Integrating Deep Learning into CAD/CAE System: Generative Design and Evaluation of 3D Conceptual Wheel

Engineering design research integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) is actively being conducted. This study proposes a deep learning-based CAD/CAE framework in the conceptual design phase that automatically generates 3D CAD designs and evaluates their engineering performance. The proposed framework comprises seven stages: (1) 2D generative design, (2) dimensionality reduction, (3) design of experiment in latent space, (4) CAD automation, (5) CAE automation, (6) transfer learning, and (7) visualization and analysis. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a road wheel design case study and indicates that AI can be practically incorporated into an end-use product design project. Engineers and industrial designers can jointly review a large number of generated 3D CAD models by using this framework along with the engineering performance results estimated by AI and find conceptual design candidates for the subsequent detailed design stage

Impact of multivessel versus single-vessel disease on the association between low diastolic blood pressure and mortality after acute myocardial infarction with revascularization

Background: Previous studies demonstrated a J-shaped relationship between low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that was sensitive to revascularization. Hypothesized herein, was that this relationship differs between patients with multivessel disease (MVD) and those with single-vessel disease due to differing degrees of myocardial ischemic burden. Methods: Among 9,983 AMI patients from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry database who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and were followed up for a median duration of 3.2 years, average on-treatment DBP was calculated at admission, discharge, and every scheduled visit and divided into these parameters: < 70 mmHg, 70–74 mmHg, 75–79 mmHg, and ≥ 80 mmHg. The relationship between average on-treatment DBP and clinical outcomes including all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, non-CV death, and hospitalization for heart failure was analyzed using the Cox regression models adjusted for clinical covariates. Results: In patients with MVD, all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–2.04, p = 0.012) and CV death (HR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.02–2.46, p = 0.027) were significantly increased in patients with a DBP < 70 mmHg, showing a J-shaped relationship. However, these findings were not significant for single-vessel disease. On a sensitivity analysis excluding subjects with a baseline SBP < 120 mmHg, an increased risk of a low DBP < 70 mmHg remained in MVD. Conclusions: The J-shaped relationship between low DBP and adverse clinical outcomes in AMI patients who underwent revascularization persisted in MVD, which has a high ischemic burden. These high-risk patients require cautious treatment

Characteristics of subclinical tuberculosis compared to active symptomatic tuberculosis using nationwide registry cohort in Korea: prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe clinical manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) range from asymptomatic to disseminated depending on the microbiological and immunological status, making the diagnosis challenging. To improve our understanding of the disease progression mechanism, we aimed to identify the characteristics of subclinical TB and important predictors of symptom development.MethodsFrom July 2018 to June 2019, we systemically collected data from the National Surveillance System of South Korea on patients with pulmonary TB, and compared the characteristics of subclinical and active symptomatic TB patients.ResultsA total of 4,636 patients with pulmonary TB were included, and the prevalence of subclinical TB was 37.1% (1,720/4,636). In subclinical TB patients, the positivity rates of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture were 16.2 and 50.2%, respectively. Subclinical TB patients were younger (55.6 ± 19.2 vs. 60.7 ± 19.5, P < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (21.7 ± 3.1 vs. 21.0 ± 3.5, P < 0.001), less under Medicaid support, and had lower rates of chronic lung disease, AFB smear and culture positivity, and bilateral disease. Regarding the characteristic differences of individual TB-related symptoms, age was positively associated with dyspnoea and general weakness but negatively associated with chest pain, haemoptysis, and weight loss. Male patients were more prone to weight loss. Chronic lung disease was related to symptoms including cough/phlegm, dyspnoea, and haemoptysis, while autoimmune diseases were associated with fever and weight loss.ConclusionsThe development of TB-related symptoms was associated with microbiological burden and clinical characteristics including underlying comorbidities, which should be evaluated carefully

The 'Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery stenosis - sAfety & effectiveneSS of drug-elUting stents & antiplatelet REgimen' (HOST-ASSURE) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have raised the bar of clinical performance. These stents are mostly made from cobalt chromium alloy. A newer generation DES has been developed from platinum chromium alloy, but clinical data regarding the efficacy and safety of the platinum chromium-based everolimus-eluting stent (PtCr-EES) is limited, with no comparison data against the cobalt chromium-based zotarolimus-eluting stent (CoCr-ZES). In addition, an antiplatelet regimen is an integral component of medical therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 1-week duration of doubling the dose of clopidogrel (double-dose antiplatelet therapy (DDAT)) was shown to improve outcome at 1 month compared with conventional dose in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI. However in Asia, including Korea, the addition of cilostazol (triplet antiplatelet therapy (TAT)) is used more commonly than doubling the dose of clopidogrel in high-risk patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the 'Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery stenosis - sAfety & effectiveneSS of drug-elUting stents & antiplatelet REgimen' (HOST-ASSURE) trial, approximately 3,750 patients are being prospectively and randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design according to the type of stent (PtCr-EES vs CoCr-ZES) and antiplatelet regimen (TAT vs DDAT). The first primary endpoint is target lesion failure at 1 year for the stent comparison, and the second primary endpoint is net clinical outcome at 1 month for comparison of antiplatelet therapy regimen.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The HOST-ASSURE trial is the largest study yet performed to directly compare the efficacy and safety of the PtCr-EES versus CoCr-ZES in an 'all-comers' population. In addition, this study will also compare the clinical outcome of TAT versus DDAT for 1-month post PCI.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClincalTrials.gov number <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01267734">NCT01267734</a>.</p

Erratum to: Changes in particulate organic matters and plankton populations in nature-like fishways: role of nature-like fish ways in water treatment

Nature-like fishways, designed to mimic a small natural stream, have been widely used in river restoration projects as well as in rivers with dams and weirs. Because they are built with diverse natural materials similar to those in natural streams, we aimed to estimate the self-purification ability of nature-like fishways. Monthly sampling was conducted at inlet and outlet points of two nature-like fishways in Korea: the Baekjae and Sejong fishways. Two artificial fishways and main river channels were also evaluated to be used as references. Suspended solids (SS), chlorophyll a (Chl. a), and plankton abundances were measured. A significant reduction in plankton abundances and decrease in SS and Chl. a were observed in nature-like fishways, and no significant changes were observed in concrete artificial fishways and main river channels. In Baekjae and Sejong fishways, average 28.2% and 14.9% of the SS concentrations were reduced, respectively. The Chl. a concentration also significantly decreased (44.8% and 29.8% in Baekjae and Sejong fishways, respectively). A decreasing pattern was more apparent in the Baekjae fishway, which is longer and has a slower water velocity. The rate of decrease was higher when SS and Chl. a concentrations were high at the inlet points. Thus, we confirmed that particulate organic matters could be reduced in nature-like fishways. However, the direct cause and purification process mechanisms in them could not be clearly identified. Further studies should examine the biological and chemical mechanisms in fishways, allowing us to estimate their capacity for self-purification

Changes in particulate organic matters and plankton populations in nature-like fishways: role of nature-like fish ways in water treatment

Nature-like fishways, designed to mimic a small natural stream, have been widely used in river restoration projects as well as in rivers with dams and weirs. Because they are built with diverse natural materials similar to those in natural streams, we aimed to estimate the self-purification ability of nature-like fishways. Monthly sampling was conducted at inlet and outlet points of two nature-like fishways in Korea: the Baekjae and Sejong fishways. Two artificial fishways and main river channels were also evaluated to be used as references. Suspended solids (SS), chlorophyll a (Chl. a), and plankton abundances were measured. A significant reduction in plankton abundances and decrease in SS and Chl. a were observed in nature-like fishways, and no significant changes were observed in concrete artificial fishways and main river channels. In Baekjae and Sejong fishways, average 28.2% and 14.9% of the SS concentrations were reduced, respectively. The Chl. a concentration also significantly decreased (44.8% and 29.8% in Baekjae and Sejong fishways, respectively). A decreasing pattern was more apparent in the Baekjae fishway, which is longer and has a slower water velocity. The rate of decrease was higher when SS and Chl. a concentrations were high at the inlet points. Thus, we confirmed that particulate organic matters could be reduced in nature-like fishways. However, the direct cause and purification process mechanisms in them could not be clearly identified. Further studies should examine the biological and chemical mechanisms in fishways, allowing us to estimate their capacity for self-purification