• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.541-557
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• 2016

Prefabricated bridge substructures provide new possibility for designers in terms of efficiency of creativity, fast construction, geometry control and cost. Even though prefabricated bridge columns are widely adopted as a substructure system in the bridge construction project recently, lack of deeper understanding of the seismic behavior of prefabricated bridge substructures cause much concern on their performance in high seismic zones. In this paper, experimental research works are presented to verify enhanced design concepts of prefabricated bridge piers. Integration of precast segments was done with continuity of axial prestressing tendons and mild reinforcing bars throughout the construction joints. Cyclic tests were conducted to investigate the effects of the design parameters on seismic performance. An analytical method for moment-curvature analysis of prefabricated bridge columns is conducted in this study. The method is validated through comparison with experimental results and the fiber model analysis. A parametric study is conducted to observe the seismic behavior of prefabricated bridge columns using the analytical study based on strain compatibility method. The effects of continuity of axial steel and tendon, and initial prestressing level on the load-displacement response characteristics, i.e., the strain of axial mild steels and posttensioned tendon at fracture and concrete crushing strain at the extreme compression fiber are investigated. The analytical study shows the layout of axial mild steels and posttensioned tendons in this experiment is the optimized arrangement for seismic performance.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 1991

Extremely halophilic bacteria isolated from salterns at Mado, Kyunggido, Korea, were identified and investigated on their salt requirements. The results have shown that six strains were identified to be belonged to the genus Halobacterium and three strains identified as the fenus Halococcus. Among them, the optimal NaCl concentration for growth of Halobacterium sp. EH10 was at 4.2M and no growth occurs below 2.0M NaCl. The strain, EH10, is nonmotile and showed acid production from glucose, fructose and maltose while H. salinarum is motile and does not produce acid from any carbohydrates. On the other hand, the strain EH10 does not utilize readily glucose while a number of sugars are readily utilized for growth with acid production by H. saccharovorum. Thus, the isolate, EH10, was classified into the genus Halobacterium and could be a novel species of the genus by its main morphological and physiological features including G+C content. The optimal temperature for growth of the isolate, EH10, was 50.deg.C. But this strain did not grow when NaCl was replaced with KCl.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.4412-4422
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• 2024

The CFETR multipurpose overload robot (CMOR) is a critical component of the fusion reactor remote handling system. To accurately calculate and visualize the structural deformation and stress characteristics of the CMOR motion process, this paper first establishes a CMOR kinematic model to analyze the unfolding and working process in the vacuum chamber. Then, the dynamic model of CMOR is established using the Lagrangian method, and the rigid-flexible coupling modeling of CMOR links and joints is achieved using the finite element method and the linear spring damping equivalent model. The co-simulation results of the CMOR rigid-flexible coupled model show that when the end load is 2000 kg, the extreme value of the end-effector position error is more than 0.12 m, and the maximum stress value is 1.85 × 10⁸ Pa. To utilize the stress-strain data of CMOR, this paper designs a CMOR morphology prediction control system based on Unity software. Implanting CMOR finite element analysis data into the Unity environment, researchers can monitor the stress strain generated by different motion trajectories of the CMOR robotic arm in the control system. It provides a platform for subsequent research on CMOR error compensation and extreme operation warnings.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.118-133
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• 2023

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed in freshwater, seawater, soil, and extreme environments, and play a critical role as feeders on diverse preys in the ecosystem. Also, some FLA can become opportunistic pathogens in animals including humans. The taxa Amoebozoa and Heterolobosea are important amoeboid groups associated with human pathogens. However, the identification and habitat of amoebae belonging to Amoebozoa and Heterolobosea remain poorly reported in the Republic of Korea. This study highlights the first record for identification and source of four amoebae including putative pathogens in the Republic of Korea. Results: In the present study, four previously reported FLA were isolated from freshwaters in Sangju Gonggeomji Reservoir (strain GO001), one of the largest reservoirs during the Joseon Dynasty period, and along the Nakdong River, the largest river in the Republic of Korea (strains NR5-2, NR12-1, and NR14-1) for the first time. Microscopic observations and 18S rDNA phylogenetic trees revealed the four isolated strains to be Acanthamoeba polyphaga (strains NR5-2 and NR12-1), Tetramitus waccamawensis (strain GO001), and Naegleria australiensis (strain NR14-1). Strains NR5-2 and NR12-1 might be the same species and belonged to the morphological Group 2 and the T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba. Strain GO001 formed a clade with T. waccamawensis in 18S rDNA phylogeny, and showed morphological characteristics similar to previously recorded strains, although the species' flagellate form was not observed. Strain NR14-1 had the typical morphology of Naegleria and formed a strongly supported clade with previously recorded strains of N. australiensis in phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences. Conclusions: On the bases of morphological and molecular analyses, four strains of FLA were newly observed and classified in the Republic of Korea. Three strains belonging to the two species (A. polyphaga and N. australiensis) isolated from the Nakdong River have the potential to act as opportunistic pathogens that can cause fatal diseases (i.e. granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, and meningoencephalitis) in animals including humans. The Nakdong River in the Republic of Korea may provide a habitat for potentially pathogenic amoebae, but additional research is required to confirm the true pathogenicity of these FLA now known in the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2020

The Earth contains billions of microbial species, although the vast majority cannot be cultured in laboratories and are thus considered unidentified and uncharacterized. Extremophiles are microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions, including temperature, salinity, and pH. Extremophilic microorganisms have provided important insights for biological, metabolic, and evolutionary studies. Between 2017 and 2019, as part of a comprehensive investigation to identify bacterial species in Korea, eight bacterial strains were isolated from marine and non-marine environments in Jeju Island. These strains were cultured under extreme salinity or pH conditions. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA) gene sequencing indicated that all eight strains belonged to the phyla Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Alphaproteobacteria. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities(>98.7%) and the formation of strong monophyletic clades with their closest related species, all isolated strains were considered as an unrecorded strain, previously unidentified species. Gram stain reaction, culture conditions, colony and cell morphology, biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR) IDs are described in this article. The characterization of these unrecorded strains provides information on microorganisms living in Korea.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.331-347
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• 2012

This paper describes the varying material model, the analysis method and the software development for reinforced concrete circular columns confined by spiral or hoop transverse steel reinforcement and subjected to eccentric loading. The widely used Mander model of concentric loading is adapted here to eccentric loading by developing an auto-adjustable stress-strain curve based on the eccentricity of the axial load or the size of the compression zone to generate more accurate interaction diagrams. The prediction of the ultimate unconfined capacity is straight forward. On the other hand, the prediction of the actual ultimate capacity of confined concrete columns requires specialized nonlinear analysis. This nonlinear procedure is programmed using C-Sharp to build efficient software that can be used for design, analysis, extreme event evaluation and forensic engineering. The software is equipped with an elegant graphics interface that assimilates input data, detail drawings, capacity diagrams and demand point mapping in a single sheet. Options for preliminary design, section and reinforcement selection are seamlessly integrated as well. Improvements to KDOT Bridge Design Manual using this software with reference to AASHTO LRFD are made.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.600-606
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• 2019

Studies on the application of the lead rubber bearing (LRB) isolation system to nuclear power plants are being carried out as one of the measures to improve seismic performance. Nuclear power plants with isolation systems require seismic probabilistic safety assessments, for which the seismic fragility of the structures, systems, and components needs be calculated, including for beyond design basis earthquakes. To this end, seismic response analyses are required, where it can be seen that the behaviors of the isolation system components govern the overall seismic response of an isolated plant. The numerical model of the LRB used in these seismic response analyses plays an important role, but in most cases, the extreme performance of the LRB has not been well studied. The current work therefore develops an extreme nonlinear numerical model that can express the seismic response of the LRB for beyond design basis earthquakes. A full-scale LRB was fabricated and dynamically tested with various input conditions, and test results confirmed that the developed numerical model better represents the behavior of the LRB over previous models. Subsequent seismic response analyses of isolated nuclear power plants using the model developed here are expected to provide more accurate results for seismic probabilistic safety assessments.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2022

Recently, research on applying composite materials to various industrial fields is being actively conducted. In particular, composite materials fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printers have more advantages than existing materials as they have fewer restrictions on manufacturing shape, reduce the time required, weight. With these advantages, it is possible to consider utilizing composite materials in cryogenic environments such as the application of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are mainly used in an aerospace and mobility. However, FDM composite materials are not verified in cryogenic environments less than 150K. This study evaluates the characteristics of composite materials such as tensile strength and strain using a UTM (Universal Testing Machine). The specimen is immersed in liquid nitrogen (77 K) to cool down during the test. The specimen is fabricated using 3D print, and can be manufactured by stacking reinforced fibers such as carbon fiber, fiber glass, and aramid fiber (Kevlar) with base material (Onyx). For the experimental method and specimen shape, international standards ASTM D638 and ASTM D3039 for tensile testing of composite materials were referenced.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2006

We have screened 766 strains of fungi from the BIOTEC Culture Collection (BCC) for xylanases working in extreme pH and/or high temperature conditions, the so-called extreme xylanases. From a total number of 32 strains producing extreme xylanases, the strain BCC7928, identified by using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of rRNA to be a Marasmius sp., was chosen for further characterization because of its high xylanolytic activity at temperature as high as $90^{\circ}C$. The crude enzyme possessed high thermostability and pH stability. Purification of this xylanase was carried out using an anion exchanger followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, yielding the enzyme with >90% homogeneity. The molecular mass of the enzyme was approximately 40 kDa. The purified enzyme retained broad working pH range of 4-8 and optimal temperature of $90^{\circ}C$. When using xylan from birchwood as substrate, it exhibits $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of $2.6{\pm}0.6\;mg/ml$ and $428{\pm}26\;U/mg$, respectively. The enzyme rapidly hydrolysed xylans from birchwood, beechwood, and exhibited lower activity on xylan from wheatbran, or celluloses from carboxymethylcellulose and Avicel. The purified enzyme was highly stable at temperature ranges from 50 to $70^{\circ}C$. It retained 84% of its maximal activity after incubation in standard buffer containing 1% xylan substrate at $70^{\circ}C$ for 3 h. This thermostable xylanase should therefore be useful for several industrial applications, such as agricultural, food and biofuel.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.369-380
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• 2019

When a extreme loading such as blast is applied to prestressed concrete (PSC) structures and infrastructures for an instantaneous time, serious property damages and human casualties occur. However, a existing design procedure for PSC structures such as prestressed containment vessel (PCCV) and gas storage tank do not consider a protective design for extreme internal blast scenario. Particularly, an internal blast is much more dangerous than that of external blast. Therefore, verification of the internal blast loading is required. In this paper, the internal blast resistance capacity of PSC member is evaluated by performing internal blast tests on RC and bi-directional PSC scaled down specimens. The applied internal blast loads were 22.68, 27.22, and 31.75 kg (50, 60, and 70 lbs) ANFO explosive charge at 1,000 mm standoff distance. The data acquisitions include blast pressure, deflection, strain, crack patterns, and prestressing force. The test results showed that it is possible to predict the damage area to the structure when internal blast loading occurs in PCCV structures.