contents complexity.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.31-61
• /
• 2000

Introduction. Despite the fact that half of premature deaths are caused by unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and drug abuse and poor nutrition, there are no theoretical models which accurately explain these health promotion related behaviors. This study tests a new model of health behavior called the Model of Health Promotion Behavior. This model draws on elements and frameworks suggested by the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, the Theory of Planned Action and the Health Promotion Model. This model is intended as a general model of behavior but this first test of the model uses amount of exercise as the outcome behavior. Design. This study utilized a cross sectional mail-out, mail-back survey design to determine the elements within the model that best explained intentions to exercise and those that best explained amount of exercise. A follow-up questionnaire was mailed to all respondents to the first questionnaire about 10 months after the initial survey. A pretest was conducted to refine the questionnaire and a pilot study to test the protocols and assumptions used to calculate the required sample size. Sample. The sample was drawn from 2000 eligible participants at two blue collar (utility company and part of a hospital) and two white collar (bank and pharmaceutical) companies located in Southeastern Michigan. Both white collar site had employee fitness centers and all four sites offered health promotion programs. In the first survey, 982 responses were received (49.1％) after two mailings to non-respondents and one additional mailing to secure answers to missing data, with 845 usable cases for the analyzing current intentions and 918 usable cases for the explaining of amount of current exercise analysis. In the follow-up survey, questionnaires were mailed to the 982 employees who responded to the initial survey. After one follow-up mailing to non-respondents, and one mailing to secure answers to missing data, 697 (71.0％) responses were received, with 627 (63.8％) usable cases to predict intentions and 673 (68.5％) usable cases to predict amount of exercise. Measures. The questionnaire in the initial survey had 15 scales and 134 items; these scales measured each of the variables in the model. Thirteen of the scales were drawn from the literature, all had Cronbach's alpha scores above .74 and all but three had scores above .80. The questionnaire in the second mailing had only 10 items, and measured only outcome variables. Analysis. The analysis included calculation of scale scores, Cronbach's alpha, zero order correlations, and factor analysis, ordinary least square analysis, hierarchical tests of interaction terms and path analysis, and comparisons of results based on a random split of the data and splits based on gender and employer site. The power of the regression analysis was .99 at the .01 significance level for the model as a whole. Results. Self efficacy and Non-Health Benefits emerged as the most powerful predictors of Intentions to exercise, together explaining approximately 19％ of the variance in future Intentions. Intentions, and the interaction of Intentions with Barriers, with Support of Friends, and with Self Efficacy were the most consistent predictors of amount of future exercise, together explaining 38％ of the variance. With the inclusion of Prior Exercise History the model explained 52％ of the variance in amount of exercise 10 months later. There were very few differences in the variables that emerged as important predictors of intentions or exercise in the different employer sites or between males and females. Discussion. This new model is viable in predicting intentions to exercise and amount of exercise, both in absolute terms and when compared to existing models.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2006

Structural bracing concept equipped with a new and efficient friction based energy dissipation device is referred to Friction SliP Brace (FSB) where the behavior of the brace components is elastic until the axial resistant force in the brace exceeds the friction force developed at the frictional interface of the device. In this study, the FSB concept is modified and new type of hybrid energy dissipation device, the Active Friction SliP Braces (AFSB), is described. The FSB is by far improved in the AFSB by inclusion of an active clamping mechanism on the friction interface. The clamping action regulated by the developed algorithm is altered during the response of the building. The results indicate that the action of dissipating vibrational energy in the AFSB impacts on the response at later cycles by keeping the drift amplitudes at much lower levels, revealing overshooting problem due to its early slippage. Providing predetermined constant incremental strengths to the building by AFSB medium improves response by reducing drift amplitudes and base shear under small and medium amplitude ground accelerations.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.227-236
• /
• 2020

Expansive soils are renowned for their swelling-shrinkage property and these volumetric changes resultantly cause huge damage to civil infrastructures. Likewise, subgrades consisting of expansive soils instigate serviceability failures in pavements across various regions of Pakistan and worldwide. This study presents the use of polypropylene fibers to improve the engineering properties of a local swelling soil. The moisture-density relationship, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus (E₅₀), California bearing ratio (CBR) and one-dimensional consolidation behavior of the soil treated with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% fibers have been investigated in this study. It is found that the maximum dry density of reinforced soil slightly decreased by 2.8% due to replacement of heavier soil particles by light-weight fibers and the optimum moisture content remained almost unaffected due to non-absorbent nature of the fibers. A significant improvement has been observed in UCS (an increase of 279%), E₅₀ (an increase of 113.6%) and CBR value (an increase of 94.4% under unsoaked and an increase of 55.6% under soaked conditions) of the soil reinforced with 0.4% fibers, thereby providing a better quality subgrade for the construction of pavements on such soils. Free swell and swell pressure of the soil also significantly reduced (94.4% and 87.9%, respectively) with the addition of 0.8% fibers and eventually converting the medium swelling soil to a low swelling class. Similarly, the compression and rebound indices also reduced by 69.9% and 88%, respectively with fiber inclusion of 0.8%. From the experimental evaluations, it emerges that polypropylene fiber has great potential as a low cost and sustainable stabilizing material for widespread swelling soils.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of providing toothbrushing by professionals as part of oral hygiene education for the elderly. We randomly visited 12 centers in the metropolitan city and analyzed the data of 114 participants among 310 early registrants aged >65 years, who participated in the study at all 3 time points. The subjects were categorized into an experimental group (odd-numbered visits) and a control group (even-numbered visits). Oral hygiene practices were provided for both experimental and control groups, but professional toothbrushing was performed in a different manner in the experimental group. Differences in plaque index (PI) according to the subjects' general characteristics and oral health status were assessed using the t-test, and the effect of PI difference between the experimental and control groups was assessed by repeated measure two-way analysis of variance. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the PI. At baseline, the mean overall PI was 61.82. In both experimental and control groups, the PI significantly reduced from the baseline (p<0.01). At 5 weeks, the experimental group showed a decrease of 27.16 points from the baseline, and the 10-week PI was similar to the 5-week PI. The control group showed a decrease of 14.87 points from the baseline, and the PI increased by 5.74 points at 10 weeks. PI-related factors were gender and self-xerostomia. The PI was lower in the female group and the group with self- xerostomia (p<0.01). It is important to select an appropriate method to educate elderly subjects on proper removal of dental plaque and to habituate correct behavior, which requires inclusion of a direct toothbrushing intervention by a specialist.