Effects of carbomer eye drops in combination with orthokeratology lens in treating adolescent myopia

To investigate the effects of carbomer eye drops (CED) during long-time wearing of overnight orthokeratology lens of adolescents with myopia, 260 teenagers with myopia treated in the Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2012 to August 2014 and followed-up for more than 2 years were enrolled. All the patients underwent regular fitting of orthokeratology lens. They were divided into a CED (Vidisic) group (130 cases, 260 eyes treated with CED) and rewetting drops (RD) (Baushe and Lomb) group (130 cases, 260 eyes treated with RD). The effects in the two groups were observed. The incidence of corneal epithelial defects one day, one week and one month after treatment of the CED group was lower than that of the RD group, and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05); the tear break up time (TBUT) of the CED group was higher than that of the RD group at different time points, and the difference had statistical significance (P less than 0.05); the difference of the value of Schirmer I test between the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). It is concluded that carbomer eye drops can stabilize tear film and protect and repair corneal epithelium during the wearing of orthokeratology lens.

Effects of atomic interaction stiffness on low-temperature relaxation of amorphous solids

While low-temperature relaxations show significant differences among metallic glasses with different compositions, the underlying mechanism remains mysterious. Using molecular dynamics simulation, low-temperature relaxation of amorphous solids is investigated in model systems with different atomic interaction stiffness. It was found that as the interaction stiffness increases, the low-temperature relaxation is enhanced. The fraction of mobile atoms increases with increasing interaction stiffness, while the length scale of dynamical heterogeneity does not change. The enhanced relaxation may be due to increased dynamical heterogeneity. These findings provide a physical picture for better understanding the origin of low-temperature relaxation dynamics in amorphous solids, and the experimentally observed different β-relaxation behaviors in various metallic glasses.

Molecular cloning, expression of, and regulation by thyroid-hormone receptor α A in the half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis during metamorphosis

To elucidate the effect of thyroid hormone receptor α A (thraa) on metamorphosis, the full length cDNA of half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis was cloned. The relative gene transcript level of thraa at different development stages was quantified using real-time PCR. Transcription of thraa increased and declined rapidly during metamorphosis. Hyperthyroidism was induced in juveniles and larvae with exposure to T3 and T4, and hypothyroidism with thiourea (TU), 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI). thraa mRNA was higher in fish treated for 6 days with MMI than in untreated controls, although inhibited larvae did not complete metamorphosis. The addition of exogenous T4 reversed this effect in the MMI-treated group, but not in the TU-treated group. In situ hybridization revealed progressive tail end of body growth and change during developmental stages, with corresponding changes in thraa expression. This process may be induced by thyroid hormones with thraa as a major mediator. The morphological changes of tip of the tail may be associated with the development of lateral swimming.

Memory Effect Manifested by a Boson Peak in Metallic Glass

We explore the correlation between a boson peak and structural relaxation in a typical metallic glass. Consistent with enthalpy recovery, a boson peak shows a memory effect in an aging-and-scan procedure. Single-step isothermal aging produces a monotonic decrease of enthalpy and boson peak intensity; for double-step isothermal aging, both enthalpy and boson peak intensity experience, coincidently, an incipient increase to a maximum and a subsequent decrease toward the equilibrium state. Our results indicate a direct link between slow structural relaxation and fast boson peak dynamics, which presents a profound understanding of the two dynamic behaviors in glass.

Role of interleukin-6 polymorphisms in the development of allergic rhinitis

The aim of this study was to investigate the role played by the IL-6 rs1800795 (-174G/C) and rs1800796 (-572G>C) polymorphisms in the susceptibility to allergic rhinitis in a Chinese population. A total of 265 patients with allergic rhinitis and 265 controls from our hospital were enrolled in this study. The IL-6 rs1800795 and rs1800796 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results of the χ(2) statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the allele frequencies of IL-6 rs1800795 between patients with allergic rhinitis and controls (χ(2) = 4.52, P = 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals with the C allele of IL-6 rs1800795 were susceptible to increased risk of allergic rhinitis, compared to those expressing the G allele (adjusted OR = 1.31; 95%CI = 1.01-1.68). In conclusion, the results of our study indicated that the IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis.

Communication: Non-monotonic evolution of dynamical heterogeneity in unfreezing process of metallic glasses

The relaxation dynamics in unfreezing process of metallic glasses is investigated by the activation-relaxation technique. A non-monotonic dynamical microstructural heterogeneities evolution with temperature is discovered, which confirms and supplies more features to flow units concept of glasses. A flow unit perspective is proposed to microscopically describe this non-monotonic evolution of the dynamical heterogeneities as well as its relationship with the deformation mode development of metallic glasses.

Compositional origin of unusual β-relaxation properties in La-Ni-Al metallic glasses

The β-relaxation of metallic glasses (MGs) bears nontrivial connections to their microscopic and macroscopic properties. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of the β-relaxation, we studied by dynamical mechanical measurements the change of its properties on varying the composition of La60Ni15Al25 in various ways. The properties of the β-relaxation turn out to be very sensitive to the composition. It is found that the isochronal loss peak temperature of β-relaxation, Tβ,peak, is effectively determined by the total (La + Ni) content. When Cu is added into the alloy to replace either La, Ni, or Al, the Tβ,peak increases with decrease of the (La + Ni) content. The trend is in accordance with data of binary and ternary MGs formed from La, Ni, Al, and Cu. Binary La-Ni MGs have pronounced β-relaxation loss peaks, well separated from the α-relaxation. In contrast, the β-relaxation is not resolved in La-Al and La-Cu MGs, showing up as an excess wing. For the ternary La-Ni-Al MGs, increase of La or Ni content is crucial to lower the Tβ,peak. Keeping the Al content fixed, increase of La content lowers the Tβ,peak further, indicating the more important role La plays in lowering Tβ,peak than Ni. The observed effects on changing the composition of La60Ni15Al25 lead to the conclusion that the properties of the β-relaxation are mainly determined by the interaction between the largest solvent element, La, and the smallest element, Ni. From our data, it is further deduced that La and Ni have high mobility in the MGs, and this explains why the β-relaxation in this La-based MGs is prominent and well resolved from the α-relaxation as opposed to Pd- and Zr-based MGs where the solvent and largest atoms, Pd and Zr, are the least mobile.

Design of species-specific PCR method for the detection of pathogen Embellisia astragali in standing milk vetch seeds

Embellisia astragali is an important seedborne pathogenic fungus responsible for yellow stunt and root rot of standing milk vetch (Astragalus adsurgens). The current detection methods that are based on culture and morphological identification are time-consuming, laborious and not always reliable. A PCR-based diagnostic method was developed with the species-specific primer pairs AatpF and AatpR designed from the sequence of the plasma membrane ATPase gene of E. astragali. The specificity of the primers was verified by PCR analysis of DNA from three strains of E. astragali and 19 isolates of nontarget fungi from other genera. A single 135-bp amplicon was detected only from E. astragali isolates, and no cross-reactions were observed with any other tested isolates. The detection limit of this new method was 5 pg of template DNA. The specific primers enabled the detection of E. astragali from the seed of standing milk vetch. This species-specific PCR method provides quick, simple, powerful and reliable detection of E. astragali.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

PCR-based detection is fast, convenient, precise and sensitive compared to the traditional methods of pathogen detection. This study develops the first PCR method for the detection of Embellisia astragali in standing milk vetch seeds. The species-specific primer set designed from the plasma membrane ATPase gene of E. astragali can detect the pathogen. This assay could be applied in the standing milk vetch seed industry.

Measurement of serum estrogen and estrogen metabolites in pre- and postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

Although 17β-estradiol (E2) deficiency has been linked to the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in middle-aged women, there are few studies relating other estrogens and estrogen metabolites (EMs) to this condition. We developed a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method to measure the levels of six EMs (i.e., estrone, E2, estriol, 2-hydroxyestrone, 2-hydroxyestradiol, and 16a-hydroxyestrone) in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women and women with OA. This method had a precision ranging from 1.1 to 3.1% and a detection limit ranging from 10 to 15 pg. Compared to healthy women, serum-free E2 was lower in the luteal and postmenopausal phases in women with OA, and total serum E2 was lower in postmenopausal women with OA. Moreover, compared to healthy women, total serum 2-hydroxyestradiol was higher in postmenopausal women with OA and total serum 2-hydroxyestrone was lower in both the luteal and follicular phases in women with OA. In conclusion, our HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method allowed the measurement of multiple biochemical targets in a single assay, and, given its increased cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and speed relative to previous methods, this method is suitable for clinical studies.

HuGE systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate association of CASP-3 and CASP-7 genetic polymorphisms with cancer risk

Genetic variations in the caspase genes CASP-3 and CASP-7 are known to be involved in apoptosis, cytokine maturation, cell growth and differentiation. Polymorphisms of CASP-3 and CASP-7 genes have been increasingly recognized as important regulators in the development of cancer. However, whether there is a specific association is still controversial. Therefore, we made a Human Genome Epidemiology review and meta-analysis to explore the association between polymorphisms of CASP-3 and CASP-7 genes and cancer risk. Based on the inclusion criteria, we examined 9 case-control studies, with a total of 3142 cancer cases and 3670 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results showed that the homozygote (CC) of rs2705897 in the CASP-3 gene is positively associated with cancer susceptibility [odds ratio (OR) = 4.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26-15.11, P = 0.02], while the C allele and C carrier (TC+CC) of rs1049216 are negatively associated with cancer risk (OR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.69-0.95, P = 0.01; OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.63-0.97, P = 0.02, respectively). The G allele and G carrier of rs4647603 (A/G) in CASP-3 had positive associations with cancer susceptibility (OR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.37-2.09, P < 0.001; OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.26-2.93, P = 0.002, respectively). The T allele of rs12415607, the G allele and homozygote (GG) of rs2227310, and homozygote (CC) of rs3124740 also had positive associations with cancer risk (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.02-1.37, P = 0.03; OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.01-1.34, P = 0.03; OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.04-1.74, P = 0.03; OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.04-1.63, P = 0.02, respectively). In addition, homozygote (AA) of rs11196418 showed a significant negative association with cancer risk (OR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.14-0.93, P = 0.03). These meta-analysis results demonstrated that CASP-3 and CASP-7 genetic polymorphisms are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms contribute to the risk of endometriosis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 case-control studies

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease defined as the presence of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is a multifactorial and polygenic disease in which angiogenesis may be implicated. Angiogenesis is under the control of numerous inducers, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Many studies have reported that VEGF plays a role in the progression of the disease, but individually published studies showed inconclusive results. We investigated the association between VEGF polymorphisms and the susceptibility to endometriosis. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CBM databases were searched for all articles published up to June 25, 2012, which addressed VEGF polymorphisms and endometriosis risk. We investigated the potential association between VEGF polymorphisms and the risk of endometriosis. Fourteen studies were included with a total of 3313 endometriosis cases and 3393 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results showed that the rs699947 (A>C) and rs1570360 (G>A) polymorphisms in the VEGF gene were associated with a decreased risk of endometriosis, while rs3025039 (C>T) might increase the risk of endometriosis. However, the rs833061 (T>C) and rs2010963 (G>C) polymorphisms of the VEGF gene did not appear to have an influence on endometriosis susceptibility. Results from the meta-analysis suggest that the rs3025039 (C>T) polymorphism of the VEGF gene increases the risk of endometriosis, but the rs699947 (A>C) and rs1570360 (G>A) polymorphisms might be protective factors for endometriosis.

Insulin resistance in first-trimester pregnant women with pre-pregnant glucose tolerance and history of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Insulin resistance (IR) has been reported to play an important role in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, scanted materials exist regarding the independent effect of IR on RSA. The aim of this study is to investigate the status of IR in first trimester pregnant patients with normal pre-pregnant glucose tolerance and history of RSA. This two-center case-control study enrolled totally 626 first trimester pregnant women including 161 patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion, who were pre-pregnantly glucose-tolerant according to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and 465 women with no history of abnormal pregnancies of any kind. Clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters were simultaneously measured in all participants. Serum beta-HCG, estradiol, progesterone, fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels, as well, the calculated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose/insulin ratio(G/I) and pregnancy outcome were analyzed and compared. Serum beta-HCG and progesterone were found to be significantly lower in RSA group compared to controls. Subjects in RSA group were found to have higher HOMA-IR and lower G/I ratio than those in control group. Serum beta-HCG and progesterone were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, and positively with G/I ratio even after adjustment for BMI. The spontaneous abortion rate within first trimester pregnancy of RSA patients was significantly higher than that in controls. In conclusion, woman with recurrent spontaneous abortion and normal pre-pregnant glucose metabolism tends to be more insulin resistant during first trimester pregnancy than healthy controls, no matter whether she has PCOS or not. Insulin resistance might be one of the direct causes that lead to recurrent abortion.

Dynamic QTL analysis for fruit lycopene content and total soluble solid content in a Solanum lycopersicum x S. pimpinellifolium cross

Fruit lycopene content and total soluble solid content are important factors determining fruit quality of tomatoes; however, the dynamic quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling lycopene and soluble solid content have not been well studied. We mapped the chromosomal regions controlling these traits in different periods in F(2:3) families derived from a cross between the domestic and wild tomato species Solanum lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium. Fifteen QTLs for lycopene and soluble solid content and other related traits analyzed at three different fruit ripening stages were detected with a composite interval mapping method. These QTLs explained 7-33% of the individual phenotypic variation. QTLs detected in the color-changing period were different from those detected in the other two periods. On chromosome 1, the soluble solid content QTL was located in the same region during the color-changing and full-ripe periods. On chromosome 4, the same QTL for lycopene content was found during the color-changing and full-ripe periods. The QTL for lycopene content on chromosome 4 co-located with the QTL for soluble solid content during the full-ripe period. Co-location of lycopene content QTL and soluble solid content QTLs may be due to pleiotropic effects of a single gene or a cluster of genes via physiological relationships among traits. On chromosome 9, the same two QTLs for lycopene content at two different fruit ripening periods may reflect genes controlling lycopene content that are always expressed in tomato fruit development.

Ab initio-based double many-body expansion potential energy surface for the first excited triplet state of the ammonia molecule

A global single-sheeted double many-body expansion potential energy surface is reported for the first excited triplet state of NH(3). It employs an approximate cluster expansion of the molecular potential that utilizes previously reported functions of the same family for the triatomic fragments. Four-body energy terms have been calibrated from extensive accurate ab initio data so as to reproduce the main features of the title system. A new switching function formalism has been reported to approximate the true multisheeted nature of NH(3)((3)A(2) ('')) potential energy surface, thus allowing the correct behavior at the NH(2)((2)A(")) + H((2)S) and NH(2)((4)A(")) + H((2)S) dissociation limits. The resulting fully six-dimensional potential energy function reproduces the correct symmetry under the permutation of identical atoms, and predicts the correct behavior at all dissociation channels while providing a realistic representation at all interatomic separations. The major attributes of the NH(3) double many-body expansion potential energy surface have also been characterized, and found to be in good agreement, both with the calculated ones from the raw ab initio energies and the theoretical results available in the literature.

Zinc inhibits H(2)O(2)-induced MC3T3-E1 cells apoptosis via MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways

Zinc has been shown to increase bone mass and promote bone cell proliferation and differentiation. We, therefore, hypothesized that zinc might be cytoprotective for bone cells during oxidative stress. The cells were divided into H(2)O(2), zinc and zinc+H(2)O(2) groups. In the present study, zinc was found to inhibit H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells, as shown by analysis of Annexin V/PI double staining. Western blot data showed that in zinc+H(2)O(2)-treated cells, zinc decreased the levels of AIF, Bax and active caspase-9 and -3, which are pro-apoptotic factors. And zinc inhibited release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol in zinc+H(2)O(2)-treated cells. Further investigation shows that protection is via activation of PI3K/Akt/mTor and MAPK /ERK pathways and inhibition of MAPK/P38 and MAPK/JNK pathways. Protecting osteoblast cells from oxidative damage presents a potential application in the treatment of osteoporosis.

On-chip spectrometer with a circular-hole defect for optical sensing applications

We propose an optical sensor by integrating a circular-hole defect with an etched diffraction grating spectrometer based on amorphous silicon photonic platforms. There are some superiorities of this device, such as high sensitivity (~10000 nm/RIU), and ability to deliver component analysis from the near-infrared spectrum by using the integrated spectrometer. As application example, the chip is used for distinguishing similar biodiesel types and accurately determining their concentrations in a diesel oil mixture.

Sorting by parity to reduce aggression toward first-parity sows in group-gestation housing systems

Young sows are subordinate and vulnerable in group-housing systems because they usually lose most fights and suffer more injuries than mature sows at mixing. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of sorting by parity on reducing aggression and associated stress with the aim to improve welfare and performance of first-parity sows in a group-housed system. Sows and gilts (n = 180) from 6 breeding groups were used. Within each group, 2 groups of 15 females were mixed in each of 2 treatment pens after weaning and remained there throughout the entire gestation period. The control pen consisted of 11 multiparous and 4 first-parity sows, and the treatment pen consisted of 11 gilts and 4 first-parity sows. Before mixing and at the end of the gestation period, sows and gilts were weighed individually, assessed for BCS, and measured for backfat thickness. Injury scores were assessed before and 48 h after mixing and wean-to-mating intervals, farrowing rate, and litter performance at the subsequent farrowing were recorded for all females. Aggressive interactions involving first-parity sows were video recorded for 72 h immediately after mixing in each pen. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS with a Poisson regression model for count data and a Gaussian model for continuous data. All females in treatment pens sustained fewer scratches (P = 0.01) after mixing than females in control pens. First-parity sows in treatment pens fought more frequently (P = 0.01), tended to fight for longer periods (P = 0.08), and won more fights (P = 0.04) of parallel pressing but had fewer injures (P = 0.03) after mixing, gained more BW (P = 0.01) during gestation, and had greater farrowing rates (P = 0.03) compared with first-parity sows in control pens. The results suggest that sorting by parity shielded first-parity sows from severe injuries caused by mixing-induced aggression so that their welfare and performance can be improved in group housing systems.

Bilateral cadaveric Achilles tendon graft in reconstruction after Achilles tendon tumor resection

The standard approach to reconstruction after resection of a diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor is a local patch with free flaps. However, in cases in which the Achilles tendon involvement is extensive, and the entire tendon must be removed, an autologous flap graft might not be adequate to allow a return to function. We report a case of a 52-year-old female patient who developed bilateral tumors of the Achilles tendon, with a 10-year duration. By the time, she sought medical help, both Achilles tendons required removal. We chose to use Achilles tendon allografts to replace the Achilles tendons. Postoperatively, the patient did well. The allograft shortened the recovery time, and the patient regained full ankle range of motion.

Technical note: a technique for ear vein catheterization in group-housed sows

No methods have been published for repeated blood sampling via an ear vein in group-housed sows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a minimally invasive technique for the insertion of an ear vein catheter for repeated blood sampling in group-housed peripartum sows while minimizing any impact on production performance. Thirty-three multiparous pregnant sows were used including 18 catheterized sows and 15 control sows. In a group-farrowing barn, sows (8/room) shared a communal area and farrowed in individual, free-access pens. Treatment sows were anesthetized, and 1 ear was prepared aseptically 2 to 4 d before their expected farrowing date. A sterile needle was inserted into the largest and straightest portion of the vein, and the catheter, which was medical-grade microbore tubing, was inserted through the needle at least 24 cm. The needle was withdrawn, and the catheter was fixed into position and sutured to the ear. A blunt-end probe point cannula was glued onto the distal end of the catheter, and an adaptor injection cap with male Luer lock was placed on the end. The catheter was coiled and placed in a protective purse, which was cemented directly to the skin on the back of the shoulders. The catheter was flushed with heparinized saline to ensure patency. Once sows were able to stand, an elastic bandage was wrapped around the neck and upper body of the sow to hold the protective purse and exposed catheter in position. Blood samples were collected every 24 h, and catheters were flushed with heparinized saline after each collection. Fourteen of the 18 insertions were successful, and 11 of those remained functional for 4 d or more. Differences were not observed in reproductive performance between catheterized and noncatheterized sows.

Effects of tryptophan supplementation on aggression among group-housed gestating sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary Trp supplementation on mixing-induced aggression and the associated stress, and on reproductive performance in gestating sows. After weaning, sows were mixed in pens with electronic sow feeders on concrete-slatted floors. Each pen housed 21 ± 2.8 sows, with approximately 2.7 ± 0.43 m(2)/sow of floor space allowance. Multiparous sows (n = 168) from 8 breeding groups were used, with 4 groups assigned to a control diet and 4 groups assigned to a high-Trp diet. Control sows received corn- and soybean meal-based diets throughout gestation (0.15% Trp) and lactation (0.21% Trp). Three days before and after mixing, sows assigned to the high-Trp treatment received approximately 2.3 times the dietary Trp (0.35% in the gestation diet and 0.48% in the lactation diet) fed to control sows. Six focal sows (2 sows from each of parity 1, 2, and 3 or greater) in each pen were designated and videotaped for 72 h after mixing to determine the type and number of aggressive interactions among sows. Before and 48 h after mixing, saliva samples were collected from focal sows, and scratches were assessed on all sows. Data were analyzed using the FREQ and GLIMMIX procedures (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Aggression among sows was intense during the initial 6 h and decreased between 6 and 72 h after mixing. The initial aggression caused scratches and increased cortisol concentrations (P < 0.05). Mature sows tended to fight for longer periods (112 vs. 52 s/h per sow, SE = 23.8; P < 0.10) but had fewer scratches caused by aggression (injury score = 4.3 vs. 6.5, SE = 1.13; P < 0.01) than parity-1 sows. Supplementation of dietary Trp reduced the total duration of head-to-head knocking (P < 0.05) but did not affect other aggressive behaviors. There was no difference between dietary treatments in injury scores or saliva cortisol concentrations. Sows in the high-Trp treatment had more total piglets born (12.5 vs. 10.5 pigs/litter, SE = 0.55; P < 0.05) and more stillborn piglets (1.5 vs. 0.8 pigs/litter, SE = 0.20; P < 0.05), but had no significant change (P = 0.12) in piglets born alive (10.8 vs. 9.7 pigs/litter, SE = 0.42) compared with control sows. The results indicate that the initial aggression after mixing caused more injuries in young sows than in mature sows. Supplementation of dietary Trp at 2.3 times the control amount for a short period did not effectively reduce aggression and the associated stress in sows at mixing.

Highly efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode with a nanometer-thick Ni silicide/polycrystalline p-Si composite anode

A phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode (PhOLED) with a nanometer-thick (approximately 10 nm) Ni silicide/ polycrystalline p-Si composite anode is reported. The structure of the PhOLED is Al mirror/ glass substrate / Si isolation layer / Ni silicide / polycrystalline p-Si/ V(2)O(5)/ NPB/ CBP: (ppy)(2)Ir(acac)/ Bphen/ Bphen: Cs(2)CO(3)/ Sm/ Au/ BCP. In the composite anode, the Ni-induced polycrystalline p-Si layer injects holes into the V(2)O(5)/ NPB, and the Ni silicide layer reduces the sheet resistance of the composite anode and thus the series resistance of the PhOLED. By adopting various measures for specially optimizing the thickness of the Ni layer, which induces Si crystallization and forms a Ni silicide layer of appropriate thickness, the highest external quantum efficiency and power conversion efficiency have been raised to 26% and 11%, respectively.

1.54 microm electroluminescence from p-Si anode organic light emitting diode with Bphen: Er(DBM)(3)phen as emitter and Bphen as electron transport material

1.54 microm Si-anode organic light emitting devices with Er(DBM)(3)phen: Bphen and Bphen/Bphen:Cs(2)CO(3) as the emissive and electron transport layers (the devices are referred to as the Bphen-based devices) have been investigated. In comparison with the AlQ-based devices with the same structure but with AlQ:Er(DBM)(3)Phen and AlQ as the emissive and electron transport layers, the maximum EL intensity and maximum power efficiency from the Bphen-based devices increase by a factor of 3 and 2.2, respectively. The optimized p-Si anode resistivity of the Bphen-based device of 10 Omega.cm is significantly lower than that of the AlQ-based device. The NIR EL improvement can be attributed to the energy transfer from Bphen to the Er complex and equilibrium of electron injection from the Sm/Au cathode and hole injection from the p-Si anode at a higher level.

First Report of Impatiens necrotic spot virus on Spiderlily in China

Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) (genus Tospovirus; family Bunyaviridae) is a devastating disease in the production of ornamental flowers (1). From 2007 to 2009, a survey of 10 major parks and recreation areas in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, China, indicated that approximately 60 to 70% of Spiderlily (Hymenocallis littoralis Salisb.) plants from eight parks had symptoms of concentric ring spots and necrotic spots. Symptomatic plants were tested for INSV and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) with an immunostrip (Agdia Inc. Elkhart, IN). Results indicated that only the samples designated HDL were positive for INSV and all other samples were negative for both INSV and TSWV. Mechanically inoculated Emilia sonchifolia, Nicotiana glutinosa, Impatiens balsamina, and N. rustica showed chlorotic lesions, concentric rings, and severe necrosis, symptoms typical for INSV in these hosts. Electron microscope inspection found tospovirus-like spheroidal, enveloped particles that were 90 nm in diameter. Primer 5 software (Premier, Canada) was used to design 14 primers from GenBank Accession No. NC_003625 to amplify the L RNA, nine from NC_003616 to amplify the M RNA, and six from NC_003624 to amplify the S RNA. With total RNA extracted from infected plant tissue as templates in reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, these primers generated 29 target fragments of 250 to 900 bp. These fragments were cloned with the vector pMD19 simple-T vector (Takara Bio Inc., Dalian, China) and sequenced. The sequences of the clones were aligned with the software DNAman (version 2.5; Lynnon Biosoft, Quebec, Canada), showing that RNAs L, M, and S are 8,776 bp (GenBank Accession No. GU112505), 4,948 bp (GenBank Accession No. GU112503), and 2,875 bp (GenBank Accession No. GU112504), respectively. BLAST analysis of these Spiderlily INSV sequences against the NCBI sequence database indicated that the RdRp protein (L RNA) was 99.6% identical with the RdRp protein from an Italian isolate (No. DQ425094), the Nsm protein (M RNA) has 99.0% identity with the Nsm protein from an isolate from Italy (No. DQ425095) and one from the United States (No. NC_003616), the G1G2 polyprotein (M RNA) has 99.9% identity with the analogous protein from an Italian isolate (No. DQ425095), the N protein (S RNA) has 99.6% identity with the N protein from an Italian isolate (No. DQ425096), and the NSs protein (S RNA) has 98.7% identity with the NSs protein from an isolate from Japan (No. AB109100). To our knowledge, this is the first report of INSV on Spiderlily in China. Reference: (1) A. E. Whitfield et al. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 43:459, 2005.

Enhanced electroluminescence from nanoscale silicon p+ -n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide pattern

An enhancement of the electroluminescence (EL) from nanoscale silicon p(+)-n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) pattern was demonstrated. The nanoporous AAO pattern with a pore density of 1.4 x 10(10) cm(-2) and a pore diameter of 50 +/- 10 nm was fabricated by the two-step anodic oxidation method on a n-type silicon wafer. The nanoscale AAO patterned Si p(+)-n junctions achieved an EL enhancement factor up to about 5 compared to the unpatterned Si p(+)-n junctions. The enhancement may originate from a reduction of nonradiative recombination due to partial passivation of the Si surface by the AAO pattern and improvement of the light extraction due to surface nanotextures.