Detection of human serum albumin on protein array using scanning tunneling microscopy

Electrical detection of biological binding events, such as protein–protein interaction and DNA hybridization, has emerged as an alternative method to conventional colorimetric and fluorescence based methods. In this study, we demonstrate an electrical detection technique of protein array which can be simply extended for multifunctional measurements and detection of biological binding events on micro-scale array. Micro-contact technique was used for the fabrication of protein chip. The fabricated protein array on Au substrate was characterized by fluorescence microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The chip was designed to investigate immunocomplexes comprised of our model protein, human serum albumin (HSA), corresponding antibody fragments, and Au nanoparticle–antibody conjugates. The peak-like pulse obtained by electrical tunneling current between these complexes and the STM tip varies on the surface density of the bound complexes. Using the electrical detection technique based on STM, 100 fg/mL of HSA could be successfully detected by STM. Importantly, the proposed concept of measurement could allow multiple analyses of analytes at nano-scale array, which is difficult to be analyzed by conventional fluorescence based method.     

Performance of the smoke extraction system for fires in the Busan–Geoje immersed tunnel

A new partial smoke extraction system for the Busan–Geoje immersed tunnel was investigated experimentally using simulated tunnel fires. The tests were performed in a 1:20-scale model tunnel with a smoke extraction duct between two traffic tubes. The fire corresponded to a 5-MW full-scale fire, based on Froude modeling. Isothermal and thermal experimental models were considered. The performance of the partial smoke extraction system was quantified under natural and longitudinal ventilation conditions. The results showed that the smoke extraction efficiency of the natural ventilation was 30% better than with longitudinal ventilation, because of smoke stratification in the tunnel. Additionally, the efficiency obtained from the thermal model was comparable to that from the isothermal model under both ventilation conditions. The results suggested that the use of a partial smoke extraction system without longitudinal ventilation improved the initial visibility during tunnel fires.     

Enhancement of the punch pin durability induced by the PVD coating in production process of the automotive inner pipe

This experimental studies were carried out in order to understand the effects of the PVD coating and the UNSM treatment of HSS55 (high speed steel 55) during the production of the automotive inner pipe by the plastic deformation of S45C. The field test and the SEM images revealed that the PVD coating is necessary in spite of the high compressive residual stresses which were formed at the head of a punch pin. Upon the application of the AlCrN coating with the UNSM treatment the productivity and reliability of a punch pin had improved more than about 2.6 times compared to that of the TiN coating without the UNSM treatment. It is likely that the improvement is caused by the decreased stress concentration factor by the ‘wrapped in oxides’ inside of an abrasion pit. The abrasion pits were mostly generated within range of 5% ∼ 50% of the diameter ratio from the end of a pin and reached the maximum value about 17% from the end of a pin.     

Analysis of water hammer in pipelines by partial fraction expansion of transfer function in frequency domain

Understanding water hammer is very important to the prevention of excessive pressure build-up in pipelines. Many researchers have studied this phenomenon, drawing effective solutions through the time- and frequency-domain approaches. For the purposes of enhancing the advantages of the frequency-domain approach and, thereby, rendering investigations of the dynamic characteristics of pipelines more effective, we propose partial fraction expansion of the transfer function between the unsteady flow source and a given section. We simulate the proposed approach using a vibration element inserted into a simple pipeline, deducing much useful physical information pertaining to pipeline design. We conclude that locating the resonance of the vibration element between the first and second resonances of the pipeline can mitigate the excessive pressure build-up attendant on the occurrence of water hammer. Our method of partial fraction expansion is expected to be useful and effective in analyses of unsteady flows in pipelines.     

Fatigue test of an advanced orthotropic steel deck system using high performance steel for bridges

Magnificent elongation of bridge span length, especially of recently constructed cable stayed bridges and suspension bridges, can be achieved by technological as well as new material development of orthotropic steel deck systems. One such effort is to install curved bulkhead plates inside longitudinal u-ribs, which was analytically and experimentally demonstrated to reduce significant amount of concentrated stresses without sacrificing self-weight of the whole structure. In this paper, the optimal shape of more effective bulkhead plates is characterized by computational analysis. And it is verified from fatigue tests of a 3-dimensional full-scale structure that the fatigue performance can be significantly improved by installing the optimal bulkhead plates and by fabricating the structure out of recently developed high performance steel for bridges.     

Design criteria for impact factors based on dynamic on-site data in railway bridges

To evaluate the dynamic behaviours of bridges, many researchers have analysed interactions between vehicles and bridges with numerical methods instead of field loading tests. However, conventional numerical methods take too much time and cost to evaluate the impact factor of bridges in design and maintenance practice. The objective of this study was to propose improved design criteria by using impact factors based on natural frequency rather than span length of railway bridges using dynamic field load-carrying capacity test database. The improved design criteria use a different methodology than that outlined in the International Union of Railway specifications Code. Statistical regressions are applied to more easily estimate the natural frequency of a bridge with a span length of 20?m or longer with steel plate girder or truss superstructures. Calculated impact factors were compared to impact factors obtained from field measurements. Results indicated that the improved method could provide a very reliable estimation for actual impact factors. Since the suggested impact factor criteria are conservative, the proposed method can be used in design and management stages to consider dynamic effects of railway bridges in a more intuitive manner.