Coordinated Patient Care via Mobile Phone-Based Telemedicine in Secondary Stroke Prevention: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To prevent recurrent stroke, patients need to follow evidence-based practices following discharge; however, adherence to these practices is suboptimal. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a smartphone mobile application can improve medication adherence and stroke awareness in secondary stroke prevention. METHODS: A retrospective study design was used. Patients with ischemic stroke registered in a database between August 2018 and January 2019 were enrolled. Propensity score matching was used to match patients managed with the mobile application compared with regular practice in a 1:2 ratio. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were paired with 123 controls. Three-month medication adherence was 93.8% in the application group versus 82.9% in the control group ( P = .036). Patients in the application group were more likely to know stroke warning signs ( P = .003) and when to call an ambulance for stroke symptoms (87.7% vs 72.4%, P = .016). CONCLUSIONS: Using a mobile application may increase medication adherence and stroke awareness in secondary stroke prevention.

A comprehensive review of anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes in relation to microbial community and enhancement process.

Organic solid wastes (OSWs) should be regarded as valuable resources rather than dead-end landfill waste that causes public health and odor concerns. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an ideal approach for managing organic solid waste issues and involves using a group of anaerobic microorganisms to transform OSWs into useful products. In this review, over 100 publications related to AD of OSWs have been compiled, discussed, and analyzed. A comprehensive analysis of the environmental and safety impacts of AD, its key environmental factors, co-digestion, and pretreatment, as well as the AD of OSWs by various anaerobic microbes uncovered by high throughput sequencing-based approaches, is presented. The purpose of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of AD processes from a multi-angle perspective. A comprehensive understanding of AD of OSWs and genome-enabled biology development could be helpful for providing up-to-date knowledge of AD, developing it, overcoming its drawbacks and, ultimately, improving global waste control for more efficient environmental management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rectangular Co3O4 with micro-/nanoarchitectures: charge-driven PDDA-assisted synthesis and excellent lithium storage performance.

For the first time, two dimensional (2D) rectangular Co3O4 with micro-/nanoarchitectures is successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment with the assistance of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). Owing to the strong electrostatic interaction, positively charged PDDA molecules are considered as structure directing agents and play a crucial role in the formation of the unique 2D rectangular structure. Material characterization suggests that rectangular Co3O4 is typically endowed with a side length of 3-5 µm and a thickness of around 85 nm, and is composed of numerous interconnected nanocrystals about 15 nm in size. The interconnected nanocrystals provide few trap numbers for the electron transport process and contribute to the mesoporous structure with an average pore size of 18 nm. Thus, the distinctive micro-/nanoarchitectures effectively address the formidable challenges of Co3O4-based anode materials, highly favourable for enhancing lithium ion diffusion, improving electron transport pathways and alleviating volume variation during charge-discharge processes. When rectangular Co3O4 (FST-1) is evaluated as anode material for lithium ion batteries, a high reversible capacity of 1076.9 mA h g(-1) and an excellent first cycle Coulombic efficiency of 88.6% are achieved at a current density of 500 mA g(-1), thus delivering a capacity retention of nearly 100% after 100 cycles. Moreover, when tested at current densities as high as 1000 mA g(-1) and 2000 mA g(-1) for 100 cycles, lithium storage capacities can still be retained at 1020.2 mA h g(-1) and 616.4 mA h g(-1), respectively. Interestingly, by simply varying the reaction conditions or types of positively charged polymers, the polyelectrolyte-assisted hydrothermal route can be successfully extended to synthesize other novel micro-/nanoarchitectures, such as straw-tied-like and urchin-like structures, demonstrating great potential in developing next-generation anode materials for high performance lithium ion batteries.

Pyrosequencing of mcrA and archaeal 16S rRNA genes reveals diversity and substrate preferences of methanogen communities in anaerobic digesters.

Methanogenic archaea play a key role in biogas-producing anaerobic digestion and yet remain poorly taxonomically characterized. This is in part due to the limitations of low-throughput Sanger sequencing of a single (16S rRNA) gene, which in the past may have undersampled methanogen diversity. In this study, archaeal communities from three sludge digesters in Hong Kong and one wastewater digester in China were examined using high-throughput pyrosequencing of the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) and 16S rRNA genes. Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanosarcinales were detected in each digester, indicating that both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis was occurring. Two sludge digesters had similar community structures, likely due to their similar design and feedstock. Taxonomic classification of the mcrA genes suggested that these digesters were dominated by acetoclastic methanogens, particularly Methanosarcinales, while the other digesters were dominated by hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales. The proposed euryarchaeotal order Methanomassiliicoccales and the uncultured WSA2 group were detected with the 16S rRNA gene, and potential mcrA genes for these groups were identified. 16S rRNA gene sequencing also recovered several crenarchaeotal groups potentially involved in the initial anaerobic digestion processes. Overall, the two genes produced different taxonomic profiles for the digesters, while greater methanogen richness was detected using the mcrA gene, supporting the use of this functional gene as a complement to the 16S rRNA gene to better assess methanogen diversity. A significant positive correlation was detected between methane production and the abundance of mcrA transcripts in digesters treating sludge and wastewater samples, supporting the mcrA gene as a biomarker for methane yield.

Rodenticide poisoning leading to cerebral hemorrhage: A case report.

RATIONALE: Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are a substantial fraction of murine types. AR poisoning causes bleeding from the skin, mucous membranes, and multiple organs. However, reports of AR-induced cerebral hemorrhage are scarce. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old male presented with dizziness, headache, and limb weakness for 5 days and with coagulopathy. Two days prior to the onset of these symptoms, the patient was exposed to dead mice. DIAGNOSES: Rodenticide intoxication-induced cerebral hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS: Vitamin K1 infusion, administration of dehydrating agents to reduce intracranial pressure, and correction of acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. OUTCOMES: After 9 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms were relieved, and reexamination revealed that coagulation parameters returned to normal levels. The patient was eventually discharged for observation with oral vitamin K1. CONCLUSIONS: Rodenticide poisoning can lead to intracerebral hemorrhage, and treatment with vitamin K1 infusion is effective. LESSON: Rodenticide poisoning-induced cerebral hemorrhage is rarely reported. Because its symptoms are nonspecific, it is easy to miss the diagnosis or misdiagnose. When patients present with direct and indirect symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and limb weakness, rodenticide poisoning should be considered. Coagulation function and head computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examination should be performed at the earliest to confirm the diagnosis and provide timely treatment.

Molecular mechanism of a novel root-end filling material containing zirconium oxide on the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Although the novel root-end filling material containing zirconium oxide (NRFM-Zr) which is hydroxyapatite-based may promote osteoblast differentiation, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate it underlying the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells induced by NRFM-Zr, compared with calcium silicate-based mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and glass ionomer cement (GIC). Firstly, three different types of root filling materials were co-cultured with MG-63 cells, and their cell toxicity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and calcium ion concentration were evaluated. Next, gene expression profiling microarray was employed to analyze the impact of the materials on the gene expression profile of MG-63 cells. The results of cell viability revealed that NRFM-Zr group had no significant difference compared to the negative control group. After 5 and 7 days of cultivation, both the NRFM-Zr and MTA groups exhibited significantly higher ALP activity compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). Moreover, the NRFM-Zr group had the highest calcium ion concentration, while the GIC group was the lowest (p < 0.05). Gene expression profiling microarray analysis identified 2915 (NRFM-Zr), 2254 (MTA) and 392 (GIC) differentially expressed genes, respectively. GO functional and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes of NRFM-Zr, MTA and GIC participated in 8, 6 and 0 differentiation-related pathways, respectively. Comparing the molecular mechanisms of osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation induced by hydroxyapatite-based NRFM-Zr and calcium silicate-based MTA, it was found that they shared similarities in their molecular mechanisms of promoting osteogenic differentiation. NRFM-Zr primarily promotes differentiation and inhibits cell apoptosis, thereby enhancing osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of MG-63 cells. Furthermore, the inducing efficacy of NRFM-Zr was found to be superior to MTA.

Study on influence of external factors on the electrical excitability of PC12 quasi-neuronal networks through Voltage Threshold Measurement Method.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of four different external factors (acetylcholine, ethanol, temperature and lidocaine hydrochloride) on PC12 quasi-neuronal networks by multielectrode-array-based Voltage Threshold Measurement Method (VTMM). At first, VTMM was employed to measure the lowest amplitude of the voltage stimulating pulses that could just trigger the action potential from PC12 quasi-neuronal networks under normal conditions, and the amplitude was defined as the normal voltage threshold (VTh). Then the changes of the VTh of PC12 quasi-neuronal networks treated by the four external factors were tested respectively. The results showed the normal VTh of PC12 quasi-neuronal networks was 36 mV. The VTh has negative correlation with the concentration of acetylcholine and has positive correlation with the concentration of ethanol. The curves of the correlation of the VTh with temperature and the concentration of lidocaine hydrochloride were U-shaped and Λ-shaped respectively. Comparing with our earlier studies on hippocampal neuronal networks and hippocampal slices, PC12 quasi-neuronal networks not only had the same typical voltage threshold characteristic, but also had similar changes on electrical excitability when treated by the four external factors mentioned above. Therefore, the rapid-formed PC12 quasi-neuronal networks could replace neuronal networks in proper conditions, and VTMM could be used to analyze the influence of external factors on the electrical excitability of PC12 quasi-neuronal networks.

Effects of nurse-led multidisciplinary team management on cardiovascular hospitalization and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is globally the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia which increases patient morbidity and mortality, dramatically influencing well-being. Despite substantial efforts, an optimal clinical pathway for chronic atrial fibrillation management has yet to be developed. In recent practice, a multidisciplinary team management has been recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, experiments exploring nurse-led multidisciplinary team management in chronic atrial fibrillation management relative to standard clinical management are still sparse and limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a nurse-led multidisciplinary team approach on cardiovascular hospitalization and death, and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The Cardiology Department of a tertiary referral hospital in Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who consented. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned into one of two Cardiology Units upon admission. Patients in the control group (n = 119) received usual care and those in the intervention group (n = 116) underwent a nurse-led multidisciplinary team approach. Follow-up lasted for 12 months. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular death. The secondary endpoint was the differences in the quality of life between the groups observed at 6 months and 12 months of follow-up, compared to the baseline data, as determined using a Chinese version of the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 General Health Survey. RESULTS: Patients under intervention showed a fewer cardiovascular hospitalization (17 vs. 35, p = 0.006) than those receiving usual care. Discernible differences were also observed in rates of cardiovascular hospitalization between the two groups (hazard ratio: 2.115, 95% confidential interval: 1.228-3.643, log-rank = 6.746, p = 0.009). Quality of life was improved in both groups, but more so in the intervention group (scores, 588.0 ± 106.0 vs. 519.1 ± 120.7 at 6 months and 674.4 ± 53.4 vs. 584.1 ± 105.9 at 12 months; both p < 0.001). Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that group-by-time and between-subjects effects in respect of patients' quality of life (F = 9.310, p < 0.01; F = 29.042, p < 0.01, respectively). No relationships were found with cardiovascular death. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led multidisciplinary team management reduces cardiovascular hospitalization and improves quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation, suggesting that this innovative management approach should be implemented in clinical practice. REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800018851).

A flexible electrode array for determining regions of motor function activated by epidural spinal cord stimulation in rats with spinal cord injury.

Epidural stimulation of the spinal cord is a promising technique for the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. The key challenges within the reconstruction of motor function for paralyzed limbs are the precise control of sites and parameters of stimulation. To activate lower-limb muscles precisely by epidural spinal cord stimulation, we proposed a high-density, flexible electrode array. We determined the regions of motor function that were activated upon epidural stimulation of the spinal cord in a rat model with complete spinal cord, which was established by a transection method. For evaluating the effect of stimulation, the evoked potentials were recorded from bilateral lower-limb muscles, including the vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius. To determine the appropriate stimulation sites and parameters of the lower muscles, the stimulation characteristics were studied within the regions in which motor function was activated upon spinal cord stimulation. In the vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius, these regions were symmetrically located at the lateral site of L1 and the medial site of L2 vertebrae segment, respectively. The tibialis anterior and semitendinosus only responded to stimulation simultaneously with other muscles. The minimum and maximum stimulation threshold currents of the vastus lateralis were higher than those of the medial gastrocnemius. Our results demonstrate the ability to identify specific stimulation sites of lower muscles using a high-density and flexible array. They also provide a reference for selecting the appropriate conditions for implantable stimulation for animal models of spinal cord injury. This study was approved by the Animal Research Committee of Southeast University, China (approval No. 20190720001) on July 20, 2019.

Bacteria-mediated PAH degradation in soil and sediment.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the natural environment and easily accumulate in soil and sediment due to their low solubility and high hydrophobicity, rendering them less available for biological degradation. However, microbial degradation is a promising mechanism which is responsible for the ecological recovery of PAH-contaminated soil and sediment for removing these recalcitrant compounds compared with chemical degradation of PAHs. The goal of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of biodegradation of PAHs in related aspects. Over 102 publications related to PAH biodegradation in soil and sediment are compiled, discussed, and analyzed. This review aims to discuss PAH degradation under various redox potential conditions, the factors affecting the biodegradation rates, degrading bacteria, the relevant genes in molecular monitoring methods, and some recent-year bioremediation field studies. The comprehensive understanding of the bioremediation kinetics and molecular means will be helpful for optimizing and monitoring the process, and overcoming its limitations in practical projects.

Conjoint analysis of influence of LC-HCL and Mor-HCL on Vth and neurite length in hippocampal neuronal network.

Lidocaine hydrochloride (LC-HCl) and morphine hydrochloride (Mor-HCl) are two kinds of most prevalently used anesthetics. However, their influences on electrical excitability of hippocampal neuronal networks and hippocampal brain slices were rarely studied. Previously, our group have assessed the influence of acetylcholine, alcohol and temperature change on the excitability of neural networks with the so-called Voltage Threshold Measurement Method (VTMM) based on microelectrode array (MEA). In this paper, we will study the influence of LC-HCl and Mor-HCl on the electrical excitability of neural networks and the morphological features of neurons, and discuss the relations between the changes of electrical excitability of neural networks and the morphological changes of neurons. The results of VTMM showed: The voltage threshold (VTh) of hippocampal neuronal networks and hippocampal brain slices first increased and then decreased as the LC-HCl concentration increased. The VTh of hippocampal neuronal networks and hippocampal brain slices increased as the Mor-HCl concentration increased. The results of HCS experiments showed: The neurite length change of cultured hippocampal neuronal networks increased first and then decreased with increased LC-HCl concentration, but decreased as the Mor-HCl concentration increased. The combined analysis of VTMM and HCS experiments showed that under effects of the two drugs, the VTh and the hippocampal neurite length were strongly negatively correlated.

Influence of spinal cord injury on core regions of motor function.

Functional electrical stimulation is an effective way to rebuild hindlimb motor function after spinal cord injury. However, no site map exists to serve as a reference for implanting stimulator electrodes. In this study, rat models of thoracic spinal nerve 9 contusion were established by a heavy-impact method and rat models of T6/8/9 spinal cord injury were established by a transection method. Intraspinal microstimulation was performed to record motion types, site coordinates, and threshold currents induced by stimulation. After transection (complete injury), the core region of hip flexion migrated from the T13 to T12 vertebral segment, and the core region of hip extension migrated from the L1 to T13 vertebral segment. Migration was affected by post-transection time, but not transection segment. Moreover, the longer the post-transection time, the longer the distance of migration. This study provides a reference for spinal electrode implantation after spinal cord injury. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Nantong University, China (approval No. 20190225-008) on February 26, 2019.

A hybrid method for real-time stimulation artefact removal during functional electrical stimulation with time-variant parameters.

Objective. In this study, a hybrid method combining hardware and software architecture is proposed to remove stimulation artefacts (SAs) and extract the volitional surface electromyography (sEMG) in real time during functional electrical stimulations (FES) with time-variant parameters.Approach. First, an sEMG detection front-end (DFE) combining fast recovery, detector and stimulator isolation and blanking is developed and is capable of preventing DFE saturation with a blanking time of 7.6 ms. The fragment between the present stimulus and previous stimulus is set as an SA fragment. Second, an SA database is established to provide six high-similarity templates with the current SA fragment. The SA fragment will be de-artefacted by a 6th-order Gram-Schmidt (GS) algorithm, a template-subtracting method, using the provided templates, and this database-based GS algorithm is called DBGS. The provided templates are previously collected SA fragments with the same or a similar evoking FES intensity to that of the current SA fragment, and the lengths of the templates are longer than that of the current SA fragment. After denoising, the sEMG will be extracted, and the current SA fragment will be added to the SA database. The prototype system based on DBGS was tested on eight able-bodied volunteers and three individuals with stroke to verify its capacity for stimulation removal and sEMG extraction.Results.The average stimulus artefact attenuation factor, SA index and correlation coefficient between clean sEMG and extracted sEMG for 6th-order DBGS were 12.77 ± 0.85 dB, 1.82 ± 0.37 dB and 0.84 ± 0.33 dB, respectively, which were significantly higher than those for empirical mode decomposition combined with notch filters, pulse-triggered GS algorithm, 1st-order and 3rd-order DBGS. The sEMG-torque correlation coefficients were 0.78 ± 0.05 and 0.48 ± 0.11 for able-bodied volunteers and individuals with stroke, respectively.Significance.The proposed hybrid method can extract sEMG during dynamic FES in real time.

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production.

A method for facile synthesis of nanostructured catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes with atomically dispersed cobalt and nitrogen dopant is presented herein. The novel strategy is based on a facile one-pot pyrolysis treatment of cobalt (II) acetylacetonate and nitrogen-rich organic precursors under Ar atmosphere at 800 °C, resulting in the formation of Co- and N- co-doped carbon nanotube with earthworm-like morphology. The obtained catalyst was found to have a high density of defect sites, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Here, cobalt (II) nanoparticles were stabilized on the atomically dispersed cobalt- and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. The catalyst was confirmed to be effective in the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane, in which the turnover frequency was 5.87 mol H2·molCo-1·min-1, and the specific hydrogen generation rate was determined to be 2447 mL H2·gCo-1·min-1. A synergistic function between the Co nanoparticle and the doped carbon nanotubes was proposed for the first time in the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane reaction under a mild condition. The resulting hydrogen production with its high energy density and minimal refueling time could be suitable for future development as energy sources for mobile and stationary applications such as road trucks and forklifts in transport and logistics.

Effect of Pretreatment on Detection of 37 Pesticide Residues in Chrysanthemum indicum.

This study aimed to develop a method, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, for detecting 37 pesticides in Chrysanthemum indicum (C. indicum) and investigating the decrease in the matrix-induced enhancement effect. The influence of QuEChERS extraction and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) on the recovery and matrix effect (ME) was compared. extraction and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) on the recovery and matrix effect (ME) was compared to decrease the ME. The cleanup sorbents, volume and type of solvent, and treatment time were optimized. The accuracy (as recovery), precision (as relative standard deviation, RSD), linearity, limit of quantitation, and limit of detection were determined. The recoveries at the three levels using mixed standard solution ranged between 76% and 120% with RSD ≤15%, and 76% and 120% with RSD ≤11% for MSPD and QuEChERS extraction, respectively. The results suggested that the ME for 21 pesticides was in the range of 80%-120% after MSPD and 15% after QuEChERS extraction. QuEChERS extraction was simpler and faster than MSPD. This methodology was applied in the analysis of 27 C. indicum samples; phorate was most frequently detected (63.0% of the sample).

System Design and Experimental Research of Neural Signal Blocking based on Spike Trapping Principle.

Different neural signal blocking technologies provide potential therapy for various diseases caused by pathological or involuntary neural activities. In this paper, a novel neural signal blocking concept based on spike-trapping principle is introduced. The blocking system was designed and implemented. In the system, a compound action potential was induced by a proximal stimulus, and a blocking signal was generated after a neural signal was detected, which was applied to the distal end of the nerve to block the nerve conduction. The reliability of the system was verified on bullfrog sciatic nerve gastrocnemius muscle specimens. The optimal blocking signal parameters, the relationship between nerve diameter and blocking threshold voltage, and the nerve safety of blocking signals were explored. The experimental results show that the system is possible to block a pathological or involuntary neural signal automatically. The average voltage of block threshold and the minimum pulse width are -1.66 V and 120 ms, respectively. The blocking threshold decreases as the diameter of the nerve increases. The blocking signals at the threshold level are safe for the stimulated nerve.

An Anti Stimulation Artifacts and M-waves Surface Electromyography Detector with a Short Blanking Time.

A surface electromyography (sEMG) detector, that not only removes stimulation artifacts entirely but also increases the recording time, has been developed in this paper. The sEMG detector consists of an sEMG detection circuit and a stimulation isolator. The sEMG detection circuit employs a stimulus isolate switch (SIS), a blanking (BLK) and non-linear feed-back (NFB) circuit to remove the artifacts and to increase the recording time. In the SIS, the connection between stimulator and stimulation electrodes, along with the stimulation electrodes and the ground are controlled by an opto-isolator, and the connection of instrument amplifier and the recording electrodes are controlled by CMOS-based switches. The mode switches of the BLK and the NFB circuit also employs CMOS-based switches. By an accurate timing adjustment, the voluntary EMG can be recorded during electrical stimulation. Two 6 able-bodied experiments have been performed to test the three anti-artifact sEMG detector: BLK, BLK&SIS, BLK&SIS&NFB. The results indicate that the BLK&SIS&NFB proposed in this work effectively removes stimulus artifacts and M-waves, and has a longer recording time compared with BLK and BLK&SIS circuits.

Design and Experimental Research of Implantable Lower Esophageal Sphincter Stimulator Based on Android Bluetooth.

The aim of this study is to design an implantable Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) stimulator connected and controlled by an Android Bluetooth for the treatment of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Then the animal experiments are carried out to evaluate the function of the system. The LES stimulator is composed of an external controller, an Android application (APP) via a smart phone and an implantable electronic device (IED). The external controller is designed to receive the settings parameters information sent by the Android APP via a Bluetooth module, and then is programmed to generate specific electrical stimulation pulses to the LES. The Android APP controls the start and stop of stimulation and the settings of stimulation parameters. The in vivo IED consists of a bipolar stimulating lead, a bipolar head connector and a receiving module. The bipolar stimulating lead is constructed of biocompatible materials: platinum-iridium electrodes which are coated with parylene and an outer silicone rubber sheathing. The size of the receiving module has been significantly decreased to 20×20×2 mm3, which is packaged by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and proposed to deliver stimulation pulses from the external controller to the implantable lead. The one-month implantation experiment on rabbits has been performed to evaluate the LES stimulator. The results indicate that the proposed LES stimulator meets the requirements of the functions, effectiveness and safety.

Tuning the Acidity of Pt/ CNTs Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Diphenyl Ether.

We herein present a method for the synthesis of HNbWO6, HNbMoO6, HTaWO6 solid acid nanosheet modified Pt/CNTs. By varying the weight of various solid acid nanosheets, a series of Pt/xHMNO6/CNTs with different solid acid compositions (x = 5, 20 wt%; M = Nb, Ta; N = Mo, W) have been prepared by carbon nanotube pretreatment, protonic exchange, solid acid exfoliation, aggregation and finally Pt particles impregnation. The Pt/xHMNO6/CNTs are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and NH3-temperature programmed desorption. The study revealed that HNbWO6 nanosheets were attached on CNTs, with some edges of the nanosheets being bent in shape. The acid strength of the supported Pt catalysts increases in the following order: Pt/CNTs < Pt/5HNbWO6/CNTs < Pt/20HNbMoO6/CNTs < Pt/20HNbWO6/CNTs < Pt/20HTaWO6/CNTs. In addition, the catalytic hydroconversion of lignin-derived model compound: diphenyl ether using the synthesized Pt/20HNbWO6 catalyst has been investigated.