• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.5
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• pp.491-501
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• 2021

A difference in subgrade settlement between two rails of a track manifests as lateral differential subgrade settlement. This settlement causes unsteadiness in the motion of trains passing through the corresponding area. To illustrate the effect of lateral differential subgrade settlement on the dynamic response of a vehicle-track coupling system, a three-dimensional vehicle-track-subgrade coupling model was formulated by combining the vehicle-track dynamics theory and the finite element method. The wheel/rail force, car body acceleration, and derailment factor are chosen as evaluation indices of the system dynamic response. The effects of the amplitude and wavelength of lateral differential subgrade settlement as well as the driving speed of the vehicle are analyzed. The study reveals the following: The dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system generally increase linearly with the driving speed when the train passes through a lateral subgrade settlement area. The wheel/rail force acting on a rail with a large settlement exceeds that on a rail with a small settlement. The dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system increase with the amplitude of the lateral differential subgrade settlement. For a 250-km/h train speed, the proposed maximum amplitude for a lateral differential settlement with a wavelength of 20 m is 10 mm. The dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system decrease with an increase in the wavelength of the lateral differential subgrade settlement. To achieve a good operation quality of a train at a 250-km/h driving speed, the wavelength of a lateral differential subgrade settlement with an amplitude of 20 mm should not be less than 15 m. Monitoring lateral differential settlements should be given more emphasis in routine high-speed railway maintenance and repairs.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.595-609
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• 2022

Prestressed composite steel-concrete beams are still a technology restricted to repair sites of large-scale structures and spans. One of the reasons for that is the absence of standard frameworks and publications regarding their design and implementation. In addition, the primary normative codes do not address this subject directly, which might be related to a scarcity of papers indicating methods of design that would align the two technics, composite beams and external prestressing. In this context, this paper proposes methods to analyze the sizing of prestressed composite beams submitted to pre-tension and post-tension with a straight or polynomial layout cable. This inquiry inspected a hundred and twenty models of prestressed composite beams according to its prestressing technology and the eccentricity and value of the prestressing force. The evaluation also included the ratio between span and height of the steel profile, thickness and typology of the concrete slab, and layout of the prestressing cables. As for the results, it was observed that the eccentricity of the prestressing force doesn't significantly influence the bending resistance. In prestressed composite beams subjected to a sagging moment, the ratio L/d can reach 35 and 30 for steel-concrete composite slabs and solid concrete slabs, respectively. Considering the negative bending moment resistance, the value of the L/d ratio must be less than or equal to 25, regardless of the type of slab. When it comes to the value of the prestressing force, a variation greater than 10% causes a 2.6% increase in the positive bending moment resistance and a 4% decrease in the negative bending moment resistance. The pre-tensioned composite beams showed a superior response to flexural-compression and excessive compression limit states than the post-tensioned ones.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.58.1-58.11
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• 2020

Background: Quantitative evaluation of renal cortical echogenicity (RCE) has been tried and developed in human and veterinary medicine. Objectives: The objective of this study was to propose a method for evaluating RCE quantitatively and intuitively, and to determine associations between ultrasonographic renal structural distinction and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in canine chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Data were collected on 63 dogs, including 27 with normal kidney function and 36 CKD patients. Symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine concentrations were measured for calculating eGFR. RCE was evaluated as 3 grades on ultrasonography images according to the distinction between the renal cortex and outer medulla. The RCE grade of each kidney was measured. Results: There was a significant difference in eGFR between the group normal and CKD (p < 0.001). As mean of RCE grades (the mean values of each right and left kidney's RCE grade) increases, the proportion of group CKD among the patients in each grade increases (p < 0.001). Also, severity of RCE (classified as "high" if any right or left kidney evaluated as RCE grade 3, "low" otherwise) and eGFR is good indicator for predicting group CKD (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The degree of distinction between the renal cortex and the outer medulla is closely related to renal function including eGFR and the RCE grade defined in this study can be used as a method of objectively evaluating RCE.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.7-15
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• 2022

Most studies have conducted cryogenic triaxial compression tests with frozen specimens prepared in a separate mold by one-directional freezing. This method has the potential to generate residual stress in a frozen specimen and cannot be adopted to simulate the application of the artificial ground freezing method in the field. Therefore, in this study, novel equipment and procedure for the cryogenic triaxial compression test were proposed to overcome the limitations of existing test methods. Therefore, the mechanical characteristics of frozen sand, considering the effect of temperature and confining pressure, were evaluated. As the freezing temperature decreased, the brittleness of frozen sand increased, and the strength increased due to a decrease in the unfrozen water content and an increase in the ice strength. A higher confining pressure resulted in an increase in interparticle friction and the pressure melting phenomenon, which caused strength reduction. Thus, it was found that the mechanical behaviors of frozen sand were simultaneously affected by both temperature and confining pressure.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2022

Hot stamping is widely used to manufacture structural parts to satisfy requirements of eco-friendly vehicles. Recently, hot forming technology using uncoated steel sheet is being studied to reduce cost and solve patent problems. In particular, research is focused on process technology capable of suppressing the generation of an oxide layer. To evaluate the oxide layer in the hot stamping process, Gleeble testing machine can be used to evaluate the oxide layer by controlling the temperature history and the atmosphere condition. At this time, since cooling by gas injection is impossible to protect the oxide layer on the surface of a specimen, research on a method for securing a quenching speed through natural cooling is required. This paper proposes a specimen shape design method to secure a target quenching speed through natural cooling when evaluating the oxide layer of an un-coated boron steel sheet by Gleeble test. For the evaluation of the oxide layer of the un-coated steel sheet through the Gleeble test, dog-bone and rectangular type specimens were used. In consideration of the hot stamping process, the temperature control conditions for the Gleeble test were set and the quenching speed according to the specimen shape design was measured. Finally, the quenching speed sensitivity according to shape parameter was analyzed through regression analysis. A quenching speed prediction equation was then constructed according to the shape of the specimen. The constructed quenching speed prediction equation can be used as a specimen design guideline to secure a target quenching speed when evaluating the oxide layer of an un-coated boron steel sheet by the Gleeble test.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.17-33
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• 2022

An experimental study is carried out to investigate the performance of the cutting tool regarding the insert wear, surface roughness, cutting forces, cutting power and material removal rate of three coated carbides GC2015 (TiCN-Al₂O₃-TiN), GC4215 (Al₂O₃-Ti(C,N)) and GC1015 (TiN) during the dry turning of AISI4140 steel. For this purpose, a Taguchi design (L₉) was adopted for the planning of the experiments, the effects of cutting parameters on the surface roughness (R_a), tangential cutting force (F_z), the cutting power (P_c) and the material removal rate (MRR) were studied using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for mathematical modeling, with which linear mathematical models were developed for forecasting of R_a, F_z, P_c and MRR as a function of cutting parameters (V_c, f, and a_p). Then, Multi-Objective Ant Lion Optimizer (MOALO) has been implemented for multi-objective optimization which allows manufacturers to enhance the production performances of the machined parts. Furthermore, in order to characterize and quantify the flank wear of the tested tools, some machining experiments were performed for 5 minutes of turning under a depth of 0.5 mm, a feed rate of 0.08 mm/rev, and a cutting speed of 350 m/min. The wear results led to a ratio (V_B-GC4215/V_B-GC2015) of 2.03 and (V_B-GC1015/V_B-GC2015) of 4.43, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the cutting insert GC2015. Moreover, SEM analysis shows the main wear mechanisms represented by abrasion, adhesion and chipping.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular cocontraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Purpose: This systematic review aims to describe the motor dysfunction and balance impairments in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: We searched the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Wiley, and EBSCO databases for observational studies evaluating the motor abilities and balance performance in individuals with Down syndrome. The review was registered on PROSPERO. Results: A total of 1,096 articles were retrieved; after careful screening and scrutinizing against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review. Overall, the children and adolescents with Down syndrome showed delays and dysfunction in performing various activities such as sitting, pulling to stand, standing, and walking. They also presented with compensatory mechanisms to maintain their equilibrium in static and dynamic activities. Conclusion: The motor development of children with Down syndrome is significantly delayed due to structural differences in the brain. These individuals have inefficient compensatory strategies like increasing step width, increasing frequency of mediolateral center of pressure displacement, decreasing anteroposterior displacement, increasing trunk stiffness, and increasing posterior trunk displacement to maintain equilibrium. Down syndrome presents with interindividual variations; therefore, a thorough evaluation is required before a structured intervention is developed to improve motor and balance dysfunction.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2023

The UAE government has set its sights on creating a smart, electronic-based government system that utilizes AI. The country's collaboration with India aims to bring substantial returns through AI innovation, with a target of over $20 billion in the coming years. To achieve this goal, the UAE launched its AI strategy in 2017, focused on improving performance in key sectors and becoming a leader in AI investment. To ensure public safety as the role of AI in government grows, the country is working on developing integrated cyber security solutions for SCADA systems. A questionnaire-based study was conducted, using the AI IQ Threat Scale to measure the variables in the research model. The sample consisted of 200 individuals from the UAE government, private sector, and academia, and data was collected through online surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. The results indicate that the AI IQ Threat Scale was effective in measuring the four main attacks and defense applications of AI. Additionally, the study reveals that AI governance and cyber defense have a positive impact on the resilience of AI systems. This study makes a valuable contribution to the UAE government's efforts to remain at the forefront of AI and technology exploitation. The results emphasize the need for appropriate evaluation models to ensure a resilient economy and improved public safety in the face of automation. The findings can inform future AI governance and cyber defense strategies for the UAE and other countries.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.24-33
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• 2022

Fiber-reinforced plastics(FRPs) have excellent specific stiffness and strength, so they are usually used as automotive parts that require high rigidity and lightweight instead of metal. However, it is difficult to predict the mechanical properties of injection molded parts due to the fiber orientation and breakage of FRPs. In this paper, the fiber orientation characteristics and mechanical properties of injection molded specimens were evaluated in order to fabricate automotive transmission side covers with FRPs and design a rib structure for improvement of their rigidity. The test molds were designed and manufactured to confirm the fiber orientation characteristics of each position of the injection molded standard plate-shaped specimens, and the tensile properties of the specimens were evaluated according to the injection molding conditions and directions of specimens. A gusset-rib structure was designed to improve the additional structural rigidity of the target products, and a proper rib structure was selected through the flexural tests of the rib-structured specimens. Based on the evaluation of fiber orientation and mechanical characteristics, the optimization analyses of gate location were performed to minimize the warpage of target products. Also, the deformation analyses against the internal pressure of target product were performed to confirm the rigidity improvement by gusset-rib structure. As a result, it could be confirmed that the deformation was reduced by 27~37% compared to the previous model, when the gusset-rib structure was applied to the joining part of the target products.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 2022

The first purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of pork traceability data, which is monthly time-series data, and to draw implications with regard to its usefulness. The second purpose is to construct a dynamic ecological equation model (DEEM) that reflects the biological characteristics at each growth stage, such as pregnancy, birth and growth, and the slaughter of pigs, using traceability data. With the monthly pig model devised in this study, it is expected that the number of slaughtered animals (supply) that can be shipped in the future is predictable and that policy simulations are possible. However, this study was limited to traceability data and focused only on building a supply-side model. As a result of verifying the traceability data, it was found that approximately 6% of farms produce by mixing great grand parent (GGP), grand parent (GP), parent stock (PS), and artificial insemination (AI), meaning that it is necessary to separate them by business type. However, the analysis also showed that the coefficient values estimated by constructing an equation for each growth stage were consistent with the pig growth outcomes. Also, the model predictive power test was excellent. For this reason, it is judged that the model design and traceability data constructed with the cohort and the dynamic ecological equation model system considering biological growth and shipment times are excellent. Finally, the model constructed in this study is expected to be used as basic data to inform producers in their decision-making activities and to help with governmental policy directions with regard to supply and demand. Research on the demand side is left for future researchers.