Wavy Architecture Thin‐Film Transistor for Ultrahigh Resolution Flexible Displays

A novel wavy‐shaped thin‐film‐transistor (TFT) architecture, capable of achieving 70% higher drive current per unit chip area when compared with planar conventional TFT architectures, is reported for flexible display application. The transistor, due to its atypical architecture, does not alter the turn‐on voltage or the OFF current values, leading to higher performance without compromising static power consumption. The concept behind this architecture is expanding the transistor's width vertically through grooved trenches in a structural layer deposited on a flexible substrate. Operation of zinc oxide (ZnO)‐based TFTs is shown down to a bending radius of 5 mm with no degradation in the electrical performance or cracks in the gate stack. Finally, flexible low‐power LEDs driven by the respective currents of the novel wavy, and conventional coplanar architectures are demonstrated, where the novel architecture is able to drive the LED at 2 × the output power, 3 versus 1.5 mW, which demonstrates the potential use for ultrahigh resolution displays in an area efficient manner.     

Neuroprotective Fatty Acids from the Stem Bark of Sorbus commixta

Phytochemical investigation of the bark from the stems of Sorbus commixta led to the isolation and characterization of a new fatty acid, sorcomic acid ( 1 ), along with nine known analogues ( 2 – 10 ). The structure of the new compound ( 1 ) was determined through NMR (¹H and ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), MS, and specific optical rotation. The known compounds ( 2 – 10 ) were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those in the literature. The biological activities of all the isolated compounds ( 1 – 10 ) were evaluated: compounds 1 , 5 , and 7 potently induced NGF secretion from C6 glioma cells (233.40 ± 12.82, 194.40 ± 8.05, and 185.74 ± 10.25 %, respectively) and compound 10 reduced NO levels with an IC₅₀ value of 71.25 μM in murine microglia BV2 cells stimulated by LPS.     

The Potential of Genome Editing for Improving Seed Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition in Oilseed Crops

A continuous rise in demand for vegetable oils, which comprise mainly the storage lipid triacylglycerol, is fueling a surge in research efforts to increase seed oil content and improve fatty acid composition in oilseed crops. Progress in this area has been achieved using both conventional breeding and transgenic approaches to date. However, further advancements using traditional breeding methods will be complicated by the polyploid nature of many oilseed crops and associated time constraints, while public perception and the prohibitive cost of regulatory processes hinders the commercialization of transgenic oilseed crops. As such, genome editing using CRISPR/Cas is emerging as a breakthrough breeding tool that could provide a platform to keep pace with escalating demand while potentially minimizing regulatory burden. In this review, we discuss the technology itself and progress that has been made thus far with respect to its use in oilseed crops to improve seed oil content and quality. Furthermore, we examine a number of genes that may provide ideal targets for genome editing in this context, as well as new CRISPR-related tools that have the potential to be applied to oilseed plants and may allow additional gains to be made in the future.     

A review of the internal forced convective heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids: Experimental features,mechanisms and thermal performance criteria

In this review paper, we summarize important milestones in experimental studies that indicate the effects of volume fraction, nanoparticle size, operating temperature and pH on the internal forced convective heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids. In addition, many mechanisms for the enhancement of the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids proposed by investigators are categorized into two dominant mechanisms. The first dominant mechanism is properties’ change of nanofluids such as thermal conductivity and viscosity. The other is the motion of nanoparticles in nanofluid flow due to Brownian motion, thermal dispersion and migration. Finally, the thermal performance criteria which can estimate whether nanofluids are useful in actual engineering systems, are summarized. Authors expect that the understanding of the convective heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids could help many thermal engineers to develop nanofluids which can be used in industrial applications.     

Defect evolution in MeV ion-implanted silicon

Lightly doped silicon samples of both n- and p-type have been implanted with low doses of H, B and Si ions using energies between 1 and 6 MeV. The resulting electrically active point defects were characterized by deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and several of these defects involve oxygen and/or carbon, two major impurities in as-grown crystalline silicon. Both interstitial- and vacancy-type defects are observed; in particular, interstitial carbon is found to migrate at room temperature with a diffusion constant of 1 × 10⁻¹⁵ cm² s⁻¹ and is effectively trapped by interstitial oxygen atoms. The concentration of implantation-induced defects increases linearly with dose but the defect production decreases at high enough dose rates. This dose rate effect depends on the ion mass and is qualitatively predicted by computer simulations of the defect reaction kinetics.     

Bradford's law in relation to the evolution of a field. A case study of solar power research

Based on the data of growth of literature in the field of solar power, the present paper investigates the stage of evolution at which the scattering of articles over journals is similar to Bradford's curve, i.e. the stage at which Bradford's law is valid. Traces the related changes that take place in the size and elements of the core during the evolution and growth of literature. The study reveals that a curve similar to Bradford's curve is obtained when the field matures. The finding has been supported with the help of a simple mathematical model.     

Specification-based testing of reactive software: A case study in technology transfer

We describe a case study to transfer a specificationbased testing system from research to practice. We did the case study in two steps: first we conducted a feasibility study in a laboratory setting to estimate the potential costs and benefits of using the system. Next we conducted a usability study in an industrial setting to determine whether it would be effective in practice. Our focus in the laboratory was on the basic technology; our focus in the industrial setting has necessarily been on customizing that technology for a specific application. The feasibility study gave us a cost-effective way to identify general, context-independent issues, while the later industrial experience revealed specific, context-dependent obstacles to the use of our technology.     

Optimization of Test Parameters for Magneto-Optic Imaging Using Taguchi's Parameter Design and Response-Model Approach

Magneto-optic/eddy current imaging (MOI) is becoming widely used for aging aircraft inspection for cracks and corrosion. However, many test parameters affect the accept/reject decision about a test sample and hence the overall performance of MOI system. The optimization of the parameters is extremely crucial in enhancing the performance of MOI system. This article uses the Taguchi method to change parameter values simultaneously to search for the optimum set of test parameters for maximizing system performance for a given sample geometry and critical crack. It is also important at the same time the system performance be unaffected by variations in parameters. Efficiency of Taguchi's partial factorial design is obvious. The optimum set of parameters is found by means of analyses of main effects. Analysis of variance identifies those parameters that need to be controlled carefully. A response-model approach is utilized as a complement to the Taguchi method.     

Modelling the growth of papers in a scientific specialty

A growth model of the journal literature is proposed and applied to the growth of the literature of theoretical population genetics (1850–1980).