• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.369-375
• /
• 2001

The statistical regression model is one of the most frequently used clinical analysis methods. It has basic assumption of linearity, additivity and normal distribution of data. However, most of biological data in medical field are nonlinear and unevenly distributed. To overcome the discrepancy between the basic assumption of statistical model and actual biological data, we propose a new analytical method based on artificial neural network. The newly developed multilayer perceptron(MLP) is trained with 120 data set (60 normal, 60 patient). On applying test data, it shows the discrimination power of 0.76. The diabetic risk factors were also identified from the MLP neural network model and the logistic regression model. The signigicant risk factors identified by MLP model were post prandial glucose level(PP2), sex(male), fasting blood sugar(FBS) level, age, SBP, AC and WHR. Those from the regression model are sex(male), PP2, age and FBS. The combined risk factors can be identified using the MLP model. Those are total cholesterol and body weight, which is consistent with the result of other clinical studies. From this experiment we have learned that MLP can be applied to the combined risk factor analysis of biological data which can not be provided by the conventional statistical method.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2001

Purpose: In the UICC staging system, stage IV contains not only those patients with distant metastasis but also patients with far advanced T and N status but without distant metastasis. We investigated the prognostic factors of stage IV gastric carcinoma patients without distant metastasis after curative resection. Materials and Methods: 190 stage IV gastric carcinoma patients without distant metastasis were reviewed after curative resection. Results: Male sex, distal third location, Borrmann type III, IV and histologically undifferentiated type were common. 5 year survival rate of the 190 patients was $22.2\%$. Depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis did not influence survival. The lymph node ratio (positive lymph node / retrieved lymph node) and combined resection affected survival by univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Combined resection and positive lymph node ratio were the independent prognostic factors in the patients with stage IV gastric carcinoma who underwent curative resection.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.68-75
• /
• 1994

This is the second of two companion papers wich describes the wideband array transducer design procedure and the designed transducer acoustic characteristics. In addition, the result of the designed transducer acoustic characteristics by the combined Finite Element Method and Hybrid Type Infinite Element Method, is found to better than that by the equivalent circuit model method. Therefore, the technique presented in this paper could be applied in the design and the acoustic characteristics analysis of the wideband array transducer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2005

In vitro ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitory activity of 6-triazole exomethylenepenam compounds (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) was compared with clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam. The inhibitory activity of 3, 4 and 5 was stronger than those of sulbactam, clavulanic acid and tazobactam against Type IV enzymes. And, inhibitory activity of 3 and 4 was stronger than those of sulbactam, clavulanic acid and tazobactam against Type III enzymes. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of 3, 4 and 5 combined with ampicillin was better than those with sulbactam and with cefoperazone was compared with the sulbactam against ${\beta}$-lactamase producing 27 strains. The synergistic activity of (Z)-form compounds (3 and 5) was better than that of (E)-form compound (4) and sulfone compound (5) was better than sulfide compound (3).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.434-444
• /
• 2021

BRAF inhibitors are insufficient monotherapies for BRAF-mutated cancer; therefore, we investigated which inhibitory pathway would yield the most effective therapeutic approach when targeted in combination with BRAF inhibition. The oncogenic BRAF inhibitor, PLX4720, increased basal autophagic flux in BRAF-mutated cells compared to wild-type (WT) BRAF cells. Interestingly, early autophagy inhibition improved the effectiveness of PLX4720 regardless of BRAF mutation, whereas late autophagy inhibition did not. Although ATG5 knockout led to PLX4720 resistance in both WT and BRAF-mutated cells, the MEK inhibitor trametinib exhibited a synergistic effect on PLX4720 sensitivity in WT BRAF cells but not in BRAF-mutated cells. Conversely, the prolonged inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress reduced basal autophagy in BRAF-mutated cells, thereby increasing PLX4720 sensitivity. Taken together, our results suggest that the combined inhibition of ER stress and BRAF may simultaneously suppress both pro-survival ER stress and autophagy, and may therefore be suitable for treatment of BRAF-mutated tumors whose autophagy is increased by chronic ER stress. Similarly, for WT BRAF tumors, therapies targeting MEK signaling may be a more effective treatment strategy. Together, this study presents a rational combination treatment strategy to improve the efficacy of BRAF inhibitors depending on BRAF mutation status.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.81 no.6
• /
• pp.737-750
• /
• 2022

Timber-Concrete Composite construction system consists of combining timber beam or deck and concrete with different connectors. Different fastener types are used in Timber-Concrete Composite systems. In this paper, the effects of two types of fasteners on structural behavior are compared. First, the notches were opened on timber beam, and combined with reinforced concrete slab by fasteners. This system is called as Notched Connection System. Then, timber beam and reinforced concrete slab were combined by new type designed fasteners in another model. This system is called as Notched-Slab Approach. Two laboratory models were constructed and bending tests were performed to examine the fasteners' effectiveness. Bending test results have shown that heavy damage to concrete slab occurs in Notched Connection System applications and the system becomes unusable. However, in Notched-Slab Approach applications, the damage concentrated on the fastener in the metal notch created in the slab, and no damage occurred in the concrete slab. In addition, non-destructive experimental measurements were conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics. To validate the experimental results, initial finite element models of both systems were constituted in ANSYS software using orthotropic material properties, and numerical dynamic characteristics were calculated. Finite element models of Timber-Concrete Composite systems are updated to minimize the differences by manual model updating procedure using some uncertain parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.321-328
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck stabilization exercise combined with vibroacoustic sound on patients with chronic neck pain and tension-type headache. Design: Two group pre test - post test design. Methods: 36 patients participated. Headache impact test-6(HIT-6), numerical rating scale(NRS) and muscle characteristics were measured at pre-post test. Participants divided into vibroacoustic sound group(VSG, n=18), control group(CG, n=18). VSG performed neck stabilization exercise and vibroacoustic sound stimulation. CG performed neck stabilization exercise. Both groups participated 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. Results: NRS showed a significant difference before and after intervention in both groups (p<0.05). HIT-6 showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the VSG group (p<0.05). Muscle tone showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the experimental group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle stiffness and muscle elasticity before and after the intervention in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, it is thought that sonic vibroacoustic sound can be established as an effective treatment tool through a study applied to various diseases and symptoms.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.390-402
• /
• 2022

Offshore wind energy has become a major energy source, and various studies are underway to increase the economic feasibility of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT). In this study, the characteristics of wave-induced motion of a combined wind-wave energy platform were analyzed to reduce the variability of energy extraction. A user subroutine was developed, and numerical analysis was performed in connection with the ANSYS-AQWA hydrodynamic program in the time domain. A platform combining the TLP-type FOWT and the Wavestar-type wave energy converter (WEC) was proposed. Each motion response of the platform on the second-order wave load, the effect of WEC attachment and Power take-off (PTO) force were analyzed. The mooring line tension according to the installation location was also analyzed. The vertical motion of a single FOWT was increased approximately three times due to the second-order sum-frequency wave load. The PTO force of the WEC played as a vertical motion damper for the combined platform. The tension of the mooring lines in front of the incident wave direction was dominantly affected by the pitch of the platform, and the mooring lines located at the side of the platform were mainly affected by the heave of the platform.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Dyssynergic defecation (DSD) is one of the important causes of chronic constipation in children. We aimed to analyze the clinical features, diagnostic test results, and treatments for DSD in children. Methods: Children diagnosed with DSD using fluoroscopic defecography were enrolled in this study. Clinical data, including the results of colon transit time (CTT) test and biofeedback (BF) therapy, were collected from medical records retrospectively. Results: Nineteen children were enrolled. The median age was 9 years (6-18 years), the median frequency of bowel movement was 1/7 days (1-10 days), the median duration of constipation was 7.0 years (2-18 years), the median age of onset of constipation was 2.5 years (1-11 years). In the CTT test, outlet obstruction type was noted in 10/18 (55.6%), slow transit type in 5/18 (27.8%), and normal transit in 1/18 (5.6%). The median CTT was 52 hours (40-142 hours). Initial medical therapy was performed with the polyethylene glycol 4000, and the response was good in 9/19 (47.4%), fair in 9/19 (47.4%), and poor in 1/19 (5.0%). BF was performed in 8/19, with good results in 6/8 (75.0%) children and failure in 2/8 (25.0%) children. After long-term medical therapy (11/19), 3/5 showed good response with medication alone, 6/8 showed good response with BF and medication combined. Conclusion: DSD should be considered as a cause of chronic constipation in children, especially in those with abnormal CTT test results. BF combined with medical therapy is effective even with age-limited cooperation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2001

Continuously variable transmission(CVT) mechanisms considered here combine the functions of a 2K-H I type differential gear unit and a V-belt continuously variable unit(CVU). One shaft of the V-belt CVU is connected directly to the differential gear unit and remaining shaft of it is linked to the output shaft. These mechanisms have many advantage which are the decrease of CVT size, the increase of overall efficiency, the extension of speed ratio range, and the generation of geared neutral. In this paper six different mechanisms of output coupled type CVT are proposed. Some useful theoretical formula related to speed ratio, power flow and efficiency are derived and analyzed, and theoretical analysis are proven by various experiments.