• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.451-471
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• 2022

In the present paper, the static bending and buckling responses of functionally graded carbon nanotubes-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam under various boundary conditions are investigated within the framework of higher shear deformation theory. The significant feature of the proposed theory is that it provides an accurate parabolic distribution of transverse shear stress through the thickness satisfying the traction-free boundary conditions needless of any shear correction factor. Uniform (UD) and four graded distributions of CNTs which are FG-O, FG-X, FG- and FG-V are selected here for the analysis. The effective material properties of FG-CNTRC beams are estimated according to the rule of mixture. To model the FG-CNTRC beam realistically, an efficient Hermite-Lagrangian finite element formulation is successfully developed. The accuracy and efficiency of the present model are demonstrated by comparison with published benchmark results. Moreover, comprehensive numerical results are presented and discussed in detail to investigate the effects of CNTs volume fraction, distribution patterns of CNTs, boundary conditions, and length-to-thickness ratio on the bending and buckling responses of FG-CNTRC beam. Several new referential results are also reported for the first time which will serve as a benchmark for future studies in a similar direction. It is concluded that the FG-X-CNTRC beam is the strongest beam that carries the lowest central deflection and is followed by the UD, V, Λ, and FG-O-CNTRC beam. Besides, the critical buckling load belonging to the FG-X-CNTRC beam is the highest, followed by UD and FG-O.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Recently, as the demand for high-performance computers and mobile products increases, semiconductor packages are becoming high-integration and high-density. Therefore, in order to transmit a large amount of data at once, micro bumps such as flip-chip and Cu pillar that can reduce bump size and pitch and increase I/O density are used. However, when the size of the bumps is smaller than 70 ㎛, the brittleness increases and electrical properties decrease due to the rapid increase of the IMC volume fraction in the solder joint, which deteriorates the reliability of the solder joint. Therefore, in order to improve these issues, a layer that serves to prevent diffusion is inserted between the UBM (Under Bump Metallization) or pillar and the solder cap. In this review paper, various studies to improve bonding properties by suppressing excessive IMC growth of micro-bumps through additional layer insertion were compared and analyzed.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.199-210
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• 2023

The physical properties of rocks in reservoirs change after CO₂ injection, we modeled a reservoir with a transition zone within which the physical properties change linearly. The function of the Wolf reflection coefficient consists of the velocity ratio of the upper and lower layers, the frequency, and the thickness of the transition zone. This function can be used to estimate the thickness of a reservoir or seafloor transition zone. In this study, we propose a method for predicting the thickness of the transition zone using deep learning. To apply deep learning, we modeled the thickness-dependent Wolf reflection coefficient on an artificial transition zone formation model consisting of sandstone reservoir and shale cap rock and generated time-frequency spectral images using the continuous wavelet transform. Although thickness estimation performed by comparing spectral images according to different thicknesses and a spectral image from a trace of the seismic stack did not always provide accurate thicknesses, it can be applied to field data by obtaining training data in various environments and thus improving its accuracy.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.863-898
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• 2023

Previous studies have shown that insiders pose risks to the security of organisations' secret information. Information security policy (ISP) intentional violation can jeopardise organisations. For years, ISP violations persist despite organisations' best attempts to tackle the problem through security, education, training and awareness (SETA) programs and technology solutions. Stopping hacking attempts e.g., phishing relies on personnel's behaviour. Therefore, it is crucial to consider employee behaviour when designing strategies to protect sensitive data. In this case, organisations should also focus on improving employee behaviour on security and creating positive security perceptions. This paper investigates the role of psychological capital (PsyCap), punishment and organisational security resources in influencing employee behaviour and ultimately reducing ISP violations. The model of the proposed study has been modified to investigate the connection between self-efficacy, resilience, optimism, hope, perceived sanction severity, perceived sanction certainty, security response effectiveness, security competence and ISP violation. The sample of the study includes 364 bank employees in Jordan who participated in a survey using a self-administered questionnaire. The findings show that the proposed approach acquired an acceptable fit with the data and 17 of 25 hypotheses were confirmed to be correct. Furthermore, the variables self-efficacy, resilience, security response efficacy, and protection motivation directly influence ISP violations, while perceived sanction severity and optimism indirectly influence ISP violations through protection motivation. Additionally, hope, perceived sanction certainty, and security skills have no effect on ISP infractions that are statistically significant. Finally, self-efficacy, resiliency, optimism, hope, perceived severity of sanctions, perceived certainty of sanctions, perceived effectiveness of security responses, and security competence have a substantial influence on protection motivation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.36-42
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• 2023

In this study, 50 ABE-type hard hats were procured from five certified commercial manufacturers, and shock absorption tests were conducted in accordance with Protective Equipment Safety Certification Notice No. 2020-35. The tests were performed under both high- and low-temperature conditions, adhering to safety helmet testing standards. The highest shock transmission ranges were recorded in the tests, with an average energy range of 2,600-4,108 N at high temperatures and 2,316-3,991 N at low temperatures. All five hard hat models demonstrated a maximum transmitted impact force below 4,450 N, without any loss of cap and attachment functionality, confirming their compliance with performance standards. Furthermore, we evaluated the side impact performance of the safety helmets of each company, with an average range of 4,722-5,267 N. Company A exhibited the lowest measurement at 4,722 N. Comparing these results with international safety standards and the national shock absorption test criteria, it was observed that the maximum transmitted shock value using government-specified impact weight falls within the range of 4,450-5,000 N. However, it was noted that developed countries have established specific standards for the side impact forces on safety helmets, which are legally mandated. Consequently, it is imperative for South Korea to enhance its safety helmet side impact performance test methodology to align with domestic standards in the future.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2024

The original elastoplastic Hardening Soil model is formulated actually partly under hexagonal pyramidal Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, and can be only used in specific stress paths. It must be completely generalized under Mohr-Coulomb criterion before its usage in engineering practice. A set of generalized constitutive equations under this criterion, including shear and volumetric yield surfaces and hardening laws, is proposed for Hardening Soil model in principal stress space. On the other hand, a Mohr-Coulumb type yield surface in principal stress space comprises six corners and an apex that make singularity for the normal integration approach of constitutive equations. With respect to the isotropic nature of the material, a technique for processing these singularities by means of Koiter's rule, along with a transforming approach between both stress spaces for both stress tensor and consistent stiffness matrix based on spectral decomposition method, is introduced to provide such an approach for developing generalized Hardening Soil model in finite element analysis code ABAQUS. The implemented model is verified in comparison with the results after the original simulations of oedometer and triaxial tests by means of this model, for volumetric and shear hardenings respectively. Results from the simulation of oedometer test show similar shape of primary loading curve to the original one, while maximum vertical strain is a little overestimated for about 0.5% probably due to the selection of relationships for cap parameters. In simulation of triaxial test, the stress-strain and dilation curves are both in very good agreement with the original curves as well as test data.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to characterize the symptoms, mental health, quality of life (QoL), and associated factors following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 394 participants previously infected with COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mental health was assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Participants self-reported health-related QoL was measured with the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale. Results: Among the participants, 76.4% reported experiencing at least one symptom following COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms were fatigue (42.1%), cognitive dysfunction (42.9%), and hair loss (27.9%). According to the DASS-21 results, the proportions of depression, anxiety, and stress were 28.7%, 26.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. The mean scores on the EQ-5D-5L and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale were 0.94±0.11 and 84.20±13.11, respectively. Regarding QoL issues, the highest proportion of participants (32.7%) reported experiencing anxiety or depression, followed by pain or discomfort (25.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with the presence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection included female (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 4.91) and having QoL issues (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.71 to 6.19). Conclusions: The study investigated the prevalence rates of various symptoms following COVID-19 infection. These findings underscore the need to prioritize comprehensive care for individuals recovering from COVID-19 and to implement strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of the disease on mental health and QoL.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.287-295
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• 2023

Background: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is a common mechanism of recurrent elbow instability. While the essential lesion is a deficiency in the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), there are often associated concomitant bony lesions, such as an Osborne-Cotterill lesions (posterior capitellar fractures) and marginal radial head fractures, that compromise stability. Currently, there is no standard treatment for posterior capitellar deficiency associated with recurrent PLRI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of five patients with recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with a posterior capitellar impaction fracture engaging with the radial head during normal range of motion. The patients were treated surgically with LUCL reconstruction or repair and off-label reconstruction of the capitellar joint surface using a small metal prosthesis designed for metatarsal head resurfacing (HemiCAP toe classic). Results: Five patients (three adolescent males, two adult females) were treated between 2007 and 2018. At a median follow-up of 5 years, all patients had complete relief of their symptomatic instability. No patients had pain at rest, but two patients had mild pain (visual analog scale 1-3) during physical activity. Three patients rated their elbow as normal, one as almost normal, and one as greatly improved. On short-term radiographic follow-up there were no signs of implant loosening. None of the patients needed reoperation. Conclusions: Recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with an engaging posterior capitellar lesion can be treated successfully by LUCL reconstruction and repair and filling of the capitellar defect with a metal prosthesis. This treatment option has excellent clinical results in the short-medium term. Level of evidence: IV.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.48-52
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• 2024

This study explores the histological features and Bmp4 expression patterns in the replaced tooth germ of Xenopus laevis. Tooth germ formation starts from the dental placode through epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, involving various signaling pathways such as Fgf, Shh, Bmp, and Wnt. In mice, Bmp4 expression in the dental placode inhibits Pax9 expression in the dental mesenchyme. Although absent in the presumptive dental lamina of birds and toothless mammals, Bmp4 remains conserved in reptiles and fish owing to gene duplication. However, its expression in amphibian tooth germs is poorly understood. Three-month-old X. laevis were employed in this study. Initially, samples underwent paraffin embedding and were sectioned into 5 or 12 ㎛ ribbons for H&E staining and in situ hybridization, respectively. Results revealed teeth appearing in two maxillary rows: the labial side, with prefunctional and functional teeth, and the lingual side, with replaced tooth germs behind functional teeth. Enameloid was observed between the inner dental epithelium and dental mesenchyme at the cap or early bell stages, whereas enamel and dentin formed during the late bell or mineralization stages from the replaced tooth germ. Bmp4 expression was evident in the inner dental epithelium (ameloblasts), dental papilla (odontoblasts), stellate reticulum, and Hertwig's epithelial root sheath. Overall, these findings highlight the conservation of Bmp4 expression in X. laevis tooth development.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.91-102
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• 2008

Nondestructive testing techniques have been historically and commonly used to evaluate the quality of existing concrete structures. The techniques utilized included visual inspection, hammer sounding, Schmidt hammer rebounding, and ultrasonic pulse velocity testing including tomographic imaging. Results of the nondestructive tests were used to determine areas to be tested with local destructive tests. These tests included concrete compressive strengths, chloride testing, and petrographic testing. The overall results indicate that inside core of each of the pier caps are healthy. On all of the pier caps, extensive exterior concrete layer rehabilitation needs to be completed. This paper shows the application and interpretation of common nondestructive testing techniques and the consequent repair, rehabilitation, maintenance decisions and safety assesment.