• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.1306-1309
• /
• 2003

In the present paper, finite element analyses were carried out to evaluate the most important feature of a stent, that is. high radial strength and flexibility. Palmaz-Schatz 154 stent and two new models(stent A, stent B) were selected because they are the most representatives of tubular stents. Finite element analyses for the stent system were performed using ABAQUS/Explicit code. As a result, Palmaz-Schatz 154 stent shows sufficient radial strength but it needs some improvement in general properties such as high flexibility, low elastic recoil, low longitudinal contraction and low metal coverage area. Other two models show that sufficient flexibility, foreshortening and longitudinal recoil.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2011

Cerebral aneurysm is common lesion among adult population. Current methods for treating the disease have several limitations. Inspired by fern leaves, we have developed a new stent, called leaf stent, which can provide a tailored coverage at the neck of an aneurysm and thus prevent the blood from entering the aneurysm. It alone can be used to treat the cerebral aneurysm and therefore overcomes problems existing in current treating methods. The paper focuses on the numerical simulation of the leaf stents. The mechanical behaviour of the stent in various designs has been investigated using the finite element method. It has been found that certain designs provide adequate radial force and have excellent longitudinal flexibility. The performance of certain leaf stents is comparable and even superior to those of the commercially available cerebral stents such as the Neuroform stent and the Enterprise stent, commonly used for stent assisted coiling, while at the same time, providing sufficient coverage to isolate the aneurysm without using coils.

• Journal of vocational education research
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.67-89
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of career flexibility on employment status, career growth, and job satisfaction longitudinally. Demographic information(gender, age, parent's income level, and students' perceived financial states of family), vocational identity, employment status, career growth, and job satisfaction at 1, 2, and 3 years after the first data collection with a sample of 259(time 1), 229(time 2), 182(time 3) were collected respectively. Multivariate regression and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results showed that in-breadth career exploration positively predicted to employment status at time 1, 2, 3 consistently and career flexibility also positively predicted to employment status at time 2, 3. The longitudinal effect of career flexibility was found that the expectancy of career flexibility had shown to have stronger effect. In addition, career growth was influenced by in-depth career exploration at time 2, 3. On the other hand, no variables were related to job satisfaction in this study. Results of the current study provided the new insights for career education and limitation and future suggestions were discussed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.363-372
• /
• 2022

One of the most frequent issues in tunnel excavation is the collapse of rock blocks and the dropping of rock fragments from the tunnel face. The tunnel face can be reinforced using a number of techniques. One of the most popular and affordable solutions is the use of face longitudinal dowels, which has benefits including high strength, flexibility, and ease of cutting. In order to examine the reinforced face, this work shows the longitudinal deformation profile and ground response curve for a tunnel face. This approach is based on assumptions made during the analysis phase of problem solving. By knowing the tunnel face response and dowel behavior, the interaction of two elements can be solved. The rock element equation derived from the rock bolt method is combined with the dowel differential equation to solve the reinforced ground response curve (GRC). With a straightforward and accurate analytical equation, the new differential equation produces the reinforced displacement of the tunnel face at each stage of excavation. With simple equations and a less involved computational process, this approach offers quick and accurate solutions. The FLAC3D simulation has been compared with the suggested analytical approach. A logical error is apparent from the discrepancies between the two solutions. Each component of the equation's effect has also been described.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.65-83
• /
• 2022

Although various statistical methods have been developed to map time-dependent genetic factors, most identified genetic variants can explain only a small portion of the estimated genetic variation in longitudinal traits. Gene-gene and gene-time/environment interactions are known to be important putative sources of the missing heritability. However, mapping epistatic gene-gene interactions is extremely difficult due to the very large parameter spaces for models containing such interactions. In this paper, we develop a Gaussian process (GP) based nonparametric Bayesian variable selection method for longitudinal data. It maps multiple genetic markers without restricting to pairwise interactions. Rather than modeling each main and interaction term explicitly, the GP model measures the importance of each marker, regardless of whether it is mostly due to a main effect or some interaction effect(s), via an unspecified function. To improve the flexibility of the GP model, we propose a novel grid-based method for the within-subject dependence structure. The proposed method can accurately approximate complex covariance structures. The dimension of the covariance matrix depends only on the number of fixed grid points although each subject may have different numbers of measurements at different time points. The deviance information criterion (DIC) and the Bayesian predictive information criterion (BPIC) are proposed for selecting an optimal number of grid points. To efficiently draw posterior samples, we combine a hybrid Monte Carlo method with a partially collapsed Gibbs (PCG) sampler. We apply the proposed GP model to a mouse dataset on age-related body weight.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.443-498
• /
• 2013

A detailed finite element modeling is presented for the simulation of the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete structures which manages to predict the nonlinear behavior of four different experimental setups with computational efficiency, robustness and accuracy. The proposed modeling method uses 8-node hexahedral isoparametric elements for the discretization of concrete. Steel rebars may have any orientation inside the solid concrete elements allowing the simulation of longitudinal as well as transverse reinforcement. Concrete cracking is treated with the smeared crack approach, while steel reinforcement is modeled with the natural beam-column flexibility-based element that takes into consideration shear and bending stiffness. The performance of the proposed modeling is demonstrated by comparing the numerical predictions with existing experimental and numerical results in the literature as well as with those of a commercial code. The results show that the proposed refined simulation predicts accurately the nonlinear inelastic behavior of reinforced concrete structures achieving numerical robustness and computational efficiency.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.73 no.2
• /
• pp.167-179
• /
• 2020

This study provides a simplified method for the evaluation of shear lag stress in rectangular box T-joints. The occurrence of shear lag phenomenon in the box T-joint generates stress concentration localized at both web-flange junctions of the beam, which leads to cracking or failure in the weld region of the joint. To prevent such critical circumstance, peak stress at the weld region is required to be checked during a preliminary design stage. In this paper, the shear lag stresses in the T-joints were evaluated using least-work solution in which the longitudinal displacements of the beam flange and web were presumed. The evaluation process considered particularly the effect of column flange flexibility, which was represented by an axial spring model, on the shear lag stress distribution. A simplified method for stress evaluation was provided to avoid solving complex mathematical problems using a stress modification factor β_s from a parametric study. The results showed that the proposed method was valid for predicting the shear lag stress in the box T-joints manually, as well compared with finite element results. The results are further summarized, discussed, and clarified that more flexible column flange caused higher stress concentration.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.297-313
• /
• 2011

As bridge conditions in the United States continue to deteriorate, rapid bridge replacement procedures are needed. Decked precast prestressed concrete (DPPC) girders are used for rapid bridge construction because the bridge deck is precast with the girders eliminating the need for a cast-in-place slab. One of the concerns with using DPPC girders as a bridge construction option is the durability of the longitudinal joints between girders. The objectives of this paper were to propose a method to use a spring element modeling procedure for representing welded steel connector assemblies between adjacent girders in DPPC girder bridges, perform a preliminary study of bridge performance under multiple loading scenarios and bridge configurations, and discuss model flexibility for accommodating future field data for model verification. The spring elements have potential to represent the contribution of joint grout materials by altering the spring stiffness.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine differences between players who bend the left elbow and those who stretch it during the forward swing from BST to BC in a 2-handed backhand stroke among outstanding high school tennis players, and to assess the detailed 3D rotational kinematic characteristics of the shoulder and the hip. Statistically significant differences were observed between groups in the longitudinal axis rotation angle of the shoulder and the angle between the shoulder and the arm at BST, and in the side to side movement of the shoulder, the up and down movement of the hip, the side tilt angular velocity of the shoulder, the side tilt angular velocity of the hip, and the front tilt angular velocity of the hip at BC. The difference in the longitudinal axis rotation angle of the shoulder between the 2 groups suggests a difference in the flexibility of the joint in the shoulder arm racquet system. The longitudinal axis rotation angular velocity of the shoulder reached its peak at 75 % of the duration of the analyzed segment and then decreased little by little until BC. This time is considered the stage for increasing the angular velocity of the upper arm, the forearm, the hand and then the racquet, which are more distal segments than the shoulder.