• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.77-84
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• 2021

In this study, flexural tests of prestressed high strength spun concrete (PHC) piles reinforced with infilled concrete and longitudinal rebars were conducted, where the longitudinal rebar ratio and the presence of sludge formed on the inner surface of PHC pile were set as key test variables. A total of six PHC pile specimens were manufactured, and their flexural behaviors including failure mode, crack pattern, longitudinal strain distribution in a section and end slip between external PHC pile and infilled concrete were measured and discussed in detail. The test results revealed that the flexural stiffness and strength increased as the longitudinal rebar ratio became larger, and that the sludge formed on the inner surface of PHC pile did not show any detrimental effect on the flexural performance. In addition to the experimental approach, this study presents a nonlinear flexural analysis model considering compatibility conditions and strain and stress distributions of the PHC piles and infilled concrete. The rationality of the nonlinear flexural analysis model was verified by comparing it with test results, and it appeared that the proposed model well evaluated the flexural behavior of PHC piles reinforced with infilled concrete and longitudinal rebars with a good accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.647-659
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• 2023

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of correct occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) on intracardiac blood flow and thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three-dimensional (3D)-printed phantoms. Materials and Methods: Three life-sized 3D-printed left atrium (LA) phantoms, including a pre-occlusion (i.e., before the occlusion procedure) model and correctly and incorrectly occluded post-procedural models, were constructed based on cardiac computed tomography images from an 86-year-old male with long-standing persistent AF. A custom-made closed-loop flow circuit was set up, and pulsatile simulated pulmonary venous flow was delivered by a pump. 4D flow MRI was performed using a 3T scanner, and the images were analyzed using MATLAB-based software (R2020b; Mathworks). Flow metrics associated with blood stasis and thrombogenicity, such as the volume of stasis defined by the velocity threshold ($\left|\vec{V}\right|$ < 3 cm/s), surface-and-time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS), and endothelial cell activation potential (ECAP), were analyzed and compared among the three LA phantom models. Results: Different spatial distributions, orientations, and magnitudes of LA flow were directly visualized within the three LA phantoms using 4D flow MRI. The time-averaged volume and its ratio to the corresponding entire volume of LA flow stasis were consistently reduced in the correctly occluded model (70.82 mL and 39.0%, respectively), followed by the incorrectly occluded (73.17 mL and 39.0%, respectively) and pre-occlusion (79.11 mL and 39.7%, respectively) models. The surfaceand-time-averaged WSS and ECAP were also lowest in the correctly occluded model (0.048 Pa and 4.004 Pa^-1, respectively), followed by the incorrectly occluded (0.059 Pa and 4.792 Pa^-1, respectively) and pre-occlusion (0.072 Pa and 5.861 Pa^-1, respectively) models. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a correctly occluded LAA leads to the greatest reduction in LA flow stasis and thrombogenicity, presenting a tentative procedural goal to maximize clinical benefits in patients with AF.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.169-189
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• 2024

In the current work, a series of three-dimensional finite element analyses have been carried out to understand the behaviour of pre-existing single piles and pile groups to adjacent Shield TBM tunnelling by considering various reinforcement conditions. The numerical modelling has analysed the effect of the pile cutting, ground reinforcement and pile cap reinforcement. The analyses concentrate on the ground settlements, the pile head settlements, the axial pile forces and the shear stress transfer mechanism at the pile-soil interface. In all cases of the pile tips supported by weathered rock, the distributions of shear stresses presented a similar trend. Also, when the pile tips were cut, tensile forces or compressive forces were induced on the piles depending on the relative positions of the piles. Furthermore, when the pile tips are supported by weathered rock, approximately 70% of the load is supported by surface friction, and only the remaining 30% is supported by the pile tip. Furthermore the final settlement of the piles without reinforcement showed approximately 70% more settlement than the piles for which ground reinforcement is considered. It has been found that the ground settlements and the pile settlements are heavily affected by the pile cutting and reinforcement conditions. The behaviour of the single pile and group piles, depending on the pile cutting, conditions of ground and pile cap reinforcement, has been extensively examined and analysed by considering the key features in great details.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.266-271
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• 2014

The effects of antioxidants on the properties of Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene(PC/ABS) blends were studied for the functions of the screw speed and loaded duration of high shear rate processing in order to investigate the degradation for PC/ABS blends. Tris-(2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenyl phosphate) (A1) and Bis(2,4-dicumylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite (A3) as phosphite antioxidants and Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (A2) as a phenolic antioxidant are used. The thermal properties were detected by TGA and severely decreased, after the processing. The stress-induced and thermal degradation for PC/ABS blends with the antioxidant A3 was retarded better than the others. By using UTM, the mechanical properties also showed individually decreased according to the antioxidants, after the processing, especially, the elongations showed considerable decline behaviors, while the tensile strengths of PC/ABS blends changed very little. For example, in the operating conditions of 1000rpm of screw speed and 20 seconds of loaded period, the elongations decreased from 148% before the processing, to 91.6% with the A1, to 63% with the A2 and to 131% with the A3 after the processing, respectively. In order to get the morphological properties, the size distributions of the dispersed phases for PC/ABS were investigated by SEM analysis and tended to decrease, as the screw speed and loaded period of the processing increased. Therefore, we confirmed that the antioxidant A3 was the best of all of three to inhibit the stress-induced degradation of PC/ABS blends during the high shear rate processing.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.515-525
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• 2007

In this investigation, results of laboratory tests on four reinforced concrete flat plate interior connections with elongated rectangular column support which has been used widely in tall residential buildings are presented. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an effect of column aspect ratio (${\beta}_c={c_1}/{c_2}$=side length ratio of column section in the direction of lateral loading $(c_1)$ to the direction of perpendicular to $c_1$) on the hysteretic behavior under earthquake type loading. The aspect ratio of column section was taken as $0.5{\sim}3\;(c_1/c_2=1/2,\;1/1,\;2/1,\;3/1)$ and the column perimeter was held constant at 1200mm in order to achieve nominal vertical shear strength $(V_c)$ uniformly. Other design parameters such as flexural reinforcement ratio $(\rho)$ of the slab and concrete strength$(f_{ck})$ was kept constant as ${\rho}=1.0%$ and $f_{ck}=40MPa$, respectively. Gravity shear load $(V_g)$ was applied by 30 percent of nominal vertical shear strength $(0.3V_o)$ of the specimen. Experimental observations on punching failure pattern, peak lateral-load and story drift ratio at punching failure, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation in the hysteresis loop, and steel and concrete strain distributions near the column support were examined and discussed in accordance with different column aspect ratio. Eccentric shear stress model of ACI 318-05 was evaluated with experimental results. A fraction of transferring moment by shear and flexure in the design code was analyzed based on the test results.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.176-186
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• 2014

Objectives: As a sequel to the former analysis of the quality of life (QoL) among young-old and old-old in Korea, this research was aimed to identify factors related to the quality of life and the gender difference after controlling for the related factors among Korean elderly. Methods: Selected elderly data of 1,339 subjects from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010 was analyzed. In this survey, QoL was measured using Euro Quality of Life (EQ-5D) instrument. Data were analyzed using complex survey data analysis on IBM-SPSS 20.0. The related factors were identified using general linear models with backward elimination. The gender difference was tested also using general linear models. Results: The distributions of educational level, family income level, and presence of cohabitant were different between male and female elderly in both young-old and old-old age group. So were the health behaviors and perceived health, and experience of stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts. QoL and its subscales- mobility, self care, daily living, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression- were consistently better among male elderly regardless of age group. Among the variables considered, education, family income level, presence of cohabitant, perceived health, age group and BMI were found to be related to the QoL at p=.05, and presence of chronic diseases at p=.10. The difference in QoL between male and female elderly after controlling for the variables was statistically significant. Conclusion: Improving QoL is particularly important for the elderly. In order to improve QoL of the elderly, age- and gender- differences need to be considered when developing services and programs for the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of farming practices on the Misgurnus anguillicaudatus population, including their habitat characteristics, length frequency and the length-weight relationships of M. anguillicaudatus population; this study investigated the differences of the population living in environment-friendly (EFP) and conventional paddy fields (CP). As the result of age distribution by length frequency of M. anguillicaudatus, the EFP showed various age distributions which were not present in the CP. In particular, the age $0^+$ (28-51 mm) of individuals in the CP were significantly lower than those in the EFP. In May, the number of individuals was similar in CP and EFP, which led to the assumption that the M. anguillicaudatus population living in a shallow depth was killed by rotary and tillage works. The regression coefficient (b) in relation to the length-weight of M. anguillicaudatus population was 3.0, which appeared relatively stable as a habitat condition in the CP and EFP, except in June. The condition factor for M. anguillicaudatus population in the CP and the EFP showed a relatively stable monthly population, except in June which was likely to be influenced by the stress to lay their eggs or chemicals such as the use of pesticides. This change of habitat characteristics and length-weight relationship on M. anguillicaudatus population in rice paddy fields was influenced by farming practices as well as the time of year.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2010

The paper describes the objectives of Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) project, focusing on procedural and practical aspects. YSLME is a highly productive sea yet possibly one of the most impacted large marine ecosystems, in terms of anthropogenic stressors, due the enormous coastal population. The aim of the YSLME project is the reduction of ecosystem stress through identification of the environmental problems in the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) that are then addressed in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP). One of the major problems found to be affecting biological diversity is habitat modification through wetland reclamation, conversion and degradation. Since the early 1900's more than 40% of intertidal wetlands have been reclaimed in Korea, and 60% of Chinese coastal wetlands have been converted or reclaimed. Damaging fishing practices, pollution and coastal eutrophication have further degraded the coastal environment reducing the biological diversity. To combat this loss, the YSLME project has mounted a public awareness campaign to raise environmental consciousness targeted at all different levels of society, from politicians at parliamentary workshops, local government officer training events, scientific conferences and involvement of scientists in the project research and reporting, to university and high school students in our visiting internship programmes and environmental camps. We have also built networks through the Yellow Sea Partnership and by liaising and working with other environmental organizations and NGOs. NGO's are recognised as important partners in the environmental conservation as they already have extensive local networks that can be lacking in international organisations. Effective links have been built with many of these NGOs through the small grants programme. Working with WWF's YSESP project and other academic and research institutions we have conducted our own biodiversity assessments that have contributed to the science-based development of the SAP for the YSLME. Our regional targets for biodiversity outlined in the SAP include: Improvements in the densities, distributions and genetic diversity of current populations of all living organisms including endangered and endemic species; Maintenance of habitats according to standards and regulations of 2007; and a reduction in the risk of introduced species. Endorsement of the SAP and its successful implementation, during the proposed second phase of the YSLEM project, will ensure that biological diversity is here to benefit future generations.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might play a role in the development of RLS and other antipsychotic-induced side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. In the present study, we investigated whether the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms are associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We assessed antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The GST-M1, GST-T1 and GST-P1 loci were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Results: We divided the subjects into 2 groups: those with RLS symptoms (n = 96) and those without RLS symptoms (n = 94). There were no significant differences in the distributions of the GST-M1 genotypes (${\chi}^2=3.56$, p = 0.059), GST-T1 (${\chi}^2=0.51$, p = 0.476) and GST-P1 (${\chi}^2=0.57$, p = 0.821) between the 2 groups. Comparison of the RLS score among genotypes of the GST-M1 (t = -1.54, p = 0.125), GST-T1 (t = -0.02, p = 0.985) and GST-P1 (F = 0.58, p = 0.560) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: These data suggest that GST gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the possible influences of other candidate genes involved in the reactive oxygen species system.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.5-16
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• 2018

In the current study, the engineering behaviour of prebored and precast steel pipe piles was examined from a series of full-scale field measurements by conducting static pile load tests, dynamic pile load tests (EOID and restrike tests) and Class-A and Class-C1 type numerical analysis. The study includes the pile load - settlement relations, allowable pile capacity and shear stress transfer mechanism. Compared to the allowable pile capacity obtained from the static pile load tests, the dynamic pile load tests and the numerical simulation showed surprisingly large variations. Overall among these the restrike tests displayed the best results, however the reliability of the predictions from the numerical analysis was lower than those estimated from the dynamic pile load tests. The allowable pile capacity obtained from the EOID tests and the restrike tests indicated 20.0%-181.0% (avg: 69.3%) and 48.2%-181.1% (avg: 92.1%) of the corresponding measured values from the static pile loading tests, respectively. Furthermore, the computed results from the Class-A type analysis showed the largest scatters (37.1%-210.5%, avg: 121.2%). In the EOID tests, a majority of the external load were carried by the end bearing pile capacity, however, similar skin friction and end bearing capacity in magnitude were mobilised in the restrike tests. The measured end bearing pile capacity from the restrike tests were smaller than was measured from the EOID tests. The present study has revealed that if the impact energy is not sufficient in a restrike test, the end bearing pile capacity most likely will be underestimated. The shear stresses computed from the numerical analysis deviated substantially from the measured pile force distributions. It can be concluded that the engineering behaviour of the pile is heavily affected if a slime layer exists near the pile tip, and that the smaller the stiffness of the slime and the thicker the slime, the greater the settlement of the pile.