• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2023

Rolling stock maintenance, which focuses on preventive maintenance, is typically implemented considering the potential harm that may be inflicted to passengers in the event of failure. The cost of preventive maintenance throughout the life cycle of a rolling stock is 60%-75% of the initial purchase cost. Therefore, ensuring stability and reducing maintenance costs are essential in terms of economy. In particular, private railroad operators must reduce government support budget by effectively utilizing railroad resources and reducing maintenance costs. Accordingly, this study analyzes the reliability characteristics of components using field data. Moreover, it resolves the problem of determining an economical replacement interval considering the timing of scrapping railroad vehicles. The procedure for determining the optimal replacement interval involves five steps. According to the decision model, the optimal replacement interval for the onboard signal device components of the "A" line train is calculated using field data, such as failure data, preventive maintenance cost, and failure maintenance cost. The field data analysis indicates that the mileage meter is 9 years, which is less than the designed durability of 15 years. Furthermore, a life cycle in which the phase signal has few failures is found to be the same as the actual durability of 15 years.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2023

In the environment, chromium often exists in a highly mobile and toxic form of Cr(VI). Therefore, the reduction of Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III) is considered an effective remediation strategy for Cr(VI)-contamination. In this study, the biological reduction of hexavalent chromium was examined at the concentrations of 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, and 1 mM Cr(VI) by the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella sp. HN-41 in the presence of ferric-citrate. With the relatively condensed cell densities, the aqueous phase Cr(VI) was reduced at the proportions of 42%, 23%, and 31%, respectively for the 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, and 1 mM Cr(VI) incubations, while Fe(III)-citrate was reduced at 95%, 88%, and 73%, respectively. Although the strain HN-41 was not considered to reduce Cr(VI) as the sole electron acceptor for anaerobic metabolism in the preliminary experiment, it has been presumed that outer-membrane c-type cytochromes such as MtrC and OmcA reduced Cr(VI) in the presence of ferric-citrate as the electron acceptor. Since this study indicated the potential of relatively high cell density for Cr(VI) reduction, it might propose a bioremediation strategy for Cr(VI) removal from contaminated waters using engineered systems such as bioreactors employing high cell growths.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.157-169
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• 2017

Regulatory T cells (Treg) naturally rein in immune attacks, and they can inhibit rejection of transplanted organs and even reverse the progression of autoimmune diseases in mice. The initial safety trials of Treg against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) provided evidence that the adoptive transfer of Treg is safe and capable of limiting disease progression. Supported by such evidence, numerous clinical trials have been actively investigating the efficacy of Treg targeting autoimmune diseases, type I diabetes, and organ transplant rejection, including kidney and liver. The limited quantity of Treg cells harvested from peripheral blood and subsequent in vitro culture have posed a great challenge to large-scale clinical application of Treg; nevertheless, the concept of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor)-Treg has emerged as a potential resolution to the problem. Recently, two CAR-T therapies, tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel, were approved by the US FDA for the treatment of refractory or recurrent acute lymhoblastic leukemia. This approval could serve as a guideline for the production protocols for other genetically engineered T cells for clinical use as well. The phase I and II clinical trials of these agents has demonstrated that genetically engineered and antigen-targeting T cells are safe and efficacious in humans. In conclusion, both the promising results of Treg cell therapy from the clinical studies and the recent FDA approval of CAR-T therapies are paving the way for CAR-Treg therapy in clinical use.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2023

In this research, we embarked on a meticulous analysis of the challenges inherent in real-world scenarios relating to the durability design standards of engineered concrete structures and the assessment of carbonation durability in concrete guidelines. Our investigation brought to light substantial issues concerning constructability and quality assurance. The genesis of these problems is the exclusive application of prescribed strength to exterior walls, neglecting other elements to facilitate smoother licensing procedures. While this methodology aims to mitigate financial constraints in alignment with enhanced standards, it invariably invites complications. Furthermore, it is imperative to resolve the uncertainty surrounding durability evaluations by establishing a clear and definitive objective. Alongside this, actionable steps must be formulated to forestall the emergence of fissures between the floors of residential buildings, particularly apartment complexes. It is equally essential to tackle issues connected to application by devising a comprehensive management strategy for potential cracking during the phase of maintenance.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2023

The objective of this research was to engineer a tile module that could efficiently curtail the incidence of tile defects during the construction phase. To assess the potential diminution in defect manifestation, we executed experiments centered on surface condition, the variation in mass before and after the freeze-thaw test, and adhesive strength. Our findings demonstrated that thermal contraction and expansion induced a relatively escalated frequency of defects in the underwater setting for the aluminum mesh, while the steel mesh saw a higher defect incidence in the air environment. Additionally, it was noted that the adhesive strength exhibited a trend towards augmentation as the mesh size dwindled. Collectively, these results suggest that the employment of smaller mesh sizes can foster improved adhesive strength, consequently diminishing tile defects. Further exploration and development of the tile module, informed by these insights, can substantially enhance the efficacy of the construction process.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4329-4337
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• 2022

Jet impinging device is designed for decay heat removal on horizontal fuel rods in a low temperature heating reactor. An experimental system with a fuel rod simulator is established and experiments are performed to evaluate water film covering capacity, within 0.0287-0.0444 kg/ms mass flow rate, 0-164.1 kW/m² heating flux and 13.8-91.4℃ feeding water temperature. An effective method to obtain the film coverage rate by infrared equipment is proposed. Water film flowing patterns are recoded and the film coverage rates at different circumference angles are measured. It is found the film coverage rate decreases with heating flux during single-phase convection, while increases after onset of nucleate boiling. Besides, film coverage rate is found affected by Marangoni effect and film accelerating effect, and surface wetting is significantly facilitated by bubble behavior. Based on the observed phenomenon and physical mechanism, dry-out depth and initial dry-out rate are proposed to evaluate film covering potential on a heating surface. A model to predict film coverage rate is proposed based on the data. The findings would have reliable guide and important implications for further evaluation and design of decay heat removal system of new reactors, and could be helpful for passive containment cooling research.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.13-23
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• 2008

The evaluation of soundness of pile is very important for the safety of super structure. In this paper, the HWAW(Harmonic Wavelet Analysis of Wave) method which is developed to determine phase and group velocities of waves is applied to evaluate integrity of pile non-destructivly. The proposed method can evaluate a soundness of pile and pile end condition which is very important factor for pile behaviour. To verity the applicability of HWAW method in non-destructive test for pile, the numerical simulation test using ABAQUS was performed. And the model pile was made and the proposed non-destructive pile tests were applied to evaluate soundness and end boundary condition of model pile in the air and soil box. Through a numerical simulation and model tests, it is shown that the HWAW method has good potential of applying to the evaluation of pile integrity.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2022

The influence of normal stress perpendicular to the potential shear plane was always neglected in existing researches, which may lead to a serious deviation of the shear strength of concrete members in practice designs and numerical analyses. In this study, a series of experimental studies are carried out in this paper, which serves to investigate the shear behavior of concrete under compression shear loading. Based on the test results, a three-phase shear failure model for cohesive elements are developed, which is able to take into consideration the influence of normal stress on the shear strength of concrete. To identify the accuracy and applicability of the proposed model, numerical models of a double-noted concrete plate are developed and compared with experimental results. Results show that the proposed constitutive model is able to take into consideration the influence of normal stress on the shear strength of concrete materials, and is effective and accurate for describing the complex fracture of concrete, especially the failure modes under compression shear loadings.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.93-110
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• 2018

Due to its speciality, Johannesburg has drawn wide attention from the international academia, which the existing urban theory cannot easily explain. This paper focuses on the spatial pattern of Johannesburg, and finds that it is highly fragmented: first North-South Division due to apartheid and gold mining, secondly, the continuous sprawl due to population densification, and thirdly formation of city-region due to the fill-in spatial policy. The fragmented spatial pattern undermines the social integration and weakens the potential economic sustainability, which make the balanced multi-core spatial pattern inevitable under the influence of the international planning thought. The Johannesburg's spatial transformation comes not only from social integration, but also from the development vison of world-class status of an African city. In reality, since the collapse of apartheid, the municipal government has released series of strategic planning in different executive phase. These different plannings unanimously focus on the world class status although since 2008, the social inclusiveness is more emphasized. Thus, Johannesburg implements some spatial policies, as promoting the corridor of freedom, identifying the key nodes in the city then developing with high density, implementing the in-filling policy, managing the urban growth boundary, effectively preserving the natural system. However, the industrial structure in Johannesburg is already quite high-ended which cannot produce many jobs and also require much investment in advanced infrastructure. Thus, the strategic goals of world-class status of an African city and social inclusiveness which really need widely shared public services to some extent are in tension. After evaluation, we can see that spatial transformation is quite limited. Obviously spatial transformation largely depends on the social-economy. The population is still in flow. In this sense Johannesburg must energetically support the employment-based industry, effectively control the spatial sprawl and carry out institutional innovation which further incentive investment, gradually build an integrated regional governance. In general, how Johannesburg combines globalization and its own condition is still worth thinking in both theory and practice.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.49-62
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• 2023

Background: Over the past three decades, gradual eustatic sea-level rise has been considered a primary exogenous factor in the increased frequency of flooding and biological changes in several salt marshes. Under this paradigm, the potential importance of short-term events, such as ocean storminess, in coastal hydrology and ecology is underrepresented in the literature. In this study, a simulation was developed to evaluate the influence of wind waves driven by atmospheric oscillations on sedimentary and vegetation dynamics at the Skallingen salt marsh in southwestern Denmark. The model was built based on long-term data of mean sea level, sediment accretion, and plant species composition collected at the Skallingen salt marsh from 1933-2006. In the model, the submergence frequency (number yr^-1) was estimated as a combined function of wind-driven high water level (HWL) events (> 80 cm Danish Ordnance Datum) affected by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and changes in surface elevation (cm yr^-1). Vegetation dynamics were represented as transitions between successional stages controlled by flooding effects. Two types of simulations were performed: (1) baseline modeling, which assumed no effect of wind-driven sea-level change, and (2) experimental modeling, which considered both normal tidal activity and wind-driven sea-level change. Results: Experimental modeling successfully represented the patterns of vegetation change observed in the field. It realistically simulated a retarded or retrogressive successional state dominated by early- to mid-successional species, despite a continuous increase in surface elevation at Skallingen. This situation is believed to be caused by an increase in extreme HWL events that cannot occur without meteorological ocean storms. In contrast, baseline modeling showed progressive succession towards the predominance of late-successional species, which was not the then-current state in the marsh. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that variations in the NAO index toward its positive phase have increased storminess and wind tides on the North Sea surface (especially since the 1980s). This led to an increased frequency and duration of submergence and delayed ecological succession. Researchers should therefore employ a multitemporal perspective, recognizing the importance of short-term sea-level changes nested within long-term gradual trends.