Solution processed low power organic field-effect transistor bio-chemical sensor of high transconductance efficiency

Developing organic field-effect transistor (OFET) biosensors for customizable detection of biomarkers for many diseases would provide a low-cost and convenient tool for both biological studies and clinical diagnosis. In this work, design principles of the OFET transducer for biosensors were derived to relate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to the device-performance parameters. Steep subthreshold swing (SS), proper threshold voltage (Vth), good-enough bias-stress stability, and mechanical durability are shown to be the key prerequisites for realizing OFET bio-sensors of high transconductance efficiency (gm/ID) for large SNR. Combining a low trap-density channel and a high-k/low-k gate dielectric layer, low-temperature (<100 °C) solution-processed flexible OFETs can meet the performance requirements to maximize the gm/ID. An extended gate-structure OFET biosensor was further implemented for label-free detection of miR-21, achieving a detection limit below 10 pM with high selectivity at a low operation voltage (<1 V)

Challenges for Cruise Sustainable Development and Its Legal Response: The Case of China

The cruise industry has become one of the fastest-growing segments of global tourism industry in recent years. Its growth has led to some concerns about its impact on the marine environment, as cruise ships cause no less pollution than regular ships. China’s cruise industry began late but has achieved fast development. However, there are still many challenges related to China’s environmental legislation, and there is no clear-cut legal framework for the environmental protection of cruise ships in the various regulations in China. The legal literature on this issue is insufficient, and this paper attempts to fill the gap. First, it provides an overview of the global cruise industry, including the basic situation of cruise pollution. Second, it briefly introduces the relevant international conventions, and Chinese laws and regulations. Third, it analyzes the recent environmental challenges that cruise ships have faced. The goal of this paper is to give a legal direction for how the cruise industry can grow in ways that are both sustainable and responsible

Existence of Solutions for <inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i1.gif"/></inline-formula>-point Boundary Value Problems on a Half-Line

<p/> <p>By using the Leray-Schauder continuation theorem, we establish the existence of solutions for <inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i2.gif"/></inline-formula>-point boundary value problems on a half-line <inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i3.gif"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i4.gif"/></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i5.gif"/></inline-formula> and <inline-formula><graphic file="1687-1847-2009-609143-i6.gif"/></inline-formula> are given.</p

Legal Challenges in Protecting the Rights of Cruise Ship Crew at the Post COVID-19 Pandemic Era

The unexpected outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the shipping industry, especially the cruise sector. During this period, the cruise crew, as a neglected subject, experienced great work, life and psychological pressures. However, many states, including China, do not pay enough attention to the legal protection of their rights. The legal literature on this issue is insufficient, and this paper attempts to fill the gap. This paper aims to give a legal suggestion for how to protect the legal rights of cruise crews in ways that are both responsible and effective in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. To achieve the goal, this paper adopts legal research methods to analyze the application of international conventions and Chinese laws and regulations. The paper discusses the legal limitations on the rights’ protection of cruise crews in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the research results are legal considerations and suggestions for the protection of the cruise crew. In addition to taking reasonable measures to reduce the impact of the epidemic on cruise crews, the legitimate rights and interests of all cruise crew individuals should be realized as much as possible under existing international conventions and domestic laws. It is important for states to further improve crew and labour legislation and strengthen international cooperation to deal with the impact of the global pandemics on the cruise