• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.325-354
• /
• 2004

Slabs in buildings and bridge decks, which are restrained against lateral displacements at the edges, have ultimate strengths far in excess of those predicted by analytical methods based on yield line theory. The increase in strength has been attributed to membrane action, which is due to the in-plane forces developed at the supports. The benefits of compressive membrane action are usually not taken into account in currently available design methods developed based on plastic flow theories assuming concrete to be a rigid-plastic material. By extending the existing knowledge of compressive membrane action, it is possible to design slabs in building and bridge structures economically with less than normal reinforcement. Recent research on building and bridge structures reflects the importance of membrane action in design. This paper describes the finite element modelling of membrane action in reinforced concrete slabs through optimisation of a simple concrete model. Through a series of parametric studies using the simple concrete model in the finite element simulation of eight fully clamped concrete slabs with significant membrane action, a set of fixed numerical model parameter values is identified and computational conditions established, which would guarantee reliable strength prediction of arbitrary slabs. The reliability of the identified values to simulate membrane action (for prediction purposes) is further verified by the direct simulation of 42 other slabs, which gave an average value of 0.9698 for the ratio of experimental to predicted strengths and a standard deviation of 0.117. A 'deflection factor' is also established for the slabs, relating the predicted peak deflection to experimental values, which, (for the same level of fixity at the supports), can be used for accurate displacement determination. The proposed optimised concrete model and finite element procedure can be used as a tool to simulate membrane action in slabs in building and bridge structures having variable support and loading conditions including fire. Other practical applications of the developed finite element procedure and design process are also discussed.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.3 no.6
• /
• pp.439-454
• /
• 2006

This paper develops an artificial neural network (ANN) model for uniformly loaded restrained reinforced concrete (RC) slabs incorporating membrane action. The development of membrane action in RC slabs restrained against lateral displacements at the edges in buildings and bridge structures significantly increases their load carrying capacity. The benefits of compressive membrane action are usually not taken into account in currently available design methods based on yield-line theory. By extending the existing knowledge of compressive membrane action, it is possible to design slabs in building and bridge decks economically with less than normal reinforcement. The processes involved in the development of ANN model such as the creation of a database of test results from previous research studies, the selection of architecture of the network from extensive trial and error procedure, and the training and performance validation of the model are presented. The ANN model was found to predict accurately the ultimate strength of fully restrained RC slabs. The model also was able to incorporate strength enhancement of RC slabs due to membrane action as confirmed from a comparative study of experimental and yield line-based predictions. Practical applications of the developed ANN model in the design process of RC slabs are also highlighted.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 1975

The failure of the action potential at the end-plate membrane to reach the sodium equilibrium potential is due to the stimulating action of acetylcholine on $Na^+-K^+$ pump. This action of acetylcholine causes an enormous increase in the $K^+$ transport rate. The quantitative amount of potassium ions in the inside of the end-plate membrane prevented the permeability of sodium ions during the depolarization phase of the action potential. It would favor the changes in the shape of action potential by acetylcholine which are always toward a fixed potential slightly below the zero line. The increased $Na^+-K^+$ pump activity by acetylcholine is responsible for the hypopolarization of membrane. This reduces the membrane resistance of the end-plate during transmitter activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.3-8
• /
• 1981

Studies have been conducted to test the effect of Ginseng alcohol extract on the membrane potentials of frog skeletal muscle. The gastrocnemius muscle was isolated and placed in a chamber containing the Clark-frog Ringer solution. Membrane potentials were recorded using microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCI and muscle was electrically stimulated to obtain action potential. Changes in both the action potential and the resting membrane potential were observed after adding an appropriate amount of Ginseng alcohol extract in the perfusing Ringer solution. The results obtained from 346 muscle cells are summarized as follows : 1) The average resting membrane potential of the normal frog gastrocnemius muscle cell was -92.8 mV and the peak of the action potential reached at 29.8 mV. 2) Both the resting membrane potential and the peak of the action potential decreased by Ginseng alcohol extract, the effect being proportional to the dose of Ginseng alcohol extract. 3) The resting membrane potential and the peak of the action potential continuously decreased until about 40 min after Ginseng addition and leveled off thereafter. The potentials recovered to its original value after Ginseng was washed out. 4) The resting membrane potential was more sensitive to the Ginseng alcohol extract than was the action potential. These results strongly suggest that Ginseng alcohol extract increases both the $Na^+$ and $K^+$ permeability in the skeletal muscle cell membrane.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.217-230
• /
• 2008

The increasing use of performance-based approaches in structural fire engineering design of multi-storey composite buildings has prompted the development of various tools to help quantify the influence of tensile membrane action in composite slabs at elevated temperatures. One simplified method which has emerged is the Bailey-BRE membrane action method. This method predicts slab capacities in fire by analysing rectangular slab panels supported on edges which resist vertical deflection. The task of providing the necessary vertical support, in practice, requires protecting a panel's perimeter beams to achieve temperatures of no more than $620^{\circ}C$ at the required fire resistance time. Hence, the integrity of this support becomes critical as the slab and the attached beams deflect, and large deflections of the perimeter beams may lead to a catastrophic failure of the structure. This paper presents a finite element investigation into the effects of vertical support along slab panel boundaries on the slab behaviour in fire. It examines the development of the membrane mechanism for various degrees of edge-beam protection, and makes comparisons with predictions of the membrane action design method and various acceptance criteria.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2009

In this paper, dynamic instability of plane membrane structures under wind action has been studied. The key to solving the governing equations of membrane structures under wind action is how to obtain the air pressure on membrane. Based on Bernoulli's theorem, fluid pressure has a certain relationship with velocity potential. Velocity potential could be solved according to thin aerofoil theory, where air around the membrane is regarded as a sheet of vortices. In this paper, we take advantage of the most commonly used three-node triangular membrane element and weighted residual-Galerkin method to obtain the determining equation for stability evaluation. Square and rectangular membrane structures are studied. The influence of initial prestressing force and wind direction towards critical wind velocity are also analyzed in this paper.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1976

The action of acetylcholine on the sodium plus potassium activated ATPase activity in the rabbit red cell membrane has been investigated and the experiments were also designed to determine the mechanism of action of acetylcholine on the ATPase activity. The following results were observed. 1. The activity of the NaK ATPase from red cell membrane is inhibited by acetylcholine. 2. The ratio of inhibition of NaK ATPase by acetylcholine is decreased by raising the potassium concentration, and is increased by raising the sodium concentration. 3. The ATPase activity is increased by small amounts of calcium but inhibited by larger amounts. The ratio of inhibition of the enzyme by acetylcholine is increased by raising the calcium concentration. 4. The inhibitory action of acetylcholine on the NaK ATPase activity was not related to the sulfhydryl group of cysteine, the hydroxyl group of threonine, or the carboxyl group of aspartic acid. 5. The inhibitory action of acetylcholine on the ATPase activity is due to amino group of the enzyme of NaK ATPase.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.71-83
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the flexible structure of parabolic shell using photostrictive actuators. The analysis is made to know its dynamic behavior and light-induced control forces for coupled parabolic shell. The effects of an actuator location as well as membrane and bending components under the control action have been analyzed considering the approximate spherical model. The parabolic membrane shell accuracy is being mathematically approximated and validated comparing the light induced control forces using approximate equivalent spherical shell model. The parabolic shell with kapton smart material and photostrictive actuators has been used to formulate the governing equation in the transverse direction. The Kirchhoff-Love assumptions are used to obtain the governing equation of shell with actuator. The mechanical membrane forces and bending moments for parabolic thin shell with actuator is used to analyze the dynamic effect. The results show that membrane control action is much more significant than bending control action. Photostrictive actuators oriented along circumferential direction (actuator-2) can give better control effect than actuators placed along longitudinal direction (actuator-1). The slight difference is observed between spherical and parabolic shell for a surface with focal length to the diameter ratio of 1.00 or more than unity. Space applications often have the shape of parabolical shells or shell of revolution, due to their required focusing, aiming, or reflecting performance. The present approach is focused that photostrictive actuators can effectively control the vibration of parabolical membrane shell. Also, the actuator's location plays an important role in defining the control force.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.759-764
• /
• 2015

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the critical components in host innate immune responses to imbalanced and invading microbial pathogens. Although the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action have been thoroughly investigated for decades, the exact biological properties of AMPs are still elusive. Most AMPs generally exert the antimicrobial effect by targeting the microbial membrane, such as barrel stave, toroidal, and carpet mechanisms. Thus, the mode of action in model membranes and the discrimination of AMPs to discrepant lipid compositions between mammalian cells and microbial pathogens (cell selectivity) have been studied intensively. However, the latest reports suggest that not only AMPs recently isolated but also well-known membrane-disruptive AMPs play a role in intracellular killing, such as apoptosis induction. In this mini-review, we will review some representative AMPs and their antimicrobial mechanisms and provide new insights into the dual mechanism of AMPs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.563-569
• /
• 2013

This study was undertaken to apply the yin-yang theory in action potential. In order to apply the yin-yang theory in action potential, nature of yin and yang, interrelation of yin and yang and action potential in cell were reviewed. According to the yin-yang theory, inner cellular space corresponds to yin, but outer cellular space corresponds to yang. If we classify ions in intracellular fluid or extracellular fluid by nature of yin and yang, potassium(K+) corresponds to yang within yin(陰中之陽), protein(Pr-) corresponds to yin within yin(陰中之陰) in intracellular fluid, and sodium(Na+) corresponds to yang within yang(陽中之陽), chloride(Cl-) corresponds to yin within yang(陽中之陰) in extracellular fluid. Double donnan equilibrium and equilibrium potential were caused by intracellular anion(Pr-) and extracellular cation(Na+) are related with mutual rooting of yin and yang(陰陽互根) and opposition of yin and yang(陰陽對立). The influx and efflux of ion through cell membrane means waxing and waning of yin and yang(陰陽消長), the change of membrane potential means yin-yang conversion(陰陽轉化) during action potential.