HIV arthritis

Whether reexposure of varicella-immune persons to varicella-zoster virus would protect against or predispose to development of zoster was analyzed. The rate of zoster in 511 leukemic recipients of varicella vaccine who had 1 or > 1 dose of varicella vaccine and in those who did or did not have a household exposure to varicella was determined. A Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis revealed that the incidence of zoster was lower in those given > 1 dose of vaccine (P < .05). A Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that both household exposure to varicella and receipt of > 1 dose of vaccine were highly protective (P < .01) against zoster. Thus, the risk of zoster is decreased by reexposure to varicella-zoster virus, either by vaccination or by close exposure to varicella.     

Laser scanning path generation considering photopolymer solidification in micro-stereolithography

It is essential to automate the scanning path generation process to effectively implement the micro-stereolithography. However, a scanning path that is generated based only on a 3D CAD model introduces dimensional inaccuracies. In micro-stereolithography, the photopolymer solidification is affected by fabrication conditions, such as the optical properties (laser power, laser scanning speed, laser scanning pitch focusing condition, etc.) and material properties of the photopolymer. Thus, the photopolymer solidification phenomena must be considered when generating a laser scanning path. In this paper, a scanning path generation algorithm that uses 3D CAD data and considers the photopolymer solidification phenomena is proposed to improve the dimensional accuracy in micro-stereolithography. Multi-line photopolymer solidification experiments were performed for various laser scanning conditions to examine the photopolymer solidification phenomena. From these experiments, linear relations between the solidification length (width) and scanning length (width) were acquired and stored in a database. Subsequently, these data were utilized to compensate the scanning path of the laser beam. In addition, experiments for determining the layer thickness in the z-direction were performed and these results were also used in the scanning path generation algorithm.This research was supported by the Highly Advanced National Project (http://www.most.go.kr), which performs some of the National R&D Program, and sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology under the contract project code M10214000116-02B1500-02010.     

Design,Implementation, and Validation of KOMPSAT‐2 Software Simulator

In this paper, we present design features, implementation, and validation of a satellite simulator subsystem for the Korea Multi‐Purpose Satellite‐2 (KOMPSAT‐2). The satellite simulator subsystem is implemented on a personal computer to minimize costs and trouble on embedding onboard flight software into the simulator. An object‐oriented design methodology is employed to maximize software reusability. Also, instead of a high‐cost commercial database, XML is used for the manipulation of spacecraft characteristics data, telecommand, telemetry, and simulation data. The KOMPSAT‐2 satellite simulator subsystem is validated by various simulations for autonomous onboard launch and early orbit phase operations, anomaly operation, and science fine mode operation. It is also officially verified by successfully passing various tests such as the satellite simulator subsystem test, mission control element system integration test, interface test, site installation test, and acceptance test.     

Screen‐printed biosensor for allergens

Allergen levels in indoor environments, leading to many diseases, eg asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis, affect a large and increasing fraction of the population. A quite effective and inexpensive method of a rough but very rapid overall assessment of total allergen level in the environment has been developed. The method involved estimation of protein in allergen extracts by screen‐printed electrodes using two different techniques. The biosensor comprised a rhodinised carbon working electrode, a silver/silver chloride reference electrode and a carbon counter electrode. In the first method the enzyme protease reacted with allergen protein to release amino acid, which produced hydrogen peroxide in the presence of amino acid oxidase. This was detected amperometrically. The second method used potassium bromide as electrolyte and the electrode was subjected to dual potential. Bromine, released due to electrolysis at higher potential, was consumed by the allergen protein at lower potential. In the first method, a unique technique was used to microencapsulate the enzyme protease and immobilise it on the surface of the electrode by in‐situ polymerisation to avoid contact with the amino acid oxidase. A total of seven allergens were tested and the results gave a good correlation with the standard protein measurement method. Environmental specimens from indoors, schools and workplaces can be evaluated for the aeroallergens produced by dust mites, animal hairs, cockroach debris, pollens, etc as a means of determining the exposure risk. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reliability-based failure cause assessment of collapsed bridge during construction

Until now, in many forensic reports, the failure cause assessments are usually carried out by a deterministic approach so far. However, it may be possible for the forensic investigation to lead to unreasonable results far from the real collapse scenario, because the deterministic approach does not systematically take into account any information on the uncertainties involved in the failures of structures.Reliability-based failure cause assessment (reliability-based forensic engineering) methodology is developed which can incorporate the uncertainties involved in structural failures and structures, and to apply them to the collapsed bridge in order to identify the most critical failure scenario and find the cause that triggered the bridge collapse. Moreover, to save the time and cost of evaluation, an algorithm of automated event tree analysis (ETA) is proposed and possible to automatically calculate the failure probabilities of the failure events and the occurrence probabilities of failure scenarios. Also, for reliability analysis, uncertainties are estimated more reasonably by using the Bayesian approach based on the experimental laboratory testing data in the forensic report. For the applicability, the proposed approach is applied to the Hang-ju Grand Bridge, which collapsed during construction, and compared with deterministic approach.     

Guest Editors' Introduction: Social Media and Search

The past few years have seen a rapid rise in social media Web sites. As user content becomes the dominant content form on the Web, various questions arise about the most effective approach to processing it.     

An ideal topology type convergent theorem on scale effect algebras

The famous Antosik-Mikusinski convergent theorem on the Abel topological groups has very extensive applications in measure theory, summation theory and other analysis fields. In this paper, we establish the theorem on a class of effect algebras equipped with the ideal topology. This paper shows also that the ideal topology of effect algebras is a useful topology in studying the quantum logic the- ory.     

Corrosion Condition Evaluation at Muddy Creek Bridge

Corrosion rates were measured at the exposed spots of rebars near three corners of Muddy Creek Bridge located in northern West Virginia using a 3LP device. Also, chloride contents of the concrete samples taken from the vicinity of the spots were analyzed using a wet chemical method that had been developed in this study. The average corrosion rate over the three spots was 4.66 mA/m2, which is in the range of corrosion damage possible in 10–15 years. The average chloride content of the concrete over the three spots was 703 parts per million (ppm), which is well above the threshold limit value of 260 ppm. Although the corrosion rate measurement method using a 3LP device is by manual operation, it is found to be reliable and effective, and, thus, recommended for future studies of this kind of research. The wet chemical method developed in this study is found to be effective.     

Floating-patch MEMS antennas on HRS substrate for millimetre-wave applications

Novel floating-patch micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) antennas are proposed for millimetre-wave applications. The floating-patch MEMS antennas are fabricated on a high resistivity silicon (HRS) substrate using surface micromachining technology. Simulation and experimental results for reflection coefficients and radiation patterns are presented.