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The first examples of 1,5-naphthyridine-2,6-dione (NTD)-based n-type small molecules, NTDT-DCV and NTDP-DCV with an electron-withdrawing dicyanovinyl terminal unit and different aromatic bridging groups were synthesized and characterized.

Dopant-free semi-crystalline PNTDT-2F2T shows superior electrical and thermal properties leading to an efficiency of 22.19% and superior long-term stability.

To elucidate the origin of high charge carrier mobility in bis-lactam compounds with twisted geometries, we designed and synthesized a series of 3,7-diphenyl-1,5-dioctyl-1,5-naphthyridine-2,6-dione (NTDP) derivatives bearing various substituents (i.e., OCH3, CH3, H, F, and Cl) in the end-capping phenyl rings. Despite the distinct dihedral angle between the 1,5-naphthyridine-2,6-dione (NTD) core and the end-capping groups, all of the derivatives formed rigid molecular structures and the delocalized highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs), which could lead to high charge transport properties. Among the derivatives, the fluorinated NTDP molecule (NTDP-F) exhibited the highest hole mobility of 0.54 cm2 V−1 s−1 in vacuum-deposited organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) due to the strong intermolecular interaction, high crystallinity, and two-dimensional (2D) terrace-like morphology in the thin-film. Furthermore, the twisted geometry of NTDP-F allowed facile solution processability resulting in a high hole mobility of up to 0.27 cm2 V−1 s−1 in solution-processed OFETs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate sublethal concentrations (SLC) of bactericidal antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and vancomycin) on the mutation frequency and stress response of antibiotic-induced-mutated (AIM) Listeria monocytogenes. Three L. monocytogenes strains (reference, clinical, and food isolate strains) were used in this study. SLC of bactericidal antibiotics significantly increased the mutation frequency in L. monocytogenes. It was found that AIM L. monocytogenes had a superior biofilm-forming ability than nontreated L. monocytogenes. This result correlated with the amounts of EPS produced (polysaccharide and protein) in the early stage of biofilm formation. AIM L. monocytogenes showed strong viability under food-associated stress (thermal, osmotic, and acidic) compared to nontreated L. monocytogenes. In addition, expression levels of motility (flaA) and virulence genes (hlyA, actA, and prfA) of AIM L. monocytogenes were significantly downregulated in the reference strain but significantly upregulated or similar to the expression levels in the clinical and food isolate strains compared to nontreated L. monocytogenes. Based on our results, SLC of bactericidal antibiotics increased the mutation frequency in L. monocytogenes, facilitated the adaptation of the bacterium to food-associated stress, and led to an increase in its pathogenicity.

Despite the recent rapid development of organic solar cells (OSCs), the low dielectric constant (ϵr =3-4) of organic semiconducting materials limits their performance lower than inorganic and perovskite solar cells. In this work, we introduce oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side chains into the dicyanodistyrylbenzene-based non-fullerene acceptors (NIDCS) to increase its ϵr up to 5.4. In particular, a NIDCS acceptor bearing two triethylene glycol chains (NIDCS-EO3) shows VOC as high as 1.12 V in an OSC device with a polymer donor PTB7, which is attributed to reduced exciton binding energy of the blend film. Also, the larger size grain formation with well-ordered stacking structure of the NIDCS-EO3 blend film leads to the increased charge mobility and thus to the improved charge mobility balance, resulting in higher JSC , FF, and PCE in the OSC device compared to those of a device using the hexyl chain-based NIDCS acceptor (NIDCS-HO). Finally, we fabricate NIDCS-EO3 devices with various commercial donors including P3HT, DTS-F, and PCE11 to show higher photovoltaic performance than the NIDCS-HO devices, suggesting versatility of NIDCS-EO3.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can form biofilms in food processing facilities even under unfavorable growth environment. This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm eradication ability of Listeria-specific bacteriophage (phage) cocktail (LMPC01+02+03) against L. monocytogenes young (1 day) and mature (3 days) biofilms formed on food contact materials (FCMs: polyethylene, polypropylene, and stainless steel) at 4, 15, and 30 °C. In addition, virulence-related genes and biofilm structure parameters of the phage-treated biofilms were investigated. The biofilm eradication ability of the phage cocktail was evaluated on 96 well and MBEC plate, and the results revealed that a multiplicity-of-infection (MOI) 100 of the phage cocktail exhibited the ability of eradicate biofilms. Using MOI 100, the phage cocktail treatment on the biofilms formed on FCMs for 8 h reduced over 2 log CFU/cm

A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) is utilized for diagnosis of dysphagia or to determine dysphagia diets. For the evaluation of swallowing function via VFSS, contrast medium needs to be added to the food. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of contrast medium on food viscosity and the muscle activity of the submental muscle group. Viscosity measurements were performed using a viscometer and a line spread test (LST), after adding contrast medium into water, yogurt, and porridge to 0%, 12.5%, 25.0%, and 37.5% v/v concentrations. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was performed on 20 healthy adults by attaching EMG electrodes to the submental muscle group. Diet consisted of non-contrast medium food and food containing 37.5% v/v contrast medium. There were significant differences in viscometer and LST results between non-contrast medium food and food with contrast medium (p < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between viscometer and LST outcomes (water r = - 0.889, p < 0.001; yogurt r = - 0.952, p < 0.001; porridge r = - 0.837, p < 0.001). Finally, there was a significant difference in muscle activity between non-contrast medium water (2.5 cc) and water containing contrast medium 37.5% v/v (2.5 cc) (p = 0.025). These findings suggest that, when performing VFSS, clinicians should consider changes in food viscosity due to contrast medium in order to provide accurate diagnoses and dysphagia diet plans.

The requirements of multifunctionality in thin-film systems have led to the discovery of unique physical properties and degrees of freedom, which exist only in film forms. With progress in growth techniques, one can decrease the film thickness to the scale of a few nanometers (∼nm), where its unique physical properties are still pronounced. Among advanced ultrathin film systems, ferroelectrics have generated tremendous interest. As a prototype ferroelectric, the electrical properties of BaTiO3 (BTO) films have been extensively studied, and it has been theoretically predicted that ferroelectricity sustains down to ∼nm thick films. However, efforts toward determining the minimum thickness for ferroelectric films have been hindered by practical issues surrounding large leakage currents. In this study, we used ∼nm thick BTO films, exhibiting semiconducting characteristics, grown on a LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructure. In particular, we utilized two-dimensional electron gas at the LAO/STO heterointerface...

The risk of salmonellosis is expected to increase with the rise in the consumption of poultry meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the combination treatment of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) or lactic acid (LA) with UV-C against Salmonella Enteritidis biofilms formed on food contact surface (stainless steel [SS], silicone rubber [SR], and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene [UHMWPE]) and chicken skin. The biofilm on food contact surface and chicken skin was significantly decreased (P 0.05) by combination treatment of PAA or LA with UV-C. Combination treatment of PAA (50-500 μg/mL) with UV-C (5 and 10 min) reduced 3.10-6.41 log CFU/cm

Charge-transfer (CT) crystals show unique transport and emission properties which are substantially different from those of individual electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) molecules constituting the...

The current research aims to elucidate the crystallization mechanism of the melted BOF slag in the constant cooling process for its effective recycling. Firstly, the DSC measurement of the BOF slag was performed in non-isothermal condition of constant cooling from the melt. The XRD and EDS analyses of the slag were carried out to observe the inner structure during crystallization. The observations confirmed that the cooling rate did not affect the crystallization mechanism of the melted BOF slag. However, it could influence the change in the size and shape of the crystalline phases, because the cooling rate is correlated to the holding time in the certain temperature range for the generation of the specific phases. From this research, it is expected to control the phase morphology in BOF slag by adjusting the cooling process for its valuable utilization.

The requirements of multifunctionality in thin-film systems have led to the discovery of unique physical properties and degrees of freedom, which exist only in film forms. With progress in growth techniques, one can decrease the film thickness to the scale of a few nanometers (∼nm), where its unique physical properties are still pronounced. Among advanced ultrathin film systems, ferroelectrics have generated tremendous interest. As a prototype ferroelectric, the electrical properties of BaTiO

We describe herein the comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies on the transistor mobility of organic semiconductors by correlating a two-dimensional (2D) intermolecular interaction with thin-film morphology and the electronic coupling structure. We developed a novel bis-lactam-based small molecule, 1,5-dioctyl-3,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine-2,6-dione (C8-NTDT), with a 2D-type C-H···O═C intermolecular interaction along the in-plane directions of the crystal packing structure, which is characteristically different from the one-dimensional-type intermolecular interaction shown in the typical bis-lactam molecule of 2,5-dioctyl-3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)pyrrolo[3,4- c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (C8-DPPT). Experimentally and theoretically, C8-NTDT exhibited more favorable thin-film morphology and an electronic coupling structure for charge transport because of its unique 2D intermolecular interactions compared with C8-DPPT. In fact, C8-NTDT exhibited a hole mobility of up to 1.29 cm

Copper nanoparticles attract much attention as substitutes of noble metals such as silver and can help reduce the manufacturing cost of electronic products due to their lower cost and good conductivity. In the present work, the chemical reduction is examined to optimize the synthesis of nano-sized copper particles from copper sulfate. Sodium borohydride and ascorbic acid are used as reducing and antioxidant agents, respectively. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as a size-control and capping agent. An appropriate dose of PEG inhibits the abnormal growth of copper nanoparticles, maintaining chemical stability. The addition of ascorbic acid prevents the oxidation of nanoparticles during synthesis and storage. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to investigate the size of the synthesized nanoparticles and the coordination between copper nanoparticles and PEG. For chemical reduction, copper nanoparticles less than 100 nm in size without oxidized layers are successfully obtained by the present method.

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) is operating widely in civil and military area. GNSS signals, however, can be easily interfered because its signal is vulnerable to jamming. Thus, a sort of backup or alternative system is needed in order that the navigation performance is assured to a certain degree in case of GNSS jamming. In order to suggest a series of backup or alternative system of regional navigation, in this paper, we introduced a high altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (HALE UAV) with pseudolites using inverted GPS and transceiver system. We simulated the positioning error of the regional navigation system using HALE UAV with inverted GPS or transceivers concepts. We estimated the position error of HALE UAV calculate user position errors based on the position error of HALE UAV and general pseudorange error.

Sargaquinoic acid (SQA) has been known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of SQA isolated from Sargassum serratifolium on the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). SQA decreased the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as well as chemotactic cytokines such as interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in TNF-α-treated HUVECs. As a result, SQA prevented monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-induced adhesion. SQA also inhibited TNF-α-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) translocation into the nucleus by preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor κB-α. Overall, SQA protects against TNF-α-induced vascular inflammation through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in HUVECs. These data suggest that SQA may be used as a therapeutic agent for vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.

An ethanolic extract of Undaria pinnatifida was fractionated using several solvents. Of the fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction had the greatest inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Using this fraction (U. pinnatifida ethyl acetate extract, UPE), we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying its inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with up to UPE significantly inhibited NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, UPE treatment markedly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), while it strongly suppressed the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-) by preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor of nuclear factor . Moreover, UPE treatment significantly reduced the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in LPS-stimulated cells. These results indicate that UPE contains anti-inflammatory compounds and suggest that it might be used as a functional food material that assists in prevention of inflammatory diseases.

Highly crystalline conjugated polymers represent a key material for producing high-performance thick-active-layer polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, despite their potential, a limited number of crystalline polymers are used in PSCs because of the lack of highly coplanar acceptor building blocks and insufficient light absorptivity (α 200 nm) is used, without postfabrication hot processing. The findings demonstrate that the polymer crystallinity and absorption coefficient can be effectively controlled by selecting appropriate D and A building blocks, and that NTDT is a novel and versatile A building block for highly efficient thick-active-layer PSCs.

Sargaquinoic acid (SQA) has been known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of SQA isolated from Sargassum serratifolium on the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). SQA decreased the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as well as chemotactic cytokines such as interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in TNF-α-treated HUVECs. As a result, SQA prevented monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-induced adhesion. SQA also inhibited TNF-α-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) translocation into the nucleus by preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor κB-α. Overall, SQA protects against TNF-α-induced vascular inflammation through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in HUVECs. These data suggest that SQA may be used as a therapeutic agent for vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.