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To date, devices exhibiting incidence-angle-dependent transmittance have been fabricated by imparting an angle to a bulk liquid crystal (LC) by aligning the LC in the vicinity of one substrate horizontally (with respect to the substrate) while aligning the LC in the vicinity of another substrate vertically. Another approach has been to control LC angles near substrates by blending or layering horizontal and vertical alignment films. In this study, we control LC angles near substrates by controlling the pretilt angles of blended alignment films; for specific angles, we use dichroic dyes to characterize the incidence angle dependence of these LC devices. Using a guest/host LC device with a pretilt angle near 45°, we successfully construct an LC element with a transmittance peak near a polar angle of 45°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) films reportedly exhibit a rubbing effect for liquid crystal (LC) alignment. In this study, we investigated the LC alignment characteristics of solution-derived ZnO films according to the number of rubbing iterations. Uniform and homogeneous LC alignments were achieved on the rubbed ZnO films, regardless of the number of rubbing iterations. As the number of rubbing iterations increased, the surface energies of the rubbed ZnO films were similar to 42.20 mJ/m2, but the polar energy increased from 4.288 mJ/m2 to 6.470 mJ/m2. Additionally, the electro-optical characteristics of the twisted-nematic (TN) LC cells fabricated by rubbed ZnO films showed the best performance when the number of rubbing iterations was at five. By confirming that the ZnO film with improved physical, chemical, and electro-optical characteristics compared to the polyimide film achieved a perfect LC alignment through the conventional rubbing process, it indicates that the ZnO film can be an excellent substitute for the LC alignment film. In addition, it is expected that it can be applied to an LC-based virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) display system that requires a very fast response time through the excellent EO characteristics of the TN LC cell of the solution-derived ZnO film through the rubbing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, devices exhibiting incidence-angle-dependent transmittance have been fabricated by imparting an angle to a bulk liquid crystal (LC) by aligning the LC in the vicinity of one substrate horizontally (with respect to the substrate) while aligning the LC in the vicinity of another substrate vertically. Another approach has been to control LC angles near substrates by blending or layering horizontal and vertical alignment films. In this study, we control LC angles near substrates by controlling the pretilt angles of blended alignment films; for specific angles, we use dichroic dyes to characterize the incidence angle dependence of these LC devices. Using a guest/host LC device with a pretilt angle near 45°, we successfully construct an LC element with a transmittance peak near a polar angle of 45°.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) films reportedly exhibit a rubbing effect for liquid crystal (LC) alignment. In this study, we investigated the LC alignment characteristics of solution-derived ZnO films according to the number of rubbing iterations. Uniform and homogeneous LC alignments were achieved on the rubbed ZnO films, regardless of the number of rubbing iterations. As the number of rubbing iterations increased, the surface energies of the rubbed ZnO films were similar to 42.20 mJ/m2, but the polar energy increased from 4.288 mJ/m2 to 6.470 mJ/m2. Additionally, the electro-optical characteristics of the twisted-nematic (TN) LC cells fabricated by rubbed ZnO films showed the best performance when the number of rubbing iterations was at five. By confirming that the ZnO film with improved physical, chemical, and electro-optical characteristics compared to the polyimide film achieved a perfect LC alignment through the conventional rubbing process, it indicates that the ZnO film can be an excellent substitute for the LC alignment film. In addition, it is expected that it can be applied to an LC-based virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) display system that requires a very fast response time through the excellent EO characteristics of the TN LC cell of the solution-derived ZnO film through the rubbing process.

and C. ochroleuca commonly grown as vegetables have been extensively studied. However, information on breeding techniques is scanty. This study aimed to develop an artificial interspecific pollination protocol for two genotypes of Crotalaria with contrasting leaf and pod morphological features. The two are landraces that were previously collected from two counties in Kenya. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) in a greenhouse with C. ochroleuca as the female parent and C. brevidens as the male parent. Six-day-old flower buds of the female parent were emasculated. Pollen from a freshly opened flower was rubbed over the stigma of the emasculated flower. The pollinated stigma was inserted back into the keel petal and covered by the wing and standard petal. Data on success rate, pod, and seed production were subjected to analysis of variance. The developed artificial pollination method showed 75% success rate in the interspecies cross of C. ochroleuca and C. brevidens. Time of crossing did not significantly influence the success rate, pod, and seed production. The study demonstrated artificial interspecific pollination of Crotalaria by keel petal incision rubbing method. This protocol lays the foundation for genetic studies and improvement of Crotalaria spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In archaeology, the Mongolian Altai remains a poorly studied region of Asia. Since 2007, systematic studies have been conducted there by a joint expedition of three universities from Mongolia and Russia. This work has provided important information for the reconstruction of the history of ancient nomadic peoples. Of particular importance is the comprehensive documentation of deer stones dated to the Arjan-Mayemir period (the first few centuries of the first millenium B.C.). These stones are carved with images that allow archaeologists to date and reconstruct traits of the corresponding material culture. On the basis of results of exploration and documentation of deer stones in Buyant Valley (near the town of Khovd) and other places in the Mongolian Altai, the author proposes a new perspective on the peculiarities of the objects presented on these stelae and their relationship with funerary and commemorative structures. Comparing the objects the images portray to equivalent archaeological findings reveals their social significance. This approach and method to studying deer stones provides important insights into the ancient material culture as well as future prospects for research on Iron Age nomadic societies in Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Zeolites are potentially a robust desalination alternative, as they are chemically stable and possess the essential properties needed to reject ions. Zeolite membranes could desalinate “challenging” waters, such as saline secondary effluent, without any substantial pre-treatment, due to the robust mechanical properties of ceramic membranes. A novel MFI-type zeolite membrane was developed on a tubular α-Al2O3 substrate by a combined rubbing and secondary hydrothermal growth method. The prepared membrane was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and single gas (He or N2) permeation and underwent desalination tests with NaCl solutions under different pressures (0.7 MPa and 7 MPa). The results showed that higher pressure resulted in higher Na+ rejection and permeate flux. The zeolite membrane achieved a good rejection of Na+ (~82%) for a NaCl feed solution with a TDS (total dissolved solids) of 3000 mg·L−1 at an applied pressure of 7 MPa and 21 °C. To explore the opportunity for high salinity and high temperature desalination, this membrane was also tested with high concentration NaCl solutions (up to TDS 90,000 mg·L−1) and at 90 °C. This is the first known work at such high salinities of NaCl. It was found that increasing the salinity of the feed solution decreased both Na+ rejection and flux. An increase in testing temperature resulted in an increase in permeate flux, but a decrease in ion rejection.

This paper presents a technique for producing a multi-domain VA mode using the conventional rubbing method, which is very simple LC alignment method with low cost. This method is characterized by an aluminum (Al) layer to block rubbing. The Al layer was deposited by low energy thermal evaporation that does not damage the polyimide surface. A simulation and simple experiments were performed to examine the possibility of a multi-domain VA mode using the conventional rubbing method. The proposed multi-domain VA mode will show a rapid response speed and high transmittance due to the lack of disclination formation in a LC cell, compared to the conventional VA modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolites are potentially a robust desalination alternative, as they are chemically stable and possess the essential properties needed to reject ions. Zeolite membranes could desalinate "challenging" waters, such as saline secondary effluent, without any substantial pre-treatment, due to the robust mechanical properties of ceramic membranes. A novel MFI-type zeolite membrane was developed on a tubular α-Al2O3 substrate by a combined rubbing and secondary hydrothermal growth method. The prepared membrane was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and single gas (He or N2) permeation and underwent desalination tests with NaCl solutions under different pressures (0.7 MPa and 7 MPa). The results showed that higher pressure resulted in higher Na+ rejection and permeate flux. The zeolite membrane achieved a good rejection of Na+ (~82%) for a NaCl feed solution with a TDS (total dissolved solids) of 3000 mg•L-1 at an applied pressure of 7 MPa and 21 °C. To explore the opportunity for high salinity and high temperature desalination, this membrane was also tested with high concentration NaCl solutions (up to TDS 90,000 mg•L-1) and at 90 °C. This is the first known work at such high salinities of NaCl. It was found that increasing the salinity of the feed solution decreased both Na+ rejection and flux. An increase in testing temperature resulted in an increase in permeate flux, but a decrease in ion rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fibrin glue is effective for maintaining hemostasis after anastomosis and for filling needle holes after cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, but few experimental studies concerning methods of application to obtain more effective hemostasis have been reported. Methods: Bolheal was used as the fibrin glue. Fibrinogen solution (A, 0.3 ml) and thrombin solution (B, 0.3 ml), components of fibrin glue, were applied to the needle holes by the following four methods: group 1 ( n = 8), drip method; group 2 ( n = 8), spray method; group 3 ( n = 8), rub-and-spray method; group 4 ( n = 8), rub-andrub method. Additional studies were done in groups 3 and 4 to evaluate the hemostatic effect with different curing times and temperatures. Results: The pressure at which the fibrin sealant ruptured were significantly higher in group 3 (109 ± 16 mmHg) and group 4 (113 ± 7) (for both groups: P < 0.05 vs. group 1 (22 ± 8) and group 2 (64 ± 10)). The pressure increased with prolongation of the curing time, and significant differences were noted between the pressures at ≥ 2 min and that at 30 s (both groups: P < 0.05 vs. 30 s). The curing temperature had no significant influence in the two groups. Microscopically, the glue effectively plugged the needle holes in groups 3 and 4. Conclusion: Compared with the current drip and spray methods, more effective hemostasis was obtained by rubbing on the fibrin glue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controllable pre-tilt angle of liquid crystals was investigated using a blend of horizontal and vertical polyimide prepared using a rubbing method. Various pretilt angles ranging from 0° to 90° were achieved as a function of the vertical polyimide content. We observed uniform liquid crystal alignment on the rubbing-treated blended polyimide layer. A no-bias-bend (NBB) pi cell with an intermediate pretilt angle of 47.8° was manufactured. This cell had no initial bias voltage and a low threshold voltage, which indicates that it has low power consumption. In addition, the response time of the NBB pi cell was rapid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated highly-oriented thin films of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic-bis-benzimidazole (PTCBI), poly(9,9-dioctyl-fluorene) (PFO) and regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Each material was aligned by the rubbing process, and high dichroic ratio of 4-6 was achieved. We also investigated application for organic p-n heterojunction type photovoltaic devices, which include the aligned layer. Aligned-PTCBI (n-type) stacked with unaligned-TiOPc (p-type) showed good photovoltaic performance equal to the conventional unaligned stacked devices. High power conversion efficiency of 0.8% was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of surface modification of fluorinated polyimide (6FDA-6FAP) on the interaction with plasma proteins and living cells. The surface of 6FDA-6FAP could be modified by various methods and surface-rubbing method was one of the most useful techniques. The surface of 6FDA-6FAP obtained by rubbing method showed nano-ordered roughness and different plasma protein adsorption behavior from non-modified (unrubbed) surface, which adsorbed IgG selectively among plasma proteins through the Fc fragment by hydrophobic interaction. Consequently, the adhesion of platelets and proliferation of living fibroblast cells on rubbed 6FDA-6FAP showed different mode compared with non-modified unrubbed 6FDA-6FAP surface. The fibroblast cells aggregated and formed multicellular spheroid on rubbed 6FDA-6FAP and showed excellent collagen production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In these days, flat panel X-ray image detectors have shown their potential for replacing traditional screen-film systems. To detect the X-ray photon energy, there are two main methods known as a direct method and an indirect method. The X-rays are converted immediately into electrical signal with the direct method. The indirect method has two conversion steps: the scintillator absorbs the X-rays and converts them to visible light. And then the visible light is converted to electrical signal (e.g. by photodiodes). In this work, the flat panel digital X-ray image detector based on direct method with a high atomic number material was designed and evaluated. The high atomic number material for X-ray conversion is deposited by a rubbing method with about 300μm. The rubbing method is similar to the screen printing method. It consists of two elements: the screen and the squeegee. The method uses a proper stiff bar stretched tightly over a frame made of wood or metal. Proper tension is essential for proper laminated structure. The detector prototype has 139μm pixel pitch, total 1280×1536 pixels and 86% fill factor. Twelve readout ICs are installed on digital X-ray detector and simultaneously operated to reach short readout time. The electronics integrated: the preamplifier to amplify generated signal, the Analog to Digital converter and the source of bias voltage (1V/μm). The system board and interface use an NI-camera program. Finally, we achieved images from this flat panel X-ray image detector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]