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Via quantitative analysis and interviews, this article examines the credibility and sustainability of Beijing’s patronage policy towards Taiwanese business. The new finding is that the rise of economic nationalism and local protectionism in China is undermining and constraining Beijing’s patronage policy. Consequently, China’s rising economy does not deepen cross-Strait integration but rather crowds out Taiwanese business. Moreover, considering the growing influence of Chinese domestic constraints, this article attempts to provide a bilateral two-level game to grasp the new dynamics on cross-Strait relations under the new normal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Zinc telluride thin films were deposited by thermal evaporation method on n-type Si substrate. The electrical properties of these films were investigated with special emphasis on the effects of a depositing temperature from 520°C to 560°C with various annealing temperatures by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) technique. Structural analysis through X-ray diffraction (XRD) was sensitive to the deposition conditions and annealing treatment. Crystallinity, carrier concentration, sheet resistance, resistivity and mobility are shown to be dependent on the thermal treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine hydrokinetic power generation is a relatively new type of renewable generation. Its predecessors, such as wind power generation, hydropower plant generation, geothermal generation, photovoltaic generation, and solar thermal generation, have gained a lot of attention because of their successful implementation. The successful integration of renewable generation into the electric power grid has energized the power system global communities to take the lessons learned, innovations, and market structure to focus on the large potential of marine hydrokinetic to also contribute to the pool of renewable energy generation. This article covers the broad spectrum of marine hydrokinetic generation. The state of the art of power take-off will be discussed. Types of electrical generators will be presented, and the options for implementation will also be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We demonstrate that the supramolecular structure can be formed through the fibrous self-assembly of the polyfluorene-based polymer F8BT in liquid crystal (LC) 5CB. With the utility of alignment layer, the F8BT molecules can be aligned and formed oriented polymer network. We found that the presence of oriented polymer network makes twisted nematic LC exhibit excellent electro-optical properties (EO) of driving voltage reduction and EO bump peak elimination. The polyfluorene-based supramolecular structure provides the function of stabilizing LC molecules. We consider this functional self-assembled network has potential to apply in various devices for the ability of improving performance in operating property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three methods for ethics instruction are used in Taiwanese military education: the ‘bag-of-virtues’, value-clarification and virtue-ethics methods. This article explains, analyzes and discusses each of these, thereby giving an introduction to how military ethics is taught – and thought of – within the Taiwanese military system. Recommendations are given for how to improve the parts of the system that do not seem to live up to the stated intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, for Lasso penalized linear regression models in high-dimensional settings, we propose a modified cross-validation (CV) method for selecting the penalty parameter. The methodology is extended to other penalties, such as Elastic Net. We conduct extensive simulation studies and real data analysis to compare the performance of the modified CV method with other methods. It is shown that the popularK-fold CV method includes many noise variables in the selected model, while the modified CV works well in a wide range of coefficient and correlation settings. Supplementary materials containing the computer code are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article presents a novel bidirectional wavelength reconfigurable optical network utilizing a remotely pumped erbium-doped fiber amplifier and tunable fiber Bragg gratings. The system is experimentally demonstrated at a 10-Gb/s per channel over 20-km fiber span that verifies the metro-network range system performance. The achieved power penalty is less than 1 dB when compared to the back-to-back transmission link. An example of practical application where the proposed module is used as an add/drop multiplexer and a remote node in the bidirectional wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network system is described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In rare-earth-doped single crystalline CaFe2As2, the mysterious small volume fraction which superconducts up to 49?K, much higher than the bulkTc?~?30?s?K, has prompted a long search for a hidden variable that could enhance theTcby more than 30% in iron-based superconductors of the same structure. Here we report a chemical, structural and magnetic study of CaFe2As2systematically doped with La, Ce, Pr and Nd. Coincident with the highTcphase, we find extreme magnetic anisotropy, accompanied by an unexpected doping-independentTcand equally unexpected superparamagnetic clusters associated with As vacancies. These observations lead us to conjecture that the tantalizingTcenhancement may be associated with naturally occurring chemical interfaces and may thus provide a new paradigm in the search for superconductors with higherTc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten (W) is considered to be a promising candidate for plasma facing materials in fusion reactors because of its high melting point, high thermal diffusivity and low sputtering yield. To investigate the multiple hydrogen (H) diffusion behaviours at the W(001) surface, molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the H distributions after diffusion of 1 ns under different conditions. The results of using different H concentrations and temperatures showed the preference of bulk to surface diffusion, and the H distribution patterns of the H/W ratio of 0·1 are analysed in detail with an 'empty' region near the surface. The effect of temperature on H diffusion is also investigated, which gives the highest adsorption peak at a mediate temperature of 900 K. The trapping effect of vacancies on H atoms is demonstrated at different vacancy concentrations. The effect of H embedded depth on H distribution is also investigated together with the effect of temperature, which gives an increasing trend of temperature with the highest adsorption peak with the H depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the biocontrol efficacy of a consortium of three rhizobacteria (hereafter BBS) against cotton Verticillium wilt, along with the effect on plant growth, in a series of greenhouse and field experiments. BBS treatment inhibited germination ofVerticillium dahliaespores by 88.4%. Under greenhouse conditions, BBS reduced Verticillium wilt by 86.1% compared to the untreated control, and promoted plant growth by 49.9%. In field experiments, nine L/acre of BBS suspension reduced Verticillium wilt by 76.0% and increased cotton yields by 13.7%. Soil inoculation with BBS also improved the breaking tenacity and uniformity index of harvested cotton. Soil properties improved with BBS treatment in field experiments, including an increase in organic matter and the availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). There was no significant difference in the biocontrol efficacy of BBS among eight tested cotton cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the popularity of automobile, traffic safety and our lives are inseparable. In vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), the properties authenticity, privacy and traceability have already been considered in many previous researches. Many automotive systems combine their applications with smart life. In this paper, a speedy seamless safe (3-S) messaging mechanism for roadside-to-vehicle authentication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication is proposed. In addition to the essential requirements mentioned above, 3-S messaging mechanism is designed to reduce the computation cost and provide the seamless communication when the vehicle crosses the various regions. With better performance and availability, our scheme can be applied in various VANET applications, especially in safety systems to provide the drivers active safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, I examined what channels of socialization influence the moral behavior of cadets. We conducted a regression analysis of the effects of parents' attitudes to moral education, the standard and potential curriculum of schools, peer groups, and communication media on individual ethics and discipline using 399 sample participants. The participants were recruited through a questionnaire survey on cadets from academy of military, naval, and air force, and four-year based students from R.O.C. National Defense University. The analysis results showed that the cultivation of morality among cadets was directly influenced by the school's potential curriculum (i.e., intern cadres and officers in company) and their parents' attitudes to moral education during early childhood. The results also indicated that the influence of teaching by example was more significant than that of teaching by precept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar compact monopole antenna design with triple-band operation for the IEEE 802.16 m worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) system is proposed. By adding C- and L-shaped monopole strips to the antenna, excitation of multiresonant modes can approximate the 2.6, 3.5, and 5.5 GHz bands required for WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 m) operations. The obtained impedance bandwidths across the operating bands approach 168/325/1208 MHz for the 2.6/3.5/5.5 GHz bands, respectively. The proposed uniplanar antenna reduces the antenna size by at least 15%, since overall antenna volume is only 22 × 28 × 0.8 mm3(0.19 λo × 0.243 λo × 0.007 λo, at 2.6 GHz). The measured peak gains and radiation efficiencies approximate 3.0/4.2/4.5 dBi and 77/76/83% in the 2.6/3.5/5.5 GHz band, respectively, and exhibit a nearly omni-directional pattern in theXY-plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity and damage of dexamethasone (DEX) on rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by determining cell viability, Hoechst 33342 staining, mitochondrial depolarization assays, opened mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTPs) detection, and measurement of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 activities. The results show that DEX inhibits PC12 cell growth and decreases their viability in a remarkable dose-dependent manner. Our results also reveal that DEX exposure causes morphologic changes, opening of MPTPs and mitochondrial depolarization, upregulates Caspase-3 expression, and suppresses Bcl-2 expression in PC12 cells. These results suggest that DEX-induced apoptosis may be mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-selective catalytic reduction (photo-SCR) of nitric oxide (NO) was studied in the presence of water. The incipient wetness impregnation was applied to prepare 1 wt% PdO/TiO2 photocatalyst. Steady-state photoreaction was carried out in a continuous-flow photoreactor with 0.55–1.6 v% water at 30–120°C under UV-light intensity of ∼ 200 mW/cm2. The C3H8/NO molar ratio in the feed ranged from 0.8–16.8 at a volume hourly space velocity (VHSV) from 330–1090 h−1. The result indicates that the increase of temperature has played an important role in inhibiting NO transformation to NO2 under the humid condition. Another important factor for maximizing denitrification (reduction of nitrogen oxides, DeNOx) efficiency was C3H8/NO ratio. An increase of temperature at a suitable C3H8/NO ratio can minimize NO2 formation, which can lead to high NO removal efficiency of more than 90% at a temperature of 70–100°C. In addition, the mechanism of palladium transformation during photoreaction is proposed, to explain the influence of Pd on the improvement of NO removal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their properties and have been used in different chemical processes. In case ILs are released to the environment, their possible toxicity should be taken into account. In this paper, the cytotoxicity of alkylmethylimidazolium-based ionic liquids in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined by flow cytometry. The validity of flow cytometry in viability analyses in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined and the results showed that flow cytometry lends itself well to the determination and quantitation of yeast viability. The results also indicate that ILs with longer alkyl-chain length had stronger cytotoxicity and the cytotoxicity of the ILs was in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 1H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(8aH)-one derivatives were synthesized via one-pot, three-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, urea or thiourea, and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran using the green and inexpensive Brønsted acidic ionic liquid 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone hydrosulfate ([Hnmp]HSO4) as catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The method has several advantages such as mild conditions, shorter reaction time, good yields, and environmentally benign procedure. Moreover, the catalyst could be recovered conveniently and reused at least four times without evident loss of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the information trading around open market share repurchases on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Because of the distinctive regulations of share repurchases in Taiwan, our samples offer a unique opportunity to test changes in information trading during share repurchases. We show that the risk of information trading significantly increases during the repurchase execution period and reverts back in the post-expiration period. It is likely that some uninformed traders leave the market in the execution period, in anticipation of higher information uncertainties. Therefore, the remaining uninformed traders collectively face higher possibility of trading with informed traders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Bombax malabaricum DC. (Bombacaceae) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, fever, chronic inflammation, catarrhal affection, and as a diuretic. However, little information is available about its antioxidative activity. Objective: Water, 50% ethanol, and 80% acetone extracts from flowers of B. malabaricum were investigated for their in vitro antioxidant activity in this article for the first time. Then the relationships between antioxidant activity measured by different methods and total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were established. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activities of extracts from B. malabaricum flower were investigated including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), reducing power, and inhibition on phosphatidylcholine liposome peroxidation. Results: Results showed that all the extracts possessed remarkable antioxidant capacity compared with ascorbic or gallic acids. Total antioxidant activities evaluated by ORAC assay of different extracts ranged from 700.03 to 1482.46 μμmol Trolox equivalents/g. The highest TPC of 130.38 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g was observed in 80% acetone extract, whereas the lowest TPC of 57.09 mg GAE/g was obtained in the water extract. Furthermore, TFC exhibited significant ( P < 0.05) positive correlations with DPPH radical-scavenging activity, ORAC, and reducing power. Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the flowers of B. malabaricum have excellent antioxidant activities and thus might be a potential source of natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To compare the quality of ultrasound images acquired by the new PureWave Crystal transducer with those acquired by a conventional transducer in 'difficult' obstetric subjects. Methods. A predefined list of ultrasound images were obtained from 35 'difficult' obstetric patients using both conventional and new PureWave Crystal transducers by a sonographer. All images were rated using a three-point scale by an independent assessor. Both the sonographer and assessor were experienced in obstetric ultrasound and blinded to the type of transducers being used. A higher score represented better image quality. The scores of each pair of images obtained by the two different ultrasound transducers were compared. Results. The scores for images obtained by the PureWave Crystal transducer were significant higher than those by a conventional transducer, among all 10 structures examined. The new transducer was rated to enable higher diagnostic confidence (82.9%), and produced better image quality for the near field image (94.3%), the far field image (88.6%) and overall (94.3%). Conclusions. Ultrasound transducer incorporating the PureWave Crystal technology produces significantly better image quality for diagnostic purpose in difficult obstetric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilis is an ideal host for the production of extracellular heterologous proteins. The use of a strong, constitutive promoter is a good means of optimizing the expression of heterologous proteins. In this study, high level extracellular production of subtilisin YaB, a potent meat tenderizer, was achieved by engineering the wild-type subtilisin YaB promoter into an artificial promoter and expressed in Bacillus subtilis host. This artificial promoter provides an efficient tool to produce mutant subtilisin YaB or other recombinant heterologous proteins by B. subtilis at high level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ICH E5 guideline defines a bridging study as a supplementary study conducted in the new region to provide pharmacodynamic or clinical data on efficacy, safety, dosage, and dose regimen to allow extrapolation of the foreign clinical data to the population of the new region. Therefore, a bridging study is usually conducted in the new region only after the test product has been approved for commercial marketing in the original region based on its proven efficacy and safety. In this paper we address the issue of analysis of clinical data generated by the bridging study conducted in the new region to evaluate the similarity for extrapolation of the foreign clinical data to the population of the new region. Information on efficacy, safety, dosage, and dose regimen of the original region cannot be concurrently obtained from the local bridging studies but available in the trials conducted in the original region. Liu et al. (2002) have proposed a Bayesian approach to synthesize the data generated by the bridging study and foreign clinical data generated in the original region for assessment of similarity based on superior efficacy of the test product over a placebo control. However, the results of the bridging studies using their approach will be overwhelmingly dominated by the results of the original region due to an imbalance of sample sizes between the regions. Therefore, in this paper we propose a Bayesian approach with the use of a mixture prior for assessment of similarity between the new and original region based on the concept of positive treatment effect. Methods for sample size determination for the bridging study are also proposed. Numerical examples illustrate applications of the proposed procedures in different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of Ostrinia furnacalis was described. The assembled mitogenome is 15,241 bp in length with an extreme bias of high AT content (80.9%) (GenBank accession no. MN747041). The mitochondrial genome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) genes, and a control region (D-loop region). The mitochondrial gene order was identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes, nine PCGs were located on the H-strand, others were located on the L-strand. 12 PCGs were initiated by typical ATN codons, except for COI with CGA instead. 21 tRNAs had the typical cloverleaf structure, while the DHU arm of the trnS1 gene did not form a stable stem-loop structure. The 'ATAGT(A)'-like motif and a 19 bp poly-T stretch at the down-stream of the rrnS gene were observed in the A + T-rich region. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the relationship of O. furnacalis is very close to the three species in the subfamily Pyraustinae: O. nubilalis, O. penitalis and Loxostege sticticalis, and all the subfamilies of Spilomelinae, Pyraustinae, Crambinae and Nymphulinae within Crambidae formed monophyletic groups with the highest bootstrap value support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can false memories that were suppressed at one time spontaneously recover at a later time? Fuzzy trace theory and activation-monitoring theory predict that false memories in the Deese, Roediger, and McDermott (DRM) procedure become substantially reduced as list learning progresses because participants employ a memory-editing process. It follows that if the editing process is rendered less effective, false memories should spontaneously recover. We found that after DRM lists were well learned and false recognition to critical words was substantially reduced by multiple study–test trials, those false memories spontaneously recovered when participants were either rushed or delayed on a retest. We attributed the reduction in false recognition over trials to a memory-editing process that suppresses false recognition as participants gradually learn which words were in the lists and which words, though similar, were not. Rushing or delaying the participants on a retest made it more difficult for them to edit their memory, and false memories spontaneously returned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of two types of nematic droplet in the nematic-isotropic phase coexistence region are reported. One type contains topological defects and is free to move within a thin, homeotropically treated cell; the other is defect free and appears to be pinned at the substrates. The freely moving droplet represents an apparently new liquid crystal-substrate repulsion, which depends on the director alignments at the substrate and at the surface of the nematic droplet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paecilomyces hepiali, belonging to the Eurotiales order Ascomycota, is an endoparasitic fungus that commonly exists in the naturalCordyceps sinensisanamorph stage. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial DNA sequences ofP. hepialifor the first time. The genome is 24,245 bp in length, encoding 15 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 25 tRNA genes and 3 homing endonucleases. The overall AT composition is 73.37% and the average AT content of PCG, rRNA, tRNA and non-coding region are 74.21%, 66.07%, 62.83% and 75.96%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis with eight Ascomycota species and thirteen Basidiomycota species revealed thatP. hepialiis was more closely related toCordyceps bassiana, Cordycep smilitarisandCordyceps brongniartii. It is confirmed thatP. hepialiis a derivative ofCordyceps sinensis. This study provided valuable information on the gene contents of the mitochondrial genome and would facilitate the study of function and evolution ofP. hepiali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]