• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.601-609
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the flexural strengthening effectiveness for the beams combined reinforced with NSM CFRP strips and EBR CFRP strips. To accomplish this objective, a total of nine concrete T beams were tested. From this study, it is found that the flexural stiffness and strength of the beams combined reinforced with NSM and EBR strips were significantly improved compared to the beams strengthened only with NSM CFRP strip. The maximum increase of flexural strength was 347% compared to the beam without CFRP strip. Failure of the beam combined reinforced with NSM and EBR strips (T shape) is initiated by debonding of EBR strips attached on the bottom face, and it was succeeded a part of separatio-n of NSM strips along the longitudinal direction and secondly failure of NSM strips was occurred, eventually sudden explosive failure with the separation of concrete cover in the shear region. This result shows that the NSM and EBR strips have good combination to resist applied load and the combined reinforcement with NSM and EBR strips can redistribute appropriately the total stress subjected concrete beam to the EBR and NSM strips.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.247-254
• /
• 2017

ELISA has been used for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, but it is being gradually replaced by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We compared and analyzed ELISA and RDT results using the sera collected during 4 consecutive years from residents of Gyodong-do (Island), Incheon-city, Korea. Sera from 921, 993, 940, and 838 adult residents were collected on a yearly basis (2010-2013). ELISA was performed by using a crude extract of T. gondii RH strain antigen and IgG/IgM RDT mounted with recombinant fragment of major surface antigen (SAG1), GST-linker-SAG1A, were applied to the sera. Comparison between groups was analyzed by the Student's t-test. The positive seroprevalence surged from 14.7% (135/921, 2010), 23.1% (231/993, 2011), 23.6% (222/940, 2012), and 32.1% (269/838, 2013) by ELISA. In contrast, RDT showed a more moderate increasing trend from 21.7% (200/921, 2010), 25.5% (253/993, 2011), 28.9% (272/940, 2012) and 33.1% (277/838, 2013). Discrepancies between ELISA and RDT were noted near the cut-off value. At the OD 0.15-0.24 range, RDT could detect 16.1% (169/1051) more positives, which suggests an early or acute toxoplasmosis, but at the OD 0.25-0.34 range, ELISA could detect 35.9% (92/256) more positives of possible chronic infections. Over the OD > 0.35 ELISA and RDT agreed in the majority of the cases. This surge in seroprevalence may be caused by the organic agriculture in addition to eating behavior or increase in pets among Koreans. These facts may be applied on a full-scale national survey using RDT to supplement ELISA to define the characteristics of the infection.