• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Objective: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 ${\mu}g/rat$). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. Results: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.37.2-37.2
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• 2018

We present the results from a spectroscopic survey of the nearby galaxy cluster Abell 2107 at z=0.04 that has been known as a rotating cluster. By combining 978 new redshifts from the MMT/Hectospec observations with the data in the literature, we construct a large sample of 1968 galaxies with measured redshifts at R<60', which results in high (80%) and spatially uniform completeness at $m_{r,Petro,0}<19.1$. We use this sample to study the global rotation of the cluster and its connection to the large-scale structures in the universe. We first apply the caustic method to the sample and identify 285 member galaxies in Abell 2107 at R<60'. We then measure the rotation amplitude and the position angle of rotation axis. The member galaxies show strong global rotation at R<20' ($V/{\sigma}{\sim}0.60-0.70$) with a significance of >3.8 ${\sigma}$, which is confirmed by two independent methods. The rotation becomes weaker in outer regions. We find at least four filamentary structures at $R<30h^{-1}Mpc$ smoothly connected to the cluster galaxies, which can suggest that the global rotation of the cluster is induced by the inflow of galaxies from the surrounding large-scale structures in the universe.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1221-1236
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• 2016

Modular structures consist of standardized modules and their connections. A modular bridge pier is proposed to accelerate bridge construction. Multiple concrete-filled steel tubes (CFTs) using commercial steel tubes were chosen as the main members. Buckling restrained bracings and enhanced connection details were designed to prevent premature low-cycle fatigue failure upon cyclic loading. The pier had a height of 7.95 m, widths of 2.5 m and 2.0 m along the strong and weak axis, respectively. Cyclic tests were performed on the modular pier to investigate structural performance. Test results showed that four CFT columns reached yielding without a premature failure of the bracing connections. The ultimate capacity of the modular pier was reasonably estimated based on the plastic-hinge-analysis concept. The modular CFT pier with enhanced bracing showed improved displacement ductility without premature failure at the welding joints.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.19 no.1 s.71
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• pp.73-83
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• 2006

The failure mechanism of a hollow bridge deck which is made of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) to improve its durability and life time significantly is investigated using both experiments and analyses. While the Load-displacement behavior of the deck in the longitudinal direction is almost linear just before the failure, the behavior in the transverse direction shows a strong nonlinearity even in its initial response with relatively small magnitude of loads. We found that the nonlinearity is due to the imperfection of the connection between the flange and the web; a plastic deformation can t라e place in the connection. The argument is demonstrated using a simple structural model in which a rigid plastic hinge is introduced to the connection. We also checked the contribution of the delamination mechanism to the failure. But the delamination is not the main mechanism which initiates and causes the failure of the bridge deck. In order to improved the structural behavior of the deck in the transverse direction, we suggested that the empty space of the bridge deck is filled with a foam and confirmed the improved behavior by a numerical analysis.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2006

This paper presents the results of a series of tests carried out on cold-formed steel rectangular hollow and concrete infilled beam to column connections and frames. A stub column was chosen such that overall buckling does not influence the connection behaviour. The beam chosen was a short-span cantilever with a concentrated load applied at the free end. The beam was connected to the columns along the strong and weak axes of columns and these connections were tested to failure. Twelve experiments were conducted on cold-formed steel direct welded tubular beam to column connections and twelve experiments on connections with concrete infilled column subjected to monotonic loading. In all the experiments conducted, the stiffness of the connection, the ductility characteristics and the moment rotation behaviour were studied. The dominant mode of failure in hollow section connections was chord face yielding and not weld failure. Provision of concrete infill increases the stiffness and the ultimate moment carrying capacity substantially, irrespective of the axis of loading of the column. Weld failure and bearing failure due to transverse compression occurred in connections with concrete infilled columns. Six single-bay two storied frames both with and without concrete infill, and columns loaded along the major and minor axes were tested to failure. Concentrated load was applied at the midspan of first floor beam. The change in behaviour of the frame due to provision of infill in the column and in the entire frame was compared with hollow frames. Failure of the weld at the junction of the beam occurred for frames with infilled columns. Design expressions are suggested for the yielding of the column face in hollow sections and bearing failure in infilled columns which closely predicted the experimental failure loads.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.75.1-75.1
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• 2011

We investigate the connection between the presence of bars and AGN activity, using a volume-limited sample of ~6,000 late-type galaxies with axis ratio b/a > 0.6 and $M_r=-19.5+5logh$ at low redshift (0.02 < z ${\leq}$ 0.055), selected from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7. Although bars are believed to play an important role in fueling AGNs, it is still an open question whether AGN activity is connected with the presence of bars. We find that the bar fraction in AGN-host galaxies (44.1%) is 2.5 times higher than in non-AGN galaxies (17.6%), implying an AGN-bar connection. However, this trend is simply caused by the fact that AGN-host galaxies are on average more massive and redder than non-AGN galaxies since the bar fraction increases with u-r color and velocity dispersion. When AGN-host and non-AGN galaxies with fixed u-r color and velocity dispersion are compared, the excess of bar fraction in AGN-host galaxies disappears. Among AGN-host galaxies we find no strong difference of the Eddington ratio distributions between barred and non-barred systems. These results indicate that AGN activity is not directly connected with the presence of bars.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2007

The objective of this research is to provide better knowledge on the behavior of strong axis SRC column-RC beam joint, supported by experimental results, that can be broadly applicable to many structures. For this purpose, firstly literature reviews and field survey were made to classify the most commonly used for these types of joints. Then, experimental program was designed and performed including 6 SRC column-RC beam joint specimens designed with various joint details. Using the experimental results obtained from the quasi-static cyclic tests, structural performances of the joints such as hysteretic curves, maximum strength capacities, strength degradation beyond the maximum strength, ductilities, and energy dissipation capacities were investigated. Test results showed that specimens with wide beam shape (RCW-P, RCW-W, RCW-F) and T beam shape (RCT-W) showed better structural performances than the bracket type specimens (HBR-L, HBR-S). These specimens also revealed to have higher strength capacities than the nominal design strength. However, H beam bracket type specimens (HBR-L, HBR-S) need further study both analytically and experimentally to verify the reason for unexpected structural performances.

• Trans-
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• v.8
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• pp.95-127
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• 2020

This research is based on using Bartenieff Fundamentals to analyze the fundamentals of Tai Chi Chuan's movements in order to develop the methods of relaxation from Tai Chi Chuan's principle movement movements It also shows that the two techniques have commonalities in many ways. First of all, taking a philosophical approach on the body movements of Tai Chi Chuan and Bartenieff, for both methods the ultimate goal is the integration of mind and body. In other words, there is a thread of connection between the East's body and mind monism and the west's Body Awareness. Secondly, looking at it from a Breath Support standpoint as used in the Bartenieff method, the two methods both use the breathing to naturally move the body and relax the body. In Tai Chi Chuan the Breath is the basis of life and the strength of the Body. So the breathing of Tai Chi chuan is what makes body and mind communicate, harmonize and integrate. In other words, Breathing in Tai Chi is realized through mental fusion and affects the movements. This is the same as the Breath Support of Bartenieff. It is said that in every aspect the Breath Support of Bartenieff influences the movement and changes both the inner and outer form of the body. Thirdly, looking at the Core Support used in the Bartenieff method, both methods emphasize core. At the same time of moving and being conscious of one's core, the usage of muscles can be deeper rather than superficial and this enables strong and flexible movement. In Tai Chi Chuan abdominal muscles used when one coughs are consciously engaged through abdominal breathing and so strength is collected in the core. When one exercises like that the core becomes more stable and breathing becomes more smooth. Fourthly, analyzing the Rotary Factor used in the Bartenieff Fundamentals, they both use rotary movement to reach the goal of physical relaxation. The rotation factor of Bartenieff allows movement to be easier and more free because of the characteristic of joint exercise where the center axis moved in three dimensions, this is the same in Tai Chi chuan. According to Tai Chi chuan's circle and Spiral Movements, it can achieve the relaxation through switching into a seamless flow and access space as much as possible. Finally, when looking at Developmental Patterning through Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen's Body-Mind Centering Work theory, presented from Bartenieff developmental model are similar with the developmental process of Tai Chi chuan Breath, Core-Distal Connectivity/Navel Radiation, Head-Tail Connectivity/Spinal Movement, Upper-Lower Connectivity/Homologous, Body-Half Connectivity/Homo-Lateral Connectivity, Cross-Lateral Connectivity/Contra-Lateral Connectivity. They are all similar. In other words, in Tai Chi Chuan energy is gathered in the core through breathing, upper and lower body are connected through the spine, not only homo-laterally but also cross-laterally. Through this study the expression of the dance movements can be more natural. Additionally based on the Body Awareness balance usage of the central axis, joints and body can develop the relax technique.