A Magnetic Bio-Inspired Soft Carrier as a Temperature-Controlled Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery System

Currently, gastrointestinal bleeding in the colon wall and the small bowel is diagnosed and treated with endoscopes. However, the locations of this condition are often problematic to treat using traditional flexible and tethered tools. New studies commonly consider untethered devices for solving this problem. However, there still exists a gap in the extant literature, and more research is needed to diagnose and deliver drugs in the lower gastrointestinal tract using soft robotic carriers. This paper discusses the development of an untethered, magnetically-responsive bio-inspired soft carrier. A molding process is utilized to produce prototypes from Diisopropylidene-1,6-diphenyl-1,6-hexanediol-based Polymer with Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (DiAPLEX) MP-3510 - a shape memory polymer with a low transition temperature to enable the fabrication of these carriers. The soft carrier design is validated through simulation results of deformation caused by magnetic elements embedded in the carrier in response to an external field. The thermal responsiveness of the fabricated prototype carriers is assessed ex vivo and in a phantom. The results indicate a feasible design capable of administering drugs to a target inside a phantom of a large intestine. The soft carrier introduces a method for the controlled release of drugs by utilizing the rubbery modulus of the polymer and increasing the recovery force through magnetic actuation.     

Bio‐inspired Design and Additive Manufacturing of Soft Materials,Machines, Robots,and Haptic Interfaces

Soft materials possess several distinctive characteristics, such as controllable deformation, infinite degrees of freedom, and self‐assembly, which make them promising candidates for building soft machines, robots, and haptic interfaces. In this Review, we give an overview of recent advances in these areas, with an emphasis on two specific topics: bio‐inspired design and additive manufacturing. Biology is an abundant source of inspiration for functional materials and systems that mimic the function or mechanism of biological tissues, agents, and behaviors. Additive manufacturing has enabled the fabrication of materials and structures prevalent in biology, thereby leading to more‐capable soft robots and machines. We believe that bio‐inspired design and additive manufacturing have been, and will continue to be, important tools for the design of soft robots.     

大面积功率器件软钎料的焊接失效分析

针对大面积功率器件软钎料的失效问题,运用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析了SnPb软钎料的微观结构并运用能谱仪对其进行成分分析,找出了失效的主要原因:对软钎料进行刚玉抛光后,未能将残留在软钎料内的Al2O3成分完全去除,以至于器件的可焊性变差.根据分析提出了改进意见,较好地解决了SnPb软钎料的失效问题.     

国际软法在全球治理中的效力探究

软法亦为法,不具有约束力是国际软法的应然特性,却非为全然否定软法存在意义的正当理由。在全球化进程中出现“逆全球化”或全球化规则重塑插曲之际,全球性条约等硬法创制困难重重,诸如难民领域,从《纽约宣言》至《全球契约》的发展等国际软法参与全球治理的实证案例,彰显着其实然效果和能力。国家自由意志等因素致使软法之力凸显不确定性和可塑性,“零”约束力不等同于实然上软法不具有力量,“赋予”更是起到加成效果,而且作为软法主要标签的约束力特性,恰常成为国际关系行为体青睐软法的根源。时代环境影响着甚至是为国际软法的演进发展提供机遇,同时软法也在参与塑造着社会、法治等抽象“环境”,国际软法自身及其对硬法形成和成熟的奠基和助力,蕴含着对多边主义秩序的表达和坚持,这也正是国际软法之影响力和感召力的现实外显。     

Analysis of Vicinal Water in Soft Contact Lenses Using a Combination of Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy and Multivariate Curve Resolution

In this paper, we propose a new spectroscopic method to explore the behavior of molecules near polymeric molecular networks of water-containing soft materials such as hydrogels. We demonstrate the analysis of hydrogen bonding states of water in the vicinity of hydrogels (soft contact lenses). In this method, we apply force to hydrated contact lenses to deform them and to modulate the ratio between the signals from bulk and vicinal regions. We then collect spectra at different forces. Finally, we extracted the spectra of the vicinal region using the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS) method. We report the hydration states depending on the chemical structures of hydrogels constituting the contact lenses.     

The Use of a Coulter Counter to Quantitatively Determine Mold in Carbonated Soft Drinks

Abstract

A method for the rapid, quantitative screening of carbonated soft drinks for mold at levels well below what is normally detected by candling and which is quantitatively more reliable than counting mold clumps is proposed. It involves the use of a Coulter Counter and can detect as few as 10 mold filaments per milliliter of the original soft drink. Soft drinks containing pulp pose a problem that is only partially solved. Dead mold getting into the soft drink is almost completely separated by a density gradient salt solution but live mold uses the pulp as a growth base and is not separated.     

软模板法制备三维花状MgAl-LDH及其吸附性能

采用软模板法,以十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)为模板剂,经水热合成制得三维花状双金属(Mg Al)氢氧化物(3D-Mg Al LDH)。通过XRD、FT-IR、SEM及TEM等表征手段,研究了原料Mg/Al物质的量之比、SDS浓度及反应时间对产物微观结构和表面形貌的影响规律,并初步探讨了3D-Mg Al LDH的形成机理。结果表明,当n_(Mg)/n_(Al)=2,SDS浓度为0.1 mol·L~(-1),水热反应时间为6 h时,可形成结晶度良好、花球形貌完整,纳米片厚度均一的三维花状LDH。在3D-Mg Al LDH的形成过程中,SDS既以阴离子形态参与LDH形成,又因其类球状胶束特性附着在已形成的LDH表面或边缘诱导LDH纳米片交叉生长形成三维花状。吸附实验表明,3D-Mg Al LDH对非离子型有机污染物具有良好的吸附作用,最大吸附量约为31 mg·g~(-1),去除率达到100%。     

Soft Coulomb hole method applied to molecules

The soft Coulomb hole method introduces a perturbation operator, defined by ?e/r₁₂ to take into account electron correlation effects, where ω represents the width of the Coulomb hole. A new parametrization for the soft Coulomb hole operator is presented with the purpose of obtaining better molecular geometries than those resulting from Hartree–Fock calculations, as well as correlation energies. The 12 parameters included in ω were determined for a reference set of 12 molecules and applied to a large set of molecules (38 homo‐ and heteronuclear diatomic molecules, and 37 small and medium‐size molecules). For these systems, the optimized geometries were compared with experimental values; correlation energies were compared with results of the MP2, B3LYP, and Gaussian 3 approach. On average, molecular geometries are better than the Hartree–Fock values, and correlation energies yield results halfway between MP2 and B3LYP. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Stab-Resistant Performance of the Well-Engineered Soft Body Armor Materials Using Shear Thickening Fluid

Stab-resistant body armor can effectively prevent sharp instruments from attacking the protected parts and reduce the threat to human bodies. Shear thickening fluid (STF) is a kind of smart material with variable viscosity and its viscosity can change significantly with external stimuli. The soft and adaptive characteristics of STF provide a new idea for improving the performance of stab-proof materials. In this work, three kinds of soft anti-stabbing materials were designed and prepared with aramid, poly–p–phenylene benzodioxazole (PBO), and carbon fiber fabrics impregnated with STF. Quasi-static puncture tests and dynamic impact tests were conducted to compare the performance of different anti-stabbing structures. The results showed that the peak piercing force of the STF-treated fabrics in the puncture testing was greatly increased than that of neat samples. Against the D2 knife, the maximum impact load of STF/PBO fiber fabric was increased from 55.8 N to 72.9 N, increasing by 30.6%. Against the D3 spike, the maximum impact load of STF/aramid fabric was increased from 128.9 N to 254.7 N, increasing by 197.6%. The mechanical properties of fibers were important factors for the resistance to knives, and the fabric structure was the key point to bear the spike. Optical photographs of fabric fractures and scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the STF effectively limited the slip of the fiber bundle when the tool penetrated the fabric, which played a positive role in maintaining the tightness and integrity of the fabric structure.     

An Experimental Study on the Preparation of Soft Rock Similar Materials Using Redispersible Latex Powder as a Modifier

The engineering geological problems of soft rock are common in large slope engineering and underground engineering surrounding rock. In order to study the change in mechanical properties of soft rock under the action of loading, excavation and rainfall, this paper carried out experimental research on similar materials of soft rock. The similar material of soft rock is prepared by using iron fine powder, barite powder and quartz sand as aggregate, gypsum as binder and redispersible latex powder as regulator. A single-factor influence test was designed with the content of redispersible latex powder as variation parameter. Analysis the influence of redispersible latex powder from the perspectives of physical and mechanical indexes, failure forms, stress–strain states and changes after water seepage. In addition, evaluate the feasibility of this similar material in geomechanical model test. Experimental results show that the density, compressive strength and Poisson’s ratio of similar materials can be improved to a certain extent by the redispersible latex powder with low dosage. However, the above indexes show a significant downward trend with the increase in dosage when the dosage exceeds 2%. The deformation modulus always shows a downward trend, and this trend becomes more significant especially when the dosage exceeds 2%. With the increase in the redispersible latex powder, the stress–strain curves of similar materials show obvious elastic and plastic stages. The failure mode gradually changes to X-shaped conjugate failure, which is common in soft rock, and the material changes from brittle failure to plastic failure. In addition, this type of similar material with gypsum as cementing agent will cause serious damage and loss of bearing capacity after seepage. These methods produce similar materials with low strength, low deformation modulus and plastic failure form, which can be used to simulate the stability of soft rock engineering caused by loading or excavation. At the same time, it also sheds lights on preparing similar materials of hard rock.     

以SDS-PEG团簇为软模板在温和条件下合成金纳米环

介绍一种由十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)与聚乙二醇(PEG 20000)组成的团簇为软模板, 在室温、常压、无硬模板及无外加还原剂条件下自还原HAuCl₄合成金纳米环的新方法. TEM显示合成的金纳米环的直径为(500±50) nm; UV-vis光谱显示在800 nm以上区域有强吸收带, 证明有大的各向异性的纳米结构生成. 电子衍射(ED)显示合成的金纳米环为金单晶结构; XRD显示金纳米环的(200)与(111)衍射峰的强度比(I₍₂₀₀₎/I₍₁₁₁₎)为0.11, 比反应初始阶段的0.31降低0.2左右, 表明金纳米结构主要为(111)晶面取向. TEM和SEM跟踪显示, 金纳米环的生长经历了从金纳米球到纳米片再到纳米环的变化过程, 控制反应时间可以得到预期的金纳米结构.     

软产道血肿的观察和护理体会

为探讨软产道血肿发生的原因,预防和减少阴道分娩的并发症,对12例软产道血肿发生的情况及相关因素进行了分析。结果表明,软产道血肿的形成与有无妊娠合并症、产程长短、助产技术密切相关。提示做好围产期保健工作,提高助产技术,加强产后的观察与护理,是防止软产道血肿的关键。     

Super‐Soft and Super‐Elastic DNA Robot with Magnetically Driven Navigational Locomotion for Cell Delivery in Confined Space

Soft organisms such as earthworms can access confined, narrow spaces, inspiring scientists to fabricate soft robots for in vivo manipulation of cells or tissues and minimally invasive surgery. We report a super‐soft and super‐elastic magnetic DNA hydrogel‐based soft robot (DNA robot), which presents a shape‐adaptive property and enables magnetically driven navigational locomotion in confined and unstructured space. The DNA hydrogel is designed with a combinational dynamic and permanent crosslinking network through chain entanglement and DNA hybridization, resulting in shear‐thinning and cyclic strain properties. DNA robot completes a series of complex magnetically driven navigational locomotion such as passing through narrow channels and pipes, entering grooves and itinerating in a maze by adapting and recovering its shape. DNA robot successfully works as a vehicle to deliver cells in confined space by virtue of the 3D porous networked structure and great biocompatibility.     

Soft X-ray emission from a CO2 laser-heated Z-pinch plasma

We report results of soft X-ray measurements in which a high-power (10¹⁰–10¹¹ W/cm²) CO₂ laser was used to heat a near critical density (<10¹⁹ cm^–3) helium Z-pinch plasma. Frequency-integrated X-ray data show that the unheated Z-pinch plasma is Maxwellian with a temperature of about 30 eV. During laser heating, the X-ray emissions were enhanced over the unheated emissions. Analysis of the experimental X-ray spectra indicate that the low-energy portion of the X-ray emission spectrum (up to 600 eV) is enhanced over the baseline 30 eV Maxwellian emissions. This result is consistent with an inverse bremsstrahlung-modified distribution which results when the plasma heating rate is more rapid than the collisional thermalization rate. These results suggest that it may be possible to enhance the soft X-ray yield of a plasma lithographic source with laser heating.     

利用迭代软阈值方法抑制恒时演化类核磁共振实验中的采样截断伪峰

采样截断,即信号衰减殆尽之前结束采样,会在核磁共振(NMR)谱图中引入振荡状伪峰,进而影响谱图质量.在多维核磁共振实验中,为减少实验时间并为后续脉冲序列保留自旋相干,采样必然在信号衰减完毕之前结束,因此采样截断在所难免.变迹法(窗函数法)可以抑制采样截断造成的伪峰,但会导致谱峰增宽.线性预测也有助于减小截断伪峰.采样截断最严重的场合,是在恒时演化类实验中.这类实验的间接维演化时间固定,因此间接维采样信号强度没有表观衰减.本研究提出的迭代软阈值方法(Iterative Soft Thresholding,IST)虽然因为调节参数困难而在一般场合中应用受限,但恒时演化类(Constant time,CT)NMR实验的间接维信号缺没有表观衰减,这为IST处理参数设置提供了简化条件.本研究通过数据模拟和实验数据,证明了IST是抑制CT-NMR实验中采样截断伪峰的有效方法,并与其它相关方法进行了对比.     

Terpenoids from Marine Soft Coral of the Genus Xenia in 1977 to 2019

Members of the marine soft coral genus Xenia are rich in a diversity of diterpenes. A total of 199 terpenes consisting of 14 sesquiterpenes, 180 diterpenes, and 5 steroids have been reported to date. Xenicane diterpenes were reported to be the most common chemical skeleton biosynthesized by members of this genus. Most of the literature reported the chemical diversity of Xenia collected from the coral reefs in the South China Sea and the coastal waters of Taiwan. Although there was a brief review on the terpenoids of Xenia in 2015, the present review is a comprehensive overview of the structural diversity of secondary metabolites isolated from soft coral genus Xenia and their potent biological activity as reported between 1977 to 2019.     

软X射线显微术Si_3N_4薄膜窗口的研制

介绍了在软Ｘ－射线显微术研究领域中有重要应用的Ｓｉ_３Ｎ_４薄膜窗口的实验室制作方法，并形成一套独特制备工艺，Ｓｉ_３Ｎ_４薄膜窗口的研制成功推动了我国软Ｘ射线显微术研究的发展。     

Soft Phonon Modes Leading to Ultralow Thermal Conductivity and High Thermoelectric Performance in AgCuTe

Crystalline solids with intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity (κ_L) are crucial to realizing high‐performance thermoelectric (TE) materials. Herein, we show an ultralow κ_L of 0.35 Wm^?1 K^?1 in AgCuTe, which has a remarkable TE figure‐of‐merit, zT of 1.6 at 670 K when alloyed with 10 mol % Se. First‐principles DFT calculation reveals several soft phonon modes in its room‐temperature hexagonal phase, which are also evident from low‐temperature heat‐capacity measurement. These phonon modes, dominated by Ag vibrations, soften further with temperature giving a dynamic cation disorder and driving the superionic transition. Intrinsic factors cause an ultralow κ_L in the room‐temperature hexagonal phase, while the dynamic disorder of Ag/Cu cations leads to reduced phonon frequencies and mean free paths in the high‐temperature rocksalt phase. Despite the cation disorder at elevated temperatures, the crystalline conduits of the rigid anion sublattice give a high power factor.     

Synthesis Strategies and Applications for Pitch-Based Anode: From Industrial By-Products to Power Sources

It is significant for saving energy to manufacture superb-property batteries. Carbon is one of the most competitive anode materials in batteries, but it is hard for commercial graphite anodes to meet the increasingly higher energy-storage requirements. Moreover, the price of other better-performing carbon materials (such as graphene) is much higher than graphite, which is not conducive to massive production. Pitch, the cheap by-product in the petroleum and coal industries, has high carbon content and yield, making it possible for commercialization. Developing pitch-based anodes can not only lower raw material costs but also realize the pitch′s high value-added utilization. We comprehensively reviewed the latest synthesis strategies of pitch-derived materials and then introduced their application and research progress in lithium, sodium, and potassium ion batteries (LIBs, SIBs, and PIBs). Finally, we summarize and suggest the pitch′s development trend for anodes and in other fields.