• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.363-367
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• 2010

In this paper we proposed an easy method to calculate the thickness of primary protective barrier for radiographic equipment. The concrete was selected for the shielding material. The area of protective barrier was divided into a controlled area and a noncontrolled area. For the computation of thickness, the data in NCRP Report 49 and 51 was used. For radiographic equipments whose maximum tubevoltages are 100 and 150 kVp, the thicknesses of concrete were calculated as a function of distance. From the calculated data, four analytical models were acquired by fitting an exponential decay function. From the equations acquired by this study, the thickness of primary protective barrier can be calculated approximately.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2007

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and occasionally of visceral or viscerotropic leishmaniasis in humans. Murine models of Leishmania infection have been proven to be useful for elucidation of mechanisms for pathogenesis and immunity in leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to establish a murine model for human viscerotropic leishmaniasis, and the growth pattern of L. tropica was studied in different tissues of BALB/c mice in order to find out whether the parasite visceralizes in this murine model. L. major was used as a control as this species is known to cause a progressive infection in BALB/c mice. L. tropica or L. major was injected into the footpad of mice, and thickness of footpad, parasite loads in different tissues, and the weight of the spleen and lymph node were determined at different intervals. Results showed that L. tropica visceralizes to the spleen and grows there while its growth is controlled in footpad tissues. Dissemination of L. tropica to visceral organs in BALB/c mice was similar to the growth patterns of this parasite in human viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The BALB/c model of L. tropica infection may be considered as a good experimental model for human diseases.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

In this study, the force tracking performance of the single-rod and double-rod type EHAs (Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators) was compared by computer simulation and experiments. The force-controlled EHAs exhibit non-linear behavior that are significantly dependent on operation conditions. The investigation focused on localizing the parameters that provide significant rise to the non-linearity. For this, the single-rod and double-rod type EHAs were mathematically expressed to derive their linear models. In parallel, they were modeled by a commercial simulation program including non-linear properties based on experimental results. It was shown that the dependency of the bulk modulus of oil with entrapped air on working pressure dominated the non-linearity in force control performance in case of the double-rod type EHA. The force control of the single-rod type EHA was influenced by much more elements. Besides the asymmetrical piston geometry and the non-linear bulk modulus of oil, its pilot-operated check valves made it dependent not only on the magnitude of reference input but also on its direction.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2020

Reinforced concrete beam-column (RCBC) joints of laterally loaded unbraced frames are sometimes controlled by their shear behavior. This behavior relies on multiple and interdependent complex mechanisms. There are already several studies on the influence of some parameters on the shear strength of reinforced concrete joints. However, there are no studies methodically tackling all the most relevant parameters and quantifying their influence on the overall joint behavior, not just on its shear strength. Hence, considering the prohibitive cost of a comprehensive parametric experimental investigation, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting the shear behavior of such joints and quantify their influence. The paper presents and discusses the models employed in this NLFEA and the procedure used to deduce the joint behavior from the NLFEA results. Three alternative, or complementary, quantities related to shear are considered when comparing results, namely, the maximum shear stress supported by the joint, the secant shear stiffness at maximum shear stress and the secant shear stiffness in service conditions. Depending on which of these is considered, the lower or higher the relevance of each of the six parameters investigated: transverse reinforcement in the joint, intermediate longitudinal bars and diagonal bars in the column, concrete strength, column axial load and confining elements in transverse direction.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.809-821
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• 2016

Concentric-tube continuum robots have formed an active field of research in robotics because of their manipulative exquisiteness essential to facilitate delicate surgical procedures. A set of concentric tubes with designed initial curvatures comprises a robot whose workspace can be controlled by relative translations and rotations of the tubes. Kinematic models have been widely used to predict the movement of the robot, but they are incapable of describing its time-dependent hysteretic behaviors accurately particularly when snapping occurs. To overcome this limitation, here we present a finite element modeling approach to investigating the dynamics of concentric-tube continuum robots. In our model, each tube is discretized using MITC shell elements and its transient responses are computed implicitly using the Bathe time integration method. Inter-tube contacts, the key actuation mechanism of this robot, are modeled using the constraint function method with contact damping to capture the hysteresis in robot trajectories. Performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by analyzing three specifications of two-tube robots including the one exhibiting snapping phenomena while the method can be applied to multiple-tube robots as well.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.373-383
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• 2021

This article aims to examine the one-way relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks, mainly focusing on the moderating role of ownership structure. Net interest margin (NIM), return on assets (ROA), and return on equity (ROE) are selected to represent the financial performance of the bank. CSR was measured using a multi-method approach that included both quantitative and qualitative methods. Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure (CSRE) was estimated using financial data. The Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) index was created using the content analysis method. Using a sample of Vietnamese commercial banks from 2012 to 2019 to perform regressions in the dynamic panel models with the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, the results show a positive effect of both CSRE and CSRD on the financial performance of the bank. Empirical evidence shows that the positive relationship between CSRE and financial performance is more robust in statecontrolled banks than non-state-controlled banks. In contrast, the positive impact of CSRD on the financial performance of state-owned commercial banks is weaker than that of private banks. Finally, the paper points out the limitations and proposes future research directions.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.38.1-38.9
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• 2020

Chronotype is an important moderator of psychiatric illnesses, which seems to be controlled in some part by genetic factors. Clock genes are the most relevant genes for chronotype. In addition to the roles of individual genes, gene-gene interactions of clock genes substantially contribute to chronotype. We investigated genetic associations and gene-gene interactions of the clock genes BHLHB2, CLOCK, CSNK1E, NR1D1, PER1, PER2, PER3, and TIMELESS for chronotype in 1,293 healthy Korean individuals. Regression analysis was conducted to find associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and chronotype. For gene-gene interaction analyses, the quantitative multifactor dimensionality reduction (QMDR) method, a nonparametric model-free method for quantitative phenotypes, were performed. No individual SNP or haplotype showed a significant association with chronotype by both regression analysis and single-locus model of QMDR. QMDR analysis identified NR1D1 rs2314339 and TIMELESS rs4630333 as the best SNP pairs among two-locus interaction models associated with chronotype (cross-validation consistency [CVC] = 8/10, p = 0.041). For the three-locus interaction model, the SNP combination of NR1D1 rs2314339, TIMELESS rs4630333, and PER3 rs228669 showed the best results (CVC = 4/10, p < 0.001). However, because the mean differences between genotype combinations were minor, the clinical roles of clock gene interactions are unlikely to be critical.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2019

Batch adsorption tests were performed to evaluate the applicability of adsorption kinetic model by using hydrogel chitosan bead crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (HCB-G) for Cu(II) as cation and/or phosphate as anion. Pseudo first and second order model were applied to determine the sorption kinetic property and intraparticle and Boyd equation were used to predict the diffusion of Cu(II) and phosphate at pore and boundary-layer, respectively. According to the value of theoretical and experimental uptake of Cu(II) and phosphate, pseudo second order is more suitable. On comparison with the value of adsorption rate constant (k), phosphate kinetic was 2-4 times faster than that of Cu(II) at any experimental condition indicating the electrostatic interaction between ${NH_3}^+$ and phosphate is dominated at the presence of single component. However, when Cu(II) and phosphate simultaneously exist, the value of k for phosphate was sharply decreased and then the difference was not significant. Both diffusion models confirmed that the sorption rate was controlled by film mass transfer at the beginning time (t < 3 hr) and pore diffusion at next time section (t > 6 hr).

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-28
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• 2019

This paper presents an optimal performance of rear wheel steering vehicle for maneuverability. The maneuverability of vehicle is evaluated in terms of yaw rate, body slip angle and driver input. The maneuverability of vehicle can be improved by rear wheel steering system. To obtain optimal performance of rear wheel steering vehicle, the optimal control history is designed. The high dimensional trajectory optimization problem is solved by formulating a quadratic program considering rear wheel steer input. To evaluate handling performance 7 degree-of-freedom vehicle model with actuation sub-models is designed. A step steer test is conducted to evaluate rear wheel steering vehicle. A response time, a TB factor, overshoot, and yaw rate gain are investigated through objective criteria, assessment webs. The handling performance of vehicle is evaluated via computer simulations. It has been shown from simulation studies that optimal controlled rear wheel steering vehicle provides improved performance compared to others.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.361-377
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• 2019

The stiffness of shape memory alloy (SMA) spring while in actuation is represented by an empirical model that is derived from the logistic differential equation. This model correlates the stiffness to the alloy temperature and the functionality of SMA spring as active variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is analyzed based on factors that are the input conditions (activation current, duty cycle and excitation frequency) and operating conditions (pre-stress and mechanical connection). The model parameters are estimated by adopting the nonlinear least square method, henceforth, the model is validated experimentally. The average correlation factor of 0.95 between the model response and experimental results validates the proposed model. In furtherance, the justification is augmented from the comparison with existing stiffness models (logistic curve model and polynomial model). The important distinction from several observations regarding the comparison of the model prediction with the experimental states that it is more superior, flexible and adaptable than the existing. The nature of stiffness variation in the SMA spring is assessed also from the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), which as well proves the proposal. This model advances the ability to use SMA integrated mechanism for enhanced variable stiffness actuation. The investigation proves that the stiffness of SMA spring may be altered under controlled conditions.