• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.177-193
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• 2006

Determining the hysteretic energy demand and dissipation capacity and level of damage of the structure to a predefined earthquake ground motion is a highly non-linear problem and is one of the questions involved in predicting the structure's response for low-performance levels (life safe, near collapse, collapse) in performance-based earthquake resistant design. Neural Network (NN) analysis offers an alternative approach for investigation of non-linear relationships in engineering problems. The results of NN yield a more realistic and accurate prediction. A NN model can help the engineer to predict the seismic performance of the structure and to design the structural elements, even when there is not adequate information at the early stages of the design process. The principal aim of this study is to develop and test multi-layered feedforward NNs trained with the back-propagation algorithm to model the non-linear relationship between the structural and ground motion parameters and the hysteretic energy demand in steel moment resisting frames. The approach adapted in this study was shown to be capable of providing accurate estimates of hysteretic energy demand by using the six design parameters.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-4
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• 2005

As high temperature superconductor applications became a reality due to increase in coated conductor performance, it is important to understand their stability behavior to design safe electrical power systems. Coated conductors can be stabilized with different metals and alloys for different types of application, to yield excellent electrical, thermal and mechanical performance. We have experimentally studied the dependence of quench and recovery characteristics of stainless steel stabilized coated conductors on the amplitude of current and duration time. Stability test of 3cm long sample were performed in a liquid nitrogen bath cooling condition by applying a short period over current pulses for 50 and 100ms, with amplitude up to ~6 times the critical current. The transport current that flows before and after the current pulse was fixed at about ~80-85% critical current. We analyzed the quench and recovery phenomena of the test sample using the current voltage characteristic.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.562-568
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• 1995

Changes in rice yield and soil chemistry of dry seeded rice in double cropping of rice and barley were investigated at National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station during 5 years (1990-1994). Barley straw added or removed dry seeding had safe rice seedling stand for good rice production. However, the coefficient of variation of seedling stand by year was higher than dry seeding in rice single crop. Rice seedling height was slightly reduced by barley straw incorporation. However, it recovered soon as rice growing progressed. Heading time delayed 4 days in flat seeding method but not in high-ridged seeding method which imply that. this is more safe seeding technology than flat seeding method. Comparing to rice single crop, barley straw added dry seeding increased rice yield by 2∼19%(Average of 5 years: 8%) from second year due to higher panicle and spikelet number. Contents of organic matter was 2.71% in 1990. In 1994, it decreased 2.61% for rice single crop, while increased 3.02% and 3.41% for barley straw removed or added field, respectively. Rice grain quality was not significantly different among cropping patterns.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.190-204
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• 2018

The probability of safe cropping and the major phenological stages in rice were assessed using daily mean temperature data from 1981 to 2016 at 27 sites in North Korea. The threshold temperatures for early marginal transplanting date (EMTD), marginal harvesting date (MHVD), safe marginal heading date (SMHD), and cumulative temperature-based heading date (CTHD) were set to be $14^{\circ}C$, $13^{\circ}C$, $22^{\circ}C$ for 40 days after heading, and cumulative temperature of $1200^{\circ}C$ to MHVD, respectively. The safe heading date (SHD) was assumed to be either SMHD or CTHD whichever was earlier. It was also assumed that the minimum requirement for the suitability of safe rice cropping was met when both SMHD and CTHD appeared along with the time period of 60 days or more from EMTD to SHD. It was analyzed that 17 sites (Kaesong, Haeju, Yongyon, Singye, Sariwon, Nampo, Pyongyang, Anju, Kusong, Sinuiju, Changjon, Wonsan, Hamhung, Pyonggang, Huichon, Supung, Kanggye) had 90% or higher probability, two sites (Yangdok, Sinpo) had 80-90% probability, and eight sites (Kimchaek, Chunggang, Chongjin, Sonbong, Changjin, Pungsan, Hyesan, Samjiyon) had less than 80% probability of the safe rice cropping. For each region, the representative EMTD, SHD, and MHVD were analyzed using the 80 percentile of total years tested. The ranges for EMTD, SHD, and MHVD were May 4 in Sariwon~May 24 in Sinpo, June 21 in Kanggye~August 11 in Haeju, and September 17 in Kanggye~October 16 in Haeju and Changjon, respectively. Time durations from EMTD to SHD and from SHD to MHVD were 67~97 days and 57~72 days, respectively, depending on the regions. This study would facilitate modeling efforts for rice yield simulation in future studies. Our results would also provide basic information for practical researches on the rice cropping system in North Korea.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-65
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• 2014

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the oral toxicity of Gami-Jakyak Gamcho buja Decoction (Mecasin) to develop safe treatments. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Medvill, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate the oral toxicity of Mecasin, we administered Mecasin orally to rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of Mecasin, 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 10 mL/kg, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rate, weight, clinical signs, and gross findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. Although slight decreases in the weights of some female rats were noted on the third day, no significant changes in weights or gross findings between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs. Conclusion: The results showed that administration of 500 - 2,000 mg/kg of Mecasin did not cause any changes in weight or in the results of necropsy examinations. It also did not result in any mortalities. The above findings suggest that treatment with Mecasin is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 2018

Exposure to chemical agents is an inevitable consequence of modern society; some of these agents are hazardous to human health. The effects of chemical carcinogens are of great concern in many countries, and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, have established guidelines for the regulation of these chemicals. Carcinogens are currently categorized into two classes, genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens, which are subject to different regulatory policies. Genotoxic carcinogens are chemicals that exert carcinogenicity via the induction of mutations. Owing to their DNA interaction properties, there is thought to be no safe exposure threshold or dose. Genotoxic carcinogens are regulated under the assumption that they pose a cancer risk for humans, even at very low doses. In contrast, non-genotoxic carcinogens, which induce cancer through mechanisms other than mutations, such as hormonal effects, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, or epigenetic changes, are thought to have a safe exposure threshold or dose; thus, their use in society is permitted unless the exposure or intake level would exceed the threshold. Genotoxicity assays are an important method to distinguish the two classes of carcinogens. However, some carcinogens have negative results in in vitro bacterial mutation assays, but yield positive results in the in vivo transgenic rodent gene mutation assay. Non-DNA damage, such as spindle poison or topoisomerase inhibition, often leads to positive results in cytogenetic genotoxicity assays such as the chromosome aberration assay or the micronucleus assay. Therefore, mechanistic considerations of tumor induction, based on the results of the genotoxicity assays, are necessary to distinguish genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens. In this review, the concept of threshold of toxicological concern is introduced and the potential risk from multiple exposures to low doses of genotoxic carcinogens is also discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1265-1271
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• 2011

In this study, the safety of a rack structure was evaluated through seismic analysis considering fluid-structure interactions using a finite-element model. The rack structure was immersed under water, so it was influenced by the water. The fluid-structure interaction can be specified in terms of the hydrodynamic effect, which is defined as the added mass per unit length. Modal analysis and seismic analysis using the Floor Response Spectrum (FRS) were carried out under Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) and Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) conditions. The analytical maximum displacements of the rack structure were 0.29 and 0.36 mm under OBE and SSE conditions, respectively. The maximum stresses were 17.9 MPa under OBE conditions and 19.6 MPa under SSE conditions; these results corresponded to 23 % and 14% of the yield strength of the applied material, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1470-1476
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• 2016

Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) $pH_{45min}$ value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers' diet.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.319-324
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• 2013

The partial oxidation reaction of methane was investigated to produce syngas with $Ni/CeO_2-ZrO_2$, $Ni-Ru/CeO_2-ZrO_2$ and $Ni-Pd/CeO_2-ZrO_2$ catalysts. Honeycomb metallic monolith was applied in order to obtain high catalytic activity and stability in partial oxidation reforming. The catalysts were characterized by XRD and FE-SEM. The influence of various catalysts on syngas production was studied for the feed ratio (O/C), GHSV and temperature. Among the catalysts used in the experiment, the $Ni-Pd/CeO_2-ZrO_2$ catalyst showed the highest activity. The 99% of $CH_4$ conversion was obtained at the condition of T=$900^{\circ}C$, GHSV=10,000 $h^{-1}$ and feed ratio O/C=0.55. It was confirmed that $H_2$ yield increased slightly as O/C ratio increased, while CO yield remained almost constant. Also, $CH_4$ conversion decreased as GHSV increased. It was found that the safe range of GHSV for high $CH_4$ conversion was estimated to be less than 10,000 $h^{-1}$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.625-634
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• 2003

Oil palm fronds (OPF) are one of the main by-products of the oil palm industry in Malaysia. It contains about 38.5 % crude fibre with ME values of about 5.65 MJ/kg dry matter. OPF has great potential to be utilized as a roughage source or as a component in a complete feed for ruminant animals. This paper briefly reviews the availability of OPF in Malaysia and its importance in the local beef and dairy industry. About 26 million metric tonnes of OPF are produced on dry matter basis annually during pruning and replanting operations in the plantations. The nutritive value of OPF and studies to improve its feeding value is highlighted. The optimum level of inclusion for ruminant feeding is 30 % and improvement to intake and digestibility can be further enhanced with addition of other oil-palm by-products. Performances of beef and dairy cattle fed fresh OPF or as silage, pellets and cubes are shown. Good quality OPF silage can be produced without using any additive and the significant improvement on the rate of growth and milk yield were shown. With good formulations, OPF based diets can allow live weight gains of between 600-850 g/day and for local crossbred dairy animals, milk yield of about 11.1 to 20.3 liter/day can be obtained. Pellet based on ground OPF seemed to be less well utilized for ruminant feeding due to its smaller particle size. OPF based cubes which have longer particle size is more suitable for beef and dairy cattle. Long-term feeding of OPF based feeds have been shown to produce good quality carcasses, and the meat is safe for consumption.