• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4C
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• pp.221-230
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• 2008

The George Massey immersed tunnel passes the Fraser River near Vancouver, Western Canada. The tunnel was founded on sandy soils and its behavior during earthquake was analyzed by an effective stress constitutive model called UBCSAND. This model is able to calculate pore pressure rise and resulting tunnel movements due to cyclic loading. Centrifuge tests conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) were used to verify the model performance. The centrifuge tests consisted of 2 models: Model 1 was designed for an original ground condition, Model 2 for a ground improvement by densification. In Model 1, large deformation of the tunnel was observed due to liquefaction of surrounding soil. Because of the densified zones around the tunnel the vertical and horizontal displacements of the tunnel in Model 2 was 50% less than Model 1. Measured excess pore pressures, accelerations, and displacements from centrifuge tests were in close agreement with the predictions of UBCSAND model. Therefore, the model can be used to predict seismic behavior of immersed tunnels on sandy soils and optimize liquefaction remediation methods.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2018

Background: Insufficient training in infection control and occupational health among healthcare workers (HCWs) in countries with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) burdens requires attention. We examined the effectiveness of a 1-year Certificate Program in Occupational Health and Infection Control conducted in Free State Province, South Africa in an international partnership to empower HCWs to become change agents to promote workplace-based HIV and TB prevention. Methods: Questionnaires assessing reactions to the program and Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, and Practices were collected pre-, mid-, and postprogram. Individual interviews, group project evaluations, and participant observation were also conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data were thematically coded and analyzed using the Kirkpatrick framework. Results: Participants recruited (n = 32) were mostly female (81%) and nurses (56%). Pre-to-post-program mean scores improved in knowledge (+12%, p = 0.002) and skills/practices (+14%, p = 0.002). Preprogram attitude scores were high but did not change. Participants felt empowered and demonstrated attitudinal improvements regarding HIV, TB, infection control, and occupational health. Successful projects were indeed implemented. However, participants encountered considerable difficulties in trying to sustain improvement, due largely to lack of pre-existing knowledge and experience, combined with inadequate staffing and insufficient management support. Conclusion: Training is essential to strengthen HCWs' occupational health and infection control knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices, and workplace-based training programs such as this can yield impressive results. However, the considerable mentorship resources required for such programs and the substantial infrastructural supports needed for implementation and sustainability of improvements in settings without pre-existing experience in such endeavors should not be underestimated.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2000

In order to maximize the recycling of converter slag to the more valuable fields, such as high quality aggregates for construction, cement industry and flux for ion making. It will be very important to control the compositions and properties of converter slag to suit the purpose of utilizastion. In this study, converter slag (STELCO, CANADA) was mixed with 5%~30% $SiO_2$and 7% carbon, and then reduced at $1650^{\circ}C$. After the reduction was completed, the reformed slags were cooled to room temperature in the furnace. All of the slags were then characterized using SEM-EDX, XRD and chemical analysis. Also the compressive strengths and densities of the reformed slags were measured to compare with natural aggregates. XRD analysis shows that th phases of reformed slags are changed from bredigite+merwinite mixed phases of 10% $SiO_2$added reduction to akermanite phases of 20% and 30% $SiO_2$ added reduction. But the SEM-EDX analysis revealed that the phase distribution of the reformed slags was changed very sensitively and complicately depends on the change of slag compositions. And also the properties of reformed slags are changed very much depend on the phase distribution. About one third of Cadmium and on fifth of Vanadium are remained in reduction reformed converter slag. Another heavy metal elements such as cobalt, zinc, lead are removed up to more than 90-95% of original slag. The compressive strength and density of 25% $SiO_2$ added and reformed slag is very near to natural granite. This is superior more than 10% to Thyssen's $SiO_2$ added and oxidized converter slag aggregates.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the residual echocardiographic findings including strain analysis among post-coronavirus disease (COVID) patients. The aim of our study is to prospectively phenotype post-COVID patients. METHODS: All patients discharged following acute COVID infection were systematically followed in the post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital. At 4-18 weeks post diagnosis, patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic assessment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed by 3D, 2D Biplane Simpson's, or visual estimate. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured using a vendor-independent 2D speckle-tracking software (TomTec). RESULTS: A total of 127 patients (53% female, mean age 58 years) were included in our analyses. At baseline, cardiac conditions were present in 58% of the patients (15% coronary artery disease, 4% heart failure, 44% hypertension, 10% atrial fibrillation) while the remainder were free of cardiac conditions. COVID-19 serious complications were present in 79% of the patients (76% pneumonia, 37% intensive care unit admission, 21% intubation, 1% myocarditis). Normal LVEF was seen in 96% of the cohort and 97% had normal right ventricular systolic function. A high proportion (53%) had abnormal LV GLS defined as < 18%. Average LV GLS of septal and inferior segments were lower compared to that of other segments. Among patients without pre-existing cardiac conditions, LVEF was abnormal in only 1.9%, but LV GLS was abnormal in 46% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most post-COVID patients had normal LVEF at 4-18 weeks post diagnosis, but over half had abnormal LV GLS.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1102-1113
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• 2023

Objective: To elucidate the use of radiological studies, including nuclear medicine, and biopsy for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer (PCA) in clinical practice and understand the current status of PCA in Asian countries via an international survey. Materials and Methods: The Asian Prostate Imaging Working Group designed a survey questionnaire with four domains focused on prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), other prostate imaging, prostate biopsy, and PCA backgrounds. The questionnaire was sent to 111 members of professional affiliations in Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan who were representatives of their working hospitals, and their responses were analyzed. Results: This survey had a response rate of 97.3% (108/111). The rates of using 3T scanners, antispasmodic agents, laxative drugs, and prostate imaging-reporting and data system reporting for prostate MRI were 21.6%-78.9%, 22.2%-84.2%, 2.3%-26.3%, and 59.5%-100%, respectively. Respondents reported using the highest b-values of 800-2000 sec/mm² and fields of view of 9-30 cm. The prostate MRI examinations per month ranged from 1 to 600, and they were most commonly indicated for biopsy-naïve patients suspected of PCA in Japan and Singapore and staging of proven PCA in Korea and Taiwan. The most commonly used radiotracers for prostate positron emission tomography are prostate-specific membrane antigen in Singapore and fluorodeoxyglucose in three other countries. The most common timing for prostate MRI was before biopsy (29.9%). Prostate-targeted biopsies were performed in 63.8% of hospitals, usually by MRI-ultrasound fusion approach. The most common presentation was localized PCA in all four countries, and it was usually treated with radical prostatectomy. Conclusion: This survey showed the diverse technical details and the availability of imaging and biopsy in the evaluation of PCA. This suggests the need for an educational program for Asian radiologists to promote standardized evidence-based imaging approaches for the diagnosis and staging of PCA.