• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.447-470
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• 2014

Numerical simulation of the non-linear behavior of (RC) structural walls subjected to severe earthquake ground motions requires a reliable modeling approach that includes important material characteristics and behavioral response features. The objective of this paper is to optimize a simplified method for the assessment of the seismic response and damage development analyses of an RC structural wall building using macro-element model. The first stage of this study investigates effectiveness and ability of the macro-element model in predicting the flexural nonlinear response of the specimen based on previous experimental test results conducted in UCLA. The sensitivity of the predicted wall responses to changes in model parameters is also assessed. The macro-element model is next used to examine the dynamic behavior of the structural wall building-all the way from elastic behavior to global instability, by applying an approximate Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), based on Uncoupled Modal Response History Analysis (UMRHA), setting up nonlinear single degree of freedom systems. Finally, the identification of the global stiffness decrease as a function of a damage variable is carried out by means of this simplified methodology. Responses are compared at various locations on the structural wall by conducting static and dynamic pushover analyses for accurate estimation of seismic performance of the structure using macro-element model. Results obtained with the numerical model for rectangular wall cross sections compare favorably with experimental responses for flexural capacity, stiffness, and deformability. Overall, the model is qualified for safety assessment and design of earthquake resistant structures with structural walls.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.846-851
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• 2010

A liquid-air interface sensing system using the flat end surfaces of a fused-silica fiber coupler has been demonstrated. The principle is based on the additional optical loss caused by changing the refractive index of the external material at the boundary of the end face made of a fiber. The immersion characteristics of this system with respect to the different splitting ratios of the couplers were investigated to determine the sensitivity when it responses to water and air. These experimental data are very useful for selecting the coupling ratio of a coupler in order to develop a multiple sensing probe system. In the proposed sensor structure, it can be emphasize that the sensing probe can be appropriately arrayed on the basis of splitting ratio of the coupler. As a result, it is expected that the proposed liquid-air interface sensors can also be applied to monitor flooding that occurs in multiple areas at the same time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3385-3390
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• 2016

Background: Sequential use of circulating prostate cell (CPC) detection has been reported to potentially decrease the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies in men suspected of prostate cancer. In order to determine the real world effectiveness of the test, we present a prospective study of men referred to two hospitals from primary care physicians, one using CPC detection to determine the necessity of prostate biopsy the other not doing so. Materials and Methods: Men with a suspicion of prostate cancer because of elevated PSA >4.0ng/ml or abnormal DRE were referred to Hospitals A or B. In Hospital A all underwent 12 core TRUS biopsy, in Hospital B only men CPC (+), with mononuclear cells obtained by differential gel centrifugation identified using double immunomarking with anti-PSA and anti-P504S, were recommended to undergo TRUS biopsy. Biopsies were classifed as cancer or no-cancer. Diagnostic yields were calculated, including the number of posible biopsies that could be avoided and the number of clinically significant cancers that would be missed. Results: Totals of 649 men attended Hospital A, and 552 men attended Hospital B; there were no significant differences in age or serum PSA levels. In Hospital A, 228 (35.1%) men had prostate cancer detected, CPC detection had a sensitivity of 80.7%, a specificity of 88.6%, and a negative predictive value of 89.5%. Some 39/44 men CPC negative with a positive biopsy had low grade small volume tumors. In Hospital B, 316 (57.2%) underwent biopsy. There were no significant differences between populations in terms of CPC and biopsy results. The reduction in the number of biopsies was 40%. Conclusions: The use of sequential CPC testing in the real world gives a clear decision structure for patient management and can reduce the number of biopsies considerably.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.146-153
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• 1996

A SCARA type direct drive robot which can be used in the assembly operation was designed and manufactured. Graphite fiber epoxy composite material was used in the fabrication of the robot arm structure in order to improve the speed of the robot arm with a high damping effect. For model-based control and sensitivity analysis of system parameters, the dynamic model of robot arm and drive servo amplifier parameters such as equivalent gains of PWM driver and velocity gains of servo system were estimated from frequency response tests. The complete dynamic model for overall robot system was used in the simulation of the open-loop control. The simulation results agreed reasonably well to the experimental results. The feedforward control using the dynamic models improved the trajectory tracking performance, decreasing the tracking error by factor of three compared with PID control. This study found that the inverse dynamic model of the robot arm including the drive servo system showed better performances than the case of arm dynamic model only.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 1993

The variations of the natural frequencies and the peak response acceleration at the top of prestressed concrete reactor building due to random variability and/or model uncertainty of structural parameters are studied. The results may be used as essential input parameters in seismic probabilistic risk assessment or seismic margin assessment of the reactor building. The sensitivity test of each structural parameter is first performed to determine the most influential parameter upon the natural frequency of structure model. Then Monte Carlo simulation technique is applied to evaluate the effect of parameter variation on the natural frequencies and the peak response acceleration. The acceleration time history is obtained by direct integration scheme. As the study results, it is found that the fundamental natural frequency and the peak response acceleration at the top of the building are most strongly affected by Young's modulus among the structural parameters, in which the value of mean plus one standard deviation obtained by probabilistic approach deviates up to about (+)12% from the result of deterministic method. Considering the uncertainty of flexural rigidity, the structural responses vary in range of (-)4%~(+)14%.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2001

An impaired smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation of coronary artery by alteration of $K^+$ channels would be the most potential explanation for reduced coronary reserve in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), however, this possibility has not been investigated. We performed morphometrical analysis of the coronary artery under electron microscopy and measured $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K\;(K_{Ca})$ currents and delayed rectifier K $(K_{dr})$ currents by whole-cell and inside-out patch-clamp technique in single coronary arterial SMCs from rabbits subjected to isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary arterial SMCs underwent significant changes in ultrastructure. The unitary current amplitude and the open-state probability of $K_{Ca}$ channel were significantly reduced in hypertrophy without open-time and closed-time kinetic. The concentration-response curve of $K_{Ca}$ channel to $Ca^{2+}$ is shifted to the right in hypertrophy. The reduction in the mean single channel current and increase in the open channel noise of $K_{Ca}$ channel by TEA were more sensitive in hypertrophy. $K_{dr}$ current density is significantly reduced in hypertrophy without activation and inactivation kinetics. The sensitivity of $K_{dr}$ current on 4-AP is significantly increased in hypertrophy. This is the first study to report evidence for alterations of $K_{Ca}$ channels and $K_{dr}$ channels in coronary SMCs with LVH. The findings may provide some insight into mechanism of the reduced coronary reserve in LVH.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1331-1337
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• 2013

This study deals with the structural optimization of hybrid vertical-axis wind turbine blades using a response surface method (RSM). The structural analysis results suggest that the stress of hybrid vertical-axis wind turbine blades exceeds the yield strength. Optimization techniques are then applied to structural design to ensure a safe structure. First, the design factors that strongly influence the structural response are identified. The RSM was applied based on the design of experiments. The objective function and constraint terms set the weight and allowable stress, respectively. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was conducted to indicate the effects of the design factors on the stress and weight. Finally, structural design was performed for the hybrid vertical-axis wind turbine blade.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.337-337
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• 2012

Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) having high efficiency with low cost was first reported by Gr$\ddot{a}$tzel et al. Many DSSC research groups attempt to enhance energy conversion efficiency by modifying the dye, electrolyte, Pt-coated electrode, and $TiO_2$ films. However, there are still some problems against realization of high-sensitivity DSSC such as the recombination of injected electrons in conduction band and the limited adsorption of dye on $TiO_2$ surface. The surface of $TiO_2$ is very important for improving hydrophilic property and dye adsorption on its surface. In this paper, we report a very efficient method to improve the efficiency and stability of DSSC with nano-structured $TiO_2$. Atmospheric plasma system was utilized for nitrogen plasma treatment on nano-structured $TiO_2$ film. We confirmed that the efficiency of DSSC was significantly dependent on plasma power. Relative in the $TiO_2$ surface change and characteristics after plasma was investigated by various analysis methods. The structure of $TiO_2$ films was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of $TiO_2$ films was observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The surface elemental composition was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Each of plasma power differently affected conversion efficiency of DSSC with plasma-treated $TiO_2$ compared to untreated DSSC under AM 1.5 G spectral illumination of $100mWcm^{-2}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.875-887
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• 2015

The optimal layout design is used in the development of various areas of industry. In the field of space systems, components must be placed properly in the limited space of spacecraft by considering mechanical, thermal and electrical interfaces. When applying optimal layout design, a proper, even ideal placement of components is possible in the limited space of a satellite platform. Through the optimal placement design, the minimized moment of inertia enhances efficient attitude control, rapid maneuver and mission performance of the satellite. This paper proposes 3D optimal layout design that minimizes the spacecraft's moment of inertia and effect of thermal dissipation between inner components as well as interference between inner components based on a cubic-structure satellite platform. This study proposes the new genetic algorithm for 3D optimal layout design of the satellite platform.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.437-441
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• 2007

Preparation and morphology control of $TiO_2$ nano powders for gas sensor applications are investigated. $TiO_2$ nanopowders with rutile and anatase structures were prepared by controlling the pH value of a precursor solution without any heat treatment. The mean particle size of $TiO_2$ powders were below 10nm. The prepared $TiO_2$ nano powders were hydrothermal treated by NaOH solution. The sample was washed in HCl solution. As a result and $TiO_2$ nanotubes were formed. The lengths of $TiO_2$ nanotube were $1{\mu}m$ and the diameters were 10nm. Crystal structure and microstructure of $TiO_2$ nanotube were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). As-prepared $TiO_2$ nanotube powders have several advantages of nano particle size and high surface area and could be a prominent candidate for nano-sensors. The sensitivity of $TiO_2$ nanotube sensor was measured for toluene and NO in this study.