• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze 'response time', 'peak response time' and 'overshoot value' for each muscle by applying the EMG signal to the vehicle response in ISO 7401 and to quantify the response of the driver according to vehicle characteristics by comparing vehicle characteristics and muscle responses of the driver. Background: The Open-loop test defined in international standards ISO 7401 is the only method for evaluating the performance of the vehicle. However, this test was focused only on mechanical responses, not driver's ones. Method: One skilled male driver(22 yrs. experience) was participated in this experiment to measure muscle activities of the driver in transient state. Then the seven muscle signals were applied to calculate 'response time', 'peak response time', and 'overshoot value'. Results: In the analyses of the EMG data, the effects of vehicle type and muscle were statistically significant on the 'response time' and 'peak response time'. Also, the effects of vehicle type, muscle, and lateral acceleration level were statistically significant on the 'overshoot value' in this study. According to the analyses of the vehicle motion data, vehicle motion variable(LatAcc, Roll, YawVel) was statistically significant on the 'response time' and vehicle type, vehicle motion variable, and lateral acceleration level were statistically significant on the 'peak response time', respectively. Conclusion: In the analyses of the 'response time' and 'overshoot value', the data of muscle activities(EMGs) was better index that could evaluate the vehicle characteristic and performance than the data of vehicle motion. In case of peak response time, both EMG and vehicle motion data were good index. Application: The EMGs data from a driver might be applicable as index for evaluation of various vehicle performances based on this study.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2012

Alternate alternating current (AAC) is used in nuclear power plants (NPPs) in order to cope with station black outs (SBOs). AAC has been provided using diesel engine drive types in Korea's NPPs. The structure of gas turbine generators (GTGs) is simpler than that of diesel generators (DGs), and GTGs have the advantage of longer maintenance intervals. However, GTG-AAC was not used in NPPs in Korea because of the lack of operation/maintenance experience. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the safety of APR+ considering a diversity of AAC types. This paper analyzes reliability data, mechanical specifications of DGs and GTGs, and the sensitivity of core damage frequency to the ACC type.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2019

Substitution of natural fine aggregates with industrial by-products like precious slag balls (PS Balls) offers various advantages like technical, economic and environmental which are very important in the present era of sustainability in construction industry. PS balls are manufactured by subjecting steel slag to slag atomizing Technology (SAT) which imparts them the desirable characteristics of fine aggregates. The main objective of this research paper is to assess the feasibility of producing good quality concrete by using PS balls, to identify the potential benefits by their incorporation and to provide solution for increasing their utilization in concrete applications. The study investigates the effect of PS balls as partial replacement of fine aggregates in various percentages (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) on mechanical properties of concrete such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. The optimum mix was found to be at 40% replacement of PS balls with maximum strength of 62.89 MPa at 28 days curing. Permeability of concrete was performed and it resulted in a more durable concrete with replacement of PS balls at 40% and 100% as fine aggregates. These two specific values were considered as optimum replacement is 40% and also the maximum possible replacement is 100%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was done and it was found that the PS balls in concrete were unaffected and with optimum percentage of PS balls as fine aggregates in concrete resulted in good strength and less cracks. Hence, it is possible to produce good workable concrete with low water to cement ratio and higher strength concrete by incorporating PS balls.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2016

In Algeria, wastes are often stored in such conditions that do not meet standards. Today and more than ever, we really must implement an environmentally management of wastes. Recovery of waste in Algeria has a considerable delay due to the absence of a policy favorable to the development of waste management. But many researchers have shown the possibility to reuse dredged sediments in road construction. Through Europe, recent research works have been already performed on dam sediments. Present study fits into the context of the valorization of dredged sediments from Fergoug dam. They are found in considerable quantities and mainly composed of mineral phases, organic matters and water. The reservoir sedimentation poses problems for the environment and water storage, dredging becomes necessary. Civil engineering is a common way of recycling for such materials. Dredged sediments have not the required mechanical characteristics recommended by the standards as GTR guide (LCPC-SETRA 1992). So as to obtain mechanical performance, dredged sediment can be treated with cement, lime, or replaced materials like quarry sand. An experimental study has been conducted to determine physical and mechanical characteristics of sediments dredged from dam. Then different mixtures of sediment and/or quarry sand with hydraulic binders are proposed for improving the grain size distribution of the mixes. Finally, according these mixtures, different formulations have been tested as alternative materials with dredged sediments.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.203-221
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• 2015

This paper presents the results of a study undertaken to investigate the enhancement of concrete strength using Silpozz and Rice Husk Ash (RHA). The total percentage of supplementary cementitious material (SCM) substituted in this study was 20%. Six different concrete mixes were prepared such as without replacement of cement with silpozz and RHA (0% silpozz and 0% RHA) is treated as conventional concrete, whereas in other five concrete mixes cement was replaced by 20% of silpozz and RHA as (0% silpozz and 20% RHA), (5% silpozz and 15% RHA), (10% silpozz and 10% RHA), (15% silpozz and 5% RHA) and (20% silpozz and 0% RHA) with decreasing water-binder (w/b) ratio i.e. 0.375, 0.325 and 0.275 and increasing super plasticiser dose. New generation polycarboxylate base water reducing admixture i.e., Cera Hyperplast XR-W40 was used in this study. The results of this research indicate that as w/b decreases, super plasticiser dose need to be increased so as to increase the workability of concrete. The effects of replacing cement by silpozz and RHA on the compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were evaluated. The concrete mixture with different combination of silpozz and RHA gives higher strength as compared to control specimen for all w/b ratios and also observed that the early age strength of concrete is more as compared to the later age strength. It is also observed that the strength enhancement of concrete mixture prepared with the combination of cement, silpozz and RHA is higher as compared to the concrete mixture prepared with cement and silpozz or cement and RHA.

• Acute and Critical Care
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.260-268
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of modified Burns Wean Assessment Program (m-BWAP) scoring at first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) as a predictor of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with endotracheal intubation. Methods: Patients requiring MV for more than 72 hours and undergoing more than one SBT in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) were prospectively enrolled over a 3-year period. The m-BWAP score at first SBT was obtained by a critical care nursing practitioner. Results: A total of 103 subjects were included in this study. Their median age was 69 years (range, 22 to 87 years) and 72 subjects (69.9%) were male. The median duration from admission to first SBT was 5 days (range, 3 to 26 days), and the rate of final successful liberation from MV was 84.5% (n=87). In the total group of patients, the successful liberation from MV group at first SBT (n=65) had significantly higher m-BWAP scores than did the unsuccessful group (median, 60; range, 43 to 80 vs. median, 53; range, 33 to 70; P<0.001). Also, the area under the m-BWAP curve for predicting successful liberation of MV was 0.748 (95% confidence interval, 0.650 to 0.847), while the cutoff value based on Youden's index was 53 (sensitivity, 76%; specificity, 64%). Conclusions: The present data show that the m-BWAP score represents a good predictor of weaning success in patients with an endotracheal tube in place at first SBT.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.151-166
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• 2019

This paper introduces a new efficient analytical method, based on shear deformations obtained with 2D elasticity theory approach, to perform an explicit closed-form solution for calculation the interfacial shear and normal stresses in plated RC beam. The materials of plate, necessary for the reinforcement of the beam, are in general made with fiber reinforced polymers (Carbon or Glass) or steel. The experimental tests showed that at the ends of the plate, high shear and normal stresses are developed, consequently a debonding phenomenon at this position produce a sudden failure of the soffit plate. The interfacial stresses play a significant role in understanding this premature debonding failure of such repaired structures. In order to efficiently model the calculation of the interfacial stresses we have integrated the effect of shear deformations using the equilibrium equations of the elasticity. The approach of this method includes stress-strain and strain-displacement relationships for the adhesive and adherends. The use of the stresses continuity conditions at interfaces between the adhesive and adherents, results pair of second-order and fourth-order coupled ordinary differential equations. The analytical solution for this coupled differential equations give new explicit closed-form solution including shear deformations effects. This new solution is indented for applications of all plated beam. Finally, numerical results obtained with this method are in agreement of the existing solutions and the experimental results.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1218-1230
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• 2021

Cold-adapted plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) with multiple functions are an important resource for microbial fertilizers with low-temperature application. In this study, culturable cold-adapted PGPB strains with nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization abilities were isolated. They were screened from root and rhizosphere of four dominant grass species in nondegraded alpine grasslands of the Qilian Mountains, China. Their other growth-promoting characteristics, including secretion of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), production of siderophores and ACC deaminase, and antifungal activity, were further studied by qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, whether the PGPB strains could still exert plant growth-promoting activity at 4℃ was verified. The results showed that 67 isolates could maintain one or more growth-promoting traits at 4℃, and these isolates were defined as cold-adapted PGPB. They were divided into 8 genera by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, of which Pseudomonas (64.2%) and Serratia (13.4%) were the common dominant genera, and a few specific genera varied among the plant species. A test-tube culture showed that inoculation of Elymus nutans seedlings with cold-adapted PGPB possessing different functional characteristics had a significant growth-promoting effect under controlled low-temperature conditions, including the development of the roots and aboveground parts. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that different growth-promoting characteristics made different contributions to the development of the roots and aboveground parts. These cold-adapted PGPB can be used as excellent strain resources suitable for the near-natural restoration of degraded alpine grasslands or agriculture stock production in cold areas.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 2020

This paper presents one of the demonstration projects undertaken during the FP7 EU-funded Anagennisi project (Innovative reuse of all tyre components in concrete-2014-2017) on a full-scale (30 m×40 m, thickness: 0.2 m) Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) slab-on-grade using a blend of manufactured steel fibres (MSF) and Recycled Tyre Steel Fibres (RTSF). The aim of the project was to assess the use of RTSF in everyday construction practice. The Anagennisi partners, Dulex Ltd in collaboration with Gradmont-Gradacac Ltd and University of Zagreb, designed, cast and monitored the long-term shrinkage deformations of the indoor slab-on-grade slab at Gradmont's precast concrete factory in Gradacac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A hybrid RTSF mix (20 kg/㎥ of MSF+10 kg/㎥ of RTSF) was used to comply with the design criteria which included a maximum load capacity of 20 kN/㎡. The slab was monitored for one year using surveying equipment and visual inspection of cracks. During the monitoring period, the slab exhibited reasonable deformations (a maximum displacement of 3.3 mm for both, horizontal and vertical displacements) whilst after five years in use, the owners did not report any issues and were satisfied with the construction methodology and materials used. This work confirms that RSTF is a viable and sustainable solution for slab-on-grade applications.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2022

The experimental investigations into hooked-end round steel fibers (HSF) effect on the age-dependent strengths of high volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete is studied. The concrete was prepared with class F fly ash used as partial cement replacement varied from 0% to 70% on an equal weight basis. Two percentages of HSF (i.e., 0.5% and 1.5% by volume fraction) of 50 mm length were added in plain, and 50% fly ash concrete mixes. The compressive and flexural tensile strength was determined at 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. The strength results of fly ash concrete mixes with and without steel fibers were compared with the plain concrete strength. The test results indicated that the strength of fly ash concrete is comparable with the plain concrete strength and further increases with an increase in the percentage of steel fibers. The maximum flexure strength of HVFA concrete is found with 0.5% steel fibers. It is concluded that the HVFA concrete with steel fibers of 50 mm length can effectively be used in concrete construction. The analytical models are proposed to predict the age-dependent compressive and flexural tensile strength of HVFA concrete with and without HSF. The compressive and tensile strength of HVFA concrete with HSF can be predicted using these models when the 28-day compressive strength of plain concrete is known. The present study will be helpful in the design and construction of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures made with HVFA and HSF.