• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2005

A new method for real-time estimating left ventricular relaxation time constant (T) from the left ventricular (LV) pressure waveform, based on the isovolumic relaxation model, is proposed. The presented method uses a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm to accomplish real-time estimation. A new criterion to detect the end-point of the isovolumic relaxation period (IRP) for the estimation of T is also introduced, which is based on the pattern analysis of mean square errors between the original and reconstructed pressure waveforms. We have verified the performance of the new method in over 4,600 beats obtained from 70 patients. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides more stable and reliable estimation of τ than the conventional 'off-line' methods.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2003

Purpose : To develop a theoretical model for magnetic relaxation behavior of the superparamagnetic nano-particle agent, which demonstrates multi-functionality such as liver- and lymp node-specificity. Based on the developed model, the computer simulation was performed to clarify the relationship between relaxation time and the applied magnetic field strength. Materials and Methods : The ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) was encapsulated with biocompatiable polymer, to develop a relaxation model based on outsphere mechanism, which was resulting from diffusion and/or electron spin fluctuation. In addition, Brillouin function was introduced to describe the full magnetization by considering the fact that the low-field approximation, which was adapted in paramagnetic case, is no longer valid. The developed model describes therefore the T1 and T2 relaxation behavior of superparamagnetic iron oxide both in low-field and in high-field. Based on our model, the computer simulation was performed to test the relaxation behavior of superparamagnetic contrast agent over various magnetic fields using MathCad (MathCad, U.S.A.), a symbolic computation software. Results : For T1 and T2 magnetic relaxation characteristics of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide, the theoretical model showed that at low field (<1.0 Mhz), $\tau_{S1}(\tau_{S2}$, in case of T2), which is a correlation time in spectral density function, plays a major role. This suggests that realignment of nano-magnetic particles is most important at low magnetic field. On the other hand, at high field, $\tau$, which is another correlation time in spectral density function, plays a major role. Since $\tau$ is closely related to particle size, this suggests that the difference in R1 and R2 over particle sizes, at high field, is resulting not from the realignment of particles but from the particle size itself. Within normal body temperature region, the temperature dependence of T1 and T2 relaxation time showed that there is no change in T1 and T2 relaxation times at high field. Especially, T1 showed less temperature dependence compared to T2. Conclusion : We developed a theoretical model of r magnetic relaxation behavior of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO), which was reported to show clinical multi-functionality by utilizing physical properties of nano-magnetic particle. In addition, based on the developed model, the computer simulation was performed to investigate the relationship between relaxation time of USPIO and the applied magnetic field strength.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.334-343
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• 2016

Background: Progressed tissue culture techniques have allowed us to easily obtain mass products of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng over 100 yr old (TCMG-100). We investigated the effects of TCMG-100 extract on erectile function using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: To examine the relaxation effects and mechanisms of action of TCMG-100 on rabbit cavernosal strips evaluated in an organ bath. To investigate the long-term treatment effect of TCMG-100, 8-wk administration was performed. After administration of TCMG-100, intracavernosal pressure, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of cavernosal tissue, serum testosterone level, histological observation of collagen fiber, endothelium, smooth muscle cell, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ were investigated. Results: TCMG-100 extract displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit corporal smooth muscle. The TCMG-100-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by removing the endothelium, and treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor or NO scavenger. Eight weeks of TCMG-100 administration increased intracavernosal pressure in a rat model. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and NO in the corpus callosum and serum testosterone level were also increased by TCMG-100 treatment. Furthermore, histological evaluation of collagen, smooth muscle, and endothelium showed increases in endothelium and smooth muscle, and a decrease in transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expression. Conclusion: These relaxation effects on corporal smooth muscle and increased erectile function suggest that TCMG-100 might be used as an alternative herbal medicine to improve erectile function.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.416-423
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• 2006

The dynamic mechanical thermal properties of poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) (PHT), poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) and their P(HT-co-CT) random copolymers in the amorphous state were examined as a function of temperature and frequency. All the samples exhibited two main relaxation processes in the plot of tan ${\delta}$ versus temperature: the primary ${\alpha}$-relaxation associated with the glass transition and the secondary ${\beta}$-relaxation attributed to the local segmental motions of mostly cyclohexylene rings for PCT and to cooperative motions of methylene, carboxyl, and phenylene groups for PHT. Both ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-relaxation temperatures increased with increasing CT content. The activation energy of the ${\alpha}$-relaxation increased with increasing CT content, whereas that of the ${\beta}$-relaxation decreased. The sub-glassy secondary ${\beta}$-relaxation processes of PCT and PHT were investigated in terms of the cooperativity of main-chain segmental motions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.753-768
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• 2022

In this study, a graphical automatic system is developed in order to investigate the stress redistribution of structural members in a steel cable-stayed bridge. The generalized Maxwell model is selected for stress relaxation estimation, and it is carefully verified and applied to all the cable members of a steel cable-stayed bridge to investigate its stress relaxation. A set of stress relaxation parameters in all cables is determined using the fmincon optimization function. The stress redistribution of the steel cable-stayed bridge is then analyzed using ABAQUS. To shorten the investigation time, all the aforementioned phases are built up to be an automatic system. The automatic system is then employed to investigate the effect of cable cross-section areas and girder spans on stress redistribution. The findings from these studies show that the initial tension in the cables of a steel cable-stayed bridge should be kept to less than 55% of the cable's ultimate strength to reduce the effect of cable stress relaxation. The cable space in a steel cable-stayed bridge should be limited to 15,000 mm to minimize the effect of cable stress relaxation. In comparison to other structural members of a steel cable-stayed bridge, the girders experience a significant stress redistribution.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.129-138
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• 2002

A cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium $\rho$-toluenesufonate (CTA$\rho$TS), forms long threadlike micelles in aqueous solution. The threadlike micelles make concentrated entanglement networks, so that the solution shows pronounced viscoelastic behavior as concentrated polymer systems do. However, a mechanism for a process responsible for the longest relaxation time of the threadlike micellar system is different from that of semi-dilute to concentrated polymer systems. The threadlike micellar system exhibits unique viscoelasticity described by a Maxwell model. The longest relaxation time of the threadlike micellar system is not a function of the concentration of CTA$\rho$TS, but changes with that of $\rho$-toluenesufonate ($\rho$$TS^{-}$) ions in the bulk aqueous phase supplied by adding sodium $\rho$-toluenesulfonate (NapTS). The rates of molecular motions in the threadlike micelles are not influenced by the concentration of $\rho$$TS^{-}$ anions, therefore, molecular motions in the threadlike micelles (micro-dynamics) are independent of the longest relaxation mechanism (macro-dynamics). A nonionic surfactant, oleyldimethylamineoxide (ODAO), forms long threadlike micelles in aqueous solution without any additives. The aqueous threadlike micellar system of ODAO also shows Maxwell type viscoelastic behavior. However, the relaxation mechanism for the longest relaxation process in the system should be different from that in the threadlike micellar systems of CTA$\rho$TS, since the system of ODAO does not contain additive anions. Because increase in the average degree of protonation of head groups of ODAO molecules in micelles due to adding hydrogen bromide causes the relaxation time remarkably longer, changes in micro-structure and micro-dynamics in the threadlike micelle are closely related to macro-dynamics in contrast with the threadlike micellar system of CTA$\rho$TS.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2002

An elastomeric bushing which has been considered in this research is a device used in automotive suspension systems to reduce the forte transmitted iron the wheel to the frame of the vehicle. A bushing is modeled at a hollow cylinder which is bonded to a solid metal shaft at its inner surface and a metal sleeve at its outer surface. Lianis constitutive equation for a nonlinear viscoelastic incompressible material is used to model the elastomeric material of the bushing. It is used to derive a force-displacement relation for axial response of the bushing. The displacement dependent force relaxation function for the bushing is obtained from the ramp displacement control tests with an extrapolation method. This is compared with the exact result obtained from the step displacement control test and the results are in very good agreement.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2011

The aim of present study was to investigate the possible influence and related mechanism of resveratrol on U-46619 (high concentration)-induced vasoconstriction. Agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of thick or thin filament pathway. However, there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in resveratrol-induced relaxation in rat aortae contracted with high U-46619. We hypothesized that MEK or Rho-kinase inhibition plays a role in vascular relaxation evoked by resveratrol in rat aortae. Endothelium-denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Resveratrol fully inhibited U-46619 in low concentration-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. However, resveratrol partially decreased U-46619 in high concentration-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. Interestingly, only in U-46619 (high concentration)-induced contraction, no significant decrease was observed in phospho-ERK1/2 levels and slight decrease in phospho-MYPT1 levels suggesting that additional pathways different from them or endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. In conclusion, in high U-46619-contracted rat aortae, resveratrol showed relaxation response regardless of endothelial function significantly but slightly decreasing MYPT1 phosphorylation rather than ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.416-423
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• 2012

Using time domain reflectometry, the complex dielectric spectra between 10 MHz to 20 GHz has been measured in the whole composition range at 10, 20, 30 and $40^{\circ}C$ for the binary mixtures of ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide. For all the mixtures, only one dielectric loss peak was observed in this frequency range. The relaxation in these mixtures can be described by a single relaxation time using the Debye model. A systematic variation is observed in dielectric constant (${\varepsilon}_0$) and relaxation time (${\tau}$). The excess permittivity (${\varepsilon}^E$), excess inverse relaxation time $(1/{\tau})^E$, Kirkwood correlation factor (g) and thermodynamic parameters viz. enthalpy of activation (${\Delta}H$) and Gibbs free energy of activation (${\Delta}G$) have been determined, to confirm the formation of hydrogen bonded homogeneous and heterogeneous cooperative domains, the dynamics of solute - solute interaction and the hindrance to molecular rotation in the hydrogen bonded glass forming ethylene glycol - dimethyl sulphoxide system.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation on nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research using non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from outpatients in a university hospital from April to August, 2009. There were 74 participants, 39 in the experimental group and 35 in the control group. The experimental group was given daily the progressive muscle relaxation for 20 min during three weeks. The structured questionnaire was used to measure nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program, $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and ANCOVA were conducted to examine the homogeneity and the research hypotheses. Results: There were statistically significant decreases in anxiety and depression in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences in nausea, vomiting, and fatigue between the groups. Conclusion: In this study, progressive muscle relaxation was effective in alleviating anxiety and depression of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, progressive muscle relaxation can be usefully utilized as a nursing intervention that enhances psychological function of cancer patients.