ALBERT

Description: In this paper, we propose a vision-based rotational angle measurement system for large-scale civil structures. Despite the fact that during the last decade several rotation angle measurement systems were introduced, they however often required complex and expensive equipment. Therefore, alternative effective solutions with high resolution are in great demand. The proposed system consists of commercial PCs, commercial camcorders, low-cost frame grabbers, and a wireless LAN router. The calculation of rotation angle is obtained by using image processing techniques with pre-measured calibration parameters. Several laboratory tests were conducted to verify the performance of the proposed system. Compared with the commercial rotation angle measurement, the results of the system showed very good agreement with an error of less than 1.0% in all test cases. Furthermore, several tests were conducted on the five-story modal testing tower with a hybrid mass damper to experimentally verify the feasibility of the proposed system.

Description: Recently there have been many studies of power systems with a focus on “New and Renewable Energy” as part of “New Growth Engine Industry” promoted by the Korean government. “New And Renewable Energy”—especially focused on wind energy, solar energy and fuel cells that will replace conventional fossil fuels—is a part of the Power-IT Sector which is the basis of the SmartGrid. A SmartGrid is a form of highly-efficient intelligent electricity network that allows interactivity (two-way communications) between suppliers and consumers by utilizing information technology in electricity production, transmission, distribution and consumption. The New and Renewable Energy Program has been driven with a goal to develop and spread through intensive studies, by public or private institutions, new and renewable energy which, unlike conventional systems, have been operated through connections with various kinds of distributed power generation systems. Considerable research on smart grids has been pursued in the United States and Europe. In the United States, a variety of research activities on the smart power grid have been conducted within EPRI's IntelliGrid research program. The European Union (EU), which represents Europe’s Smart Grid policy, has focused on an expansion of distributed generation (decentralized generation) and power trade between countries with improved environmental protection. Thus, there is current emphasis on a need for studies that assesses the economic efficiency of such distributed generation systems. In this paper, based on the cost of distributed power generation capacity, calculations of the best profits obtainable were made by a Monte Carlo simulation. Monte Carlo simulations that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results take into account the cost of electricity production, daily loads and the cost of sales and generate a result faster than mathematical computations. In addition, we have suggested the optimal design, which considers the distribution loss associated with power distribution systems focus on sensing aspect and distributed power generation.

Description: Materials, Vol. 11, Pages 877: Nitrogen Oxides Mitigation Efficiency of Cementitious Materials Incorporated with TiO2 Materials doi: 10.3390/ma11060877 Authors: Inkyu Rhee Jun-Seok Lee Jong Beom Kim Jong-Ho Kim We explored the photocatalytic capacities of cementitious materials (cement paste and mortar) incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2). P-25 is a commercial TiO2 preparation which, if incorporated into large civil buildings, is extremely expensive. It is essential to produce low-cost TiO2. A cheap anatase form of TiO2 powder, NP-400, manufactured under relatively low burning temperature, was considered in this paper. Addition of NP-400 to 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt % did not significantly affect the compressive strengths of mortar or cement paste. However, the compressive strengths of P-25-containing specimens were more consistent than those of NP-400-containing materials. The nitrogen oxide (NO) removal efficiencies by mortar with 5 and 10 wt % TiO2 were similar at ca. 14–16%; the removal efficiency by mortar with 20 wt % NP-400 was ca. 70%. Although the NP-400 cluster size was almost halved by ultrasonication, NO removal efficiency was not enhanced. Removal was enhanced by the presence of accessible surface area: NP-400 dispersed in these surfaces readily adsorbed NO, aided by the large surface areas of the top and bottom faces. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX) confirmed that NP-400 tended to sink when added to cement, fine aggregates, and water because the true densities of P-25, NP-400, and cement powder differed (3.41, 3.70, and 3.15 g/mL). The true density of NP-400 was thus the highest of all ingredients. The relatively low apparent density of P-25 compared to that of NP-400 was associated with a more bulky distribution of P-25 within cementitious materials. Nevertheless, NP-400 could be a viable alternative to the definitive product, P-25.

Description: Sensors, Vol. 17, Pages 2016: Analysis of Multi-Level Simultaneous Driving Technique for Capacitive Touch Sensors Sensors doi: 10.3390/s17092016 Authors: Jong Park Chang-Ju Lee Jong Kim The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and driving levels of capacitive touch sensors determine the applicability of these sensors to thinner displays and sensor-integrated modules. The simultaneous driving technique has been widely applied to capacitive touch sensors to cope with various types of environmental noise. A Hadamard matrix has been used to determine the driving code and multiplex capacitive signals required to increase the SNR and responsivity of touch sensors. Using multi-level Hadamard matrices, a new driving technique for sensing concurrent capacitive elements across multiple rows of a touch panel was developed. The technique provides more effective design choices than the existing bipolar driving method by supporting a variety of orders of matrices and regular capacity. The required TX voltage can be reduced by applying the Kronecker product for higher orders of simultaneous driving. A system model is presented for multiplexing capacitive signals to extract the SNR of the existing Hadamard matrices as well as one of the proposed multi-level sequences. In addition, the corresponding multi-level drivers and receivers were implemented to verify the theoretical expectations and simulation results of the proposed technique.

Description: Sensors, Vol. 17, Pages 2891: Development of a Sequential Injection Analysis System for the Determination of Saccharin Sensors doi: 10.3390/s17122891 Authors: Budi Wibowotomo Jong-Bang Eun Jong Il Rhee Saccharin is a powerfully sweet nonnutritive sweetener that has been approved for food-processing applications within the range of 100–1200 mg/kg. A simple, rapid, and cost-effective sequential injection analysis (SIA) technique was developed to determine the saccharin level. This method is based on the reaction of saccharin with p-chloranil in an ethanol medium with a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acceleration, and the resultant violet-red compound was detected using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at λmax = 420 nm. To ascertain the optimal conditions for the SIA system, several parameters were investigated, including buffer flow rate and volume, p-chloranil concentration, and reactant volumes (saccharin, p-chloranil, and H2O2). The optimum setup of the SIA system was achieved with a buffer flow rate, buffer volume, and draw-up time of 1.2 mL/min, 2900 µL, and ~145 s, respectively. The optimal p-chloranil concentration is 30 mM, and the best reactant volumes, presented in an ordered sequence, are as follows: 30 µL of H2O2, 450 µL of saccharin, and 150 µL of p-chloranil. The optimized SIA configuration produced a good linear calibration curve with a correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9812) in the concentration range of 20–140 mg/L and with a detection limit of 19.69 mg/L. Analytical applications in different food categories also showed acceptable recovery values in the range of 93.1–111.5%. This simple and rapid SIA system offers great feasibility for the saccharin quality control in food-product processing.

Description: The substitutional doping approach has been shown to be an effective strategy to improve ZT of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric raw materials. We herein report the Fe-doping effects on electronic and thermal transport properties of polycrystalline bulks of p-type Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3. After a small amount of Fe-doping on Bi/Sb-sites, the power factor could be enhanced due to the optimization of carrier concentration. Additionally, lattice thermal conductivity was reduced by the intensified point-defect phonon scattering originating from the mass difference between the host atoms (Bi/Sb) and dopants (Fe). An enhanced ZT of 1.09 at 300 K was obtained in 1.0 at% Fe-doped Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3 by these synergetic effects.

Description: Coagulation factor V acts as the cofactor of activated factor X of prothrombinase complex is composed of six domains which are A1, A2, B, A3, C1, C2 arranged from N to C-terminal. Crystalography of C2 domain has been reported along with its three spike-like structures at the base which are important for interaction with phospholipids. But the functional importance of C1 domain which closely resembles C2 domain largely remains unidentified. We have experienced a family with hereditary factor V deficiency whose proband was a compound heterozygote of in-frame deletion located to domain C1 and truncating mutation of domain B. The proband was 25 year old male who suffered from bleeding after tooth extraction. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were both prolonged (35.7 sec, 111.7 sec respectively), and coagulation factor activities were all normal except for factor V which was 4%. The factor V antigen level measured by ELISA method was 3%. We sought for mutations of factor V gene by PCR direct sequencing targeting whole coding region. A truncating mutation (3481C〉T, R1133X) was found in exon 13, where most of the other mutations have been reported. It has already been reported by Van Wijk et al. in 2001. The same mutation was found in his twin brother (factor V activity 5%) but in only one of two sisters exhibiting partial deficiency (factor V activity, 45% and 50% and antigen level, 25% and 37% each). In addition In-frame deletion (nt 6026 del 6 bp, corresponding to deletion of N1982, S1983) in C1 domain was also found in the proband and also in his twin brother and one sister who has not R1133X explaining the partial deficiency in two sisters each possessing different mutations. The putative structural and functional importance of N1982, S1983 was sought by examining protein model based on the crystal structure of bovine factor Va that is inactivated by protein C. N1982, S1983 are located on a loop region that is exposed on surface of domain C1 and have close contact with another loop in A3 domain. This model suggests the possibility that N1982 and S 1983 contribute to maintaining the stable conformation attributable to hydrogen bond formation between K1980 and N1986 of domain C1 with D1604 of domain A3. Mutations implicated in hereditary factor V deficiency involving domains other than A or B are mostly located in or affect the integrity of C2 domain. To the best of our knowledge only five mutations involving C1 domain have been reported till now. Four were truncating mutations and splicing error resulting in gross abnormality in protein structure. One missense mutation in this domain was reported to be subject to increased intracellular degradation. R1985A near to N1982 and A1983 also caused decreased factor V level in scanning mutagenesis study. The novel in-frame deletion can also be susceptible to accelerated degradation. And the in-frame deletion in our patient may also result in unstable factor 5 structure which enhances intracellular degradation. But the possibility of functional defect including decreased phospholipid binding or attenuated cofactor function due to incorrect positioning of domain A3 relative to domain C1, cannot be ruled out and should be further investigated.

Description: Abstract 2229 Poster Board II-206 To determine whether serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels that were previously found to be elevated in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels known as a predictor for aGVHD as well as a marker for systemic inflammation during the peri-allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) period, could be used to predict the occurrence of acute GVHD (aGVHD), 45 consecutive patients who had undergone myeloablative allogeneic SCT for hematologic malignancies were assessed. Serum BAFF and CRP levels were measured using ELISA (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) before conditioning and on day 0, day +7, and day +14 after transplant. Thirty-three of 45 patients (cumulative incidence, 73=) developed aGVHD between 16 days and 98 days after transplant. Analyses using repeated measures of ANOVA revealed that the serum BAFF levels were significantly lower in patients with aGVHD than in those without aGVHD (P=0.001), whereas no association was detected between CRP levels and aGVHD (P=0.508). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that serum BAFF levels at every time point were available for the prediction of development of aGVHD (pre-conditioning; P=0.005, day 0; P=0.002, day +7; P=0.004, and day +14; P=0.005). Using ROC curve analysis, the identical cutoff value of 43 pg/ml at every time point that divides patients into two groups, high (〉 43 pg/ml) or low (≤ 43 pg/ml) BAFF group, was determined, which could assure 75= sensitivity and 73-82= specificity for the prediction of aGVHD at every time point. The analyses of the cumulative incidence of aGVHD at each time point by BAFF groups (high vs. low) showed that serum BAFF level at every time point plays a significant predictive role for the occurrence of aGVHD (pre-conditioning; P=0.040, day 0; P=0.023, day +7; P=0.003, and day +14; P=0.026). This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to show that high serum BAFF levels during the peri-transplant period may play a protective role against aGVHD in humans. The results of this study also show that the BAFF levels during peri-transplant period may be considered to be a predictor for aGVHD. Further trials with a larger cohort will be necessary to determine a definite cutoff value of high BAFF level as well as to construct an index with previously known factors for the prediction of aGVHD. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: A chimera is an organism whose DNA is derived from multiple zygotes whereas a mosaic individual’s DNA is entirely derived from a single zygote. We report a case of a chimera who also had cytogenetic features of mosaicism. A 39-year old father of one child, healthy, morphologically normal Korean male with apparent B3 blood group was identified at the time of blood donation. On forward typing 50% of his RBCs were strongly agglutinated by monoclonal anti-B in the manual tube method. The remaining RBCs were type O. Reverse typing revealed a strong anti-A. Complete ABO exon and flanking intronic region sequencing unexpectedly revealed an O01/O02 genotype. He had never been transfused nor received a BMT, and denied having a twin. Chimerism or mosaicism was suspected so additional specimens were collected from the propositus and his parents. Extended RBC phenotyping of the propositus by the gel card technique using monoclonal reagents revealed mixed field agglutination in the M, Kpb, Lub and Jka antigens. B allele haplotype-specific PCR, and exon 6 and 7 cloning and sequencing performed on genomic DNA from the propositus revealed a third ABO allele, B101. Sequencing of exons 6 and 7 and flanking intronic regions of his parents’ ABO alleles revealed a B101 allele in both parents along with an O01 allele (maternal) and an O02 allele (paternal). A total of 9 STR loci were analyzed on DNA extracted from blood, buccal swabs and hair from the propositus and on DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes from both his parents. Four loci demonstrated a pattern consistent with a double paternal DNA contribution, thus confirming the presence of chimerism (Table 1). Sequence-based typing of HLA class I and II loci was performed on DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes from these 3 family members but revealed only a single allelic contribution from both parents in the propositus. The propositus’ karyotype revealed a mosaic pattern with 32/50 metaphases demonstrating 46, XY and 18/50 metaphases demonstrating 47, XYY. Overall, an extra paternal set of DNA markers was demonstrable by STR analysis in tissues arising from different germ layers. The propositus is thus a dispermic chimera most likely resulting from parthenogenetic division of the ovum and its subsequent fertilization by two spermatozoa: one with a 23, Y DNA complement and the second with a different 24, YY complement. This would explain the apparent single maternal DNA contribution. Alternatively a non-dysjunction event producing the mosaic 47, XYY karyotype could have occurred after fertilization. Given the mixed field blood group his ABO genotype is most likely B101/O01 and O01/O02. Consistent with other cases of mosaic 47, XYY syndrome our propositus is healthy, morphologically normal and fertile. This is the first case of a dispermic chimera with mosaic 47, XYY syndrome detected at the time of blood donation. STR results demonstrating a double paternal DNA contribution in disparate tissues DNA polymorphism Father Mother Propositus (blood) Propositus (buccal swab) Propositus (hair) D3S1358 15,16 16,17 15,16,17 15,16,17 15,16,17 D5S818 10,12 9,13 10,12,13 10,12,13 10,12,13 D13S317 12,14 8,9 9,12,14 9,12,14 9,12,14 D18S51 16,19 14,15 15,16,19 15,16,19 15,16,19

Description: Background: The entrance of microbes into blood stream results in rapid spreading of infection through circulation system progressing to sepsis with accompanying fever, leukocytosis and circulatory collapse necessitating prompt recognition and treatment. We calculated the difference between white blood cell counts measured in myeloperoxidase and basophil channel, designated as “delta neutrophil”, and found that the value correlates the progression of sepsis. Methods: We categorized patients who were referred for automatic blood cell analysis according to the calculated value of delta neutrophil and analyzed positive rate of blood culture, mortality and laboratory data including hemoglobin, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, fibrinogen degradation product, D-dimer, ESR, CRP. Delta neutrophil values were calculated as above mentioned from measured values from automatic blood cell analyzer, ADVIA® 120 automated Hematology System (Bayer Diagnostics, New York, USA). Among 1781 patients selected, those with delta neutrophil value less then 5 were categorized as group I, 5 to 10 as group II, 10 to 20 group III, 20 to 30 group IV, 30 to 40 group V, 40 to 50 group VI and greater than 50 as group VII, arbitrarily. Patients with hematologic malignancy or with Gynecologic malignancy were excluded in this study. Results: The mortality and blood culture rate in group VII were 75.0% and 57.1% and in group VI 76% and 46.7%, group V 46.2% and 37.9%, respectively. On the contrary for group I the mortality and isolation rate were 3.3% and 17.1%. (The means of hemoglobin concentration for group I and II were 13.2 g/dL and 12.1 g/dL compared with 10.5 g/dL and 10.2 g/dL in group VI and VII.) With regard to consumptive coagulopathy, the means of platelet count were 263,700/mL and 259,200/mL in group I and II while those for group VI and VII were 107,200/mL and 112,600/mL. Antithrombin activities were 5.20 % and 7.98% in group VII and VI in contrast to 66.6% and 75.8% for group I and II. Conclusion: The categorization by delta neutrophil value correlated with the isolation rate of bacteria from blood culture and mortality. The delta neutrophil value is expected to provide useful information for following up progression of sepsis.