•Establish a numerical model for typical piloti-type building structures with vertical irregularities in Korea.•Show the inadequacy of existing limit states through correlation analysis between IDR ...and concrete strain.•Propose strain-based limit states for piloti-type structures to exhibit local damage due to vertical irregularity.•Develop new IDR-based limit states having damage probabilities equivalent to the strain-based limit states.•Verify the developed limit states with observed damage data by introducing a damage probability measure.
Limit states have been widely used as a threshold for classifying and evaluating building damage states either analytically or empirically, and current guidelines or codes generally provide the limit state as interstory drift ratio (IDR) for a single lateral-load resisting system. However, piloti-type structures in Korea have a vertically irregular system consisting of a moment frame for parking lots at the first story and a shear wall system for residential space at upper stories, making it difficult to evaluate the damage states against earthquakes using existing limit states. In this regard, new limit states for the typical piloti-type building structures were developed to evaluate the damage states probabilistically via seismic fragility assessments and verified with observed damage data using a damage probability estimator (DPE). The DPE was introduced as a probabilistic damage measure available from both analytical and empirical ways. First, a prototype model for the typical piloti-type structures damaged during the 2017 Pohang earthquake was proposed to simulate seismic demands in terms of both IDR and concrete strain. Second, strain-based limit states were examined and determined to use as an alternative to the existing IDR-based limit states. Finally, the new IDR-based limit states were developed on the basis of correlation between IDR and concrete strain to reflect local damage under vertical irregularity. The results revealed that the new IDR-based limit states were determined as approximately 30% reduction from the existing IDR-based limit states and the feasibility of the new limit states was validated with the observed damage data obtained from the 2017 Pohang earthquake. The seismic fragility function updated based on the new limit state could estimate more reliable damage states of the piloti-type residential buildings.
Irreversible phase transformation of layered structure into spinel structure is considered detrimental for most of the layered structure cathode materials. Here we report that this presumably ...irreversible phase transformation can be rendered to be reversible in sodium birnessite (Na
MnO
·yH
O) as a basic structural unit. This layered structure contains crystal water, which facilitates the formation of a metastable spinel-like phase and the unusual reversal back to layered structure. The mechanism of this phase reversibility was elucidated by combined soft and hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy with X-ray diffraction, corroborated by first-principle calculations and kinetics investigation. These results show that the reversibility, modulated by the crystal water content between the layered and spinel-like phases during the electrochemical reaction, could activate new cation sites, enhance ion diffusion kinetics and improve its structural stability. This work thus provides in-depth insights into the intercalating materials capable of reversible framework changes, thereby setting the precedent for alternative approaches to the development of cathode materials for next-generation rechargeable batteries.
As the number of musculoskeletal disorders caused by smartphone usage, sedentary lifestyles, and active sports activities increases, there is a growing demand for precise and accurate measurement and ...evaluation of issues such as incorrect compensation patterns, asymmetrical posture, and limited joint operation range. Urgent development of new inspection equipment is necessary to address issues such as convenience, economic feasibility, and post-processing difficulties. Using 4DEYE
, a new multi-view red, green, and blue (RGB) sensor-based motion analysis equipment, and the VICON
ratio, which are infrared-based markers, we conducted a comparative analysis of the simultaneous validity of the joint angle (trajectory) and reliability. In this study, five healthy participants who could perform movements were selected for the pilot study and two movements (Y-balance and side dip) were analyzed. In addition, the ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) V.18 while the number of data frames of each equipment was equalized using the MATLAB program. The results revealed that side dips, which are open kinetic chain exercises (intraclass correlation coefficient ICC(2.1), 0.895-0.996), showed very high concordance with the Y-balance test, a closed kinetic chain exercise (ICC(2.1), 0.678-0.990). The joint measurement results were similar regardless of the movement in the open or closed kinetic chain exercise, confirming the high reliability of the newly developed multiview RGB sensor. This is of great significance because we obtained important and fundamental results that can be used in various patterns of exercise movements in the future.
The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary exploration of how corporate social responsibility issues are currently reported and communicated by US major casino companies. Empirical evidence ...is drawn from standalone CSR reports and websites of the 30 largest casino companies in the US, which is explored through content analysis methodology. This paper finds that there are substantial variations in the reporting and communication of CSR issues by casino companies. While casino companies mainly rely on websites to communicate CSR issues, 23% of the sample companies use standalone CSR reports. Whereas websites tend to provide relatively limited information about CSR activities, standalone CSR reports have a tendency to cover comprehensive CSR themes in a detailed manner. In addition, the content analysis based on website reveals that while most casino companies tend to be passive about responsible gaming, some are trying to behave more actively and responsibly about this issue.
Chemically modified graphene platelets, produced via graphene oxide, show great promise in a variety of applications due to their electrical, thermal, barrier and mechanical properties. Understanding ...the chemical structures of chemically modified graphene platelets will aid in the understanding of their physical properties and facilitate development of chemically modified graphene platelet chemistry. Here we use (13)C and (15)N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the chemical structure of (15)N-labelled hydrazine-treated (13)C-labelled graphite oxide and unlabelled hydrazine-treated graphene oxide, respectively. These experiments suggest that hydrazine treatment of graphene oxide causes insertion of an aromatic N(2) moiety in a five-membered ring at the platelet edges and also restores graphitic networks on the basal planes. Furthermore, density-functional theory calculations support the formation of such N(2) structures at the edges and help to elucidate the influence of the aromatic N(2) moieties on the electronic structure of chemically modified graphene platelets.
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of pre-combustion CO2 capture using tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAC) semiclathrate in a fuel gas mixture comprising CO2 ...(40%) + H2 (60%), with a primary focus on examining the thermodynamic, kinetic, and spectroscopic aspects of this process. Phase equilibria measured at various TBAC concentrations revealed that the CO2 + H2 + TBAC semiclathrates exhibited maximum thermodynamic stability at a stoichiometric concentration (3.3 mol%). CO2 concentrations in both the vapor and semiclathrate phases, along with gas consumption during and after semiclathrate formation, were measured to assess CO2 selectivity and gas uptake in the semiclathrate phase. Notably, CO2 enrichment was approximately 90% in the semiclathrate phase. In-situ Raman spectroscopy provided clear confirmation of the enclathration of both CO2 and H2 in the semiclathrate lattices, while powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the tetragonal (P42/m) structure of the CO2 + H2 + TBAC (3.3 mol%) semiclathrate. Furthermore, a high-pressure micro-differential scanning calorimeter was used to measure the dissociation enthalpies of the CO2 + H2 + TBAC (3.3 mol%) semiclathrate at various pressures. The comprehensive results obtained in this study strongly support the potential use of TBAC semiclathrate as a material for pre-combustion CO2 capture.
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•The potential use of TBAC semiclathrates for pre-combustion CO2 capture was explored.•CO2 + H2 + TBAC semiclathrates reached maximum thermodynamic stability at 3.3 mol%.•CO2 exhibited a strong preference for enclathration in the semiclathrate phase compared to H2.•The encapsulation of both CO2 and H2 in the semiclathrate lattices was confirmed via Raman spectroscopy.•The dissociation enthalpies of the CO2 + H2 + TBAC semiclathrates increased with increasing pressure.
In this study, a novel erythritol-grafted bisphenol A (ETBPA) phase change material (PCM) was fabricated through esterification, and a porous ceramic filler network consisting of carbonized cellulose ...nanofiber (CNF) was prepared via freeze-casting and carbonization of CNF. The PCM composites (ETBPA/BNCNF/BN and ETBPA/AlNCNF/AlN) were fabricated using three kinds of methods: melt mixing, hot-pressing, and injection molding. Results revealed that the hot-pressed BN-based composite exhibited an ultra-high thermal conductivity (13.09 W/mK, 2518% enhancement compared to pure ET) along the through-plane direction, 300% increased tensile strength (3.2 MPa), and a latent heat of 98.4 J/g. The fabricated ETBPA/BNCNF/BN composites exhibited efficient thermal management performance via the combination of heat absorption and heat dissipation properties owing to their high thermal conductivity and large latent heat. The results indicate the potential of the fabricated PCM composites to contribute to the research on thermal management systems.
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Zika virus (ZIKV) directly infects neural progenitors and impairs their proliferation. How ZIKV interacts with the host molecular machinery to impact neurogenesis in vivo is not well understood. ...Here, by systematically introducing individual proteins encoded by ZIKV into the embryonic mouse cortex, we show that expression of ZIKV-NS2A, but not Dengue virus (DENV)-NS2A, leads to reduced proliferation and premature differentiation of radial glial cells and aberrant positioning of newborn neurons. Mechanistically, in vitro mapping of protein-interactomes and biochemical analysis suggest interactions between ZIKA-NS2A and multiple adherens junction complex (AJ) components. Functionally, ZIKV-NS2A, but not DENV-NS2A, destabilizes the AJ complex, resulting in impaired AJ formation and aberrant radial glial fiber scaffolding in the embryonic mouse cortex. Similarly, ZIKA-NS2A, but not DENV-NS2A, reduces radial glial cell proliferation and causes AJ deficits in human forebrain organoids. Together, our results reveal pathogenic mechanisms underlying ZIKV infection in the developing mammalian brain.
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•ZIKV-NS2A, but not DENV-NS2A, depletes RGCs in the embryonic mouse cortex•ZIKV-NS2A expression causes mis-positioning of newborn neurons in the mouse cortex•ZIKA-NS2A interacts with and depletes adherens junction (AJ) complex proteins•ZIKV-NS2A impairs RGC proliferation and AJ formation in human forebrain organoids
Zika virus infects neural stem cells and causes microcephaly. In this study, Yoon et al. showed that NS2A protein encoded by Zika virus, but not by Dengue virus, impairs proliferation of radial glial cells in both embryonic mouse cortex and human forebrain organoids. Mechanistically, ZIKV-NS2A disrupts adherens junction formation.
We determined if combined administration of JNK-inhibitors and HGF (hepatocyte-growth-factor) would restore erectile-function through both antiapoptotic and regenerative effects in a rat model of ...cavernous-nerve-crush-injury (CNCI), and compared the results with administration of JNK-inhibitor alone or HGF alone. We randomized 70 rats into 5 groups: sham-surgery-group (S), CNCI (I) group, a group treated with once-daily intraperitoneal-administration of 10.0-mg/kg of JNK-inhibitors (J), a twice-weekly intracavernosal-administration of 4.2-μg HGF group (H), and a combined-treatment with 10.0-mg/kg JNK-inhibitors and 4.2-μg HGF group (J+H). We investigated erectile-responses to electrostimulation, histological-staining, caspase-3-activity-assay, and immunoblotting at two-weeks postoperatively. The three treatment groups showed improvements in erectile-responses (ICP/MAP and AUC/MAP ratios) compared to Group-I. The erectile-responses in Group-J+H were greater than those in Group-J or Group-H. The erectile-responses in Group-J+H were generally normalized. Caspase-3-activity and cJun-phosphorylation in Group-J and Group-J+H improved compared to Group-I, whereas caspase-3-activity in Group-H partially improved. Protein-expression of PECAM-1, eNOS-phosphorylation, and smooth-muscle content in Group-J+H were normalized, although those in Group-J or Group-H were partially restored. Combination therapy with JNK-inhibitors and HGF can generally normalize erectile-function through anti-apoptosis and preservation of endothelium or SM in rat CNCI model. The combined treatment appears to be superior to the respective agent alone in terms of therapeutic effects.
PurposeThis study examined the effect of brand modernity on brand love. In addition, this study investigated how brand love affects behavioral intentions including intentions to use, word-of-mouth ...and willingness to pay more. Lastly, this study explored the differences between robot servers and human servers in the five concepts mentioned above.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 300 people who experienced robot servers and from 318 people who experienced human servers.FindingsThe results of data analysis revealed that brand modernity has a positive influence on brand love, which in turn positively affects intentions to use, word-of-mouth and willingness to pay more. Additionally, it was found that there were statistical differences with the mean value of the five concepts based on the type of employee, such as robot servers and human servers.Originality/valueUnlike prior research, the difference between robot servers and human servers was investigated by focusing more on the brand in this study, and such findings can be considered as important theoretical implications of this study.
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