All-Solution-Processed Electronics with Sub-Microscale Resolution and Nanoscale Fidelity Fabricated Via a Humidity-Controlled, Surface Energy-Directed Assembly Process.

Solution-based processes have received considerable attention in the fabrication of electronics and sensors owing to their merits of being low-cost, vacuum-free, and simple in equipment. However, the current solution-based processes either lack patterning capability or have low resolution (tens of micrometers) and low pattern fidelity in terms of line edge roughness (LER, several micrometers). Here, we present a surface energy-directed assembly (SEDA) process to fabricate metal oxide patterns with up to 2 orders of magnitude improvement in resolution (800 nm) and LER (16 nm). Experiment results show that high pattern fidelity can be achieved only at low relative humidities of below 30%. The reason for this phenomenon lies in negligible water condensation on the solution droplet. Employing the SEDA process, all-solution-processed metal oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) are fabricated by using indium oxide as channel layers, indium tin oxide as source/drain electrodes and gate electrodes, and aluminum oxide as gate dielectrics. TFT-based logic gate circuits, including NOT, NOR, NAND, and AND are fabricated as well, demonstrating the applicability of the SEDA process in fabricating large area functional electronics.

Surface electromyography analysis of ankle flexor and extensor activity under different standing stability levels.

Background: To observe the activation strategies of the ankle muscles using surface electromyography (sEMG) during single-leg standing (SLS) and both-leg standing (BLS) on flat ground (FG), soft mat (SM), and BOSU ball (BB) surfaces. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults participated in the study. The muscle activities of the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius medial (GM) were measured on the three surfaces during SLS and BLS. Electromyographic evaluations of the TA and GM were recorded during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). Muscle activation was evaluated using MVIC%, and muscle co-contraction was evaluated using the co-contraction index (CI). Results: A statistically significant increase was observed in the MVIC% of the TA, GM, and CI on the three surfaces during SLS compared to BLS, except for the comparison of CI on BB between SLS and BLS (t = -1.35, p = 0.19). The MVIC% of the TA and GM during SLS and BLS on BB was significantly increased in comparison with FG and SM. The CI during BLS on BB increased compared to FG (t = 3.19, p < 0.01) and SM (t = 4.64, p < 0.01). The CI during BLS on SM (t = -1.46, p = 0.15) decreased when compared to FG but without statistical significance. Conclusions: SLS and unstable surfaces can induce greater muscle activation, and SLS can have a greater influence on ankle muscles.

Analytical investigation of unidirectional reflectionless phenomenon near the exceptional points in graphene plasmonic system.

We propose a two-dimensional array made of a double-layer of vertically separated graphene nanoribbons. The transfer matrix method and coupled mode theory are utilized to quantitatively depict the transfer properties of the system. We present a way to calculate the radiative and the intrinsic loss factors, combined with finite-difference time-domain simulation, conducting the complete analytical analysis of the unidirectional reflectionless phenomenon. By adjusting the Fermi energy and the vertical distance between two graphene nanoribbons, the plasmonic resonances are successfully excited, and the unique phenomena can be realized at the exceptional points. Our research presents the potential in the field of optics and innovative technologies to create advanced optical devices that operate in the mid-infrared range, such as terahertz antennas and reflectors.

Unveiling the Effects of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials on Crop Growth: From Benefits to Detriments.

To systematically assess the impact of typical CNMs on the growth effects of cereal crops, we conducted a meta-analysis of 48 independent studies worldwide. The pooled results showed that shoot weight (13.39%) and antioxidant metabolite content (SOD: 106.32%, POD: 32.29%, CAT: 22.63%) of cereal crops exposed to the presence of CNMs were significantly increased, but phytohormones secretion (17.84%) was inhibited. The results of subgroup analysis showed that there were differences in the results of different CNM types with the same exposure concentration on growth effects. Short-term exposure adversely affected the root and photosynthetic capacity of the crop, but prolonged exposure instead showed a promoting effect. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the concentration of CNMs and cereal variety variables were significantly associated with changes in multiple growth effect values. This work could offer references and fresh perspectives for investigating how nanoparticles and crops interact.

Effects of sleep duration and sleep quality in early pregnancy and their interaction on gestational diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of sleep duration and quality in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and explore their interaction effect on GDM. METHODS: Participants from 2 hospitals were enrolled in this case-control study between April 2018 and November 2020. Sleep duration and quality were measured using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: A total of 1300 participants (396 GDM and 904 controls) were included. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher global PSQI scores or poor sleep quality were associated with GDM with odds ratios of 1.13 (95% CI 1.07, 1.19, p < 0.001) and 1.75 (95% CI 1.29, 2.38, p < 0.001), respectively; sleep duration < 7 h, 9-9.9 h and ≥ 10 h were all associated with increased GDM with odds ratios of 4.28 (95% CI 2.51, 7.31, p < 0.001), 1.69 (95% CI 1.20, 2.39, p = 0.003), and 4.42 (95% CI 3.01, 6.50, p < 0.001), respectively. In the stratified analysis based on sleep duration, the effect of poor sleep quality on GDM in the < 7 h group (OR 5.47, 95% CI 2.57, 11.64, p < 0.001) was much stronger than that in the 7-8.9 h group (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.81, 1.91, p = 0.327), and the p value of the interaction was 0.011. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality and short or long sleep duration in early pregnancy were all associated with GDM, and an interaction effect between short sleep duration and poor sleep quality on GDM was noted.