Anisotropic Elastomer Ionomer Composite-Based Strain Sensors: Achieving High Sensitivity and Wide Detection for Human Motion Detection and Wireless Transmission.

Anisotropic strain sensors capable of multidirectional sensing are crucial for advanced sensor applications in human motion detection. However, current anisotropic sensors encounter challenges in achieving a balance among high sensitivity, substantial stretchability, and a wide linear detection range. To address these challenges, a facile freeze-casting strategy was employed to construct oriented filler networks composed of carbon nanotubes and conductive carbon black within a brominated butyl rubber ionomer (iBIIR) matrix. The resulting anisotropic sensor based on the iBIIR composites exhibited distinct gauge factors (GF) in the parallel and vertical directions (GF∥ = 4.91, while GF⊥ = 2.24) and a broad linear detection range over a strain range of 190%. This feature enables the sensor to detect various human activities, including uniaxial pulse, finder bending, elbow bending, and cervical spine movements. Moreover, the ion-cross-linking network within the iBIIR, coupled with strong π-cation interactions between the fillers and iBIIR macromolecules, imparted high strength (12.3 MPa, nearly twice that of pure iBIIR) and an ultrahigh elongation at break (>1800%) to the composites. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited exceptional antibacterial effectiveness, surpassing 99% against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Notably, the sensor was capable of wireless sensing. It is anticipated that anisotropic sensors will have extensive application prospects in flexible wearable devices.

Unusual Sabatier principle on high entropy alloy catalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions.

The Sabatier principle is widely explored in heterogeneous catalysis, graphically depicted in volcano plots. The most desirable activity is located at the peak of the volcano, and further advances in activity past this optimum are possible by designing a catalyst that circumvents the limitation entailed by the Sabatier principle. Herein, by density functional theory calculations, we discovered an unusual Sabatier principle on high entropy alloy (HEA) surface, distinguishing the "just right" (ΔGH* = 0 eV) in the Sabatier principle of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A new descriptor was proposed to design HEA catalysts for HER. As a proof-of-concept, the synthesized PtFeCoNiCu HEA catalyst endows a high catalytic performance for HER with an overpotential of 10.8 mV at -10 mA cm-2 and 4.6 times higher intrinsic activity over the state-of-the-art Pt/C. Moreover, the unusual Sabatier principle on HEA catalysts can be extended to other catalytic reactions.

Extraction and characterization of nanocellulose from cattail leaves: Morphological, microstructural and thermal properties.

Hydrogen peroxide combined with acid treatment demonstrates its respective characteristics for the separation of lignocellulosic biomass. Herein, holocellulose was extracted from Cattail leaves (CL) by a two-step treatment with alkali and hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid (HPAA). Then carboxylated nanocellulose was hydrolyzed with a mixed organic/inorganic acid. The chemical composition of the holocellulose and the physicochemical properties of the separated carboxylated nanocellulose were comparable. Carboxyl groups were introduced on the nanocellulose as a result of the esterification process with citric acid (CA), which endows the nanocellulose with high thermal stability (315-318 °C) and good light transmission (>80 %). Furthermore, morphological analyses revealed that nanocellulose had a spider-web-like structure with diameter between 5 and 20 nm.

Highly sensitive and extremely durable wearable e-textiles of graphene/carbon nanotube hybrid for cardiorespiratory monitoring.

Electroconductive textile yarns are of particular interest for their use as flexible and wearable sensors without compromising the properties and comfort of usual textiles. However, the detection of fine actions of the human body is quite challenging since it requires both the relatively higher sensitivity and stability of the sensor. Herein, highly sensitive, ultra-stable, and extremely durable piezoresistive wearable sensors were prepared by loading N-doped rGO and polydopamine-coated carbon nanotubes into silicon rubber tube. The wearable sensors thus produced show an excellent ability to sense subtle movement or stimuli with good sensitivity and repeatability. Furthermore, by bending the straight conductive silicon rubber tube (CSRT) into three different patterns, its sensitivity was then dramatically increased. Finally, the CSRT was found capable of sensing cardiorespiratory signals, indicating that the sensor would be an important step toward realizing bio-signal sensing for next-generation personalized health care applications.

Scalable Fabrication of an MXene/Cotton/Spandex Yarn for Intelligent Wearable Applications.

Wearable sensors based on MXene have attracted attention, but the large-scale production of MXene-based textile materials is still a huge challenge. Hereby, we report a facile way of incorporating MXene into the traditional yarn manufacturing process by dipping and drying MXene into cotton rovings followed by fabricating an MXene/cotton/spandex yarn (MCSY) using friction spinning. The MXene in the MCSY brings electrical conductivity to the MCSY with well-preserved mechanical properties. Due to its wide sensing range from 408 Pa to 10.2 kPa, the MCSY can be used to monitor human motions in real time, such as writing, walking, and wrist bending. In addition, the MCSY exhibits a stable compression sensing performance even under different strains. Furthermore, the MCSY can be sewn into clothing or onto a mask as an embroidery pattern to develop sensing device prototypes capable of detecting touching or breathing. The reported manufacturing technology of the MCSY will lead to an industrial-scale development of MXene-based e-textiles for wearable applications.

Weft-Knitted Spacer Fabric for Highly Stretchable-Compressible Strain Sensor, Supercapacitor, and Joule Heater.

The development of wearable electronic devices has greatly stimulated the research interest of textile-based strain sensors, which can effectively combine functionality with wearability. In this work, the fabrication of highly stretchable and compressible strain sensors from weft-knitted spacer fabric was reported. Carbon nanotubes and polypyrrole were deposited on the surface of fabric via an in situ polymerization approach to reduce the electrical resistance. The as-fabricated WSP-CNT-PPy strain sensor exhibits high electrical conductivity and stable strain-sensing performance under different stretching deformations. The WSP-CNT-PPy strain sensor can be stretched up to 450% and compressed to 60% with a pressure of less than 50 KPa, which can be attributed to the unique loop and interval filament structures. The distinguishing response efficiency of WSP-CNT-PPy can effectively detect faint and strenuous body movements. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of WSP-CNT-PPy was also characterized to study the comprehensive properties. The electro-heating performance was also evaluated for feasible Joule heater applications. This work demonstrates the practicability of WSP-CNT-PPy strain sensor fabric for real-time monitoring in promising wearable garments.

Highly Stretchable Sheath-Core Yarns for Multifunctional Wearable Electronics.

Flexible electronic devices with strain sensing and energy storage functions integrated simultaneously are urgently desirable to detect human motions for potential wearable applications. This paper reports the fabrication of a cotton/carbon nanotube sheath-core yarn deposited with polypyrrole (PPy) for highly multifunctional stretchable wearable electronics. The microscopic structure and morphology of the prepared sheath-core yarn were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. A mechanical experiment demonstrated its excellent stretchable capacity because of its unique spring-like structure. We demonstrate that the sheath-core yarn can be used as wearable strain sensors, exhibiting an ultrahigh strain sensing range (0-350%) and excellent stability. The sheath-core yarn can be used in highly sensitive real time monitoring toward both subtle and large human motions under different conditions. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of the sheath-core yarn was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The measured areal capacitance was 761.2 mF/cm2 at the scanning rate of 1 mV/s. The method of spinning technology may lead to new exploitation of CNTs and PPy in future wearable electronic device applications.

Environmentally Friendly Flexible Strain Sensor from Waste Cotton Fabrics and Natural Rubber Latex.

A green approach was successfully developed to fabricate flexible sensors by utilizing carbonized waste cotton fabrics in combination with natural rubber latex. Waste cotton fabrics were firstly carbonized by heat treatment in the nitrogen atmosphere before they were combined with natural rubber latex using three methods, i.e., vacuum bagging, negative pressure adsorption and drop coating. After impregnation with natural rubber, the carbonized cotton maintained the fabric structure and showed good conductivity. More importantly, the electric resistance of the textile composites changed with the tensile strain. The cyclic stretching-releasing tests indicated that the prepared wearable flexible strain sensors were sensitive to strain and stable under cyclic loading. The flexible strain sensor also demonstrated the capability of monitoring human finger and arm motion.

Physicochemical Properties of Various 2-Hydroxyethylammonium Sulfonate -Based Protic Ionic Liquids and Their Potential Application in Hydrodeoxygenation.

In order to obtain the regularities of physicochemical properties of hydroxy protic ionic liquids (PILs) and broaden their potential application, a series of 2-hydroxyethylammonium sulfonate-based PILs were synthesized through proton transfer reaction and characterized by NMR and FT-IR and elemental analysis. Their phase transfer behavior (T m) and initial decomposition point (T d) were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Meanwhile, the regularities of density (ρ), viscosity (η) and electrical conductivity (σ) of synthesized PILs at different temperatures were measured. The results indicated that their physicochemical properties were tightly related with their structures and the interactions between cations and anions. In addition, the dissociation constants (pKa) of synthesized PILs were obtained by acid-base titration, which revealed that all synthesized PILs had pKa exceeding 7 and their cations were the crux of determining the pKa value. Moreover, several synthesized PILs with a low melting temperature also showed potential application in the deoxidation reaction of cyclohexanol, as they had conversion rates approximating 100% and the selectivity of cyclohexane or cyclohexene was about 80%.

Stretchable and Highly Sensitive Braided Composite Yarn@Polydopamine@Polypyrrole for Wearable Applications.

Flexible wearable devices for various applications have attracted research attention in recent years. To date, it is still a big challenge to fabricate strain sensors with a large workable strain range while maintaining their high sensitivity. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly sensitive wearable strain sensors from braided composite yarns (BYs) by in situ polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) on the surface of yarns after polydopamine templating (BYs-PDA). The electromechanical performance and strain sensing properties of the fabricated braided composite yarn@polydopamine@polypyrrole (BYs-PDA-PPy) were investigated. Because of the unique braided structure of BYs, the BYs-PDA-PPy strain sensors exhibit fascinating performance, including a large workable strain range (up to 105% strain), high sensitivity (gauge factor of 51.2 in strain of 0%-40% and of 27.6 in strain of 40%-105%), long-term stability and great electrical heating performance. Furthermore, the BYs-PDA-PPy sensors can be used in real-time monitoring subtle and large human motions. The BYs-PDA-PPy strain sensors can also be woven into fabrics for large area electric heating. These results demonstrate the potential of BYs-PDA-PPy in wearable electronics.

Large-Scale Production of Highly Stretchable CNT/Cotton/Spandex Composite Yarn for Wearable Applications.

Incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into textiles without sacrificing their intrinsic properties provides a promising platform in exploring wearable technology. However, manufacture of flexible, durable, and stretchable CNT/textile composites on an industrial scale is still a great challenge. We hereby report a facile way of incorporating CNTs into the traditional yarn manufacturing process by dipping and drying CNTs into cotton rovings followed by fabricating CNT/cotton/spandex composite yarn (CCSCY) in sirofil spinning. The existence of CNTs in CCSCY brings electrical conductivity to CCSCY while the mechanical properties and stretchability are preserved. We demonstrate that the CCSCY can be used as wearable strain sensors, exhibiting ultrahigh strain sensing range, excellent stability, and good washing durability. Furthermore, CCSCY can be used to accurately monitor the real-time human motions, such as leg bending, walking, finger bending, wrist activity, clenching fist, bending down, and pronouncing words. We also demonstrate that the CCSCY can be assembled into knitted fabrics as the conductors with electric heating performance. The reported manufacturing technology of CCSCY could lead to an industrial-scale development of e-textiles for wearable applications.

A systems pharmacology-oriented discovery of a new therapeutic use of the TCM formula Liuweiwuling for liver failure.

Multiple components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae determine their treatment targets for multiple diseases as opposed to a particular disease. However, discovering the unexplored therapeutic potential of a TCM formula remains challenging and costly. Inspired by the drug repositioning methodology, we propose an integrated strategy to feasibly identify new therapeutic uses for a formula composed of six herbs, Liuweiwuling. First, we developed a comprehensive systems approach to enrich drug compound-liver disease networks to analyse the major predicted diseases of Liuweiwuling and discover its potential effect on liver failure. The underlying mechanisms were subsequently predicted to mainly attribute to a blockade of hepatocyte apoptosis via a synergistic combination of multiple effects. Next, a classical pharmacology experiment was designed to validate the effects of Liuweiwuling on different models of fulminant liver failure induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS) or thioacetamide (TAA). The results indicated that pretreatment with Liuweiwuling restored liver function and reduced lethality induced by GalN/LPS or TAA in a dose-dependent manner, which was partially attributable to the abrogation of hepatocyte apoptosis by multiple synergistic effects. In summary, the integrated strategy discussed in this paper may provide a new approach for the more efficient discovery of new therapeutic uses for TCM formulae.

Conductive Cotton Fabrics for Motion Sensing and Heating Applications.

Conductive cotton fabric was prepared by coating single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a knitted cotton fabric surface through a "dip-and-dry" method. The combination of CNTs and cotton fabric was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The CNTs coating improved the mechanical properties of the fabric and imparted conductivity to the fabric. The electromechanical performance of the CNT-cotton fabric (CCF) was evaluated. Strain sensors made from the CCF exhibited a large workable strain range (0~100%), fast response and great stability. Furthermore, CCF-based strain sensors was used to monitor the real-time human motions, such as standing, walking, running, squatting and bending of finger and elbow. The CCF also exhibited strong electric heating effect. The flexible strain sensors and electric heaters made from CCF have potential applications in wearable electronic devices and cold weather conditions.

[Inhibitory effect and mechanism of deoxyschizandrin on NLRP3 inflammasome].

This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect and the molecular mechanism of deoxyschizandrin on the activity of NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were used to study the effects of deoxyschizandrin on inflammasome activation using inflammasome inducers (ATP and nigericin). Cytotoxic effect was evaluated with CCK-8. The expression of IL-1ß, caspase-1 in the supernatant and the expression of pro-caspase-1, pro-IL-1ß, ASC, NLRP3 in cell was detected by Western blot for the inhibitory effect of deoxyschizandrin (25, 50, 100 and 200 µmol·L(−1)) on the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome. Immunofluorescence was applied to investigate NF-κB (p65) transportation to the nucleus. The results of CCK-8 showed that the optimum concentration of deoxyschizandrin was 6.25­400 µmol·L(−1). Deoxyschizandrin (25, 50, 100, and 200 µmol·L(−1)) could inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome caused by nigericin and ATP, and inhibit the secretion of IL-1ß, which was associated with inhibiting the cleavage of pro-caspase-1. The results of immunofluorescence and Western blot also suggest that the inhibitory activity of deoxyschizandrin on NLRP3 inflammasome was not dependent on NF-κB pathway and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1ß mediated by NF-κB. Our results confirmed that deoxyschizandrin could suppress the cleavage of pro-caspase-1 and inhibit the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome at 25­200 µmol·L−1 to reduce the inflammation response.This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect and the molecular mechanism of deoxyschizandrin on the activity of NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family,pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were used to study the effects of deoxyschizandrin on inflammasome activation using inflammasome inducers (ATP and nigericin). Cytotoxic effect was evaluated with CCK-8.The expression of IL-1ß,caspase-1 in the supernatant and the expression of pro-caspase-1,pro-IL-1ß,ASC,NLRP3 in cell was detected by Western blot for the inhibitory effect of deoxyschizandrin (25, 50, 100 and 200 µmol·L(-1)) on the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome. Immunofluorescence was applied to investigate NF-κB (p65) transportation to the nucleus. The results of CCK-8 showed that the optimum concentration of deoxyschizandrin was 6.25-400 µmol·L(-1). Deoxyschizandrin (25, 50, 100,and 200 µmol·L(-1)) could inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome caused by nigericin and ATP, and inhibit the secretion of IL-1ß, which was associated with inhibiting the cleavage of pro-caspase-1.The results of immunofluorescence and Western blot also suggest that the inhibitory activity of deoxyschizandrin on NLRP3 inflammasome was not dependent on NF-κB pathway and protein expression of NLRP3,ASC,pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1ßmediated by NF-κB. Our results confirmed that deoxyschizandrin could suppress the cleavage of pro-caspase-1 and inhibit the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome at 25-200 µmol·L(-1) to reduce the inflammation response.

[Determination of flavones in different origin and parts of Bupleurum smithii var. parvifoliaum by UPLC-PDA].

An ultra performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for determination of flavones in different origin and different parts from Bupleurum smithii var. parvifoliaum. The separation was performed at 30 degrees C on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column eluted with methanol and 0.1% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phases in gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 256 nm and the flow rate was 0.4 mL x min(-1). There flavones of rutin, quercetin and isorhamnetin were separated well, the linear calibration curves were obtained over the ranges of 0.106-1.06 microg for rutin (r = 0.999 8, n = 6), 0.004 87-0.048 7 microg for quercetin (r = 0. 999 7, n = 6), 0.022 0-0.220 microg for isorhamnetin (r = 0.999 8, n = 6). The mean recoveries of the three compounds were 99.3%, 97.8%, 98.9% with RSD of 2.4%, 3.0%, 3.2%. The result showed that the method is convenient and feasible for determination of the flavone content in B. smithii var. parvifoliaum.

[Effect of Composite Yinchen Tablet on lymphocyte proliferation in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Composite Yinchen Tablet (CYT) on lymphocytes proliferation in mice. METHODS: By the method of 3H-TdR admixing, the effect of CYT on lymphocytes proliferation in mice were detected in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: CYT in high, medium and low dose could significantly increase the cpm level of 3H-TdR. CYT could improve the lymphocytes function of mice. CONCLUSION: CYT could enhance cellular immune function.

[Pharmacodynamics study on "tao hua zhi xie granule"].

The anthraco-propulsion and the drug induced mice diarrhea models were used to observe the intestine propulsion and the anti-diarrhea effect of "Tao Hua Zhi Xie Granule" (THZXG), and the anti-inflammation effect of THZXG was studied. The results showed that THZXG could obviously reduce the incidence and frequency of the mice diarrhea induced by Folium Sennae and castor-oil, and propelling movement of mice small intestine after hypodermic injection of neostigmine. The actions were acted in a dose-dependent manner. 11.70 and 17.55 mg/kg THZXG(ig) could also inhibit the increased permeability of intraperitoneal capillary induced by acetic acid in mice.

[Proceedings of new drug delivery systems and their applications in the traditional Chinese drugs].

By referred to a lot of data, some new drug delivery systems(DDSs) including the Sustained and Controlled DDS, the Targeted DDS, the Transdermal DDS, the Bioadhensive DDS, the PowderJect DDS and the Self-Emulsifying DDS and their applications in TCD since 2000, will be summarized and some latest DDSs in the world including drug-eluting stents, gene therapy carrier system, biological chip, biomolecular motor-powered nanodevice and nanotrap will be also introduced in this paper. The objective of this paper is to introduce the new DDSs proceedings of and their applications in the Traditional Chinese Drugs(TCDs) and to provide some references for the pharmaceutics of TCD. For several recent years, the great success have been achieved in studying the new DDS application in the change of preparation of TCD by the investigators at home, but there is a large difference between at home and at board. So it is necessary to make a greater advance. During the modernization of TCD, there is an effective way that the new drug delivery systems(DDSs) will be applied in the change of the preparation of TCD.

[In vitro evaluation on the effects of combined lamivudine (3TC) and Ara-AMP against hepatitis B virus].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the inhibitive effect of combination of 3TC with Ara-AMP against HBV in vitro. METHODS: Used 2.2.15 cell as target cell. With radioimmunological technique and blot slot, the inhibitive effect of 3TC, Ara-AMP and the combination of both against the HBsAg, HBeAg and intracellular HBV DNA were investigated. RESULTS: The inhibitive ratio of Ara-AMP against HBsAg, HBeAg was 45.48% and 41.46% respectively when its concentration was 400.0 microgram/ml. Although 3TC also has inhibitive effect in its experimental concentration, its effect is weaker. When Ara-AMP 50.0 microgram/ml was combined with 3TC 1.25 and 5.00 microgram/ml respectively, the inhibitive ratio against HBsAg were 19.92% and 17.32% respectively. Compared with using same concentration 3TC alone, the difference of results was significant (P<0.05). But when compared with using the same concentration Ara-AMP alone, the difference of results had no statistical significance (P <0.05). Remarkable inhibitive effects of combination of 3TC with Ara-AMP against HBeAg were n ot found. When 3TC 5.00 microgram/ml was combined with Ara-AMP 12.5 and 50.0 microgram/ml respectively, the inhibitive ratio against HBV DNA was 45.90% and 50.36% respectively. Comparing the content of HBV DNA in these groups with that of control group and the groups using the same concentration 3TC and Ara-AMP alone, the differences were significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of 3TC with Ara-AMP could enhance the inhibitive effects against HBV DNA.