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The drive to enhance the operational durability and reliability of stretchable and wearable electronic and electrochemical devices has led to the exploration of self-healing materials that can recover from both physical and functional failures. In the present study, we fabricated a self-healable solid polymer electrolyte, referred to as an ionogel, using reversible hydrogen bonding between the ureidopyrimidone units of a block copolymer (BCP) network swollen in an ionic liquid (IL). The BCP consisted of poly(styrene-b-(methyl acrylate-r-ureidopyrimidone methacrylate)) [poly(S-b-(MA-r-UPyMA)], with the IL-phobic polystyrene forming micellar cores that were interconnected via intercorona hydrogen bonding between the ureidopyrimidone units. By precisely regulating the molecular weight and the composition of the hydrogen-bondable motifs, the mechanical, electrical, and self-healing characteristics of the ionogel were systematically evaluated. The resulting ionogel samples exhibited suitable stretchability, ionic conductivity, and room-temperature self-healability due to reversible hydrogen bonding. To highlight the applicability of the self-healing ionogel as a high-capacitance gate insulator, an electrolyte-gated transistor (EGT) was fabricated using a poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) semiconductor, and the performance of the EGT was fully recovered from a complete cut without any external stimuli.

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is a spherical aggregate formed by the self-aggregation of activated sludge. AGS consists of diverse microbial groups, not only shortening the settling time but also enhancing treatment efficacy within a shorter reaction time. However, it necessitates a longer start-up time for granule formation. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on AGS formation in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and its potential for maintaining biodegradability in the presence of inhibitory organic micro-pollutants (OMPs). PAC substantially supported the formation of faster and more stable granule (PAC-AGS) with a very low sludge volume index (SVI < 50 mL/g). Morphological observation indicated that PAC-AGS is more compact than AGS without PAC addition, and PACs were broadly present inside and on the surface of PAC-AGS granules. Respirometric bioassay demonstrated that biodegradation of organic matter in the presence of OMP, e.g., diclofenac and isoproturon, was enhanced when PAC-AGS was used as seed instead of AGS due to the alleviated inhibition of those OMPs by PAC. The overall result illustrated that PAC has dual positive contributions to AGS reactor for wastewater treatment by accelerating the formation of AGS and enhancing removal performance even in the presence of inhibitory OMPs.

This brief presents the design and fabrication of a concurrent 26/48 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) that includes a dual-band matching network for moderate gain and optimized noise performance. The proposed dual-band matching network achieve simultaneous dual-band impedance matching for noise figure (NF) optimization by utilizing series and parallel resonance methods. A cascode structure with inductive source degeneration is employed to simultaneously achieve both gain and noise performance optimization. The fabricated LNA has a small-signal gain of 12.5 dB at 26 GHz and 14.5 dB at 48 GHz, and the NF was measured at 2.61 dB at 26 GHz and 3.41 dB at 48 GHz, respectively. Moreover, the output 1 dB compression point (OP1dB) is 2.3 dBm at 26 GHz and −2.7 dBm at 48 GHz. The LNA was fabricated with an area of $1.34\times 0.7\,\,{mm}^{2}$ using a GaAs $0.15~{\mu m}$ pHEMT process.

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated the effect of nicorandil on infarct size, cardiac function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsIn a prospective, randomised, controlled trial, 83 patients with STEMI receiving primary PCI were randomised into the nicorandil (n=  40) or placebo (n  =  43) groups. Nicorandil was administered in the emergency room before primary PCI as an intravenous bolus of 4 mg followed by a continuous infusion of 6 mg/h for 24 h and as 2-mg intracoronary injections prior to balloon dilatation and coronary stenting. Nicorandil was continued orally at 10–20 mg/d for 6 months. Infarct size and cardiac function were measured by CMR at 5 d and 6 months after primary PCI. Furthermore, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), any revascularisation, stroke, and definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST) were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the groups. Infarct size at baseline and 6 months as well as infarct size changes during 6 months as measured by CMR were similar between the groups. Similarly, other CMR parameters were comparable at baseline and 6 months between the groups. MACEs occurred in four patients (4.8%) during 6 months. No significant difference in the risk of MACEs was observed between the groups.ConclusionsTreatment with nicorandil for 6 months after primary PCI was not associated with any improvement in infarct size, CMR-determined cardiac function, and outcomes in STEMI patients.

This brief presents a switchless dual-band low-noise amplifier (LNA) that can be reconfigured to include n260 (37–40 GHz) and n262 (47.2–48.2 GHz) millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) dual bands. The proposed reconfigurable LNA is designed to separate and isolate two bands, using a common gate and coupled-line-based diplexer for the inter-stage of cascade amplifiers. A common gate amplifier has the advantage of simultaneously selecting the signal path and amplifying the signal power according to a band, using an impedance variation between the “on/off” conditions of gate bias. In addition, the coupled-line-based diplexer can be optimized to exhibit high isolation characteristics between frequencies using high and low-pass characteristics. The designed reconfigurable LNA is fabricated with the 0.15- $\boldsymbol{\mu }\mathbf {m}$ GaAs pHEMT process. With the high frequency (HF) mode, the reconfigurable LNA achieves a measured gain of 19.2 dB at the center frequency, noise figure, and ${\mathrm{ OP}}_{\mathrm{ 1dB}}$ of 48 GHz, 4.8 dB, and 6.88 dBm, respectively. In the low frequency (LF) mode, the reconfigurable LNA exhibits a measured gain of 24.8 dB at the center frequency, noise figure, and ${\mathrm{ OP}}_{\mathrm{ 1dB}}$ of 39 GHz, 3.9 dB, and 6.80 dBm, respectively. The chip occupies a core area of $3.04~{mm}^{2}$ , which consumes $61.4~\mathbf {mW}$ and $64.7~\mathbf {mW}$ in the HF and LF modes, respectively.

Topological textures of ferroelectric polarizations have promise as alternative devices for future information technology. A polarization rotation inevitably deviates from the stable orientation in axial ferroelectrics, but local energy losses compromise the global symmetry, resulting in a distorted shape of the topological vortex or inhibiting the vortex. Easy planar isotropy helps to promote rotating structures and, accordingly, to facilitate access to nontrivial textures. Here, we investigate the domain structure of an epitaxial thin film of bismuth tungsten oxide (Bi2WO6) grown on a (001) SrTiO3substrate. By using angle-resolved piezoresponse force microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy, we find the existence of a hidden phase with ⟨100⟩-oriented ferroelectric polarizations in the middle of the four variant ⟨110⟩-oriented polarization domains, which assists in the formation of flux closure domains. The results suggest that this material is one step closer to becoming an isotropic two-dimensional polar material.

Titanium Silicide (TiSi2 is a primary contact material with low-resistance contact characteristics used in nanodevices. However, the rapid scaling trend requires further improvement to achieve both high thermal stability and low contact resistivity. Herein, a method for simultaneously improving the contact resistivity and thermal stability of the TiSi2 /Si interface is proposed by inserting a Ta interlayer into Ti/p-Si. The Ta-interlayered TiSi2 (Ta IL TiSi2) achieves an improved contact resistivity by approximately 7.9 times compared to that without the Ta interlayer. This remarkable improvement is due to the smooth contact morphology resulting from the suppressed excess diffusion of Ti and Si and dopant segregation at the TiSi2/Si interface. Particularly, because additional reaction during post annealing is minimized by the Ta interlayer, Ta IL TiSi2 shows a low sheet resistance of $3.71~\Omega /\Box $ even after post annealing at 600 °C & 30 min, which is much lower than the conventional TiSi2 scheme under the same annealing conditions. These results are expected to provide insights into state-of-the-art CMOS-based devices that require both low contact resistivity and better thermal margins.

Quantum networks that can perform user-defined protocols beyond quantum key distribution will require fully controllable entangled quantum states. To expand the available space of generated time-bin entangled states, we demonstrate a time-bin entangled photon source that produces qubit states |ψ〉=α|00〉+β|11〉with fully controllable phase and amplitudes. Eight different two-photon states have been selected and prepared from arbitrary states on the reduced two-qubit Bloch sphere. The photon pairs encoded in the time-bin scheme were generated at 2.4 MHz with a visibility of V=0.9475±0.0016, with a violation of the CHSH Bell’s inequality by 197 standard deviations. After entanglement distribution over 100 km of single-mode fibers, we obtained a visibility of V=0.9541±0.0113with a violation of the CHSH Bell’s inequality by 6 standard deviations. The prepared states had an average fidelity of 0.9540±0.0016at the source and an average fidelity of 0.9353−0.0209+0.0100after entanglement distribution, which shows that the quantum states generated by our time-bin entangled photon source can be fully controlled potentially to a level applicable to long-distance advanced quantum network systems.

To establish a sustainable method for desalination, it is necessary to explore and use renewable energy sources that are cost-effective and unaffected by weather conditions. Therefore, in this study we propose a novel hybrid electrodialysis system for environmentally friendly and cost-effective desalination of blackish water, integrating moisture-induced electrical power generators (MIEPGs). By coating a layer of carbon black on the surface of cellulose acetate fiber columns, which are readily available as cigarette filters, compact MIEPGs can be conveniently fabricated. These MIEPGs can generate electricity from trace amounts of moisture by leveraging the streaming potential induced along nanoscale channels between the carbon black particles. A notable voltage output (13.5–22 V) is achieved from the series connection of 90 cells using a customized module frame. The substantial power output derived from the stacked MIEPGs enables the successful desalination of modeled brackish water with a salt removal ratio of 92%.

The present study investigates a fatigue property and its microstructural and interface geometrical effect on the resistance element welded (REWed) aluminum (Al)/high-strength steel (Fe) lap joint. The assembled Al/Fe joints were subjected under the fatigue strength up to 80% of tensile-shear loads with 0.1 of the load ratio. As a result, an exceptional fatigue strength has been secured inducing the base material fracture because there are no noticeable interfacial defects at the 10.5 kA welding condition compared to assemblies joined with 3.5–4.5 kA of welding currents. Even, maximum tensile-shear loads exceed 9 kN at the 10.5 kA welding condition. Microstructural developments of base materials and welding interfaces were thoroughly analyzed by an optical microscopy (OM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), the development of prior-austenite-grain-boundaries (PAGBs) and α'-martensite phases were observed in the welding interfaces at all conditions. Heat affected zone (HAZ) developments of AA5052 were quantitatively analyzed in terms of recrystallization and grain growth, providing significant differences in the fatigue performances and striation, crack propagation developments. In addition, with the help of a finite element (FE) computational modeling, a mechanical stress distribution and strain behavior by geometries of the joining interface are discussed in detail.

Objective: Head and neck cancer often accompany a synchronous secondary primary lesion in the digestive tract. The aim of this study was to compare detection rates between positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (G-fiber) or colonoscopy (C-fiber) in the initial staging and to analyze risk factors for premalignant, malignant, and total synchronous secondary primary lesions.Methods: A total of 739 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent PET-CT, G-fiber, or C-fiber were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Positron emission tomography–CT did not definitely detect any premalignant synchronous secondary primary lesions (0 [0%] of 739) but definitely detected 10 malignant synchronous secondary primary lesions (10 [1.35%] of 739). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or C-fiber detected all 20 premalignant synchronous secondary primary lesions (20 [2.71%] of 739) and all 37 malignant synchronous secondary primary lesions (37 [5.00%] of 739). The patients with nasopharynx cancer tended to have premalignant synchronous secondary primary lesions (odds ratio [OR]: 3.793; 95% CI: 1.414-10.171; P= .008). Those with distant metastasis tended to have premalignant (OR: 4.743; 95% CI: 1.508-14.916; P= .009), malignant (OR: 3.803; 95% CI: 1.486-9.731; P= .005), and total synchronous secondary primary lesions (OR: 2.753; 95% CI: 1.159-6.538; P= .022).Conclusions: Premalignant or malignant synchronous secondary primary lesions that were not definitely detected by PET-CT could be found in the endoscopic examination.

Compared with conventional bilateral femoral (BF) approach, radial plus ipsilateral femoral (RF) approach may be feasible in the percutaneous intervention for iliac artery chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Behcet's disease with arterial involvement shows rapid poor progression compared with Behcet's disease without arterial involvement, such that it may be thought of as a different disease. With arterial involvement, high rates of postoperative recurrence and anastomotic complications are observed.

IMPORTANCE: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease presenting as nonscarring hair loss. Although AA can be associated with other autoimmune comorbidities or atopic diseases, little is known about the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with AA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiovascular risk profiles (CVRPs) in patients with AA via a large-scale epidemiologic study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance claims database, including data from the National Health Screening Program. Patients aged 30 to 89 years who were newly diagnosed with AA between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2017, and controls without AA matched by age and sex were enrolled. Data were analyzed between July 2018 and August 2019. EXPOSURES: Presence of AA. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The CVRPs and incidence rates of AMI were assessed in participants with and without AA. The stratified Cox regression hazard model was used to estimate the relative hazards over time. RESULTS: A total of 228 886 patients with AA, ranging in age from 30 to 89 years (mean [SE] age, 44.37 [0.005] years; 127 564 [55.7%] men) and 4 577 720 matched controls without AA were identified. Patients with AA tended to have slightly better CVRPs than controls in all items except smoking status before and after the diagnosis (participants with normal systolic blood pressure who were nonsmokers: 44.6% vs 42.7% and 57.8% vs 61.6% in patients with AA vs controls before and after the diagnosis, respectively). In the early phase of observation, the cumulative incidence of AMI in patients with AA was lower than that in controls (incidence rate ratio of AMI in patients with AA compared with that in controls, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.42-0.65] between 2-4 years); however, during the later phase of the 12-year follow-up period, it increased exponentially and was greater than in the control group (incidence rate ratio, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.71–2.45] between 8-10 years). Similarly, after adjusting for CVRPs, the risk of developing AMI was lower in patients with AA than in controls at the beginning of the observation period (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.17 [95% CI, 0.12-0.25] between 0-2 years); however, by 8 years postdiagnosis, the risk was higher in those with AA (adjusted HR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.11-1.70] between 8-10 years), and it increased thereafter (adjusted HR, 4.51 [95% CI, 3.65-5.58] between 10-12 years). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with AA, there was a significantly increased risk of AMI over time during the 12-year follow-up period independent of CVRPs. Close long-term monitoring of cardiovascular health in patients with AA might be appropriate.

Electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) operating at low voltages have attracted significant attention in widespread applications, including neuromorphic devices, nonvolatile memories, chemical/biosensors, and printed electronics. To increase the practicality of the EGTs in electronic circuits, systematic control of threshold voltage (Vth), which determines the power consumption and noise margin of the circuits, is essential. In this study, we present a simple strategy for systematically tuning Vthto almost half of the operating potential range of the EGT by controlling the electrochemical doping of electrolyte ions into organic p-type semiconductors. The type of anion in the ionogel determines Vthas well as other transistor characteristics, such as the subthreshold swing and mobility, because the positive hole carriers are the majority carriers. More importantly, Vthcan be finely controlled by binary anion doping using ionogels with two anions with varying molar fractions at a fixed cation. In addition, the binary anion doping successfully controls the inversion characteristics of ion-gated inverters. As unlimited combinations of ion pairs are possible for ionogels, this study opens a route for controlling the device characteristics to expand the practicality and applicability of ionogel-based EGTs for next-generation ionic/electronic devices.

The work describes a carbon-based peroxidase mimic, N- and B-codoped reduced graphene oxide (NB-rGO), which shows high peroxidase-like activity without oxidase-like activity and has a catalytic efficiency nearly 1000-fold higher than that of undoped rGO. The high catalytic activity of NB-rGO is explained by density functional theory by calculating Gibbs free energy change during the peroxide decomposition reaction. Acetylcholine and C-reactive protein are successfully quantified with high sensitivity and selectivity, which were comparable to or better than those obtained using natural peroxidase. Furthermore, NB-rGO, which does not have oxidase-like activity, is proven to have higher sensitivity toward acetylcholine than Pt nanoparticles having oxidase-like activity. This work will facilitate studies on development, theoretical analysis for rational design, and bioassay applications of enzyme mimics based on nanomaterials.

Sarcopenia reduces physical ability and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), leading to poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and CRF in elderly men. We assessed 102 community-dwelling men over 60 years old. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated as ASM divided by the square of height. Subjects with an SMI less than 7.0 kg/m2were included in the sarcopenic group, as recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. To investigate CRF parameters, a cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed using the Bruce protocol. CRF parameters were subdivided into aerobic capacity, cardiovascular response, and ventilatory response. Of the 102 subjects, 15 (14.7%) were included in the sarcopenic group. There were significant correlations between SMI and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) (r= 0.597, p< 0.001), and between SMI and VO2peak/weight (r= 0.268, p= 0.024). Moreover, there were positive correlations between SMI and first ventilatory threshold (VT1) (r= 0.352, p= 0.008) and between SMI and VT1/weight (r= 0.189, p= 0.039). Additionally, peak oxygen pulse (O2pulsepeak) was significantly correlated with SMI (r= 0.558, p< 0.001). VO2peak, VO2peak/weight and O2pulsepeakshowed significant differences between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups (p< 0.05, all). In multiple linear regression analyses, the factor related to VO2peakwas SMI (β= 0.473, p< 0.001) and that related to O2pulsepeakwas also SMI (β= 0.442, p< 0.001). This study demonstrated that skeletal muscle mass might be closely associated with CRF. Therefore, sarcopenia should be appropriately managed to improve an individual’s CRF.

Reversible formate (HCOO–) dehydrogenation and bicarbonate (HCO3–) hydrogenation would be desirable for the utilization and storage of hydrogen (H2) as an effective energy carrier. Carbon-supported Pd-based nanoparticles demonstrated enormous competitive advantages for these reactions. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying these reversible reactions have not yet been elucidated. Herein, we report the reaction pathways for reversible reactions on a Pd-based catalyst using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and propose key factors for improving the reaction efficiency. As the first essential step, the difficulty in the conventional DFT modeling, that is simulation of an anion environment caused by HCOO–, was overcome by designing two-sided Pd12nanoclusters supported on graphene (Pd12NC-G) with extra electrons. Using Pd12NC-G, we demonstrated that the key factor determining the potential limiting steps for the reversible reaction was desorption of hydrogen in HCOO–dehydrogenation (1.24 eV) and HCO3–hydrogenation (1.49 eV). The key factor was the same in Pd12NC-N1G, Pd12NC-N2G, and Pd12NC-N3G (where N1, N2, and N3represent the number of N atoms doped on carbon). Among these, the Pd12NC-N2G model with the appropriate amount of nitrogen doping showed optimal hydrogen adsorption strength corresponding to the smallest d-band center and spin density values, resulting in the lowest energy barriers for HCOO–dehydrogenation (0.76 eV) and HCO3–hydrogenation (0.96 eV). Based on harmonization between electronic and geometrical properties, we demonstrated that the appropriate level of nitrogen doping can provide the optimal balance between the magnitude of reactivity and the number of sites for improving the efficiency of the reversible reactions.

An n-type MoS2monolayer grown by chemical vapor deposition method was partially hybridized with an organic semiconducting p-type tetracene thin film. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity in the hybrid region of the MoS2/tetracene is clearly lower than that of pristine tetracene because of the charge-transfer effect, which was confirmed by the decrease in exciton lifetimes. Decrease in the temperature led to blue-shift in the PL peak position of MoS2layers and, consequently, the PL intensities of both tetracene and MoS2considerably increased owing to the decrease in phonon interaction. The PL spectra of bound excitons in the hybrid region were clearly observed at low temperatures, indicating the formation of trap states. The lateral-type n–p heterojunction field-effect transistors (FETs) using the MoS2/tetracene hybrid as an active layer showed gate-tunable rectification I–Vand anti-ambipolar field-effect characteristics with hysteresis effect. The charge transport characteristics across the n–p heterojunction of the hybrid region of the FET can be explained in terms of the Shockley–Read–Hall trap-intermediated tunneling and Langevin recombination mechanisms. To improve the performance of MoS2/tetracene-based FET, a dielectric hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) thin layer was inserted between the SiO2surface and the active MoS2layer. We observed the decrease in the hysteresis effect and threshold voltage of the h-BN/MoS2/tetracene-based FETs due to the decrease in the number of traps at the interface. The performance of h-BN/MoS2/tetracene FET device was also enhanced after the annealing process.

ABSTRACTDouble-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired through two major pathways, homology-directed recombination (HDR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The choice between these two pathways is largely influenced by cell cycle phases. HDR can occur only in S/G2 when sister chromatid can provide homologous templates, whereas NHEJ can take place in all phases of the cell cycle except mitosis. Central to NHEJ repair is the Ku70/80 heterodimer which forms a ring structure that binds DSB ends and serves as a platform to recruit factors involved in NHEJ. Upon completion of NHEJ repair, DNA double strand-encircling Ku dimers have to be removed. The removal depends on ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of Ku80 by the ubiquitin E3 ligases RNF8. Here we report that RNF8 is a substrate of APCCdh1and the latter keeps RNF8 level in check at DSBs to prevent premature turnover of Ku80.

Alloying two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) is a promising avenue for band gap engineering. In addition, developing a scalable synthesis process is essential for the practical application of these alloys with tunable band gaps in optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the synthesis of optically uniform and scalable single-layer Mo1–xWxS2alloys by a two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method followed by a laser thinning process. The amount of W content (x) in the Mo1–xWxS2alloy is systemically controlled by the co-sputtering technique. The post-laser process allows layer-by-layer thinning of the Mo1–xWxS2alloys down to a single-layer; such a layer exhibits tunable properties with the optical band gap ranging from 1.871 to 1.971 eV with variation in the W content, x= 0 to 1. Moreover, the predominant exciton complexes, trions, are transitioned to neutral excitons with increasing W concentration; this is attributed to the decrease in excessive charge carriers with an increase in the W content of the alloy. Photoluminescence (PL) and Raman mapping analyses suggest that the laser-thinning of the Mo1–xWxS2alloys is a self-limiting process caused by heat dissipation to the substrate, resulting in spatially uniform single-layer Mo1–xWxS2alloy films. Our findings present a promising path for the fabrication of large-scale single-layer 2D TMD alloys and the design of versatile optoelectronic devices.

The thickness of the pellicle is only a few tens of microns in extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). This is because the absorption loss by the pellicle is high. Thus, the thickness and contamination on the surface of the EUVL pellicle are important factors for controlling the transmission of EUV light. In this work, we fabricate ultra-thin silicon-nitride membranes for EUVL pellicles and use micro-spot spectroscopic ellipsometry and imaging ellipsometry for characterization. We successfully deduce not only the thickness but also the optical function of the membrane. However, we found that some precautions were required for accurate measurement of the free-standing thin membranes by using ellipsometry. Issues related to the vibration of the membrane and the sensitivity of the measurement are discussed.

A polymer-stabilized vertical alignment (PS-VA) mode with fishbone-shaped pixel electrode structure is mainly used in large-sized liquid crystal displays (LCDs) owing to its advantages such as wide viewing angle, good transmittance and fast response time. One drawback of this mode is a main bone electrode, which crosses in the center of a pixel. It causes the transmittance to decrease badly because LCs cannot be reoriented in this region, and thus, it is particularly unfavorable in an ultra-high-definition LCD. Here, we propose an innovative structure with the main bone electrode relocated to the edge area in a pixel, and investigate how this reverse directed fishbone-shaped pixel electrode structure affects electro-optic characteristics. The proposed structure shows enhanced electro-optic performance, such as the higher transmittance and the faster response time than the conventional VA mode with fishbone-shaped pixel electrode structure.

Development of facile and sensitive bioassays is important for many point-of-care applications. In this study, we fulfilled such demand by synthesizing Pt-decorated magnetic nanozymes and developing a bioassay based on unique properties of the newly synthesized nanozymes. Fe3O4–Pt/core–shell nanoparticles (MPt/CS NPs) with various compositions were synthesized and characterized. Fe3O4NP itself is a good nanozyme with catalytic activity superior to that of natural enzymes, but catalytic activity can be further improved by incorporating Pt to the outer layers of the Fe3O4NPs and building heterogeneous nanostructures. Magnetic properties of MPt/CS NPs enable magnetic enrichment of liquid samples, whereas catalytic properties of MPt/CS NPs allow signal amplification by enzyme-like reactions. By integrating MPt/CS NPs in lateral flow immunoassay strips, one of the widely used point-of-care bioassay devices, and harnessing magnetic and enzyme-like properties of MPt/CS NPs, an increase in sensitivity of two orders of magnitude was achieved compared to the sensitivity of conventional lateral flow immunoassay based on Au nanoparticles.

Electroacupuncture (EA) performed in rats and humans using limb acupuncture sites, LI‐4 and LI‐11, and GV‐14 and GV‐20 (humans) and Bai‐hui(rats) increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the amygdala and mobilized mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the systemic circulation. In human subjects, the source of the MSC was found to be primarily adipose tissue, whereas in rodents the tissue sources were considered more heterogeneous. Pharmacological disinhibition of rat hypothalamus enhanced sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and similarly resulted in a release of MSC into the circulation. EA‐mediated SNS activation was further supported by browning of white adipose tissue in rats. EA treatment of rats undergoing partial rupture of the Achilles tendon resulted in reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, increased serum interleukin‐10 levels and tendon remodeling, effects blocked in propranolol‐treated rodents. To distinguish the afferent role of the peripheral nervous system, phosphoinositide‐interacting regulator of transient receptor potential channels (Pirt)‐GCaMP3 (genetically encoded calcium sensor) mice were treated with EA acupuncture points, ST‐36 and LIV‐3, and GV‐14 and Bai‐huiand resulted in a rapid activation of primary sensory neurons. EA activated sensory ganglia and SNS centers to mediate the release of MSC that can enhance tissue repair, increase anti‐inflammatory cytokine production and provide pronounced analgesic relief. StemCells2017;35:1303–1315 Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world and is currently one of the most rapidly growing complementary therapies. Our studies provides strong support for the use of electro acupuncture at specific immune points to stimulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and macrophage release into peripheral blood through hypothalamic and sympathetic nervous system activation (SNS). We show using MRI and direct neurostimulation studies that EA at specific immune points results in SNS activation and the metabolically beneficial response of browning of white adipose fat. Electro acupuncture served to facilitate tissue repair following tendon injury by increasing type III collagen and by increasing levels of IL‐10. Our study supports that harvesting of MSC from the blood of EA‐ treated human subjects and ex vivoexpansion is feasible and may serve as a practical method to harvest cells for autologous cell therapy, free of the risks and discomfort associated with current more invasive and toxic collection methods.

Objectives: This retrospective study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness and safety of office-based electromyography-guided injection of botulinum toxin in the cricopharyngeus muscle of patients who did not show upper esophageal sphincter passage in a swallowing study in spite of maximal swallowing rehabilitation.Methods: Thirty-six patients who showed no or limited ability to oral feed after maximum swallowing rehabilitation were enrolled. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, disability rating scale, penetration aspiration score, and National Institutes of Health swallowing safety scale were used in the evaluation of dysphagia.Results: Success was defined as nondependence on gastrostomy for patients who previously were dependent on gastrostomy and improvement in disability rating scale score after botulinum toxin injections. The total success rate was 63.9%. The complication rate was very low, with only 1 patient showing temporary unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Botulinum toxin injection was more effective in patients with cranial nerve IX or X palsy than in those without it (P= .006).Conclusions: This procedure can be a simple, safe, and effective tool in patients with cricopharyngeal dysfunction after swallowing rehabilitation, especially for cranial nerve IX or X palsy.

Monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (1L-TMDs) are atomically thin direct band gap semiconductors, from which the emission of light is determined by optical transitions of exciton complexes such as neutral excitons and trions. While the quantum yields of 1L-TMDs are quite low, the ability to control the populations of exciton complexes in 1L-TMDs through various doping processes is an interesting advantage, and provides ample possibilities for engineering the optical properties of these semiconductor monolayers. Here we demonstrate a simple method of controlling the populations of excitons and trions to enhance the light emission of 1L-TMDs by having them form heterostructures with ZnO thin films (TFs). 1Ls of MoS2or MoSe2showed up to 17-fold increases in photoluminescence (PL) when they were placed on ∼50 nm thick ZnO TFs. This enhancement of the PL was due to charge exchanges occurring through the 1L-TMD/ZnO interface. The PL enhancements and changes in the PL spectra of the 1L-TMDs were greater when the 1L-TMD/ZnO heterostructures were subjected to 355 nm wavelength laser excitation than when they were excited with a 514 nm wavelength laser, which we attributed to the onset of energy transfer by photoexcited excitons and/or the additional p-doping by photoexcited holes in ZnO. The p-doping phenomenon and the enhanced light emission of 1L-TMD/ZnO heterostructures were unambiguously visualized in spatially resolved PL and Raman spectral maps. Our approach using the 1L-TMD/ZnO TF heterostructure suggests that a rich variety of options for engineering the optical properties of 1L-TMDs may be made available by carrying out simple and intuitive manipulations of exciton complexes, and these endeavors may yield practical applications for 1L-TMDs in nanophotonic devices.

In this paper, a p-type diffusion process based literally on single-step metal-organic vapor-phase diffusion (MOVPD) employing diethyl zinc as the diffusion source in combination with the recessetching technique is developed to improve the dark-current characteristics of planar-type avalanche photodiodes (APDs). The developed single-step MOVPD process exhibits on excellent linear relationship between the diffusion depth and the square root of the diffusion time, which mainly results from maintaining constant source diffusion. The single-step MOVPD process without any additional thermal activation process achieves a surface doping concentration of 1.9 × 1018cm -3, which is sufficient to form ohmic contact. The measured diffusion profiles of the APDs clearly reveal the presence of a two-dimensional diffusion front formed by the recess-etched and guard-ring regions. The impact of this p-type diffusion process on the performance of the APD devices has also been demonstrated by exhibiting improved dark-current characteristics for the fabricated APDs.

Despite the direct band gap of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), their optical gain remains limited because of the poor light absorption in atomically thin, layered materials. Most approaches to improve the optical gain of TMDs mainly involve modulation of the active materials or multilayer stacking. Here, we report a method to enhance the optical absorption and emission in MoS2simply through the design of a nanostructured substrate. The substrate consisted of a dielectric nanofilm spacer (TiO2) and metal film. The overall photoluminescence intensity from monolayer MoS2on the nanostructured substrate was engineered based on the TiO2thickness and amplified by Fabry–Perot interference. In addition, the neutral exciton emission was selectively amplified by plasmonic excitations from the local field originating from the surface roughness of the metal film with spacer thicknesses of less than 10 nm. We further demonstrate that the quality factor of the device can also be engineered by selecting a spacer material with a different refractive index.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of chemocauterization using trichloroacetic acid with or without suturing for the small tracheocutaneous fistula closureMethods: The Seoul National University Hospital database was analyzed retrospectively for 55 patients with a small tracheocutaneous fistula measuring less than 5 × 5 mm2. Of these, 39 patients were treated by chemocauterization only, and 16 patients were treated by chemocauterization with suturing. Demographic, perioperative data, and treatment outcomes were evaluated for all patients.Results: The success rate of single trial was 56.4% (31/55), and the final success rate after repeated procedures if indicated was 80.0% (44/55). There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, cannulation period, fistula size, presence or absence of maturation suture during tracheostomy, number of procedures, and success rates. Interval between decannulation and procedure was significantly different among 2 groups.Conclusions: Trichloroacetic acid chemocauterization could be a simple, noninvasive, and safe method to close small tracheocutaneous fistula.

Heterostacking of layered transition-metal dichalcogenide (LTMD) monolayers (1Ls) offers a convenient way of designing two-dimensional exciton systems. Here we demonstrate the simultaneous hosting of positive trions and negative trions in heterobilayers made by vertically stacking 1L MoSe2and 1L MoS2. The charge transfer occurring between the 1Ls of MoSe2and MoS2converted the polarity of trions in 1L MoSe2from negative to positive, resulting in the presence of positive trions in the 1L MoSe2and negative trions in the 1L MoS2of the same heterostacked bilayer. Significantly enhanced MoSe2photoluminescence (PL) in the heterostacked bilayers compared to the PL of 1L MoSe2alone suggests that, unlike other previously reported heterostacked bilayers, direct band transition of 1L MoSe2in heterobilayer was enhanced after the vertical heterostacking. Moreover, by inserting hexagonal BN monolayers between 1L MoSe2and 1L MoS2, we were able to adjust the charge transfer to maximize the MoSe2PL of the heteromultilayers and have achieved a 9-fold increase of the PL emission. The enhanced optical properties of our heterostacked LTMDs suggest the exciting possibility of designing LTMD structures that exploit the superior optical properties of 1L LTMDs.

Monolayer tungsten disulfides (WS2) constitute a high quantum yield two-dimensional (2D) system, and can be synthesized on a large area using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), suggesting promising nanophotonics applications. However, spatially nonuniform photoluminescence (PL) intensities and peak wavelengths observed in single WS2grains have puzzled researchers, with the origins of variation in relative contributions of excitons, trions, and biexcitons to the PL emission not well understood. Here, we present nanoscale PL and Raman spectroscopy images of triangular CVD-grown WS2monolayers of different sizes, with these images obtained under different temperatures and values of excitation power. Intense PL emissions were observed around the edges of individual WS2grains and the grain boundaries between partly merged WS2grains. The predominant origin of the main PL emission from these regions changed from neutral excitons to trions and biexcitons with increasing laser excitation power, with biexcitons completely dominating the PL emission for the high-power condition. The intense PL emission and the preferential formation of biexcitons in the edges and grain boundaries of monolayer WS2were attributed to larger population of charge carriers caused by the excessive incorporation of growth promoters during the CVD, suggesting positive roles of excessive carriers in the PL efficiency of TMD monolayers. Our comprehensive nanoscale spectroscopic investigation sheds light on the dynamic competition between exciton complexes occurring in monolayer WS2, suggesting a rich variety of ways to engineer new nanophotonic functions using 2D transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers.

Factors that have effects on postoperative nerve regeneration are surgery period, maneuver and the use of material that promotes nerve regeneration. Of various materials that promote nerve regeneration, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as cytokine that plays an important role in regenerating not only vessels but also nerves. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) promotes the synthesis of VEGF. Thus, assuming that PDRN has the effect of peripheral nerve regeneration, mice were classified into a group with PDRN being administered, a group with VEGF being administered, and a group with nothing administered. Placentex®(PDRN) and VEGF were used, and 40 male mice were used. Then, the mice were classified into two test groups with Placentex®and VEGF injection, and the control group with NaCl 0.9%. After 2 and 4 weeks, the mice were killed and their histological examination was conducted through electron microscope. It revealed that each group was insignificantly different in terms of all comparative items, but the finding after 4 weeks revealed that the test group with PDRN and VEGF showed a statistically significant effect of promoting nerve regeneration. Further, all histological examinations found that the group with PDRN and VEGF promoted nerve regeneration. Regarding the period, the group with VEGF, compared to the PDRN group, showed a better result, but the difference proved to be statistically insignificant. It was confirmed that PDRN had the effect of promoting nerve regeneration; thus PDRN can help restore peripheral nerve damage, caused by trauma and surgery, and promote the prognosis.

Polycrystalline growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods is subject to the formation of grain boundaries (GBs), which have a large effect on the electrical and optical properties of MoS2-based optoelectronic devices. The identification of grains and GBs of CVD-grown monolayer MoS2has traditionally required atomic resolution microscopy or nonlinear optical imaging techniques. Here, we present a simple spectroscopic method for visualizing GBs of polycrystalline monolayer MoS2using stacked bilayers and mapping their indirect photoluminescence (PL) peak positions and Raman peak intensities. We were able to distinguish a GB between two MoS2grains with tilt angles as small as 6° in their grain orientations and, based on the inspection of several GBs, found a simple empirical rule to predict the location of the GBs. In addition, the large number of twist angle domains traced through our facile spectroscopic mapping technique allowed us to identify a continuous evolution of the coupled structural and optical properties of bilayer MoS2in the vicinity of the 0° and 60° commensuration angles which were explained by elastic deformation model of the MoS2membranes.

The present work examined the morphology of anodic oxide layers on Ti substrates with different microstructures. The microstructures were varied by the heat-treatment or accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) process. Tubular oxide layers were formed on all Ti substrates by anodization, but the thickness of the layers was changed. The thickness of oxide layer formed on heat-treated substrates decreased with increasing heat-treatment temperature and duration. On the other hand, ARB process resulted in the increase of the thickness. Therefore, the microstructures affected the growth of tubular anodic oxide layers.

Thermodynamics drive crystalline organic molecules to be crystallized at temperatures below their melting point. Even though molecules can form supercooled liquids by rapid cooling, crystalline organic materials readily undergo a phase transformation to an energetically favorable crystalline phase upon subsequent heat treatment. Opposite to this general observation, here, we report molecular design of thermally stable supercooled liquid of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives and their intriguing shear-triggered crystallization with dramatic optical property changes. Molten DPP8, one of the DPP derivatives, remains as stable supercooled liquid without crystallization through subsequent thermal cycles. More interestingly, under shear conditions, this supercooled liquid DPP8 transforms to its crystal phase accompanied by a 25-fold increase in photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency and a color change. By systematic investigation on supercooled liquid formation of crystalline DPP derivatives and their correlation with chemical structures, we reveal that the origin of this thermally stable supercooled liquid is a subtle force balance between aromatic interactions among the core units and van der Waals interactions among the aliphatic side chains acting in opposite directions. Moreover, by applying shear force to a supercooled liquid DPP8 film at different temperatures, we demonstrated direct writing of fluorescent patterns and propagating fluorescence amplification, respectively. Shear-triggered crystallization of DPP8 is further achieved even by living cell attachment and spreading, demonstrating the high sensitivity of the shear-triggered crystallization which is about 6 orders of magnitude more sensitive than typical mechanochromism observed in organic materials.

We demonstrate the fine control of the nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) and optical waveguiding characteristics of light-emitting organic rubrene nanorods (NRs) through focused electron-beam (E-beam) irradiation. Nanoscale laser confocal microscope PL intensity and spectra of the focused E-beam-treated compartments of the rubrene NR drastically varied with E-beam dose, and yellow-white light emission from those compartments with a specific E-beam dose was observed. In optical waveguiding experiments, the propagation characteristics of optical signals along the single NR were dependent on the crystalline structure of the rubrene. For the E-beam treated NR, the waveguiding PL signals along the crystalline a-axis had relatively higher output, indicating the major axis for the optical energy transfer. Additionally, the waveguiding characteristics such as decay constant along the crystalline b-axis and c-axis of the NR considerably varied at the boundary of the E-beam treatment.

The elderly population experiences a decline in upper extremity range of motion (ROM), impairing activities of daily living. The primary mode of quantification is by goniometer measurement. In this cross-sectional observation study, we investigate a sensor-acquired reachable workspace for assessing shoulder ROM decline in an elderly population in comparison to traditional measurements.Sixty-one healthy subjects aged ≥ 65 years were included and compared to a cohort of 39 younger subjects, aged 20 to 64. A sensor acquired reachable workspace using a Kinect motion capture camera measured the maximum reaching ability of both arms while in a seated position, measured in m2and normalized to arm length to calculate a novel score defined as a relative surface area. This score approximates range of motion in the upper extremity. This measurement was compared to goniometer measurements, including active ROM in shoulder flexion and abduction.Total RSA shows moderate to strong correlation between goniometer in flexion and abduction in the dominant arm (R= 0.790 and R= 0.650, P< .001, respectively) and moderate correlations for the nondominant arm (R= 0.622 and R= 0.615, P< .001). Compared to the younger cohort, the elderly population demonstrated significantly reduced total RSA in the dominant arm (meanelderly= 0.774, SD = 0.09; meanyounger= 0.830, SD = 0.07, P< .001), with significant reductions in the upper lateral quadrant in both arms (dominant: meanelderly= 0.225, SD = 0.04; meanyounger= 0.241, SD = 0.01; P< .001; nondominant: meanelderly= 0.213, SD = 0.03; meanyounger= 0.228, SD = 0.01; P= .004). The test-retest reliability was strong for both dominant and nondominant total RSA (ICC > 0.762).The reachable workspace demonstrates promise as a simple and quick tool for clinicians to assess detailed and quantitative active shoulder ROM decline in the elderly population.

In recent years, interest is growing about stereoscopic to the dissemination and development of 3D-TV. However, according to the development of image is also very important to the development of real sound. So recently interest is growing about the stereo sound. It is limited to typical speakers for implementing to stereo speakers. So, recently, has improved sound using flat panel sound. In this study, analyzed apparatus and selected optimum points through the design and CAE (Computer aided engineering) for production of selective tension apparatus of vibration membrane for the flat panel type speaker production. Many tension points offer variety sound environments but it action adverse element in mass production. In this study analyzed through the CAE by designing in tension point location and tension frame for stereo speaker production. CAE was analyzed the optimized conditions using ansys program. The results variously changed parts of affected tension by tension point location or according to the quantity clamped. We selected to optimized tension point and tension frame based on the simulation results. This study is intended to suitable for mass production in the stereo speaker production.