Integrated sensor based on acoustics-electricity-mechanics coupling effect for wireless passive gas detection

Integrated sensor combines multiple sensor functions into a single unit,which has the advantages of miniaturization and better application potential.However,limited by the sensing platforms of the sensor and the selectivity of the sensitive film,there are still challenges to realize multi-component gas detection in one unit.Herein,a principle integration method is proposed to achieve the multi-component gas detection based on the acoustics-electricity-mechanics coupling effect.The electrical and mechanical properties of the Bi_(2)S_(3)nanobelts materials in different atmospheres indicate the possibility of realizing the principle integration.At the same time,the surface acoustic wave(SAW)sensor as a multivariable physical transducer can sense both electrical and mechanical properties.Upon exposure to 10 ppm NO_(2),NH_(3),and their mixtures,the integrated SAW gas sensor shows a 4.5 kHz positive frequency shift(acoustoelectric effect),an 11 kHz negative frequency shift(mechanics effects),and a reduced 4 kHz negative frequency shift(acoustics-electricity-mechanics coupling effect),respectively.Moreover,we realize wireless passive detection of NO_(2)and NH_(3)based on the SAW sensor.Our work provides valuable insights that can serve as a guide to the design and fabrication of single sensors offering multi-component gas detection via different gas sensing mechanisms.

Review of Soft Linear Actuator and the Design of a Dielectric Elastomer Linear Actuator

Natural muscle provides excellent motilities for animals.As the basic unit of the muscle system,the skeletal muscle fibers function as a soft linear actuator.Inspired by the muscle fibers,researchers have developed various soft active devices with linear actuation.This paper reviews several soft linear actu ators,such as the dielec trie elastomer,t hermal responsive hydrogels,pneumatic artificial muscle,and conducting polymers.The actuation mechanisms and performances of these soft linear actuators are summarized.Based on the dielectric elastomer,we propose a design of a hybrid system with linear actuation,driven by both the electric motor and dielectric elasto mer cone.The elec tromechanical behaviors of the dielec trie elastomer cone have been investigated in both experiment and finite element analysis.This work may guide the further design of soft actuators and robots.

Culture of patient-derived multicellular clusters in suspended hydrogel capsules for pre-clinical personalized drug screening

A personalized medication regimen provides precise treatment for an individual and can be guided by pre-clinical drug screening.The economical and high-efficiency simulation of the liver tumor microenvironment(TME)in a drug-screening model has high value yet challenging to accomplish.Herein,we propose a simulation of the liver TME with suspended alginate-gelatin hydrogel capsules encapsulating patient-derived liver tumor multicellular clusters,and the culture of patient-derived tumor organoids(PDTOs)for personalized pre-clinical drug screening.The hydrogel capsule offers a 3D matrix environment with mechanical and biological properties similar to those of the liver in vivo.As a result,18 of the 28 patient-derived multicellular clusters were successfully cultured as PDTOs.These PDTOs,along with hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)of non-cellular components,preserve stromal cells,including cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)and vascular endothelial cells(VECs).They also maintain stable expression of molecular markers and tumor heterogeneity similar to those of the original liver tumors.Drugs,including cabazitaxel,oxaliplatin,and sorafenib,were tested in PDTOs.The sensitivity of PDTOs to these drugs differs between individuals.The sensitivity of one PDTO to oxaliplatin was validated using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and biochemical tests after oxaliplatin clinical treatment of the corresponding patient.Therefore,this approach is promising for economical,accurate,and high-throughput drug screening for personalized treatment.

Mutational spectrum of syndromic genes in sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation

Background:Brain arteriovenous malformations(BAVMs)are abnormal vessels that are apt to rupture,causing lifethreatening intracranial hemorrhage(ICH).The estimated prevalence of BAVMs is 0.05%among otherwise healthy individuals.In this study,we aim to investigate the mutational spectrum of syndromic genes in sporadic BAVM.Methods:We recruited a cohort of 150 patients with BAVM and performed whole-exome sequencing on their peripheral blood DNA.To explore the mutational spectrum of syndromic genes in sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation,we selected six genes according to the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)and literature.All variants in the six candidate genes were extracted and underwent filtering for qualifying variants.Results:There are a total of four patients with rare variants in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia-related genes.In addition,we identified two patients have the variant of RASA1 gene in our database,which are also rare mutations that are absent from population databases.However,we did not find any patients with GNAQ mutations in our database.Conclusions:In conclusion,we demonstrated that variants in syndromic vascular malformations play important roles in the etiology of sporadic BAVM.