Observation of Landau level-like quantizations at 77 K along a strained-induced graphene ridge

Recent studies show that the electronic structures of graphene can be modified by strain and it was predicted that strain in graphene can induce peaks in the local density of states (LDOS) mimicking Landau levels (LLs) generated in the presence of a large magnetic field. Here we report scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) observation of nine strain-induced peaks in LDOS at 77 K along a graphene ridge created when the graphene layer was cleaved from a sample of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The energies of these peaks follow the progression of LLs of massless 'Dirac fermions' (DFs) in a magnetic field of 230 T. The results presented here suggest a possible route to realize zero-field quantum Hall-like effects at 77 K

Touching the Future: The Effects of Gesture-Based Interaction on Virtual Product Experience

With the popularity of touchscreen tablets and gesture control devices, the role of touch in online consumer behavior has become increasingly important. This study aims to investigate how sense of touch evoked by various interaction modes (i.e., mouse-driven interaction, touchscreen gesture interaction and mid-air gesture interaction) influences virtual product experience. Drawing on Feelings-as-Information Theory and Cognitive-Affective Framework in virtual product experience, we propose that sense of touch could influence consumer purchase intention by reducing product uncertainty and improving product attachment; furthermore, these effects are contingent on product characteristics, i.e., importance of product haptics and product valence. Accordingly, two lab experiments are designed. Potential theoretical contributions, practical implications as well as future research directions are discussed

Collecting Chinese Art in Hong Kong from 1949 to 1997: Collectors, Museums and the Art Market

This thesis is a study of Chinese art collecting in Hong Kong during the second half of the 20th century. Through reconstructing the biographies of four representative collectors, who also held other roles as art dealer, adviser, scholar or museum donor, it demonstrates the diversity of collecting practices which thrived in this British colony and characterises how individuals and their networks shaped private and public collections, Chinese art scholarship and developments in the art market. Four representative collectors are examined to show how the multicultural environment of Hong Kong enabled collecting activities to thrive, and how collectors in turn contributed to enriching the collecting environment in Hong Kong. Firstly, Edward T. Chow’s collecting is viewed in relation to the impact of Shanghai dealers and collectors in bringing their expertise and collections to Hong Kong; secondly, Dr Ip Yee’s collecting activities epitomise how a new group of Western-educated middle-class professionals built institutional as well as private collections while furthering scholarship on specific categories of Chinese art such as bamboo carving; thirdly, the Singaporean collector Low Chuck-Tiew demonstrates the sense of nationalism, shared by many Cantonese diasporic communities, which motivated him to collect Chinese art and ultimately donate his collection to Hong Kong; lastly, T. T. Tsui’s method of sharing art with a global audience through opening a private museum and sponsoring international institutions reveals how collecting in Hong Kong became intertwined with business and diplomacy around the time of the handover of Hong Kong to China. By comparing these four collectors’ approaches to collecting and reflecting upon the roles they played in private collecting, museums and the art market from 1949 to 1997 in Hong Kong and beyond, the current research identifies distinctive characteristics of Hong Kong collecting which were unique to this eventful time and place

Looking at K-Pop as an I-fan: a Reflection of Mesmerizing yet Imperfect Identities

In the past decade, Korea has become the new powerhouse of popular culture within Asia, and Korean Popular Culture, short for K-Pop, is gaining popularity worldwide. Thanks to the Internet and digital media, people across the globe are able to participate in this growing phenomenon. Based on interviews of international fans (I-fans) and ethnographic fieldwork in South Korea, this thesis explores why international K-pop fans want to consume K-pop and the difficulties they face as consumers who do not belong to the culture on the first place. By examining music videos, reality shows, commercials and celebrity endorsements, I illustrate that K-pop is commodifying Korean culture into something that captures fans worldwide. In addition, I draw upon Korean history and theories of fetishization, mirror phase and male gaze to connect K-Pop with Korea’s fixation over perfection and chastity. Finally, I argue that K-Pop’s appeal lies upon its ability to reflect the vulnerabilities and struggles the younger generations face in society today.Honor Thesi

Embodied Persuasion: How Holding Your Smartphone Changes Your Product Perception

Online shopping through mobile devices has dramatically increased worldwide. This research investigates the role embodied interactions may play in stimulating virtual product experience in mobile commerce settings. Drawing on research on virtual product experience and embodied cognition, we hypothesize that holding a mobile device in hands (vs. putting the mobile device on the table) is more likely to create an illusion that the products being viewed are actually present in the real world and to stimulate imagery consumption experience, leading to higher purchase intention and choice satisfaction. This effect is more salient for desirable products than for undesirable products. We describe an experiment design for testing the hypotheses, report preliminary data analysis results, and discuss the potential theoretical and practical implications of this study

Spindle oscillations are generated in the dorsal thalamus and modulated by the thalamic reticular nucleus

Spindle waves occur during the early stage of slow wave sleep and are thought to arise in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), causing inhibitory postsynaptic potential spindle-like oscillations in the dorsal thalamus that are propagated to the cortex. We have found that thalamocortical neurons exhibit membrane oscillations that have spindle frequencies, consist of excitatory postsynaptic potentials, and co-occur with electroencephalographic spindles. TRN lesioning prolonged oscillations in the medial geniculate body (MGB) and auditory cortex (AC). Injection of GABA~A~ antagonist into the MGB decreased oscillation frequency, while injection of GABA~B~ antagonist increased spindle oscillations in the MGB and cortex. Thus, spindles originate in the dorsal thalamus and TRN inhibitory inputs modulate this process, with fast inhibition facilitating the internal frequency and slow inhibition limiting spindle occurrence

Numerical prediction performance of Kraft lignin extraction using boundary breakage model

This study predicts the performance of kraft lignin extraction using emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) from pulping wastewater using boundary breakage model. The model was developed based on the previous study with some modifications and assumptions. Therefore, in developing kraft lignin extraction model, it will consider emulsion globule approach and the emulsion swelling and breakage during the ELMs process. It was found to be numerically stable and reliable in predicting the behavior of kraft lignin extraction using ELM for long duration of time. MATLAB software was used to predict the performance of ELM on extracting kraft lignin from pulping wastewater based on the model developed. At optimum condition, the simulation prediction result was found to have a small deviation with the experimental data on extraction efficiency. The model was computed with some parameter effects including initial feed concentrations; treat ratio and agitation speed, which demonstrated that the prediction results were in agreement with the theoretical study of ELM. The data instills confidence in the model as a useful prediction model on kraft lignin removal by ELM process in pulping industry

A Thiazole Orange Derivative Targeting the Bacterial Protein FtsZ Shows Potent Antibacterial Activity.

The prevalence of multidrug resistance among clinically significant bacteria calls for the urgent development of new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. In this study, a new small molecule exhibiting excellent inhibition of bacterial cell division with potent antibacterial activity was discovered through cell-based screening. The compound exhibits a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity, including the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and NDM-1 Escherichia coli. The in vitro and in vivo results suggested that this compound disrupts the dynamic assembly of FtsZ protein and Z-ring formation through stimulating FtsZ polymerization. Moreover, this compound exhibits no activity on mammalian tubulin polymerization and shows low cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. Taken together, these findings could provide a new chemotype for development of antibacterials with FtsZ as the target

A Study of Trait Anhedonia in Non-Clinical Chinese Samples: Evidence from the Chapman Scales for Physical and Social Anhedonia

Background: Recent studies suggest that anhedonia, an inability to experience pleasure, can be measured as an enduring trait in non-clinical samples. In order to examine trait anhedonia in a non-clinical sample, we examined the properties of a range of widely used questionnaires capturing anhedonia. Methods: 887 young adults were recruited from colleges. All of them were administered a set of checklists, including Chapman Scale for Social Anhedonia (CRSAS) and the Chapman Scale for Physical Anhedonia Scale (CPAS), The Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale(TEPS), and The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Results: Males showed significantly higher level of physical (F = 5.09, p<0.001) and social (F = 4.38, p<0.005) anhedonia than females. As expected, individuals with schizotypal personality features also demonstrated significantly higher scores of physical (t = 3.81, p<0.001) and social (t = 7.33, p<0.001) trait anhedonia than individuals without SPD features, but no difference on self-report anticipatory and consummatory pleasure experience. Conclusions: Concerning the comparison on each item of physical and social anhedonia, the results indicated that individuals with SPD feature exhibited higher than individuals without SPD features on more items of social anhedonia than physical anhedonia scale. These preliminary findings suggested that trait anhedonia can be identified a non-clinical sample. Exploring the demographic and clinical correlates of trait anhedonia in the general population may provide clues to the pathogenesis of psychotic disorder.China. Ministry of Science and Technology. National Key Technologies R&D Program (2012BAI36B01)National Science Fund China (Grant no. 81088001)National Science Fund China (Grant no. 91132701)Chinese Academy of Sciences. Knowledge Innovation Project (KSCX2-EW-J-8