Mechanism studies for relativistic attosecond electron bunches from laser-illuminated nanotargets.

To find a way to control the electron-bunching process and the bunch-emitting directions when an ultraintense, linearly polarized laser pulse interacts with a nanoscale target, we explored the mechanisms for the periodical generation of relativistic attosecond electron bunches. By comparing the simulation results of three different target geometries, the results show that for nanofoil target, limiting the transverse target size to a small value and increasing the longitudinal size to a certain extent is an effective way to improve the total electron quantity in a single bunch. Then the subfemtosecond electronic dynamics when an ultrashort ultraintense laser grazing propagates along a nanofoil target was analyzed through particle-in-cell simulations and semiclassical analyses, which shows the detailed dynamics of the electron acceleration, radiation, and bunching process in the laser field. The analyses also show that the charge separation field produced by the ions plays a key role in the generation of electron bunches, which can be used to control the quantity of the corresponding attosecond radiation bunches by adjusting the length of the nanofoil target.

[A multicenter study to test the reliability and validity of the frailty assessment scale for elderly patients with inguinal hernia and to evaluate the value of clinical application].

Objectives: To verify the reliability and validity of the frailty assessment scale for elderly patients with inguinal hernia and to evaluate the value of its clinical application. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to collect 129 geriatric patients who underwent inguinal hernia surgery from January 2018 to January 2023 in nine hospitals in Liaoning Province. There were 120 males and 9 females, of whom 89 patients were 60 to <75 years old, 33 patients were 75 to <85 years old and 7 patients were ≥85 years old. The 129 patients included 11 elderly patients with inguinal hernia who had recovered from preoperative infection with COVID-19. Statistical methods such as Cronbach's coefficient, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test, Bartlett's test, Pearson's correlation analysis, etc. were calculated to verify the reliability indexes such as feasibility, content validity, structural validity, criterion-related validity, internal consistency reliability, and re-test reliability. Taking the 5-item modified frailty index (5-mFI) as the gold standard, the area under the curve was used to analyze the ability of the two scales to predict the occurrence of postoperative acute urinary retention, postoperative delirium, poor incision healing, operative hematoma seroma, and postoperative complications. Results: The frailty assessment scale for elderly patients with inguinal hernia showed good reliability and validity (valid completion rate of 99.2%; item content validity index of 1.000, and the scale content validity index of 1.000; exploratory factor analysis extracted a total of 1 principal component, and factor loadings of each item of 0.565 to 0.873; the AUC for frailty diagnosis using 5-mFI as the gold standard of 0.795 (P<0.01) Cronbach's coefficient of 0.916, retest reliability coefficient of 0.926), it could effectively predict postoperative acute urinary retention, delirium, hematoma seroma in the operative area and total complications (AUC of 0.746, 0.870, 0.806, and 0.738, respectively; all P<0.05), and prediction efficiency was higher than that of 5-mFI (AUC of 0.694, 0.838, 0.626 and 0.641, P<0.05 for delirium only), but both scales were inaccurate in predicting poor incision healing (AUC of 0.519, P=0.913 for the frailty assessment scale and 0.455, P=0.791 for the 5-mFI). Conclusions: The frailty assessment scale for elderly patients with inguinal hernia is reliable and significantly predicts the occurrence of postoperative adverse events in elderly inguinal hernia patients. The scale can also be used for preoperative frailty assessment in elderly patients with inguinal hernia after rehabilitation from COVID-19 infection.

[Research on the legal regulation of experimental medicine in China].

The increasing number of clinical trials of new drugs in China has brought huge benefits to the society, but also implied huge risks. This is particularly evident in experimental medicine. Germany has achieved good results in regulating experimental medical behaviors through the model of legislative norms. China should learn from Germany's beneficial experience to promote the orderly development of experimental medical behavior in China. Specifically, the crime of illegal human experiment should be added to the criminal law; Adopt special legislation model to regulate experimental medical behavior; Establish a no fault medical liability system to share experimental medical risks;Absorb and learn from the relevant norms of the international community on human experiment.

[Chinese expert consensus on management of dyslipidemia in the elderly].

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins delay the occurrence and development of ASCVD, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and death. Due to safety concerns, there exist insufficient use of lipid-lowering agents and a high withdrawal rate of the agents in the elderly. To promote the prevention and treatment of ASCVD, this expert consensus is issued and focuses on the management of dyslipidemia of Chinese elderly basing on the clinical evidence of the use of lipid-lowering drugs by the elderly, and the lipid management guidelines and expert consensus recommendations at home and abroad.

[Prospective comparison of greenlight laser anatomic vaporization-incision technique and photoselective vaporization of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objective: To prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of the greenlight laser anatomical vaporization-incision technique (AVIT) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate(PVP)in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: From November 2019 to September 2020, a randomized controlled study was conducted on 136 BPH patients undergoing greenlight laser surgery in the Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The patient's age ranged from 53 to 85 years and the prostatic volume ranged from 30 to 104 ml. They were divided into two groups by random number table method,including 68 cases of AVIT(observation group)and 68 cases of PVP(control group). The clinical data of the two groups before, during and after operation were collected and analyzed. Results: Operations were successfully completed in the two groups. At 6 months after operation, 63 cases in the observation group and 66 cases in the control group completed the follow-up. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation and renal insufficiency between the two groups before operation (all P>0.05). The differences of preoperative age [(66.8±6.5) vs (67.3±5.4) years], international prostate symptom score (IPSS) [(24.2±4.7) vs (23.5±4.5) ], quality of life score (QOL) [4.7(4.1, 4.9) vs 4.6(4.2, 5.0)], peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) [(6.9±2.8) vs (6. 8±2.6) ml/s], post-void residual volume (PVR) [(137(52.8, 190.9) vs 119(70.6, 172.1) ml], prostate volume (PV) [70.5(60.6, 80.9) vs 68.2(61.2, 80.5) ml], serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) [4.4(3.5, 5.1) vs 4.4(3.4, 5.0) ng/ml] were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the amount of intraoperative blood loss, catheterization time and the postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the operation time and lasing time of the observation group were longer[69.0(64.6, 75.0) vs 55.8(49.1, 63.4) min,(36.3±9.9) vs (31.3±9.3) min], and the intraoperaive laser energy consumption and laser energy density were higher[(297±20) vs (240±20) kJ,(4.50±1.35) vs (3.73±1.17) kJ/ml]. The differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). At the follow-up of 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, IPSS and QOL in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Qmax in the observation group was higher and PVR was lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Six months after operation, PV and PSA in the observation group decreased more significantly than those in the control group (56% vs 47%, 70% vs 60%, both P<0.05). No urethral stricture and urinary incontinence occurred in two groups after operation. The incidence rate of urinary tract irritation in the observation group was 6.3%(4/63),lower than the 18.2%(12/66)in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of urinary retention, bladder neck contracture and secondary bleeding between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Greenlight laser anatomical vaporization-incision technique is safe and effective in the treatment of BPH. Compared with PVP, AVIT has more prostate tissue removed and better curative effect, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Comparison of two in situ reference methods to estimate indigestible NDF by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in alfalfa.

Undigested forage neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) from long-term ruminal in situ incubations are used to estimate indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF). Measurement of iNDF is important in forage evaluation because it defines the potentially digestible pool of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) can be calibrated to in situ reference sets to rapidly predict uNDF. Our objective was to compare uNDF estimates after 240 h of incubation when two types of bags were used in the in situ reference method. The bags compared were 4 cm × 5 cm Ankom F57 bags (25 micron pore size), and 5 cm × 10 cm Ankom in situ bags (50 micron pore size). Alfalfa samples from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (n = 144) of different varieties and harvest intervals were used. One-half or two gram samples, respectively, were weighed into the small and large bags in triplicate. Mass to surface area was 0.05 and 0.02 g/cm2 for the small and large bags, respectively. The iNDF content after 240 h incubation was evaluated by two types bags in three rumen-cannulated Holstein cows. Each dried and ground forage was also scanned to determine the visible-near-infrared-reflectance spectra with a FOSS 6500 spectrophotometer. Prediction equations were developed for each bag type using modified partial least square regressions. The estimated iNDF fraction from small and large bags were 13.75% and 9.97%, respectively (SED = 0.39, P < 0.001). The coefficient of determination for calibration (R2), cross-validation (1 - VR), calibration standard deviation (SEC), and interactive authentication standard deviation (SECV) was 0.94, 0.92, 0.85 and 0.98 for values determined with the small bag and 0.88, 0.85, 1.12 and 1.27 for iNDF for values determined with the large bag, respectively. Results indicate that iNDF varies among alfalfa cultivars and NIRS can be used to quickly and quantitatively estimate iNDF content in alfalfa. Bag type influences 240h NDF residues. NIRS predictions of iNDF from the small bag calibration set had higher R2 and lower SEC and SECV than the large bag calibrations.

[Cellular immunity evaluation of five mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant proteins and their compositions].

Objective: The cellular immunity of 5 Mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant proteins and their compositions was evaluated. Method: A total of 88 fresh venous blood from peripheral heparin anticoagulant population, 42 of which were from tuberculosis patients treated by The Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment Center of Changping District, Beijing, and 46 of healthy volunteers were provided by the Infection Diseases of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy volunteers without a history of tuberculosis exposure and any clinical signs and symptoms. Using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis standard strain H37Rv DNA as a template, complete genes of the selected 5 recombinant proteins Rv3874, Rv3875, Rv2031c, Rv1411c and Rv3418c by PCR amplified; 5 recombinant proteins were cloned, expressed and purified as stimulants by genetic recombination and protein purification techniques, and the effector T cell enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) was used to detect cellular immunity in the population. Results: The recombinant proteins Rv3874, Rv3875, Rv2031c, Rv1411c and Rv3418c were successfully cloned, expressed and purified; And the sensitivities were 50.00%, 71.43%, 69.04%, 73.81% and 76.19%, and the specificities were 86.96%, 76.09%, 71.74%, 39.13% and 36.96%. In addition, the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under the curve and Youden index were 52.46% to 77.78%, 62.96% to 74.47%, 0.511 to 0.754 and 0.129 to 0.475, respectively. Except for Rv1411c and Rv3418c, the number of spot-forming cell (SFC) detected by Rv3874, Rv3875 and Rv2031c in tuberculosis patients was higher than healthy volunteers, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Among the 26 compositions composed of 5 recombinant proteins, the sensitivity was 80.95% to 95.24%, and the specificity was 68.89% to 24.44%. As the number of recombinant proteins in the composition increases, the sensitivity gradually increased, but the specificity decreased. Conclusion: The recombinant proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3874, Rv3875 and Rv2031c have strong ability to stimulate T cells to produce immune response, and have certain antigenicity. The efficacy of Rv1411c and Rv3418c alone as diagnostic antigens is not ideal, and the composition composed of multi-component antigens has certain application value. This article provides experimental evidence for the immune diagnosis of tuberculosis and the preparation of new anti-tuberculosis vaccines.

Towards high-energy, high-resolution computed tomography via a laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray source.

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful method for non-destructive testing (NDT) and metrology awakes with expanding application fields. To improve the spatial resolution of high energy CT, a micro-spot gamma-ray source based on bremsstrahlung from a laser wakefield accelerator was developed. A high energy CT using the source was performed, which shows that the resolution of reconstruction can reach 100 µm at 10% contrast. Our proof-of-principle demonstration indicates that laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray sources provide a prospective way to increase the spatial resolution and toward to high energy micro CT. Due to the advantage in spatial resolution, laser based high energy CT represents a large potential for many NDT applications.

Parametric Study of Amorphous High-Entropy Alloys formation from two New Perspectives: Atomic Radius Modification and Crystalline Structure of Alloying Elements.

Chemical and topological parameters have been widely used for predicting the phase selection in high-entropy alloys (HEAs). Nevertheless, previous studies could be faulted due to the small number of available data points, the negligence of kinetic effects, and the insensitivity to small compositional changes. Here in this work, 92 TiZrHfM, TiZrHfMM, TiZrHfMMM (M = Fe, Cr, V, Nb, Al, Ag, Cu, Ni) HEAs were prepared by melt spinning, to build a reliable and sufficiently large material database to inspect the robustness of previously established parameters. Modification of atomic radii by considering the change of local electronic environment in alloys, was critically found out to be superior in distinguishing the formation of amorphous and crystalline alloys, when compared to using atomic radii of pure elements in topological parameters. Moreover, crystal structures of alloying element were found to play an important role in the amorphous phase formation, which was then attributed to how alloying hexagonal-close-packed elements and face-centered-cubic or body-centered-cubic elements can affect the mixing enthalpy. Findings from this work not only provide parametric studies for HEAs with new and important perspectives, but also reveal possibly a hidden connection among some important concepts in various fields.

SPE-UPLC-MS/MS for the determination of phthalate monoesters in rats urine and its application to study the effects of food emulsifier on the bioavailability of priority controlling PAEs.

This research was mainly focused on the effects of food emulsifier on the bioavailability of six priority controlling phthalate acid esters (PAEs) for the further accurate assessment of their toxic effects, using the corresponding phthalate acid monoesters (PAMEs) in rats urine as biomarkers. Glycerin monostearate was chosen as typical food emulsifier. A method was established to determine PAMEs in urine from rats either in experimental group (integrated gavaged with glycerin monostearate and PAEs) or in control group (gavaged with PAEs only), by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UPLC-MS/MS). Extraction recoveries were more than 75% for all the PAMEs; the calibration curve was linear in the range of 1.0-1000.0ng/mL with R(2)>0.995; the limits of detection (LOD) were 0.30ng/mL-0.50ng/mL. In addition, by analysing quality control (QC) urine samples in 3 days, it showed that the method was precise and accurate, for the intra-day and inter-day RSD within 16%, and the accuracy more than 82%. Internal exposure amount of all PAEs in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group with p values of less than 0.05 except for butyl benzyl phthalates (BBP) (P=0.07). The bioavailability of all PAEs ranged from 5.03% to 109.35% with the presence of food emulsifiers glycerin monostearate, observably higher than that without glycerin monostearate (1.12% to 54.39%). It indicated that food emulsifiers increased the bioavailability of PAEs and may lead to potential food safety risk, which should bring awareness and be further studied.

Identifying differentially expressed genes under heat stress and developing molecular markers in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) through transcriptome analysis.

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a long-lived, cool-season forage grass that is commonly used for hay production. Despite its economic importance, orchardgrass genome remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we used Illumina RNA sequencing to identify gene-associated molecular markers, including simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as well as heat stress-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in two orchardgrass genotypes, 'Baoxing' (heat resistant) and '01998' (heat susceptible). Approximately 163 million high-quality trimmed reads were generated from 207 million raw reads using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. A total of 126,846 unigenes were obtained after de novo assembly of the trimmed reads, and 40,078 unigenes were identified as coding sequences (CDSs). Based on the assembled unigenes, 669,300 high-quality SNPs, including 416,099 transitions and 257,736 transversions, were contained in 75,875 unigenes. In addition, a total of 8475 microsatellites were detected in 7764 unigenes. When placed under heat stress, the total number of DEGs in 'Baoxing' (3527) was higher than in '01998' (2649), indicating that in comparison with heat-susceptible '01998', heat-resistant 'Baoxing' seems to have more unigenes that respond to heat stress. The high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of orchardgrass under heat stress provides useful information for gene identification and for the development of SNP and SSR molecular markers. The comparison of DEGs under different periods of heat stress allowed us to identify a wealth of candidate DEGs that can be further analysed in order to determine the genetic mechanisms underlying heat tolerance in orchardgrass.

Screening for preeclampsia pathogenesis related genes.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that severely threatens the health of the mother and infant, yet the mechanism of pathogenesis remains unclear. In this article, gene array technology was applied to identify the genes related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and to explore the regulatory effect of epigenetic modification by on these genes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Placental tissue of preeclampsia patients was collected, and DNA methylation arrays and gene expression microarrays were used to identify the genes. The effect of methylation on the regulation of genes related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia was also investigated. RESULTS: The expression levels of more than ten genes were found to be significantly altered in the placental tissue of patients with preeclampsia as measured by gene expression microarray. This study also identified more than ten genes with notable changes in expression level as well as methylation level. The gene expression of CUEDC1 and DHX34 were verified in this study and the findings were consistent with previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: Our research indicates that the occurrence of preeclampsia is correlates closely with differences in the expression of specific genes, which may be regulated through methylation.

Effects of high-mobility group box 1 on the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate the expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in human dental pulp tissues and the effects of HMGB1 on proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). METHODOLOGY: Immunohistochemical assay, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometric analysis were used to detect the expression of HMGB1 in the human dental pulp and hDPCs, respectively. The proliferation of hDPCs was examined by CCK-8 after culturing human primary hDPCs in the presence of HMGB1 with different doses. Odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs was determined using alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity assay and mineralized nodule formation. Important mineralization-related genes such as ALP, dental sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dental matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the difference in expressions of DMP-1 and DSP with or without the presence of exogenous HMGB1. Simultaneously, messenger RNA and protein levels of HMGB1 and RAGE were also detected. The protein level of HMGB1 in the supernatants was quantified using ELISA analysis. RESULTS: HMGB1 was found in human dental pulp tissue and in the nuclei of hDPCs. During hDPC odontoblastic differentiation, HMGB1 translocated from the nuclei to the cytoplasm and then secreted out from hDPCs. Exogenous HMGB1 promoted hDPC proliferation and mineralized nodule formation. It up-regulated the activity of ALPase and the mRNA and protein levels of dentine matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and receptor for advance glycation end (RAGE) of hDPCs. CONCLUSION: HMGB1 promoted the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs.

Difficulties in organ procurement and transplantation in the aboriginal minority people in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal people (AP) are a minority group in Taiwan. Little information on their perspectives on organ transplantation (OT) is available. Their rights for organ donation (OD) and as OT recipients (OTR) are constrained as a vulnerable population in society. This research sought to explore various Highland Aborigine Tribes beliefs systems and concepts related to OT. METHODS: We employed a qualitative design on a purposive sample including seven categories of Taiwanese AP. Data collected by face-to-face interviews were evaluated by content analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-five informants (45 female and 30 males) of 18 to 82 years from seven tribes completed interviews: Bunun (n = 20), Shao (n = 18), Tsou (n = 15), Amis (n = 12), Truku (n = 4), Rukai (n = 3), and Puyuma (n = 3). Of there, 33% had no idea of OT. All informants reported lack of knowledge of OD, organ procurement, and OTR. Eighty percent (45-82 years) had no willingness for OD or OTR; others might consult family members and health professionals (HP) to learn about OT. Seven hindering factors were identified: (1) having no background of OT; (2) limited impressions obtained from television news reports; (3) negative concepts of donating one's organs to others; (4) OT concepts contrast with cultural meanings of death; (5) possibility of being stigmatized; (6) fear of being rejected by others; and (7) HP had never mentioned OT. CONCLUSIONS: Taiwan APs' perspectives of OT concepts showed the majority to be unfamiliar with the concept and benefits of OT. Future research is necessary to explore the possible avenues to facilitate communications between HP and AP leaders, as well as elders in each AP category in Taiwan.

Note: Absolute calibration of two DRZ phosphor screens using ultrashort electron bunch.

This article gives the absolute calibration of two types phosphor screens (DRZ) that were used to detect and characterize electron bunches driven by laser-plasma accelerator. The test was performed with picoseconds electron bunch at a radio frequency linear electron accelerator in Tsinghua University. The photons emitted from DRZ screens showed good linear responses to the charge of incident electron bunch and cosine angular distribution in space. An energy conversional efficiency of effective scintillant matter was also calculated.

Characterization of domain structure of periodically poled Mg:LiNbO3 through multifrequency terahertz generation.

Terahertz (THz) wave generation in a periodically poled Mg:LiNbO3 crystal was detected by a pump-probe technique and analyzed using frequency and time-frequency spectra. Multifrequency THz waves were clearly observed, providing information about the domain structure of the crystal. A theoretical T-function model was used to fit the frequency spectrum. A method that can characterize the detailed domain structure and THz capabilities of the inner crystal's parts is proposed.

Expression patterns of calretinin, calbindin and parvalbumin and their colocalization in neurons during development of Macaca monkey retina.

The developmental expression of calbindin (CalB), calretinin (CaR) and parvalbumin (PV) was followed in Macaca monkey retina using single and double immunolabeling to identify which proteins provide distinctive labels for specific cell types and to clarify the role of these proteins during development. Ganglion cells (GC) expressed PV at fetal day (Fd)55 and CaR and CalB by Fd85. CaR was downregulated after birth. Separate subsets of amacrine (AM) cells expressed CaR and CalB at Fd65-70. After Fd115, many CaR+ AM coexpressed CalB. After Fd120 a few AM expressed PV and these added CaR and CalB after birth. A subset of horizontal cells (HZ) expressed CaR and CalB at Fd70. Slightly later all HZ express PV and CaR while the early subset is CalB+/PV+/CaR+. CaR downregulates in all HZ after birth. The DB3 cone bipolar cells (BP) under the HZ label for CalB by Fd90-110 while a probable OFF BP cell body just above the AM layer becomes CaR+ near birth with labeling increasing after birth. All cones outside of the fovea label for CalB by Fd125. Foveal cones, rods, most BP and Müller glia do not label for these proteins at any age. The complex patterns of up- and down-regulation found in Macaca retina are similar to previous reports of expression in human retina, but in many instances are quite different than earlier reports of CaR, CalB and PV expression patterns in monkey central visual centers. This makes it highly likely that each protein plays a specific but undetermined role(s) in each visual center, and that its expression is controlled at a given stage of retinal development by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Design of experiment for optimization of plasma-polymerized octafluorocyclobutane coating on very high aspect ratio silicon molds.

As-fabricated deep reactive ion etched (DRIE) silicon mold with very high aspect ratio (>10) feature patterns is unsuitable for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) replication because of the strong interaction between the Si surface and the replica and the corrugated mold sidewalls. The silicon mold can be conveniently passivated via plasma polymerization of octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8), which is also employed in the DRIE process itself, to enable the mold to be used repeatedly. To optimize the passivation conditions, we have undertaken a Box-Behnken experimental design on the basis of three passivation process parameters (plasma power, C4F8 flow rate, and deposition time). The measured responses were fluorinated film thickness, demolding status/success, demolding force, and fluorine/carbon ratio on the fifth replica surface. The optimal passivation process conditions were predicted to be an input power of 195 W, a C4F8 flow rate of 57 sccm, and a deposition time of 364 s; these were verified experimentally to have high accuracy. Demolding success requires medium-deposited film thickness (66-91 nm), and the thickness of the deposited films correlated strongly with deposition time. At moderate to high ranges, increased plasma power or gas flow rate promoted polymerization over reactive etching of the film. It was also found that small quantities of the fluorinated surface were transferred from the Si mold to the PDMS at each replication, entailing progressive wear of the fluorinated layer.

Large-scale submicron horizontally aligned single-walled carbon nanotube surface arrays on various substrates produced by a fluidic assembly method.

Single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays have been assembled on various substrates over mm-scale surface areas by combining fluidic alignment with soft lithography (micropatterning in capillaries) techniques. The feature size of the nanotube patterns reaches down to submicrometre scale. To this end, tailored substrate surface modification and pre-alignment of chopped CNTs in suspension are highly critical.

Hybridization between Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): development and morphological characterization of F1 hybrids.

Reciprocal hybridizations between Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) were studied. The cross between females of H. armigera and males of H. assulta yielded only fertile males and sterile individuals lacking an aedeagus, valva or ostium bursae. A total of 492 larvae of the F1 generation were obtained and 374 of these completed larval development and pupated. Only 203 pupae were morphologically normal males, the remaining 171 pupae were malformed. Larvae and pupae that gave rise to morphologically abnormal adults exhibited longer development times. Sterility was not only associated with malformed external sex organs, but also a range of abnormalities of the internal reproductive system: (i) loss of internal reproductive organs, (ii) with one to three copies of an undeveloped bursa copulatrix; or (iii) with one or two undeveloped testes. Normal male hybrid adults showed higher flight activity in comparison with males of both species. In contrast, the cross between females of H. assulta and males of H. armigera yielded morphologically normal offspring (80 males and 83 females). The interaction of the Z-chromosome from H. assulta with autosomes from H. armigera might result in morphological abnormalities found in hybrids and backcrosses, and maternal-zygotic incompatibilities might contribute to sex bias attributed to hybrid inviability.