Performance optimization and comparison of vertical motion-based triboelectric nanogenerators.

The vertical motion configuration is a common design in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for energy harvesting; however, the performance optimization and comparison are still vague between various vertical motion-based structures. In this paper, time-averaged power density is defined as a metric to compare the power output performances of vertically structured TENGs, including contact mode and freestanding mode. To ensure comparisons under the same circumstances, a novel sandwich-structured dielectric layer was designed to maintain a stable and consistent surface charge density, with an extra rotating triboelectric nanogenerator working as a charge pump. We also investigated the impact of parasitic capacitance, which is a primary source of error in theoretical optimization. The freestanding TENG (FTENG) with a single dielectric layer demonstrates superior power performance, even when accounting for the influence of parasitic capacitance. This work provides valuable insights and guidelines for the design of high-performance mechanical energy harvesting devices.

First-Principles Prediction of High and Low Resistance States in Ta/h-BN/Ta Atomristor.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have received significant attention for their potential use in next-generation electronics, particularly in nonvolatile memory and neuromorphic computing. This is due to their simple metal-insulator-metal (MIM) sandwiched structure, excellent switching performance, high-density capability, and low power consumption. In this work, using comprehensive material simulations and device modeling, the thinnest monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) atomristor is studied by using a MIM configuration with Ta electrodes. Our first-principles calculations predicted both a high resistance state (HRS) and a low resistance state (LRS) in this device. We observed that the presence of van der Waals (vdW) gaps between the Ta electrodes and monolayer h-BN with a boron vacancy (VB) contributes to the HRS. The combination of metal electrode contact and the adsorption of Ta atoms onto a single VB defect (TaB) can alter the interface barrier between the electrode and dielectric layer, as well as create band gap states within the band gap of monolayer h-BN. These band gap states can shorten the effective tunneling path for electron transport from the left electrode to the right electrode, resulting in an increase in the current transmission coefficient of the LRS. This resistive switching mechanism in monolayer h-BN atomristors can serve as a theoretical reference for device design and optimization, making them promising for the development of atomristor technology with ultra-high integration density and ultra-low power consumption.

Obesity and hyperinsulinemia drive adipocytes to activate a cell cycle program and senesce.

Obesity is considered an important factor for many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The expansion of adipose tissue in obesity is due to an increase in both adipocyte progenitor differentiation and mature adipocyte cell size. Adipocytes, however, are thought to be unable to divide or enter the cell cycle. We demonstrate that mature human adipocytes unexpectedly display a gene and protein signature indicative of an active cell cycle program. Adipocyte cell cycle progression associates with obesity and hyperinsulinemia, with a concomitant increase in cell size, nuclear size and nuclear DNA content. Chronic hyperinsulinemia in vitro or in humans, however, is associated with subsequent cell cycle exit, leading to a premature senescent transcriptomic and secretory profile in adipocytes. Premature senescence is rapidly becoming recognized as an important mediator of stress-induced tissue dysfunction. By demonstrating that adipocytes can activate a cell cycle program, we define a mechanism whereby mature human adipocytes senesce. We further show that by targeting the adipocyte cell cycle program using metformin, it is possible to influence adipocyte senescence and obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation.

Application of Standardized Patients Simulation with Microteaching in Instruction of Clinical Practice Skill of Rehabilitation Therapy / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of standardized patients stimulation combined with microteaching method in clinical teaching practice of students majored in rehabilitation therapy. Methods:From March, 2017 to March, 2018, 47 students majored in rehabilitation therapy in our department were selected with convenience sampling. Then they were randomly divided into control group (n = 23) and experimental group (n = 24). The control group received routine teaching method, while the experimental group received standardized patients stimulation combined with microteaching method. Their theoretical achievement, practical skills achievement and feedback on teaching effect were compared after this course. Results:The theoretical scores and practical skills scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.366, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group in the following aspects: the design capability of rehabilitation treatment program, the capability of selection of rehabilitation assessment tools, the communication and expression ability, learning enthusiasm and initiative, and the ability to relate theory to practice (t > 2.082, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Standardized patients simulation combined with microteaching method could improve the clinical practice effect of students majored in rehabilitation therapy.

Parameters of Median Nerve Electrical Stimulation for Coma after Traumatic Brain Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To compare the effects of median nerve electrical stimulation on coma patients after traumatic brain injury with different settings. Methods From 2013 to 2015, 161 patients with traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into control group (n=40), experimental group 1 (n=41), experimental group 2 (n=39) and experimental group 3 (n=41). The control group received routine conscious-ness-promoted methods, and the experimental groups received median nerve electrical stimulation with 200μs and 30 Hz, 100 Hz and 50 Hz in sequence, 60 minutes a day for 90 days. They were assessed with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) before, 30 days and 90 days after treatment. Results There was significant difference in the scores of CCS and CRS-R, times of treatment, number of sobered patients and coma time among groups (P0.05). The experimental group 3 was better than the experimental groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). Conclusion Median nerve electrical stimulation with 200μs, 50 Hz could promote co-ma patients to wake up optimally.

Localization of neutralization epitopes on adenovirus fiber knob from species C.

Although potential neutralization epitopes on the fiber knob of adenovirus (AdV) serotype 2 (Ad2) and Ad5 have been revealed, few studies have been carried out to identify neutralization epitopes on the knob from a broader panel of AdV serotypes. In this study, based on sequence and structural analysis of knobs from Ad1, Ad2, Ad5 and Ad6 (all from species C), several trimeric chimeric knob proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli to identify the locations of neutralization epitopes on the knobs by analysing their reactivity with mouse and rabbit polyclonal sera raised against AdVs and human sera with natural AdV infection. The dominant neutralization epitopes were located mainly in the N-terminal part of knobs from Ad1, Ad2 and Ad5, but they seemed to be located in the C-terminal part of the Ad6 knob, with some individual differences in rabbit and human populations. Our study adds to our understanding of humoral immune responses to AdVs and will facilitate the construction of more desirable capsid-modified recombinant Ad5 vectors.

Surface electromyography studies of swallowing-related muscles during pharyngeal swallowing in normal subjects / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between the average amplitude of swallowing-related muscles during pharyngeal swallowing and age and swallow model of healthy adults in different age groups.Methods A total of 200 healthy adults were recruited and divided into 4 age groups:group A (18 ～ 30 years old,n =59),group B (30～50 years old,n=50),group C (50 ～70 years old,n=49) and group D (70 years old,n=40).Surface electromyography was used to acquired the average amplitude of electrical activity of the muscles during three swallow models:resting state,voluntary single swallows of saliva (dry swallowing),voluntary single swallows of 5 ml water at once(wet swallowing)and voluntary single swallows 20 ml water at once.The mean value of the average amplitude of normal adults of different ages were calculated and analyzed.Results ①Intergroup comparison showed no difference in the average amplitude of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles among the 4 age groups (P ＞ 0.05) in all the three swallowing models ;②Intra-group comparison showed that,there were no statistical differences in the average amplitude of submental muscles among the three swallow models between groups A and B (P ＞ 0.05).In group C,there were no statistical differences between dry swallowing and wet swallowing of 5 ml of water in terms of the average amplitude of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles during dry swallowing.(P ＞ 0.05),however,but there existed statistical differences in terms of the average amplitude of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles,when comparing dry swallowing with voluntary single swallowing 20 ml water at once(P ＜ 0.05).The average amplitude of submental muscles and infrahyoid muscles during swallowing of 20 ml water were significantly higher than that during wet swallowing(P ＜0.05).In group D,there was no difference between drying swallow and wet swallowing(P ＞ 0.05)in terms of the mean sEMG amplitude of the muscles,but all lower than swallowing 20 ml of water,with a statistically significant differences(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The sEMG amplitude in swallowing-related muscles during pharyngeal swallowing is not related to age,but swallowing models.

Rehabilitation of knee function after tibial fracture operation / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To investigate the effect of individualized exercises rehabilitation after tibial fracture operation.[Method]A total of 161 cases of tibial plateau fractures from Jan.2003 to Dec.2007 were analyzed retrospectively.In control group,81 patients received traditional rehabilitation.In rehabilitation group,80 patients received individualized rehabilitation exercises guided by Safety Assessment for Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.All cases were followed up and received X-ray exam.HSS (hospital for special surgery knee-rating score) was used to assess the knee function at 3,6,12 months after surgery.[Result]All patients were followed up for 2 years.Internal fixation broken was found in 2 cases in control group,in 3 cases in rehabilitation group.According to HSS scoring system,the good-to-excellent rates of knee joint at 6,12 months postoperatively in rehabilitation group were 77%,87%,significantly higher than 56%,66% in control group (P