• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1125-1131
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• 2006

A kan'::luxCDABE fusion strain that was both highly bioluminescent and responsive to benzoic acid was constructed by transforming E. coli strain W3110 with the plasmid pUCDK, which was constructed by digesting and removing the 7-kb KpnI fragment from the promoterless luxCDABE plasmid pUCD615. Experiments using buffered media showed that this induction was dependent on the pH of the media, which influences the degree of benzoic acid protonation, and the expression levels seen are likely due to acidification of the cytoplasm by uncoupling of benzoic acid. Consequently, the sensitivity of this strain for benzoic acid was increased by nearly 20-fold when the pH was shifted from 8.0 to 6.5. Benzoic acid derivatives and several phenolics also resulted in significantly increased bioluminescent signals. Although these compounds are known to damage membranes and induce the heat-shock response within E. coli, bacterial strains harboring mutations in the fadR and rpoH genes, which are responsible for fatty acid biosynthesis during membrane stress and induction of the heat-shock response, respectively, showed that these mutations had no effect on the responses observed.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.349-362
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• 2010

Ultrasonic Guided Waves (UGWs) are a useful tool in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications that can benefit from built-in transduction, moderately large inspection ranges and high sensitivity to small flaws. This paper describes a SHM method based on UGWs, discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and principal component analysis (PCA) able to detect and quantify the onset and propagation of fatigue cracks in structural waveguides. The method combines the advantages of guided wave signals processed through the DWT with the outcomes of selecting defect-sensitive features to perform a multivariate diagnosis of damage. This diagnosis is based on the PCA. The framework presented in this paper is applied to the detection of fatigue cracks in a steel beam. The probing hardware consists of a PXI platform that controls the generation and measurement of the ultrasonic signals by means of piezoelectric transducers made of Lead Zirconate Titanate. Although the approach is demonstrated in a beam test, it is argued that the proposed method is general and applicable to any structure that can sustain the propagation of UGWs.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.573-597
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• 2008

Among artificial intelligence-based computational techniques, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) are particularly suitable for modelling complex systems with known input-output data sets. Such systems can be efficient in modelling non-linear, complex and ambiguous behaviour of cement-based materials undergoing single, dual or multiple damage factors of different forms (chemical, physical and structural). Due to the well-known complexity of sulfate attack on cement-based materials, the current work investigates the use of ANFIS to model the behaviour of a wide range of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixture designs under various high-concentration sodium sulfate exposure regimes including full immersion, wetting-drying, partial immersion, freezing-thawing, and cyclic cold-hot conditions with or without sustained flexural loading. Three ANFIS models have been developed to predict the expansion, reduction in elastic dynamic modulus, and starting time of failure of the tested SCC specimens under the various high-concentration sodium sulfate exposure regimes. A fuzzy inference system was also developed to predict the level of aggression of environmental conditions associated with very severe sodium sulfate attack based on temperature, relative humidity and degree of wetting-drying. The results show that predictions of the ANFIS and fuzzy inference systems were rational and accurate, with errors not exceeding 5%. Sensitivity analyses showed that the trends of results given by the models had good agreement with actual experimental results and with thermal, mineralogical and micro-analytical studies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2017

The field of fracture mechanics has gained significance because of its ability to address the behaviour of cracks. Predicting the fracture properties of concrete based on experimental investigations is a challenge considering the quasi-brittle nature of concrete. So, there is a need for developing a standard numerical tool which predicts the fracture energy of concrete which is at par with experimental results. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the fracture energy and characteristic length for different grades of concrete using Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model. Indian Standard and EUROCODE are used for the basic input parameters of concrete. Numerical evaluation is done using Finite Element Analysis Software ABAQUS/CAE. Hsu & Hsu and Saenz stress-strain models are adopted for the current study. Mesh sensitivity analysis is also carried to study the influence of type and size of elements on the overall accuracy of the solution. Different input parameters like dilatation angle, eccentricity are varied and their effect on fracture properties is addressed. The results indicated that the fracture properties of concrete for various grades can be accurately predicted without laboratory tests using CDP model.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.483-489
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• 2009

Despite the potential importance of the human regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN-1) gene in the modulation of cell survival under stress, little is known about its role in death-inducing signal pathways. In this study, we addressed the effects of RCAN1.4 knockdown on cellular susceptibility to apoptosis and the activation of death pathway proteins. Transfection of siRNAs against RCAN1.4 resulted in enhanced Fas- and etoposide-induced apoptosis, which was associated with increased expression and translocation of Bax to mitochondria. Our results suggest that enhanced expression and activation of p53 was responsible for the upregulation of Bax and the increased sensitivity to apoptosis, which could be reversed by p53 knockdown. To explain the observed upregulation of p53, we propose a downregulation of the ubiquitin ligase HDM2, probably translationally. These findings show the importance of appropriate RCAN1.4 expression in the modulation of cell survival and reveal a link between RCAN1.4 and p53.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.23-26
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• 1999

The Zygomatic arch is structurally protruded and is easily fractured. The classic management of zygomatic arch fracture has been mentioned the Keen, Lothrop, Dingman and Ailing and threaded K-wire. All of the above methods have advantages and disadvantages. To minimize the disadvantages, we performed threaded K-wire for the first time using C-arm image intensifier. The subjects were 16 patients with Knight North group II (Zygomatic arch fracture). Among them the C-arm was used in 12 patients and the operator used sensitivity general method in 4 patients and confirmed the operation by mobile X-ray equipment. In conclusion, both groups were satisfied surgically and cosmetically. Using the C-arm, actual image at the time operation was clear and satisfied, the surrounding tissue damage was minimized and at was more accurately completed. The operation time was shortened by 30 to 60 minutes proving it to be an efficient method. We suggest though that further studies be needed to evaluate the radiation effect on these patients.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.289-293
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• 2008

현재 기후변화는 점점 가속화되고 있으며, 이로 인해 향후 홍수피해는 더욱 증가될 가능성이 높은 것으로 알려져 있다. 장기적이 측면에서 이러한 홍수피해에 대비하기 위해서는 유역별 홍수에 대한 취약성을 평가하고, 기후변화의 영향을 고려하여 유연한 적응 정책을 마련하는 것이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 기후변화에 따른 국내유역의 홍수 취약성을 평가하는 방법으로 지표를 이용한 방법을 제안하였다. 이 방법은 기후변화에 따른 홍수 취약성을 민감도(sensitivity), 노출(exposure), 적응능력(adaptation)의 함수로 정의하고, 각 유역별 지표들을 이용하여 상대적인 취약성 정도를 평가하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 유역의 민감도와 노출정도가 클수록 기후변화에 대한 홍수피해에 취약하고, 적응능력이 클수록 취약성이 낮다고 판단하였다. 본 연구에서 제안한 방법으로 국내 139개 유역에 대해 상대적인 홍수피해 취약성을 평가한 결과 과거 유역별 홍수 피해액의 분포와 유사한 것으로 나타났다. 또한, A2 시나리오를 이용하여 미래 기후변화 상황에서의 홍수피해 취약성에 대해 평가한 결과 국내 유역의 홍수피해는 증가될 가능성이 있는 것으로 전망되었으나 유역별 공간적인 취약성은 크게 변화지 않는 것으로 나타났다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.225-228
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• 2008

In case of nonlinear analysis for reinforced concrete structure, the characteristics of the failure, which are depend on loading conditions, such as tension splitting, compression crushing and shear distortion should be considered. On the analytical evaluation for the failure behavior of these, the finite element techniques is the most widely used. After the maximum load, however, an analytical results by finite element technique are depending on the size of the element. In this study, integral nonlocal model which is one of those study for overcoming the element sensitivity and dependancy, used for the failure analysis of box culvert specimen. Comparing on the experimental and analytical results, validity and reliability of integral nonlocal model are investigate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.6
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• pp.777-784
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to develop evaluation indices for forest landscape classification. The indices were chosen to enable forest managers to establish effective landscape management strategies through three times of focus group interviews and email survey with experts. The 13 landscape evaluation indices were finally divided into four categories. They were ecological health (degree of green naturality, degree of ecological naturality, disease and insect damage, crown vitality), aesthetic visual quality (naturalness, harmony, diversity, traditionality, aesthetic appreciation, rarity), and sensitivity (level of tourism/recreational use), interruptions (damaged land, artificial structures). The five-level was suggested for the forest landscape classification system.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.10 s.181
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• pp.2654-2663
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• 2000

Steam turbine rotors are the most critical and highly stressed components of a steam power plant; therefore, the life expectancy of the turbine rotor is an important consideration for the safety of a steam power plant. The objective of this paper is to develop a life estimation program for turbine rotors for all possible operating conditions. For this purpose, finite element analysis was carried out for four normal operating modes (cold, warm, hot and very hot starts) using ABAQUS codes. The results are made into databases to evaluate the life expenditure for an actual operating condition. For any other possible abnormal operating condition, the operating data are transmitted to the server (workstation) through a network to carry out finite element analysis. Damage estimation is carried out by transmitting the finite element analysis results to the personal computer, and then the life expectancy is calculated.