A rugged display: Recent results of flexible cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— A 3‐m‐long rugged flexible display having a novel single‐plastic‐substrate structure has been demonstrated with a coated cholesteric liquid‐crystal mixture. The display is designed to be fabricated by a roll‐to‐roll process to increase productivity at a competitive cost. It has the advantage of having almost no limitation in display length. The high‐resolution (300‐dpi) monochrome cholesteric liquid‐crystal display (ChLCD) can be achieved by using a photo‐addressing method. A single‐layered 10.4‐in. color ChLCD also has been developed with good color and contrast.     

Extraction of genomic DNA and detection of single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping utilizing an integrated magnetic bead-based microfluidic platform

This study presents a new magnetic bead-based microfluidic platform, which integrates three major modules for rapid leukocytes purification, genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction and fast analysis of genetic gene. By utilizing microfluidic technologies and magnetic beads conjugated with CD_15/45 antibodies, leukocytes in a human whole blood sample can be first purified and concentrated, followed by extraction of gDNA utilizing surface-charge switchable, DNA-specific, magnetic beads in the lysis solution. Then, specific genes associated with genetic diseases can be amplified by an on-chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process automatically. The whole pretreatment process including the leukocytes purification and gDNA extraction can be performed in an automatic fashion with the incorporation of the built bio-separators consisting of microcoils array within less than 20 min. The detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T region associated with an increased risk of genetic diseases was further performed to demonstrate the capability of the proposed system. The extracted gDNA can be transported into a micro PCR chamber for on-chip fast nucleic acid amplification of detection genes with minimum human intervention. Hence, the developed system may provide a powerful automated platform for pretreatment of human leukocytes, gDNA extraction and fast analysis of genetic gene.     

Demonstration of delayed hypersensitivity in Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis in monkeys: a pathogenic mechanism of tubal damage

The role of delayed hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of Chlamydia t trachomatis salpingitis was studied in the monkey "pocket" model. Pigtailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) were sensitized by inoculation of live C. trachomatis organisms (E/UW-5/Cx) into subcutaneous pockets containing salpingeal autotransplants. At 21 days, affinity-purified recombinant C. trachomatis heat-shock protein (rhsp60) was injected into pockets either previously sensitized with C. trachomatis or not sensitized in the same monkey. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction was observed, characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration with peak reaction at 48 h. Injection of rhsp60 into the pockets of a naive animal did not induce inflammation. This study showed that C. trachomatis infection in monkeys induced delayed hypersensitivity, which is mediated by hsp60. Histologic findings of the salpinx were consistent with delayed hypersensitivity reaction observed in ocular C. trachomatis infection, further suggesting a similar pathogenesis for both salpingitis and trachoma.     

Discovery of the ammonium substrate site on glutamine synthetase, a third cation binding site

Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyzes the ATP-dependent condensation of ammonia and glutamate to yield glutamine, ADP, and inorganic phosphate in the presence of divalent cations. Bacterial GS is an enzyme of 12 identical subunits, arranged in two rings of 6, with the active site between each pair of subunits in a ring. In earlier work, we have reported the locations within the funnel-shaped active site of the substrates glutamate and ATP and of the two divalent cations, but the site for ammonia (or ammonium) has remained elusive. Here we report the discovery by X-ray crystallography of a binding site on GS for monovalent cations, Tl+ and Cs+, which is probably the binding site for the substrate ammonium ion. Fourier difference maps show the following. (1) Tl+ and Cs+ bind at essentially the same site, with ligands being Glu 212, Tyr 179, Asp 50', Ser 53' of the adjacent subunit, and the substrate glutamate. From its position adjacent to the substrate glutamate and the cofactor ADP, we propose that this monovalent cation site is the substrate ammonium ion binding site. This proposal is supported by enzyme kinetics. Our kinetic measurements show that Tl+, Cs+, and NH4+ are competitive inhibitors to NH2OH in the gamma-glutamyl transfer reaction. (2) GS is a trimetallic enzyme containing two divalent cation sites (n1, n2) and one monovalent cation site per subunit. These three closely spaced ions are all at the active site: the distance between n1 and n2 is 6 A, between n1 and Tl+ is 4 A, and between n2 and Tl+ is 7 A. Glu 212 and the substrate glutamate are bridging ligands for the n1 ion and Tl+. (3) The presence of a monovalent cation in this site may enhance the structural stability of GS, because of its effect of balancing the negative charges of the substrate glutamate and its ligands and because of strengthening the "side-to-side" intersubunit interaction through the cation-protein bonding. (4) The presence of the cofactor ADP increases the Tl+ binding to GS because ADP binding induces movement of Asp 50' toward this monovalent cation site, essentially forming the site. This observation supports a two-step mechanism with ordered substrate binding: ATP first binds to GS, then Glu binds and attacks ATP to form gamma-glutamyl phosphate and ADP, which complete the ammonium binding site. The third substrate, an ammonium ion, then binds to GS, and then loses a proton to form the more active species ammonia, which attacks the gamma-glutamyl phosphate to yield Gln. (5) Because the products (Glu or Gln) of the reactions catalyzed by GS are determined by the molecule (water or ammonium) attacking the intermediate gamma-glutamyl phosphate, this negatively charged ammonium binding pocket has been designed naturally for high affinity of ammonium to GS, permitting glutamine synthesis to proceed in aqueous solution.     

软件缺陷预测模型间的比较实验: 问题、进展与挑战

近年来,研究者提出了大量的软件缺陷预测模型,新模型往往通过与过往模型进行比较实验来表明其有效性.然而,研究者在设计新旧模型间的比较实验时并没有达成共识,不同的工作往往采用不完全一致的比较实验设置,这可能致使在对比模型时得到误导性结论,最终错失提升缺陷预测能力的机会.对近年来国内外学者所做的缺陷预测模型间的比较实验进行系统性的总结:首先,阐述缺陷预测模型间的比较实验的研究问题;然后,分别从缺陷数据集、数据集划分、基线模型、性能指标、分类阈值这5个方面对现有的比较实验进行总结;最后,指出目前在进行缺陷预测模型间比较实验时面临的挑战,并给出建议的研究方向.     

A systematic mapping of semi-formal and formal methods in requirements engineering of industrial Cyber-Physical systems

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing - The requirements engineering of Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems is extremely challenging due to large system sizes, component heterogeneity, involvement of...     

Noninvasive glucose monitoring in vivo with an optical heterodyne polarimeter

An amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne polarimeter was set up to monitor noninvasively the aqueous glucose concentration in a rabbit's eye. A Zeeman laser in conjunction with a Glan-Thompson analyzer was used to generate an optical heterodyne signal. The amplitude of the heterodyne signal linearly related to the optical rotation angle of the aqueous glucose. The concentration of the aqueous glucose in a rabbit's eyeball was measured in vivo. There was a 30-min time delay between observations of aqueous glucose and blood glucose. The detection capability and the reproducibility of the experiment are demonstrated and discussed.     

Random-iteration algorithm-based optical parallel architecture for fractal-image decoding by use of iterated-function system codes

An optical parallel architecture for the random-iteration algorithm to decode a fractal image by use of iterated-function system (IFS) codes is proposed. The code value is first converted into transmittance in film or a spatial light modulator in the optical part of the system. With an optical-to-electrical converter, electrical-to-optical converter, and some electronic circuits for addition and delay, we can perform the contractive affine transformation (CAT) denoted in IFS codes. In the proposed decoding architecture all CAT's generate points (image pixels) in parallel, and these points then are joined for display purposes. Therefore the decoding speed is improved greatly compared with existing serial-decoding architectures. In addition, an error and stability analysis that considers nonperfect elements is presented for the proposed optical system. Finally, simulation results are given to validate the proposed architecture.     

Pressure infiltration of sol/gel processed short fibre ceramic matrix composites

Using pressure infiltration short fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composites with uniform and dense microstructure can be made. Based upon this processing technique, composites composed of silica sol, alumina particles, and alumina short fibres were fabricated. The related processing parameters studied in this work include infiltration rate, fibre volume fraction Vf, particle size, and infiltrate viscosity. An optimal infiltration rate was 4 mm min-1, at which rate the composite with Vf of 8.1% and particle size of 3 m has the highest green density. An equilibrium between particle packing strength and applied load must be obtained during the infiltration to obtain high green density and composite strength. The influence of fibre volume fraction and particle size on composite green density is in a synergistic manner because it involves particle–fibre interactions, fibre–fibre interactions, and sedimentation. Furthermore, the increase of sol viscosity results in more sedimentation in the infiltrate and lower composite green density. The fracture toughness of composites is 38% higher than that of monolithic alumina. © 1998 Chapman & Hall