• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.743-767
• /
• 2020

Due to the impressive flexural performance, enhanced compressive strength and more constrained crack propagation, Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) have been widely employed in the construction application. Majority of experimental studies have focused on the seismic behavior of FRC columns. Based on the valid experimental data obtained from the previous studies, the current study has evaluated the seismic response and compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns while following hybrid metaheuristic techniques. Due to the non-linearity of seismic data, Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been incorporated with metaheuristic algorithms. 317 different datasets from FRC column tests has been applied as one database in order to determine the most influential factor on the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to the simulated seismic loading. ANFIS has been used with the incorporation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic algorithm (GA). For the analysis of the attained results, Extreme learning machine (ELM) as an authentic prediction method has been concurrently used. The variable selection procedure is to choose the most dominant parameters affecting the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to simulated seismic loading. Accordingly, the results have shown that ANFIS-PSO has successfully predicted the seismic lateral load with R² = 0.857 and 0.902 for the test and train phase, respectively, nominated as the lateral load prediction estimator. On the other hand, in case of compressive strength prediction, ELM is to predict the compressive strength with R² = 0.657 and 0.862 for test and train phase, respectively. The results have shown that the seismic lateral force trend is more predictable than the compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns, in which the best results belong to the lateral force prediction. Compressive strength prediction has illustrated a significant deviation above 40 Mpa which could be related to the considerable non-linearity and possible empirical shortcomings. Finally, employing ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-PSO techniques to evaluate the seismic response of FRC are a promising reliable approach to be replaced for high cost and time-consuming experimental tests.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.1069-1077
• /
• 2009

Castration of male pig produces significant negative effects on skeletal muscle development. The androgen receptor (AR), two splice variants of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I Ea and MGF) and the myostatin gene may play important roles in this process. In the present study, the expression of AR, IGF-I Ea, MGF and myostatin genes in three skeletal muscles, the brachialis, longissimus and semitendinosus, were studied using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Our experimental design used 14 pairs of male Landrace sire${\times}$Yorkshire dam piglets. The two piglets in each pair were full sibs, one of which was castrated at 21 d of age; the other remained intact. The study group was divided into subgroups of equal size. Animals in the first subgroup were slaughtered at 147 d and those of the second at 210 d of age. Carcass weight and lean meat yield were similar between boars and barrows at 147 d of age (p>0.05), whereas barrows had lower carcass weight and less lean meat yield at 210 d of age (p<0.05). Castration caused down-regulation of AR gene expression at both 147 and 210 d of age (p<0.05). The two splice variants of the IGF-I gene from porcine skeletal muscle were cloned using RT-PCR, and it was found that MGF differs from IGF-I Ea in having a 52-base insert in the last coding exon of the mRNA. Both splice variants were down-regulated by castration only at 210 d of age (p<0.05). No differences in expression of the myostatin gene were observed between boars and barrows at either 147 or 210 d of age (p>0.05). These results suggest that the downregulation of AR, IGF-I Ea and MGF gene expression following castration helps to explain the negative effect of castration on skeletal muscle development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6571-6574
• /
• 2014

Background: Alcohol is well established as a risk factor for cancer development in many organ sites. To assess the reliability and validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) for detecting alcohol use disorders or risky drinking in Japanese adults the present study was conducted. Materials and Methods: A test-retest method was applied with a 2-week interval with 113 health care employees. The k coefficient, Cronbach's coefficient alpha, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were determined and the validity of the AUDIT-C was analyzed using the data from a nationwide survey on adult alcohol use conducted in 2008 (n=4,123). Results: The reliability of the AUDIT-C score was high (${\kappa}$ coefficient=0.63, Cronbach's alpha=0.98, correlation coefficient=0.95, and ICC=0.95). According to the likelihood ratio and Youden index, appropriate cutoffs for the AUDIT-C were ${\geq}5points$ in men and ${\geq}4$ points in women. The sensitivity and specificity of these cutoffs for identifying ${\geq}8$ points on the AUDIT were 0.88 and 0.80, respectively, for men (positive likelihood ratio [LR+]=4.5) and 0.96 and 0.87, respectively, for women (LR+=7.7). The sensitivity and specificity of the cutoffs for identifying ${\geq}12$ points on the AUDIT were 0.90 and 0.84, respectively, for men (LR+=5.8) and 0.93 and 0.94, respectively, for women (LR+=15.8). The sensitivity and specificity of the cutoffs for identifying ${\geq}16$ points on the AUDIT were 0.93 and 0.80, respectively, for men (LR+=4.7) and 0.92 and 0.98, respectively, for women (LR+=55.6). With higher scores on the AUDIT, the specificity decreased and false-positives increased. The appropriate cutoffs for identifying risky drinking were the same for both genders. Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the AUDIT-C are high, indicating that it is useful for identifying alcohol use disorders or risky drinking among the general population in Japan, a group at high risk of cancer development.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.658-685
• /
• 2016

In technology economic theory, technology innovation through R&D is regarded as a core element of economic growth. This research analyzes how R&D input factor (R&D as a percentage of GDP, total number of researchers, the proportion of science and engineering degree) affects GDP, economic outcome variable, through mediating variable (S&T papers, patent registration). The most effective variable among R&D activity variables is following order: the number of S&T papers (0.967), the total number of researchers (0.373), the proportion of R&D expenditure (0.191), the number of patent registration (0.049), the proportion of science and engineering degree (0.007). It is that the proportion R&D expenditure and the total number of researchers shows greater indirect impact through S&T papers and patent than the direct impact on GDP. This implies the importance of high-quality human resources training and the necessity of maintaining the scale of R&D fund or the importance on GDP. Moreover, S&T papers turns out to have the greatest effect on GDP and implies new outcome and value by sharing and expanding new knowledge and technology created by R&D

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.97-109
• /
• 2011

As a marketing vehicle to survive in intensified retailing competition, retailer brand development has been adopted by retailers in Korea. As evidence, the retailer brand share of a major retailer, Tesco Korea, has grown from 20% in 2007 to 22.8% in the first half of 2008. It means that retailers have provided more and more retailer brand foods for customers. With the growing accessibility to retailer brand foods, it would be expected that the number of retailer brand food claims will increase. Customers have increasingly exposed to a variety of marketing activities conducted by retailers. When buying the retailer brand foods, customers tend to be affected by marketing activities of retailers. Despite the fact that customers trust retailers and then, buy their brand foods, in case of food accidents caused by production process, customers have to seek compensation from a retailer brand supplier. Of course, a retailer tends to shift its responsibility to its suppliers. Accordingly, it is not easy for customers to solve food claims. The research, therefore, aims at exploring the relationship between the buying-decision processes of retailer brand customers and which side takes legal responsibility for food claims. To effectively achieve the research aim, the author adopted a quantitative and a qualitative research technique, in order to supplement the disadvantages of each method. Before field research, based on the developed research model, the author pre-tested questionnaire with 10 samples, amended, and handed out to 400 samples. Amongst them, 316 questionnaires are available. For a focus group interview, 9 participants were recruited, who are students, housewives, and full-time workers, aged from 20s to 40s. Through the focus group interview as well as the questionnaire results, it was found that most customers were influenced by a retailer or store image in a customer's mind, retailer reputation and promotional activities. Surprisingly, customers think that the name of a retailer is a more important factor than who produces retailer brand foods, even though many customers check a retailer brand supplier, when making a buying-decision. Rather than retailer brand suppliers, customers trust retailers. That is why they purchase retailer brands. Nevertheless, production-related food claims is not involved with retailers. In fact, it would be difficult for customers to distinguish whether a food claim is related to selling or manufacturing processes. Based on research results, from a customer perspective, the research suggests that the government should require retailers to take the whole responsibility for retailer brand food claims, preventing retailers from passing the buck to retailer brand suppliers. In case of food claims, in order for customers to easily get the compensation, it is necessary to reconsider the current system. If so, retailers have to fully get involved in retailer brand production stage, and further, the customer awareness of retailer brands will be improved than ever before. Retailers cannot help taking care of the whole processes of retailer brand development, because of responsibility. As a result, the process to seek compensation for food claims might become easier, and further, the protection of customer right might be improved.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.573-584
• /
• 2016

The train control system is a facility to ensure model-based design and safe train operation, and its safety is the most important factor for system introduction, complexity of the design information and traceability etc. Therefore, the model-based design and safety activities regarding the way-side equipment of a train control system is also highlighted. To solve this problem, In this paper, model-based design was carried out first to develop an effective train control system, which is represented by SysML(System Modeling Language). The test scenarios that can take advantage of the design model were created to improve the train safety control system. Case studies of a model-based design of a train-centric train control system were applied to the test scenarios; the results demonstrated its usability. The improved activity over the test highlighted the safety improvement approach, and it is expected to reduce the cost and time in the conceptual design of a future development model-based train control system.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.57-70
• /
• 2013

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to explain the successful methods for the revitalization of distribution and logistics of the least developed FEZs (Saemangum, Yellow-sea, and Deagu-Kyengbuk) in Korea. With the recent changes in the economic terrain of Northeast Asia as with the rise of China, Korea has developed a logistics hub concept for improving the efficiency of logistics and distribution industry and its distribution and logistics policy has received positive worldwide evaluation. Therefore, we face severe competition and must always look for ways to address these problems. Research design, Data, Methodology - This study adopts two methods to propose successful revitalization of distribution and logistics in the least developed FEZ. The first method investigates the limitation of these FEZs by analyzing the statutes, and the second one follows comparable cases. Thus, we first reviewed the efficient strategic political alternatives for the least developed FEZ, Yellow-sea, Seamangum-Gunsan, and Deagu-Kyeongbuk, through the relative institution system, law, and future plans. Next, we studied the Bin-hai Economic Free Section (Zone) in China as a comparable example. In order to analyze the competitiveness of logistics in the three FEZs (Yellow-sea, Seamangum-Gunsan, and Deagu-Kyeongbuk), the total factor productivity growth of regional manufacturing industries is divided into three sources: the external trade effect, scale effect, and technical change effect. However, this paper does not test for a positive contribution of external trade, which is a reason of non-building on these FEZs. A FEZ that shows a larger external trade effect than the others will have a comparative advantage in the logistics infrastructure and policy support. This study presented the newly applied Bin-hai FEZ in China, in order to make the studied FEZ as successful by applying the strategy of its distribution and logistics center. Results - In Korea, there is an increased focus on the benefit of the regional development of regions such as the Free Economic Zones (FEZ). We have six FEZs, Inchon, Busan-Jinhae, Guangyang, Yellow-sea, Seamangum-Gunsan, and Deagu-Kyeongbuk. However, our FEZs do not have various supporting factors needed for the logistics and distribution industry. Korea designated the above six places as FEZ and has operated to enhance national competitiveness and ensure a balanced regional development since 2003. However, most FEZs did not receive favorable feedback in the first business performance evaluation and it is necessary to take action for substantial improvements. Conclusions - Especially, over the past 10 years, even though the FEZ policy has been implemented in an effort to promote success in distribution and logistics, there are still many underdeveloped industries in logistics. The main problem is the absence of revitalization of the high value added performance in the distribution and logistics industry. However, there is a limitation to this study. We have used non-empirical method based on a case study to arrive at our findings. Future studies should use appropriate statistical methods to supplement our results and provide a solution to this problem.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the introduction and activation of smart training for the effective training of vocational ability development of companies in the 4th industrial revolution era, we analyze the present status of smart training introduction and related difficulties and propose concrete activation plan. Research design, data, and methodology - Through the online survey, we tried to confirm the recognition of corporate about smart training. Questionnaires include what are the benefits, expectations, and difficulties of smart training, etc. The survey was conducted from August 21, 2017 to September 4, 2017. A total of 69 companies participated in the questionnaire. The questionnaire results were analyzed through frequency analysis and contents analysis. Based on the results of the questionnaire, we found out the cause of inhibition of smart training activation and suggested activation strategies. Results - The main reason for the provision of smart training is the expectation of the training performance and the recognition that it is possible to provide training in a flexible manner. The effectiveness of smart training operation was evaluated as a high level of contribution to the development of creative training course and the capacity of training institute. As a result of checking factors that hinders the activation of smart training, the most important reason is that the time and cost burden of the training institutes is excessive. The lack of expertise in the design of smart training courses and the burden of employers and trainees. Conclusions - In order to activate smart training, it is necessary to find solutions to the obstacles at the internal or external level of training institutions. The internal barriers to the training organization are lack of internal competence for preparation and course management. In this regard, we need to consider providing consulting, best practices or guidance in the process of designing and operating smart training. On the other hand, as an external obstacle factor, it is necessary to provide incentives to participate in smart training. In addition, further research is needed on strategies that can lead to participation in smart training from the viewpoint of employers and learners.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.47
• /
• pp.381-412
• /
• 2017

Character conveys rich storytelling and various design elements. Domestic characters are changing and developing in various forms through SNS and offline sources, which are being developed in the aspect of contents industry. The purpose of this study is to find out and discuss the factors that character users are using Korean characters as storytelling and color factor. In terms of storytelling, they prefer adventure, fantasy, absurd and humorous stories. In terms of color, it seems that they prefer a character with simple and simple color/ warm color and warm / cute color composition. On the other hand, characters with a simple story, which is the main subject of early childhood education, fashion, or toys in the aspect of storytelling, are not preferred. In terms of color, it was shown that 4 or more colors were combined without a main color. These main colorless characters gave complex feelings that are not preferred. In terms of storytelling, it is necessary to develop and develop the contents of OSMU(One-source Multi use) through story development with adventure and fantasy structure. In terms of color, it is necessary to configure the user with a simple and simple color which is preferred by the users. Also, the assembly robot toy character needs to increase the satisfaction of the character through simple color composition. As a result of this study, the factors that satisfy the users in terms of storytelling and color are derived. These results will contribute to the development of theoretical aspects, storytelling aspects, and character design industry aspects. Despite the significance of the above paper, it was inevitable to limit the research on the analysis of the storytelling of specific characters, the research through the color analysis framework, the accurate data analysis on the color analysis, and the simple comparative analysis of one.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.301-310
• /
• 2010

Bacillus subtilis strains produce a broad spectrum of bioactive peptides. The lipopeptide surfactin belongs to one well-known class, which includes amphiphilic membrane-active biosurfactants and peptide antibiotics. Both the srfA promoter and the ComP-ComA signal transduction system are an important part of the factor that results in the production of surfactin. Bs-M49, obtained by means of low-energy ion implantation in wild-type Bs-916, produced significantly lower levels of surfactin, and had no obvious effects against R. solani. Occasionally, we found strain Bs-M49 decreased spore formation and the development of competence. Blast comparison of the sequences from Bs-916 and M49 indicate that there is no difference in the srfA operon promoter PsrfA, but there are differences in the coding sequence of the comA gene. These differences result in three missense mutations within the M49 ComA protein. RT-PCR analyses results showed that the expression levels of selected genes involved in competence and sporulation in both the wild-type Bs-916 and mutant M49 strains were significantly different. When we integrated the comA ORF into the chromosome of M49 at the amyE locus, M49 restored hemolytic activity and antifungal activity. Then, HPLC analyses results also showed the comA-complemented strain had a similar ability to produce surf actin with wild-type strain Bs-916. These data suggested that the mutation of three key amino acids in ComA greatly affected the biological activity of Bacillus subtilis. ComA protein 3D structure prediction and motif search prediction indicated that ComA has two obvious motifs common to response regulator proteins, which are the N-terminal response regulator receiver motif and the C-terminal helix-turn-helix motif. The three residues in the ComA N-terminal portion may be involved in phosphorylation activation mechanism. These structural prediction results implicate that three mutated residues in the ComA protein may play an important role in the formation of a salt-bridge to the phosphoryl group keeping active conformation to subsequent regulation of the expression of downstream genes.