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This study presents the development of ultra‐thin azo‐dye polarizers, notable for their minimal thickness (100‐200 nm) and superior optical performance, with polarization efficiency exceeding 99.9%, extinction ratios above 4000, transmittance over 45.3%, and dichoric ratio over 100. Utilizing cost‐effective solution‐processing methods, we fabricate these high‐performance polarizers and determine optimal experimental conditions for peak efficacy. Our research includes comprehensive Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses to understand the microstructural properties of these azo‐dye thin film polarizers, contributing significantly to the field of advanced display technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the characterization and performance evaluation of photo‐aligned azo‐dye thin‐film polarizers, highlighting their ultra‐thin profiles and superior optical functionalities. Utilizing cost‐effective solution‐processing methods, these high‐efficiency polarizers were developed, with the research pinpointing optimal experimental conditions for peak performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertically Aligned LCD is one of the most widely used optical modes in LCD TV and mobile devices. It is also a very important category of passive LC displays used in Automobiles. It has the advantages of perfect dark state and very high contrast ratio for normal viewing. However, single domain VA LCD has the intrinsic issue of dead zone (contrast vanishing zone) in certain viewing direction in the voltage‐on state, which seriously limits its viewing angle performance. Recently, the State Key Laboratory on Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics Technologies of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has developed an easy‐to‐apply multi‐domain VA LCD technology that can be readily implemented in LCD factories without major investment and change in current production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoalexins play a crucial role in plant immunity. However, the mechanism of how phytoalexin is primed by beneficial microorganisms against broad‐spectrum pathogens remains elusive. This study showed that Bacillus cereus AR156 could trigger ISR against broad‐spectrum disease. RNA‐sequencing and camalexin content assays showed that AR156‐triggered ISR can prime the accumulation of camalexin synthesis and secretion‐related genes. Moreover, it was found that AR156‐triggered ISR elevates camalexin accumulation by increasing the expression of camalexin synthesis genes upon pathogen infection. We observed that the priming of camalexin accumulation by AR156 was abolished in cyp71a13 and pad3 mutants. Further investigations reveal that in the wrky33 mutant, the ability of AR156 to prime camalexin accumulation is abolished, and the mediated ISR against the three pathogens is significantly compromised. Furthermore, PEN3 and PDR12, acting as camalexin transporters, participate in AR156‐induced ISR against broad‐spectrum pathogens differently. In addition, salicylic acid and JA/ET signalling pathways participate in AR156‐primed camalexin synthesis to resist pathogens in different forms depending on the pathogen. In summary, B. cereus AR156 triggers ISR against Botrytis cinerea, Pst DC3000 and Phytophthora capsici by priming camalexin synthesis. Our study provides deeper insights into the significant role of camalexin for AR156‐induced ISR against broad‐spectrum pathogens. Summary statement: Beneficial rhizobacterium AR156 triggered ISR by enhancing camalexin accumulation in Arabidopsis, with WRKY33 acting as a positive regulator. PEN3 and PDR12 are involved in AR156‐induced ISR. Salicylic acid and JA/ET signalling pathways participate in AR156‐primed camalexin synthesis to resist various pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome of ovarian dysfunction characterized by cessation of menstruation occurring before the age of 40 years. The genetic causes of idiopathic POI remain unclear. Here we recruited a POI patient from a consanguineous family to screen for potential pathogenic variants associated with POI. Genetic variants of the pedigree were screened using whole‐exome sequencing analysis and validated through direct Sanger sequencing. A homozygous variant in TUFM (c.524G>C: p.Gly175Ala) was identified in this family. TUFM (Tu translation elongation factor, mitochondrial) is a nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial protein translation elongation factor that plays a critical role in maintaining normal mitochondrial function. The variant position was highly conserved among species and predicted to be disease causing. Our in vitro functional studies demonstrated that this variant causes decreased TUFM protein expression, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired autophagy activation. Moreover, we found that mice with targeted Tufm variant recapitulated the phenotypes of human POI. Thus, this is the first report of a homozygous pathogenic TUFM variant in POI. Our findings highlighted the essential role of mitochondrial genes in folliculogenesis and ovarian function maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK 4/6) overactivation in breast cancer cells has given birth to the successful development of CDK 4/6 inhibitors. Based on the intrinsic relationship of CDK 4/6 and cyclin D, we designed and synthesized a series of endoperoxide‐type pyrido/pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives via extracting active fragments from canonical CDK 4/6 inhibitors and endoperoxide‐type natural products such as artemisinin and plakortin. Eleven novel endoperoxide‐type hybrids were synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry (MS), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), hydrogen‐1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) data. Antiproliferative activities and CDK 4/6 inhibitory effects of target compounds were evaluated via T47D, MDA‐MB‐436 breast cancer cell lines, and CDK6/cyclin D3 kinase respectively. The results showed that S1 and Y7 were the most potent compounds against CDK6/cyclin D3 kinase, with Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.126 ± 0.022 and 0.109 ± 0.007 μM respectively, they were about a half or third as potent as positive control palbociclib (0.045 μM). The antiproliferative effects of S2 were close to positive controls palbociclib and ribociclib, with Growth inhibitory dose 50% (GI50) values of 8.42 ± 0.93 and 18.74 ± 1.78 μM towards T47D cells and MDA‐MB‐436 cells respectively. Finally, antiproliferative activities against MCF‐10A cells indicated that our newly synthesized compounds were harmless to normal human mammary epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plumbene, with a structure similar to graphene, is expected to possess a strong spin–orbit coupling and thus enhances its superconducting critical temperature (Tc). In this work, a buckled plumbene‐Au Kagome superstructure grown by depositing Au on Pb(111) is investigated. The superconducting gap monitored by temperature‐dependent scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy shows that the buckled plumbene‐Au Kagome superstructure not only has an enhanced Tc with respect to that of a monolayer Pb but also possesses a higher value than what owned by a bulk Pb substrate. By combining angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy with density functional theory, the monolayer Au‐intercalated low‐buckled plumbene sandwiched between the top Au Kagome layer and the bottom Pb(111) substrate is confirmed and the electron–phonon coupling‐enhanced superconductivity is revealed. This work demonstrates that a buckled plumbene‐Au Kagome superstructure can enhance superconducting Tc and Rashba effect, effectively triggering the novel properties of a plumbene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Dexmedetomidine could be an ideal adjuvant to propofol during gastrointestinal endoscopy because it provides both analgesia and sedation without respiratory depression. This study investigates the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the median effective concentration of propofol during gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: Ninety adult patients were randomly assigned to Group Control, Group DEX0.5 (0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine) or Group DEX1.0 (1.0 μg/kg dexmedetomidine). Anaesthesia during endoscopy was implemented by plasma target‐controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol with different doses of dexmedetomidine. TCI concentration of the first patient for each group was 2.5 μg/mL and the consecutive adjacent concentration gradient was 0.5 μg/mL. Median effective concentration (EC50) of propofol by TCI for gastrointestinal endoscopy was determined by using the modified Dixon's up‐and‐down method. Cardiovascular variables were also measured. Results: EC50 of propofol by TCI and 95% confidence interval (CI) for gastrointestinal endoscopy were 3.77 (3.48–4.09), 2.51 (2.27–2.78) and 2.10 (1.90–2.33) μg/mL in Group Control, Group DEX0.5 and Group DEX1.0, respectively. The average percent change from heart rate (HR) baseline was 2.8 (8.9), −7.4 (7.7) and −10.5 (8.8) (P <.001), and the average percent change from mean arterial pressure (MAP) baseline was −10.6 [−24.7; 3.5], −9.5 [−29.2; 11.4] and −4.0 [−27.3; 15.5] (P =.034) in Group Control, Group DEX0.5 and Group DEX1.0, respectively. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine reduced the EC50 of propofol by TCI. A 0.5–1 μg/kg dose of dexmedetomidine caused a decrease in HR without bradycardia. The decrease in dosage of propofol with increasing doses of dexmedetomidine caused more stable MAP. Dexmedetomidine is an ideal adjuvant drug to propofol during gastrointestinal endoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates a high‐performance in‐cell polarizer adopting photo‐aligned azobenzene dyes. On the strength of the multilayered design, a simple fabrication process has been developed to assemble an in‐cell polarizer. We have achieved a broadband dichroic ratio after the long‐term stability test. Meanwhile, the cell with the proposed in‐cell polarizer can be driven regularly without a voltage boost, which renders excellent practicability in liquid crystal display technologies. The structure, fabrication process, and properties of the in‐cell polarizer in TN‐LCD are thoroughly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on developing a solution‐based ultra‐thin polarizer for liquid crystal displays, utilizing dichroic azo dye AD1 as the key material. The produced AD1 polarizer exhibits excellent optical performance with a dichroic ratio of over 95. The film thickness is less than 200nm. Furthermore, a TN LCD with an incell polarizer is demonstrated. This technology shows excellent prospects for developing high‐performance, coatable polarizers with scalability and lower‐cost manufacturing potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus spp. (Fagaceae) are evergreen and deciduous trees or shrubs, of which some are keystone species in forest ecosystems. Oak trees are common host plants of the powdery mildews within the genus Cystotheca. Cystotheca kusanoi, previously treated as heterotypic synonym of C. lanestris, was recently reinstated as a species of its own based on morphological re‐examinations and phylogenetic analyses of collections on Quercus spp. in Korea and Japan. The hyphal appressoria and presence or absence of fibrosin bodies in conidia of Cystotheca spp. was so far unclear. The present morphological examinations and phylogenetical analyses revealed that a fresh collection of powdery mildew on Q. spinosa from northwest China (Tibet Autonomous Region), and two herbarium specimens on Q. serrata from southwest China (Sichuan Province) and Q. variabilis from southeast China (Jiangsu Province) within re‐evaluated 12 herbarium specimens of C. lanestris s. lat. on Quercus spp. belong to C. kusanoi. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. kusanoi from China. Additionally, this is the first report of Q. spinosa as a host for C. kusanoi. Fibrosin bodies were not found in the fresh specimens of C. kusanoi. Nipple‐shaped to lobed hyphal appressoria have been observed and are described in the genus Cystotheca for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrathin (<200nm) azo dye polarizing film with a high dichroic ratio (over 150) is developed by photo‐alignment methods. Polarizing film prepared by solution‐based process (post‐ photoalignment) and evaporation (in‐situ photo‐alignment) with a family of azo dye materials with slightly different molecular structures is explored. We study the photostability of these azo‐dye films against polarized light. Methods and factors of getting high dichroic ratio and high photostability polarizing films are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach to developing a thin‐film polarizer with high polarization efficiency in liquid crystal cells is presented. The in‐cell polarizer facilitates the realization of novel color‐conversion liquid crystal displays, where advanced quantum color‐converters are used as photoluminescent color filter arrays. We experimentally demonstrated using azo‐dye‐based embedded polarizers for color‐conversion liquid crystal displays for the first time. We systematically designed the device structure and fabrication process. The display is color parallax free and can be driven at regular conditions with good contrast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a result of stabilization of a coupled partial differential equation (PDE) and ordinary differential equation (ODE) system through boundary control. The PDE is the Burgers' equation, which is a widely considered nonlinear PDE, partially due to its low order and partially due to its structure analogous to the Navier–Stokes equation, which describes fluid dynamics. The controller we employ for stabilizing this system was first developed from the boundary control problem of the corresponding linearized system, based on an infinite‐dimensional backstepping transformation. The stabilization result is achieved using only one boundary measurement and one boundary control. Numerical simulations show the boundary control law can be used to stabilize the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choerospondias axillaris (Anacardiaceae) is a fast‐growing tree species with edible wild fruits, used as pioneer tree for reforestation in south China. Fruits, leaves and bark are utilized for diverse culinary and pharmaceutical purposes. In December 2019, C. axillaris infected by powdery mildew was collected in Lianhuashan Park (117.01°E, 25.10°N), Fujian, China. The disease affected approximately 50‒60%, which severely influenced the yield and quality of the infected trees. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, the causal agent was identified as Phyllactinia rhoina. As far as we are aware, this is the first detailed description of the asexual morph for this species and the first complete molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS and 28S rDNA gene sequences. The information may be helpful for disease monitoring purposes of C. axillaris for growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broussonetia comprises four species in China, of which three species are known to be infected by Phyllactinia spp. Between 2018 and 2021, five new Phyllactinia samples on B. papyrifera were collected, and two already existing specimens on B. kaempferi and B. kazinoki were re‐examined. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses showed that two species, Ph. broussonetiae‐kaempferi and Ph. broussonetiae‐papyriferae, are involved on Broussonetia spp. in China. The asexual stage of Ph. broussonetiae‐kaempferi and the sexual stage of Ph. broussonetiae‐papyriferae have been found on B. papyrifera. They are described in detail and illustrated. As far as we are aware, this is the first description of the characteristics of the sexual morph (chasmothecia) of Ph. broussonetiae‐papyriferae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the angular dependent birefringence, liquid crystal displays are subject to viewing angle issues. Various wide viewing angle LCD technologies have been developed to solve the problem. The concept of photoluminescent LCD (PLLCD) as a promising solution for wide viewing LCD has been proposed more than two decades ago. Recently quantum dot photo‐luminescent material has been applied in LCD TV in the form of backlight color enhanced film (QDEF). More recently quantum dot emissive color converter which essentially changes the LCD to becoming an emissive display is also proposed. Here we report our attempt to include a photo‐luminescent film in front of a conventional LCD to enhance the viewing angle and the challenges encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PDLC based smart window is currently the choice of switchable privacy window widely used in hotels and conference rooms. The ability of image hiding behind the window is now represented by the percentage haziness according to ASTM D1003 (or equivalent GB2410‐2008). The ASTM D1003 is originally designed for measuring wide angle light scattering with haze value less than 30%. This is not quite suitable for high haze level PDLC measurement. In this article, we introduce a narrow angle scattering (NAS) method that can better correlate the image hiding level and the measurement readings. An image hiding factor (IHF) is also introduced by making use of the narrow angle scattering measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Polyphenols extracted from plants are usually highly unstable and rapidly transformed into various reaction products during food and drug processing, thus limiting their applications. To improve the stability and solubility of polyphenols from the leaves of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.), and hence to expand their application to food and medicine, the extracted anise leaf polyphenols (ALPs) were microencapsulated using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and cyclodextrin‐based metal–organic frameworks (β‐CD‐MOFs). RESULTS: The optimum inclusion rate of ALP/β‐CD‐MOFs was 97.80% at a core–wall ratio of 1:10. Meanwhile, the stabilities, solubilities and antioxidant activities of the polyphenols before and after inclusion were compared. The results showed both the stabilities and solubilities of ALP/β‐CD‐MOFs were significantly improved compared with those of ALPs and ALP/β‐CD, suggesting the potential of β‐CD‐MOFs as newer and better carriers than β‐CD for polyphenols in food industry applications. The free radical (including superoxide, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals) scavenging activities were also improved by microencapsulation. Superoxide radical scavenging reaction also showed slow‐release property of ALP/β‐CD‐MOFs. The formation of the inclusion complex was further confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectral characterization. CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation with β‐CD‐MOFs could expand the application scope of ALPs, and it is more effective than encapsulation with β‐CD. This is important for a better understanding and application of this useful traditional Chinese plant. As a new material with high efficiency and edibility, β‐CD‐MOFs are not limited to the chemical field, but also have potential in new areas of food, medicine and healthcare products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erysiphe bulbouncinula (≡ Bulbouncinula bulbosa) on Koelreuteria paniculata is a powdery mildew native and endemic in China. Fresh samples of this species were collected on K. paniculata in Sichuan Province, China, in 2018. This is the fourth confirmed identification of this species. The original description in 1932 was based on one specimen from Hangzhou and then was described in Nanjing in 1990 and in Taiwan in 1993. The morphology of the new collections of this species is described and illustrated in detail, and agrees well with the original description of the type specimen except for the number of asci (8–16 asci per chasmothecia versus 7–9 asci in the type specimen). To explore the phylogenetic position of this poorly known species, three separate phylogenetic analyses, using partial 28S rDNA and the combination of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rDNA sequences, were conducted. The results clearly showed that E. bulbouncinula form a monophyletic clade with strong bootstrap (BS) support (MP = 100%) constituting a sister clade to E. gracilis s. lat., form a subclade with Erysiphe sect. Californiomyces and then form a big group with sect. Typhulochaeta and sect. Uncinula. Phylogenetic results confirm that E. bulbouncinula is more closely allied to Erysiphe than to Phyllactinia. Thus, this species can be maintained in Erysiphe in its current circumscription, confirming Bulbouncinula as a synonym of Erysiphe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the myopia prevalence in Hong Kong Chinese children and their parents. Methods: It was a population‐based cross‐sectional study. A total of 4257 children aged 6–8 years, and 5880 parents were recruited in the Hong Kong Children Eye Study. Cycloplegic autorefraction was measured for children; and non‐cycloplegic autorefraction for parents. Parental educational level, children's outdoor time, and near work were collected by validated questionnaires. Results: In children aged 6–8 years, 25.0% were myopic, and among them, 12.7% for the 6‐year‐olds, 24.4% for the 7‐year‐olds and 36.1% for the 8‐year‐old. About 0.7% of children aged 8 years were high myopia. In all age groups, boys (their myopia rate: 13.9% at 6 years, 26.7% at 7 years, and 38.3% at 8 years) were more myopic than girls (11.3% at 6 years, 22.0% at 7 years, 33.4% at 8 years). Among parents, 72.2% were myopic (mother, 73.2%; father, 70.7%) and 13.5% high myopia (mother, 12.8%; father, 14.5%). It was observed that prevalence decreased with ages and increased with education level. Conclusion: There is a strikingly high prevalence of myopia in Hong Kong children aged 6–8, much higher than that of other regions of China. Of note, the prevalence of children was similar to that in 15 years ago. Furthermore, the myopia prevalence of parents is high, and it had already increased in this cohort. Prevention of childhood myopia is important, likewise for visual complications from high myopia in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoalignment technology has been proven useful in the patterned alignment display industry. For large area display, most of the available in‐plane switching (IPS) mode TVs or panels use photoalignment technology. Not only it allows free pattern alignment direction to the liquid crystal compared to the conventional rubbed polyimide, but also it provides high yield and stability. However, the cost of the photoalignment technology could be very high. The materials often require polarized deep UV irradiation with a finite dosage to generate pretilt angles. Due to the improper control of rubbing on the alignment layer, the low yield rate problem still exists in the passive LCD world, especially for vertical photoalignment LCDs. It would be ineffective to improve the yield rate problem with this technology. Furthermore, the required materials are not common in the market. In view of the situation, a Vertical Alignment (VA) surface by non‐polarized LED light irradiation with a large wavelength is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. The cost of the LED exposure equipment is relatively more affordable. In a series of factory pilot runs on the proposed alignment characteristics, it shows comparable result to conventional polyimides in terms of performance. It achieves a stable and uniform pretilt angle, with high anchoring energy and fast response time. To conclude, the proposed robust alignment layer could benefit the industry with a better performance at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Traditional chemical methods were mainly used to evaluate the total antioxidant activity of essential oils. How to determine the bioactivity of each compound in mixtures is an interesting research topic. Nowadays, an ultra‐fast gas chromatography electronic nose (E‐nose) has been gradually used in the detection of volatile compounds, but the screening of the active components of essential oils has not been reported. E‐nose coupled with chemical methodology was established using the essential oil from rosemary (EOR) as a specific application example. The proposed method can both identify the chemical constituents of EOR and quickly screen the antioxidant by comparing the change of chromatographic peak area of every component in EOR before and after reaction with free radicals. RESULTS: Among all chemical constituents in EOR, verbenone, eucalyptol and o‐cymene showed the strongest scavenging abilities in 1,1′‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazine (DPPH·), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethyl‐benzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonate) (ABTS·+) and hydroxyl (·OH) radicals, respectively, with scavenging rates of 67.9%, 39.5%, and 69.9%. The reliability and feasibility of using E‐nose to identify chemical constituents of EOR were verified by gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The GC–MS/MS results showed that the main components of EOR were α‐pinene (422.2 μg g−1), p‐cymene (208.4 μg g−1), camphor (203.5 μg g−1), verbenone (160.2 μg g−1), and eucalyptol (129.1 μg g−1). CONCLUSIONS: The E‐nose methods can be used as a complementary method to traditional spectrophotometric techniques. Furthermore, this study will be of great significance for the rapid screening of antioxidant active components in essential oils from natural products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polymer Network Liquid Crystal (PNLC) cell we fabricated is operating in a reverse mode of voltage‐off transparent state. It is found that when we apply voltage to the PNLC cells, the transmitted light color changed gradually and finally became a bit blue. This effect is not found in Polymer Dispersed LC (PDLC) window. The wavelength dependent transmittance voltage curves are reported and we will try to explain this effect by applying the anomalous diffraction theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoalignment is one of the best candidates of the proven market for multi domain display. It allows nearly free pattern to the liquid crystal alignment direction compared to the conventional rubbed polyimide. Most of the available photoalignment materials require polarized deep UV irradiation with a finite dosage. With the consideration of the current limitation with such a small working window, a vertical photoalignment surface by non‐polarized LED light irradiation with large wavelength is proposed and demonstrated. The alignment direction of proposed surface is generated by the inclined non‐polarized light. The measurement results show the alignment properties of this proposed alignment surface are comparable to conventional polyimide. It has stable and uniform pretilt angle, high polar anchoring energy and fast response time. As a result, the proposed alignment layer is robust and especially suitable for large‐area liquid crystal displays which require high performance with stable pretilt angles and multi‐domain purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a high performance smart window via micro‐domains manipulation on the alignment surface, which dramatically enhances the power‐on haze by 48%. Large‐scale window with ultra‐hazy state switching in less than 3.5 ms is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart windows are attractive because of their numerous advantages such as elegance in construction design and energy conservation. Smart windows with variable transmission are especially desirable for obvious reasons. The simplest way to make a variable transmission smart window is to use two patterned polarizers, and control the transmission by changing the relative position of the two polarizers. We have demonstrated a high‐dichroic‐ratio polarizer by photoalignment and proposed a simple one‐step photo‐copy method to realize a continuous axis varying polarizer. The patterned polarizer shows high optical performance, and its thickness is as thin as 100 nm, which is favorable in practical window applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A front polarizer‐free optically rewritable (ORW) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) has been made via a hybrid alignment configuration with dye‐doped LCs. The hybrid structure consists of one optically active planar and one optically passive homeotropic alignment layer. The rewritability of the device is achieved by photo‐ reorienting the azo dye molecules in the active planar alignment layer. The dye doped in LCs function as a polarizer by following the LCs alignment via a guest‐host effect so that the front polarizer can be eliminated. This makes the device more compact and easier to operate for image erasing and rewriting. The image rewriting time only requires ~9.0s, which is determined by the exposure energy and LC parameters. The hybrid‐mode dye‐doped optically rewritable (DDORW) LCD devices could find applications in E‐paper, transparent display and various photonics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Kunming dog is the first and only working dog breed from China to be recognized worldwide. As a domestic working dog, its excellent working performance has been well established; however, its normal reproductive parameters are not well understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the main reproductive parameters of this purebred working dog in field breeding conditions. Data on 1004 heats (753 with mating) from 203 bitches between 2008 to 2014, were collected and analyzed. The pregnancy rate and whelping rate was 79.42% and 75.30%, respectively. Finally, for 567 litters (4298 puppies), the mean litter size was 7.19 ± 0.12 puppies (range 1–15). The mean gestation period and birth weight were approximately 61.64 ± 0.10 days and 407.25 ± 1.21 g. The mean sex ratio was 1.03 males to 1.00 female. Estrus occurred throughout the year with no significant differences between seasons and months (P > 0.05), which confirms that Kunming dogs are non‐seasonal breeders; births occurred in every month of the year. Pregnant bitches exhibited significantly longer inter‐estrus intervals than non‐pregnant bitches (220.85 ± 2.05 vs. 180.19 ± 2.94 days, P < 0.05). Bitch parity influenced litter size, and the gestation length and birth weight of the puppies were negatively affected by litter size. This study helps elucidate the reproductive potential of this breed and provides reference values for reproductive performance in the Kunming dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a constructive stabilisation and H∞ robust controller design method for stochastic non‐linear systems from a novel dissipation analysis and energy point of view. First, the authors propose a sufficient condition for the dissipation of stochastic Hamiltonian systems and discuss the energy property of the systems, which will be used for the stability analysis and feedback controller design. Then, the authors show that the system is (asymptotically) stable in probability if it is (strictly) dissipative. By completing the Hamiltonian realisation of the stochastic non‐linear systems, a feedback controller is proposed to stabilise the system under the condition of dissipation and zero state detectability. For stochastic non‐linear systems subjected to external disturbances, an energy‐based H∞ controller was proposed by choosing the Hamiltonian function to construct a solution of Hamiltonian–Jacobi inequality. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method was illustrated via the inverted pendulum systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the stabilization of a heat-ODE system cascaded at a boundary point and an intermediate point. The stabilizing feedback control law is designed by the backstepping method. Based on a novel transformation, we prove that all the kernel functions in the forward and inverse transformations are of the class C2. Moreover, the effectiveness of controller design is shown with a numerical simulation. Finally, we show the coherence between the controllability assumption of the main theorem in this paper and the known one for a special case with λ=0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate fertility and sex ratios after artificial insemination in dogs under field conditions. Semen was cryopreserved as unsorted (control) or was separated into X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm using a cell sorter. Sixty female dogs were inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa of 100 × 106 unsorted (a dose in practice) and 4 × 106 sorted (X and Y group, respectively). A total of 20 dogs became pregnant and 126 puppies were born from the three groups. The percentage of parturition was similar for the X (5/20; 25.0%) and Y (4/20; 20.0%) group ( P > 0.05), but lower than controls (11/20; 55.0%) ( P < 0.05). Ultimately 28 out of the 32 puppies produced from X group were female (87.5%) and 19/22 (86.4%) puppies of Y group were male. In contrast, sex ratio (51.4% to 48.6%) in the control was significantly different from the X, Y group ( P < 0.05). However, male and female puppies in the control had similar birth weights and weaning weights to those from the X and Y groups. This preliminary information indicated that normal puppies of predicted sex can be produced with low numbers of sorted cryopreserved dog spermatozoa at a farm level, making sperm-sexing technology potentially applicable for elite breeding units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to verify the bactericidal effect and the damage of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) using methylene blue (MB) and tungsten-halogen lamp over Listeria monocytogenes via atomic force microscopy, absorption spectrophotometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, real-time PCR and SDS-PAGE. The obtained data indicated that the viability of L. monocytogenes was ca 7-log reduced by illumination with 10 min tungsten-halogen lamp light under the presence of 0.5 μg mL−1 MB, and this bactericidal activity against L. monocytogenes of PDI increased proportionally to the concentration of MB and the duration of irradiation. Moreover, after irradiation with MB and visible light, the leakage of intracellular contents was estimated by spectrophotometer at OD260 and OD280, which correlated with morphological alterations. Furthermore, genomic DNA cleavage and protein degradation were also detected after PDI treatment. Consequently, breakage of the membrane, damage of the genomic DNA and degradation of bacterial proteins may play an important role in the mechanisms involved in PDI-MB bactericidal activity on L. monocytogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritoneal dissemination of tumor has high mortality and is associated with the loss of epithelial features, acquisition of motile mesenchymal morphology characteristics, and invasive properties by tumor cells. Melatonin is an endogenously produced molecule in all plant species that is known to exert antitumor activity, but to date, its underlying mechanisms and antiperitoneal metastasis efficacy is not well defined. This study determined the antiperitoneal dissemination potential of melatonin in vivo and assessed its association with the inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) signaling mechanism by endoplasmic reticulum ( ER) stress, which may be a major molecular mechanism of melatonin against cancer. The results demonstrate that melatonin inhibited peritoneal metastasis in vivo and activated ER stress in Cignal ERSE Reporter Assay, organelle structure in transmission electron microscopy images, calpain activity, and protein biomarkers like p-elf2 α. Moreover, the overexpression of transcription factor C/ EBP β in gastric cancer interacted with NF κB and further regulates COX-2 expression. These were dissociated and downregulated by melatonin, as proven by immunofluorescence imaging, immunoprecipitation, EMSA, and Ch IP assay. Melatonin or gene silencing of C/ EBP β decreased the EMT protein markers (E-cadherin, Snail, and Slug) and Wnt/beta-catenin activity by Topflash activity, and increased ER stress markers. In an animal study, the results of melatonin therapy were consistent with those of in vitro findings and attenuated systemic proangiogenesis factor production. In conclusion, C/ EBP β and NF κB inhibition by melatonin may impede both gastric tumor growth and peritoneal dissemination by inducing ER stress and inhibiting EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induces hepatic progenitors to tumor initiating cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus raising an important drawback for stem cell-based therapy. How to block and reverse TGF-β1-induced transition is crucial for progenitors' clinical application and carcinogenic prevention. Rat adult hepatic progenitors, hepatic oval cells, experienced E-cadherin to N-cadherin switch and changed to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive cells after TGF-β1 incubation, indicating EMT. When TGF-β1 plus EGF were co-administrated to these cells, EGF dose-dependently suppressed the cadherin switch and α-SMA expression. Interestingly, if EGF was applied to TGF-β1-pretreated cells, the cells that have experienced EMT could return to their epithelial phenotype. Abruption of EGF receptor revealed that EGF exerted its blockage and reversal effects through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt. These findings suggest an important attribute of EGF on opposing and reversing TGF-β1 effects, indicating the plasticity of hepatic progenitors. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2362-2370, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employed the technique of photoalignment to fabricate polarizers using dichroic dyes and liquid crystal polymers. By varying the polarization direction of the UV/blue light, polarizers with spatially varying absorption axis were made. Such polarizers have many applications. As an example, we showed how mechanical translation of two such polarizers can be used as a variable transmission smart window, in which no electric power is needed. In this work, a 5cm x 5cm window device was made and demonstrated with very good bright and dark states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted social exchange theory to investigate whether work-to-family enrichment functioned as a mediator between work support (supervisor support, co-worker support, and organisational support) and job satisfaction among 543 employees in two cities in China. A series of confirmatory factor analyses ( CFA) supported a 10-item Work Support Scale measuring supervisor support, co-worker support, and organisational support. Structural equation modelling ( SEM) results showed that work-to-family enrichment fully mediated the association of supervisor support and organisational support with job satisfaction. Based on multiple group comparisons, the proposed model fit both genders and family types (single living with extended family vs. married living with family members). The critical ratios for parameter differences indicated that the relationship between work-to-family enrichment and job satisfaction was significantly stronger for females than for males. The implications of findings and directions for future research on work-family enrichment are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of hot springs are located in the north-eastern part of the Yunnan- Tibet geothermal zone, which is one of the most active geothermal areas in the world. However, a comprehensive and detailed understanding of microbial diversity in these hot springs is still lacking. In this study, bacterial and archaeal diversities were investigated in 16 hot springs ( pH 3.2-8.6; temperature 47-96° C) in Yunnan Province and Tibet, China by using a barcoded 16 S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing approach. Aquificae, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Deinococcus- Thermus and Bacteroidetes comprised the large portion of the bacterial communities in acidic hot springs. Non-acidic hot springs harboured more and variable bacterial phyla than acidic springs. Desulfurococcales and unclassified Crenarchaeota were the dominated groups in archaeal populations from most of the non-acidic hot springs; whereas, the archaeal community structure in acidic hot springs was simpler and characterized by Sulfolobales and Thermoplasmata. The phylogenetic analyses showed that Aquificae and Crenarchaeota were predominant in the investigated springs and possessed many phylogenetic lineages that have never been detected in other hot springs in the world. Thus findings from this study significantly improve our understanding of microbial diversity in terrestrial hot springs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimulated by the recent isolation and characterization of CCl chlorofullerene (Tan et al., J Am Chem Soc 2008, 130, 15240), we perform a systematic study on the geometrical structures, thermochemistry, and electronic and optical properties of CX (X = H, F, and Cl) on the basis of density functional theory (DFT). Compared with pristine C, the equatorial carbon atoms in CX are saturated by X atoms and change to sp hybridization to release the large local strains. The addition reactions C + 5X → CX are highly exothermic, and the optimal temperature for synthesizing CX should be ranged between 500 and 1000 K. By combining 10 X atoms at the abutting pentagon vertexes and active sites, CX molecules exhibit large energy gaps between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (from 2.84 to 3.00 eV), showing high chemical stabilities. The CF and CCl could be excellent electron acceptors for potential photonic/photovoltaic applications in consequence of their large vertical electron affinities. The density of states is also calculated, which suggest that the frontier molecular orbitals of CX are mainly from the carbon orbitals of two separate annulene subunits, and the contributions derived from X atoms are secondary. In addition, the ultraviolet-visible spectra and second-order hyperpolarizabilities of CX are calculated by means of time-dependent DFT and finite field approach, respectively. Both the average static linear polarizability 〈α〉 and second-order hyperpolarizability 〈γ〉 of these compounds are larger than those of C due to lower symmetric structures and high delocalization of π electron density on the two separate annulene subunits. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a TFT based polarization-controllable lightprinter for optically rewritable (ORW) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) is proposed. Experimental results with gray scale images are also presented. The light-printer consists of a vertically aligned nematic (VAN) mono-color TFT LCD as a polarization controlling unit. 420nm LED light source with Fresnel lens forms the projection unit. With this two-dimensional controlling unit, this light-printer can transfer content to a large-area ORW LCD panel easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Schizophrenia patients present both reduced slow wave sleep (SWS) and shortened rapid eye movement latency (REML) in polysomnographic (PSG) profiles, which have been linked to dopaminergic and muscarinic impairment, respectively. Two main selective attentional systems involve different anatomical structures. The first system is the parietal cortical areas and thalamic areas, which are linked to cholinergic neurotransmission. This is responsible for automatic attention response. The second system is the frontal regions, which are linked to dopaminergic neurotransmission. This is responsible for voluntary control of attentional resources. It was hypothesized that low attentional performance in schizophrenia patients is associated with shortened REML and reduced SWS. Methods: The PSG profile was correlated with the continuous performance test (CPT) in 15 schizophrenia inpatients under treatment with risperidone. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, and clinical symptoms were evaluated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Results: REML was negatively correlated with errors of omission ( P < 0.05), reaction time (RT; P < 0.05) and positively correlated with hit rate (HR; P < 0.05). No association was found between SWS and CPT performance. Conclusions: The significant indicators of CPT represent different attention processes. Errors of omission, which are linked to the problems with automatic attention processing, RT, which represent the speed of automatic processing, and HR, are involved in the integration of autonomic and voluntary attention control. The present results suggest that REML is associated with thalamus-related automatic attention response. Due to study limitations, however, confirmation of these findings in a large-scale controlled study of drug-naïve patients is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Stability and electronic property calculations are performed systematically based on density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for Td C28 fullerene and exohedral fluorine and trifluoromethyl derivatives C28F4–n(CF3)n (n = 0,1,2,3,4). All the exohedral derivatives that are on the potential energy surfaces are kinetically stable with large HOMO-LUMO gaps. Further investigations show that binding energies of C28F4–n(CF3)n (n = 0,1,2,3,4) molecules are positive, suggesting they are thermodynamically stable. An analysis of the π-orbital axis vector indicates the high strain in Td C28 cage could be greatly released by fluorine and trifluoromethyl decorations. Mulliken charge analysis reveals that adding different electron groups to the Td C28 cage can cause remarkably different charge populations. In addition, from the ionization potential and electron affinity investigations, the C28F4–n(CF3)n (n = 0,1,2,3,4) molecules manifest weak redox properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (eNRR) has been deemed as an alternative approach to the Haber‐Bosch (H‐B) process for ammonia (NH3) production, but it remains a huge challenge. Here jet plasma oxidation of N2 is reported in air into NOx and subsequently NO2− coupling with electrochemical NO2− reduction reaction (pN2─eNO2−RR) over PdNi alloying nanoparticles on N‐doped carbon nanotubes (PdNi/N‐CNTs) for NH3 synthesis. The results demonstrate that the jet plasma reactor possesses excellent gas reforming capacity to achieve the largest NO2− yield rate of 30.46 mmol h−1 with a low energy consumption of 2.66 kWh molN−1. For subsequent eNO2−RR, PdNi/N‐CNTs can afford an NH3 yield of 34.96 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 and a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 98.21% at −0.38 and 0.02 V (vs RHE), respectively. In situ spectroscopic characterizations combined with theoretical calculations unveil that PdNi/N‐CNTs provide Pd and Ni dual active sites, enabling NO2− activation on the Ni site and active H* provision on the Pd site to facilitate eNO2−RR. A cascade pN2‐eNO2−RR system is constructed for sustainable NH3 production, achieving a stable NH3 yield rate of 25.56 mmol h−1, an average FE >85%, as well as NOx to NH3 conversion efficiency of 44.62% at constant ampere‐level current with finally collection of gram‐level (NH4) 2SO4 product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the results of a meta-analysis using 50 experimental studies (256 effect sizes) of the overjustification effect. In general, we found support for the effect across age, dependent measure, and design type in specific situations where it is predicted to occur. Findings are less supportive of the theory for situations where there should be no difference between experimental and control groups (e.g. non-contingent or unexpected reward). Suggestions for future research are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]