• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.229-241
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study is to reveal the sufficiency of neural networks (NN) as a securer, quicker, more robust and reliable method to be used in seismic assessment of existing reinforced concrete buildings. The NN based approach is applied as an alternative method to determine the seismic performance of each existing RC buildings, in terms of damage level. In the application of the NN, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) with a back-propagation (BP) algorithm is employed using a scaled conjugate gradient. NN based model wasd eveloped, trained and tested through a based MATLAB program. The database of this model was developed by using a statistical procedure called P25 method. The NN based model was also proved by verification set constituting of real existing RC buildings exposed to 2003 Bingol earthquake. It is demonstrated that the NN based approach is highly successful and can be used as an alternative method to determine the seismic performance of each existing RC buildings.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.537-540
• /
• 2000

A simplified but reliable method was developed for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of genetically modified (GM) plants. The modified CTAB (mCTAB) method enabled us to prepare a high quality of genomic DNA from several hundred plant leaf samples in one day. Using DNA samples prepared from seven dicots and two monocots, approximately 1.75-kb regions spanning 17 S to 25 S ribosomal RNA genes were successfully amplified in a 2X PCR pre-mix containing BLOTTO. Further fidelity assessment of the mCTAB method by PCR analysis with Roundup Ready soybean (RRS) and non-RRS plants showed that the DNA samples prepared alternately from each of two lines were evidently free of cross-contamination. These results demonstrate that the mCTAB method is highly recommended for the rapid detection of transgenes in large numbers of leaf samples from diverse transgenic plants.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.88 no.4
• /
• pp.311-322
• /
• 2023

Riverine flood is one of the critical natural threats to river-crossing bridges. As floods are the most-occurred natural hazard worldwide, survival probability of bridges due to floods must be assessed in a speedy but precise manner. In this regard, the paper presents a reliability-based approach for a rapid assessment of failure probability of vulnerable bridge components under floods. This robust method is generic in nature and can be applied to both concrete and steel girder bridges. The developed methodology essentially utilizes limit state performance functions, expressed in terms of capacity and flood demand, for probable failure modes of various vulnerable components of bridges. Advanced First Order Reliability Method (AFORM), Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), and Latin Hypercube Simulation (LHS) techniques are applied for the purpose of reliability assessment and developing flood fragility curves of bridges in which flow velocity and water height are taken as flood intensity measures. Upon validating the proposed method, it is applied to a case study bridge that experiences the flood scenario of a river in Gujarat, India. Research outcome portrays how effectively and efficiently the proposed reliability-based method can be applied for a quick assessment of flood vulnerability of bridges in any flood-prone region of interest.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.77 no.2
• /
• pp.151-165
• /
• 2021

This paper aims to present a novelty damage detection method to identify damage locations by the simultaneous use of both the energy and displacement damage indices. Using this novelty method, the damaged location and even the damaged floor are accurately detected. As a first method, a combination of the instantaneous frequency energy index (EDI) and the structural acceleration responses are used. To evaluate the first method and also present a rapid assessment method, the Displacement Damage Index (DDI), which consists of the error reliability (β) and Normal Probability Density Function (NPDF) indices, are introduced. The innovation of this method is the simultaneous use of displacement-acceleration responses during one process, which is more effective in the rapid evaluation of damage patterns with velocity vectors. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, various damage scenarios of the ASCE benchmark problem, and the effects of measurement noise were studied numerically. Extensive analyses show that the rapid proposed method is capable of accurately detecting the location of sparse damages through the building. Finally, the proposed method was validated by experimental studies of a six-story steel building structure with single and multiple damage cases.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.275-281
• /
• 2021

In this study, algorithms for analyzing the torsion of buildings under earthquake excitation are developed. The algorithm and formulations to account for the torsional angle are verified by analyzing the seismic acceleration time history data. The method was applied to the reference buildings to examine their operation and usability. The reference application demonstrated that the noise-canceling scheme successfully overcame various obstacles in the field measurements. The developed method is expected to be used as a tool to support a loss assessment system for determining the direction and priority of disaster response in the event of an earthquake.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.13-24
• /
• 2014

The pond wetlands in agricultural landscape are important natural resources that carry out the function of bio-diversity conservation. However, recently, those have been gradually embedded as their utility value were disappeared. And, the assessment methods used for pond wetlands are insufficient. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the conservation value of pond wetlands by using the modified RAM, and present the improvement of assesment methods. The study sites, a total of 32 pond of 4 types by land use, were selected on the basis of Ramsar Convention. Through the analysis of precedent studies, the weighted 8 functions were adjusted. According to the assessment results, pond wetlands made the largest contribution to Fishery and Herpetile Habitat function. In addition, it also made large contribution to Floral Diversity, Wildlife Habitat, and Water Quality Protection function. On the other hand, it made a small contribution to Aesthetics and Recreation, Runoff Attenuation, Shoreline /Stream Bank Protection, and Flood/Storm Water Storage function due to the characteristics of small-scale pond wetlands. In the assessment of 8 functions, house type showed the worst assessment result, and mountain type showed the best assessment result. It is thought that those are due to land use type in terms of vicinity. 10 items among 52 of the modified RAM showed the same assessment results in all land use types. Accordingly, it is required to be deleted and modified the assessment method. On the other hand, it is required to add age, interference, and water use to the assessment method. It is thought that these results can be utilized for the development and modification of assessment methods focused on pond wetlands in rural area.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.380-388
• /
• 2022

Background: Emerging infectious diseases, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome or coronavirus disease 2019, pose a continuous threat to public health, making a risk assessment necessary for infectious disease control and prevention. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk assessment methods for infectious diseases used by major foreign countries and organizations. Methods: We conducted an investigation and comparative analysis of risk assessment and risk determination methods for infectious diseases. The risk assessment tools included the strategic toolkit for assessing risks, influenza risk assessment tool, pandemic severity assessment framework, and rapid risk assessment methodology. Results: The most frequently reported risk elements were disease severity, antiviral treatment, attack rate, population immunity, and basic productive ratio. The risk evaluation method was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by the stakeholders at each institution. Additionally, the final risk level was visualized in a matrix, framework, and x and y-axis. Conclusion: Considering the risk assessment tools, the risk element was classified based on the duplicate of each indicator, and risk evaluation and level of risk assessment were analyzed.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.3-11
• /
• 2019

The recent earthquake of Pohang (M5.4) and the Gyeongju earthquake (M5.8) suggested the possibility of a strong earthquake in Korea and reminded us that the Korea is no longer an earthquake-safe zone. In the disaster recovery stage in a disaster like an earthquake, the investigation of the damage situation and the safety assessment of the building serve to provide important information for the initial action such as establishment of the recovery strategy and rescue of the survivor. However, the research that depends on manpower can not cope with the difficulty of processing a large number of doses in a short time, and the expertise of the manpower must be taken into consideration, which may result in delayed initial action. In this study, we propose an rapid safety evaluation technique of building using unmanned aerial vehicle which evaluates the performance and safety of buildings by integrating conventional safety inspection method with unmanned aerial vehicle technology and developed evaluation method of each evaluation factor. In order to verify this, the buildings damaged by the earthquake in Pohang were checked and compared using this system. The results are consistent with the results of the existing emergency earthquake risk assessment. As a result, the possibility of checking the emergency safety using the unmanned aerial vehicle for the damaged structures in case of a large-scale disaster such as an earthquake was confirmed.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.77-80
• /
• 2007

Macroalgal tissues can be used as indicating materials for environmental assessment using several algal biotechnology techniques. As bioassay test organisms, macroalgal tissues are required as an axenic state for suitable biological indicators. Callus formation and blade regeneration under suitable culture conditions are also useful for the tests. Quantitative method using tetrazolium chloride or $alamarBlue^{TM}$ is devised on a rapid assessment of the seaweed viability. The use of RT-PCR especially differential display technique should provide the means for the detection and isolation of the responding genes induced by the environmental stress. Seaweed thriving in more environmental changes might contain more diverse biologically active substances.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2011

The infection rate of syphilis is still increasing in the world especially in developing countries and the infection is often seen in large amounts of clinical specimens. For the diagnosis of this disease, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)/Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) has still been used as one of major primary methods to diagnose syphilis even though the test readings are somewhat subjective with high false positive rates. Recently, the automatic ARCHITECT Syphilis TP, which is based on the detection of the TP-specific antibodies, has been introduced in many laboratories. Therefore, the clinical assessment of the method is needed to provide primary diagnosis of syphilis at the moment. We evaluated 3 different manual rapid kits and ARCHITECT Syphilis TP comparing with RPR/FTA-ABS and analysed their diagnostic properties. From February 2006 to April 2008, 203 positive and 250 negative specimens, obtained from Chungbuk National University Hospital were used for the evaluation. In the evaluation between manual rapid kits, their specificities were as high as 99.2 ~ 99.6% while their sensitivities were observed with little differences; 98.0% (199/203) for Kit A, 96.6% (196/203) for Kit B, and 97.4% (197/203) for Kit S. In the case of ARCHITECT Syphilis TP test, it showed 100% specificity (250/250) and 98.5% sensitivity (249/250). Kappa values comparing with RPR/FTA-ABS were 0.978 for Kit A, 0.964 for Kit B and Kit S, and 0.987 for ARCHITECT Syphilis TP. From our evaluation, we found out that manual rapid tests and ARCHITECT Syphilis TP have very good clinical accuracies and high kappa agreements with RPR/FTA-ABS. Due to its automation and quick simultaneous diagnosis with another serological markers, we suggest that the ARCHITECT Syphilis TP is one of best suitable method for the primary diagnosis of syphilis and that it might be able to replace RPR method in the laboratories.