• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.26 no.3A
• /
• pp.447-455
• /
• 2006

A general purpose of 4-node co-rotational resultant shell element is developed for the solution of nonlinear problems of reinforced concrete, steel and fiber-reinforced composite structures. The formulation of the geometrical stiffness presented here is defined on the mid-surface by using the second order kinematic relations and is efficient for analyzing thick plates and shells by incorporating bending moment and transverse shear resultant forces. The present element is free of shear locking behavior by using the ANS (Assumed Natural Strain) method such that the element performs very well as thin shells. Inelastic behaviour of concrete material is based on the plasticity with strain hardening and elasto-plastic fracture model. The plasticity of steel is based on Von-Mises Yield and Ivanov Yield criteria with strain hardening. The transverse shear stiffness of laminate composite is defined by an equilibrium approach instead of using the shear correction factor. The proposed formulation is computationally efficient and versitile for most civil engineering application and the test results showed good agreement.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.29 no.3A
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2009

This study is to develop equations that consider the elastic modulus ratio of FRP bar and steel reinforcement, shear span to depth ratio, and flexural reinforcement ratio of FRP bar, to determine concrete shear strength of FRP reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement. As experimental parameters, 2 types of FRP bar, 3 types of shear span to depth ratio, and 3 types of flexural reinforcement were used. Experimental results for two of shear span to depth ratio were quoted from previous study to evaluate effect of shear span to depth ratio in more detail. Shear strength correction factors needed for evaluating concrete shear strength were proposed from regression analysis using above experimental results. Equations suggested from this study and other codes were examined and compared with 31 experimental results available in the literature. From this comparison, it could be known that the equation suggested from this study gives the most approaching result to experimental results.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.69-80
• /
• 2023

Carbon neutrality in agriculture can be derived from systematic GHG reduction policies based on quantitative environmental impact analysis of GHG-emitting activities. This study is to explore how to advance the calculation of carbon emissions from agricultural activities to the detailed spatial level to a spatial Tier 3 level (Tier 2.5 level), methodologically beyond the Tier 2 approach. To estimate the GHG emissions beyond the Tier 2.5 level by region for detailed spatial units, we constructed available activity data on carbon emission impact factors such as rice cultivation, agricultural land use, and livestock. We also built and verified detailed data on emission activities at the field level through field surveys. The GHG emissions were estimated by applying the latest national emission factors and regional emission factors according to the IPCC 2019 GL based on the field-level activity data. This study has significance that it explored ways to build activity data and calculate GHG emissions through statistical data and field surveys based on parcels, one of the smallest spatial units for regional carbon reduction strategies. It is expected that by utilizing the activity data surveyed for each field and the emission factor considering the activity characteristics, it will be possible to improve the accuracy of GHG emission calculation and quantitatively evaluate the effect of applying reduction policies.

• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.121-148
• /
• 2023

The rapid melting of Arctic sea ice has increased interest in the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a viable alternative trade route between Europe and Asia. While extensive research has examined its competitiveness in terms of technical feasibility, safety, profitability, and environmental impact, the topic of the NSR ports remains relatively underrepresented in the literature. Hence, this study aims to contribute to the existing research by assessing the efficiency of 17 NSR ports to gain insights into their operations and identify areas for improvement using models of Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA). The obtained results show that efficient ports mainly belong to the western NSR region, with ports like Murmansk and Varandei consistently demonstrating high efficiency and constant returns to scale. Several ports, such as Onega, Arkhangelsk, Naryan-Mar, and Khatanga, showed inefficiencies in the utilization of berths and quay lengths. The findings not only contribute to academic knowledge but also offer practical implications for NSR port authorities, assisting them in making well-informed decisions regarding infrastructure development plans.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.65-75
• /
• 2024

This study investigates liquefaction-induced settlement through strain-controlled tests using a cyclic direct simple shear device on clean sand specimens. By focusing on the accumulated shear strain, soil density, sample preparation method, and cyclic waveshape, this study attempts to enhance the understanding of soil behavior under seismic loading and its further deformation. Results from tests conducted on remolded samples reveal insights into excess pore water pressure development and post-liquefaction volumetric strain behavior, with denser samples exhibiting lower volumetric strains than looser samples. Similarly, the correlation between the frequency and amplitude variations of the wave and volumetric strain highlights the importance of wave characteristics in soil response, with shear strain amplitude changes, varying the volumetric strain response after reconsolidation. In addition, samples prepared under moist conditions exhibit less volumetric strain than dry-reconstituted samples. Overall, the findings of this study are expected to contribute to predictive models to evaluate liquefaction-induced settlement.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.15.1-15.17
• /
• 2023

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical immune-response mediators. Although they largely reside in mucosal tissues, the kidney also bears substantial numbers. Nevertheless, kidney ILC biology is poorly understood. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are known to display type-2 and type-1 skewed immune responses, respectively, but it is unclear whether this extends to ILCs. We show here that indeed, BALB/c mice have higher total ILCs in the kidney than C57BL/6 mice. This difference was particularly pronounced for ILC2s. We then showed that three factors contributed to the higher ILC2s in the BALB/c kidney. First, BALB/c mice demonstrated higher numbers of ILC precursors in the bone marrow. Second, transcriptome analysis showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys associated with significantly higher IL-2 responses. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys expressed higher levels of IL-2 and other cytokines known to promote ILC2 proliferation and/or survival (IL-7, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Third, the BALB/c kidney ILC2s may be more sensitive to the environmental signals than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s since they expressed their transcription factor GATA3 and the IL-2, IL-7, and IL-25 receptors at higher levels. Indeed, they also demonstrated greater responsiveness to IL-2 than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s, as shown by their greater STAT5 phosphorylation levels after culture with IL-2. Thus, this study demonstrates previously unknown properties of kidney ILC2s. It also shows the impact of mouse strain background on ILC2 behavior, which should be considered when conducting research on immune diseases with experimental mouse models.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.379-386
• /
• 2024

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-β-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.68-80
• /
• 2021

This study aimed to provide basic data such as the structure of the Carpinus turczaninowii community and characteristics of the habitat environment for ex situ conservation by analyzing the plant community structure of Carpinus turczaninowii, an island plant resource. For the community structure analysis, this study established 29 plots, sized 100㎡ each, in Seokmo, Yeongjong, Yeongheung, and Daebu islands. TWINSPAN was used for the classification of communities. The classification identified six communities. Group I was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus serrata community, group II was the C. turczaninowii-Pinus densiflora community, group III was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus mongolica community, group IV was the C. turczaninowii-Sorbus alnifolia community, group V was the C. turczaninowii typical community, and group VI was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus variabilis community. The species diversity was 0.90008~1.12868, the dominance was 0.17536~0.25665, and the similarity index was 17.1429~38.2979%. The result of correlation analysis of 7 environmental factors for 6 communities by RDA ordination showed a positive correlation between the crown density and litter layer and a negative correlation between the bare rock, soil hardness, and altitude on the 1st axis. On the 2nd axis, the bare rock and crown density showed a positive correlation, and the slope showed a negative correlation. In the C. turczaninowii-Quercus serrata community (I), the crown density and the litter layer were the environmental factors affecting the vegetation distribution. In the C. turczaninowii-Pinus densiflora (II) and C. turczaninowii-Quercus mongolica (III) communities, the slope was the factor affecting vegetation distribution. In the C. turczaninowii-Sorbus alnifolia (IV), C. turczaninowii typical (V), and C. turczaninowii-Quercus variabilis (VI) communities, the bare rock, altitude, and soil hardness were the factors affecting vegetation distribution.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.955-960
• /
• 2008

We investigated and estimated at the characteristics of decomposition and mineralization of benomyl using a design of experiment(DOE) based on the general factorial design in an E-beam process, and also the main factors(variables) with benomyl concentration(X$_1$) and E-beam irradiation(X$_2$) which consisted of 5 levels in each factor was set up to estimate the prediction model and the optimization conditions. At frist, the benomyl in all treatment combinations except 17 and 18 trials was almost degraded and the difference in the decomposition of benomyl in the 3 blocks was not significant(p > 0.05, one-way ANOVA). However, the % of benomyl mineralization was 46%(block 1), 36.7%(block 2) and 22%(block 3) and showed the significant difference of the % that between each block(p < 0.05). The linear regression equations of benomyl mineralization in each block were also estimated as followed; block 1(Y$_1$ = 0.024X$_1$ + 34.1(R$^2$ = 0.929)), block 2(Y$_2$ = 0.026X$_2$ + 23.1(R$^2$ = 0.976)) and block 3(Y$_3$ = 0.034X$_3$ + 6.2(R$^2$ = 0.98)). The normality of benomyl mineralization obtained from Anderson-Darling test in all treatment conditions was satisfied(p > 0.05). The results of prediction model and optimization point using the canonical analysis in order to obtain the optimal operation conditions were Y = 39.96 - 9.36X$_1$ + 0.03X$_2$ - 10.67X$_1{^2}$ - 0.001X$_2{^2}$ + 0.011X$_1$X$_2$(R$^2$ = 96.3%, Adjusted R$^2$ = 94.8%) and 57.3% at 0.55 mg/L and 950 Gy, respectively. A Microtox test using V. fischeri showed that the toxicity, expressed as the inhibition(%), was reduced almost completely after an E-beam irradiation, whereas the inhibition(%) for 0.5 mg/L, 1 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L was 10.25%, 20.14% and 26.2% in the initial reactions in the absence of an E-beam illumination.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.735-761
• /
• 2004

As a possible alternative to Traditional Discounted Cash Flow Method, "Option Pricing Model" has drawn academic attentions for the last a few decades. However, it has failed to replace traditional DCF method practically due to its mathematical complexity. This paper introduces an option pricing valuation model specifically adjusted for the natural resource development projects. We add market information and industry-specific features into the model so that the model remains objective as well as realistic after the adjustment. The following two features of natural resource development projects take central parts in model construction; product price is a unique source of cash flow's uncertainty, and the projects have cost structure from capital-intense industry, in which initial capital cost takes most part of total cost during the projects. To improve the adaptability of Option Pricing Model specifically to the natural resource development projects, we use Two-Factor Model and Long-term Asset Model for the analysis. Although the model introduced in this paper is still simple and reflects limited reality, we expect an improvement in applicability of option pricing method for the evaluation of natural resource development projects can be made through the process taken in this paper.