• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.803-810
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• 2007

An analytical method capable of predicting various stress-strain responses in axially loaded concrete confined with FRP (fiber reinforced polymers) composites in a rational manner is presented. Its underlying idea is that the volumetric expansion due to progressive microcracking in mechanically loaded concrete is an important measure of the extent of damage in the material microstructure, and can be utilized to estimate the load-carrying capacity of concrete by considering the corresponding accumulated damage. Following from this, an elastic modulus expressed as a function of area strain and concrete porosity, the energy-balance equation relating the dilating concrete to the confining device interactively, the varying confining pressure, and an incremental calculation algorithm are included in the solution procedure. The proposed method enables the evaluation of lateral strains consecutively according to the related mechanical model and the energy-balance equation, rather than using an empirically derived equation for Poisson's ratio or dilation rate as in other analytical methods. Several existing analytical methods that can predict the overall response were also examined and discussed, particularly focusing on the way of considering the volumetric expansion. The results predicted by the proposed and Samaan's bilinear equation models correlated with observed results with a reasonable degree, however it can be judged that the latter is not capable of predicting the response of lateral strains correctly due to incorporating the initial Poisson's ratio and the final converged dilation rate only. Further, the proposed method seems to have greater benefits in other applications by the use of the fundamental principles of mechanics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2012

Background: A cell line with transfected Wilms' tumor protein 1 (WT1) is has been used for the preclinical evaluation of novel treatment strategies of WT1 immunotherapy for leukemia due to the lack of appropriate murine leukemia cell line with endogenous WT1. However, silencing of the transgene occurs. Regarding the effects of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) on reactivation of silenced genes, HMAs are considered to be immune enhancers. Methods: We treated murine WT1- transfected C1498 (mWT1-C1498) with increasing doses of decitabine (DAC) and azacitidine (AZA) to analyze their effects on transgene reactivation. Results: DAC and AZA decreased the number of viable cells in a dose- or time-dependent manner. Quantification of WT1 mRNA level was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction after mWT1-C1498 treated with increasing dose of HMA. DAC treatment for 48 h induced 1.4-, 14.6-, and 15.5-fold increment of WT1 mRNA level, compared to untreated sample, at 0.1, 1, and $10{\mu}M$, respectively. Further increment of WT1 expression in the presence of 1 and $10{\mu}M$ DAC was evident at 72 h. AZA treatment also induced up-regulation of mRNA, but not to the same degree as with DAC treatment. The correlation between the incremental increases in WT1 mRNA by DAC was confirmed by Western blot and concomitant down-regulation of WT1 promoter methylation was revealed. Conclusion: The in vitro data show that HMA can induce reactivation of WT1 transgene and that DAC is more effective, at least in mWT1-C1498 cells, which suggests that the combination of DAC and mWT1-C1498 can be used for the development of the experimental model of HMA-combined WT1 immunotherapy targeting leukemia.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.271-281
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• 2013

The current seismic design code prescribes that a structural wall should be designed as a special shear wall when the building height is more than 60 m and its seismic design category is classified as D. However, the use of a special shear wall has a negative effect on constructability and economic efficiency. In the present study, the seismic performance of a special shear wall and a special shear wall with relaxed reinforcement detail was evaluated through a cyclic reversal loading test. The specimens were constructed to measure the results of the experimental variable regarding the reinforcement details of the special boundary element. Next, the seismic performances of a special shear wall structural system and that of a special shear wall structural system with relaxed reinforcement detail was evaluated by methods proposed in the FEMA P695. The cyclic reversal loading test results of this study showed that the performance of the shear wall with relaxed reinforcement detail was almost similar to the performance of a special shear wall and has the performance which requested from standard. The results of the seismic evaluation showed that all special shear walls with relaxed reinforcement detail are satisfied with the design code and seismic performance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to develop a user-friendly computer model for economic analysis on the commercial egg production that could help the egg farmer make managerial diagnosis and rational decision in the changing environment. To raise the adequacy of the model, the program was run for every sample and adjusted to fit the data. The model, programmed with Microsoft QuickBASIC, was a user-friendly computer program in supporting the Korean language. The basic analytical tool used in the study was an engineering-type computerized simulation model which incorporates a cost-benefit analysis of a full-time egg farmer. The computer model developed in this study may be the powerful analytical tool used to evaluate both a managerial decision whether to alter the production system and its impact on production, costs, revenue, and profits. Ultimately, the program is expected to enable the egg farmer to make managerial planning and diagnosis. The program can also calculate the values of economic variables at user-chosen incremental values of market eggs and feed prices. It provides the information on the profit and cost. This may lead the egg farmer, by allowing to establish the best managerial strategy, to increase the profit aor to lessen the cost. The results of this study could be utilized in the evaluation and improvement of the management. It also may be utilized for the researchers and guiding farmers in collecting and analyzing the data on the laying hen. In particular, such a program would be potentially useful to researchers who wish to quickly estimate profits associated with various laying hen treatments. The program could also benefit the egg farmer interested in making managerial decisions based on either current or predicted market conditions. The model would make the egg farmer respond actively to the information-oriented society by promoting to use personal computer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8993-9004
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• 2014

Background: The incidence rate and the treatment costs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are high, especially in Thailand. Previous studies indicated that early detection by a surveillance program could help by down-staging. This study aimed to compare the costs and health outcomes associated with the introduction of a HCC surveillance program with no program and to estimate the budget impact if the HCC surveillance program were implemented. Materials and Methods: A cost utility analysis using a decision tree and Markov models was used to compare costs and outcomes during the lifetime period based on a societal perspective between alternative HCC surveillance strategies with no program. Costs included direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. Health outcomes were measured as life years (LYs), and quality adjusted life years (QALYs). The results were presented in terms of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in Thai THB per QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were applied to investigate parameter uncertainties. Budget impact analysis (BIA) was performed based on the governmental perspective. Results: Semi-annual ultrasonography (US) and semi-annual ultrasonography plus alpha-fetoprotein (US plus AFP) as the first screening for HCC surveillance would be cost-effective options at the willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of 160,000 THB per QALY gained compared with no surveillance program (ICER=118,796 and ICER=123,451 THB/QALY), respectively. The semi-annual US plus AFP yielded more net monetary benefit, but caused a substantially higher budget (237 to 502 million THB) than semi-annual US (81 to 201 million THB) during the next ten fiscal years. Conclusions: Our results suggested that a semi-annual US program should be used as the first screening for HCC surveillance and included in the benefit package of Thai health insurance schemes for both chronic hepatitis B males and females aged between 40-50 years. In addition, policy makers considered the program could be feasible, but additional evidence is needed to support the whole prevention system before the implementation of a strategic plan.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2012

Ascaris suum eggs are inactivated by composting conditions; however, it is difficult to find functional changes in heat-treated A. suum eggs. Here, unembryonated A. suum eggs were incubated at $20^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$, and $70^{\circ}C$ in vitro, and the gene expression levels related to viability, such as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (IF4E), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), and thioredoxin 1 (TRX1), and to apoptosis, such as apoptosis-inducing factor 1 (AIF1) and cell death protein 6 (CDP6), were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. No prominent morphological alterations were noted in the eggs at $20^{\circ}C$ until day 10. In contrast, the eggs developed rapidly, and embryonated eggs and hatched larvae began to die, starting on day 2 at $50^{\circ}C$ and day 1 at $70^{\circ}C$. At $20^{\circ}C$, IF4E, PFK1, and TRX1 mRNA expression was significantly increased from days 2-4; however, AIF1 and CDP6 mRNA expression was not changed significantly. IF4E, PFK1, and TRX1 mRNA expression was markedly decreased from day 2 at $50^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$, whereas AIF1 and CDP6 mRNA expression was significantly increased. The expressions of HSP70 and HSP90 were detected for 9-10 days at $20^{\circ}C$, for 3-5 days at $50^{\circ}C$, and for 2 days at $70^{\circ}C$. Taken together, incremental heat increases were associated with the rapid development of A. suum eggs, decreased expression of genes related to viability, and earlier expression of apoptosis-related genes, and finally these changes of viability- and apoptosis-related genes of A. suum eggs were associated with survival of the eggs under temperature stress.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.382-391
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• 2002

This study is devoted to the problems of thermal and shrinkage stresses in order to avoid cracking at early ages. The early-age damage induced by volume change has great influence on the long-term structural performance of the concrete structures such as its durability and serviceability To solve this complex problem, the computer programs for analysis of thermal and shrinkage stresses were developed. In these procedures, numerous material models are needed and the realistic numerical models have been developed and validated by comparison with relevant experimental results in order to solve practical problems. A framework has been established for formulation of material models and analysis with 3-D finite element method. After the analysis of the temperature, moisture and degree of hydration field in hardening concrete structure, the stress development is determined by incremental structural formulation derived from the principle of virtual work. In this study, the stress development is related to thermal and shrinkage deformation, and resulting stress relaxation due to the effect of early-age creep. From the experimental and numerical results it is found that the early-age creep p)ays important role in evaluating the accurate stress state. The developed analysis program can be efficiently utilized as a useful tool to evaluate the thermal and shrinkage stresses and to find measures for avoiding detrimental cracking of concrete structures at early ages.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2020

Strength anisotropy is a typical feature of thin-bedded rock masses and their strength will be degraded subjected to water immersion effect. Such effect is crucial for the operation of hydropower plant because the impoundment lifts the water level of upstream reservoir and causes the rock mass of nearby slopes saturated. So far, researches regarding mechanical property of natural thin-bedded rock masses and their strength variation under water immersion based on field test method are rarely reported. This paper focuses on a thin-bedded stratified rock mass and carries out field test to investigate the mechanical property and strength variation characteristics. The field test is highlighted by samples which have a large shear dimension of 0.5 m*0.5 m, representing a more realistic in-situ situation than small size specimen. The test results confirm the anisotropic nature of the concerned rock mass, whose shear strength of host rocks is significantly larger than that of bedding planes. Further, the comparison of shear strength parameters of the thin-bedded rock mass under natural and saturated conditions show that for both host rocks and bedding planes, the decreasing extent of cohesion values are larger than friction values. The quantitative results are then adopted to analyze the influence of reservoir impoundment of a hydropower plant on the surrounding rock mass stability of diversion tunnels which are located in the nearby slope bank. It is evaluated that after reservoir impoundment, the strength degradation induced incremental deformations of surrounding rock mass of diversion tunnels are small and the stresses in lining structure are acceptable. It is therefore concluded that the influences of impoundment are small and the stability of diversion tunnels can be still achieved. The finings regarding field test method and its results, as well as the numerical evaluation conclusions are hoped to provide references for rock projects with similar concerns.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.301-307
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• 2010

Actuation using a shape memory alloy (SMA) is considered to be an important technology that will play a leading role in market for next-generation medical devices because an SMA actuator can accurately imitate skillful and delicate hand movements. However, SMA actuators have not been successfully used because of problems in control design caused by the nonlinear hysteresis effect of SMA, which leads to inaccuracies in control systems. In order to overcome the effect, the authors invented a SMA actuator, which could actively and rapidly cool down and heat up, by combining a SMA catheter and a TE module using the Peltier effect. In order to evaluate the TE characteristics of our TE module system, the changes in the temperature with 1) incremental increases in a continuous electric current and 2) the appearance of a discontinuous constant or reverse current are discussed in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.6_1
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• pp.1393-1405
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• 2020

UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) can acquire high-resolution images due to low-altitude flight, and it can be photographed at any time. Therefore, the UAV images can be updated at any time in map production. Due to these advantages, studies on the possibility of producing large-scale digital maps using UAV images are actively being conducted. Precise digital maps can be used as base data for digital twins or smart cites. For producing a precise digital map, precise sensor modeling using GCPs (Ground Control Points) must be preceded. In this study, geometric models of UAV images were established through a precision sensor modeling algorithm developed in house. Then, a digital map by stereo plotting was produced to evaluate the possibility of large-scale digital map. For this study, images and GCPs were acquired for Ganseok-dong, Incheon and Yeouido, Seoul. As a result of precision sensor modeling accuracy analysis, high accuracy was confirmed within 3 pixels of the average error of the checkpoints and 4 pixels of the RMSE was confirmed for the two study regions. As a result of the mapping accuracy analysis, it satisfied the 1:1,000 mapping accuracy announced by the NGII (National Geographic information Institute). Therefore, the precision sensor modeling technology suggested the possibility of producing a 1:1,000 large-scale digital map by UAV images.