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Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important solanaceous vegetable and economic crop in the world. It is a very popular and nutrient rich vegetable, and it can be grown round the year in China. In September 2023, a suspected bacterial disease of the eggplant was found in the Greenhouse Eggplant Seedling Production Base in Tieling, Liaoning Province, China. The disease symptom was water-soaked tawny or light brown spots on eggplant seedling leaves, that gradually became black. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the infected leaf spots. Based on the phenotypic characteristics, bacteriological characteristics, physiological and biochemical tests and molecular biological identification, the bacteria isolates obtained in this study were identified as Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. Pathogenicity of these isolates was confirmed on ground tomato and pepper seedlings by artificial inoculation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. euvesicatoria causing bacterial spot of eggplant in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is very harmful to food and feed. Biological detoxification is an effective method to reduce the harmful effect and ensure safety of food and feed. In order to screen the strains that can detoxify DON, 10 samples were selected from the mouldy alfalfa silage; and the LB, NA, and MRS media with DON were used for primary screening and re-screening. The detoxification rate of DON was measured and calculated by ELISA method. The strains with high detoxification rate of DON were identified by morphology and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The selected strains were combined and used to ferment the bran, and the detoxification efficiency of DON in the bran was then determined. Sixteen strains with the ability of detoxification were screened, and the results showed that the highest detoxification rate was 66.75%. Three strains with high detoxification rate were isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactobacillus plantarum. The combination of B. subtilis and L. plantarum yielded the highest efficiency of DON detoxification in bran, which could reach to 75.98% in 96 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Neoadjuvant CT-P6, a trastuzumab biosimilar, demonstrated equivalent efficacy to reference trastuzumab in a phase 3 trial of HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer (EBC) (NCT02162667). We report post hoc analyses evaluating pathological complete response (pCR) and breast pCR alongside additional efficacy and safety measures.Methods: Following neoadjuvant treatment and surgery, patients received adjuvant CT-P6 or trastuzumab (6 mg/kg) every 3 weeks for ≤ 1 year.Results: In total, 271 and 278 patients received CT-P6 and trastuzumab, respectively. pCR and breast pCR rates were comparable between treatment groups regardless of age, region, or clinical stage. Overall, 47.6% (CT-P6) and 52.2% (trastuzumab) of patients experienced study drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), including 17 patients reporting heart failure (CT-P6: 10; trastuzumab: 7). Two CT-P6 and three trastuzumab patients discontinued adjuvant treatment due to TEAEs.Conclusion: Adjuvant CT-P6 demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to trastuzumab at 1 year in patients with HER2-positive EBC, supporting CT-P6 and trastuzumab comparability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an advanced method was proposed for the empirical formation of current profiles. A probabilistic approach was adopted to generate a reliable empirical model which can be expressed as a function of current velocity and water depth from the obtained best-fit probability density function (PDF) with sub-parameters. It is recognised that the statistical scatter of current velocity at each normalised water depth is wide and requires a reliable method (or technique) with a refined manner to generate a simplified current profile model. From the probabilistic approach, the best-fit PDF of the current velocity distribution, including all ranges of normalised water depth is decided. In addition, sub-parameters of PDF (i.e. shape, scale, location parameters) can also be formulated as a function of normalised water depth through curve-fitting. For better understanding, three main steps which are (1) individual, (2) overall, and (3) optimised outcomes have been highlighted in order to propose the empirical formulation of current profiles. Applicability of the proposed method was verified by collecting 54 current profiles obtained from existing offshore fields, thus making it possible to generate a more accurate current profile model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for assessing the reliability of a corroded pipeline placed in series, with special consideration given to the effect of the length scale imposed by each segment of the pipe. The features of corrosion in different pipe segments are statistically correlated; thus, a failure in one section may impact the adjacent sections. Herein, using a correlation distance parameter, such statistical correlation is described considering the length-scale effects. The reliability of the corroded pipeline is presented in the form of a failure probability. The results show that analysing a corroded pipeline by considering length-scale effects produces a higher failure probability compared with the case where such effects are excluded, even when the parameters that govern corrosion in a pipeline are included in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a method for estimating the amount of expansion that occurs in subsea pipelines, which could be applied in the design of robust structures that transport oil and gas from offshore wells. We begin with a literature review and general discussion of existing estimation methods and terminologies with respect to subsea pipelines. Due to the effects of high pressure and high temperature, the production of fluid from offshore wells is typically caused by physical deformation of subsea structures, e.g., expansion and contraction during the transportation process. In severe cases, vertical and lateral buckling occurs, which causes a significant negative impact on structural safety, and which is related to on-bottom stability, free-span, structural collapse, and many other factors. In addition, these factors may affect the production rate with respect to flow assurance, wax, and hydration, to name a few. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient method for generating a reliable pipe expansion design in the early stage, which can lead to savings in both cost and computation time. As such, in this paper, we propose an applicable diagram, which we call the standard dimensionless ratio (SDR) versus virtual anchor length (LA) diagram, that utilizes an efficient procedure for estimating subsea pipeline expansion based on applied reliable scenarios. With this user guideline, offshore pipeline structural designers can reliably determine the amount of subsea pipeline expansion and the obtained results will also be useful for the installation, design, and maintenance of the subsea pipeline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel di-functional system was synthesized by encapsulation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 and a therapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) with the thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which was coated with mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles in a mesoporous core–shell structure. The system featured functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 and a smart thermo-responsive polymer PNIPAM. In an alternating magnetic field (AMF), the magnetic nanoparticles were heated up to 45 °C, which was the cancer treatment temperature. Therefore, it has potential for hyperthermia treatment. The smart polymer PNIPAM has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), which is representative of a phase transition behavior. Based on it, the thermo-responsive polymer PNIPAM played a role of an on-off trigger switch in the process of drug releasing. The tests of drug releasing were investigated by UV-visible spectrophotometry at 45 °C and 25 °C. The test results showed that there was little drug released at 25 °C (below the LCST) but drug was mainly released at the temperature of 45 °C (above the LCST). In a word, our studies were mainly about the di-function of the composite: magnetic hyperthermia treatment and drug release. It has potential applications for reducing side effects of cancer treatment and achieving controlled drug release in response to variations of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we investigated the molecule mechanisms of podocyte injury and proteinuria and the protective effects of losartan.Methods: This study set up three groups: a control group; an Ang II group (Ang II 10(-6) mol/l, Sigma); and a losartan group (losartan 10(-6) mol/l, Sigma). We used RT-PCR assay to detect TRPC6 mRNA expression, and Western blot to detect TRPC6 protein expression.Results: TRPC6 overexpression was the basic change of podocyte injury and proteinuria occurrence. Losartan can treat podocyte injury and proteinuria induced by Ang II via downregulation of TRPC6 in podocytes.Conclusion: These findings maybe provide an ideal drug target for the diagnosis and treatment of acquired glomerular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the fabrication and characterization of magnetic silica nanospheres covalently bonded with near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) luminescent lanthanide complexes [denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2@Ln-PABI/SiO2 (Ln = Nd, Eu)]. Fe3O4@SiO2@Ln-PABI/SiO2 (Ln = Nd, Eu) nanospheres with an average size of 150-200 nm were synthesized via incorporation of the chelate ligand PABI (N-(4-benzoic acid-yl)-N'-(propyltriethoxysilyl) urea) with Ln (Nd, Eu) into a framework of magnetic silica (denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2), followed by a modified Stöber method and a layer-by-layer assembly technique. The morphological, structural, textural, magnetic, NIR luminescence and UV luminescence properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These multifunctional nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior, and the characteristic NIR emission and UV emission of Nd3+ and Eu3+, respectively. Such materials with superparamagnetic and lanthanide-based near-infrared and UV luminescence properties have several advantages for potential applications in optical imaging or as biological luminescent labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterize updated HIV subtypes in Yunnan to determine their origins and distribution within the population. RT–PCR of both the gag and env genes were sequenced from Yunnan province inhabitants newly diagnosed with HIV-1. Sequence data from 290 samples were used for statistical analysis of subtype distribution and phylogenetic tree construction. Distribution data were adjusted to account for different geographical distributions of HIV-1 subtypes in the population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six HIV-1 subtypes in Yunnan, including eight types of unique recombination forms (URFs). The most prevalent subtypes in this province, CRF07_BC (18·9%), CRF08_BC (39·1%), CRF01_AE (22·4%), and URFs (subtype C, 5·9% and subtype B, 4·5%), were all recombinants. We found significant differences in the distribution of these HIV-1 subtypes not only geographically, but also between various ethnic groups and with respect to transmission routes. Our findings indicate a complex population of HIV-1 subtypes, URFs, and recombinant subtypes in Yunnan province. This diversity could make the prevention and control of HIV infection in Yunnan more difficult due to the possibility of virus recombination or infection by multiple subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual H3N2 subtype influenza outbreaks in Guangdong, China are a severe public health issue and require ongoing monitoring of emerging viral variants. The variation and evolution of haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza isolates from Guangdong during 2007-2011 and others from GenBank were analysed using Lasergene 7.1 and MEGA 5.05, and serological analysis of antigens was determined by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Susceptibility to antiviral drugs was correlated with genetic mutations. Phylogenetic analysis and alignment of HA and NA genes were performed on 18 Guangdong isolates and 26 global reference strains. The non-synonymous (dN) evolutionary rate of HA1 was 3.13 times that of HA2. Compared with the A/Perth/16/2009 vaccine HA gene, homologies of Guangdong isolates were between 98.8-99.7% and 98.0-98·4% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Amino-acid substitutions were found in five epitopes of HA1 from Guangdong isolates between 2007 and 2011, especially in epitopes B (N160K) and D (K174R/N). The K189E/N/Q and T228A mutations in the receptor-binding site (RBS) occurred in the 2010 strains, which affected the antigenicity of HA1. The antigenicity of the epidemic H3N2 isolates in 2010 was somewhat different from that of A/Perth/16/2009. The Guangdong H3N2 isolates were determined to be oseltamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0.396 ± 0.085 nmol/l (n=17) and zanamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0.477 ± 0.149 nmol/l (n=18). Variations were present in epitopes B and D, two sites in the RBS and two glycosylation sites in the Guangdong H3N2 HA1 gene. The majority of the Guangdong H3N2 isolates were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Compared to the World Health Organization 2012 vaccine strains, Guangdong H3N2 strains varied genetically and antigenically to some degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual H3N2 subtype influenza outbreaks in Guangdong, China are a severe public health issue and require ongoing monitoring of emerging viral variants. The variation and evolution of haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza isolates from Guangdong during 2007–2011 and others from GenBank were analysed using Lasergene 7.1 and MEGA 5.05, and serological analysis of antigens was determined by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Susceptibility to antiviral drugs was correlated with genetic mutations. Phylogenetic analysis and alignment of HA and NA genes were performed on 18 Guangdong isolates and 26 global reference strains. The non-synonymous (dN) evolutionary rate of HA1 was 3·13 times that of HA2. Compared with the A/Perth/16/2009 vaccine HA gene, homologies of Guangdong isolates were between 98·8–99·7% and 98·0–98·4% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Amino-acid substitutions were found in five epitopes of HA1 from Guangdong isolates between 2007 and 2011, especially in epitopes B (N160K) and D (K174R/N). The K189E/N/Q and T228A mutations in the receptor-binding site (RBS) occurred in the 2010 strains, which affected the antigenicity of HA1. The antigenicity of the epidemic H3N2 isolates in 2010 was somewhat different from that of A/Perth/16/2009. The Guangdong H3N2 isolates were determined to be oseltamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0·396±0·085 nmol/l (n=17) and zanamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0·477±0·149 nmol/l (n=18). Variations were present in epitopes B and D, two sites in the RBS and two glycosylation sites in the Guangdong H3N2 HA1 gene. The majority of the Guangdong H3N2 isolates were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Compared to the World Health Organization 2012 vaccine strains, Guangdong H3N2 strains varied genetically and antigenically to some degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Functional dyspepsia ( FD) is a common disease without an established optimal treatment. Aim To determine (i) the effect of acupuncture in relieving FD symptoms and improving life quality; (ii) the effect difference between acupoint and non-acupoint; and (iii) the effect difference among different acupoints. Methods A total of 712 eligible patients were included and randomly assigned to six groups (Group A: specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group B: non-specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group C: specific acupoints of alarm and transport points; Group D: specific acupoints of the gallbladder meridian; Group E: sham acupuncture of non-acupoints; and Group F: itopride). A treatment period of 4 weeks (continuous five sessions per week), and a follow-up period of 12 weeks were arranged. The outcomes were the (i) patients' response, (ii) symptoms improvement measured using the Symptom Index of Dyspepsia and (iii) quality-of-life improvement based on Nepean Dyspepsia Index. Results All groups had an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and the Qo L at the end of treatment, and the improvement was sustained for 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The overall response rate was significantly higher in acupuncture group A (70.69%), and lower in sham acupuncture group (34.75%), compared with itopride and other acupuncture groups. Similarly, the difference in symptoms and Qo L improvement was significant between group A and the other acupuncture groups. Conclusions Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, and is superior to non-acupoint puncture. The benefit of acupuncture relies on acupoint specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coesite-bearing eclogites from >100 km in the southern Dulan area, North Qaidam Mountains (NQM) of western China, contain zircon that records protolith crystallization and ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (Mass Spectrometer) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry U-Pb analyses from cathodoluminescence (CL)-dark zircon cores in a coesite-bearing eclogite yield an upper intercept age of 838 ± 50 Ma, and oscillatory zoned cores in a kyanite-bearing eclogite gave a weighted mean Pb/U age of 832 ± 20 Ma. These zircon cores yield steep heavy rare earth element (HREE) slopes and negative Eu anomalies that suggest a magmatic origin. Thus, c. 835 Ma is interpreted as the eclogite protolith age. Unzoned CL-grey or -bright zircon and zircon rims from four samples yield weighted mean ages of 430 ± 4, 438 ± 2, 446 ± 10 and 446 ± 3 Ma, flat HREE patterns without Eu anomalies, and contain inclusions of garnet, omphacite, rutile, phengite and rare coesite. These ages are interpreted to record 16 ± 5 Myr of UHP metamorphism. These new UHP ages overlap the age range of both eclogite and paragneiss from the northern Dulan area, suggesting that all UHP rock types in the Dulan area belong to the same tectonic unit. Our results are consistent with slow continental subduction, but do not match oceanic subduction and diapiric exhumation UHP model predictions. These new data suggest that, similar to eclogites in other HP/UHP units of the NQM and South Altyn Tagh, protoliths of the eclogites in the Dulan area formed in a continental setting during the Neoproterozoic, and then subducted to mantle depth together with continental materials during the Early Palaeozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate aspirin responsiveness in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) by whole blood aggregometry. Another goal was to differentiate aspirin-resistant patients into pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic type. Methods: We measured platelet aggregation by determining impedance values in 70 normal volunteers and 104 UAP patients on aspirin (100 mg/day ≥ 7 days) in four inducing conditions [1 μg/ml collagen, 2 μg/ml collagen, 5 μmol/l adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and 10 μmol/l ADP]. We calculated a cut-off value based on data from normal volunteers to define aspirin responsiveness in cases. Then, the correlation and agreement between the results in the four conditions was analysed to choose a preferred inducing condition for identification of aspirin resistance. Aliquots from all samples were incubated with 0.1 mmol/l aspirin and measured again for aspirin-resistant classification. Results: Aspirin resistance was observed in 38 patients (36.5%), 51 patients (49.0%), 67 patients (64.4%) and 67 patients (64.4%), respectively, for 1 μg/ml collagen, 2 μg/ml collagen, 5 μmol/l ADP and 10 μmol/l ADP among 104 patients. Collagen at low concentration was suggested as a preferred agent for detecting aspirin inhibitory effect according to the coefficient of sensitivity. After incubation, only three among 38 aspirin-resistant patients showed normal platelet aggregation and were classified into pharmacodynamic type. Conclusions: In the presence of collagen at low concentration (1 μg/ml), the prevalence of aspirin resistance is about 36.5% in UAP patients, and according to a classification specific for resistant patients, most of the aspirin ‘resistance’ is just because of pharmacokinetic issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CASPT2 calculations for the S0, T1, S1, T2, and S2 states of the cis- and trans-CH3ONO molecules predict the energy levels and geometries of the cis- and trans-isomers in the different states. The CASPT2 adiabatic (T0) and vertical (Tv) excitation energies are in good agreement with available experimental data (for the S1 cis- and trans-isomers). The CH3O-NO dissociation potential energy curves were calculated at the CASPT2//CASSCF level, and the CASPT2 calculations were performed for the transition states along the T1, S1, and T2 dissociation paths. For the repulsive S2 state the calculations predict the Tv values larger than 5.4 eV and dissociation products of CH3O (12A'') + NO (X2Π). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of a novel ultrawideband printed-circuit antenna is presented. By using a stepped-patch in combination with multiple resonating elements, a bandwidth of more than 150% is obtained. The performance is demonstrated through measurements and calculations with a commercially available field solver. A phase center analysis shows very small variations over the entire available bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No abstract available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch granules found at the centre of fish crackers (‘keropok’) which contained from 0 to 10% fish did not gelatinize after 2 h steaming. This was because of water movement from the centre to the periphery during steaming. A fish protein network started to develop in dough with a 15% fish content and this entrapped water molecules. These water molecules helped to complete gelatinization. The viscoelastic properties of ‘keropok’ dough increased with an increasing fish to starch ratio and also because of the formation of a fish-protein network in the dough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial companies are facing more pressure to improve the recyclability performance of their new designed products. The concept of Environmental Conscious Design (ECD) has been adopted to assist more concerning about the environmental impact of the products at the early stage of designing. This new trend requires that the design strategy should be modified to integrate environmental constraints. This paper develops an Environmental Design Support Tool (EDST) to help designers improve their product in aspect of the environment. The proposed EDST is capable of evaluating the new designed product in terms of environmental sustainability, i.e., material selection, recyclability evaluation, and disassemblability analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a general stable price model for a profit-maximizing firm which possesses some degree of monopoly power and makes long-run decisions under the conditions of uncertainty. It has long been observed that firms with monopoly power prefer a stable price policy even under the expectation that demand will fluctuate over time. Because a different emphasis is placed on the firm's objectives and concerns, there exists a variety of explanations for the stable price phenomenon. They conclude that a price, once established, becomes inviolable. Others argue that when a firm strives to maximize long-run profit, it will equate long-run marginal revenue to long-run marginal cost, price becomes invariant with changes in short-run demand.

The formation of growth increments in the otoliths of wild-captured larvae of milkfish Chanos chanos was validated by the oxytetracycline-labeling method. Immersion of the fish in 400-500 mg oxytetracycline/L for 24 h is recommended for marking the otoliths of milkfish larvae. A golden-yellow band and the newly deposited growth increments in the otolith were both discernible after marking. Otolith growth increments were deposited at the rate of about one per day, and their formation rate was unaffected by the growth rate of the fish. However, increment width varied with the growth rate of fish. Therefore, otolith growth increments are a valid characteristic for determining daily age and for studying the growth history of wild milkfish larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the same process conditions in the conventional diffusion and anisotropic etching technology, short channel MOST with V-shape and U-shape are fabricated under the same substrate conditions by the standard photolithographical technology. The short channel effect in which the threshold voltage and transconductance vary with the channel length is measured for both VMOS and UMOS structures. Detailed comparisons between both structures are made, and a simple physical interpretation is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most conspicuous structural element in the connective tissue of the clam mantle and gill is the amoeboid cell characterized by its large globular oval body and small nucleus, also long cytoplasmic extension and vesicular contents. The Golgi apparatus is very prominent in the amoeboid cell and is characterized by a large number of vesicles associated with its cristernae. Glycogen, .01μ in diameter, and collagen 200 Å in diameter with a 400 Å periodicity, are found within the vacuoles of the amoeboid cells. Extracellular fibrils having a 100 Å diameter and a 200 Å periodicity, are also observed in the connective tissue. From the autoradiographic studies after administration of proline-C, the fibrils are incorporating proline, which is similar to those of collagen fiber of vertebrates. Organic crystals displaying a concentric pattern which become the calcium spherulites of the shell appear to arise primarily from mineralization of the intercellular collagen-like fibrils. The evidence indicated the calcium crystals in mantle were already organized by the fibers in tissue prior to secretion from the tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Multilayer ohmic contacts with differing first metal layers (M = Mo, Pd, Pt) beneath a Ti/Pt diffusion barrier and Au cap were fabricated on n+ and p+-InGaAs, and the relationship between their specific contact resistance and interfacial chemistry was examined. Palladium-based contacts offered the lowest specific contact resistances of ρc=3.2×10-8 and 1.9×10-8 Ω-cm2 to n+- and p+-InGaAs, respectively. The low resistances of the Pd-based contact were correlated with the formation of a uniform PdxInGaAs phase in direct contact with InGaAs, as observed using transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. On the other hand, the Mo-based contact to n+ and p+-InGaAs had much higher specific contact resistances, even though its specific contact resistance on lightly doped n-InGaAs was nearly the same as that of the Pd-based contact. The cause of this discrepancy was identified to be the native oxide layer that remained between the contact and semiconductor in the Mo-based contacts, as revealed using transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The effect of the native oxide in series with the Schottky barrier is significant only when the contact is doped heavily enough that tunneling of carriers through the Schottky barrier introduces a very low resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach to form the In2O3 nanorings (NRs) has been proven by tailoring the difference between property of metal and metal oxide. The formation process of the In2O3 NRs is proposed to be resulted form a subtle competition between the oxidation and evaporation of indium at the rim and center, respectively. Patterned In2O3 NRs have been grown on (001) Si substrates in combination with nanosphere lithography. The size and morphology of the NRs can be controlled by the size of polystyrene nanospheres and the thickness of indium layer. The optical property measurements showed that the In2O3 NRs are sensitive in absorption and emission of light between 600 and 622 nm in wavelength. The patterned In2O3 NRs on silicon are advantageous for fabricating optical-response photonic devices at the desired locations and direct integration to the silicon-based photonic devices with current processing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a high Curie temperature and low entropy change, the magnetic-field-induced martensitic transformation has been obtained in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys MnNiGa by doping a small amount of Co. Due to the ferromagnetic activation effect of Co, a large amount of antiferromagnetically aligned Mn moments are turned into ferromagnetic ordering, which is verified by our electronic structural calculation and experimental observation. Consequently, the magnetization rises up to 70 emu/g and the magnetization difference between two phases increases about ten times, resulting in a considerable dT/dH of 4 K/T and a well-defined reversed transformation induced by a magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coarse-to-fine approach to extract an infrared target is proposed. First, a confined region which contains the entire object is obtained based on the weighted information entropy feature. Secondly, according to the confined region, the energy function is constructed by combining boundary and region properties of the target region. Finally, the target is accurately extracted by energy minimisation as a graph cut problem. The experimental results show that the proposed method is robust and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]