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The local dimming mini-LED backlight has become one of the most important technologies for liquid crystal display (LCD), facilitating the improvement on high dynamic range (HDR) and power saving. The halo effect still limits the performance of LCDs employing mini-LED backlight. The impact of the number of local dimming zones on the contrast ratio has been investigated. The halo effect has also been investigated under four typical local dimming algorithms and different local dimming zones. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the halo area gradually shrinks with increasing the number of local dimming zones, contributing to the improvement on the HDR of LCD.

Cryptic species are commonly misidentified because of high morphological similarities to other species. One group of plants that may harbor large numbers of cryptic species is the quillworts (Isoëtes spp.), an ancient aquatic plant lineage. Although over 350 species of Isoëtes have been reported globally, only ten species have been recorded in China. The aim of this study is to better understand Isoëtes species diversity in China. For this purpose, we systematically explored the phylogeny and evolution of Isoëtes using complete chloroplast genome (plastome) data, spore morphology, chromosome number, genetic structure, and haplotypes of almost all Chinese Isoëtes populations. We identified three ploidy levels of Isoëtes in China—diploid (2n = 22), tetraploid (2n = 44), and hexaploid (2n = 66). We also found four megaspore and microspore ornamentation types in diploids, six in tetraploids, and three in hexaploids. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that I. hypsophila as the ancestral group of the genus and revealed that Isoëtes diploids, tetraploids, and hexaploids do not form monophyletic clades. Most individual species possess a single genetic structure; however, several samples have conflicting positions on the phylogenetic tree based on SNPs and the tree based on plastome data. All 36 samples shared 22 haplotypes. Divergence time analysis showed that I. hypsophila diverged in the early Eocene (∼48.05 Ma), and most other Isoëtes species diverged 3–20 Ma. Additionally, different species of Isoëtes were found to inhabit different water systems and environments along the Yangtze River. These findings provide new insights into the relationships among Isoëtes species in China, where highly similar morphologic populations may harbor many cryptic species.

Abstract Background Cutaneous wound healing and regeneration have become a recognized health challenge in the world, which causes severe damage to the mental and physical health of patients. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSC) play an essential role in wound healing via their paracrine function. Exosomes secreted by hADSC may contribute to this progress. In this study, we investigated the potential clinical application roles of hADSC and hADSC-derived exosomes (hADSC-Exo) in cutaneous wound healing. Methods hADSC-Exo was isolated from human hADSC by ultracentrifugation. Mice were subjected to a full-thickness skin biopsy experiment and treated with either control vehicle or hADSC or hADSC-Exo by smearing administration (sm) or subcutaneous administration (sc) or intravenous administration (iv). The efficacy of hADSC and hADSC-Exo on wound healing was evaluated by measuring wound closure rates, histological analysis. Results Combined application of local hADSC-Exo smearing and hADSC/hADSC-Exo intravenous administration offered the additional benefit of promoting wound healing, accelerating re-epithelialization, reducing scar widths, and enhancing angiogenesis and collagen synthesis. Either topical application of hADSC-Exo or systemic administration with hADSC/hADSC-Exo appeared more effective in stimulating cell proliferation, inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammation, and promoting skin elasticity and barrier integrity, with increased genes expression of PCNA, VEGF, collagen III, Filaggrin, Loricrin, and AQP3, with decreased genes expression of TNF-alpha. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the combined administration of hADSC/hADSC-Exo can facilitate cutaneous wound healing and reduce scar formation. These data provide the first evidence for the feasibility of smearing of hADSC-Exo as a cell-free therapy in treating cutaneous wounds, and the potential clinical value of combined administration of hADSC/hADSC-Exo.

We present a high-resolution non-contact method for the measurement of two-dimensional (2D) phosphor surface temperature distribution (PSTD) of phosphor-coated light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) based on advanced hyper-spectral imaging technology. The studied pc-LEDs with a surface-mounted device structure are mainly consisted of blue InGaN/GaN-based LED chips (with a spectral emission at about 456 nm), red (Sr,Ca)AlSiN3: Eu2+ phosphors (with a spectral emission at around 623 nm), and transparent silicone gels. Experimental temperature results are compared with those of micro-thermocouple ( $\mu $ -TC) and infrared thermal imaging (TI), and fairly good agreements can be noticed. However, the spatial resolution of this proposed method is more than one order of magnitude higher than that of TI method, and the proposed method provides more detailed surface temperature information of phosphors than the latter. Therefore, we believe that this proposed method can serve as useful tools for the non-contact measurement of PSTD in pc-LEDs with or without optics lens.

In this work, the genetic algorithm is employed to optimize both circadian action factor (CAF) and color quality of laser-based illuminants (LBIs) with three, four, and five spectral bands to disclose its possible use in two common white lighting applications, i.e. bedroom lighting and office lighting. Comparing all LBIs at a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000 K and a color rendering index of 80, the CAF of four-band LBIs reaches a minimum of 0.238 and maintains at a possibly highest luminous efficacy of radiation (LER) of 422 lm/W among all cases. The performances of white LBIs are also compared with those of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The results demonstrate that, under the same conditions of color rendering and color temperature, both four-band LBIs and four-band LEDs exhibit the largest circadian tunability of about 4.7, while four-band LBIs possess much higher LER at the same time compared with four-band LEDs. In addition, for the display application, the investigation on the optimal circadian tunability as a function of color gamut at two CCTs (3000 K and 6500 K) is also performed. We believe that this study can serve as a useful guidance for the application of LBIs in both the healthy general lighting and display.

Background: In vitro experiments have revealed that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway is involved in the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) by induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Evidence showed that, in other disease models, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of the expression and activity of TLR4. However, the interaction between PPAR-γ and TLR4 in IgAN has not been fully studied both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we explored whether TLR4 pathway attributed to the progression of IgAN in experimental rats. Methods: Bovine gamma globulin was used to establish IgAN model. Fifty-four Lewis rats were randomly divided into six groups: ControlTAK242, IgANTAK242, toll-like receptor 4 inhibitor (TAK242) groups (rats were administrated with TLR4 inhibitor, TAK242) and ControlPio, IgANPio, Pio groups (rats were administrated with PPAR-γ agonist, pioglitazone). Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the IgA deposition in glomeruli was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect TLR4 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) message ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression in renal tissues. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Differences between groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Results: Compared to normal rats, experimental rats showed higher ACR (4.45 ± 1.33 mg/mmol vs. 2.89 ± 0.96 mg/mmol, P < 0.05), obvious IgA deposition with mesangial hypercellularity, hyperplasia of mesangial matrix accompanied by increased serum IL-1β (48.28 ± 13.49 pg/ml vs. 35.56 ± 7.41pg/ml, P < 0.05), and renal expression of IL-1β and TLR4. The biochemical parameters and renal pathological injury were relieved in both TAK242 group and Pio group. The expressions of renal tissue TLR4, IL-1β, and serum IL-1β were decreased in rats treated with TAK242, and the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was significantly reduced in Pio group compared to IgANPiogroup (1.22 ± 0.28 vs. 1.72 ± 0.45, P < 0.01, and 0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.05, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our study proves that inflammation mediated by TLR4 signaling pathway is involved in the progression of IgAN in rat models. Moreover, pioglitazone can inhibit the expression of TLR4 in IgAN.

For humans, nonvisual biological effects, which can be parameterized by the circadian action factor (CAF), are important for their health and work performance. In this paper, an approach by adjusting electrical currents of three-primary light-emitting diodes (RGB-LEDs) to tune the CAF and color coordinates to be close to those of the standard light with various correlated color temperature (CCT) (2700 K-6500 K) has been reported. This approach is based on deriving an empirical formula between the optical power and the electrical current. In order to meet the requirement of both high color rendering index (CRI) and better CAF, we theoretically perform further spectral optimization on RGB-LEDs and have found that peak wavelengths of 466, 547, and 615 nm for the blue, green, and red color component, respectively, turn out to be the best peak wavelength combination for obtaining both high CRI and high luminous efficacy of radiation of RGB-LEDs, while the CAF, CCT, and color coordinates of RGB-LEDs approach those of the standard light.

For the past few years, the transfer printing method has been developed and has secured numerous advantages. Here, via both experiments and analyses, we have focused on identifying key parameters and optimizing their values in the fabrication process of stamps for transfer-printing micro-devices. Specifically, the elastic modulus of posts is measured using the atomic force microscope and the Derjaguin, Muller, and Toporov model. Based on mold morphologies data, we subsequently explore the law of photoresist development under different design widths as well as development time, establish mathematical models, and offer relevant explanations for the formation of various developmental topographies. Furthermore, the relationship between the elastic modulus and these stamp-fabrication parameters has also been analyzed and confirmed. Hopefully, the proposed work can provide the guidance for fabricating reliable stamps in the future.

In the light-emitting-diode (LED) industry, it is a great challenge to simultaneously achieve high efficiency values and excellent light quality in practical applications. In this paper, we have designed microscale-roughness-controlled-surface modules to optimize rectified mellowness index, quantum efficiency, correlated color temperature, and color rendering index; we have also discovered a mechanism that reduces the total internal reflection trapped within the diffuser, maximizes phosphor fluorescence probabilities, and randomizes photon emissions. The first effect subsequently leads to the photon-propagation-direction rectification, such that incident photons are allowed to escape from the top but are discouraged to reversely exit from the bottom. In addition to the discovery of this mechanism, we have proposed a previously undefined criterion that evaluates the uniformity of various optical parameters exemplified by wavelengths, solid angles, and spatial distributions. Current findings offer a guide on future research for human-eye-comfort-related uniformities.

Theories of spontaneous emission rates and carrier recombination mechanisms for multiple-quantum-well InGaN-based blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been carefully studied. A relationship among the optical power, the current density, and the temperature (heat-sink temperature or p-n junction temperature) is identified, and an optical-electrical-thermal model (OETM) is proposed. Thereafter, spectral measurements have been carried out to confirm the validity of this OETM. Results show that measured optical powers under various current densities and heat-sink temperatures agree satisfactorily with those determined by the OETM. Furthermore, the traditional forward-voltage method (FVM) has also been carried out for comparison. Junction temperatures determined by this OETM is in accordance with those measured by the FVM. Therefore, this model can serve as an alternative tool for fast estimating junction temperatures after relevant fitting coefficients having been determined.

By modifying traditional remote phosphor-diffuser-packaged light-emitting diode systems, we have managed to increase the luminous efficacy from 145.7 to 162.3 lm/W. One mechanism responsible for this achievement is associated with randomizing the directions of light beams transmitting through an interior diffuser, whose position is optimized based on an overall merit. The other mechanism is identified as the gradual attenuation of the undesirable blue-ring image along the distance from the diffuser toward the phosphor base. The identification of these two mechanisms is verified by luminous efficacy measurements, 3-D image plots, and combined Monte Carlo algorithm ray tracing simulation results. In addition, merits related to correlated color temperatures and issues pertaining to costs are briefly discussed.

InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a graded-composition multiple quantum well (GQW) were designed not only to investigate the effect of polarization field on the efficiency droop in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) but to find out possible solutions to prevent or reduce the efficiency droop in GaN-based LEDs as well. Pulsed electroluminescence measurement, to avoid heating effects partly, revealed that the output intensity peak occurs at ~280A/cm2 current density for the GQW structure, whereas for a conventional structure, it occurs at a much lower current density of ~150A/cm2. The relative quantum efficiency indicates that the efficiency droop in GQW LEDs was reduced effectively due to the reduction in polarization field in the active layer. In the test GQW structure with inverse indium composition variation direction, electrons escape from the active region, which is in company with rapid saturation of output power and decrease in efficiency observed at high current density. It indicates that at high current density, the electron leakage is obvious. These results suggest that the polarization field in the active layer and the consequent electron leakage are probably the main mechanism responsible for the efficiency droop at high current injection levels.

Three- and four-hump InGaN-based white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been computationally investigated. The investigation includes three-hump LEDs precoated with green- and red-emitting quantum dots (QDs) and four-hump LEDs precoated with green-, yellow-, and red-emitting QDs. Results show scotopic/photopic (S/P) ratios $>$ 3.80 and color rendering indices (CRIs) $\geq$ 70 for three-hump LEDs and S/P ratios $>$ 3.90 and CRIs $\geq$ 70 for four-hump LEDs under a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 45 000 K. Furthermore, for both three- and four-hump LEDs under the condition of CCT $>$ 5000 K, optimal results in this paper exhibit capabilities of exceeding $\hbox{S/P} = 2.50$ and simultaneously satisfying the criterion of CRI $\geq$ 70. Our simulation procedure is conducted under variations of nine CCTs, several wavelengths, and peak heights. Optimized results of S/P ratios and CRIs are identified and retained through filtering off a great number of unqualified candidates. Finally, present findings may help improve the quality of eye visions pertaining to LED illumination and help reduce the electrical energy consumption related to LED usage.

Previous neuroimaging research of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa has mainly focused on clinical patients, indicating the crucial role of intrinsic connectivity networks involved in aberrant behavioral control (i.e., executive control network), reward reactivity (i.e., basal ganglia network), and excessive self-focused and body-focused ruminations (i.e., default mode network) in the onset and maintenance of eating disturbances. However, examinations of large-scale resting-state networks that support the role of cognitive control, reward sensitivity, and self-directed thinking in disordered eating have rarely involved non-clinical samples from the general population. This study, involving a total of 693 healthy young adults (68.69% females; mean age, 18.37 years), investigated these issues by using pre-defined functional regions of interest from the executive control network, basal ganglia network, default mode network, and a seed-based region of interest-to-region of interest approach. After statistically controlling for differences in age, sex, body mass index, and head motion, we observed significant associations of higher levels of eating disorder symptoms, especially bulimia-type eating (i.e., binge eating and a combination of binge eating and compensatory behaviors, such as purging via self-induced vomiting or laxative use, and compulsive exercise), with weaker intra-network and inter-network functional synchrony. These results remained significant after excluding underweight, overweight, and obese participants. These findings suggest that these neural circuits may play a key role in the symptoms of disordered eating in healthy adults. They further reveal that the less efficient information exchange within and between intrinsic networks associated with self-referential thinking, inhibitory control, and reward sensitivity are strongly related to eating disorder symptoms.