• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제74권3호
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• pp.313-323
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• 2020

Non-destructive tests are commonly used in construction industry to access the quality and strength of concrete. However, till date there is no non-destructive testing method that can be adopted to evaluate the bond condition of reinforced concrete beams. In this regard, the presented research work details the use of ultra-sonic pulse velocity test method to evaluate the bond condition of reinforced concrete beam. A detailed experimental research was conducted by testing four identical reinforced concrete beam samples. The samples were loaded in equal increments till failure and ultra-sonic pulse velocity readings were recorded along the length of the beam element. It was observed from experimentation that as the cracks developed in the sample, the ultra-sonic wave velocity reduced for the same path length. This reduction in wave velocity was used to identify the initiation, development and propagation of internal micro-cracks along the length of reinforcement. Using the developed experimental methodology, researchers were able to identify weak spots in bond along the length of the specimen. The proposed method can be adopted by engineers to access the quality of bond for steel reinforcement in beam members. This allows engineers to carryout localized repairs thereby resulting in reduction of time, cost and labor needed for strengthening. Furthermore, the methodology to apply the proposed technique in real-world along with various challenges associated with its application have also been highlighted.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.143-146
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• 2008

In this study the thermal impact characteristics by forest fire are extensively investigated using temperature controlled ovens. The test conditions for thermal impact damage are simulated according to the characteristics of natural forest fire. The test pieces are suspension porcelain insulators made by KRI in 2005 for transmission lines. In the thermal impact cycle tests with $300\;^{\circ}C$ thermal impact gradient (-70 to $230\;^{\circ}C$), cycling in 10 minute periods, no critical failures occurred in the test samples even with long cycle times. But in tests with thermal impact gradient from room temperature to $200-600\;^{\circ}C$, cycling in 10 to 30 minute periods, there were critical failures of the porcelain insulators according to the thermal impact gradient and quenching method. In the case of thermal impact by forest fire, it was found of that duration time is more important than the cycling time, and the initiation temperature of porcelain insulator failures is about $300\;^{\circ}C$, in the case of water quenching, many cracks and fracture of the porcelain occurred. It was found that the thermal impact failure is closely related to the displacement in the cement by thermal stress as confirmed by simulation. It was estimated that the initiation displacement by the thermal impact of $300\;^{\circ}C$ is about 0.1 %. Above 1% displacement, it is expected that the most porcelain insulators would fail.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.499-510
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to Identify the self-actualization level of Junior College Nursing Students and to analyze the variables that may be related to self-actualization. A convenient sample of 346 students were selected from three colleges located in Seoul and Kyungki-Province. The data were collected using a direct survey method from September17to October 2, 1992. The instrument used for this study was the self-actualization test modified by Kim & Lee(1983). The collected data were analyzed using percentages, means, 1-test, X$^2$-test, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, with the SPSSPC$^{+}$ Package. The results of this study are as follows : 1) The self-actualization level of subjects was moderate. The subjects showed higher scores in the areas of Self actualizing Values and Nature of Man than the standardized normal groups. The subjects showed lower scores in the areas of Inner Directed Existentiality, Self acceptance and Capacity for Intimate Contact. 2) The subjects attending day junior colleges showed higher scores in the areas of Time competent, Existentiality and Self Acceptance than those attending college in the evening. The subjects attending evening junior colleges showed higher scores in the areas of Spontaneity than those attending college by day. 3) The junior students showed higher scores in the areas of Feel-ing Reactivity than freshman. The students with no religion showed higher scores in the areas of existentiality than those who had a religion. The group who had the experience of failure on the college entrance examination showed lower scores in the areas of Nature of Man than those without this experience. Those who chose their major voluntary showed scores higher in the areas of I nor Directed, Self Actualizing Values, Spontaneity and Self regard than the unsatisfied group. The group satisfied with college life showed higher scores in the areas of Time Competent, Inner Directed, Self Actualizing Values and Self Regard than the unsatisfied group. In conclusion self actualization level depends on motivation of choice, satisfaction with nursing as a major and satisfaction with college life. Therefore, and effective guidance program is required to improve motivation and satisfaction with nursing as a major and with college life.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.5-10
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of unilateral decompression and pedicle screw fixation for the unilateral symptomatic foraminal stenosis. Methods: The study group comprises consecutive 16 patients who underwent unilateral decompression and bone cement augmented pedicle screw fixation from May 2003 to January 2006. The patients were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the scoring system of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) for low back pain. The result of surgery was also evaluated with McNab's classification. Excellent or good outcome was considered as successful. The patients were followed at postoperative 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and 1 year with standing AP and lateral films. Results: The average VAS and JOA score of the 16 patients were 7.8(range, 6-9) and 5.8(range, 3 - 10) before surgery and 2.2(range, 0 - 5)and 12.3(range, 9 - 15) at the time of last follow up. Both VAS and JOA score improved significantly after the surgery (p<0.05, t-test). All patients improved after the operation and no revision surgery was required. No metal failure or pseudoarthrosis was observed during the follow-up. The success rate was 87.5%. Conclusion: Our data suggest that unilateral decompression and pedicle screw fixation for the unilateral symptomatic foraminal stenosis is an effect method for obtaining satisfactory clinical outcome. Its possible advantage is shorter operation time and reduced surgical extent. We believe that the reduced stiffness of unilateral fixation was compensated by pedicle screw augmentation and interbody fusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.77-81
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• 2007

Objective : In a variety of thoracolumbar diseases, corpectomy followed by interbody bone graft and anterior instrumentation has allowed direct neural decompression and reconstruction of the weight-bearing column by short segments fusion. In this study, we compared spinal stability of the two different anterior thoracolumbar instruments : Z-plate and Kaneda device representing plate and two-rods type, respectively. Methods : A retrospective review was performed for all the patients with thoracolumbar diseases or traumas treated with anterior corpectomy, autologous iliac bone graft, and fixation with instruments from 1996 to 2000. For the anterior instrumentation, Z-plate or Kaneda device was used for 24 [M:F=5:9, average age=37] and 12 [M:F=9:3, average age=41] patients, respectively. The plain AP and lateral flexion-extension films were taken immediately after surgery and at each follow-up. The sagittal and coronal Cobb's angles at the operation segments were used to observe the change of initial fixation status. The surgical time length and bleeding amount of the two groups were compared. Intra-operative and post-operative instrument associated complications were evaluated. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results : Mean follow-up durations for Z-plate and Kaneda device were 24 and 21 months, respectively. The fusion rate was 91% for Z-plate and 100% for Kaneda device. Two cases of Z-plate group showed instrumentation failure during the follow up period, in which additional surgery was necessary. The mean differences of sagittal Cobb's angles among the AP images immediate after surgery and at follow-up were 7 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. The mean differences of coronal Cobb's angles were 5 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. No Intra-operative complication has occurred in both groups. There was no difference in surgery time and bleeding amount between two groups. Conclusion : We think that Kaneda device [rod type] is stronger than Z-plate [plate type] to keep the spinal stability after anterior thoracolumbar surgery.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.88-95
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• 2005

Even though the echocardiograph has been recognized as the method of choice among various diagnostic tools to detect congestive heart failure (CHF), there were some limitations in relation to the consumption of time, labor and process. We analyzed results of N-terminal probrain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and various parameters of the echocardiographic findings to clarify the diagnostic usefulness of NT-proBNP in detecting patients with CHF. We analyzed the sera from total of 242 cases from in-patients and out-patients, which were requested from the cardiovascular section of department of Internal Medicine at Chungnam National University Hospital from March 2003 to May 2004. The procedures were performed in order as shown below; sampling, NT-proBNP analysis, data acquisition and data analysis. All data including personal information and echocardiographic findings ware acquired by medical record review. When classifying the study population into six groups according to the degree of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the serum level of NT-proBNP was higher in the group with 51-60% of LVEF (P=0.023). There were low correlation between the serum level of NT-proBNP and various parameters of the echocardiographic findings with LVESD (r=0.1513), LVEDD (r=0.0831), LVEF (r=0.2035), IVST (r=0.03) and LVPWT (r=0.0728), respectively. When comparing NT-proBNP with atrial and/or ventricular enlargement, the patient group with both left atrial and left ventricular enlargement (p=0.186) or only left atrial (p=0.105) or only left ventricular enlargement (p=0.256) showed higher level of NT-proBNP without statistical significance than patient group with no enlargement. Searching the optimal cutoff of the serum level of NT-proBNP, the sensitivity (98.9%) and the specificity (100%) was highest at the cutoff of 300 pg/mL than any other cutoffs. These findings suggested that the analysis of NT-proBNP in serum might detect the patients with CHF earlier than with the echocardiograph, especially in patients with asymptomatic or mild symptomatic CHF. In conclusion, NT-proBNP test was proved to be clinically useful to diagnose CHF patients.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.716-726
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of hand reflexology on the physiological.emotional responses and immunity of the patients with chronic illness. This study looked specifically at patients with chronic renal failure(CRF) and cancer patients. Method: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pre and post test. Subjects were 54 patients who received dialysis and chemotherapy in one hospital. Thirty-one patients were assigned to the experimental group and 23 to the control group. The hand reflexology was applied to both hands of the experiment group for ten minutes each time, 5 times during three days. For data collection, physiological lab levels, immune cells of blood and questionnaires for emotional responses were measured before and after the program. Result: BT of the experiment group was decreased significantly on both of the 1st and the 5th application. PR & BP were decreased significantly on the 1st times, but not 5th times. Hb levels of the experimental group were significantly increased. And emotional responses, vigor and mood scores of the experiment group were significantly increased. B cell & CD19 were increased significantly on the experiment group. Suppressor T cell and NK cell showed significant decrease after the program, but no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: We have found that the hand reflexology helps the chronic patients to improve physiological.emotional responses and the immune reaction. Through this result, the hand reflexology is effective as a intervention of psychoneuroimmunologic function.

• 수면정신생리
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.5-9
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• 2009

Relatively little is known about the neurobiology of insomnia, despite its wide prevalence and broad medical impact. Although much is still to be learned about the pathophysiology of the disorder, identification, systematic assessment, and appropriate treatment are clearly beneficial to patients. Recent research, using quantitative EEG, polysomnography (PSG), multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and neuroimaging techniques, suggests that some broad areas can be identified as possible pathophysiological models. Sleep-wake homeostat model hypothesizes a failure in homeostatic regulation of sleep, an attenuated increase in sleep drive with time awake, and/or defective sensing of sleep need. Circadian clock model hypothesizes a dysfunctional circadian clock, resulting in changes in the timing of sleep-wake propensity that are incompatible with normal sleep. Intrinsic sleep-wake state mechanism model suggests that abnormal function of insomnia comprises the systems responsible for expression of the sleep states themselves. Extrinsic over-ride mechanism (stress-response) model suggests that insomnia reflects the consequences of overactivity of one of the systems considered "extrinsic" to normal sleep-wake control. Many current therapies for insomnia are based on these physiological models. Several attempts have been made to create a physiological model that would explain this disorder and could be used as a foundation for treatment. However, it appeared that no model can fully explain and clarify all aspects of insomnia. Future research should be necessary to expand our knowledge on the biological dimensions of insomnia.

• KSTLE International Journal
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.11-15
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• 2007

The mechanical face seal has been tested in Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARl) for turbopump applications. In the turbopump under current development, the mechanical face seal is installed between fuel pump and turbine to prevent a mixture of fuel and combustion gas. Generally the mechanical face seal in turbopump is exposed to severe environment because of great rotational speed, high temperature of combustion gas and high level of pressure difference. Thus a series of tests were performed to guarantee the reliability of mechanical face seal by means of simulating the practical operating conditions. The tests were conducted up to 20,000 rpm with pressure difference of 800 kPa and temperature of 620 K In addition several carbon materials for mechanical face seal were conducted to the tests to compare the life time. During the tests, the performance against leakage was monitored and the carbon wear was also measured to estimate the life of a mechanical face seal The results show that the leakage flow rates of mechanical face seal is ignorable compared to an overall flow rate of fuel pump. The carbon material which has the finest wear resistance was found during the tests. Lastly no critical failure of mechanical face seal was found during the tests and the reliability of mechanical face seal for turbopump was successfully proved.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Fluid pumps in chemical processes are typically driven by electric motors. Even if the motor is separated from the pump with seals, wear resulting from friction and misalignment can lead to leakage of chemical fluid, causing corrosion in the bearing supporting the motor, and, eventually, failure of the motor. It is thus a standard procedure to replace bearings at regular intervals. In this article, we propose 3D-printed plastic ball bearings for use as an alternative to commercial stainless-steel ball bearings. The plastic bearings are easy to manufacture, require less time to replace, and are chemically resistant. To validate the applicability of the plastic bearings, we first conducted chemical resistance tests. Bearings were immersed in 30 caustic acid and 30 nitric acid for 30 min and 24 h, respectively. The test results showed no corrosive damage to the bearings. A test rig was set up to compare the performance of the plastic bearings with that of the commercially equivalent deep-groove ball bearings. Loading test results showed that the plastic bearings performed as well as the commercial bearing in terms of vibration level and load-handling capability. Finally, a plastic bearing was subjected to a clean-in-place process for three months. It actually outperformed the commercial bearing in terms of chemical resistance. Thus, 3D-printed plastic bearings are a viable alternative to stainless-steel ball bearings.