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In line with the unpredictable variety of demands and acceleration into the electric vehicle era, automakers have efforted on smart factories utilizing new manufacturing platforms with a cellular manufacturing system (CMS). Research on the CMS has been underway for a long time, but with the rapid development of state-of-the-art technologies, the CMS has begun to be re-examined as a future production platform in an automotive industry. In this paper, we investigate current research on CMS and identify five key enabling technologies for smart manufacturing in the automotive industry. Digital twins, additive manufacturing, AI-based monitoring and inspection, human-robot collaboration, and advanced supply chain and logistics are selected and described with status and applications. Moreover, a five-level framework is proposed for an automotive smart factory (SF) based on the essential keywords from the trend of each technology. The proposed levels are described with necessary techniques and application cases comprehensively. Lastly, based on the framework, the future direction of technologies to achieve a higher-level SF is discussed. The proposed SF level framework can help research and industry practitioners to identify the technology-level-based roadmap required for long-term planning for smart factory implementation and development.

To evaluate whether an impaired anterior visual pathway (retinal structures with microvasculature) is associated with underlying beta-amyloid (Aβ) pathologies in patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), we compared retinal structural and vascular factors in each subgroup with positive or negative amyloid biomarkers. Twenty-seven patients with dementia, thirty-five with MCI, and nine with cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls were consecutively recruited. All participants were divided into positive Aβ (A+) or negative Aβ (A−) pathology based on amyloid positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid Aβ. The retinal circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT), macular ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer thickness (mGC/IPLT), and microcirculation of the macular superficial capillary plexus were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. One eye of each participant was included in the analysis. Retinal structural and vascular factors significantly decreased in the following order: dementia < MCI < CU controls. The A+ group had significantly lower microcirculation in the para- and peri-foveal temporal regions than did the A−. However, the structural and vascular parameters did not differ between the A+ and A− with dementia. The cpRNFLT was unexpectedly greater in the A+ than in the A− with MCI. mGC/IPLT was lower in the A+ CU than in the A− CU. Our findings suggest that retinal structural changes may occur in the preclinical and early stages of dementia but are not highly specific to AD pathophysiology. In contrast, decreased temporal macula microcirculation may be used as a biomarker for the underlying Aβ pathology.

This study deals with a long-term design issue of dynamic line balancing (DLB) when work- sharing is allowed among stations. The work-sharing can be implemented by floating works or floating worker...

The diagnostic performances of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) were compared by examining the association and concordance or discordance between CSF Aβ1-42 and amyloid PET, after determining our own cut-off values for CSF Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of CSF biomarkers and amyloid PET to predict clinical progression. CSF Aβ1-42, t-tau, and p-tau levels were analyzed in 203 individuals [27 normal controls, 38 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 62 AD dementia, and 76 patients with other neurodegenerative diseases] consecutively recruited from two dementia clinics. We used both visual and standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR)-based amyloid PET assessments for analyses. The association of CSF biomarkers with amyloid PET SUVR, hippocampal atrophy, and cognitive function were investigated by linear regression analysis, and the risk of conversion from MCI to AD dementia was assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. CSF p-tau/Aβ1-42 and t-tau/Aβ1-42 exhibited the best diagnostic accuracies among the CSF AD biomarkers examined. Correlations were observed between CSF biomarkers and global SUVR, hippocampal volume, and cognitive function. Overall concordance and discordance between CSF Aβ1-42 and amyloid PET was 77% and 23%, respectively. Baseline positive CSF Aβ1-42 for MCI demonstrated a 5.6-fold greater conversion risk than negative CSF Aβ1-42 . However, amyloid PET findings failed to exhibit significant prognostic value. Therefore, despite presence of a significant correlation between the CSF Aβ1-42 level and SUVR of amyloid PET, and a relevant concordance between CSF Aβ1-42 and amyloid PET, baseline CSF Aβ1-42 better predicted AD conversion.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. The glandular dysfunction in SS involves not only T cell-mediated destruction of the glands but also autoantibodies against the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor or aquaporin 5 (AQP5) that interfere with the secretion process. Studies on the breakage of tolerance and induction of autoantibodies to these autoantigens could benefit SS patients. To break tolerance, we utilized a PmE-L peptide derived from the AQP5-homologous aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica (PmAqp) that contained both a B cell “E” epitope and a T cell epitope. Repeated subcutaneous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the PmE-L peptide efficiently induced the production of Abs against the “E” epitope of mouse/human AQP5 (AQP5E), and we aimed to characterize the antigen specificity, the sequences of AQP5E-specific B cell receptors, and salivary gland phenotypes of these mice. Sera containing anti-AQP5E IgG not only stained mouse Aqp5 expressed in the submandibular glands but also detected PmApq and PmE-L by immunoblotting, suggesting molecular mimicry. Characterization of the AQP5E-specific autoantibodies selected from the screening of phage display Ab libraries and mapping of the B cell receptor repertoires revealed that the AQP5E-specific B cells acquired the ability to bind to the Ag through cumulative somatic hypermutation. Importantly, animals with anti-AQP5E Abs had decreased salivary flow rates without immune cell infiltration into the salivary glands. This model will be useful for investigating the role of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in glandular dysfunction in SS and testing new therapeutics targeting autoantibody production.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) are the 2 main Alzheimer disease amyloid biomarkers that have been validated in neuropathologically confirmed Alzheimer disease cases. Although many studies have shown concordance of amyloid positivity or negativity between CSF Aβ1-42 and amyloid PET, several studies also reported discrepancies between these 2 Aβ biomarkers. We conducted a comparison of CSF Aβ1-42 level, amyloid PET, and autopsy findings in a case with progressive supranuclear palsy in which biomarker acquisition and postmortem pathologic examination were conducted almost at the same time. Our case with antemortem CSF Aβ1-42 (+)/amyloid PET (-) who was pathologically confirmed with Aβ pathology in the cerebral cortex may indicate CSF Aβ1-42 is more sensitive for assessing in vivo Aβ than amyloid PET.

We report the versatile doping control of black phosphorus (BP) using an ionic liquid (EMIM:TFSI) as a surface charge acceptor for a wide range of electronic and optoelectronic device applications....

We study a binomial yield production process using a newsvendor approach by considering the mismatch costs between a given demand and a non-defective yield amount. Using a normal approximation, we reformulate the original discrete and exact model as a continuous and approximate model. We conduct a comparative static analysis of the parameters in the approximate model and derive the monotone properties of the (approximate) optimal solution in the case that the given demand is sufficiently large. The analytical results are all consistent with our insights and are also supported by economic explanations. Our numerical study with sample-based optimization indicates that the approximate model is sufficiently close to the exact model in most real-world examples, with some limiting cases included. Then, a simple and naive solution is found to have significant suboptimality. Finally, the results of a sensitivity analysis of the model parameters are confirmed numerically.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. The glandular dysfunction in SS involves not only T cell-mediated destruction of the glands but also autoantibodies against the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor or aquaporin 5 (AQP5) that interfere with the secretion process. Studies on the breakage of tolerance and induction of autoantibodies to these autoantigens could benefit SS patients. To break tolerance, we utilized a PmE-L peptide derived from the AQP5-homologous aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica (PmAqp) that contained both a B cell "E" epitope and a T cell epitope. Repeated subcutaneous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the PmE-L peptide efficiently induced the production of Abs against the "E" epitope of mouse/human AQP5 (AQP5E), and we aimed to characterize the antigen specificity, the sequences of AQP5E-specific B cell receptors, and salivary gland phenotypes of these mice. Sera containing anti-AQP5E IgG not only stained mouse Aqp5 expressed in the submandibular glands but also detected PmApq and PmE-L by immunoblotting, suggesting molecular mimicry. Characterization of the AQP5E-specific autoantibodies selected from the screening of phage display Ab libraries and mapping of the B cell receptor repertoires revealed that the AQP5E-specific B cells acquired the ability to bind to the Ag through cumulative somatic hypermutation. Importantly, animals with anti-AQP5E Abs had decreased salivary flow rates without immune cell infiltration into the salivary glands. This model will be useful for investigating the role of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in glandular dysfunction in SS and testing new therapeutics targeting autoantibody production.

To build an energy-sharing community, the energy flow, while considering the changes in the data within the community, must be identified in the planning and design phases. In this study, a procedure was suggested to assume PV production in a specific district and plan PV systems for the energy-sharing community using a method to identify and quantify daily patterns of PV production based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). To verify its validity, the measured energy production of five PV systems and solar radiation within a district in Jincheon, South Korea, in 2019 were used. The proposed procedure based on the result of the study was as follows: First, apply DFT for daily PV production and solar radiation to convert continuously changing data with respect to time to simple expressions with amplitudes in frequency domain. Second, identify similar patterns in the data with different amplitudes by calculating the distribution of DFT results. Third, compare the DFT distribution of PV production and solar radiation for the same date and defined the relationship between them. Fourth, classify daily solar radiation types with respect to DFT distribution and define the characteristics of solar radiation based on the DFT distribution. Finally, assume annual PV production for a specific district from the past annual solar radiation. The proposed method is expected to accurately predict energy for a district via a simple calculation using past solar radiation data without complex simulation in the design phase of an energy-sharing community. Furthermore, this method can be used to estimate the efficiency of annual PV production for each district. Therefore, this can aid in the decision making for installing PV systems for specific districts.

The development of functional coating materials has resulted in many breakthroughs in the discovery of energy, environmental, and biomedical applications. Responsive polymeric hydrogels are an example of smart coating materials due to their stimuli-responsive characteristics upon changes in their local environment. This review focuses on the introduction of hydrogel nanoparticles and their applications in functional layers as responsive coating materials. Hydrogels are explained by the composition of cross-links and monomers used for preparation. In particular, an important class of responsive hydrogels, that is, nanosized hydrogel particles (nanogels), are described for thee synthesis, modification, and application in assembly of functional coating layers. Finally, nanogel functional layers for biological applications will be discussed with recent advances in biosensing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

Aim This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the diagnostic ability of salivary matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 lateral flow test (LFT) point-of-care (POC) kit and develop an algorithm for diagnosis of periodontitis. Materials and methods Through Seoul National Dental Hospital, 137 participants (46 LFT negatives, 91 LFT positives) were recruited. For salivary diagnostics, 150 μl of the unstimulated saliva was applied to LFT-POC kit. To make a diagnosis of periodontitis, stage II-IV in modified new international classification system was used. Covariates encompassing age, sex, smoking and obesity were evaluated through face-to-face interview. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for quantification of salivary MMP-9. To develop a diagnostic algorithm, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for evaluating diagnostic ability. Results Diagnostic ability of salivary MMP-9 LFT-POC test was 0.82 (sensitivity of 0.92, specificity of 0.72) in total participants. Diagnostic algorithm using POC test resulted in a response equation, that is algorithm score = -3.675 + 2.877*LFT + 0.034*age + 0.121*sex + 0.372*smoking + 0.192*obesity. Diagnostic ability of the algorithm was 0.88 (sensitivity of 0.92, specificity of 0.85) with cut-off score of 0.589. Conclusions Salivary MMP-9 LFT-POC kit showed appropriate diagnostic ability for periodontitis and would be an efficient tool for screening of periodontitis.

Biomarkers to stratify the complex and heterogeneous phenotypes of Sjogren&rsquo, s syndrome (SS) are needed. We aimed to validate the prevalence of anti-aquaporin 5 (AQP5) IgG in a non-Korean cohort and to optimize the method to screen the anti-AQP5 IgG. The study cohort included 111 primary SS and 43 non-SS Sj&ouml, gren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) controls that were obtained from the Sj&ouml, gren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance registry, in addition to 35 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 35 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotypes. Anti-AQP5 IgG was screened by cell-based immunofluorescence cytochemistry (CB-IFC) assay in the absence or presence of epitope peptides, as well as by ELISA using the epitope peptides as coated antigens. Anti-AQP5 IgG specific to an E1 epitope was best at discriminating between SS and non-SS, and the two different methods (CB-IFC and ELISA) presented comparable performance in diagnostic accuracy (0.690 vs. 0.707). Notably, the SLE and RA groups had substantially lower levels of anti-AQP5 IgG than the SS group. In addition, the presence of anti-AQP5_E1 IgG was associated with serologic and histopathological features of SS. In conclusion, a similar prevalence of anti-AQP5 IgG was confirmed in a non-Korean cohort. Screening anti-AQP5 autoantibodies may help to form subgroups of SS for targeted therapy.

Black phosphorus (BP), a new family of two dimensional (2D) layered materials, is an attractive material for future electronic, photonic and chemical sensing devices, thanks to its high carrier density and a direct bandgap of 0.3–2.0 eV, depending on the number of layers. Controllability over the properties of BP by electrical or chemical modulations is one of the critical requirements for future various device applications. Herein, we report a new doping method of BP by integration of density-controlled monolayer MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs). MoS2 NPs with different density were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and transferred onto a few-layer BP channel, which induced a p-doping effect. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the size and distribution of MoS2 NPs with different density. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were measured to confirm the oxidation on the edge of MoS2 NPs and a doping effect of MoS2 NPs on a BP channel. The doping mechanism was explained by a charge transfer by work function differences between BP and MoS2 NPs, which was confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electrical measurements. The hole concentration of BP was controlled with different densities of MoS2 NPs in a range of 1012–1013 cm−2.

OBJECTIVES Salivary diagnostic using matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and S100 for periodontitis is a promising issue. However, its prognostic effect is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic ability of salivary MMP-9 and S100A8 for periodontitis through non-surgical periodontitis treatment clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total 149 participants, 99 periodontitis and 50 healthy, were recruited. Among 99 non-surgical periodontitis treatment participants, 74 participants were revisited after three months. Periodontitis was classified as stage II-IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify salivary MMP-9 and S100A8. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for diagnostic ability. Paired t test was applied for prognostic ability evaluating changes in salivary markers between pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS Salivary MMP-9 and S100A8 were associated with periodontitis (p

Cell-based assay by immunofluorescence cytochemistry (CBA-IFC) has been shown to be the most accurate method to detect anti-aquaporin (AQP) 4 autoantibodies. Detection of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies is delicate, which depends on the proper expression of AQP5 on the plasma membrane. Here, we describe methods to determine anti-AQP5 autoantibodies by CBA-IFC. Both anti-AQP5 IgG and IgA can be detected by this method.

Cell-based assay by immunofluorescence cytochemistry (CBA-IFC) has been shown to be the most accurate method to detect anti-aquaporin (AQP) 4 autoantibodies. Detection of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies is delicate, which depends on the proper expression of AQP5 on the plasma membrane. Here, we describe methods to determine anti-AQP5 autoantibodies by CBA-IFC. Both anti-AQP5 IgG and IgA can be detected by this method.

Platinum diselenide (PtSe2), a recently rediscovered two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide, has attracted immense attention in the optoelectronic field due to its tunable bandgap, ultrastability, and high electron mobility. However, the applications of PtSe2 photodetectors are seriously restricted by their low responsivity. In this work, a high-responsivity (5 × 104 A/W) PtSe2 photodetector is obtained by exploiting a photogating effect; this is induced by the hole-trapping states, which are attributed to Se vacancies. Moreover, a gate-tunable transition between the positive and negative photoconductances is observed under light illumination. A theoretical calculation based on the Boltzmann transport theory is performed to explain the carrier transport of PtSe2, considering the contributions of charged impurity, acoustic phonon, and polar optical phonon scattering.

Key events in the pathogenesis of Sjӧgren syndrome (SS) include the change of salivary gland epithelial cells into antigen-presenting cell-like phenotypes and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis (FLS). However, what triggers these features in SS is unknown. Dysbiosis of the gut and oral microbiomes is a potential environmental factor in SS, but its connection to the etiopathogenesis of SS remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the oral microbiota in SS and to investigate its potential role in the pathogenesis of SS. Oral bacterial communities were collected by whole mouthwash from control subjects (14 without oral dryness and 11 with dryness) and primary SS patients (8 without oral dryness and 17 with dryness) and were analyzed by pyrosequencing. The SS oral microbiota was characterized by an increased bacterial load and Shannon diversity. Through comparisons of control and SS in combined samples and then separately in non-dry and dry conditions, SS-associated taxa independent of dryness were identified. Three SS-associated species and 2 control species were selected and used to challenge human submandibular gland tumor (HSG) cells. Among the selected SS-associated bacterial species, Prevotella melaninogenica uniquely upregulated the expression of MHC molecules, CD80, and IFNλ in HSG cells. Concomitantly, P. melaninogenica efficiently invaded HSG cells. Sections of labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsies from 8 non-SS subjects and 15 SS patients were subjected to in situ hybridization using universal and P. melaninogenica-specific probes. Ductal cells and the areas of infiltration were heavily infected with bacteria in the LSGs with FLS. Collectively, dysbiotic oral microbiota may initiate the deregulation of SGECs and the IFN signature through bacterial invasion into ductal cells. These findings may provide new insights into the etiopathogenesis of SS.

Background: Dysbiosis of the gut and oral microbiomes is a potential environmental factor in Sjogren's syndrome (SS), but its connection to the etiopathogenesis of SS remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the oral microbiota in SS and to investigate its potential role in the pathogenesis of SS. Methods: Oral bacterial communities collected by whole mouthwash from 15 healthy individuals, 10 drug/radiation-induced sicca patients, and 25 primary SS patients were analyzed by pyrosequencing. Four SS-associated species and 2 control species were selected and used to challenge human submandibular gland tumor (HSG) cells. The expression of MHC I, MHC II, CD80, CD86, and IFNλ in HSG cells and the bacterial invasion into HSG cells were examined. Sections of labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsies from 8 non-SS subjects and 15 SS patients were subjected to in situ hybridization using universal and Prevotella melaninogenica-specific probes. Findings: The SS oral microbiota was characterized by an increased bacterial load and Shannon diversity. Although a substantial portion of the changes observed in SS patients overlapped with those in drug/radiation-induced sicca patients, SS-specific changes were identified. Among the selected SS-associated bacterial species, P. melaninogenica uniquely upregulated the expression of MHC molecules, CD80, and IFN λ in HSG cells. Concomitantly, P. melaninogenica efficiently invaded HSG cells. Ductal cells and the areas of infiltration were heavily infected with bacteria in the LSGs with focal lymphocytic sialadenitis. Interpretation: Dysbiotic oral microbiota is associated with deregulation of salivary gland epithelial cells and acquisition of IFN signatures through bacterial invasion into ductal cells. Funding Statement: This study was supported by a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project (HI13C0016) from Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. Labial salivary gland biopsy specimens used in this manuscript are from the Sjogren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance [SICCA], funded under contract N01 DE-32636 by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, with funding support from the National Eye Institute and Office for Research in Women’s Health. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, and writing of the report. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All procedures involving human subjects and materials were performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration under approved protocols from the Institutional Review Boards at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (KC13ONMI0646) and at Seoul National University, School of Dentistry (S-D20140022, S-D20170004). Informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

Organic rubrene (5,6,11,12-tetraphenyltetracene) nanorods (NRs) were fabricated through the physical vapor transport method for the study of active fluorescence optical waveguiding and its modulation. The functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with blue and green emissions were partially attached to the surface of the rubrene NR. Using a high resolution laser confocal microscope (LCM), the nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the pristine rubrene portion of the hybrid NR/QDs was observed to be considerably enhanced after it was attached with blue (or green) QDs. The nanoscale optical waveguiding characteristics of the hybrid NR/QDs were investigated in terms of the output LCM PL spectra as a function of propagation distance. We observed more efficient optical waveguiding characteristics from the hybrid rubrene NR/blue-QDs than from the pristine NR and the hybrid rubrene NR/green-QDs. These results can be analyzed in terms of the higher Forster resonance energy transfer efficiency for hybrid rubrene NR/blue-QDs system. The results and analysis were supported by a drastic decrease of exciton lifetime of QDs in the hybrid region as measured by time-resolved PL decay curves.

Hybrids consisting of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) as a core and thiol-group functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as a shell were fabricated using the ligand-exchange method. We clearly observed the photovoltaic characteristics of a single QD-P3HT hybrid by using conducting atomic force microscopy. Monochromatic power conversion efficiency drastically increased with an increase in the molecular weight (Mw) of P3HT, suggesting sufficient photoinduced charge transfer between the QD and highly ordered P3HT chains. The nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) intensity for a single QD considerably decreased with increasing Mw of P3HT owing to charge transfer effects. On the basis of time-resolved PL and transient absorption spectra measurements of the QD-P3HT hybrids, we deduced that the exciton lifetimes of the QD were reduced with higher-Mw P3HT hybrids, and photobleaching was observed. The measured nanoscale optical characteristics of the single QD-P3HT hybrids support their distinct photovoltaic behaviors.

A generalized scheme for the fabrication of high performance photodetectors consisting of a p-type channel material and n-type nanoparticles is proposed. The high performance of the proposed hybrid photodetector is achieved through enhanced photoabsorption and the photocurrent gain arising from its effective charge transfer mechanism. In this paper, the realization of this design is presented in a hybrid photodetector consisting of 2D p-type black phosphorus (BP) and n-type molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles (MoS2 NPs), and it is demonstrated that it exhibits enhanced photoresponsivity and detectivity compared to pristine BP photodetectors. It is found that the performance of hybrid photodetector depends on the density of NPs on BP layer and that the response time can be reduced with increasing density of MoS2 NPs. The rising and falling times of this photodetector are smaller than those of BP photodetectors without NPs. This proposed scheme is expected to work equally well for a photodetector with an n-type channel material and p-type nanoparticles.

Organic p – n junction nanoparticles (NPs) of p -type poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and n -type [6,6]-phenyl C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) with approximate diameters of 80–250 nm were fabricated by a mini-emulsion method. Various concentrations of functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were hybridized with P3HT/PCBM NPs. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the QDs mostly overlapped the absorption spectra of the P3HT/PCBM NPs, suggesting the activation of energy and/or charge-transfer effects. Using a high-resolution laser confocal microscope (LCM), we observed that the LCM PL intensity of a single P3HT/PCBM NP quenched with increasing QD concentration. Conducting atomic force microscopy revealed that the photocurrent of the P3HT/PCBM NP was enhanced as the QD concentration increased. After the hybridization of the P3HT/PCBM NPs with the QDs, the energy/charge-transfer effects and the charge dissociation of excitons with incident light have been more active, resulting in the increased photocurrent.

Organic field effect transistors (OFETs) were fabricated using a p-type rubrene single nanosheet (NS) as an active layer hybridized with n-type CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The dark and photoresponsive ( λ ex = 455 nm) electrical characteristics of the rubrene NS-based OFETs were investigated with and without the QDs. In dark conditions, the source-drain current ( I DS ) of the OFETs increased and the threshold voltage was shifted to a positive direction after the partial attachment of the QDs to the surface of the NS. We also observed that the laser confocal microscope (LCM) PL intensity of the rubrene NS decreased through the attachment of the QDs, due to the charge transfer effect. With light irradiation, the photoresponsive I DS and mobility of the OFETs were considerably enhanced by the hybridization with QDs. The results originated from both the ground charge transfer and exciton dissociation effects at the interface of p-type rubrene and n-type QDs heterojunctions.

In this study, we propose a hybrid black phosphorus (BP)/Au nanoparticle (NP)-based photodetector, which greatly enhances the performance of photodetectors compared to BP-only photodetectors. By integrating Au NPs onto the BP surface, the light absorption was greatly enhanced owing to the localized surface plasmon resonance induced by the Au NPs, and the dark current of the photodetector was suppressed because the holes were withdrawn from the BP to the Au NPs due to the difference in the work function. After optimizing the density of the Au NPs, the responsivity of the BP/Au-NP photodetector reached 6000 and 500 A/W for 655 and 980 nm wavelengths, respectively, which are 60 and 500 times higher than those of BP photodetectors, respectively. The proposed hybrid photodetector, a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor with noble metal NPs, opens up the possibility of realizing highly sensitive optoelectronic devices in the future.

A new doping method of BP by integration of density-controlled monolayer MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs) is demonstrated. MoS2 NPs with different density were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and transferred onto a few-layer BP channel, which induced a p-doping effect. The hole concentration of BP was controlled with different densities of MoS2 NPs in a range of 1012 - 1013 cm-2. The doping mechanism was explained by a charge transfer by work function differences between BP and MoS2 NPs, which was confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electrical measurements. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were measured to confirm the oxidation on the edge of MoS2 NPs and a doping effect of MoS2 NPs on a BP channel. This result shows promising possibility for BP device functionalization by decorating various NPs, which will enhance the device performance such as photoresponsivity, or chemical sensitivity.

The disturbance of a rock due to a blasting impact or stress redistribution can significantly influence the overall performance of an underground excavation. In order to investigate the characteristics of the EDZ (Excavation Damaged Zone) developed during the construction of the KAERI underground research tunnel in Korea (KURT), which is an underground research tunnel for a Korean high-level radioactive waste disposal program, various in situ and laboratory tests were carried out. A Goodman jack test showed that the deformation modules were influenced by a blasting to a depth of 1.5–2 m. With empirical equations, the EDZ could be predicted as 0.3–2.3 m. The average RQD from the rock cores at 0–2 m, where the blasting impact was significant, was 17% lower than that from the deeper regions. From the laboratory tests, the EDZ size could be estimated to be around 0.9–1.5 m. The elastic modules in the EDZ were decreased by about 56%. From a borehole radar reflection survey and a subtracting technique, it was possible to detect the new reflectors generated by a tunnel blasting. By using the determined EDZ size and the properties from the laboratory and in situ tests, a sensitivity analysis was performed. From the sensitivity analysis with seven parameters, it was possible to determine that the in situ stress ratio, Young’s modules, and EDZ size were the three main parameters.

This work presents a time-weighted finite state automaton modeling formalism for an alternative formulation of multi-commodity flow network problem with some "discrete event features". We introduce a procedure to translate the "multi-commodity flow problem" into a minimum makespan controllable sublangauge synthesis problem in supervisory control theory and use an existing algorithm that computes a finite makespan controllable sublanguage as an approximated algorithm. A simple case study is used to illustrate the application of our model translation procedure.

Chemical protocols for incorporation of silver nanoparticles and quantum dots into 3D microstructures fabricated with two-photon lithography were recently developed in our group. This maskless lithographic technique allows fast prototyping of complex microstructures by nonlinear optical initiation of chemical processes.

Hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of an n-type CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) as a core and p-type π-conjugate molecules as a shell were fabricated, and their nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) and photoresponsive molecular electronic characteristics were investigated. π-Conjugated macromolecular dioctyloxybenzodithiophene-based polythiophene (P3000) or a single carbazole (CB) molecule with insulating molecular blocks were attached to the QD surface. The nanoscale PL characteristics for the single QD were drastically changed through close contact with P3000 owing to energy and charge transfer effects. However, for the hybrid QD-CB NP, the PL of the QD was dominant because of weak energy transfer resulting from the relatively longer insulating molecular block between the QD and the CB molecule. From time-resolved PL spectra, the exciton lifetimes of the QD in the hybrid QD-P3000 and QD-CB NPs were clearly different because of a variation in the energy transfer rate. The photocurrents of the single hybrid QD-P3000 NP were considerably higher and actively responded to both forward and reverse biases due to the energy and charge transfer effects, while those of the single QD-CB NP exhibited diode characteristics. The QD-based hybrids show distinct nanoscale PL features and photoresponsive molecular electronic characteristics depending on the structures of π-conjugated molecules. For n–p-junctioned QD-P3000 hybrid NPs, the PL intensity from the green QD drastically decreased and that of the π-conjugated P3000 was weakly changed due to energy and charge transfer effects. The photocurrent of the QD-P3000 was much higher and more symmetric than that of the QD-CB NP, which had an insulating molecular block, suggesting more active charge transfer between the p-type P3000 and the n-type QD. The nanoscale PL and molecular optoelectronic properties of the hybrids of QDs and π-conjugated molecules could be tuned by their relative distance and the degree of spectral overlapping. An enhanced control over the optical properties of quantum dots, achieved by attaching organic molecules, has been demonstrated by Kwang-Sup Lee and Jinsoo Joo from Hannam University/Korea University and their collaborators in South Korea and the United States. The addition of nanometer-sized quantum dots dramatically alters the properties of a material, which is of use in applications such as solar cells. At the same time, it is important to exert effective control over these modified properties. This can be achieved by surrounding the quantum dots with other materials that interact with them. In their study of cadmium selenide quantum dots, the researchers use organic molecules for this purpose and demonstrate that the light emission from the quantum dots depends strongly on the type of molecule attached to them. This enables a broader flexibility when designing quantum dots for specific electronic or optical applications.

Instead of conventional in-situ cast concrete lining, permanent shotcrete lining is widely used. In order to secure the required performance of the shotcrete, the strength, deformability, durability, pumpability and rebound ratio are of great importance. In this study, the mechanical performance of high-strength shotcrete (wet-mixed shotcrete with powder type cement mineral accelerator) at the weathered rock condition was evaluated. In the performance analysis, the finite difference method (FLAC by Itasca) was used. The factor of safety of shotcrete lining against flexure was examined. When using the high-strength shotcrete, the factor of safety increased by a small amount. For the same factor of safety, however, the thickness of shotcrete could be remarkably reduced. In addition, the ground reaction curve analysis was carried out to examine the amount of displacement and time for the convergence. When using the high-strength shotcrete, the displacement at the crown and sidewalls decreased as much as 10%. Assuming the increased modulus of elasticity (25 GPa) of the high-strength shotcrete, the convergence was achieved at as early as 3 mm of displacement at the crown. In summary, the high-strength shotcrete showed more favourable mechanical performance than the conventional shotcrete. (A) This paper was presented at Safety in the underground space - Proceedings of the ITA-AITES 2006 World Tunnel Congress and the 32nd ITA General Assembly, Seoul, Korea, 22-27 April 2006. For the covering abstract see ITRD E129148. "Reprinted with permission from Elsevier".