An antireflection transparent conductor with ultralow optical loss (o2 %) and electrical resistance (o6O 2)

Transparent conductors are essential in many optoelectronic devices, such as displays, smart windows, light-emitting diodes and solar cells. Here we demonstrate a transparent conductor with optical loss of B1.6%, that is, even lower than that of single-layer graphene (2.3%), and transmission higher than 98% over the visible wavelength range. This was possible by an optimized antireflection design consisting in applying Al-doped ZnO and TiO2 layers with precise thicknesses to a highly conductive Ag ultrathin film. The proposed multilayer structure also possesses a low electrical resistance (5.75O 2), a figure of merit four times larger than that of indium tin oxide, the most widely used transparent conductor today, and, contrary to it, is mechanically flexible and room temperature deposited. To assess the application potentials, transparent shielding of radiofrequency and microwave interference signals with B30 dB attenuation up to 18 GHz was achieved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Using Gray-Markov Model and Time Series Model to Predict Foreign Direct Investment Trend for Supporting China’s Economic Development

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is one of the important factors affecting China’s economic development, the prediction of which is the basis of its development and decision-making. Based on elaborating the significant role in China’s economic growth and the status quo of utilizing foreign investment over the period between 2000 and 2016, this chapter attempts to construct Gray-Markov model (GMM) and time series model (TSM) to forecast the trend of China’s utilization of FDI and then compares the precision of two different prediction models to obtain a better one. Results indicate that although it is qualified, traditional Gray model needs to be optimized; GMM is built to help modify the result, improve Gray-related degrees, and narrow the gap with real value. Comparing the accuracy of GMM with that of TSM, we can conclude that the fitting effect of GMM is better. To increase the credibility of these results, this chapter is based on the data of Beijing and Chongqing from 1990 till 2016, also verifying that the fitting effect of GMM is superior to that of the TSM. Then, we can safely draw a conclusion that the prediction model of GMM is more credible, which has a certain referencing value for the utilization of FDI

Low temperature direct growth of graphene patterns on flexible glass substrates catalysed by a sacrificial ultrathin Ni film

Direct deposition of graphene on substrates would avoid costly, time consuming and defect inducing transfer techniques. In this paper we used ultrathin films of Ni, with thickness ranging from 5 to 50 nm, as a catalytic surface on glass to seed and promote chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene. Different regimes and dynamics were studied for various parameters including temperature and reaction time. When a critical temperature (700 °C) was reached, Ni films retracted and holes formed that are open to the glass surface, where graphene deposited. After CVD, the residual Ni could be etched away and the glass substrate with graphene regained maximum transparency (>90%). The fact that we could achieve low growth temperatures indicates the potential of the technique to widen the range of substrate materials over which graphene can be directly deposited. We demonstrated this by depositing graphene patterns on ultrathin, 100 μm thick, sheet of glass with low strain point (670 °C), particularly suitable for flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A new multivariate nonlinear time series model for portfolio risk measurement: the threshold copula-based TAR approach

We propose a threshold copula-based nonlinear time series model for evaluating quantitative risk measures for financial portfolios with a flexible structure to incorporate nonlinearities in both univariate (component) time series and their dependent structure. We incorporate different dependent structures of asset returns over different market regimes, which are manifested in their price levels. We estimate the model parameters by a two-stage maximum likelihood method. Real financial data and appropriate statistical tests are used to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed model. Simulated results for sampling distribution of parameters estimates are given. Empirical results suggest that the proposed model leads to significant improvement of the accuracy of value-at-risk forecasts at the portfolio le

An expert consensus for the management of chronic hepatitis B in Asian Americans.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common with major clinical consequences. In Asian Americans, the HBsAg carrier rate ranges from 2% to 16% which approximates the rates from their countries of origin. Similarly, HBV is the most important cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver related deaths in HBsAg positive Asians worldwide. AIM: To generate recommendations for the management of Asian Americans infected with HBV. METHODS: These guidelines are based on relevant data derived from medical reports on HBV from Asian countries as well as from studies in the HBsAg positive Asian Americans. The guidelines herein differ from other recommendations in the treatment of both HBeAg positive and negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB), in the approach to HCC surveillance, and in the management of HBV in pregnant women. RESULTS: Asian American patients, HBeAg positive or negative, with HBV DNA levels \u3e2000 IU/mL (\u3e10 CONCLUSIONS: Application of the recommendations made based on a review of the relevant literature and the opinion of a panel of Asian American physicians with expertise in HBV treatment will inform physicians and improve patient outcomes

catena-Poly[[[bis­(4-amino­benzoato-κO)copper(II)]-μ-1,1′-(pentane-1,5-di­yl)diimidazole] trihydrate]

In the title compound, {[Cu(C7H6NO2)2(C11H16N4)]·3H2O}n, each CuII atom is coordinated by two O atoms from two 4-amino­benzoate anions, and two N atoms from two different 1,1′-(pentane-1,5-di­yl)diimidazole (biim-5) ligands, to furnish a distorted square-planar geometry. The biim-5 ligand coordinates to two copper(II) cations, acting as a bridging ligand; as a result the copper(II) cations are connected to form an infinite chain structure. The polymeric chains are linked through a variety of hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional structure

Application of ultrasonic inspection in monitoring dynamic healing of mandibular fracture in rabbit model

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic diagnosis for monitoring fracture healing.MethodsThirty rabbit models with fraction of mandible body were established by surgically removing partial lower jawbone. At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th week after the operation, they were examined by X-ray and ultrasound, respectively. All detection results were scored according to a generally accepted standard. Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the results of the two inspection methods.ResultsIn each healing stage, the results of the ultrasonic inspection were basically consistent with those of the X-ray examination, as supported by a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.892 (P<0.001).ConclusionsNon-invasive ultrasonic inspection can be used instead of X-ray examination to monitor and diagnose fracture healing

Glycosylation-dependent opsonophagocytic activity of staphylococcal protein A antibodies

Antibodies may bind to bacterial pathogens or their toxins to control infections, and their effector activity is mediated through the recruitment of complement component C1q or the engagement with Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). For bacterial pathogens that rely on a single toxin to cause disease, immunity correlates with toxin neutralization. Most other bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, secrete numerous toxins and evolved multiple mechanisms to escape opsonization and complement killing. Several vaccine candidates targeting defined surface antigens of S. aureus have failed to meet clinical endpoints. It is unclear that such failures can be solely attributed to the poor selection of antibody targets. Thus far, studies to delineate antibody-mediated uptake and killing of Gram-positive pathogens remain extremely limited. Here, we exploit 3F6-hIgG1, a human monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes the abundant surface-exposed Staphylococcal protein A (SpA). We find that galactosylation of 3F6-hIgG1 that favors C1q recruitment is indispensable for opsonophagocytic killing of staphylococci and for protection against bloodstream infection in animals. However, the simple removal of fucosyl residues, which results in reduced C1q binding and increased engagement with FcγR, maintains the opsonophagocytic killing and protective attributes of the antibody. We confirm these results by engineering 3F6-hIgG1 variants with biased binding toward C1q or FcγRs. While the therapeutic benefit of monoclonal antibodies against infectious disease agents may be debatable, the functional characterization of such antibodies represents a powerful tool for the development of correlates of protection that may guide future vaccine trials. © 2020 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved