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Self-propelling micro- and nano-motors (MNMs) have been extensively investigated as an emerging oral drug delivery carrier for gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases. However, the propulsion of current MNMs reported so far is mostly based on the redox reaction of metals (such as Zn and Mg) with severe propulsion gas generation, remaining non-degradable residue in the GI tract. Here, we develop a bioinspired enzyme-powered biopolymer micromotor mimicking the mucin penetrating behavior of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. It converts urea to ammonia and the subsequent increase of pH induces local gel-sol transition of the mucin layer facilitating the penetration into the stomach tissue layer. The successful fabrication of micromotors is confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering analysis, zeta-potential analysis. In acidic condition, the immobilized urease can efficiently converted urea to ammonia, comparable with that of neutral condition because of the increase of surrounding pH during propulsion. After administration into the stomach, the micromotors show enhanced penetration and prolonged retention in the stomach for 24 h. Furthermore, histological analysis shows that the micromotors are cleared within 3 days without causing any toxicity in the GI tract. The enhanced penetration and retention of the micromotors as an active oral delivery carrier in the stomach would be successfully harnessed for the treatment of various GI tract diseases., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Polydopamine (PDA) hollow microcapsules are biocompatible, biodegradable, and muco-adhesive. • Urease-powered PDA micromotors are propelled by the decomposition of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. • Micromotors increase the local pH to induce the gel-sol transition of the mucus layer. • Micromotors result in enhanced penetration and prolonged retention in the stomach. • Micromotors can be effectively used for oral drug delivery with complete clearance from the GI tract.

Submicron particles suspended in gas can cause serious harm to humans and the environment. One effective method to remove the submicron-sized particles is electrical agglomeration in an alternating current (AC) electric field before the particles are collected in the ESP. In this study, NaCl and Arizona test dust 4 particles laden in an ambient air flow were bipolarly charged in a corona charger, entered a agglomerator, and were collected in a plate-to-plate-type ESP. When an alternating current (AC; 40 kV, 60 Hz) was applied to the agglomerator, the mass concentration of the NaCl particles decreased by 25–27% owing to their attachment to the A4 particles. This decrease was in good agreement with the one theoretically obtained from an agglomeration model considering the wall loss in the agglomerator. When a DC of −4 kV was applied to the ESP, the collection efficiency improved from 55 to 88% for the NaCl particles.

Individual recognition technology such as iris recognition and bar coding has been extensively investigated for non-face-to-face authorization. However, there are still strong unmet needs for facile, rapid, and robust individual recognition. Here, we developed multispectral transparent films of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for near-infrared (NIR) encoding of wearable devices including contact lenses and patch devices. A multispectral UCNP film in a contact lens showed various luminescence colors of patterns under 980 nm NIR light irradiation and each color could be assigned to a specific code by RGB value analysis. The encoded film of UCNPs in the contact lens was successfully decoded by the RGB value analysis with a charge coupled digital (CCD) camera. Furthermore, the UCNP barcode film could be applied in the form of attachable barcode patches onto various substrates like porcine skin and paper currency. Taken together, we could confirm the feasibility of multispectral UCNP transparent films as a facile individual recognition platform for non-face-to-face authorization.

Intravesical therapeutic delivery has been extensively investigated for various bladder diseases such as bladder cancer, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and interstitial cystitis. However, conventional drug carriers have a low therapeutic delivery efficiency because of the passive diffusion of drug molecules in a bladder and the rapid clearance by periodic urination. Here, we report biocompatible and bioavailable enzyme-powered polymer nanomotors which can deeply penetrate into a mucosa layer of the bladder wall and remain for a long-term period in the bladder. The successful fabrication of nanomotors was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray mapping, zeta-potential analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and urease activity and nanomotor trajectory analyses. After injection into the bladder, urease-immobilized nanomotors became active, moving around in the bladder by converting urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The nanomotors resulted in the facilitated penetration to the mucosa layer of the bladder wall and the prolonged retention in the bladder even after repeated urination. The enhanced penetration and retention of the nanomotors as a drug delivery carrier in the bladder would be successfully harnessed for treating a variety of bladder diseases.

Continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring can provide a paradigm shift in the management of patients with glaucoma as a facile alternative to conventional diagnostic methods. However, the low sensitivity and functional instability of current IOP sensors have limited their clinical utility in the management of glaucoma. Here, we have developed a smart contact lens integrated with a transparent silver nanowire IOP strain sensor and wireless circuits for noninvasive, continuous IOP monitoring. After confirming the robust stability of the IOP sensor within the smart contact lens in the presence of tears and repeated eyelid blink model cycles, we were able to monitor IOP changes on polydimethylsiloxane model eyes

Recently, the application of bio-signals in the fields of health management, human–computer interaction (HCI), and user authentication has increased. This is because of the development of artificial intelligence technology, which can analyze bio-signals in numerous fields. In the case of the analysis of bio-signals, the results tend to vary depending on the analyst, owing to a large amount of noise. However, when a neural network is used, feature extraction is possible, enabling a more accurate analysis. However, if the bio-signal time series is analyzed as is, the total neural network increases in size. In this study, to accomplish a light-weight neural network, a maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) and a smoothing technique are used for better feature extraction. Moreover, the learning efficiency is increased using an augmentation technique. In designing the neural network, a one-dimensional convolution layer is used to ensure that the neural network is simple and light-weight. Consequently, the light-weight attribute can be achieved, and neural networks can be implemented in edge devices such as the field programmable gate array (FPGA), yielding low power consumption, high security, fast response times, and high user convenience for wearable applications. The electromyogram (EMG) signal represents a typical bio-signal in this study.

In this study, we propose the use of artificial synaptic transistors with coplanar-gate structures fabricated on paper substrates comprising biocompatible and low-cost potato-starch electrolyte and indium–gallium–zinc oxide (IGZO) channels. The electrical double layer (EDL) gating effect of potato-starch electrolytes enabled the emulation of biological synaptic plasticity. Frequency dependence measurements of capacitance using a metal-insulator-metal capacitor configuration showed a 1.27 μF/cm2 at a frequency of 10 Hz. Therefore, strong capacitive coupling was confirmed within the potato-starch electrolyte/IGZO channel interface owing to EDL formation because of internal proton migration. An electrical characteristics evaluation of the potato-starch EDL transistors through transfer and output curve resulted in counterclockwise hysteresis caused by proton migration in the electrolyte; the hysteresis window linearly increased with maximum gate voltage. A synaptic functionality evaluation with single-spike excitatory post-synaptic current (EPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), and multi-spike EPSC resulted in mimicking short-term synaptic plasticity and signal transmission in the biological neural network. Further, channel conductance modulation by repetitive presynaptic stimuli, comprising potentiation and depression pulses, enabled stable modulation of synaptic weights, thereby validating the long-term plasticity. Finally, recognition simulations on the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) handwritten digit database yielded a 92% recognition rate, thereby demonstrating the applicability of the proposed synaptic device to the neuromorphic system.

Skin and cancer cell treatments using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have garnered considerable attention as a technology with fewer side effects. Hence, various schemes have been developed to operate ultrasound transducers with high efficiencies. Class DE power amplifiers operate in zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-derivative switching (ZDS); therefore, high-efficiency operation is possible. However, during the CMOS process, a difference in efficiency arises depending on the gate oxide process, which has not yet been analyzed. In high-power devices, a thick oxide layer is primarily used to prevent breakdown. However, this can lead to a decrease in power efficiency. This study analyzes the overall power consumption for each oxide layer thickness during the AMS H35 CMOS process and compares its efficiency. The results confirm that an output power of approximately 1.8 W and a power efficiency of 94% can be obtained with just a relatively thin gate oxide thickness of approximately 10 nm. Furthermore, an additional power efficiency of approximately 3% can be obtained by reducing only the gate oxide thickness.

Skin tissue is regenerated by the combinational function of skin cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), and bioactive molecules. As an artificial ECM, supramolecular hydrogels exhibited outstanding capability to mimic the physical properties of ECM. However, the lack of biochemical function in supramolecular hydrogels has limited further tissue engineering applications. Here, we developed self-assembling supramolecular drug delivery hydrogels to mimic the skin tissue regeneration process. The supramolecular hydrogels were prepared to encapsulate fibroblasts by the host-guest interaction of cyclodextrin-modified gelatin (GE-CD) and adamantane-modified hyaluronate (Ad-HA) in conjugation with human growth hormone (hGH) for accelerated skin tissue regeneration. In vitro, GE-CD/Ad-HA-hGH hydrogels showed highly facilitated cell growth by the controlled hGH delivery. After a subcutaneous injection into the back of mice, IVIS imaging of bioengineered fibroblasts to express red fluorescence protein (RFP) revealed prolonged cell survival and proliferation in the supramolecular hydrogels for more than 21 days. We could also observe the improved skin tissue regeneration by the facilitated fibroblast proliferation with angiogenesis. Taken together, we could confirm the feasibility of biomimetic supramolecular drug delivery GE-CD/Ad-HA-hGH hydrogels for various tissue engineering applications.

AsTeGeSiN threshold switching devices, which have recently gained attention for their reliable operation, are investigated for the degradation mechanism under constant voltage stress (CVS). Threshold switching devices are essential for 3D stacking of high-density memories. The degradation mechanism can be divided into two conduction regions, i.e. before and after the threshold voltage ( V th ) by applying CVS. It is found that charge trapping, which can easily be recovered, is the main degradation mechanism in the low-conduction region. This is because Poole–Frankel conduction by deep traps occurred in the low-conduction region. However, trap generation may occur when going from deep traps to shallow traps, which is an important factor in the high-conduction region stress voltage. Switching stress for different duty cycles in two conduction regions is also performed. Therefore, when operating an AsTeGeSiN threshold-switching device as a selector, the read sequence is not a problem despite frequent usage. However, for the write sequence, reducing the number and duration of pulses helps extend the device's lifetime.

Self-propelling micro- and nano-motors (MNMs) are emerging as a multifunctional platform for smart healthcare applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, and targeted drug delivery with high tissue penetration, stirring effect, and rapid drug transport. MNMs can be propelled and/or guided by chemical substances or external stimuli including ultrasound, magnetic field, and light. In addition, enzymatically powered MNMs and biohybrid micromotors have been developed using the biological components in the body. In this review, we describe emerging MNMs focusing on their smart propulsion systems, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Finally, we highlight several MNMs for in vivo applications and discuss the future perspectives of MNMs on their current limitations and possibilities toward further clinical applications.

Hyaluronate (HA) has been widely investigated for noninvasive topical drug delivery of chemical drugs and biopharmaceuticals. However, previous noninvasive delivery systems have been facilitated mostly by chemical conjugation of drugs with HA, which can cause reduced therapeutic efficacy and safety issues in chemically modified drugs. Here, HA nanogels were synthesized by crosslinking via “click” chemistry for noninvasive topical delivery of a model drug without chemical modification. The model-drug-encapsulating HA nanogels could be uptaken to the skin melanoma cells in vitro by HA-mediated endocytosis. In addition, histological analysis showed that HA nanogels could be topically delivered to the deep skin and tongue tissues through the noninvasive delivery routes. Taken together, HA nanogels could be effectively used for the noninvasive topical delivery of various therapeutic drugs.

Justicia procumbens L. is known across Korea, India, China, and Taiwan as a remedy against fever, cough, sore throat, and cirrhosis of ascites. J. procumbens provides the raw material for a candidate anti-asthma drug (DW2008S) currently completing phase I clinical trials sponsored by Dong Wha Pharmaceutical Company. HPLC-DAD was used to quantify phytochemical constituents of J. procumbens, and HPLC and 1H-NMR results were assessed by multivariate analysis. This is the first time a comparative study using HPLC-DAD and NMR fingerprints has been applied to identify chemical differences between wild and cultivated J. procumbens. The amount of justicidin B as the marker compound was higher in cultivated samples (0.80 &plusmn, 0.25 mg/g) than in wild ones (0.63 &plusmn, 0.30 mg/g). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) from HPLC and NMR data revealed that there were clear differences between wild and cultivated types and identified five secondary metabolites, which could help distinguish between wild and cultivated plants. Among these five lignans, diphyllin showed the most potent discrimination between two types and was significantly detected higher in cultivated ones than in wild ones. A combination of 1H-NMR and HPLC-DAD analysis is effective for J. procumbens standardization and metabolomics studies.

We have developed surface-crosslinked polymer nanodroplets having capabilities of therapeutic enhancement for high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment and image guidance by photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasound (US) imaging. Six-arm-branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is crosslinked with Pluronic F127 mixed with naphthalocyanine (Nc), and sonicated with liquid perfluorohexane (PFH) to form nanoparticles encapsulating Nc and PFH (Nc/PFH@PCPN). The Nc dye provides high optical absorption at 850 nm wavelength for PA imaging, and improves the stability of the nanodroplets due to its hydrophobicity. PFH evaporates upon reception of HIFU waves to form microbubbles that enhances both visual contrast for US imaging and cavitation effect for HIFU treatment. We have shown from experiments that the nanodroplets significantly increase the signal contrast of the PA/US images, and at the same time they enhance the HIFU cavitation effect and induce necrosis and apoptosis of tumor cells. Thus, we believe Nc/PFH@PCPN can be a biocompatible and stable multi-functional agent for HIFU therapy guided by PA/US images.

Because of the stability of its production and cost-effectiveness, coal is expected to be a primary energy source in near future. However, SO2 and NOx emissions from the coal combustion have been considered a serious environmental issue in the last few decades; they react with water vapor and ammonia (NH3) in the atmosphere to form secondary aerosols. In this study, ozone (O3) was injected to oxidize NO into NO2. Thereafter, NH3 was injected to convert SO2 into (NH4)2SO3 particles, which further reacted with NO2 to produce N2 and (NH4)2SO4 particles. These reaction mechanisms were discussed employing different chemical analyses of the products. Moreover, the size of the product particles was analyzed by online particle size analysis and the scanning electron microscopy images. Further, the quantitative analysis of the product was performed by ion chromatography, and the atomic balance of sulfur was verified by gas analysis. A higher SO2 concentration increased the NOx removal efficiency because the product ((NH4)2SO3), which was obtained from SO2 removal, acted as a reactant for the removal of NOx. Therefore, a higher concentration of O3 favored the improvement of the NOx removal efficiency since O3 oxidizes NO into NO2, which reacts with (NH4)2SO3. Thus, the SO2 and NOx removal efficiencies were 93.6% and 69.6%, respectively, at SO2, NO, and O3 concentrations of 900, 30, and 30 ppm, respectively.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides (AA, family Liliaceae) inhibits macrophage activation by inhibiting IRAK1 phosphorylation and helper T (Th)17 differentiation. Coptis chinensis (CC, family Ranunculaceae), which inhibits macrophage activation by inhibiting the binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on toll-like receptor 4 and inducing regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation. The mixture of AA and CC (AC-mix) synergistically attenuates 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid or dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting NF-[Formula: see text]B activation and regulating Th17/Treg balance. In the present study, we examined the effect of AC-mix on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced colitis in mice, which induced NF-[Formula: see text]B activation and disturbed Th17/Treg balance. Long-term feeding of HFD in mice caused colitis, including increased macroscopic score and myeloperoxidase activity. Oral administration of AC-mix (20[Formula: see text]mg/kg) suppressed HFD-induced myeloperoxidase activity by 68% ([Formula: see text]). Furthermore, treatment with the AC-mix (20[Formula: see text]mg/kg) inhibited HFD-induced activation of NF-[Formula: see text]B and expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthase, interleukin (IL)-17, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha but increased HFD- suppressed expression of IL-10. AC-mix suppressed HFD-induced differentiation into Th17 cells by 46% ([Formula: see text]) and increased HFD-induced differentiation into regulatory T cells 2.2-fold ([Formula: see text]). AC-mix also suppressed the HFD-induced Proteobacteria/Bacteroidetes ratio on the gut microbiota by 48% ([Formula: see text]). These findings suggest that AC-mix can ameliorate HFD-induced colitis by regulating innate and adaptive immunities and correcting the disturbance of gut microbiota.

The texture of rolled sheets is known to vary with depth from the shear texture in the surface layer to the planestrain-compression texture in the center layer. This study has interpreted the deformation and annealing textures evolved in the surface layer of a four-layered-copper sheet cold-rolled by 93% reduction in thickness without lubrication at room temperature. The surface and center layers were separated from the cold-rolled four-layered copper sheet. The deformed surface layer was annealed for 1 h at 823 K. The deformation texture of the surface layer could be simulated by straining the {112} oriented fcc crystals by a true strain of 2.66 in the rolling direction at 0 ≤ |e 13/e 11| ≤ 1.4, where eij are the displacement gradients and the subscripts 1 and 3 represent the sheet rolling and sheet surface normal directions, respectively, using a visco-plastic self-consistent scheme. The annealing texture could be approximated by the simulated shear deformation orientations plus near the {001} orientation that was approximated by the recrystallization orientations calculated from the simulated deformation orientations. The recrystallization orientations were calculated by the strain-energy-release-maximization theory for the recrystallization texture evolution.

Although nanocarriers containing perfluorocarbon (PFC) have been widely investigated as an ultrasound (US) imaging agent and a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) agent, these carriers have suffered from low stability and biocompatibility limiting their further biomedical applications. Here, we developed surface cross-linked polymer nanodroplets as a HIFU therapeutic agent guided by bimodal photoacoustic (PA) and US imaging. Pluronic F127 was reacted with 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate (NPC) and mixed with naphthalocyanine (Nc) in dichloromethane, which was added into the aqueous solution of amine-functionalized six-arm-branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to form an oil-in-water emulsion for the cross-linking reaction between the terminal NPC of Pluronic F127 and the primary amine of six-arm PEG. The resulting solution was sonicated with liquid perfluorohexane (PFH) to prepare PEG cross-linked Pluronic F127 nanoparticles encapsulating Nc and PFH (Nc/PFH@PCPN). Nc/PFH@PCPN appeared to be stable without any coalescence or vaporization in the physiological condition. Upon the application of HIFU, Nc/PFH@PCPN was vaporized and showed increased US intensity for 180 min. The Nc dye in the nanodroplets enabled the stable encapsulation of PFH and the bimodal US/PA imaging. In vivo PA/US image-guided HIFU ablation therapy confirmed that the nanodroplets increased the cavitation effect, induced necrosis and apoptosis of tumor cells, and reduced tumor growth significantly for 12 days. Taken together, the multifunctional Nc/PFH@PCPN was successfully developed as a new platform for PA/US image-guided HIFU therapy.

Background Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Liliaceae family) and Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae family) contain neomangiferin as the main active constituent and have been used to treat inflammation, asthma, and pain. Purpose A preliminary study found that neomangiferin inhibited splenic T cell differentiation into Th17 cells and promoted Treg cell production in vitro. Therefore, we examined its anti-colitic effects in vitro and in vivo. Methods Splenocytes isolated from C57BL/6 J mice were treated with neomangiferin. Colitis was either induced in vivo by intrarectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to C57BL/6 J mice or occurred spontaneously in colitis caused by interleukin (IL)-10 knockout at age of 13 weeks. Mice were treated daily with neomangiferin or sulfasalazine. Inflammatory markers, cytokines, enzymes and transcription factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, and flow cytometry. Results Neomangiferin suppressed retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) and IL-17 expression in IL-6/transforming growth factor β-stimulated Th17 splenocytes and increased IL-10 expression in vitro. Mouse TNBS-induced colon shortening, macroscopic score, and myeloperoxidase activity were inhibited by neomangiferin, which also reduced TNBS-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and extracellular signal-regulated kinases, as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, neomangiferin inhibited TNBS-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-1β, and increased IL-10 expression. Neomangiferin inhibited TNBS-induced differentiation to Th17 cells and promoted the development of Treg cells. Moreover, in IL-10−/− mice, neomangiferin inhibited colonic myeloperoxidase activity, suppressed Th17 cell differentiation, and reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-17. Conclusion Neomangiferin may restore the balance between Th17/Treg cells by suppressing IL-17 and RORγt expression and inducing IL-10 and forkhead box P3 expression, thus ameliorating colitis.

Titanium (Ti) is one of the representative biocompatible metallic materials which has been widely exploited for various implants and bone replacements. Here, commercially pure Ti (CP Ti) was surface-modified with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for accelerated bone regeneration and osseointegration. Nanoscale RGO coating on CP Ti was clearly confirmed by SEM, AFM, EDS, XPS, HR-TEM and EELS. In addition, pre-osteoblast cells cultured on RGO-CP Ti showed higher cell viability and cell attachment than those on CP Ti. After confirmation of the drug loading capability of RGO-CP Ti, osteogenic dexamethasone loaded RGO-CP Ti (Dex/RGO-CP Ti) was implanted on calvarial bone defects in rats. Synchrotron X-ray imaging successfully visualized more effective bone regeneration on Dex/RGO-CP Ti than CP Ti and RGO-CP Ti after 8 weeks.

In p-GaN gate AlGaN/GaN power devices, turn-off energy loss (E off) variations in die-level uniformity are observed because of the thickness variations of remained p-GaN in the ungated region. These E off variations can be reduced by negative turn-off gate voltages. However, this method can induce new burden in circuit design because of the negative voltages. Therefore, we focus on fabrication processes such as Mg doping in p-GaN gate. Using low Mg doping in p-GaN gate, E off variations mostly disappear, but threshold voltage (V th) is approximately 0.3 V decreases. In addition, dynamic on-resistance (dynamic R ds,on) is slightly increased.

Though more and more people are feeling pain in the neck due to computer and smartphone usage, few equipment is available to measure neck fatigue. In this paper, we use radio frequency wireless power transmission (RF WPT) method to allow a small battery to be used while allowing continuous measurement for big data. Miniaturized electromyogram (EMG) sensor system with Arduino Pro mini can be lightly attached to the neck, giving the user notification of posture correction or stretching needs without additional neck fatigue. Information collected by EMG sensor system is sent to the users, which can prevent turtle neck syndrome and reduce the neck fatigue by long working hours.

Cyanide intoxication results in severe metabolic acidosis and catastrophic prognosis with conventional treatment. Indications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are expanding to poisoning cases. A 50-year-old male patient arrived in the emergency room due to mental change after ingestion of cyanide as a suicide attempt 30 minutes prior. He was comatose, and brain stem reflexes were absent. Initial laboratory analysis demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis with increased lactic acid of 25 mM/L. Shock and acidosis were not corrected despite a large amount of fluid resuscitation with high-dose norepinephrine and continuous renal replacement therapy. We decided to apply ECMO and CRRT to allow time for stabilization of hemodynamic status. After administration of antidote infusion, although the patient had the potential to progress to brain death status, vital signs were improved with correction of acidosis. We considered the evaluation for organ donation. We report a male patient who showed typical cyanide intoxication as lethal metabolic acidosis and cardiac impairment, and the patient recovered after antidote administration during vital organ support through ECMO and CRRT.

The (001)[110] orientation of Al single crystal is known to be metastable with respect to plane strain compression to form the (112)[1 1-1] and (112)[-1-1 1] orientations, known as the copper orientations. The copper orientations did not transform into the cube texture {001} after recrystallization (Rex), at variance with expectation. When Al single crystals were plane-strain compressed and recrystallized (Rexed), their Rex orientation varied with reduction in thickness. These results are discussed based on the strain-energy-release-maximization theory, in which the Rex texture is determined such that the absolute maximum stress direction (AMSD) due to dislocations in deformed materials is parallel to the minimum Young’s modulus direction in Rexed grains and other conditions, whereby strain energy release can be maximized. AMSD is obtained from slip systems activated during deformation and their activities, which were calculated from the VPSC code.

DW1029M is a botanical extract consisting of Morus bark and Puerariae radix, produced by Dong-Wha Pharmaceutical, for nephroprotective drug development; it has been in phase II clinical trials in Korea. In our mechanistic investigations, we found that DW1029M inhibits advanced glycation end products (AGEs), rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1signaling, all of which are implicated in diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. DW1029M inhibits AGE formation via Fe2+chelation. The extract contains 13 active constituents that inhibit AGE formation, 8 active constituents that inhibit RLAR activity, and 1 inhibitor of TGF-β1signaling. Our results suggest DW1029M protects against diabetic nephropathy via blockade of AGE formation, RLAR activity, and TGF-β1signaling.

In p-GaN gate AlGaN/GaN power devices, the p-GaN etching process to define the gate region is critical to device performance. In some cases, the remained p-GaN in the ungated region can exist as a result of under-etching, and can act like a charge reservoir in the p-GaN gate power device. In this reported work, the effect of this remained p-GaN layer is investigated for the first time. The main effect of the thick remained p-GaN on the ungated region is the increments of turn-off energy loss (E off) in spite of the similar turn-on energy loss (E on). This is related to the hole trapping in the remained p-GaN region which is observed by the change of turn-off gate voltages.

Cast AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy, comprising Mg with 3.27 wt% Al and 0.96 wt% Zn, was cold rolled and subsequently annealed. Global texture evolutions in the specimens were observed by X-ray diffractometry after the thermomechanical processing. Image-based microstructure and texture for the deformed, recrystallized, and grown grains were observed by electron backscattered diffractometry. Recrystallized grains could be distinguished from deformed ones by analyzing grain orientation spread. Split basal texture of ca. ±10–15° in the rolling direction was observed in the cold-rolled sample. Recrystallized grains had widely spread basal poles at nucleation stage; strong {0001} basal texture developed with grain growth during annealing.

The object of this paper is to perform the experiments to investigate the relationship of the resistance forces and the failure temperatures on the failure behaviors of H-shaped s teel compressive members. H-shaped members(SS400) were used for the test models and the tests for the elevated temperatures were performed by ISO 834 in FILK(Fire Insurers Laboratories of Korea). The local, overall buckling stresses an d a yielding stresses for the failure temperatures were compare d with the compressive stresses for the loading forces of test mo dels, the yielding strength and elastic modulus reduction facto r of the steel at a high temperature were based on the criteria of the EC3(Eurocode 3) Part1.2(1993). The slenderness ratio was fixed by 45.4 and the compressive forces corresponded with 50%, 70% and 80% of the yielding forces at the normal temperatures were chosen for the loading forces of the test mod els. The failure temperatures of the test models were investigated under three kinds of loading conditions. It was kn own that the resistance forces have come close to the yielding forces, not the elastic buckling loads evaluated by EC3 at the failure temperatures obtained from the tests which are related to the failure temperatures and the loading stresses. KEYWORDS : overall buckling, local buckling, yielding strength, ISO 834 st andard fire, fire resistance test, failure temperature

The texture of rolled sheets is known to vary with depth from the surface to the center due to inhomogeneous deformation, which can be caused by a characteristic deformation zone geometry and friction between materials and rolls during rolling. In order to study the deformation and recrystallization (Rex) textures of the surface layers of Al and Cu sheets cold rolled without lubrication, 5 Al sheets were stacked and rolled by 88% and 4 Cu sheets were stacked and rolled by 93% in 4 passes at room temperature. The surface layers separated from the rolled sheets were annealed for 1 h at 500 °C for Al and at 550 °C for Cu. The deformation textures of the surface layers were characterized by different shear textures, which gave rise to very different Rex textures.

In oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs), light illumination effect is a big concern due to its operating condition. Light illumination can change many electrical properties in oxide TFTs such as mobility and threshold voltage (V th ). In many researches, Oxygen vacancy is suspected as a main cause of the changes by light illumination. Recently, the back channel formation by field-induced macroscopic barrier model is reported under light illumination. This is also related to Oxygen vacancy. In this letter, we investigate the gradual changes in DC and CV characteristics depending on the dual-channel thicknesses. For this purpose, we use the aluminum-doped indium zinc tin oxide (AIZTO)/indium zinc oxide (IZO) dual-channel TFTs. The main goal of this paper is to find the main cause of the changes by light illumination in various dual-channel thicknesses.