• Computers and Concrete
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2016

This paper considers the tensile strength of concrete samples in direct, CTT, modified tension, splitting and ring tests using both of the experimental tests and numerical simulation (particle flow code 2D). It determined that which one of indirect tensile strength is close to direct tensile strength. Initially calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to the data obtained from Brazilian laboratory tests to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. Furthermore, validation of the simulated models in four introduced tests was also cross checked with the results from experimental tests. By using numerical testing, the failure process was visually observed and failure patterns were watched to be reasonable in accordance with experimental results. Discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded discs. Tensile strength of concrete in direct test was less than other tests results. Tensile strength resulted from modified tension test was close to direct test results. So modified tension test can be a proper test for determination of tensile strength of concrete in absence of direct test. Other advantages shown by modified tension tests are: (1) sample preparation is easy and (2) the use of a simple conventional compression press controlled by displacement compared with complicate device in other tests.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2017

In this paper, mode I fracture toughness of rock was determined by direct and indirect methods using Particle Flow Code simulation. Direct methods are compaction tension (CT) test and hollow centre cracked quadratic sample (HCCQS). Indirect methods are notched Brazilian disk (NBD) specimen, the semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen, hollow centre cracked disc (HCCD), the single edge-notched round bar in bending (SENRBB) specimen and edge notched disk (END). It was determined that which one of indirect fracture toughness values is close to direct one. For this purpose, initially calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to data obtained from Brazilian laboratory tests to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. Furthermore, the simulated models in five introduced indirect tests were cross checked with the results from direct tests. By using numerical testing, the failure process was visually observed. Discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded discs. Mode I fracture toughness of rock in direct test was less than other tests results. Fracture toughness resulted from semi-circular bend specimen test was close to direct test results. Therefore semi-circular bend specimen can be a proper test for determination of Mode I fracture toughness of rock in absence of direct test.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2018

Canine coronavirus is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes enteritis in dogs of any age. Coronaviral enteritis is seldom definitively diagnosed, since it is usually much less severe than many other types of enteritis and is self-limiting. Conventional diagnostics for the canine coronaviral enteritis such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation, and electron microscopic examination are inappropriate for small animal clinics due to the complicated experimental processes involved. Therefore, a commercially available lateral flow test kit based on chromatographic immunoassay techniques was tested to evaluate its performance as a first-line diagnostic test kit that could be used in clinics. The coronavirus antigen test kit detected canine coronavirus-infected dogs with 93.1% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity. The detection limit of the test kit was between $1.97{\times}10^4/mL$ and $9.85{\times}10^3/mL$ for samples with a 2-fold serial dilution from $1.25{\times}10^6\;TCID_{50}$ ($TCID_{50}$, 50% tissue culture infectious dose). Additionally, the test kit had no cross-reactivity with canine parvovirus, distemper virus, or Escherichia coli. Overall, the commercially available test kit showed good diagnostic performance in a clinical setting, with results similar to those from PCR, confirming their potential for convenient and accurate use in small animal clinics.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.379-386
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• 2018

The present study addresses the direct and indirect methods of determining the mode-I fracture toughness of concrete using experimental tests and particle flow code. The direct method used is compaction tensile test and the indirect methods are notched Brazilian disc test, semi-circular bend specimen test, and hollow center cracked disc. The experiments were carried out to determine which indirect method yields the fracture toughness closer to the one obtained by the direct method. In the numerical analysis, the PFC model was first calibrated with respect to the data obtained from the Brazilian laboratory test. The crack paths observed in the simulated tests were in reasonable accordance with experimental results. The discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in the models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded particles. The mode-I fracture toughness in the direct tensile test was smaller than the indirect testing results. The fracture toughness obtained from the SCB test was closer to the direct test results. Hence, the semi-circular bend test is recommended as a proper experiment for determination of mode-I fracture toughness of concrete in the absence of direct tests.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.501-505
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• 2014

In recent years, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been widely used for malaria detection, primarily because of their simple operation, fast results, and straightforward interpretation. The Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag is one of the most commonly used malaria RDTs in several countries, including Korea and India. In this study, we tested the diagnostic performance of this RDT in Uganda to evaluate its usefulness for field diagnosis of malaria in this country. Microscopic and PCR analyses, and the Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag rapid diagnostic test, were performed on blood samples from 185 individuals with suspected malaria in several villages in Uganda. Compared to the microscopic analysis, the sensitivity of the RDT to detect malaria infection was 95.8% and 83.3% for Plasmodium falciparum and non-P. falciparum, respectively. Although the diagnostic sensitivity of the RDT decreased when parasitemia was ${\leq}500\;parasites/{\mu}l$, it showed 96.8% sensitivity (98.4% for P. falciparum and 93.8% for non-P. falciparum) in blood samples with parasitemia ${\geq}100\;parasites/{\mu}l$. The specificity of the RDT was 97.3% for P. falciparum and 97.3% for non-P. falciparum. These results collectively suggest that the accuracy of the Asan $EasyTest^{TM}$ Malaria Pf/Pan Ag makes it an effective point-of-care diagnostic tool for malaria in Uganda.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.336-350
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate corrosion tendency and to compare corrosion resistance of three dental magnetic attachments and its keeper alloy by coercive, electrochemical method. By using petentiodynamic polarization technique, magnetic elements and its keeper alloy of Magfit EX600 system(MF, MFK), Dyna ES regular system(DN, DNK) and Shiner SR magnet system(SR, SRK) were corroded electrochemically in 0.9% NaCl electrolytic solution. Open-circuit potential and anodic polarization curve was measured with Potentiostat(model 273 EG&E) and polarization curve was created by current density per square area following scanning of increased series of voltage in the rate of 1.0mV per second. Before and after electrochemical corrosion, the surface roughness test was done. Thereafter the change of mean surface roughness value(Ra) and mean peak value(Rt) of surface roughness was compared one another. In order to observe the corroded surface of each specimen, metallurgical light microscopic(${\times}37.5$) and scanning electron microscopic view(SEM ${\times}100$) was taken and compared one another. Conclusion is followings. 1. All of six covering metal of dental magnetic attachments and its keeper alloy were corroded in various degree after electrochemical corrosion. 2. The corrosion resistance of which used in this experiment is the following in high order; DNK, MFK, DN, MF, SRK and SR. 3. Especially Shiner magnet system and its keeper alloy were more severely corroded after electrochemical corrosion and the change of Ra Rt value were more increased than others. 4 Metallurgical and scanning electron microscopic view showed the pitting corrosion tendency of all experimental alloy but DNK and SR. 5. Covering metal of magnet was more corroded than its keeper alloy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.233-242
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• 2019

Detailed description of malaria in low transmission areas is crucial for elimination. The current study aimed to provide a comprehensive description for malaria transmission in Jazan, a low transmission district, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Patients at a tertiary care hospital were recruited in our study between August 2016 and September 2018. Malaria diagnosis was performed through a species-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR), microscopy and Paramax-$3^{TM}$ rapid detection test (RDT). Malaria was detected in 30 patients by the PCR, with point prevalence of 10.9%. Of these malaria infections, 80% was imported, 26.6% was asymptomatic and 23.3% was sub-microscopic. Malaria was reported throughout the year, with February/March and September/October peaks. Infection was significantly more in males than in females (P=0.01). Likewise, infections were detected more in febrile than in non-febrile patients (P=0.01). Adult aged 15-24 years, fever and travel were identified as high-risk factors. Malaria was primarily attributed to Plasmodium falciparum mono-infections, followed by P. vivax mono-infections and lastly to falciparum/vivax mixed infections accounting 76.6%, 16.6%, and 6.6% of PCR-confirmed malaria cases, respectively. The nested PCR was superior to the smear microscopy (sensitivity 76.6%; specificity 100%) and the RDT (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 94.2%). The overall percent agreement between microscopy and the RDT was 92.7% (kappa=0.63). High proportion of imported malaria including sub-microscopic and sub-patent cases were described. We suggest that incorporation of molecular tool into the conventional malaria diagnosis is beneficial in Jazan district.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 1975

In order to compare the diagnostic value of Modified California Mastitis Test (MCMT), Modified Whiteside Test (MWT) and Resazurin Reduction Test (RRT) using the direct microscopic leucocyte count (DMLC) as standard, a total of 739 quarter milk samples were examined. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Of the 739 samples, 24.4% had positive DMLC value (over 500,000 leucocytes per mI.), 32.6% positive MCMT reaction, 34.9% positive RRT reaction and 39.9% positive MWT reaction. 2. The identical ratings of the three mastitis screening tests with DMLC values were 60.7% (MWT), 61. 8% (MCMT) and 72.1% (RRT). 3. The mean reaction values of the predicted mastitis screening tests were $1.09{\pm}0.01$ (MWT), $1.12{\pm}0.06$ (MCMT) and $1.25{\pm}0.40$ (RRT). The efficiency ratings of them were 34.8% (MWT), 49.3% (RRT) and 55.0% (MCMT) respectively.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.255-258
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• 2002

In order to determine the safety of chemicals and pharmaceutical products, various methods can be used to evaluate the toxicity. In this study the genotoxic effect of the widely used industrial chemical, cadmium chloride, was assessed using the micronucleus test in peripheral blood of mice. The presence of micronucleated reticulocytes by microscopic observation following acridine orange staining indicated a potential genotoxic effect. The genotoxicity of intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered cadmium chloride (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg) appeared to be dose dependent, with the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) found to be 2 mg/kg. Compared to the negative control (saline), cadmium chloride (2 mg/kg) exhibited statistically significant genotoxic potential (P<0.05) but was found to be less than the positive control of mitomycin C (0.5 mg/kg) and was not statistically significant compared to historical negative controls (P>0.05).

• Composites Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.13-19
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• 2005

In this paper deformation of micro-mechanical parameters such as tow interval, tow thickness and change in tow amplitude are investigated by using dry fabrics (Five-harness satin weave) under shear deformation. To evaluate the observation results according to the generated in-plane forces in the material, bias extension, biaxial test results are compared with. It was found that a picture frame test with a misaligned fibre orientation angle shows large differences in deformation between tensile and compressive tow directions.