• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.107-122
• /
• 2024

Following an internal column failure, adjacent double-span beams above the failed column will play a critical role in the load transfer and internal force redistribution within the remaining structure, and the span-to-depth ratios of double-span beams significantly influence the structural resistance capacity against progressive collapse. Most existing studies have focused on the collapse-resistant performances of single-story symmetric structures, whereas limited published works are available on the collapse resistances of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. To this end, in this study, numerical models based on shell elements were employed to investigate the structural behavior of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. The simulation models were validated using the previous experimental results obtained for single- and two-story steel frames, and the load-displacement responses and internal force development of unequal-span three-story steel frames under three cases were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, the specific contributions of the different mechanism resistances of unequal-span, double-span beams of each story were separated quantitatively using the energy equilibrium theory, with an aim to gain a deeper level of understanding of the load-resistance mechanisms in the unequal-span steel frames. The results showed that the axial and flexural mechanism resistances were determined by the span ratio and linear stiffness ratio of double-span beams, respectively.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2007

Background: Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are effective in controlling asthma in the majority of patients, a subset of asthmatics fails to demonstrate a satisfactory response, even to systemic GC therapy. This population is referred to as being "steroid-resistant". The actual mechanism underlying steroid resistance in asthma remains to be elucidated. Methods: We have investigated how dexamethasone (DEX) regulates asthmatic phenotypes in a murine model of asthma, in which mice received i.p. immunization twice, followed by two bronchoprovocations with aerosolized OVA with a one-week interval, which we have recently described. Results: Pretreatment with DEX resulted in an inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in asthmatic lungs, and also inhibited bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) levels of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and CC chemokines [eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1]. DEX was effective in suppressing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) at 10 h, Th2-dependent asthmatic phenotypes such as airway eosinophilia, BAL levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13), and mucin production. However, DEX failed to suppress BAL levels of CXC chemokines [macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)] and airway neutrophilia. Conclusion: Airway neutrophilia is among the phenomena observed in patients with severe GC-resistant asthma. This study will provide insight into the molecular basis for airway neutrophila seen in steroid-resistant asthma. Further studies are required to delineate the underlying mechanism of CXC chemokine expression in asthma.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2017

We experimentally investigate the physical mechanism for asymmetrical degradation in amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) under simultaneous gate and drain bias stresses. The transfer curves exhibit an asymmetrical negative shift after the application of gate-to-source ($V_{GS}$) and drain-to-source ($V_{DS}$) bias stresses of ($V_{GS}=24V$, $V_{DS}=15.9V$) and ($V_{GS}=22V$, $V_{DS}=20V$), but the asymmetrical degradation is more significant after the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (22 V, 20 V) nevertheless the vertical electric field at the source is higher under the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (24 V, 15.9 V) than (22 V, 20 V). By using the modified external load resistance method, we extract the source contact resistance ($R_S$) and the voltage drop at $R_S$ ($V_{S,\;drop}$) in the fabricated a-IGZO TFT under both bias stresses. A significantly higher RS and $V_{S,\;drop}$ are extracted under the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (22 V, 20V) than (24 V, 15.9 V), which implies that the high horizontal electric field across the source contact due to the large voltage drop at the reverse biased Schottky junction is the dominant physical mechanism causing the asymmetrical degradation of a-IGZO TFTs under simultaneous gate and drain bias stresses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.193-203
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Hindered barrier function of vascular endothelium has been implicated in the initiation and progression of degenerative vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In this study, the effect of Sunghyangchungisan(SHCS) as a protectant against oxidant-induced destruction of endothelial barrier function was assessed. Methods : Toward this end, endothelial cells derived from the human umbilical vein were cultured as monolayers on permeable membrane filters. Endothelial permeability was monitored by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance and movement of low density lipoprotein (LDL) across the endothelial monolayer. Results : Along with increased movement of LDL, $H_2O_2$-induced increase in endothelial permeability was paralleled by a decrease in transendotheliaI electrical resistance. The effect of $H_2O_2$ was mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of proteinkinase C. Calphostin-C, a protein kinase C inhibitor, effectively blocked the increase in endothelial permeability induced by $H_2O_2$ or PMA, indicating that activation of protein kinase C is associated with the $H_2O_2-induced$ permeability change. SHCS effectively protected the endothelial monolayer against $H_2O_2-induced$ increase in permeability, whereas, it did not affect PMA-induced change. Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylyl cyclase, antagonized $H_2O_2$ to increase endothelial permeability. In addition, in ${H_2O_2}-treated$ cens, intracenular cAMP concentration was significantly decreased, indicating that impaired cAMP production as well as activation of proteinkinase C is a mechanism underlying ${H_2O_2}>-induced$$H_2O_2$ with regard to its effect on intracellular cAMP content. However, SHCS itself did not affect resting cAMP concentration in endothelial cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that SHCS might operate as an effective protectant against oxidant-induced destruction of endothelial barrier function. The mechanism does not appear to involve direct interaction with protein kinase C- or cAMP-associated signaling mechanism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2005.03a
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2005

Since the allowable bearing capacities of piles in weathered/fractured rock are mainly governed by settlement, the load-displacement behavior of the rock socketed pile should be well known. To predict pile head settlement at the design stage, the exact understanding of the load-transfer mechanisms is essential. Therefore, in this research, the load-transfer mechanisms of drilled shaft socketed into weathered rock was investigated. For that, 5 cast-in-place concrete piles with diameters of 1,000 mm were socketed into weathered gneiss. The static axial load tests and the load-transfer measurements were performed to examine the axial resistant behavior of the piles. A comprehensive field/laboratory testing program on weathered rock at the field test sites was also performed to describe the in situ rock mass conditions quantitatively. And then, the effect of rock mass condition on the load transfer mechanism was investigated. The side shear resistance of the pile in moderately weathered rock reached to yielding point at a few millimeter displacements, and after that, the rate of resistance increment dramatically decreased. However, that in the highly /completely weathered rock did not show the obvious yielding point, and gradually increased showing the hyperbolic pattern until with the relatively high displacement (>10 mm). The end bearing-displacement curves showed linear increase at least until with the base displacement of approximately 10 mm, regardless rock mass conditions.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2005

Thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal proteins (tPMP) are antibacterial proteins released when platelets are stimulated by thrombin. It has been reported that tPMP has antibacterial activity against various bacterial species including causative agents of infective endocarditis. Most of the oral streptococci have resistance to the killing by tPMP and this fact may play an important role as a virulence factor in infective endocarditis. However, the susceptibility and resistance mechanism of oral streptococci for tPMP have not been revealed yet. In this study, the killing mechanism of tPMP for oral streptococci has been investigated. Streptococcus rattus BHT, a susceptible strain, and Streptococcus gordonii DL1, a resistant strain, have been used in this study. tPMP was isolated from platelet after stimulation with thrombin. Cell membrane depolarization was examined with 3,3'-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide ($DiSC_3$), membrane potential-sensitive cyanine dye, by fluorescence spectrophotometry. The permeabilization of cell membrane by tPMP was investigated with propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. tPMP susceptible S. rattus BHT showed the increase of the $DiSC_3$ fluorescence level meaning depolarization of cell membrane and increase of the uptake of PI which means permeabilization of cell membrane. However, tPMP resistant S. gordonii DLI did not show depolarization and permeabilization. These results indicate that the increasing depolarization and permeabilization of oral streptococcal cell membrane are associated with the bactericidal activity of tPMP.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.10 no.3 s.49
• /
• pp.113-123
• /
• 2006

An experimental investigation on the behavior of reinforced concrete coupling beams is presented. The test variables are the span-to-depth ratio, the ratio of flexural reinforcements and the ratio of shear rebars. The distribution of arch action and truss action which compose the mechanism of shear resistance is discussed. The increase of plastic deformation after yielding transforms the shear transfer by arch action into by truss action. This study proposes the deformation model for reinforced concrete coupling beams considering the bond slip of flexural reinforcement. The strain distribution model of shear reinforcements and flexural reinforcements based on test results is presented. The yielding of flexural reinforcements determines yielding states and the ultimate states of reinforced concrete coupling beam are defined as the ultimate compressive strain of struts and the degradation of compressive strength due to principal tensile strain of struts. The flexural-shear failure mechanism determines the ultimate state of RC coupling beams. It is expected that this model can be applied to displacement-based design methods.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.375-387
• /
• 2018

This paper presents a review on progressive collapse mechanism of steel framed buildings exposed to fire. The influence of load ratios, strength of structural members (beam, column, slab, connection), fire scenarios, bracing systems, fire protections on the collapse mode and collapse time of structures is comprehensively reviewed. It is found that the key influencing factors include load ratio, fire scenario, bracing layout and fire protection. The application of strong beams, high load ratios, multi-compartment fires will lead to global downward collapse which is undesirable. The catenary action in beams and tensile membrane action in slabs contribute to the enhancement of structural collapse resistance, leading to a ductile collapse mechanism. It is recommended to increase the reinforcement ratio in the sagging and hogging region of slabs to not only enhance the tensile membrane action in the slab, but to prevent the failure of beam-to-column connections. It is also found that a frame may collapse in the cooling phase of compartment fires or under travelling fires. This is because that the steel members may experience maximum temperatures and maximum displacements under these two fire scenarios. An edge bay fire is more prone to induce the collapse of structures than a central bay fire. The progressive collapse of buildings can be effectively prevented by using bracing systems and fire protections. A combination of horizontal and vertical bracing systems as well as increasing the strength and stiffness of bracing members is recommended to enhance the collapse resistance. A protected frame dose not collapse immediately after the local failure but experiences a relatively long withstanding period of at least 60 mins. It is suggested to use three-dimensional models for accurate predictions of whether, when and how a structure collapses under various fire scenarios.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.167-179
• /
• 2023

The rifampicin-resistant strain E9-302 of Edwardsiella ictaluri strain 669 (WT) was generated by continuous passage on BHI agar plates containing increasing concentrations of rifampicin. E9-302 was attenuated significantly by 119 times to zebrafish Danio rerio compared to WT in terms of the 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀). Zebrafish vaccinated with E9-302 via intraperitoneal (IP) injection at a dose of 1 × 10³ CFU/fish had relative percentage survival (RPS) rates of 85.7% when challenged with wild-type E. ictaluri via IP 14 days post-vaccination (dpv). After 14 days of primary vaccination with E9-302 via immersion (IM) at a dose of 4 × 10⁷ CFU/ml, a booster IM vaccination with E9-302 at a dose of 2 × 10⁷ CFU/ml exhibited 65.2% RPS against challenge with wild-type E. ictaluri via IP 7 days later. These results indicated that the rifampicin-resistant attenuated strain E9-302 had potential as a live vaccine against E. ictaluri infection. A previously unreported amino acid site change at position 142 of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) β subunit encoded by the gene rpoB associated with rifampicin resistance was identified. Analysis of the whole-genome sequencing results revealed multiple missense mutations in the virulence-related genes esrB and sspH2 in E9-302 compared with WT, and a 189 bp mismatch in one gene, whose coding product was highly homologous to glycosyltransferase family 39 protein. This study preliminarily explored the molecular mechanism underlying the virulence attenuation of rifampicin-resistant strain E9-302 and provided a new target for the subsequent study of the pathogenic mechanism of E. ictaluri.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.1785-1801
• /
• 2017

In recent years, image encryption algorithms have been developed rapidly in order to ensure the security of image transmission. With the assistance of our previous work, this paper proposes a novel chaotic image encryption algorithm based on self-adaptive model and feedback mechanism to enhance the security and improve the efficiency. Different from other existing methods where the permutation is performed by the self-adaptive model, the initial values of iteration are generated in a novel way to make the distribution of initial values more uniform. Unlike the other schemes which is on the strength of the feedback mechanism in the stage of diffusion, the piecewise linear chaotic map is first introduced to produce the intermediate values for the sake of resisting the differential attack. The security and efficiency analysis has been performed. We measure our scheme through comprehensive simulations, considering key sensitivity, key space, encryption speed, and resistance to common attacks, especially differential attack.