A flexible semiconductor SERS substrate by in situ growth of tightly aligned TiO2 for in situ detection of antibiotic residues.

Semiconductor materials have become a competitive candidate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. However, powdered semiconductors are difficult to execute a fast in situ detection for trace analytes. Here, we developed a new flexible semiconductor SERS substrate by in situ densely growing anatase TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of cotton fabric through a filtration-hydrothermal method, in which TiO2 exhibits excellent controllability in size and distribution by regulating the ratio of water to alcohol in synthesis and the number of filtration-hydrothermal repetitive cycle. Cotton fabric/TiO2 (Cot/TiO2) substrate exhibits a high SERS activity and excellent spectral repeatability. The developed substrate has an ultra-high stability that can withstand long-term preservation; it can even resist the corrosions of strong acid and alkali, as well as high temperature up to 100 °C and low temperature down to - 20 °C. The flexible substrate can be used to carry out a rapid in situ detection for quinolone antibiotic (enrofloxacin and enoxacin) residues on the fish body surface by using a simple swabbing method, with high quantitative detection potential (up to an order of magnitude of 10-7 M), and even for the simultaneous detection of both drug residues. The flexible substrate also exhibits an excellent recyclability up to 6 recycles in the actual SERS detection.

The East Asian-specific LPL p.Ala288Thr (c.862G > A) missense variant exerts a mild effect on protein function.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the key enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of triglycerides. Loss-of-function variants in the LPL gene are associated with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and HTG-related diseases. Unlike nonsense, frameshift and canonical GT-AG splice site variants, a pathogenic role for clinically identified LPL missense variants should generally be confirmed by functional analysis. Herein, we describe the clinical and functional analysis of a rare LPL missense variant. METHODS: Chinese patients with HTG-associated acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) were screened for rare nonsense, frameshift, missense or canonical GT-AG splice site variants in LPL and four other lipid metabolism-related genes (APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1 and LMF1) by Sanger sequencing. The functional consequences of the LPL missense variant of interest were characterized by in vitro expression in HEK-293T and COS-7 cells followed by Western blot and LPL activity assays. RESULTS: Five unrelated HTG-AP patients were found to be heterozygous for a rare East Asian-specific LPL missense variant, c.862G > A (p.Ala288Thr). All five patients were adult males, and all were overweight and had a long history of alcohol consumption. Transfection of LPL wild-type and c.862G > A expression vectors into two cell lines followed by Western blot analysis served to exclude the possibility that the p.Ala288Thr missense variant either impaired protein synthesis or increased protein degradation. Contrary to a previous functional study that claimed that p.Ala288Thr had a severe impact on LPL function (reportedly having 36% normal activity), our experiments consistently demonstrated that the variant had a comparatively mild effect on LPL functional activity, which was mediated through its impact upon LPL protein secretion (~ 20% reduced secretion compared to wild-type). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified the East Asian-specific LPL c.862G > A (p.Ala288Thr) missense variant in five unrelated HTG-AP patients. We demonstrated that this variant exerted only a relatively mild effect on LPL function in two cell lines. Heterozygosity for this LPL variant may have combined with alcohol consumption to trigger HTG-AP in these patients.

Multiple portions enteral nutrition and chyme reinfusion of a blunt bowel injury patient with hyperbilirubinemia undergoing open abdomen: A case report.

Blunt bowel injury (BBI) is relatively rare but life-threatening when delayed in surgical repair or anastomosis. Providing enteral nutrition (EN) in BBI patients with open abdomen after damage control surgery is challenging, especially for those with discontinuity of the bowel. Here, we report a 47-year-old male driver who was involved in a motor vehicle collision and developed ascites on post-trauma day 3. Emergency exploratory laparotomy at a local hospital revealed a complete rupture of the jejunum and then primary anastomosis was performed. Postoperatively, the patient was transferred to our trauma center for septic shock and hyperbilirubinemia. Following salvage resuscitation, damage control laparotomy with open abdomen was performed for abdominal sepsis, and a temporary double enterostomy (TDE) was created where the anastomosis was ruptured. Given the TDE and high risk of malnutrition, multiple portions EN were performed, including a proximal portion EN support through a nasogastric tube and a distal portion EN via a jejunal feeding tube. Besides, chyme delivered from the proximal portion of TDE was injected into the distal portion of TDE via a jejunal feeding tube. Hyperbilirubinemia was alleviated with the increase in chyme reinfusion. After 6 months of home EN and chyme reinfusion, the patient finally underwent TDE reversal and abdominal wall reconstruction and was discharged with a regular diet. For BBI patients with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia who underwent open abdomen, the combination of multiple portions EN and chyme reinfusion may be a feasible and safe option.

Plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing of microbial cell-free DNA detects pathogens in patients with suspected infected pancreatic necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a life-threatening complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). Timely diagnosis of IPN could facilitate appropriate treatment, but there is a lack of reliable non-invasive screening tests. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) based on circulating microbial cell-free DNA in patients with suspected IPN. METHODS: From October 2020 to October 2021, 44 suspected IPN patients who underwent plasma mNGS were reviewed. Confirmatory diagnosis of IPN within two weeks after the index blood sampling was considered the reference standard. The confirmation of IPN relied on the microbiological results of drains obtained from the necrotic collections. The distribution of the pathogens identified by plasma mNGS was analyzed. Positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) were evaluated based on the conformity between the overall mNGS results and culture results of IPN drains. In addition, the clinical outcomes were compared between mNGS positive and negative patients. RESULTS: Across all the study samples, thirteen species of bacteria and five species of fungi were detected by mNGS. The positivity rate of plasma mNGS was 54.55% (24/44). Of the 24 mNGS positive cases, twenty (83.33%, 95% CI, 68.42-98.24%) were consistent with the culture results of IPN drains. The PPA and NPA of plasma mNGS for IPN were 80.0% (20/25; 95% CI, 64.32-95.68%) and 89.47% (17/19; 95% CI, 75.67-100%), respectively. Compared with the mNGS negative group, patients in the positive group had more new-onset septic shock [12 (50.0%) vs. 4 (20.0%), p = 0.039]. CONCLUSION: IPN relevant pathogens can be identified by plasma mNGS, potentially facilitating appropriate treatment. The clinical application of mNGS in this cohort appears feasible.

Broadband Acoustic Sensing with Optical Nanofiber Couplers Working at the Dispersion Turning Point.

Herein, a broadband ultrasensitive acoustic sensor based on an optical nanofiber coupler (ONC) attached to a diaphragm is designed and experimentally demonstrated. The ONC is sensitive to axial strain and works as the core transducing element to monitor the deformation of the diaphragm driven by acoustic waves. We first theoretically studied the sensing property of the ONC to axial strain and the deformation of the diaphragm. The results reveal that ONC working at the dispersion turning point (DTP) shows improved ultra-sensitivity towards axial strain, and the largest deformation of the circular diaphragm occurs at the center. Guided by the theoretical results, we fabricated an ONC with a DPT at 1550 nm, and we fixed one end of the ONC to the center of the diaphragm and the other end to the edge to construct the acoustic sensor. Finally, the experimental results show that the sensor can achieve accurate measurement in the broadband acoustic wave range of 30~20,000 Hz with good linearity. Specifically, when the input acoustic wave frequency is 120 Hz, the sensitivity reaches 1923 mV/Pa, the signal-to-noise ratio is 42.45 dB, and the minimum detectable sound pressure is 330 µPa/Hz1/2. The sensor has the merits of simple structure, low cost, and high performance, and it provides a new method for acoustic wave detection.

Ultrasensitive interferometers based on zigzag-shaped tapered optical microfibers operating at the dispersion turning point.

This work proposes and demonstrates a novel interferometric sensor based on a zigzag-shaped tapered optical microfiber (Z-OMF) working at the dispersion turning point (DTP). The Z-OMF can be fabricated in a controllable manner through a modified fiber tapering method. Our study shows that the bending taper can transfer a portion of the fundamental HE11 mode to higher-order modes, and when the bending angle of the Z-OMF reaches 1.61°, high contrast interference fringes can be formed between the HE11 and the HE21 modes. More importantly, we find that by optimizing the diameter of the OMF, the group effective refractive index (RI) difference between HE11 and HE21 mode equals zero, and the refractive index sensing performance can be dramatically improved. To validate our proposed sensing mechanism, we experimentally demonstrate an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1.46×105 ± 0.09×105 nm/RIU. The proposed Z-OMF interferometer has the advantage of high sensitivity and low cost and shows excellent potential in chemical and biological detection.

[Multi-center randomized double-blind controlled study on children's anorexia (spleen-stomach disharmony) treated with Child Compound Endothelium Corneum].

Child Compound Endothelium Corneum(CCEC)has the effects in invigorating the spleen and appetizing the appetite, and dissolving the accumulation of food. The recent studies have proved that it could improve gastrointestinal motility, restore physiological gastrointestinal peristalsis, increase gastrointestinal digestive motility, and enhance appetite. This trial aimed to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of children's anorexia(spleen-stomach disharmony). A total of 240 children with anorexia in line with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 120 in each group. Patients in the experimental group took CCEC and Erpixing Granules simulant. Patients in the control group took Erpi-xing Granules and CCEC simulant. After 21 days of treatment, there was no statistical difference in the recovery rate of anorexia, reduced food intake, eating time, weight change, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome effect, single symptom effect, and trace element Zn recovery rate between the two groups. Based on the non-inferiority test, the experimental group was not inferior to the control group in efficacy. How-ever, the effect of CCEC in reducing appetite in children with anorexia was better than that of control drugs(P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions between the two groups during the trial. This experiment confirmed the efficacy and safety of CCEC in the treatment of children's anorexia(spleen-stomach disharmony), with a safety and re-liability in clinical application. In addition, it was a better choice for children with anorexia who were mainly manifested by reduced appetite. Meanwhile, compared with granule, chewable tablets were more convenient to take in clinic. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of CCEC for the treatment of children's anorexia(spleen-stomach disharmony) were not inferior to those of Erpixing Granules, with a safety and reliability in clnic. However, due to the small sample size of this trial, the efficacy results only show a trend. It is suggested to further carry out a large-sample-size clinical study to define the clinical advantages of CCEC.

Hybrid Plasmonic Fiber-Optic Sensors.

With the increasing demand of achieving comprehensive perception in every aspect of life, optical fibers have shown great potential in various applications due to their highly-sensitive, highly-integrated, flexible and real-time sensing capabilities. Among various sensing mechanisms, plasmonics based fiber-optic sensors provide remarkable sensitivity benefiting from their outstanding plasmon-matter interaction. Therefore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR (LSPR)-based hybrid fiber-optic sensors have captured intensive research attention. Conventionally, SPR- or LSPR-based hybrid fiber-optic sensors rely on the resonant electron oscillations of thin metallic films or metallic nanoparticles functionalized on fiber surfaces. Coupled with the new advances in functional nanomaterials as well as fiber structure design and fabrication in recent years, new solutions continue to emerge to further improve the fiber-optic plasmonic sensors' performances in terms of sensitivity, specificity and biocompatibility. For instance, 2D materials like graphene can enhance the surface plasmon intensity at the metallic film surface due to the plasmon-matter interaction. Two-dimensional (2D) morphology of transition metal oxides can be doped with abundant free electrons to facilitate intrinsic plasmonics in visible or near-infrared frequencies, realizing exceptional field confinement and high sensitivity detection of analyte molecules. Gold nanoparticles capped with macrocyclic supramolecules show excellent selectivity to target biomolecules and ultralow limits of detection. Moreover, specially designed microstructured optical fibers are able to achieve high birefringence that can suppress the output inaccuracy induced by polarization crosstalk and meanwhile deliver promising sensitivity. This review aims to reveal and explore the frontiers of such hybrid plasmonic fiber-optic platforms in various sensing applications.

High-Sensitivity, Large Dynamic Range Refractive Index Measurement Using an Optical Microfiber Coupler.

Wavelength tracking methods are widely employed in fiber-optic interferometers, but they suffer from the problem of fringe order ambiguity, which limits the dynamic range within half of the free spectral range. Here, we propose a new sensing strategy utilizing the unique property of the dispersion turning point in an optical microfiber coupler mode interferometer. Numerical calculations show that the position of the dispersion turning point is sensitive to the ambient refractive index, and its position can be approximated by the dual peaks/dips that lay symmetrically on both sides. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of this sensing strategy, achieving high sensitivities of larger than 5327.3 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) in the whole refractive index (RI) range of 1.333-1.4186. This sensor also shows good performance in narrow RI ranges with high resolution and high linearity. The resolution can be improved by increasing the length of the coupler.

Highly sensitive gas refractometers based on optical microfiber modal interferometers operating at dispersion turning point.

In most fiber-optic gas sensing applications where the interested refractive index (RI) is ~1.0, the sensitivities are greatly constrained by the large mismatch between the effective RI of the guided mode and the RI of the surrounding gaseous medium. This fundamental challenge necessitates the development of a promising fiber-optic sensing mechanism with the outstanding RI sensitivity to achieve reliable remote gas sensors. In this work, we report a highly sensitive gas refractometer based on a tapered optical microfiber modal interferometer working at the dispersion turning point (DTP). First, we theoretically analyze the essential conditions to achieve the DTP, the spectral characteristics, and the sensing performance at the DTP. Results show that nonadiabatic tapered optical microfibers with diameters of 1.8-2.4 µm possess the DTPs in the near-infrared range and the RI sensitivities can be improved significantly around the DTPs. Second, we experimentally verify the ultrahigh RI sensitivity around the DTP using a nonadiabatic tapered optical microfiber with a waist diameter of ~2 µm. The experimental observations match well with the simulation results and our proposed gas refractometer provides an exceptional sensitivity as high as -69984.3 ± 2363.3 nm/RIU.

Ultrasensitive measurement of gas refractive index using an optical nanofiber coupler.

We report an ultrasensitive gas refractive index (RI) sensor based on optical nanofiber couplers (ONCs). Theoretical analysis reveals that a dispersion turning point (DTP) exists when the diameter of the coupler is below 1000 nm. Leveraging this DTP, the gas RI sensitivity can be significantly improved to infinity. Then we experimentally demonstrate a DTP and achieve ultrahigh sensitivities of 46,470 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) and -45,550 nm/RIU around the DTP using an ONC with a diameter of 700 nm. More importantly, the unique twin dips/peaks interference characteristics around the DTP offers further enhancement on the sensitivity to 92,020 nm/RIU. The demonstrated sensor not only shows vast potential in ultrasensitive pressure sensing, acoustic sensing, gas sensing, and gas phase biomarker detection, but also provides a new tool for nonlinear optics, ultrafast optics, quantum optics, and ultracold atom optics.

Large-scale synthesis of single-crystalline self-standing SnSe2 nanoplate arrays for wearable gas sensors.

Advances in two-dimensional semiconducting thin films enable the realization of wearable electronic devices in the form factor of flexible substrate/thin films that can be seamlessly adapted in our daily lives. For wearable gas sensing, two-dimensional materials, such as SnSe2, are particularly favorable because of their high surface-to-volume ratio and strong adsorption of gas molecules. Chemical vapor deposition and liquid/mechanical exfoliation are the widely applied techniques to obtain SnSe2 thin films. However, these methods normally result in non-uniform and isolated flakes which cannot apply to the practical industrial-scale wearable electronic devices. Here, we demonstrate large-scale (10 cm × 10 cm), uniform, and self-standing SnSe2 nanoplate arrays by co-evaporation process on flexible polyimide substrates. Both structural and morphological properties of the resulting SnSe2 nanoplates are systematically investigated. Particularly, the single-crystalline SnSe2 nanoplates are achieved. Furthermore, we explore the application of the polyimide/SnSe2 nanoplate arrays as wearable gas sensors for detecting methane. The wearable gas sensors show high sensitivity, fast response and recovery, and good uniformity. Our approach not only provides an efficient technique to obtain large-area, uniform and high-quality single-crystalline SnSe2 nanoplates, but also impacts on the future developments of layered metal dichalcogenides-based wearable devices.

Optical Micro/Nanofiber-Based Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors: Fiber Diameter Dependence.

Integration of functional nanomaterials with optical micro/nanofibers (OMNFs) can bring about novel optical properties and provide a versatile platform for various sensing applications. OMNFs as the key element, however, have seldom been investigated. Here, we focus on the optimization of fiber diameter by taking micro/nanofiber-based localized surface plasmon resonance sensors as a model. We systematically study the dependence of fiber diameter on the sensing performance of such sensors. Both theoretical and experimental results show that, by reducing fiber diameter, the refractive index sensitivity can be significantly increased. Then, we demonstrate the biosensing capability of the optimized sensor for streptavidin detection and achieve a detection limit of 1 pg/mL. Furthermore, the proposed theoretical model is applicable to other nanomaterials and OMNF-based sensing schemes for performance optimization.

In-line optofluidic refractive index sensing in a side-channel photonic crystal fiber.

An in-line optofluidic refractive index (RI) sensing platform is constructed by splicing a side-channel photonic crystal fiber (SC-PCF) with side-polished single mode fibers. A long-period grating (LPG) combined with an intermodal interference between LP01 and LP11 core modes is used for sensing the RI of the liquid in the side channel. The resonant dip shows a nonlinear wavelength shift with increasing RI over the measured range from 1.3330 to 1.3961. The RI response of this sensing platform for a low RI range of 1.3330-1.3780 is approximately linear, and exhibits a sensitivity of 1145 nm/RIU. Besides, the detection limit of our sensing scheme is improved by around one order of magnitude by introducing the intermodal interference.

Polarization-independent and omnidirectional nearly perfect absorber with ultra-thin 2D subwavelength metal grating in the visible region.

A polarization-independent and omnidirectional nearly perfect absorber in the visible region has been proposed. The absorber is two-layer structure consisting of a subwavelength metal grating layer embedded in the high refractive index and lossless dielectric layer on the metal substrate. Extraordinary optical absorption with absorption peaks of over 99% can be achieved over the whole visible region for both TM and TE polarization. This absorption is attributed to cavity mode (CM) resonance caused by the coupled surface plasmon polaritons (SPP). Through adjusting the grating thickness, the absorption peak can be tuned linearly, which is highly advantageous to design various absorbers. Furthermore, the absorbance retains ultra-high over a wide angular range of incidence for both TM and TE polarization. This nearly perfect absorber offers great potential in the refractive index (RI) sensors, integrated photodetectors, solar cells and so on.

Tuning response range of a transmission-based fiber-optic refractometer through LP11 mode.

A kind of sensing scheme is theoretically proposed to efficiently tune the response range of a fiber-optic refractometer based on the adiabatic transmission of the higher-order LP11 mode. Near the cut-off condition, transmission of the LP11 mode is a strong function of the refractive index (RI) under detection; thus high sensitivity is achieved. The cut-off RI value is dependent on the waist diameter; therefore the response RI range with high sensitivity can be changed just by altering the waist diameter. Theoretical calculations reveal that the response range is effectively tuned from 1.43-1.438 to 1.35-1.365 when the waist diameter is reduced from 2.5 to 1 µm. The proposed fiber-optic sensor is also superior when used as an absorbing sensor since the higher-order mode LP11 has a much larger power fraction in the evanescent field compared with the fundamental mode LP01 of the same fiber.

Study on the relationship between the changes in polyamine content and seedless grapes embryo rescue breeding.

This study was envisaged to investigate the physiological reasons affecting the embryo development and abortion of seedless grapes on the basis of the previous embryo rescue breeding techniques of seedless grapes. Specifically, the relationship between the embryo rescue breeding of seedless grapes and the change of polyamine content was evaluated, in order to provide hybrid germplasm in the breeding of new seedless grape cultivars. Four ovules of 4 naturally pollinated Eurasian seedless grape cultivars, including 'Thompson Seedless' grape (hereinafter referred to as 'Seedless White' grape), 'Flame Seedless' grape, 'Heshi Seedless' grape and 'Ruby Seedless' grape were employed for the study. Changes in the endogenous polyamine content, exogenous polyamine content, and the suitable combination of exogenous polyamines in the seedless grape berries and isolated ovules were determined during the best embryo rescue period. Furthermore, the effect of different exogenous polyamine contents on the germination and seedling rate of different seedless grape embryos was analyzed. In the best embryo rescue period, the number of ovules had different effects on the content of polyamines. For seedless grape cultivars with 4 ovules, a high content of polyamines was found to be more beneficial in the embryonic development. The existence of embryos had different effects on the development of embryos. In the ovules with embryo, an increase in the content of polyamine was beneficial to the growth and development of the ovule. Different ratios of exogenous polyamines had varying effects on the embryonic development. Putrescine (Put) exhibited the greatest effect on the embryonic development. Further, correlation analysis showed that different combinations of exogenous polyamines had varying effects on the embryonic development. A maximal ovule development was observed in the combination of exogenous polyamines of putrescine2+spermidine2+spermine1. For maximal embryo germination and seeding formation, the optimal combination was putrescine2+spermidine2+spermine2. Irrespective to the number of ovules or the existence of embryos, the results indicated that a high content of endogenous polyamines promoted the growth and development of embryos. The embryo rescue efficiency of different exogenous polyamines was different, and the appropriate combination of exogenous polyamines was beneficial to the growth and development of ovules, with a high development rate of the ovule and seedling.

Effects of weight loss on QTc in people with obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Overweight and obesity have been found to exhibit a statistically significant increase in corrected QT interval (QTc), a major contributing factor to sudden death. However, the influence of widely used weight loss strategies including diet, exercise, anti-obesity drugs, and bariatric surgery on QTc remains inconsistent. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantitatively analyse and evaluate the effect of weight loss on QTc in obese patients after diet control with exercise intervention and anti-obesity drugs, as well as bariatric surgery. METHODS: Twenty randomised controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies were included in the meta-analysis on the effects of weight loss on QTc. The fixed-effects model was employed in the RCTs, and the random-effects model was employed due to the presence of statistical heterogeneity among observational studies. Subgroup analysis was conducted to understand the differences in distinct weight loss methods and follow-up time. RESULTS: Overall, the QTc of people with obesity after weight loss was shorter than that before (mean difference (MD) = 21.97 ms, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 12.42, 31.52, p < .0001). Subgroup analysis restricted to seven included studies whose intervention was diet control with exercise showed a decrease of QTc with statistical significance (MD = 9.35 ms, 95%CI = 2.56, 37.54, p = .007). In the remaining 11 studies, bariatric surgery was the weight loss method. The results also showed a shortening of QTc after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (MD = 29.04 ms, 95%CI = -16.46, 41.62, p < .00001). A statistically significant difference in QTc shortening at 6 months compared to pre-operation values was further observed (MD = -31.01 ms, 95%CI = -2.89, -59.12, p = .03). The shortening of QTc at 12 months of follow-up was also significantly different from that before surgery (MD = 36.47 ms, 95%CI = 14.17, 58.78, p < .00001). Moreover, the differences became more pronounced as the follow-up time extended. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that weight loss links to a shortened QTc, without considering the means of weight loss. Bariatric surgery has been found to result in a greater reduction in QTc.

A double defects-dominated flexible TiO2 matrix for in-situ SERS sensing of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystem (fish & fishpond water) and their on-site degradation in flowing water.

High-performance flexible semiconductor material can be used as an excellent multifunctional matrix for in-situ ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection and synchronous photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystem. Here, a calcium-doped TiO2 flexible matrix with double defects (surface oxygen vacancy defect and Ti3+ energy level defect) was developed by its "in-situ one-step" hydrothermal synthesis on cotton fabric for the above purposes. Due to the joint contribution of double defects, a multi-channel charge transfer mode and a high-efficiency carrier separation are achieved, which endows flexible cotton fabric/Ca-doped TiO2 (Cot/Ca-TiO2) substrate with the greatly boosted SERS effect for in-situ detection of antibiotic residues on fish body surface and in fishpond water by a simple wiping or dipping sampling method, even for simultaneous identification of multi-component residues. The detection limits of three antibiotic residues (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enoxacin) are as low as 10-9 M, which are far lower than the EU standard. More meaningfully, the flexible Cot/Ca-TiO2 can be used as a multifunctional filter-membrane type photocatalyst for efficient on-site degradation of antibiotic residues in flowing fishpond water by a multi-grade photocatalysis means. Moreover, the flexible matrix exhibits good recyclability in both actual detection and photocatalysis.

Self-Healable Multifunctional Fibers via Thermal Drawing.

The development of soft electronics and soft fiber devices has significantly advanced flexible and wearable technology. However, they still face the risk of damage when exposed to sharp objects in real-life applications. Taking inspiration from nature, self-healable materials that can restore their physical properties after external damage offer a solution to this problem. Nevertheless, large-scale production of self-healable fibers is currently constrained. To address this limitation, this study leverages the thermal drawing technique to create elastic and stretchable self-healable thermoplastic polyurethane (STPU) fibers, enabling cost-effective mass production of such functional fibers. Furthermore, despite substantial research into the mechanisms of self-healable materials, quantifying their healing speed and time poses a persistent challenge. Thus, transmission spectra are employed as a monitoring tool to observe the real-time self-healing process, facilitating an in-depth investigation into the healing kinetics and efficiency. The versatility of the fabricated self-healable fiber extends to its ability to be doped with a wide range of functional materials, including dye molecules and magnetic microparticles, which enables modular assembly to develop distributed strain sensors and soft actuators. These achievements highlight the potential applications of self-healable fibers that seamlessly integrate with daily lives and open up new possibilities in various industries.