The authors applied two technologies to improve the efficiency of fluorescent blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). First, an efficiency-enhancement layer (EEL) was introduced to boost triplet-triplet fusion (TTF). Second, new blue dopants with a higher orientation factor in the emitting layer were developed. Consequently, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) was increased up to 11.5% wi...

In this paper the advantages and disadvantages of denitrifying PAOs (polyphosphate accumulating organisms) in conventional BNRAS (biological nutrient removal activated sludge) and external nitrification BNRAS (ENBNRAS) systems are evaluated, with experimental data exhibiting a range of anoxic P uptake from low (<10%) to very high (>60%). The results indicate that the specific denitrification ra...

BACKGROUND Visual perception impairments in schizophrenia stem from abnormal information processing. Information processing requires neural response to a stimulus (signal) against a backdrop of 1) random variation in baseline neural activity (internal noise) and sometimes irrelevant environmental stimulation (external noise). Filtering out noise is a critical aspect of information processing, a...

Visual attention can increase spatial resolution even when it leads to a decrease in performance. Whether this effect is mediated by reduction of external noise or by signal enhancement is an unsettled question. Although we previously demonstrated that attention can improve speed and accuracy in an acuity task, those experiments made use of a local postmask, which could be considered a source o...

A batch anaerobic test was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding high carbon content of corn straw to the digestion of Taihu blue algae to attain an optimal C/N ratio for higher methane yield. The addition of corn straw in algae at a C/N ratio of 20/1 increased methane yield by 61.69% at 325 mL g(-1)VS(-1) (compared with 201 mL g(-1) VS(-1) of algae digestion alone), followed by C/N ratio...

Perceptual estimates can be biased by previously seen stimuli in delayed estimation tasks. These biases are often toward the mean of the whole stimulus set. Recently, we demonstrated such a central tendency bias in delayed color estimation. In the Bayesian framework of perceptual inference, perceptual biases arise when noisy sensory measurements are combined with prior information about the wor...

The usefulness of latex beads of defined concentration was assessed as a substitute for sperm in the performance of External Quality Assurance (EQA) and Internal Quality Control (IQC) of semen analysis. Within the EQA programme, mean±SEM bias (%) was significantly reduced in 2007 compared to 2002 for both specialist (6.0%±5.4% vs. 55.0%±5.9%) and non-specialist (18.4%±5.9% vs. 90.9%±13.4%) labo...

Active sensing using light, or active photolocation, is only known from deep sea and nocturnal fish with chemiluminescent 'search' lights. Bright irides in diurnal fish species have recently been proposed as a potential analogue. Here, we contribute to this discussion by testing whether iris radiance is actively modulated. The focus is on behaviourally controlled iris reflections, called 'ocula...

Research over the past 20 years has provided a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of most forms of nystagmus and other ocular oscillations. To the clinician, these advances translate into greater accuracy of nystagmus as a diagnostic sign. However, to capitalise on these advances, it is important to systematically examine eye movements and interpret the findings with reference to pathoph...

In solid-liquid systems, macroscopic solids lose their equilibrium and melt in a manner that results in overall movement of the solid-liquid interface. This phenomenon occurs when they are subjected to temperature gradients or external stress, for example. However, many experiments suggest that the melting of nano- and micro-sized metallic nuclei follows a different process not described by tra...