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Neural tube defect (NTD) is a severe congenital birth abnormalities involving incomplete neural tube closure. 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) gene plays key role in folate cycle and methylation cycle, which could affect the DNA synthesis, repair and methylation. In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between MTHFR polymorphisms and NTD-affected pregnancy. There were 444 participants involved in our study. Tag-SNPs were identified in HapMap Databases. Blood samples were collected from all subjects to further extract the genomic DNAs by TaqMan Blood DNA kits. We also carried out a meta-analysis based on previous published studies to further examine the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and NTD. In case-control study analysis, two SNPs were identified to be associated with NTD risk. The 677 C > T genetic variant was correlated with increased risk of NTD-affected pregnancy. However, the 1298 A > C polymorphism was shown to lower the risk of NTD-affected pregnancy. The protective role of 1298 A > C polymorphisms was further supported by the result of meta-analysis. Our study revealed that the SNPs of 677C > T and 1298A > C in MTHFR were associated with NTD-affected pregnancy, in which 677C > T was a risk factor and in contrast 1298A > C was protective factor against NTD. Our results of meta-analysis also revealed the 1298A > C MTHFR polymorphism play protective role in NTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced efficiency and reduced efficiency roll-off in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) are realized by interposing a solution-processed gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based interlayer between the anode and the hole-injection layer. Transient photoluminescence measurements elucidate that a reduced lifetime of the triplet excitons was observed for samples having a GNP-interlayer as compared to a control sample without the GNP-interlayer. The decrease in the triplet exciton lifetime, caused by the coupling between the triplet excitons and the localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited by the GNPs, enables reducing the triplet–triplet and triplet–polaron annihilation processes, thereby a reduced efficiency roll-off in PhOLEDs. The presence of a GNP-interlayer also acts as an optical out-coupling layer contributing to the efficiency enhancement and was demonstrated by the theoretical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, photoinduced charge separation behaviors in non-long-chain-molecule-functionalized carbon nanodots (CDs) with visible intrinsic absorption (CDs-V) and TiO2 composites were investigated. Efficient photoinduced electron injection from CDs-V to TiO2 with a rate of 8.8 × 108 s−1 and efficiency of 91% was achieved in the CDs-V/TiO2 composites. The CDs-V/TiO2 composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, superior to pure TiO2 and the CDs with the main absorption band in the ultraviolet region and TiO2 composites, which indicated that visible photoinduced electrons and holes in such CDs-V/TiO2 composites could be effectively separated. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) results for the CD-sensitized TiO2 solar cells also agreed with efficient photoinduced charge separation between CDs-V and the TiO2 electrode in the visible range. These results demonstrate that non-long-chain-molecule-functionlized CDs with a visible intrinsic absorption band could be appropriate candidates for photosensitizers and offer a new possibility for the development of a well performing CD-based photovoltaic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on linear potential flow theory, a mathematical model of the interactions between a floating pier with a submerged annular rippled breakwater and linear monochromatic waves was established. The fluid domain was divided into four regions: an exterior region, a mild-slope region, a gap region, and an interior region. The modified mild slope equation (MMSE) was used to establish the velocity potential expression of the mild-slope region, where the rippled breakwater was located. The matched eigenfunction expansion method (MEEM) was then used to derive the semi-analytical solution of the diffraction and radiation problem of the floating pier under linear monochromatic waves. After the accuracy of the mathematical model was ensured by comparison with other results and convergence analysis, the effects of the amplitudes and lengths of the ripples, the distance between the floating pier and the breakwater, and the number of ripples of the submerged annular rippled breakwater was analyzed. The results showed that the increase in the ripple amplitude and number aggravated the fluctuations of the wave excitation forces and the hydrodynamic coefficients of the floating pier as the wavenumber and ripple length varied. The wave excitation force and hydrodynamic coefficient of the floating pier changed periodically with the increase in the distance between the breakwater and the floating pier. This period was only related to the wavenumber, which was slightly larger than half the wavelength. The valley value and the corresponding position of the valley that appeared with this periodic change were affected by the ripple amplitude and length of the submerged annular rippled breakwater. • A mathematical model was established in this study to solve the wave diffraction and radiation problem of floating piers with a submerged annular ripple breakwater. • The water area was divided into exterior region, mild-slope region, gap region, and an interior region. The modified mild slope equation (MMSE) was used to solve the velocity potential of diffraction wave and radiation wave in mild-slope region due to the existence of submerged annular rippled breakwater. • The influence of the amplitude and length of the ripple and the distance between the floating pier and the ripples of the submerged annular ripple breakwater were analyzed in depth. • The wave excitation force and hydrodynamic coefficient of the floating pier change periodically with the increase in the distance from the breakwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, we fabricated quantum dots light-emitting devices with hole-injection layer, molybdenum oxide (MoO3) substituting for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) which is hygroscopic and acidic and, therefore, a source of interface instability. A significant enhancement in luminance and current efficiency in MoO3-containing devices was observed. In addition, MoO3-containing devices were more stable in the air than those with PEDOT:PSS as the hole injection layer. The hole injection and transport of the devices were studied by the J–V characteristics of the hole-only devices. The excellent performance of the devices was principally a result of MoO3 possessing lower injection barrier for the hole and better stability than PEDOT:PSS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bond properties between reactive powder concrete and steel bar are studied through beam bond tests, and compared with C40 concrete. It is showed that, the bond stress-slip curve tendency of the two concretes is similar, and the compressive strength and bond strength of reactive powder concrete are much larger than that of C40 concrete. The ultimate bond stress of reactive powder concrete τu is about three times of C40 concrete, the responding slip su is about twice of that of C40 concrete, and the relative bond strength τu/ √fcu is about 1.6 times of that of C40 concrete. The bond mechanism between reactive powder concrete and steel bar is analyzed according to the test curve and failure mode, at the same time, an empirical formula including muhifactor are established through statistical regression, and a simplified four-line bond stress-slip model is established that can provide a reference for engineering design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the blue top-emitting organic light-emitting devices (TEOLEDs) with different metal anodes are fabricated. The effect of different anode materials on the spectra and efficiency of blue TEOLEDs is studied. We demonstrate that Al is a more suitable anode material for blue TEOLEDs due to its larger phase shift on reflectance (PSR) than the other common metal materials, such as Ag and Au. The influence of light outcoupling layer (LOL) on the transmittance and PSR of cathode is also investigated to obtain the optimum condition for devices. Angle-independent electroluminescence (EL) spectra are obtained in blue TEOLEDs for each metal anode but the device with Al anode possesses higher efficiency and much thicker organic layers, which is beneficial to the lifetime of the device. These results offer a practicable platform for the realization of TEOLEDs based full-color displays and lightings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: White top-emitting organic light-emitting devices (TEOLEDs) were fabricated on a glass substrate with metal/organic multilayer of (Ag/Alq3)2 (Alq3 is tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum) as cathode. White TEOLEDs with high efficiency were obtained due to the microcavity effects. And the (Ag/Alq3)2 cathode, which adjusted the optical characteristics of the devices, played an important role. In addition, Alq3–Ag–Alq3 multilayer could work as a buffer layer, which would simplify the process of encapsulation for devices. We also calculated the electroluminescence spectrum of devices encapsulated with Al2O3 (150 nm) and Al2O3(75 nm)/ZrO2(75 nm). And the results indicated that the CIE coordinates is almost the same between with and without encapsulating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]