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Background Since the onset of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of respiratory infectious diseases, particularly, the flu epidemic, has considerably decreased. The low detection rate and decreased number of specimens have hindered the implementation of the Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System (KINRESS), a sentinel surveillance system. Most patients with influenza-like illness visit the COVID-19 screening clinic; therefore, the number of samples collected in sentinel surveillance has decreased by more than 50%. Thus, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency supplemented sentinel surveillance with non-sentinel surveillance by private medical diagnostic centers. We report here a delayed and unprecedented high detection of human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) in the Republic of Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic through sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance. We also examined the causes and implications of the changes in prevalence of hPIV.l Methods We collected data for 56,984 and 257,217 samples obtained through sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance, respectively. Eight viruses were confirmed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real-time PCR. Some specimens from the sentinel surveillance were used for genetic characterization of hPIV type 3. Results In 2020, hPIV was rarely detected; however, it was detected in August 2021. The detection rate continued to increase considerably in September and reached over 70% in October, 2021. The detection rate of hPIV3 was significantly higher in infants and preschoolers aged 0–6 years in both sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance. Detection of hPIV was delayed in metropolitan areas compared to that in suburban regions. The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase sequences of hPIV3 generated in 2021 were not distinct from those detected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions The operation of non-sentinel and sentinel surveillance to monitor respiratory viruses could sensitively detect an unprecedented revival of hPIV in the Republic of Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background After the detection of the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea on January 20, 2019, it has triggered three major outbreaks. To decrease the disease burden of COVID-19, social distancing and active mask wearing were encouraged, reducing the number of patients with influenza-like illness and altering the detection rate of influenza and respiratory viruses in the Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System (KINRESS). We examined the changes in respiratory viruses due to COVID-19 in South Korea and virological causes of the high detection rate of human rhinovirus (hRV) in 2020. Methods We collected 52 684 oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab samples from patients with influenza-like illness in cooperation with KINRESS from 2016 to 2020. Influenza virus and other respiratory viruses were confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. The weekly detection rate was used to compare virus detection patterns. Results Non-enveloped virus (hRV, human bocavirus, and human adenovirus) detection rates during the COVID-19 pandemic were maintained. The detection rate of hRV significantly increased in 2020 compared with that in 2019 and was negatively correlated with number of COVID-19-confirmed cases in 2020. The distribution of strains and genetic characteristics in hRV did not differ between 2019 and 2020. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the respiratory virus detection rate. The extremely low detection rate of enveloped viruses resulted from efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea. The high detection rate of hRV may be related to resistance against environmental conditions as a non-enveloped virus and the long period of viral shedding from patients.

Memristive switching with digital set and multistep analog reset characteristics were demonstrated in tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)-based resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices using Ti and Ag top ...

OBJECTIVES: Following reports of patients with unexplained pneumonia at the end of December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the causative agent was identified as coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the 2019 novel coronavirus disease was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Putative patients with COVID-19 have been identified in South Korea, and attempts have been made to isolate the pathogen from these patients. METHODS: Upper and lower respiratory tract secretion samples from putative patients with COVID-19 were inoculated onto cells to isolate the virus. Full genome sequencing and electron microscopy were used to identify the virus. RESULTS: The virus replicated in Vero cells and cytopathic effects were observed. Full genome sequencing showed that the virus genome exhibited sequence homology of more than 99.9% with SARS-CoV-2 which was isolated from patients from other countries, for instance China. Sequence homology of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV was 77.5% and 50%, respectively. Coronavirus-specific morphology was observed by electron microscopy in virus-infected Vero cells. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from putative patients with unexplained pneumonia and intermittent coughing and fever. The isolated virus was named BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread rapidly, causing in COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The key variants include alpha, beta, gamma, and delta; these exhibit high viral transmission, pathogenicity, and immune evasion mechanisms. The delta variant, first confirmed in India, was detected in the majority of COVID-19 patients at the recent wave in the Republic of Korea. Here, the features of the delta variant were compared to the earlier waves, with focus on increased transmissibility. The viral load, from the initial days of infection to 14 days later, was compared based on epidemiological data collected at the time of confirmed diagnosis. The increased viral load observed in the delta variant-led infections influences the scale of the wave, owing to the increased rate of transmission. Infections caused by the delta variant increases the risk of hospitalization within 14 days after symptom onset, and the high viral load correlates with COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the future studies should compare the trend of disease severity caused by the high viral load of delta variant with previous waves and analyze the vaccine effects in light of the delta variant of fourth wave.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, reinfection is likely to become increasingly common. However, confirming COVID-19 reinfection is difficult because it requires whole-genome sequencing of both infections to identify the degrees of genetic differences. Since the first reported case of reinfection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Republic of Korea in April 2020, four additional cases were classified as suspected reinfection cases. We performed whole-genome sequencing of viral RNA extracted from swabs obtained at the initial infection and reinfection stages of these four suspected cases. The interval between initial infection and reinfection of all four suspected cases was more than 3 months. All four patients were young (10-29 years), and they displayed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic during the initial infection and reinfection episodes. The analysis of genome sequences combined with the epidemiological results revealed that only two of the four cases were confirmed as reinfection, and both were reinfected with the Epsilon variant. Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility of reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 variants is increasing, as reported in our study. Therefore, continuous monitoring of cases is necessary.

A new sequential post-polymerization modification route has been developed for the synthesis of multifunctional polymers from a simple aldehyde polymer. In the first modification step, a template polymer derived from the radical polymerization of 4-vinyl benzaldehyde undergoes Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation with alkenes to furnish a group of ketone polymers. In the second modification step, Schiff base formation with alkoxy ammonium salts introduces a second group-an oxime functionality. Both the steps are highly efficient, introducing evenly distributed dual functionalities at the same position.

A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay that does not require Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) reagents was tested and validated for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the early stages of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Republic of Korea. Early diagnosis of COVID-19 enables timely treatment and the implementation of public health measures. We validated the sensitivity, specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, and robustness of the RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection and compared its performance with that of several EUA-approved kits. Our RT-qPCR assay was highly specific for SARS-CoV-2 as demonstrated by not amplifying 13 other viruses that cause respiratory diseases. The assay showed high linearity using a viral isolate from a patient with known COVID-19 as well as plasmids containing target SARS-CoV-2 genes as templates. The assay showed good repeatability and reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of 3%, and a SARS-CoV-2 limit of detection of 1 PFU/mL. The RT-qPCR-based assay is highly effective and can facilitate the early diagnosis of COVID-19 without the use of EUA-approved kits or reagents in the Republic of Korea.

We evaluated genetic variation in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) imported to South Korea in 2018 using specimens from a patient and isolates from infected Caco-2 cells. The MERS-CoV strain in this study was genetically similar to a strain isolated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2017.

Background/Aims: Type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been considered extremely rare in East Asia. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence, clinical characteristics and radiological findings of type 2 AIP highlighting patients presenting as acute pancreatitis in a single center. Methods: Type 2 AIP patients were classified according to International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria. Radiological findings were compared between type 2 AIP presenting as acute pancreatitis and gallstone pancreatitis. Results: Among 244 patients with AIP, 27 (11.1%) had type 2 AIP (definite, 15 [55.5%] and probable 12 [44.5%]). The median age of patients with type 2 AIP was 29 years (interquartile range, 20 to 39 years). Acute pancreatitis was the most common initial presentation (n=17, 63%) while obstructive jaundice was present in only one patient. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was associated with type 2 AIP in 44.4% (12/27) of patients. Radiological pancreatic imaging such as delayed enhancement of diffusely enlarged pancreas, homogeneous enhancement of focal enlargement/mass, absent/minimal peripancreatic fat infiltration or fluid collection, and multifocal main pancreatic duct narrowings were helpful for differentiating type 2 AIP from gallstone pancreatitis. During follow-up (median, 32.3 months), two patients (2/25, 8%) experienced relapse. Conclusions: In South Korea, type 2 AIP is not as rare as previously thought. Overall, the clinical profile of type 2 AIP was similar to that of Western countries. Type 2 AIP should be considered in young UC patients with acute pancreatitis of uncertain etiology. (Gut Liver 2019;13:461-470)

Background: As of February 21, 2021, 86,992 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were confirmed in the Republic of Korea, with 1,557 deaths and 85,435 cases discharged from isolation. This study investigated the infectivity of individuals with COVID-19 who were retested and found to be severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA-positive after recovering from their primary illness. Methods: We investigated 295 individuals with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positive results, and 836 of their close contacts. We attempted virus isolation in 108 individuals with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positivity using cell culture and confirmed the presence of neutralizing antibodies by means of serological tests. Findings: The average age was 45·2 years (range, 1–95 years) and 64% were female. At the time of retesting, 55·6% were asymptomatic, and symptoms included cough (18·0%), expectoration (11·2%), sore throat (10·8%), and fever (9·2%). The reasons for retesting were screening (46%), persistent symptoms (37·6%), and new contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case (9·5%). Virus isolation was attempted in 108 individuals with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positivity, and all tested negative. Three new cases were identified among household contacts based on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing. Two of the three new cases had had contact with the index patient during their primary illness, and all three had antibody evidence of past infection. Interpretation: There was no laboratory evidence of viral shedding and no epidemiological evidence of transmission among individuals with recurrent positivity. Funding Statement: This study was funded by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (No. 4800-4837-301). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to the study. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the KDCA Institutional Review Board (2020-03-01-P-A). The board waived the requirement for written informed consent.

Background: The emergence of influenza viruses resistant to anti-influenza drugs is a threat to public health. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operates the Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System (KINRESS) to monitor epidemic of influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) to identify mutated influenza viruses affecting drug resistance, pathogenesis, and transmission. Methods: Oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from KINRESS and SARI during the 2018-2019 season. The specimens confirmed influenza virus using real-time RT-PCR on inoculated MDCK cells. HA and NA sequences of the influenza viruses were analyzed for phylogeny and mutations. Neuraminidase inhibition and hemagglutination inhibition assays were utilized to characterize the isolates. Results: Two A(H1N1)pdm09 isolates harboring an H275Y substitution in the neuraminidase sequence were detected in patients with acute hematologic cancer. They had prolonged respiratory symptoms, with the virus present in the respiratory tract despite oseltamivir and peramivir treatment. Through the neuraminidase inhibition assay, both the viruses were found to be resistant to oseltamivir and peramivir, but not to zanamivir. Although hemagglutinin and neuraminidase phylogenetic analyses suggested that the two A(H1N1)pdm09 isolates were not identical, their antigenicity was similar to that of the 2018-19 influenza vaccine virus. Conclusions: Our data indicate the utility of monitoring influenza-infected immunocompromised patients in general hospitals for the early detection of emerging neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant viruses and maintaining continuous laboratory surveillance of patients with influenza-like illness in sentinel clinics to monitor the spread of such new variants. Finally, characterization of the virus can inform the assessment of risk for future epidemics and pandemics caused by drug-resistant influenza viruses.

The resistive switching characteristics of MnO and CeO2 layers with a large resistance ratio (> 105) were demonstrated. The Ag/MnO/CeO2/Pt devices with heterostructures were fabricated. The bipolar resistive switching behaviors were caused by the formation and disruption of conducting filaments in the switching layers. In CeO2 layer, the formation and rupture of conducting filaments was attributed to the reduction-oxidation reaction of CeO2 and CeO2 − x. The conduction mechanisms of ohmic conduction and Schottky emission had been investigated for resistance switching mechanism.

Outbreaks of avian influenza virus H5N8 first occurred in 2014, and spread to poultry farms in Korea. Although there was no report of human infection by this subtype, it has the potential to threaten human public health. Therefore, we evaluated the pathogenesis of H5N8 viruses in ferrets. Two representative Korean H5N8 strains did not induce mortality and significant respiratory signs after an intranasal challenge in ferrets. However, ferrets intratracheally infected with A/broiler duck/Korea/Buan2/2014 virus showed dose-dependent mortality. Although the Korean H5N8 strains were classified as the HPAI virus, possessing multiple basic amino acids in the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin sequence, they did not produce pathogenesis in ferrets challenged intranasally, similar to the natural infection route. These results could be useful for public health by providing the pathogenic characterization of H5N8 viruses.

The resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices with heterostuctures have been investigated due to cycling stability, nonlinear switching, complementary resistive switching and self-compliance. The heterostructured devices can modulate the resistive switching (RS) behavior appropriately by bilayer structure with a variety of materials. In this study, the bipolar resistive switching characteristics of the bilayer structures composed of Ta

Drop structure is a key hydraulic structure used in river improvement projects for flood control purposes. However, as demand for riparian construction techniques with environmental considerations is increasing both domestically and internationally, discontinuation of aquatic organisms as a result of high head is raised as a serious issue associated with the existing drop structures. Accordingly, it has become necessary to install a drop structure with a mild slope rather than the existing drop structures with high head, so that the structure can function as a migration channel for fish, which is severed by the existing drop structures, and also improve surrounding landscapes. In this study, which was initiated based on the necessity as such, a drop structure of mild slope was defined as sloping weir and flow characteristics under different conditions were analyzed through a hydraulic experiment. Focusing on efficiency according to energy dissipation that takes place according to different gradients of sloping weir, particle sizes of riverbed materials and the effect of hydraulic jump occurring at the downstream of a structure, this study aimed at identifying flow characteristics according to the conditions of sloping weirs. Thehydraulic experimentwas carried out on a variable-slope channel measuring 0.6 m in width and 20.0 m in length. As for riverbed materials, materials with two particle sizes (16 mm and 25 mm) were selected. For the experiment, models with different slope ratios to the structure, such as 1V:2H, 1V:3H and 1V:4H, were created. For flow conditions and hydraulic jump locations, an amount of water satisfying four water level conditions by stage was flown according to water level at the inlet area. Then, eight points were selected from inlet area, drop area, jet flow area and downstream area by controlling water level at the downstream area and adjusting the location of hydraulic jump occurrence. Water level (y), flow velocity (V), length of hydraulic jump (Lr) and distance of hydraulic jump occurrence (Lj) were measured at the eight points.

With the increase of the frequency in large-scale floods and natural disasters, the demands for highly accurate numerical river models are also rapidly growing. Generally, flows in rivers are modeled with previously developed and well-established numerical models based on shallow water equations. However, the so-far-developed models reveal a lot of limitations in the analysis of discontinuous flow or flow which needs accurate modeling. In this study, the numerical shallow water model based on the discontinuous Galerkin method was applied to the simulation of one-dimensional transcritical flow, including dam break flows and a flow over a hump. The favorable agreement was observed between numerical solutions and analytical solutions.

Recent development of computing power and theoretical advances in computational fluid dynamics have made possible numerical simulations of water waves with full Navier-Stokes equations. In this study, an internal wave maker using the mass source function approach was combined with the level set finite element method for generation of waves. The model is first applied to the two-dimensional linear wave generation and propagation. Then, it is applied to the three-dimensional simulation of the same problem. To effectively utilize computational resources and enhance the speed of execution, parallel algorithms are developed and applied for the three-dimensional problem. The results of numerical simulations are compared with theoretical values and good agreements are observed.

Objectives To monitor antiviral drug resistance among seasonal influenza viruses isolated in Korea during the 2008–2009 influenza season, we examined influenza isolates collected through Korea Influenza Surveillance Scheme for antiviral drug susceptibility. Methods For genetic analysis of antiviral drug resistance, the matrix (M2) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of each isolate were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and followed by nucleotide sequencing. For phylogenetic analyses, the sequences of hemagglutinin (HA) and NA genes of each isolate were aligned using multiple alignment program. For phenotypic analysis of antiviral drug resistance, drug susceptibilities against M2 inhibitor (amantadine) and NA inhibitors (oseltavimir and zanamivir) were determined by virus yield reduction assay and fluorometric NA inhibition assay, respectively. Results In Korea, the resistant influenza viruses against oseltamivir were first detected in sealsonal influenza A(H1N1) viruses on Week 48 of 2008. Since then, the number of oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses was continuously increased and had reached the highest peak on Week 52 of 2008. 533 (99.8%) of 534 A(H1N1) viruses were resistant to oseltamivir and all of them harbored the H275Y mutation in the NA gene during the 2008–2009 season. The oseltamivir resistance identified by sequencing was confirmed by NA inhibition assay. Genetic analysis based on HA gene of the resistant A(H1N1) viruses revealed that the viruses were identified as A/Brisbane/10/2007-like strain which was vaccine strain for the 2008–2009 season. Conclusions The oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses were first emerged in Europe in November 2007 and then circulated globally. One year later, the oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses were first detected in Korea in November 2008 and continued circulating until the Week 7 of 2009 during the 2008–2009 season. Considering the pandemic preparedness, it should be continued to monitor the emergence and the characterization of antiviral drug resistant influenza viruses.

A wetting and drying(WAD) scheme was introduced in KU-RLMS which is a two-dimensional depth-averaged unsteady model, and applicability tests for wetting and drying were performed in this study. WAD scheme in the model uses a mathematically less elegant but numerically easier method to test for dry or wet cells at each time step, then to apply blocking conditions for fluxes at cells` interfaces. WAD scheme introduced in the model was verified against an analytical solution in a frictionless parabolic basin. It was found that there occurs a little phase difference between analytical and numerical solution and little decrease of amplitude of numerical result. I used three test channels having a linear sloping bottom topography, a stepwise bottom topography, and a stepwise, a bumpy and bowl-shaped bottom topography. It could be found that numerical simulation results in test channels have similar shapes of Balzano[4] and Oey[15].

In order to determine the optimal sediment discharge formula for Hyeongsan river, some statistical approaches have been applied to analyze the simulated results of long-term bed change by HEC-6. The field measurements have been conducted to obtain the data for model calibration and verification such as sediment discharge, bed material, and channel geometry. Several sediment discharge formulae have been verified according to the bias, RMSE, RRMSE, discrepancy ratio, and S/N ratio of bed change along the thalweg. Comparing the formulae, Laursen formula(modified by Copeland) have shown the best performance to simulate the long-term bed change of Hyeongsan river.

The fabrication of a manganese oxide and cerium oxide bilayer structure with a 5 × 5 crossbar array was demonstrated. The resistive switching characteristics of Ag/MnO/CeO2/Pt devices were investigated. The devices showed stable forming-free bipolar resistive switching properties with high resistance ratio (>105–6). Resistive switching phenomena were ascribed to the formation and rupture of oxygen-deficient conductive filaments. The mechanisms of ohmic and Schottky conductions were investigated to determine the resistance switching mechanism.

Tri-state resistive switching characteristics of bilayer resistive random access memory devices based on manganese oxide (MnO)/tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) have been studied. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device show tri-state resistive switching (RS) behavior with a high resistance state (HRS), intermediate resistance state (IRS), and low resistance state (LRS), which are controlled by the reset process. The MnO/Ta2O5 film shows bipolar RS behavior through the formation and rupture of conducting filaments without the forming process. The device shows reproducible and stable RS both from the HRS to the LRS and from the IRS to the LRS. In order to elucidate the tri-state RS mechanism in the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images are measured in the LRS, IRS and HRS. White lines like dendrites are observed in the Ta2O5 film in both the LRS and the IRS. Poole–Frenkel conduction, space charge limited conduction, and Ohmic conduction are proposed as the dominant conduction mechanisms for the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device based on the obtained I–V characteristics and TEM images.

The purpose of the present study is to analyze pollutant runoff characteristics from non-point sources in Joman River basin. The present study contains analyzed results of rainfall and SS, BOD, COD, TN, TP runoff from Joman River basin. This study contains a sensitivity analysis of parameters that affect the simulation results of rainfall and pollutants runoff. Result of the sensitivity analysis shows that proportion of watershed and impervious areas is the most sensitive to peak discharge and total flowrate for rainfall runoff and that WASHPO is the most sensitive parameter for pollutants runoff. For parameter estimation and verification, flowrate and water quality is measured at the Kangdong Bridge in Haeban stream. A single rainfall event is use to perform parameter estimation and verification. Results of the present study show that total pollutant loads of Joman River basin is 11,600 ton of SS, 452 ton of BOD, 1,084 ton of COD, 515 ton of TN, and 49 ton of TP, respectively. In addition, it is found that contribution ratio of non point source and total source is 89% of SS, 63% of BOD, 61% of COD, 21% of TN, and 32% of TP, respectively.

An objective of this study is as follows: 1) performing sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation of RMA2 and RMA4 models for the West-Nakdong River, 2) drawing up alternatives of gates-operation for water-quality enhancement, and 3) quantitative evaluation of methodology of 'flow-restoration by gates-operation' among 'Comprehensive Plan Improving Water-Quality in the West-Nakdong River(WNR)' with the target water-quality(BOD at Nakbon-N point: below 4.3 mg/L). The parameters for the RMA2 (depth-averaged two-dimensional flow model) and RMA4 (depth-averaged two-dimensional water-quality model) were determined by sensitivity analysis. Result of parameter estimation for RMA2 and RMA4 models is of the eddy viscosity, 20 of the Peclet number, 0.025 of the Manning coefficient, and of the diffusion coefficient. We have evaluated the effects of water-quality enhancement of the selected alternatives by numerical simulation technique with the models under the steady-state flow condition and the time-variant transport condition. Because of no-resuspension from river bottom and considering BOD as conservative matter, these simulation results slightly differ from real phenomena. In the case of of Daejeo-gate inflow, two-dimensional flow pn results result represents that small velocity occurs in the Pyungkang Stream and no flow in the Maekdo River. In the WNR, there occurs the most rapid flow near timhae-bridge. In the WNR, changes of water-quality for the four selected simulation cases(6, 10, 30, of the Daejeo-gate inflow) were predicted. Since the Daejeo-Gate and the Noksan-Gate can be opened up to 7 days, it would be found that sustainable inflow of at the Daejeo-gate makes BOD in the WNR to be under the target of water-quality.

Transmission of influenza (H5N1) virus from birds to humans is a serious public health threat. In South Korea, serologic investigation among 2,512 poultry workers exposed during December 2003–March 2004 to poultry with confirmed or suspected influenza (H5N1) virus infection found antibodies in 9. Frequency of bird-to-human transmission was low.

The resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices with heterostuctures have been investigated due to cycling stability, nonlinear switching, complementary resistive switching and self-compliance. The heterostructured devices can modulate the resistive switching (RS) behavior appropriately by bilayer structure with a variety of materials. In this study, the bipolar resistive switching characteristics of the bilayer structures composed of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se, which are transition-metal oxide (TMO) and silver chalcogenide, were investigated. The bilayer devices of Ta2O5 deposited on Ag2Se (Ta2O5/Ag2Se) and Ag2Se deposited on Ta2O5 (Ag2Se/Ta2O5) were fabricated for investigation of the RS characteristics by stacking sequence of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se. All operating voltages were applied to the Ag top electrode with the Pt bottom electrode grounded. The Ta2O5/Ag2Se device showed that a negative voltage sweep switched the device from high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) and a positive voltage sweep switched the device from LRS to HRS. On the contrary, for the Ag2Se/Ta2O5 device a positive voltage sweep switched the device from HRS to LRS, and a negative voltage sweep switched it from LRS to HRS. The polarity dependence of RS was attributed to the stacking sequence of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se. In addition, the combined heterostructured device of both bilayer stacks, Ta2O5/Ag2Se and Ag2Se/Ta2O5, exhibited the complementary switching characteristics. By using threshold switching devices, sneak path leakage can be reduced without additional selectors. The bilayer heterostructures of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se have various advantages such as self-compliance, reproducibility and forming-free stable RS. It confirms the possible applications of TMO and silver chalcogenide heterostructures in RRAM.

During the influenza pandemic of 2009-2010, rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) were used to detect influenza viral infections because they are quick and simple to use. However, retrospective studies showed that RIDTs performed poorly when used to diagnose pandemic viral infections. Determining how amino acid sequence changes in pandemic or epidemic influenza viral antigens impact clinical value of RIDTs has not been possible, because the viral epitopes recognized by RIDTs have been not mapped. In this study, the effect of escape-variations or mutations in influenza viral antigens upon the sensitivity and specificity of an RIDT was investigated by characterizing the immunological properties of the antibodies used in the RIDT. Escape-mutants were generated by cultivating A/Korea/01/2009 in the presence of an excess of the same antibodies used in the RIDT. Escape-mutants not recognized by the RIDT were selected. Epitopes recognized by the RIDT were mapped by comparing the sequence and immunological analysis of the escape-variants and wild-type isolates. The RIDT antibodies recognized epitopes on the Sa antigenic site and in the F subdomain in hemagglutinin. Variants bearing mutations in these epitopes were not detected by the RIDT. The frequency of escape-variants emerging since the 2009-2010 pandemic was calculated as 1.27% using in silico surveillance of influenza sequence databases. These results suggest that mapping the relevant epitopes of RIDTs and making such information available to clinics would be helpful for determining whether RIDTs match newly emergent strains and subtypes prior to retrospective re-evaluation of the RIDTs using clinical specimens.

Electrical properties of silver selenide (Ag 2 Se) thin film, which is a thickness of 500 nm, were studied using conducting atomic force microscopy (c-AFM). A resistive switching was observed in the sweep voltage range from −7 to +7 V at room temperature. In addition, the Ag/Ag 2 Se/Au structure was compared with the Ag 2 Se/Au structure. It was considered that the resistive switching behavior may cause Ag filaments. The typical resistive characteristics of the Ag 2 Se thin film were presented, and the mechanism was discussed.

If multiple post-translational modifications are responsible for important biological markers, additional specificity must be present to serve as embedded combinatorial markers for phosphorylation. In this investigation, we have attempted to elucidate the specificity of AURKB and Haspin by using peptides of various lengths that contain all possible methylations, acetylations, and phosphorylations in histone H3 N-terminal peptides. The activity of AURKB is affected by a wide range of modifications from R2 to K14, while that of Haspin is affected significantly by modifications at R2 and K4. In cases where kinase activity is reduced substantially by other modifications, dimethylation at R2 and R8 totally abolishes phosphorylation at S10 promoted by AURKB and as does dimethylation at R2 on Haspin promoted phosphorylation at T3.

To investigate the frequency of amantadine resistance among influenza A viruses isolated in Korea during the 2003-2009 seasons, 369 (16.8%) 2199 A/H1N1 viruses and 780 (14.8%) of 5263 A/H3N2 viruses were randomly selected. The M2 and HA1 genes of each isolate were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and followed by nucleotide sequencing. The results showed that the resistance rate to amantadine among A/H1N1 viruses increased significantly from 2004-2005 (33.3%) to 2007-2008 (97.8%) and then decreased dramatically in 2008-2009 (1.9%). The A/H1N1 isolates recently detected in 2008-2009 turned amantadine-sensitive containing two new substitutions at specific sites (S141N, G185A) in HA1. Compared with A/H1N1 viruses, the amantadine resistance among the A/H3N2 viruses increased from 2003-2004 (9.7%) to 2005-2006 (96.7%) and decreased in 2006-2007 (57.4%). During 2006-2007, both of amantadine-resistant and -sensitive A/H3N2 viruses co-circulated but clustered in different branches phylogenetically. All of A/H3N2 isolates tested during 2007-2009 appeared to cluster in the same group being resistant to amantadine.

Reportedly, molecular wires which have intrinsically different characteristics from semiconductor nano wires show some unique transport properties. However, it seems that there is not so much understanding about their local properties. So, in this work, we characterized electrical properties of carotenoid which had differently substituted end-groups by using Scanning Probe Microscopy. To confirm the difference of the electrochemistry with substituted end-groups, we performed cyclic voltammetry in au aqueous solution. Electrochemical reaction was detected in the potential region between 0.5 and 0.75 V vs. Ag rceil AgCI rceil KCl (sat), whereas the conductance values were showed difference of differently substituted end-groups. Physisorptional effect between molecule and Au substrate was removed by introducing thiol[SH] group at each end of molecule resulting in covalent bond. After inserting these molecules into a 1-methylsulfanyl-octadecane monolayer pre-deposited on Au substrate, an Au nanoparticle is attached to the other end of each molecule via the protruding thiol group. To confirm the chemical conjunction between au Au nanoparticle and carotenedithiol molecule, we performed Electrostatic Force. These measurements allow us to simulate the transport property of carotenoid molecule. Followed IN measurement reconfirmed the results.A PtIr coated AFM probe is used as an electrode to contact the molecule through the Au nanoparticle. They reveal that methoxy-phenyl substituted carotenedithiol molecules showed better conducting properties and bromo-phenyl substituted carotenedithiol molecules showed worse than phenyl-substituted one did. I also obtained that current-voltage (I-V) curves were quantized as integer multiples of one fundamental curve. These allow us to simulate the transport property of single carotenoid molecule.

Using an AFM with a conducting cantilever, the current versus voltage (I-V) characteristics of carotenedithiol molecular wires which have different end groups are measured. An Au nanoparticle is attached to each molecule via the protruding thiol group and a PtIr coated AFM probe is used as an electrode to contact with the molecule through the Au nanoparticle. Then it was reconfirmed by the I-V measurement. The results show that phenyl substituted carotenedithiol molecules are better conducting properties than those of bromo-phenyl substituted one which caused by the different electron transport properties. In this talk, we'll present the possibility of organic molecular wires for the nano devices[3].

s / Journal of Clinical Virology 70 (2015) S1–S126 S39 the samples were tested either by electron microscopy (EM) or norovirus PCR depending on the patient demographics. Since June 2014, all samples regardless of age have been tested for norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, astrovirus and enteric adenovirus by real-time PCR. We present the results of the first years testing using the PCR method across all age groups. In addition to the front line PCR a rotavirus genotyping service will also be introduced at the NVRL. Following the recent successful introduction of national vaccination programmes in many European countries, vaccination is likely to be included in the national infant immunisation schedule in Ireland in the near future. The genotyping data will determine the current circulating strains and will also monitor the genetic evolution post implementation of vaccination. Methods: An in-house real time PCR was developed and validated to detect the five main viral causes of gastroenteritis. A reliance on automation has led to a lean streamlined processwhich can test up to approximately 100 samples per day. The genotyping method was a WHO recommended method involving PCR of the VP7 and VP4 regions and gel analysis to determine the G and P genotype. This testing method will be supplemented by Sanger sequencing. Results: The PCR data collated over one year will be presented; thiswill show the seasonal trends of the five viruses across the year and also the prevalence in different age groups. Preliminary data of the circulating strains of rotavirus will also be presented. Conclusion: The introduction of the molecular detection of the main viruses causing gastroenteritis has resulted in a significant increase in the detection of viruses detected when compared with EM. As expected the predominant virus was norovirus in both adults and children. The next prevalent virus was rotavirus which mainly affects children but was also detected in adults to a lesser extent. Sapovirus and astrovirusweremorewidespread than anticipated and finally the enteric adenovirus was the least common virus. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2015.07.094

Since the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 ((H1N1)pdm09) virus spread all over the world, the (H1N1)pdm09 virus has been circulating with seasonal influenza viruses. We developed rapid and sensitive one-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR assays (rRT-PCR) for simultaneous detection of influenza viruses currently circulating in humans, and the avian A/H5 virus. The detection limit of each assay was 4.8 to 1 copies per reaction and no cross-reactivity with other major respiratory pathogens was found. Analytical positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) sensitivity and specificity were 100%, 94.1%, 93.7% and 100%, respectively. Clinical evaluation revealed that 1,976 (16.5%) of 11,963 throat swabs from patients with respiratory symptoms were confirmed as 1,651 (83.6%) A/H1pdm09, 308 (15.6%) A/H3 and 17 (0.8%) B virus during the 2010-2011 influenza season. Collectively, the multiplex rRT-PCR assays described here provide a practical tool for reliable implementation of influenza surveillance and diagnosis.

Microcells from organ surface Bonghan corpuscles [B. H. Kim, J. Acad. Med. Sci. DPR Kor. 90, 1 (1963)] of mammals have been studied by using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In order to further investigate their physical and electrical properties at better resolution, many different modes of scanning probe microscopy were used in this research. Their surface morphology was studied by topography imaging and error-signal imaging of atomic force microscopy and their mechanical properties were investigated by force modulation microscopy. Electrostatic force microscopy was also used for their electrical characterization.