Ethanol-assisted stimulated graphene oxide as support for CuO/NiO nanoparticles.

Herein we report the first successful synthesis of ethanol-assisted generated reduced graphene oxide as a support for CuO/NiO nanoparticles. Through the strategic incorporation of Cu and Ni precursors into ethanol, followed by thermal treatment, we achieved the fabrication of reduced graphene oxide-supported CuO/NiO nanoparticles. The material underwent thorough characterization using FT-IR, XRD, TEM, XPS, Raman, and UV-DRS analysis.

Interfacial Effect-Induced Electrocatalytic Activity of Spinel Cobalt Oxide in Methanol Oxidation Reaction.

In this study, spinel cobalt oxide (CoO) nanoparticles without combining with any other metal atoms have been decorated through the influence of two hard templating agents, viz., zeolite-Y and carboxy-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNT). The adornment of the CoO nanoparticles, through the combined impact of the aluminosilicate and carbon framework has resulted in quantum interference, causing the reversal of signatory Raman peaks of CoO.

Role of Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation in Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Development.

The lymphatic system is critical for maintaining the homeostasis of lipids and interstitial fluid and regulating the immune cell development and functions. Developmental anomaly-induced lymphatic dysfunction is associated with various pathological conditions, including lymphedema, inflammation, and cancer. Most lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are derived from a subset of endothelial cells in the cardinal vein.

Multilayered Composites with Modulus Gradient for Enhanced Pressure-Temperature Sensing Performance.

Highly sensitive and flexible composite sensors with pressure and temperature sensing abilities are of great importance in human motion monitoring, robotic skins, and automobile seats when checking the boarding status. Several studies have been conducted to improve the temperature-pressure sensitivity; however, they require a complex fabrication process for micro-nanostructures, which are material-dependent. Therefore, there is a need to develop the structural designs to improve the sensing abilities.

Enhanced Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(vinyl Alcohol) and Biopolymer-Derived Reduced Graphene Oxide.

Functionalized graphene-polymer nanocomposites have gained significant attention for their enhanced mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties, but the requirement of multi-step processes or hazardous reducing agents to functionalize graphene limits their current applications. Here, we present a single-step synthesis of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) based on shellac, which is a low-cost biopolymer that can be employed to produce poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/TrGO nanocomposites (PVA-TrGO). The concentration of TrGO varied from 0.

Two-Ply Carbon Nanotube Fiber-Typed Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Implanted in Mice.

Implantable devices have emerged as a promising industry. It is inevitable that these devices will require a power source to operate in vivo. Thus, to power implantable medical devices, biofuel cells (BFCs) that generate electricity using glucose without an external power supply have been considered.

Bioinspired, High-Sensitivity Mechanical Sensors Realized with Hexagonal Microcolumnar Arrays Coated with Ultrasonic-Sprayed Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The development of a flexible electronic skin (e-skin) highly sensitive to multimodal vibrations and a specialized sensing ability is of great interest for a plethora of applications, such as tactile sensors for robots, seismology, healthcare, and wearable electronics. Here, we present an e-skin design characterized by a bioinspired, microhexagonal structure coated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using an ultrasonic spray method. We have demonstrated the outstanding performances of the device in terms of the capability to detect both static and dynamic mechanical stimuli including pressure, shear displacement, and bending using the principles of piezoresistivity.

Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelet-Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Composites for Compression Sensing.

In this study, we investigated the gauge factor and compressive modulus of hybrid nanocomposites of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix under compressive strain. Mechanical and electrical tests were conducted to investigate the effects of nanofiller wt %, the xGnP size, and xGnP:MWCNT ratio on the compressive modulus and sensitivity of the sensors. It was found that nanofiller wt %, the xGnP size, and xGnP:MWCNT ratio significantly affect the electromechanical properties of the sensor.

Angle Sensor Module for Vehicle Steering Device Based on Multi-Track Impulse Ring.

In step with the development of Industry 4.0, research on automatic operation technology and components related to automobiles is continuously being conducted. In particular, the torque angle sensor (TAS) module of the steering wheel system is considered to be a core technology owing to its precise angle, torque sensing, and high-speed signal processing.

Woven Kevlar Fiber/Polydimethylsiloxane/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite-Based Personal Thermal Management with Freestanding Cu-Ni Core-Shell Nanowires.

Thermotherapy is a widespread technique that provides relief for muscle spasms and joint injuries. A great deal of energy is used to heat the surrounding environment, and heat emitted by the human body is wasted on our surroundings. Herein, a woven Kevlar fiber (WKF)-based personal thermal management device was fabricated by directly growing vertical copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) nanowires (NWs) on the WKF surface using a hydrothermal method.

Fabrication and Synthesis of Highly Ordered Nickel Cobalt Sulfide Nanowire-Grown Woven Kevlar Fiber/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyester Composites.

Well-aligned NiCoS nanowires, synthesized hydrothermally on the surface of woven Kevlar fiber (WKF), were used to fabricate composites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) dispersed in polyester resin (PES) by means of vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The NiCoS nanowires were synthesized with three precursor concentrations. Nanowire growth was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Pd/Cu-Oxide Nanoconjugate at Zeolite-Y Crystallite Crafting the Mesoporous Channels for Selective Oxidation of Benzyl-Alcohols.

Solid-state grinding of palladium and copper salts allowed the growth of palladium/copper oxide interface at the zeolite-Y surface. The hybrid nanostructured material was used as reusable heterogeneous catalyst for selective oxidation of various benzyl alcohols. The large surface area provided by the zeolite-Y matrix highly influenced the catalytic activity, as well as the recyclability of the synthesized catalyst.

Microwave-synthesized freestanding iron-carbon nanotubes on polyester composites of woven Kevlar fibre and silver nanoparticle-decorated graphene.

We synthesized Ag nanoparticle-decorated multilayered graphene nanosheets (Ag-graphene) from graphite nanoplatelets and silver nitrate through 90-100 s of microwave exposure, without the use of any mineral acids or harsh reducing agents. Fe nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNTs) were grown on polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on woven Kevlar fibre (WKF), using ferrocene as a catalyst, under microwave irradiation. Fe-CNTs grown on WKF and Ag-graphene dispersed in polyester resin (PES) were combined to fabricate Ag-graphene/Fe-CNT/PPy-coated WKF/PES composites by vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding.

Epidemiology and molecular characteristics of norovirus GII.4 Sydney outbreaks in Taiwan, January 2012-December 2013.

In 2012, a new norovirus GII.4 variant (GII.4 Sydney) emerged and caused the majority of the acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) reinforced and toughened with poly(dopamine)-treated graphene oxide, and its use for humidity sensing.

Poly(dopamine)-treated graphene oxide/poly(vinyl alcohol) ("dG-O/PVA") composite films were made and characterized. G-O was modified with poly(dopamine) in aqueous solution and then chemically reduced to yield poly(dopamine)-treated reduced G-O. A combination of hydrogen bonding, strong adhesion of poly(dopamine) at the interface of PVA and G-O sheets, and reinforcement by G-O resulted in increases in tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain-to-failure by 39, 100, and 89%, respectively, at 0.

Organelle-selective fluorescent Cu2+ ion probes: revealing the endoplasmic reticulum as a reservoir for Cu-overloading.

Two novel Cu(2+) sensors, 1 and 2, bearing naphthalimide and a DPA moiety were synthesized to study copper accumulation in organelles by selective Cu(2+) sensing. The ER-selective Cu(2+) sensor 1 that we developed serves as a valuable tool for understanding the subcellular compartmentalization and roles of copper ions in physiology and pathophysiology.

Norovirus binding to intestinal epithelial cells is independent of histo-blood group antigens.

Human noroviruses (NoVs) are a major cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis. Although histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) have been implicated in the initial binding of NoV, the mechanism of that binding before internalization is not clear. To determine the involvement of NoVs and HBGAs in cell binding, we examined the localization of NoV virus-like particles (VLPs) and HBGAs in a human intestinal cell line and the human ileum biopsy specimens by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Simultaneous detection of major enteric viruses using a combimatrix microarray.

Various enteric viruses including norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus are the major etiological agents of food-borne and water-borne disease outbreaks and frequently cause non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Sensitive and high-throughput detection methods for these viral pathogens are compulsory for diagnosing viral pathogens and subsequently improving public health. Hence, we developed a sensitive, specific, and high-throughput analytical assay to detect most major enteric viral pathogens using "Combimatrix" platform oligonucleotide probes.

Amplification of all 11 RNA segments of group A rotaviruses based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are a major cause of acute infantile gastroenteritis. The viral genome comprises 11 double-stranded RNA segments and the respective gene segments are classified into more than eight genotypes, according to the nucleotide sequence similarities. So far, it has been difficult to amplify full-length sequences of long RNA segments of rotaviruses by one-time only RT-PCR (especially in the genes for the viral proteins VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4).

Development of a latex agglutination test for norovirus detection.

Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Currently, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used commonly to detect NoVs in both clinical and environmental samples. However, RT-PCR requires expensive equipment and cannot be performed on site.

Alternative estimation of human exposure of single-walled carbon nanotubes using three-dimensional tissue-engineered human lung.

Recent discoveries of various forms of carbon nanostructure have stimulated research on their applications and hold promise for applications in medicine and other related engineering areas. Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are already being produced on a massive scale, few studies have been performed which test the potential harmful effects of this new technology. The authors used a three-dimensional in vitro model of the human airway using a coculture of normal human bronchial epithelial cells and normal human fibroblasts for the health risk assessment of CNTs on the human respiratory systems.

Mechanical and electrical properties of polycarbonate nanotube buckypaper composite sheets.

The thermogravimetric, mechanical, and electrical properties of composite sheets produced by infiltrating single-wall carbon nanotube films (also known as 'buckypapers') with polycarbonate solution were characterized. The composite sheets showed improved stiffness and toughness, while the electrical conductivity decreased, as compared to a neat buckypaper. In addition, polycarbonate/buckypaper composite sheets showed higher resistance to handling and processing damages.

Immunomagnetic separation combined with real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays for detection of norovirus in contaminated food.

We developed an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique combined with real-time TaqMan reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), which allowed detection of norovirus at a level as low as 3 to 7 RT-PCR units from artificially contaminated strawberries. The inoculum recovery rate ranged from 14 to 30%. The data demonstrate that IMS combined with real-time RT-PCR will be useful as a rapid and sensitive method for detecting food-borne microbial contaminants.