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0.5-mm-thick 7075-T6 aluminum alloy sheets were butt joined successfully by high-speed micro friction stir welding (μFSW) as well as conventional μFSW using a pinless tool. The influences of welding parameters on the axial force, residual stresses, and deformations were studied through experiments. Good surface morphology and defect-free joints were obtained by high-speed μFSW as well as conventional μFSW in a fixed rotational speed/welding speed of 6.67 rad/mm. The axial force during μFSW increased with the increment in welding speed and decreased with the increment in rotational speed. When the ratio of rotational speed/welding speed was 6.67 rad/mm, compared with conventional μFSW (2000/300), the lower axial force of 1460 N was obtained by using high-speed μFSW (10,000/1500). Longitudinal tensile residual stress and transverse compressive residual stress occurred around the weld zone for all μFSW joints. The residual stresses of joint fabricated by a parameter of 10,000/1500 were slightly less than that fabricated by 2000/300. Both longitudinal maximum bending deformation Zmax and transverse angular deformation α increased with the increment in rotational speed and decreased with the increment in welding speed. As a comparison to 2000/300, the welded sheet with a parameter of 10,000/1500 exhibited slightly lower Zmax and α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material flow during friction stir welding of ultra-thin 2024 aluminium alloy plates was investigated by using copper powder as marker material. Based on the visualised experiment and numerical computation of material flow produced in the research, the effect of rotational speed on material flow was revealed. In high rotational speed FSW process, flow distance along welding direction of plastic metal on both sides and transverse flow distance to the weld centre line on the retreating side were shorter; however, a larger flow velocity was shown. The flow velocity of plastic metal decreased with the increasing of distance from the weld centre, while it increased with the increasing of rotational speed under a constant rotational speed/welding speed ratio. Maximum and minimum values of the flow velocity of plastic metal were located at the intersection of triple spiral groove of shoulder and both sides of its outer diameter edge, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the effects of audiovisual distraction on reducing dental anxiety in children during dental treatment under local anesthesia. Methods: The authors identified eligible reports published through August 2017 by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Clinical trials that reported the effects of audiovisual distraction on children's physiological measures, self‐reports, and behavior rating scales during dental treatment met the minimum inclusion requirements. The authors extracted data and performed a meta‐analysis of appropriate articles. Results: Nine eligible trials were included and qualitatively analyzed; some of these trials were also quantitatively analyzed. Among the physiological measures, heart rate or pulse rate was significantly lower (p = .01) in children subjected to audiovisual distraction during dental treatment under local anesthesia than in those who were not; a significant difference in oxygen saturation was not observed. The majority of the studies using self‐reports and behavior rating scales suggested that audiovisual distraction was beneficial in reducing anxiety perception and improving children's cooperation during dental treatment. Conclusion: The audiovisual distraction approach effectively reduces dental anxiety among children. Therefore, we suggest the use of audiovisual distraction when children need dental treatment under local anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion behavior of 5Cr0.5Mo steel in sulfur-bearing solutions as a function of temperature, test time, and sulfur content was investigated by weight loss measurements in this study. The results indicate that the corrosion rate of the steel increases with increasing test temperature. Besides, the corrosion rate increases during the initial test time and then decreases with longer test duration. Moreover, the corrosion rate rises with a higher amount of sulfur in the solution, and consequently a lower amount of sulfur leads to a decreased corrosion rate. In addition, the effect of Cr and Mo elements has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the relation of plasma urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in patients with lupus nephritis. It mentions the detection of uPA and uPAR in Chines lupus nephritis patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It notes that the significantly increased plasma levels of soluble uPAR could be found in active lupus nephritis that are associated with some clinico-pathological features.

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) based titanium n-butoxide (TNBT) and zirconium n-propoxide (ZNP) composite fibres were prepared by electrospinning, and the corresponding fibres with the addition of acetic acid (HAc) were also prepared for comparison. The storage stabilities of four alkoxide composite fibres and PVP electrospun fibres under standard laboratory conditions (20°C, 65% relative humidity) were investigated. Some unexpected but interesting phenomena were discovered. Electrospun PVP fibres lose their fibrous shapes after they have been stored for only 24 h. The TNBT, ZNP and ZNP(HAc) composite fibres still remain their morphologies even though they have been stored for 15 days, exhibiting excellent chemical and morphological stability in the air, because the hydrolysis and condensation of alkoxide have completed during the electrospinning process, while TBNT(HAc) composite fibres hydrolyse and condense during the storage period. This investigation provides useful knowledge for preparing ceramic electrospun fibres, especially for large scale production or electrospinning over extended time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of ZrO2 powders under hydrothermal conditions has been extensively studied, but the details of the transformation in crystal structure associated with hydrothermal treatment, which will be discussed in the present paper, are unclear. The present results indicate that the t-ZrO2 phase formed from the precursor in the early stages of hydrothermal treatment is converted to m-ZrO2 as hydrothermal treatment proceeds. The pure m-ZrO2 phase was formed after 18 h at 180°C. These results differ from those reported by Stefanic et al., which probably refer to an intermediate stage in the transformation during hydrothermal treatment at 95°C, reflecting the kinetics of the crystallisation process. The present results indicate that the kinetics of crystallisation is significantly delayed at this relatively low temperature when compared with the transformation at the relatively high temperature of 180°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach of localizing the contact zone of the double-envelope hourglass worm gearing has been proposed to reduce the sensitivity to the errors and the load. The influence of the errors on the contact zone is systematically investigated. The contact deformation, the shift of contact zone and load share among the meshing tooth-pairs has been analyzed using 3D contact FEM. After synthetically considering the influence of the errors and the load, the worm surface is modified into the crowning in height direction in comparison with the hob. The results from the loaded contact analysis demonstrate that this modification drive can absorb the influence of the errors and the load on meshing performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We demonstrate high-efficiency electrophosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with double light-emitting layers (D–EMLs) by doping both hole and electron transport hosts with fac tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium [Ir(ppy)[sub 3]] simultaneously. The D–EMLs PHOLEDs show significantly improved efficiency (peak external quantum efficiency of about 12.6%, corresponding to a current efficiency of 44.3 cd/A) compared to the conventional PHOLEDs with a single EML and either hole or electron transport host doped with Ir(ppy)[sub 3]. We attribute this improvement mainly to reduced losses of triplet excitons into regions that are not doped by phosphorescent emitter molecules. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic electroluminescent devices with a structure of ITO/ploy (9-vinylcarbazole)/tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3)/Mg:Ag are fabricated at different substrate temperatures (77, 298, and 438 K) during Alq3 deposition. It is found that the surface morphologies of Alq3 thin films greatly affect the I-V characteristics of the devices by the contact area between metal cathode and light-emitting layer. There is an increase in the luminous efficiency of the devices in the order 77 K<298 K<438 K. We attribute this trend to different structures of Alq3 thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the characterization of alpha-naphthylphenylbiphenyl diamine (NPB) film as crystalline using Raman spectrum, in the article 'Organic electroluminescent devices by high-temperature processing and crystalline hole transporting layer' by Gao et al. Results demonstrating that NPB is amorphous.

Traffic safety situation refers to the current traffic operation safety situation and future evolution trend of one or more related highways. Accurate traffic safety situation assessment is of great significance for promoting traffic safety. This paper proposes a new urban traffic safety situation evaluation method based on Internet of Vehicles data. First, based on vehicle data, traffic condition data is collected as sample data for urban traffic safety assessment. Secondly, from the perspective of traffic environment, traffic characteristics, road traffic accidents and road conditions, a traffic safety evaluation index system is constructed and quantified. Finally, the weight of each index is calculated by using the analytic hierarchy process, and the evaluation score of urban traffic safety is calculated to judge the safety level. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional traffic safety situation assessment method, the evaluation accuracy and efficiency of this method have been greatly improved, and the evaluation accuracy rate is more than 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis of five prospective randomized, phase III trials demonstrated that adding gemtuzumab ozogamicin to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia can improve overall survival and relapse-free survival, decrease incidences of resistant disease and relapse, but increase risks of grade 3–4 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and liver AST elevation.Background Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a targeted antineoplastic agent comprised of a recombinant anti-CD33 humanized antibody linked to calicheamicin. Previous trials have showed conflicting results concerning the efficacy and toxicity of adding GO to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to resolve this controversial issue. Patients and methods Summary data from five randomized phase III trials compared adding GO to induction chemotherapy with induction chemotherapy alone for newly diagnosed AML were meta-analyzed. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS), and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for complete remission (CR) rate, incidences of resistance disease, relapse and toxicity were calculated. Results Data of 3596 patients (1798 GO and 1798 controls) from five randomized phase III trials were analyzed. Compared with induction chemotherapy alone, adding GO significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86–1.00, P = 0.05) and RFS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79–0.95, P = 0.003), decreased the incidences of resistant disease (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.93, P = 0.01) and relapse (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63–0.90, P = 0.002), but had no effect on CR rate (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.91–1.46, P = 0.24). Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results. Subgroup analysis identified that cytogenetics might be an influencing factor for the effect of adding GO. In addition, the risks of grade 3–4 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and liver aspartate transaminase (AST) elevation were increased in GO arm. Conclusions Adding GO to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML can significantly prolong OS and RFS, decrease incidences of resistant disease and relapse, but may increase risks of grade 3–4 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and liver AST elevation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infectious disease caused mainly by Candida albicans. Kangfuxin (KFX) is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation made from Periplaneta americana extracts, which promotes wound healing and enhances body immunity and also acts as an antifungal agent. Here, we evaluated the effect of KFX in the treatment of VVC in vitro and in vivo. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of KFX against C. albicans ranged from 7·65 to 20·57%. In addition, KFX was more efficient than fluconazole (FLC) in inhibiting the drug‐resistant C. albicans, and the effect was more intense after 8 h. The KFX treatment also exhibited good activity in vivo. It restored the body weight and reduced the vulvovaginal symptoms in mice induced with VVC. It downregulated the expression of the hyphae‐related gene, HWP1, thus inhibiting the growth and development of C. albicans hyphae. It also increased the number of neutrophils and promoted the secretion of interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A); however, the levels of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) decreased in mice with VVC. We deduce that KFX effectively treats vaginal candidiasis in two ways: by inhibiting the growth and development of mycelia to reduce colonization of C. albicans and by promoting the secretion and release of IL‐17A and neutrophils in high numbers to fight C. albicans infection. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of KFX for the clinical treatment of VVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciochemical records recovered from an 80.4 m ice core in the East Rongbuk (ER) Glacier (elevation: 6450 m) on the northern slope of Mt. Everest provide a reconstructing of past climate for the period AD 1846-1997. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on the eight major ion (SO[sub 4, sup 2-], Mg[sup 2+], Ca[sup 2+], Na[sup +], Cl[sup -], NH[sub 4, sup +], K[sup +], and NO[sub 3, sup -]) timeseries reveals inter-species relations and common structure within the ER glaciochemical data. The first two EOF series (EOF1-ions and EOF2-ions) are compared with instrumental data of sea level pressure (SLP) to demonstrate that the EOF-ions series display strong connections to winter (January) and summer (July) SLP over the Mongolian region. The positive relationship between EOF1-ions and the Mongolian High (MongHi) series suggests that enhanced winter MongHi strengthens the transport of dust aerosols southward from arid regions over central Asia to Mt. Everest. The close correspondence between EOF2-ions and the summer Mongolian Low (MongLow) indicates that the deeper MongLow, which is related to the stronger Indian Monsoon, contributes to a decrease in summer dust aerosols. Therefore, the ER ice core record comprises two assemblages of crustal species, each transported from different source regions during different seasons. EOF1-ions represents the majority of the crustal species and is related to winter atmospheric circulation patterns. These species are mainly transported from arid regions of central Asia during the winter dry season. EOF2-ions represents crustal species transported by summer atmospheric circulation from local/ regional sources in the northern and southern Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strictest ever Clean Air Action has been implemented since 2013 at nationwide scale in China. Nevertheless, PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm) mass and number of ultrafine particles (UFPs, the particles with diameters smaller than 100 nm) exhibited contrasting response to the emission mitigation policies. Unlike reduction of PM2.5 and number of accumulation mode particles, UFPs number decreased from 2012 to 2015, and then has begun to increase sharply since 2016, and annual change of number in nucleation mode particles can reach 40% at noontime during 2017–2019. We examined inter‐annual trends of mode diameter, frequency of new particle formation (NPF) events, formation and growth rates, and particles were found to be much finer and NPF events have been more frequent since 2017. The much higher temperature and stronger solar radiation induced by PM2.5 reduction could promote the formation of secondary aerosol particles at noon. Plain Language Summary: Since 2013, China has implemented the strictest ever air pollution control policies, which resulted in substantial reductions in PM2.5 mass concentrations. However, it is still unclear how the recent stringent control measures influence number concentration of ultrafine particles, part of them from secondary formation. Furthermore, it remained a critical challenge to study the effect of PM2.5 reduction on formation of secondary pollutants. Using long‐term particle number size distribution (PNSD) data, we found a dramatic increasing trend in UFPs number after 2016 in urban Lanzhou of west China with maximum increase in nucleation mode particles at noon. Further, we checked the inter‐annual variations of mode diameter of PNSDs, NPF frequency, formation and growth rates, and then frequent new particle formation (NPF) events were found to dominate the variation in UFPs number during the observation period. The high temperature and strong solar radiation induced by PM2.5 reduction in response to emission mitigation policies could promote occurrence of NPF events, and thus resulted in increase in UFPs. This study is important for revising future emission control measures to reduce number concentrations of ultrafine particles. Key Points: Annual change of N13–25 at noon time increased by 40% during 2017–2019Increases in ultrafine particles were mainly induced by more frequent NPF eventsNPF is increasingly frequent due to reduction in Coagulation sink in response to Clean Air Action in China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strictest ever Clean Air Action has been implemented since 2013 at nationwide scale in China. Nevertheless, PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm) mass and number of ultrafine particles (UFPs, the particles with diameters smaller than 100 nm) exhibited contrasting response to the emission mitigation policies. Unlike reduction of PM2.5 and number of accumulation mode particles, UFPs number decreased from 2012 to 2015, and then has begun to increase sharply since 2016, and annual change of number in nucleation mode particles can reach 40% at noontime during 2017–2019. We examined inter‐annual trends of mode diameter, frequency of new particle formation (NPF) events, formation and growth rates, and particles were found to be much finer and NPF events have been more frequent since 2017. The much higher temperature and stronger solar radiation induced by PM2.5 reduction could promote the formation of secondary aerosol particles at noon. Plain Language Summary: Since 2013, China has implemented the strictest ever air pollution control policies, which resulted in substantial reductions in PM2.5 mass concentrations. However, it is still unclear how the recent stringent control measures influence number concentration of ultrafine particles, part of them from secondary formation. Furthermore, it remained a critical challenge to study the effect of PM2.5 reduction on formation of secondary pollutants. Using long‐term particle number size distribution (PNSD) data, we found a dramatic increasing trend in UFPs number after 2016 in urban Lanzhou of west China with maximum increase in nucleation mode particles at noon. Further, we checked the inter‐annual variations of mode diameter of PNSDs, NPF frequency, formation and growth rates, and then frequent new particle formation (NPF) events were found to dominate the variation in UFPs number during the observation period. The high temperature and strong solar radiation induced by PM2.5 reduction in response to emission mitigation policies could promote occurrence of NPF events, and thus resulted in increase in UFPs. This study is important for revising future emission control measures to reduce number concentrations of ultrafine particles. Key Points: Annual change of N13–25 at noon time increased by 40% during 2017–2019Increases in ultrafine particles were mainly induced by more frequent NPF eventsNPF is increasingly frequent due to reduction in Coagulation sink in response to Clean Air Action in China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isopentenylation at A37 (i6A37) of some transfer RNAs (tRNAs) plays a vital role in regulating the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis. However, whether insects, which are well known for their highly efficient protein synthesis machinery, employ this regulatory mechanism remains uninvestigated. In the current study, a candidate tRNA isopentenyltransferase (IPT) gene with three alternative splicing isoforms (BmIPT1–BmIPT3) was identified in Bombyx mori (silkworm). Only BmIPT1 could complement a yeast mutant lacking tRNA IPT. Phylogenetic analysis showed that silkworm tRNA IPT is conserved in the Lepidoptera. BmIPT was expressed in all B. mori tissues and organs that were investigated, but was expressed at a significantly higher level in silk glands of the fourth instar compared to the first day of the fifth instar. Interestingly, BmIPT was expressed at a significantly higher level in the domesticated silkworm, B. mori, than in wild Bombyx mandarina in multiple tissues and organs. Knock‐down of BmIPT by RNA interference caused severe abnormalities in silk spinning and metamorphosis. Constitutive overexpression of BmIPT1 using a cytoplasmic actin 4 promoter in B. mori raised its messenger RNA level more than sixfold compared with nontransgenic insects and led to significant decreases in the body weight and cocoon shell ratio. Together, these results confirm the first functional tRNA IPT in insects and show that a suitable expression level of tRNA IPT is vital for silk spinning, normal growth, and metamorphosis. Thus, i6A modification at position A37 in tRNA probably plays an important role in B. mori protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an improved prediction model is introduced to assess the residual strength of gear transmission systems. The residual strength and stress‐strength interference theories are then combined to facilitate the study of the reliability of the gears and bearings in these systems. Based on the copula function, the correlation between the gear contact and bending failure is determined. The relationship between the copula function and reliability is used to determine the dynamic reliability of the gears while considering multiple correlated failure modes. In this manner, more accurate and dynamic reliability attenuation characteristics are obtained for the gear transmission system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two ice cores were retrieved from high elevations (~5800ma.s.l.) at Mt. Nyainqêntanglha and Mt. Geladaindong in the southern and central Tibetan Plateau region. The combined tracer analysis of tritium (3H), 210Pb and mercury, along with other chemical records, provided multiple lines of evidence supporting that the two coring sites had not received net ice accumulation since at least the 1950s and 1980s, respectively. These results implied an annual ice loss rate of more than several hundred millimeter water equivalent over the past 30-60 years. Both mass balance modeling at the sites and in situ data from the nearby glaciers confirmed a continuously negative mass balance (or mass loss) in the region due to dramatic warming in recent decades. Along with a recent report on Naimona'nyi Glacier in the Himalayas, the findings suggest that the loss of accumulation area of glacier is a possibility from the southern to central Tibetan Plateau at high elevations, probably up to about 5800ma.s.l. This mass loss raises concerns over the rapid rate of glacier ice loss and associated changes in surface glacier runoff, water availability, and sea levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), which is the most common AIDS-associated malignancy. KS is characterized by neovascularization and spindle cell proliferation. The interaction between HIV-1 and KSHV has a central role in promoting the aggressive manifestations of KS in AIDS patients; however, the pathogenesis underlying AIDS-related KS (AIDS-KS) remains unknown. Herein, we examined the potential of HIV-1 negative factor (Nef) to impact KSHV viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6)-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. In vitro experiments showed that exogenous Nef penetrated vIL-6-expressing endothelial cells. Both internalized and ectopic expression of Nef in endothelial cells and fibroblasts synergized with vIL-6 to promote vascular tube formation and cell proliferation. Using a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, we demonstrated that Nef synergistically promotes vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Animal experiments further showed that Nef facilitates vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumor formation in athymic nu/nu mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that Nef synergizes with vIL-6 to enhance angiogenesis and tumorigenesis by activating the AKT pathway in the CAM model, as well as nude mice. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), significantly impaired the ability of Nef to promote vIL-6-induced tumorigenesis in an allograft model of nude mice. Our data provide first-line evidence that Nef may contribute to the pathogenesis underlying AIDS-KS in synergy with vIL-6. These novel findings also suggest that targeting the PI3K/AKT signal may be a potentially effective therapeutic approach in AIDS-KS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following several damaging earthquakes in China, research has been devoted to find the causes of the collapse of reinforced concrete (RC) building sand studying the vulnerability of existing buildings. The Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (CCSDB) has evolved over time, however, there is still reported earthquake induced damage of newly designed RC buildings. Thus, to investigate modern Chinese seismic design code, three low-, mid- and high-rise RC frames were designed according to the 2010 CCSDB and the corresponding vulnerability curves were derived by computing a probabilistic seismic demand model (PSDM).The PSDM was computed by carrying out nonlinear time history analysis using thirty ground motions obtained from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. Finally, the PSDM was used to generate fragility curves for immediate occupancy, significant damage, and collapse prevention damage levels. Results of the vulnerability assessment indicate that the seismic demands on the three different frames designed according to the 2010 CCSDB meet the seismic requirements and are almost in the same safety level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a rural population in northeast China.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted within Bin County, Harbin of northeast China. Glaucoma was diagnosed using International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. All the subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination.ResultsA total of 4956 (86.0%) of 5762 subjects aged 40 years or older were examined. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of right eyes was 14.0 (95% confidence interval (CI), 13.9 to 14.1) mm Hg. The prevalence of POAG was 0.71% (35/4956, 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.93). In these POAG subjects, 17 (48.6%) had elevated IOP >21 mm Hg in either eye, 3 (8.8%) participants had been treated by laser trabeculoplasty or trabeculectomy and were known to have POAG. Vision impairment to varying degrees was present in 20 subjects (58.8%) with 1 subject blind in both eyes and 8 subjects blind in one eye. On multivariate analysis, age, family history of glaucoma, systemic hypertension, and IOP were regarded as significant independent risk factors.ConclusionsPOAG is a disease of serious consequence and of low diagnosis and treatment rates in rural northeast China. Age, family history of glaucoma, systemic hypertension, and IOP remain as significant independent risk factors for POAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Mount Everest ice core analyzed at high resolution for major and trace elements (Sr, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Bi, U, Tl, Al, S, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co) and spanning the period a.d. 1650–2002 is used to investigate the sources of and variations in atmospheric dust through time. The chemical composition of dust varies seasonally, and peak dust concentrations occur during the winter–spring months. Significant correlations between the Everest dust record and dust observations at stations suggest that the Everest record is representative of regional variations in atmospheric dust loading. Back-trajectory analysis in addition to a significant correlation of Everest dust concentrations and the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) aerosol index indicates that the dominant winter sources of dust are the Arabian Peninsula, Thar Desert, and northern Sahara. Factors that contribute to dust generation at the surface include soil moisture and temperature, and the long-range transport of dust aerosols appears to be sensitive to the strength of 500-mb zonal winds. There are periods of high dust concentration throughout the 350-yr Mount Everest dust record; however, there is an increase in these periods since the early 1800s. The record was examined for recent increases in dust emissions associated with anthropogenic activities, but no recent dust variations can be conclusively attributed to anthropogenic inputs of dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremely low voltage white organic light-emitting devices (WOLEDs) with fluorescent emitters are realized exploiting p-i-n structure. White light is obtained by two complementary colors system, in which the yellow and the blue emitting components are based on 5,6,11, 12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene) and 4,4-bis-2, 2-diphenylvinyl-1, 1-spirobiphenyl (Spiro-DPVBi), respectively. The effects on the device performances of various electron blocking layers and hosts for rubrene are discussed. The best device shows a luminance of 1000 cd/m2 at bias of as low as 2.9 V, and 10 000 cd/m2 at 4.7 V with a maximum power efficiency of 8.7 lm/W. The Commission Internationale de 1’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates change from (0.36, 0.45) at 1000 cd/m2 to (0.33, 0.42) at 10 000 cd/m2 showing high color stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate low-voltage inverted transparent vacuum deposited organic light-emitting diodes employing an indium-tin-oxide coated glass substrate directly as cathode and a semitransparent top Au thin film as anode. The devices comprise an intrinsic 8-tris-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq[sub 3]) emitting layer sandwiched in between n- and p-doped charge transport layer with appropriate blocking layers. They exhibit low driving voltages (∼4 V for a luminance of ∼100 cd/m²). The devices are about 50% transparent in the Alq[sub 3] emission region and emit green light from both sides with a total external current efficiency of about 2.5 cd/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]