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We present a nanocomposite strain sensor (NCSS) to develop a novel structural health monitoring (SHM) sensor that can be easily installed in a composite structure. An NCSS made of a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/epoxy composite was installed on a target structure with facile processing. We attempted to evaluate the NCSS sensing characteristics and benchmark compared to those of a conventional foil strain gauge. The response of the NCSS was fairly good and the result was nearly identical to the strain gauge. A neuron, which is a biomimetic long continuous NCSS, was also developed, and its vibration response was investigated for structural damage detection of a composite cantilever. The vibration response for damage detection was measured by tracking the first natural frequency, which demonstrated good result that matched the finite element (FE) analysis.

Since 1987, dura mater graft-associated iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (dCJD) has been reported in many countries. We report the first case of dCJD in Korea. A 54-yr-old woman, who underwent resection of the meningioma in the left frontal region and received a dura mater graft 23 yr ago presented with dysesthesia followed by psychiatric symptoms and ataxia. Her neurological symptoms rapidly progressed to such an extent that she exhibited myoclonus, dementia, and pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs within 8 weeks. The 14-3-3 protein was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid; however, an electroencephalogram did not reveal characteristic positive sharp wave complexes. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images, obtained serially over 64 days, revealed the rapid progression of areas of high signal intensity in the caudate nucleus and cingulate gyrus to widespread areas of high signal intensity in the cortex and basal ganglia. Pathological examination of brain biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of spongiform changes and deposition of prion protein in the neurons and neuropils.

No abstract

To assess and compare restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence according to International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) essential criteria and Cambridge-Hopkins diagnostic questionnaire (CH-RLSq) in Korean population sample. Methods: We selected a stratified random population sample of Koreans over age 19 and evaluated them with CH-RLSq to identify RLS. We also assessed RLS prevalence according to IRLSSG criteria using questions in CH-RLSq. Results: The 1-year prevalences of RLS according to CH-RLSq and IRLSSG essential criteria were 0.5% and 5.5%, respectively. Most individuals (93.0%) with RLS according to IRLSSG essential criteria were excluded in RLS diagnosis according to CH-RLSq by reporting muscle cramp (47.7%) or positional discomfort (82.8%). Conclusions: RLS diagnosis according to IRLSSG essential criteria may include individuals reporting similar symptoms of RLS.