26 research outputs found

    Emission Characteristics of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes and Organic Thin-Films with Planar and Corrugated Structures

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    In this paper, we review the emission characteristics from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic molecular thin films with planar and corrugated structures. In a planar thin film structure, light emission from OLEDs was strongly influenced by the interference effect. With suitable design of microcavity structure and layer thicknesses adjustment, optical characteristics can be engineered to achieve high optical intensity, suitable emission wavelength, and broad viewing angles. To increase the extraction efficiency from OLEDs and organic thin-films, corrugated structure with micro- and nano-scale were applied. Microstructures can effectively redirects the waveguiding light in the substrate outside the device. For nanostructures, it is also possible to couple out the organic and plasmonic modes, not only the substrate mode

    The effects of socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status, physical activity and physical function on cognitive function of community-dwelling older adults in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

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    Introduction: Cognitive decline and cognitive impairment among older adults is a rising public health concern because of its association with increased risk of dementia, disability and mortality. In Malaysia, early identification of cognitive impairment is uncommon due to lack of understanding of risk profile of the elderly population. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 698 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years old and above in Klang Valley, Malaysia by using multi-stage sampling to determine the risk factors and predictors of cognitive impairment from a multidimensional approach. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, physical functional status and cognitive impairment. Results: Increased of age (OR = 1.056), being female (OR = 2.219) and Indian (OR = 2.722) were the risk factors for cognitive impairment, while years of education (OR = 0.765), physically active (OR = 0.823) and better physical function (OR = 0.843) were significantly associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment. Marital and nutritional status failed to predict the risk of cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Given the protective effects of physical activity and physical function on the cognitive decline at later age, relevant policymakers should formulate appropriate health education programmes to promote regular physical activity to improve physical and cognitive function among Malaysians across all ages

    Speciation processes in putative island endemic sister bat species: false impressions from mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data

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    Cases of geographically restricted co-occurring sister taxa are rare and may point to potential divergence with gene flow. The two bat species Murina gracilis and Murina recondita are both endemic to Taiwan and are putative sister species. To test for nonallopatric divergence and gene flow in these taxa, we generated sequences using Sanger and next-generation sequencing, and combined these with microsatellite data for coalescent-based analyses. MtDNA phylogenies supported the reciprocally monophyletic sister relationship between M. gracilis and M. recondita; however, clustering of microsatellite genotypes revealed several cases of species admixture suggesting possible introgression. Sequencing of microsatellite flanking regions revealed that admixture signatures stemmed from microsatellite allele homoplasy rather than recent introgressive hybridization, and also uncovered an unexpected sister relationship between M. recondita and the continental species Murina eleryi, to the exclusion of M. gracilis. To dissect the basis of these conflicts between ncDNA and mtDNA, we analysed sequences from 10 anonymous ncDNA loci with *beast and isolation-with-migration and found two distinct clades of M. eleryi, one of which was sister to M. recondita. We conclude that Taiwan was colonized by the ancestor of M. gracilis first, followed by the ancestor of M. recondita after a period of allopatric divergence. After colonization, the mitochondrial genome of M. recondita was replaced by that of the resident M. gracilis. This study illustrates how apparent signatures of sympatric divergence can arise from complex histories of allopatric divergence, colonization and hybridization, thus highlighting the need for rigorous analyses to distinguish between such scenarios

    Speciation processes in putative island endemic sister bat species: false impressions from mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data

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    Cases of geographically restricted co-occurring sister taxa are rare and may point to potential divergence with gene flow. The two bat species Murina gracilis and Murina recondita are both endemic to Taiwan and are putative sister species. To test for nonallopatric divergence and gene flow in these taxa, we generated sequences using Sanger and next-generation sequencing, and combined these with microsatellite data for coalescent-based analyses. MtDNA phylogenies supported the reciprocally monophyletic sister relationship between M. gracilis and M. recondita; however, clustering of microsatellite genotypes revealed several cases of species admixture suggesting possible introgression. Sequencing of microsatellite flanking regions revealed that admixture signatures stemmed from microsatellite allele homoplasy rather than recent introgressive hybridization, and also uncovered an unexpected sister relationship between M. recondita and the continental species Murina eleryi, to the exclusion of M. gracilis. To dissect the basis of these conflicts between ncDNA and mtDNA, we analysed sequences from 10 anonymous ncDNA loci with *beast and isolation-with-migration and found two distinct clades of M. eleryi, one of which was sister to M. recondita. We conclude that Taiwan was colonized by the ancestor of M. gracilis first, followed by the ancestor of M. recondita after a period of allopatric divergence. After colonization, the mitochondrial genome of M. recondita was replaced by that of the resident M. gracilis. This study illustrates how apparent signatures of sympatric divergence can arise from complex histories of allopatric divergence, colonization and hybridization, thus highlighting the need for rigorous analyses to distinguish between such scenarios

    Viable short-term directed energy weapon naval solutions: a systems analysis of current prototypes

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    With conventional weapons nearing their peak capability, the need to identify alternative war fighting solutions suggests a look at Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs). The goal is to change the means by which warfare is conducted to improve operational efficiencies and overall effectiveness. The Naval Postgraduate School Systems Engineering and Analysis (SEA-19B) Capstone project team examined how existing directed energy technologies can provide performance across multiple warfare area domains and mission subsets for the U.S. Navy. The aim was to identify and characterize the capability gaps with conventional weapons systems, produce a coherent vision of naval missions that incorporate DEWs, and generate a roadmap for a DEW fleet. By conducting a thorough Analysis of Alternatives based on system performance, integration, schedule, and cost, the project team identified that the Tactical Laser System (with a laser beam power of 10 kW) provided the best overall capability to defend surface combatants, although none of the analyzed DEWs have the capability to replace a current conventional weapon. The Active Denial System (microwave) provided a niche capability in the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection mission set.http://archive.org/details/viableshorttermd1094534734Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

    mitochondrial_alignment_for_starbeast

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    An alignment of concatenated Cyt-b and COI genes (in FASTA) used in a *BEAST analysis for inferring the divergence processes within the Murina gracilis complex. The XML input file of *BEAST is also provided

    microsat_flanking_regions_for_starbeast

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    Alignments of phased sequences (in FASTA) at ten microsatellite flanking regions used in *BEAST analyses for inferring the divergence processes within the Murina gracilis complex. Prior to *BEAST analyses, all alignments except for that for the locus A122-2 are trimmed to be free from recombination. XML input files of *BEAST separately prepared for analyses with different demographic models are also provided
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