• Title/Summary/Keyword: environmental actions

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Establishment of In Vitro Test System for the Evaluation of the Estrogenic Activities of Natural Products

  • Kim, Ok-Soo;Choi, Jung-Hye;Soung, Young-Hwa;Lee, Seon-Hee;Lee, Jae-Hwa;Ha, Jong-Myung;Ha, Bae-Jin;Heo, Moon-Soo;Lee, Sang-Hyeon
    • Archives of Pharmacal Research
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    • v.27 no.9
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    • pp.906-911
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    • 2004
  • In order to evaluate estrogenic compounds in natural products, an in vitro detection system was established. For this system, the human breast cancer cell line MCF7 was stably trans-fected using an estrogen responsive chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plas-mid yielding MCF7/pDsCAT-ERE119-Ad2MLP cells. To test the estrogenic responsiveness of this in vitro assay system, MCF7/pDsCAT-ERE119-Ad2MLP cells were treated with various concentrations of 17f3-estradiol. Treatments of 10$^{-8}$ to 10$^{-12}$ M 17$\beta$-estradiol revealed significant concentration dependent estrogenic activities compared with ethanol. We used in vitro assay system to detect estrogenic effects in Puerariae radix and Ginseng radix Rubra extracts. Treat-ment of 500 and 50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of Puerariae radix extracts increased the transcriptional activity approximately 4- and 1.5-fold, respectively, compared with the ethanol treatment. Treatment of 500, 50, and 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of Ginseng radix Rubra extracts increased the transcriptional activity approximately 3.2-,2.7, and 1.4-fold, respectively, compared with the ethanol treatment. These observations suggest that Puerariae radix and Ginseng radix Rubra extracts have effective estrogenic actions and that they could be developed as estrogenic supplements.

Reinforcement Learning Approach to Agents Dynamic Positioning in Robot Soccer Simulation Games

  • Kwon, Ki-Duk;Kim, In-Cheol
    • Proceedings of the Korea Society for Simulation Conference
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    • 2001.10a
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    • pp.321-324
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    • 2001
  • The robot soccer simulation game is a dynamic multi-agent environment. In this paper we suggest a new reinforcement learning approach to each agent's dynamic positioning in such dynamic environment. Reinforcement Beaming is the machine learning in which an agent learns from indirect, delayed reward an optimal policy to choose sequences of actions that produce the greatest cumulative reward. Therefore the reinforcement loaming is different from supervised teaming in the sense that there is no presentation of input-output pairs as training examples. Furthermore, model-free reinforcement loaming algorithms like Q-learning do not require defining or loaming any models of the surrounding environment. Nevertheless it can learn the optimal policy if the agent can visit every state-action pair infinitely. However, the biggest problem of monolithic reinforcement learning is that its straightforward applications do not successfully scale up to more complex environments due to the intractable large space of states. In order to address this problem, we suggest Adaptive Mediation-based Modular Q-Learning(AMMQL) as an improvement of the existing Modular Q-Learning(MQL). While simple modular Q-learning combines the results from each learning module in a fixed way, AMMQL combines them in a more flexible way by assigning different weight to each module according to its contribution to rewards. Therefore in addition to resolving the problem of large state space effectively, AMMQL can show higher adaptability to environmental changes than pure MQL. This paper introduces the concept of AMMQL and presents details of its application into dynamic positioning of robot soccer agents.

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Free Vibration Analysis of Hinged Ended Sinusoidal Arches (양단(兩端)힌지 정현(正弦)아치의 자유진동(自由振動)에 관한 연구(研究))

  • Lee, Byoung Koo
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.101-109
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    • 1987
  • The governing differential equations for the free vibration of general arch are derived including the effect of rotary inertia in addition to the usual actions. These differential equations are applied to the sinusoidal arch and the numerical methods are developed to analyze these equations. A trial eigenvalue method and the Runge-Kutta method are used to determine the natural frequencies and to perform the integration of the differential equations, respectively. A detailed studies are made of the lowest three vibration frequencies for hinged arches with the span length equal to 10 m. The effect of the rotary inertia is analyzed. And as the numerical results the frequency versus the rise of arch and the radius of gyration are presented in figures.

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Study on mechanical performance of composite beam with innovative composite slabs

  • Yang, Yong;Yu, Yunlong;Zhou, Xianwei;Roeder, Charles W.;Huo, Xudong
    • Steel and Composite Structures
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.537-551
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    • 2016
  • A new type of composite beam which consists of a wide flange steel shape beam and an innovative type of composite slab was introduced. The composite slab is composed of concrete slab and normal flat steel plates, which are connected by perfobond shear connectors (PBL shear connectors). This paper describes experiments of two large-scale specimens of that composite beam. Both specimens were loaded at two symmetric points for 4-point loading status, and mechanical behaviors under hogging and sagging bending moments were investigated respectively. During the experiments, the crack patterns, failure modes, failure mechanism and ultimate bending capacity of composite beam specimens were investigated, and the strains of concrete and flat steel plate as well as steel shapes were measured and recorded. As shown from the experimental results, composite actions were fully developed between the steel shape and the composite slab, this new type of composite beams was found to have good mechanical performance both under hogging and sagging bending moment with high bending capacity, substantial flexure rigidity and good ductility. It was further shown that the plane-section assumption was verified. Moreover, a design procedure including calculation methods of bending capacity of this new type of composite beam was studied and proposed based on the experimental results, and the calculation methods based on the plane-section assumption and plastic theories were also verified by comparisons of the calculated results and experimental results, which were agreed with each other.

Antioxidative Action of Corni Fructus Aqueous Extract on Kidneys of Diabetic Mice

  • Kim, Hye-Jeong;Kim, Bae-Hwan;Kim, Young-Chul
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.37-41
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    • 2011
  • This study investigated the antioxidative action of Corni Fructus aqueous extract on kidneys of diabetic mice. The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract and its antioxidant activities (XO, SOD, CAT, GST, eNOS) in kidneys of C57BL/6 or db/db mice were evaluated. For in vivo study, seven week-old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC, C57BL/6 mice), diabetic control group (DC, db/db mice) and Corni Fructus (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) treated diabetic group (DCF, db/db mice). The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract exhibited 7%, 24.4%, and 42.7% at concentrations of 100, 500, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The activity of XO in the DCF group was significantly lower than the DC group by 35% (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT and GST were lowered in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05) and 7.6%, respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS in kidneys was lower in the DCF group than the DC group by 24%. These results indicate that Corni Fructus reduced oxidation stress as evidenced by the restoration of the enzymatic antioxidative defense system in renal tissues of db/db mice. It is suggested that these antioxidative actions of Corni Fructus on renal tissues in db/db mice could contribute to its renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy.

On the use of the Lagrange Multiplier Technique for the unilateral local buckling of point-restrained plates, with application to side-plated concrete beams in structural retrofit

  • Hedayati, P.;Azhari, M.;Shahidi, A.R.;Bradford, M.A.
    • Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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    • v.26 no.6
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    • pp.673-685
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    • 2007
  • Reinforced concrete beams can be strengthened in a structural retrofit process by attaching steel plates to their sides by bolting. Whilst bolting produces a confident degree of shear connection under conditions of either static or seismic overload, the plates are susceptible to local buckling. The aim of this paper is to investigate the local buckling of unilaterally-restrained plates with point supports in a generic fashion, but with particular emphasis on the provision of the restraints by bolts, and on the geometric configuration of these bolts on the buckling loads. A numerical procedure, which is based on the Rayleigh-Ritz method in conjunction with the technique of Lagrange multipliers, is developed to study the unilateral local buckling of rectangular plates bolted to the concrete with various arrangements of the pattern of bolting. A sufficient number of separable polynomials are used to define the flexural buckling displacements, while the restraint condition is modelled as a tensionless foundation using a penalty function approach to this form of mathematical contact problem. The additional constraint provided by the bolts is also modelled using Lagrange multipliers, providing an efficacious method of numerical analysis. Local buckling coefficients are determined for a range of bolting configurations, and these are compared with those developed elsewhere with simplifying assumptions. The interaction of the actions in bolted plates during buckling is also considered.

Study on the Development of Neo-pop Art Character T-shirts for Cause Related Marketing - Focused on Romero Britto - (공익연계마케팅을 위한 네오팝아트 캐릭터 티셔츠 개발 연구 - 로메로 브리토를 중심으로 -)

  • Ku, Bonhye;Kim, Mihyun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.65 no.7
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    • pp.75-85
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    • 2015
  • The purpose of this study is to examine ways to vitalize cause related marketing (CRM) by proposing character T-shirts The campaign will employ Neo-Pop art, a genre popular with both companies and consumers. Study results are as follows: First, campaign T-shirts on the issue of human alienation resulting from digitalization can be utilized to generate financial profit that can be returned to society. This can lead to the acts of exchange for profit generation, public image improvemen of companies, and enhancement of their external status. As for the non-financial aspect, the campaign could lead to increased awareness of social issues and present opportunities to take actions of improvement. Second, the financial objective of character T-shirts dealing with environmental issue of sustainability involves brand distribution network support and revitalization of promotion such as shopping basket of love and eco-friendly store matching program for eco-friendly campaign. As for the non-financial aspect, it can help raise consumers' awareness of cause related activities such as crowd funding and fundraising and prepare opportunities of direct participation. Third, the financial objective of character T-shirts dealing with natural disaster relief activities on the global level involves brand recognition level increase and enhancement of positive association of companies through emergency relief and articles support as a result of drastic increases in casualties from nature disasters. As for the non-financial aspect, it can induce people's participation in relief activities and lead to the establishment of crisis response procedures. The information on the development of pop-art character T-shirts proposed in this study is expected to be used as basic information on cause marketing of fashion companies in the future, while providing inspiration to related fashion design.

Characteristics Analysis of Evaluation Measures and Submission Requirements of Sustainable Design Awards -Comparison between AIA COTE Top 10 and Korea Green Building Awards- (완공작 친환경 건축물 공모전의 평가기준 및 제출요구자료 특성 분석 - AIA COTE TOP 10 공모전과 녹색건축대전의 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Jin-Ho;Lee, Do-Gyun
    • KIEAE Journal
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.59-67
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: As we are facing the global crisis from the climate change and energy depletion, urgent actions are needed to design a integrated sustainable building. This paper suggests that a sustainable design awards can stimulate for architects to bring the cutting-edge ideas into a realized building in comparison to green building certification system. AIA COTE Top 10 design awards, organized and run by AIA(American Institute of Architects) COTE(Committee on the Environment) from 1997, is analyzed as a case study. By researching the core of the AIA COTE Top 10 design awards system in terms of evaluation measures and submission requirements, meaningful suggestions were drawn to supplement Korea Green Building Awards system and to design and realize leading green buildings in Korea. Method: The comparison between AIA COTE Top 10 and Korea Green Building Design Awards was made in terms of evaluation measures, submission requirements, and green building certification systems. Result: This paper finally suggests the following three points in conclusion: 1) Set the standards of evaluation measures reflecting the three aspects(economy, environment, social) of sustainability, 2) Set the qualitative evaluation measures and corresponding submission requirements that can apply in the design awards in comparison to green building certification system, 3) Develop and balance submission requirements in response to evaluation measures to proceed systematic evaluation of the green buildings.

Consumers' Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy (신재생에너지 전력에 대한 소비자 지불의사)

  • Lee, Changhoon;Hwang, Seok-Joon
    • Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.173-190
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    • 2009
  • Although renewable energy sources are more environmentally friendly than fossil energy sources, they are far more costly and hard to survive in the electricity market. For a competitive renewable electricity, the government should take 'visible' actions to compensate higher production costs. Popular policies, such as Feed-In-Tariff and Renewable Portfolio Standards, are financed by an undifferentiated increase of electricity bills (a collective financing mechanism) but are occasionally confronted with the opposition of the electricity consumers. This paper discusses the consumers' willingness to pay for renewable energy in order to back up the voluntary financing mechanism, the Green Pricing. The Tobit analysis of a consumer survey shows that the consumer's WTP is positively influenced by his environmentally friendly activities under both financing mechanisms. The knowledge on renewable energy is statistically significant only under collective financing mechanism.

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Effect of Air Void and Strength Characteristics with Freezing and Thawing Resistance on High Strength Concrete (고강도(高强度) 콘크리트에서 기포조직(氣泡組織) 및 강도특성(强度特性)이 연결융해저항(連結融解抵抗)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Kim, Saeng Bin;Moon, Je Kil;Kim, Dong Sin
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.13-24
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    • 1993
  • The influence of the bubble structure and strength characteristics on the freeze-thaw resistance of high strength concrete is investigated by the laboratory experiment. The test conditions are formed in the manner that water is continueusly supplied externally and the specimens were received severe weather actions from ordinary to significantly low temperatures. The experiments are performed in two stages. In the first stage, the relation between the durability to frost action and the bubble structure is analyzed especially with respect to the water-cement ratio and the amount of air. The AE and non-AE concrete specimens made of ordinary portland cement are used in the test. In the second stage, the non-AE concrete specimens using vibratory compaction to improve the durability to frost action, and the high watertight specimens of rapid hardening portland cement to increase their initial strength are produced and tested. The degree of watertightness of the specimens is determined by measuring the permeability of the specimens and the bubble structure of the high watertight concrete is also estimated.

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