• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.649-666
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• 2023

In the current scenario, conventional concrete faces a substantial challenge in the modern era of the construction industry. Today's structures are massive, featuring innovative designs and strict time constraints. Conventional concrete does not provide the required compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, toughness, and cracking resistance. As a result, most of engineers and professionals prefer to use ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), based on its wide advantages. Several advantages like mechanical and durability properties of UHPC provides dominant properties than the traditional concrete. Mix proportions of UHPC consists of higher powder content which provides maximum hydration and pozzolanic reaction, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the UHPC properties. Apart from that the nanomaterials provides the filler behavior, which will further improve the density. Enhanced density and mechanical properties lead to improved durability properties against water absorption and other typical chemicals. Nanomaterials are the most adopted materials for various applications, ranging in size from 0.1 nanometers to 100 nanometers. This article explores the effects of nanomaterial application in UHPC as a replacement for cementitious material or as an additive in the UHPC mix. The physical and durability properties modifications and improvements of UHPC, as well as negative effects, limitations, and shortcomings, are also analyzed.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.526-541
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• 2023

Wooden structures are widely used, particularly in earthquake zones, owing to their light weight, ease of application, and resistance to the external environment. In this study, we aimed to improve the mechanical properties of laminated timber beams using novel hybrid systems [carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and wire rope]. Within the scope of this study, it is expected that using wood, which is an environmentally friendly and sustainable building element, will be more economical and safe than the reinforced concrete and steel elements currently used to pass through wide openings. The structural behavior of the hybrid-reinforced laminated timber beams was determined under the loading system. The experimental findings showed that the highest increase in the values of laminated beams reinforced with steel ropes was obtained with the 2N reinforcement, with a maximum load of 38 kN and a displacement of 137 mm. Thus, a load increase of 168% and displacement increase of 275% compared with the reference sample were obtained. Compared with the reference sample, a load increase of 92% and a displacement increase of 14% were obtained. Carbon fabrics placed between the layers with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) prevented crack development and provided significant interlayer connections. Consequently, the fabrics placed between the laminated wooden beams with the innovative reinforcement system will not disrupt the aesthetics or reduce the effect of earthquake forces, and significant reductions can be achieved in these sections.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

Shingled technology is the latest cell interconnection technology developed in the photovoltaic (PV) industry due to its reduced resistance loss, low-cost, and innovative electrically conductive adhesive (ECA). There are several advantages associated with shingled technology to develop cell to module (CTM) such as the module area enlargement, low processing temperature, and interconnection; these advantages further improves the energy yield capacity. This review paper provides valuable insight into CTM loss when cells are interconnected by shingled technology to form modules. The fill factor (FF) had improved, further reducing electrical power loss compared to the conventional module interconnection technology. The commercial PV module technology was mainly focused on different performance parameters; the module maximum power point (Pmpp), and module efficiency. The module was then subjected to anti-reflection (AR) coating and encapsulant material to absorb infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light, which can increase the overall efficiency of the shingled module by up to 24.4%. Module fabrication by shingled interconnection technology uses EGaIn paste; this enables further increases in output power under standard test conditions. Previous research has demonstrated that a total module output power of approximately 400 Wp may be achieved using shingled technology and CTM loss may be reduced to 0.03%, alongside the low cost of fabrication.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.3196-3206
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• 2021

For the Korean design of the PCCS (passive containment cooling system) in an innovative PWR, the overall thermal resistance around a condenser tube is dominated by the heat transfer coefficient of steam condensation on the exterior surface. It has been reported, however, that the calculated heat transfer coefficients by thermal-hydraulic system codes were much lower than measured data in separate effect tests. In this study, a new empirical model of steam condensation in the presence of a noncondensable gas was implemented into the MARS-KS 1.4 code to replace the conventional Colburn-Hougen model. The selected correlation had been developed from condensation test data obtained at the JERICHO (JNU Experimental Rig for Investigation of Condensation Heat transfer On tube) facility, and considered the effect of the Grashof number for naturally circulating gas mixture and the curvature of the condenser tube. The modified MARS-KS code was applied to simulate the transient response of the containment equipped with the PCCS to the large-break loss-of-coolant accident. The heat removal performances of the PCCS and corresponding evolution of the containment pressure were compared to those calculated via the original model. Various thermal-hydraulic parameters associated with the natural circulation operation through the heat transport circuit were also investigated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.185-199
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• 2019

Modular construction is an emerging technology to accommodate the increasing restrictions in terms of construction period, energy efficiency and environmental impacts, since each structural module is prefabricated offsite beforehand and assembled onsite using industrialized techniques. However, some innate structural drawbacks of this innovative method are also distinct, such as connection tying inaccessibility, column instability and system robustness. This study aims to explore the theoretical and numerical stability analysis of a tenon-connected square hollow section (SHS) steel column to address the tying and stability issue in modular construction. Due to the excellent performance of composite structures in fire resistance and buckling prevention, concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns are also taken into account in the analysis to evaluate the feasibility of adopting composite sections in modular buildings. Characteristic equations with three variables, i.e., the length ratio, the bending stiffness ratio and the rotational stiffness ratio, are generated from the fourth-order governing differential equations. The rotational stiffness ratio is recognized as the most significant factor, with interval analysis conducted for its mechanical significance and domain. Numerical analysis using ABAQUS is conducted for validation of characteristic equations. Recommendations and instructions in predicting the buckling performance of both SHS and CFST columns are then proposed.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.141-149
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• 2012

The aeration provided in a Submerged Membrane Bioreactor (SMBR) improves membrane filtration by creating turbulence on the membrane surface and reducing membrane resistance. However, conventional hollow fiber membrane modules are generally packed in a vertical orientation which limits membrane scouring efficiency, especially when aeration is provided in the axial direction. In the present research, 3 innovative hollow-fiber membrane modules, each with a different membrane orientation, were developed to improve membrane scouring efficiency and enhance permeate flux. Pilot testing was performed to investigate the permeate flux versus time relationship over a 7-day period under different intermittent modes. The results indicated that the best module experienced an overall permeate flux decline of 3.3% after 7 days; the other two modules declined by 13.3% and 18.3%. The lower percentage of permeate flux decline indicated that permeate productivity could be sustained for a longer period of time. As a result, the operational costs associated with membrane cleaning and membrane replacement could be reduced over the lifespan of the module.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.123-131
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• 2023

Breast cancer continues to pose a substantial worldwide health challenge, thereby requiring the development of innovative strategies to discover new therapeutic interventions. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT-3) has been identified as a significant factor in the development of several types of cancer, including breast cancer. This is primarily attributed to its diverse functions in promoting tumour formation and conferring resistance to therapeutic interventions. This study presents an in silico drug repositioning approach that focuses on identifying specific inhibitors of STAT-3 for the purpose of treating breast cancer. We initially examined the structural and functional attributes of STAT-3, thereby elucidating its crucial involvement in cellular signalling cascades. A comprehensive virtual screening was performed on a diverse collection of drugs that have been approved by the FDA from zinc15 database. Various computational techniques, including molecular docking, cross docking, and cDFT analysis, were utilised in order to prioritise potential candidates. This prioritisation was based on their predicted binding energies and outer molecular orbital reactivity. The findings of our study have unveiled a Dihydroergotamine and Paritaprevir that have been approved by the FDA and exhibit considerable promise as selective inhibitors of STAT-3. In conclusion, the utilisation of our in silico drug repositioning approach presents a prompt and economically efficient method for the identification of potential compounds that warrant subsequent experimental validation as selective STAT-3 inhibitors in the context of breast cancer. The present study highlights the considerable potential of employing computational strategies to expedite the drug discovery process. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into novel avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions in the context of breast cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2022

Information plays an important role in modern society. Most of the information is processed and moved in the digital space. In cyberspace, confidential communication based on resistance and security is fundamental. It is essential to protect the information sent and received over the network. However, information may be leaked and forged by unauthorized users. The effectiveness of the existing protection system decreases as an innovative technique is applied to identify the communication contents by a third party. Steganography is a technique for inserting secret information into a specific area of a medium. Stegganography and steganalysis techniques are at odds with each other. A new and sophisticatedly implemented system is needed to cope with the advanced steganalysis. To enhance step-by-step diffusion and irregularity, I propose a hybrid implementation technique of image steganography for Hangul messages based on layered encryption and variable ShiftRows. PSNR was calculated to measure the proposed steganography efficiency and performance. Compared to the basic LSB technique, it was shown that the diffusion and randomness can be increased even though the PSNR decreased by 1.45%.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.479-485
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• 2016

This paper presents an experimental study conducted to investigate the effect of recycled fine aggregate (RFA) on the mechanical properties and chloride diffusion behavior of mortar. The test results revealed that the addition of RFA plays an important role in the mechanical properties and pore structures of the investigated mortar specimens as well as chloride diffusion behavior. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and flexural strength of recycled fine aggregate mortar (RFAM) were gradually decreased as RFA replacement ratio increase. The pore structure of RFAM was examined by permeability tests. The RFAM showed a increment in the permeability according to replacement ratio increase of RFA. But the chloride diffusion coefficient of RFAM was almost same up to 50% replacement ratio of RFA due to a chloride binding phenomenon of RFAM which may compensate the higher permeability of RFAM.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.263-270
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• 2019

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is the largest pollutant discharged into the rivers of Malaysia. Thus UF membrane study was conducted to investigate the effect of pressure and stirring speed on performance of POME treatment and fouling of membrane. Two types of membrane polyethersulfone (PES) and regenerated cellulose (RC) with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) 5 and 10 kDa were used in this study. Results showed that, as pressure increased, fouling increased however permeate quality improved, the best pressure was 1.0 bar, where the fouling was not too high and produce good permeate quality. As stirring speed increased, fouling reduced and permeate quality improved, however, when stirring speed increased from 600 rpm to 800 rpm, there was no significant improvement on the permeate quality. Therefore, the best condition was at 1.0 bar and 600 rpm. PES membrane with MWCO 5 kDa showed the best permeate quality, even fouling slightly higher than RC membrane. The permeate quality obtained were analyzed in term of dissolved solid, turbidity, suspended solid, biological oxygen demand ($BOD_5$) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 538 mg/L, 1.02 NTU, < 25 mg/L, 27.7 mg/L and 62.8 mg/L, respectively with dominant type of fouling is cake resistance. Thus, it can be concluded water reuse standard was successfully achieved in terms of $BOD_5$ and suspended solid.