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Rapid detection of airborne fungal contamination using a molecularly imprinted polymer approach for ergosterol

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Title: Rapid detection of airborne fungal contamination using a molecularly imprinted polymer approach for ergosterol Author(s): Choi, Eun-Sook; Kim, Jung-Hee; Na, Yun-Cheol; Lee, Bong Gu; Yeo, Min-Kyeong; Kim, Eunjoo Abstract: Fungi are major biological contaminants in indoor air, and their concentration is typically assessed using the culture-based CFU method, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Ergosterol, a major fungal cell membrane component, has emerged as a preferred target for alternative analytical approaches. However, ergosterol is highly hydrophobic, and specific affinity probes such as antibodies or aptamers have not yet been successfully developed. In this study, we fabricated ergosterol-specific probes using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) immobilized on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and integrated them into a screen-printed electrode (SPE) platform. Surface polymerization was initiated through a thiol-ene click reaction using pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) and glyoxal bis(diallyl acetal) (GO), which were selected based on predicted stable conformations for MIP synthesis. The resulting MIP@CNT sensor achieved an imprinting factor (IF) of 19.26 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.22 pM for ergosterol. Ergosterol levels in indoor air samples collected on PVC filters were quantified using the MIP@CNT sensor and showed significant correlation with GC/MS measurement (R-2 = 0.5136, p < 0.0001), moderate but statistically significant correlation. This work provides a valuable reference for developing sensing platforms for highly hydrophobic molecules such as sterols and phytosterols, which represent important analytical targets in environmental and biological monitoring.

Stable path planning algorithm for avoidance of dynamic obstacles

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:00:00 GMT

Title: Stable path planning algorithm for avoidance of dynamic obstacles Author(s): Kang, Won-Seok; Yun, Sanghun; Kwon, Hyung-Oh; Choi, Rock Hyun; Son, Chang-Sik; Lee, Dong Ha Abstract: Previous research of path planning has focused mainly on finding shortest paths or smallest movements. These methods, however, have poor stability characteristics when dynamic obstacles are considered on real-life or in-body map's environments. In this paper, we suggest a stable path planning algorithm for avoidance of dynamic obstacles. The proposed method makes the movement of a mobile robot more stable in a dynamic environment. Our focus is based on finding optimal movements for stability rather than finding shortest paths or smallest movements. The algorithm is based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) and uses k-means clustering to recognize the distribution of dynamics obstacles in various mobile space. Simulation results confirm this method can determine stable paths through environments involving dynamic obstacles. In order to validate our results, we compared the dynamic k values used in k-means clustering and grid-based dynamic cell sizes from several test sets. © 2015 IEEE.

Airborne Acoustic Communication using Inaudible Frequencies Supported by Smart Devices

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Title: Airborne Acoustic Communication using Inaudible Frequencies Supported by Smart Devices Author(s): Piao, Shiquan Abstract: Aerial acoustic communication enables low-rate data exchange using audible or inaudible acoustic waves and has the advantage of operating on virtually all smart devices without additional hardware, unlike NFC, whose adoption remains limited by hardware and platform constraints. Standard microphones and speakers can therefore be used for both transmission and reception, making the technology an appealing and practical complement to existing wireless methods.However, commodity devices primarily support the audible band, much of which overlaps with speech and ambient noise, leaving only a narrow portion suitable for reliable communication. To address this limitation, the proposed approach utilizes a frequency region that is broadly supported across devices yet minimally influenced by everyday acoustic environments, thereby enhancing overall stability and robustness.Furthermore, this paper introduces a Zoom-FFT-based narrow-band acoustic communication technique that improves robustness and frequency resolution within this constrained spectrum. By exploiting its high-resolution spectral analysis, the system can reliably extract communication signals even in noisy indoor settings, supporting practical short-range data exchange applications across diverse usage scenarios.

VLM 시대의 목표 객체 탐색을 위한 지식 융합 전략 서베이

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Title: VLM 시대의 목표 객체 탐색을 위한 지식 융합 전략 서베이 Author(s): 서보건; 김지선; 손준우; 박명옥; 김기섭 Abstract: The rapid advancement of robotics and deep learning has increasingly accelerated the use of Embodied AI, where robots autonomously explore and reason in complex real-world environments. With the growing demand for domestic service robots, efficient navigation in unfamiliar settings has become even more crucial. Object Goal Navigation (OGN) is a fundamental task for this capability, requiring a robot to find and reach a user-specified object in an unknown environment. Solving OGN demands advanced perception, contextual reasoning, and effective exploration strategies. Recent Vision-Language Models (VLMs) and Large Language Models (LLMs) provide agents with external common knowledge and reasoning capabilities. This paper poses the critical question: “Where should VLM/LLM knowledge be fused into Object Goal Navigation?” We categorize knowledge integration into the three stages adapted from the Perception-Prediction-Planning paradigm to offer a structured survey of Object Goal Navigation approaches shaped by the VLM era. We conclude by discussing current dataset limitations and future directions, including further studies on socially interactive navigation and operation in mixed indoor - outdoor environments.