• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제90권5호
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• pp.517-530
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• 2024

This paper presents a new four-unknown equivalent single layer (ESL) refined plate theory for the buckling analysis of functionally graded (FG) rectangular plates with all simply supported edges and subjected to in-plane mechanical loading conditions. The present model accounts for a parabolic variation of transverse shear stress over the thickness, and accommodates correctly the zero shear stress conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate. The material properties are supposed to vary smoothly in the thickness direction through the rules of mixture named power-law gradation. The governing equilibrium equations are formulated based on the total potential energy principle and solved for simply supported boundary conditions by implementing the Navier's method. A numerical result on elastic buckling using the current theory was computed and compared with those published in the literature to examine the accuracy of the proposed analytical solution. The effects of changing power-law exponent, aspect ratio, thickness ratio and modulus ratio on the critical buckling load of FG plates under different in-plane loading conditions are investigated in detail. Moreover, it was found that the geometric parameters and power-law exponent play significant influences on the buckling behavior of the FG plates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.1868-1874
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• 2007

We have developed a robotic system for an automated parallel cell cultivation process that enables screening of induction parameters for the soluble expression of recombinant protein. The system is designed for parallelized and simultaneous cultivation of up to 24 different types of cells or a single type of cell at 24 different conditions. Twenty-four culture vessels of about 200 ml are arranged in four columns${\times}$six rows. The system is equipped with four independent thermostated waterbaths, each of which accommodates six culture vessels. A two-channel liquid handler is attached in order to distribute medium from the reservoir to the culture vessels, to transfer seed or other reagents, and to take an aliquot from the growing cells. Cells in each vessel are agitated and aerated by sparging filtered air. We tested the system by growing Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells harboring a plasmid for a model protein, and used it in optimizing protein expression conditions by varying the induction temperature and the inducer concentration. The results revealed the usefulness of our custom-made cell cultivation robot in screening optimal conditions for the expression of soluble proteins.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.164-171
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the immediate effects of wearing a foot-pressure-based insole (FPBI) on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), postural sway, and muscle activation in healthy individuals with genu varum. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted on thirteen adults, with six male and seven females subjects. The mean age was 24.08 years. Foot pressure was measured to apply the FPBI and the weight bearing lunge test was performed with the application of a flat insole (FI) and FPBI. Examination was randomly performed in four conditions to measure both postural sway and muscle activation. All participants applied both the FI and FPBI with four conditions. The four conditions were as follows: 1) Romberg test posture with eyes closed, 2) Romberg test posture with eyes opened, 3) dominant single leg standing with eyes opened, and 4) non-dominant single leg standing with eyes opened. Results: For ankle DFROM between the FI and FPBI, a significant increase was observed in both the dominant and non-dominant leg (p<0.05). For postural sway between the FI and FPBI in the Romberg test posture with eyes closed and dominant single leg standing with eyes opened conditions, a significant decrease was observed (p<0.05). However, the postural sway between FI and FPBI in the Romberg test posture with eyes opened and non-dominant single leg standing with eyes opened, no significant decrease was observed. Also, there were no significant effects on muscle activation between the application of the FI and FPBI. Conclusions: The result showed that FPBI immediately improved ankle DFROM and postural sway. It seems that FPBI may improve genu varum in healthy individuals with genu varum.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제87권4호
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• pp.317-332
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• 2023

Understanding and analysing the behaviour and response of historical structures in the face of climate changes and environmental conditions is of utmost significance for their preservation. There are several structural hazards associated with climate and hydrology changes in the region, including the settlement of piers, the rotation of piers, and temperature changes. The present study investigates the experimental and numerical structural behaviour of skewed and non-skewed Persian brick masonry barrel vaults under various conditions. The external loading conditions included pier rotation in five modes, settlement, and temperature variations in four states. Initially, the experiments extracted the mechanical properties of the scaled materials. Then, three semi-circular brick barrel vaults were tested with gravitational loads. The outcomes were used to develop and validate the finite element model. Following the development of the finite element model, numerical and parametric studies were conducted on the effect of the aforementioned structural hazards on the response of brick masonry barrel vaults with various Persian geometries (semi-circular, drop pointed, and four-centred), angles of skew (0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees), and dimensional ratios. According to the findings, the fragility of masonry materials makes historical structures susceptible to failure under different loading. A brick barrel vault fails in the presence of minor rotation and settlement of the piers. The four-centred geometric shape has the lowest performance among the seven Persian geometries; therefore, its health monitoring and retrofitting should be prioritised. In Isfahan, Iran, temperature variations, particularly during the warm seasons, cause critical conditions in such structures.

• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.176-183
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• 2014

Three-phase four-wire distribution systems are used for both three-phase three-wire loads and single-phase two-wire consumer appliances in South Korea, Myanmar and other countries. Unbalanced load conditions frequently occur in these distribution systems. These unbalanced load conditions cause unbalanced voltages for three-phase and single-phase loads, and increase the loss in the distribution transformer. In this paper, we propose constant DC capacitor voltage control based strategy for the active load balancer (ALB) in the three-phase four-wire distribution systems. Constant DC capacitor voltage control is always used in active power line conditioners. The proposed control strategy does not require any computation blocks of the active and reactive currents on the distribution systems. Balanced source-side currents with a unity power factor are obtained without any calculation block of the unbalanced active and reactive components on the load side. The basic principle of the constant DC capacitor voltage control based strategy for the ALB is discussed in detail and then confirmed by both digital computer simulations using PSIM software and prototype experimental model. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy for the ALB can balance the source currents with a unity power factor in the three-phase four-wire distribution systems.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.23-36
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• 2017

Objective: This paper presents a study to evaluate the WBGT index for assessing the effects of a wide range of outdoor weather conditions on human responses. Background: The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index was firstly developed for the assessment of hot outdoor conditions. It is a recognised index that is used world-wide. It may be useful over a range of outdoor conditions and not just for hot climates. Method: Four group experiments, involving people performing a light stepping activity, were conducted to determine human responses to outside conditions in the U.K. They were conducted in September 2007 (autumn), December 2007 (winter), March 2008 (spring) and June 2008 (summer). Environmental measurements included WBGT, air temperature, radiant temperature (including solar load), humidity and wind speed all measured at 1.2m above the ground, as well as weather data measured by a standard weather station at 3m to 4m above the ground. Participants' physiological and subjective responses were measured. When the overall results of the four seasons are considered, WBGT provided a strong prediction of physiological responses as well as subjective responses if aural temperature, heart rate and sweat production were measured. Results: WBGT is appropriate to predict thermal strain on a large group of ordinary people in moderate conditions. Consideration should be given to include the WBGT index in warning systems for a wide range of weather conditions. However, the WBGT overestimated physiological responses of subjects. In addition, tenfold Borg's RPE was significantly different with heart rate measured for the four conditions except autumn (p<0.05). Physiological and subjective responses over 60 minutes consistently showed a similar tendency in the relationships with the $WBGT_{head}$ and $WBGT_{abdomen}$. Conclusion: It was found that either $WBGT_{head}$ or $WBGT_{abdomen}$ could be measured if a measurement should be conducted at only one height. The relationship between the WBGT values and weather station data was also investigated. There was a significant relationship between WBGT values at the position of a person and weather station data. For UK daytime weather conditions ranging from an average air temperature of $6^{\circ}C$ to $21^{\circ}C$ with mean radiant temperatures of up to $57^{\circ}C$, the WBGT index could be used as a simple thermal index to indicate the effects of weather on people. Application: The result of evaluation of WBGT might help to develop the smart clothing for workers in industrial sites and improve the work environment in terms of considering workers' wellness.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

The occurrence of unexpected horizontal offset in the instrument or target will result in accumulated horizontal deviation in segment alignment with traditional short-line match method. A geometry control method, the four-point method, is developed for precast segmental bridges to avoid the influences of unexpected horizontal offset. The concept of the four-point method is elucidated. Furthermore, the detailed instruments and instructions are introduced. Finally, the four-point method is validated through a practical engineering application. According to the survey data, after short-line match precast construction, the vertical deviations on both sides vary between -5 mm and 5 mm in almost all segments, and the horizontal deviations vary between -4 mm and 4 mm in all segments. Without on-site adjustment, the maximum vertical and horizontal closure gaps are 12.3 and 26.1 mm, respectively. The four-point method is suggested to alleviate the issues associated with relatively poor soil conditions in casting yard.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.419-424
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• 2004

In this study, a series of soil bin experiment was carried out to investigate experimentally the effect of the tire inflation pressure and axle load of tire on the steering torque for the off-road condition. The experiment was performed at the three levels of off-road conditions(ground I, ground II and ground III) and on-road condition(ground IV), four levels of tire inflation pressure(120 kPa, 170 kPa, 220 kPa and 270 kPa), and four levels of axle load(1470N, 1960N, 2450N and 2940N). The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. Steering torque at the off-road conditions were higher than that on the on-road conditions for all levels of tire inflation pressure and axle load. 2. As the axle load increased, steering torque also increased f3r all experimental ground conditions. 3. For the axle load of 1470N the biggest steering torque was measured on the ground condition I, but as the axle load increased to the value of 2940N the biggest steering torque was measured on the ground condition III. From the above results, it was found that for the low axle load, steering torque gets higher on the soft ground condition, but for the high axle load, steering torque gets higher on hard ground condition for whole range of experimental conditions. 4. As the tire inflation pressure decreased, steering torque increased on the on-road condition, but no specific trend was not found at the off-road conditions.

• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.43-52
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• 1998

Generally, the navigational safety of a ship under various loading conditions is evaluated by a loading manual. However, the loading manual handles only statical factors such as weight and buoyancy of ship without including any wave conditions. Practically ship's safety is much concerned with the occurrences on the rough sea as propeller racing, rolling, deck wetness, vertical acceleration, lateral acceleration, slamming and so on. The purpose of this paper is to present a synthetic and practical evaluation method of navigational safety using the integrated seakeeping performance index(ISPI) under loading conditions of ship in seaways. The method is calculated by means of the ISPI by measuring only vertical acceleration. Judgement of dangerousness is carried out for four lading conditions : homogeneous full loaded, half loaded, heavy ballast loaded, and normal ballast loaded conditions. In developing the practical evaluation system of navigational safety, it is useful to solve the difficulties in measuring factors by sensors. And by applying the evaluation diagrames, navigators are able to avoid dangerousness by keeping away of the danger encountering angle of wave direction which the diagram shows.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제81권1호
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• pp.59-68
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• 2022

Prestressed prefabricated hollow core concrete slabs with spans of 5 m and 10 m are commonly used since last century and still in service due to the advantage of construction convenience and durability. However, the end slabs are regularly subjected to cracks at the top and fail with brittleness due to the asymmetric boundary conditions. To better maintain such widely used type of hollow core slabs, the effect of asymmetric constraint in the end slabs are systematically studied through detailed nonlinear finite element analyses and experimental data. Experimental tests of slabs with four prestressed tendons and seven prestressed tendons with different boundary conditions were conducted. Results observe three failure modes of the slabs: the bending failure mode, shear and torsion failure mode, and transverse failure mode. Detailed nonlinear finite element models are developed to well match the failure modes and to reveal potential damage scenarios with asymmetric boundary conditions. Recommendations regarding ultimate capacity of the slabs with asymmetric boundary conditions are made to ensure a safe and rational design of prestressed concrete hollow slabs for short span bridges.