Dynamically Rotating Magnetic Levitation to Characterize the Spatial Density Heterogeneity of Materials.

Magnetic levitation (MagLev) is a promising technology for density-based analysis and manipulation of nonmagnetic materials. One major limitation is that extant MagLev methods are based on the static balance of gravitational-magnetic forces, thereby leading to an inability to resolve interior differences in density. Here a new strategy called "dynamically rotating MagLev" is proposed, which combines centrifugal force and nonlinear magnetic force to amplify the interior differences in density.

Self-vectoring electromagnetic soft robots with high operational dimensionality.

Soft robots capable of flexible deformations and agile locomotion similar to biological systems are highly desirable for promising applications, including safe human-robot interactions and biomedical engineering. Their achievable degree of freedom and motional deftness are limited by the actuation modes and controllable dimensions of constituent soft actuators. Here, we report self-vectoring electromagnetic soft robots (SESRs) to offer new operational dimensionality via actively and instantly adjusting and synthesizing the interior electromagnetic vectors (EVs) in every flux actuator sub-domain of the robots.

Pump-free microfluidic magnetic levitation approach for density-based cell characterization.

Magnetic levitation (MagLev) provides a simple but promising method for density-based analysis and detection down to the individual cell level. However, each existing MagLev configuration for the single-cell density measurement, mainly consisting of a capillary (∼50 mm) placed between two magnets, yields a fairly low sample utilization because of no knowledge about the sample cells in the regions other than the limited microscope vision. Moreover, the quantitative analysis may be affected due to the unclearly defined measurement area, which is specifically associated with the uneven magnetization of magnets, cell size, degree of aggregation.

Electrically Activated Soft Robots: Speed Up by Rolling.

Soft robots show excellent body compliance, adaptability, and mobility when coping with unstructured environments and human-robot interactions. However, the moving speed for soft locomotion robots is far from that of their rigid partners. Rolling locomotion can provide a promising solution for developing high-speed robots.

[Study on the encapsulation technique of high purity gamma-linolenic acid, part 1--Single factor, and two-factor tests for encapsulation process].

Objective: To study the effects of all factors during the process of urea encapsulation of gamma-linolenic acid on the purity and yield.

Method: To observe the material proportions, time, temperature and purity using single-factor and two-factor tests.

Result: Single-factor test showed that the optimal ratio of all materials (oil, urea and 95% ethanol) was 1:3:8.

[Study on the encapsulation technique of high purity gamma-linolenic acid, part 1--saponification reaction and saponification value].

Objective: To measure the saponification value and fatty acid formation of evening primrose oil, to study the effects of pH value on production yield and fatty acid formation during the saponification reaction, and to provide rationales for the selection of raw material, the enhancement of production yield of saponification, and the encapsulation of gamma-linolenic acid with urea.

Method: To measure fatty acid's formation with gas chromatographic method and to measure the saponification value.

Result: The content of gamma-linolenic acid is 7%-10% in evening primrose oil.

Effect of melatonin on the generation of nitric oxide in murine macrophages.

In the present investigation, the effects of melatonin on the generation of nitric oxide in stimulated murine macrophages were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance techniques, and the underlying mechanisms were discussed. Upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma, macrophages generated a high concentration of nitric oxide. Melatonin pretreatment significantly inhibited the generation of nitric oxide.

[Effect of L-methionine on trace elements in lead-intoxicated mice].

Objective: To investigate the effect of L-methionine (L-Met) on the content of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe in liver, brain, spleen and kidney of lead intoxicated mice.

Methods: Distilled water was given to 10 mice (normal control group) and lead acetate solution of 400 micro g/ml Pb(2+) to 20 mice to serve as drinking water for 10 days. The lead administration was then withdrawn and lead exposed mice were randomly divided into two groups: the lead control group took distilled water as drinking water for 4 weeks to serve as positive control, the other one took L-Met solution (0.

[The improvement of taurine in learning and memory ability of rats exposed to lead].

Objective: To investigate the improvement of taurine (Tau) in learning and memory ability of rats exposed to lead.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group: treated with distilled water; lead group: treated with lead acetate (40 mg.kg(-1).

Ameliorative effect of L-methionine on Pb-exposed mice.

The present investigation was carried out to study the ameliorative effects of L-Met (L-methionine) on Pb-exposed mice by the measurement of the weight gain, the weight of organs, the Hb content, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and the Pb and Fe contents of selected organs and serum. Thirty mice were randomly divided into the healthy control group (A), the Pb control group (B), and the Pb+L-Met-treated group (C). Lead-induced depression of growth and Hb content was reversed when L-Met was added to the daily drinking water.

Hypoglycaemic effect of a novel insulin buccal formulation on rabbits.

Transmucosal delivery is a suitable route for insulin non-injection administration. In this study, the hypoglycaemic effect of INSULIN BUCCAL SPRAY (IBS), a formulation with soybean lecithin and propanediol combined as absorption enhancer for insulin on diabetic rabbits and rats, were investigated. The hypoglycaemic rate was calculated and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the formulation in rabbits were studied.