A novel intraocular pressure predicting method based on hyperelastic mechanical model of cornea.

Measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) is crucial and remains challenging in diagnosing glaucoma, as it is associated with cornea deformation during inflation. In this study, a three-dimensional analytical model based on hyperelastic constitutive relationship to predict correlation between cornea vertex displacement and the IOP is proposed. The analytical model is validated by rigorous experiments. Rabbit corneas were selected for this study and their mechanical properties were obtained using uniaxial tensile tests. To mimic the environment in which the cornea exists, an artificial anterior chamber equipped with water-injection pipelines was constructed to study the relationship between the corneal vertex displacement with IOP value in practical situation. The experimental results of rabbits corneas prove that the IOP can be deduced based on the measured corneal vertex displacement by the analytical model. Furthermore, subtle difference occurs when comparing the calculated human IOPs with those measured by medical equipment, demonstrating that the proposed method is suitable for monitoring the IOP of human. This novel IOP predicting method provides new inspiration for the design of eyepieces, as well as the preoperative preparation for laser surgery and evaluation of corneal damage.

Life cycle assessment of secondary use and physical recycling of lithium-ion batteries retired from electric vehicles in China.

With the rapid development of the global new energy vehicle industry, how to minimize the environmental impact of the recovery has become a common concern and urgent concern. China is a major production and consumption market for electric vehicles, there are no specific and extensive resource and environmental assessment system for batteries. In this paper, the retired Electric vehicles lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was the research object, and a specific analysis of the recycling treatment and gradual use stages of power batteries were based on life cycle assessment. Different battery assessment scenarios were established according to the development of battery recycling in China. The results showed that the secondary use has the optimal performance compared to the full-component physical, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgy recycling. The results showed that direct recycling has a GWP of 0.037 kg-CO2 eq·kg LIB-1, which is lower than others. Secondary use of LIB accounts for the most emission reductions with Global warming (GWP) as 12.134 kg-CO2 eq·kg LIB-1. The secondary use has the greatest impact on the assessment results, especially in dynamic scenarios. Through a comprehensive comparison of different recycling technologies, the secondary use, increasing the recycling rate, reducing resource, energy consumption and pollution emissions.

Tailored modifications of the electronic properties of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons by first-principles calculations.

The electronic structure of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons was investigated by first-principles calculations. As a splice structure, we first computed the three magnetic coupled states of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons. After self-consistent calculations, both the antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic coupling states become ferromagnetic coupling states. It was proved that the ferromagnetic coupling state is the most stable state. Thermodynamic stability was subsequently verified based on the ferromagnetic coupling state. It had a steady electron spin polarization, with a magnetic moment of 1 µB for each primitive cell. It changed from a direct band-gap semiconductor to an indirect band-gap semiconductor and exhibited the properties of a narrow band gap semiconductor through the analysis of the energy band and charge density. To transform the electronic structure, we adsorbed different transition metals in g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons. We investigated the electronic structure of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons adsorbed by different transition metals. It was shown that the electronic structure of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons could be regulated by the adsorption of different transition metal atoms. Moreover, the adsorption of Fe and Ni can generate a 100% polarized current in the Fermi surface, which will provide more application potential for spintronics devices.

Doping atom improves photocatalytic performance in a new metal-free organic photocatalyst for water splitting.

Photocatalytic water splitting, using solar energy to obtain hydrogen, is an ideal technology for producing new energy. In the process of photocatalysis, the improvement of the catalytic performance of the catalysts used is a matter of great concern to scientists. So far, there are many problems preventing improvements in photocatalytic performance. In this paper, we propose an atom-doping method, which is an effective method to improve the catalytic performance. We present a type of graphene-like carbon nitride material, whose primitive cell is composed of 12 carbon atoms and 14 nitrogen atoms, so it is denoted as g-C12N14. The energy band, density of states, and optical absorption spectrum of g-C12N14 have been studied using first-principles calculations. From the characteristics of these properties, it is concluded that g-C12N14 can be used as a photocatalyst, but its catalytic performance is low. To improve the catalytic performance, atom doping has been used, which can change the electronic state of the surface to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst. It was calculated that the doped phosphorus and boron system improved the optical absorption range, thus improving the photocatalytic efficiency. To make the results more accurate, all the calculations used the computationally-large HSE06 hybrid functional method.

3D Printing of Conductive Hydrogel-Elastomer Hybrids for Stretchable Electronics.

Electronically conductive hydrogels integrated with dielectric elastomers show great promise in a wide range of applications, such as biomedical devices, soft robotics, and stretchable electronics. However, one big conundrum that impedes the functionality and performance of hydrogel-elastomer-based devices lies in the strict demands of device integration and the requirements for devices with satisfactory mechanical and electrical properties. Herein, the digital light processing three-dimensional (3D) printing method is used to fabricate 3D functional devices that bridge submillimeter-scale device resolution to centimeter-scale object size and simultaneously realize complex hybrid structures with strong adhesion interfaces and desired functionalities. The interconnected poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) network endows the PAAm hydrogel with high conductivity and superior electrical stability and poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) functions as an insulating medium. The strong interfacial bonding between the hydrogel and elastomer is achieved by incomplete photopolymerization that ensures the stability of the hybrid structure. Lastly, applications of stretchable electronics illustrated as 3D-printed electroluminescent devices and 3D-printed capacitive sensors are conceptually demonstrated. This strategy will open up avenues to fabricate conductive hydrogel-elastomer hybrids in next-generation multifunctional stretchable electronics.

Study of non-uniform axial magnetic field induced deformation of a soft cylindrical magneto-active actuator.

Magneto-active polymers (MAPs) can undergo rapid and noticeable deformation through external wireless magnetic stimulation, offering a possibility to develop potential applications such as in actuators, flexible micro-grippers, soft robots, etc. In this paper, a theoretical model is presented to depict the relationship between nonlinear deformation and the external mechanical load applied on cylindrical samples in the presence of magnetic fields generated by an electromagnet. The geometrical and electromagnetic properties of the electromagnet are explicitly modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics based on the measured data. Furthermore, a finite element model is constructed to obtain detailed information (such as strain field), which cannot be obtained in experiments. The theoretical and simulation results fit quite well with the experimental results, showing the accuracy of the model construction. The proposed designing approach and model provide guidelines for researchers to enrich the applications of MAPs.

Single-use plastic and COVID-19 in the NHS: Barriers and opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) has been essential to protect healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, intensified use of PPE could counteract the previous efforts made by the UK NHS Trusts to reduce their plastic footprint. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, we conducted an in-depth case study in the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to investigate plastic-related issues in a typical NHS Trust before, during and after the pandemic. We first collected hospital routine data on both procurement and usage of single-use PPE (including face masks, aprons, and gowns) for the time period between April 2019 and August 2020. We then interviewed 12 hospital staff across a wide remit, from senior managers to consultants, nurses and catering staff, to gather qualitative evidence on the overall impact of COVID-19 on the Trust regarding plastic use. RESULTS: We found that although COVID-19 had increased the procurement and the use of single-use plastic substantially during the pandemic, it did not appear to have changed the focus of the hospital on implementing measures to reduce single-use plastic in the long term. We then discussed the barriers and opportunities to tackle plastic issues within the NHS in the post-COVID world, for example, a circular healthcare model. CONCLUSION: investment is needed in technologies and processes that can recycle and reuse a wider range of single-use plastics, and innovate sustainable alternatives to replace single-use consumables used in the NHS to construct a fully operational closed material loop healthcare system.

Dual pH-Responsive Hydrogel Actuator for Lipophilic Drug Delivery.

As one of the most promising drug delivery carriers, hydrogels have received considerable attention in recent years. Many previous efforts have focused on diffusion-controlled release, which allows hydrogels to load and release drugs in vitro and/or in vivo. However, it hardly applies to lipophilic drug delivery due to their poor compatibility with hydrogels. Herein, we propose a novel method for lipophilic drug release based on a dual pH-responsive hydrogel actuator. Specifically, the drug is encapsulated and can be released by a dual pH-controlled capsule switch. Inspired by the deformation mechanism of Drosera leaves, we fabricate the capsule switch with a double-layer structure that is made of two kinds of pH-responsive hydrogels. Two layers are covalently bonded together through silane coupling agents. They can bend collaboratively in a basic or acidic environment to achieve the "turn on" motion of the capsule switch. By incorporating an array of parallel elastomer stripes on one side of the hydrogel bilayer, various motions (e.g., bending, twisting, and rolling) of the hydrogel bilayer actuator were achieved. We conducted an in vitro lipophilic drug release test. The feasibility of this new drug release method is verified. We believe this dual pH-responsive actuator-controlled drug release method may shed light on the possibilities of various drug delivery systems.

Adhesive Tough Magnetic Hydrogels with High Fe3O4 Content.

Magnetic hydrogels have promising applications in flexible electronics, biomedical devices, and soft robotics. However, most existing magnetic hydrogels are fragile and suffer insufficient magnetic response. In this paper, we present a new approach to fabricate a strong, tough, and adhesive magnetic hydrogel with nontoxic polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel as the matrix and the functional additive [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate coated Fe3O4] as the inclusions. This magnetic hydrogel not only offers a relatively high modulus and toughness compared to the pure hydrogel but also responds to the magnetic field rapidly because of high magnetic particle content (up to 60%, with respect to the total weight of the polymers and water). The hydrogel can be bonded to hydroxyl-rich hard and soft surfaces. Magnetic hydrogel with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating exhibits excellent underwater performance. The bonding between magnetic hydrogel and PDMS is very stable even under cyclic loading. An artificial muscle and its magnetomechanical coupling performance are demonstrated using this hydrogel. The adhesive tough magnetic hydrogel will open up extensive applications in many fields, such as controlled drug delivery systems, coating of soft devices, and microfluidics. The strategy is applicable to other functional soft materials.

Optimal transition probability of reversible data hiding for general distortion metrics and its applications.

Recently, a recursive code construction (RCC) approaching the rate-distortion bound of reversible data hiding (RDH) was proposed. However, to estimate the rate-distortion bound or execute RCC, one should first estimate the optimal transition probability matrix (OTPM). By previous methods, OTPM can be effectively estimated only for some specific distortion metrics, such as square error distortion or L1-Norm. In this paper, we proposed a unified framework of estimating the OTPM for general distortion metrics, with which we can calculate the rate-distortion bound of RDH for general cases and extend RCC to improve state-of-the-art RDH schemes based on any distortion metrics.

Nonlocal sparse and low-rank regularization for optical flow estimation.

Designing an appropriate regularizer is of great importance for accurate optical flow estimation. Recent works exploiting the nonlocal similarity and the sparsity of the motion field have led to promising flow estimation results. In this paper, we propose to unify these two powerful priors. To this end, we propose an effective flow regularization technique based on joint low-rank and sparse matrix recovery. By grouping similar flow patches into clusters, we effectively regularize the motion field by decomposing each set of similar flow patches into a low-rank component and a sparse component. For better enforcing the low-rank property, instead of using the convex nuclear norm, we use the log det(·) function as the surrogate of rank, which can also be efficiently minimized by iterative singular value thresholding. Experimental results on the Middlebury benchmark show that the performance of the proposed nonlocal sparse and low-rank regularization method is higher than (or comparable to) those of previous approaches that harness these same priors, and is competitive to current state-of-the-art methods.

Recursive histogram modification: establishing equivalency between reversible data hiding and lossless data compression.

State-of-the-art schemes for reversible data hiding (RDH) usually consist of two steps: first construct a host sequence with a sharp histogram via prediction errors, and then embed messages by modifying the histogram with methods, such as difference expansion and histogram shift. In this paper, we focus on the second stage, and propose a histogram modification method for RDH, which embeds the message by recursively utilizing the decompression and compression processes of an entropy coder. We prove that, for independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) gray-scale host signals, the proposed method asymptotically approaches the rate-distortion bound of RDH as long as perfect compression can be realized, i.e., the entropy coder can approach entropy. Therefore, this method establishes the equivalency between reversible data hiding and lossless data compression. Experiments show that this coding method can be used to improve the performance of previous RDH schemes and the improvements are more significant for larger images.

[Effect of HOE642 on ischemic myocardium reperfusion injury]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the specific sodium-hydrogen antiporter HOE642 could modifies myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. METHODS: The isolated working rat heart model was used. The rats were divided into four subgroups: Ischemic reperfusion (Control group),HOE642 given before Ischemia (HOE-Pr), HOE642 given during Ischemia (HOE-Is), HOE642 given during reperfusion (HOE-Re). LVDP, LVEDP, arrythmia, coronary flow and myocardial enzymes were measured. RESULTS: HOE642 given 15 minutes before ischemia increased coronary flow and significantly improved cardiac function, reduced the severity of ischemia, reperfusion arrhythmia and myocardial CK-MB, LDH release, but had no effect on heart rate. HOE642 given during ischemia only reduced LVEDP, the ischemia severity, reperfusion arrhythmia and myocardial enzyme release. It had no effect on heart rate or LVDP. There were no effects when the drug was given during reperfusion. CONCLUSION: HOE642 demonstrates significant cardioprotective effects. These protective effects are most significant when the drug is given before ischemia is induced.