• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.133-144
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• 2003

The resonant column testing is a laboratory testing method to determine the shear modulus and material damping factor of soils. The method has been widely used for many applications and its importance has increased. Since the first use of the testing method in 1960's, the low-technology electronic devices fir testing and data acquisition have limited the measurement only to the amplitude of the linear spectrum. The limitations of the testing method are also attributed to the assumption of linear-elastic material in the theory of the resonant column testing and also to the incomplete understanding of the dynamic behaviour of the resonant column testing device. Recently, Joh et al. proposed a theory to overcome the limitations of the resonant column testing by deriving the equation of motion and providing its solution for the resonant column testing device. This study proposed the improved data reduction and analysis method for the resonant column testing, thanks to the advanced data acquisition system and the new theoretical solution for the resonant column testing system. For the verification of the proposed data reduction and analysis method, the numerical simulation of the resonant column testing was performed by the finite element analysis. Also, a series of resonant column testing were performed fir Joomunjin sand, which verified the feasibility of the proposed method and revealed the limitations of the conventional data reduction and analysis method.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.303-316
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• 2023

With the development and utilization of urban underground space, the artificial ground freezing technology has been widely used in the construction of underground engineering in soft soil areas. The mechanical properties of soft clay changed greatly after freezing and thawing, which affected the seismic performance of underground structures. In this paper, a series of triaxial tests were carried out to study the dynamic response of the freezing-thawing clay under the seismic load considering different dynamic stress amplitudes and different confining pressures. The reduction factor of dynamic shear stress was determined to correct the amplitude of the seismic load. The deformation development mode, the stress-strain relationship and the energy dissipation behavior of the soft clay under the seismic load were analyzed. An empirical model for predicting accumulative plastic strain was proposed and validated considering the loading times, the confining pressures and the dynamic stress amplitudes. The relevant research results can provide a theoretical reference to the seismic design of underground structures in soft clay areas.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2006

Experimentally induced cortical disorganization exhibits many anatomical features which are characteristic of cortical malformations in children with early-onset epilepsy. We used an immunocytochemical technique and extracellular field potential recordings from the dorsal hippocampus to determine whether the excitability of the CA1 pyramidal cells was enhanced in rats with exnerimentallv induced hippocampal dysplasia. Compared with control rats, the MAM-treated rats displayed a decrease of paired pulse inhibition. When $GABA_A$ receptor antagonists were blocked with $10{\mu}M$ bicuculline the amplitude of the second population spike of the MAM-treated of rats was similar to that of the first population spike, as was in the control rats. The MAM-treated rats had fewer somatostatin and parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons than the control rats. These results suggest that the enhanced neuronal responsiveness of the in vivo recording of the CA1 in this animal model may involve a reduction of CA1 inhibition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.373-380
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• 2001

The action of opioid on the hyperpolarization-activated cation current $(I_h)$ in substantia gelatinosa neurons were investigated by using whole-cell voltage-clamp recording in rat spinal brain slices. Hyperpolarizing voltage steps revealed slowly activating currents in a subgroup of neurons. The half-maximal activation and the reversal potential of the current were compatible to neuronal $I_h.$ DAMGO $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a selective- opioid agonist, reduced the amplitude of $I_h$ reversibly. This reduction was dose-dependent and was blocked by CTOP $(2\;{\mu}M),$ a selective ${\mu}-opioid$ antagonist. DAMGO shifted the voltage dependence of activation to more hyperpolarized potential. Cesium (1 mM) or ZD 7288 $(100\;{\mu}M)$ blocked $I_h$ and the currents inhibited by cesium, ZD 7288 and DAMGO shared a similar time and voltage dependence. These results suggest that activation of ${\mu}-opioid$ receptor by DAMGO can inhibit $I_h$ in a subgroup of rat substantia gelatinosa neurons.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.433-455
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• 2013

A phase delay spectrum model towards the representation of spatial coherence of stochastic wind fields is proposed. Different from the classical coherence functions used in the spectral representation methods, the model is derived from the comprehensive description of coherence of fluctuating wind speeds and from the thorough analysis of physical accounts of random factors affecting phase delay, building up a consistent mapping between the simulated fluctuating wind speeds and the basic random variables. It thus includes complete probabilistic information of spatial stochastic wind fields. This treatment prompts a ready and succinct scheme for the simulation of fluctuating wind speeds, and provides a new perspective to the accurate assessment of dynamic reliability of wind-induced structures. Numerical investigations and comparative studies indicate that the developed model is of rationality and of applicability which matches well with the measured data at spatial points of wind fields, whereby the phase spectra at defined datum mark and objective point are feasibly obtained using the numerical scheme associated with the starting-time of phase evolution. In conjunction with the stochastic Fourier amplitude spectrum that we developed previously, the time history of fluctuating wind speeds at any spatial points of wind fields can be readily simulated.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 2010

Vertical vibration tests were conducted using model footings of different size and mass resting on the surface of finite sand layer with different height to width ratios which was underlain by either rigid concrete base, under both dry and saturated condition. The effect of saturation on the damping ratio of finite sand stratum underlain by a rigid base has been verified and compared with the results obtained for the case of finite dry sand stratum underlain by the rigid base. Comparison of results of the experimental study showed that the damping in both the cases is less than 10%. The damping ratio obtained for finite saturated sand stratum is marginally lower than that obtained on finite dry sand stratum at H/B ratio of 0.5. The difference between the two cases becomes significant when the H/B ratio increases to 3.0, indicating the significant influence of soil moisture on damping ratio of foundation- soil system with increase in the thickness of the finite sand stratum. Comparison of the predicted damping ratio for a homogeneous sand stratum with the experimental damping ratio obtained corresponding to the height to width ratio of 3.0 of the finite sand stratum underlain by the rigid concrete base indicates a significant reduction in damping ratio of the foundation-soil system for both the cases.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.405-422
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• 2016

The paper deals with the results of the laboratory cyclic plate load tests performed on the reinforced soft clay beds. The performances of the clay bed reinforced with geocells and geocells with additional basal geogrid cases are compared with the performance of the unreinforced clay beds. From the cyclic plate load test results, the coefficient of elastic uniform compression ($C_u$) was calculated for the different cases. The $C_u$ value was found to increase in the presence of geocell reinforcement. The maximum increase in the $C_u$ value was observed in the case of the clay bed reinforced with the combination of geocell and geogrid. In addition, 3 times increase in the strain modulus, 10 times increase in the bearing capacity, 8 times increase in the stiffness and 90% reduction in the settlement was observed in the presence of the geocell and geogrid. Based on the laboratory test results, a hypothetical case of a prototype foundation subjected to cyclic load was analyzed. The results revealed that the natural frequency of the foundation-soil system increases by 4 times and the amplitude of the vibration reduces by 92% in the presence of the geocells and the geogrids.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.461-467
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• 2009

The auditory cortex (A1) encodes the acquired significance of sound for the perception and interpretation of sound. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas molecule with free radical properties that functions as a transmitter molecule and can alter neural activity without direct synaptic connections. We used whole-cell recordings under voltage clamp to investigate the effect of NO on spontaneous GABAergic synaptic transmission in mechanically isolated rat auditory cortical neurons preserving functional presynaptic nerve terminals. GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in the A1 were completely blocked by bicuculline. The NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), reduced the GABAergic sIPSC frequency without affecting the mean current amplitude. The SNAP-induced inhibition of sIPSC frequency was mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate, a membrane permeable cyclic-GMP analogue, and blocked by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, a specific NO scavenger. Blockade of presynaptic $K^+$ channels by 4-aminopyridine, a $K^+$ channel blocker, increased the frequencies of GABAergic sIPSCs, but did not affect the inhibitory effects of SNAP. However, blocking of presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ channels by $Cd^{2+}$, a general voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, decreased the frequencies of GABAergic sIPSCs, and blocked SNAP-induced reduction of sIPSC frequency. These findings suggest that NO inhibits spontaneous GABA release by activation of cGMP-dependent signaling and inhibition of presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ channels in the presynaptic nerve terminals of A1 neurons.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

The use of an Exhaust Gas Recirculation(EGR) for a diesel engine with variable geometry turbocharger(VGT) has confronted how to obtain the amount of EGR for NOx reduction requirement at wide operating range and less side effect. Through a combined effort of modeling(wave action simulation) and experiment, an investigation into the effect of EGR area ratio and pipe length on EGR characteristics of common rail diesel engine with VGT has been performed. For accurate computation, calibration of constants involved in empirical and semi-empirical correlations has been performed at a specific operating point, before of its use for engine simulation. From the results of this study, it was found that EGR rate is sharply increased with increasing EGR area ratio until area ratio of 0.3. However, the effect of EGR area ratio on EGR rate is negligible beyond this criteria. This study also investigates the effect of EGR pipe length on a EGR amount and pulsating flow characteristics at EGR junction. The results showed that the longer EGR pipe length, the lower EGR amount was achieved due to the flow loss resulting in lower amplitude of pressure wave.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2002

Cholinergic modulation of GABAergic spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) by the activation of muscarine receptors was investigated in mechanically dissociated rat nucleus basalis of the Meynert neurons using the conventional whole-cell patch recording configuration. Muscarine $(10{\mu}M)$ reversibly and concentration-dependently decreased mIPSC frequency without affecting the current amplitude distribution. Muscarine action on GABAergic mIPSCs was completely blocked by $1{\mu}M$ methoctramine, a selective $M_2$ receptor antagonist, but not by $1{\mu}M$ pirenzepine, a selective $M_1$ receptor antagonist. NEM $(10{\mu}M),$ a G-protein uncoupler, attenuated the inhibitory action of muscarine on GABAergic mIPSC frequency. Muscarine still could decrease GABAergic mIPSC frequency even in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ external solution. However, the inhibitory action of muscarine on GABAergic mIPSCs was completely occluded in the presence of forskolin. The results suggest that muscarine acts presynaptically and reduces the probability of spontaneous GABA release, and that such muscarine-induced inhibitory action seems to be mediated by G-protein-coupled $M_2$ receptors, via the reduction of cAMP production. Accordingly, $M_2$ receptor-mediated disinhibition of nBM neurons might play one of important roles in the regulation of cholinergic outputs from nBM neurons as well as the excitability of nBM neurons themselves.