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Wafer-scale nanoribbon field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors fabricated by straightforward top-down processes are demonstrated as sensing platforms with high sensitivity to a broad range of biological targets. Nanoribbons with 350 nm widths (700 nm pitch) were patterned by chemical lift-off lithography using high-throughput, low-cost commercial digital versatile disks (DVDs) as masters. Lift-off lithography was also used to pattern ribbons with 2 μm or 20 μm widths (4 or 40 μm pitches, respectively) using masters fabricated by photolithography. For all widths, highly aligned, quasi-one-dimensional (1D) ribbon arrays were produced over centimeter length scales by sputtering to deposit 20 nm thin-film In2O3 as the semiconductor. Compared to 20 μm wide microribbons, FET sensors with 350 nm wide nanoribbons showed higher sensitivity to pH over a broad range (pH 5 to 10). Nanoribbon FETs functionalized with a serotonin-specific aptamer demonstrated larger responses to equimolar serotonin in high ionic strength buffer than those of microribbon FETs. Field-effect transistors with 350 nm wide nanoribbons functionalized with single-stranded DNA showed greater sensitivity to detecting complementary DNA hybridization vs 20 μm microribbon FETs. In all, we illustrate facile fabrication and use of large-area, uniform In2O3 nanoribbon FETs for ion, small-molecule, and oligonucleotide detection where higher surface-to-volume ratios translate to better detection sensitivities.

Flexible sensors are essential for advancing implantable and wearable bioelectronics toward monitoring chemical signals within and on the body. Developing biosensors for monitoring multiple neurotransmitters in real time represents a key in vivo application that will increase understanding of information encoded in brain neurochemical fluxes. Here, arrays of devices having multiple In2O3 nanoribbon field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated on 1.4-μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using shadow mask patterning techniques. Thin PET-FET devices withstood crumpling and bending such that stable transistor performance with high mobility was maintained over >100 bending cycles. Real-time detection of the small-molecule neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine was achieved by immobilizing recently identified high-affinity nucleic-acid aptamers on individual In2O3 nanoribbon devices. Limits of detection were 10 fM for serotonin and dopamine with detection ranges spanning eight orders of magnitude. Simultaneous sensing of temperature, pH, serotonin, and dopamine enabled integration of physiological and neurochemical data from individual bioelectronic devices.

Red phosphorus offers a high theoretical sodium capacity and has been considered as a candidate anode for sodium-ion batteries. Similar to silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the electrochemical performance of red phosphorus is plagued by the large volume variation upon sodiation. Here we perform in situ transmission electron microscopy analysis of the synthesized red-phosphorus-impregnated carbon nanofibers with the corresponding chemo-mechanical simulation, revealing that, the sodiated red phosphorus becomes softened with a liquid-like mechanical behaviour and gains superior malleability and deformability against pulverization. The encapsulation strategy of the synthesized red-phosphorus-impregnated carbon nanofibers has been proven to be an effective method to minimize the side reactions of red phosphorus in sodium-ion batteries, demonstrating stable electrochemical cycling. Our study provides a valid guide towards high-performance red-phosphorus-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Background: The increase in serving sizes of energy-dense nutrient-poor discretionary foods over time, with attractively presented large servings and package sizes, has led to portion distortion and a new 'normal' for serving sizes. Little data exists on the variations of portion size norms of discretionary foods across settings. This study aimed to examine the differences in the range of normal portion sizes of commonly consumed foods between home and out-of-home settings (coffee shops, restaurants). Methods: A repeated cross-sectional design was used, with nine selected discretionary foods and beverages included in a validated online image-series questionnaire. Participants completed the questionnaire at two time points to report their normal portion sizes in home and out-of-home settings. Quantile regression models were used to examine differences in the range of normal portion sizes (17th to 83rd percentile, representing the majority of the study population) between settings. Results: A final sample of 295 participants was included in the analysis (51% females, mean age 40 ± 14 years). The ranges of normal portion sizes did not differ by settings for all test foods except for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) tested in both containers and glassware. SSB showed smaller normal portion sizes at home compared to fast food restaurants (in a bottle/can and in a glass/cup; p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the portion size norms of many discretionary foods are mostly consistent in home and out-of-home settings. As the typical serving sizes available to consumers in the out-of-home settings are large, it is essential to establish practical serving size guidelines directed at the food industry to increase the availability of smaller size options and empower consumers towards better portion control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method using gradient boosting regression tree(GBRT) which is optimized by logistic regression(LR) to predict working resistance of hydraulic support is proposed, avoiding shortcomings of current determining methods. Add learning rate to GBRT to limit the learning rate of sub-models and prevent over-fitting; using LR to optimize sample parameters to establish LR-GBRT regression prediction model; the model is applied to predict resistance of hydraulic support, and the prediction result is compared with linear regression(LR), support vector model(SVM), decision tree regression(DTR), elastic net regression(EN). The results show that the model has better generalization performance and higher prediction accuracy. It can effectively predict resistance of hydraulic support .

The single-serve packaging of discretionary foods is becoming increasingly popular, but evidence is limited on whether smaller package sizes can reduce food intake. The aim of this scoping review is to assess the effect of reducing the package size of energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) snacks and drinks on consumption, intentions, and perception, and to examine the effects of potential moderators or mediators. The search was conducted in six selected databases and grey literature sources, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for the scoping review process (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. After screening 5562 articles, 30 articles comprising 47 intervention studies were included. Twelve of 15 studies found a significant effect in lowering the actual or intended consumption when a single smaller package was offered compared with a single larger package. When the total serving size was held constant between varying package conditions, such as a multipack, single package, or unpackaged, the results on the actual and intended consumption were inconsistent and varied according to the presence of moderators. Overall, these findings suggest that an overall reduction in the size of a single package is a more promising strategy than providing multipacks to reduce consumption. Changes to the current food environment to promote single smaller packages of EDNP snacks and drinks are necessary to support the better selection of appropriate portion sizes and reduce consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The high availability of energy-dense nutrient-poor discretionary foods in large serving and package sizes may have shifted portion size norms (described as a typical perception of how much people choose to eat from a given food at a single eating occasion) towards larger sizes. Few public health recommendations exist around appropriate discretionary food portion sizes. This qualitative study aimed to explore the underlying rationale of portion size norms of discretionary foods among Australian adults 18-65 years., Design: Four focus group sessions were conducted. Collected data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis., Setting: Focus groups were held online via Zoom between September and October 2023., Participants: Thirty-four participants were recruited in the study (mean age 38 years, 19 females)., Results: The key themes raised from inductive analysis were personal factors, eating context factors and food environment factors relevant to the portion size norms. A framework was established to illustrate the interaction across these themes during the conceptualisation of the norms. For serving size availability, consumers found that there were limited serving size choices when making portion size selections and lacked the knowledge and skills in portion control., Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to make positive changes to the current food environment and develop relevant public health guidelines around appropriate portion sizes to promote healthier portion size norms and enable better portion control.

Flexible sensors are essential for advancing implantable and wearable bioelectronics toward monitoring chemical signals within and on the body. Developing biosensors for monitoring multiple neurotransmitters in real time represents a key in vivo application that will increase understanding of information encoded in brain neurochemical fluxes. Here, arrays of devices having multiple In 2 O 3 nanoribbon field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated on 1.4-μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using shadow mask patterning techniques. Thin PET-FET devices withstood crumpling and bending such that stable transistor performance with high mobility was maintained over >100 bending cycles. Real-time detection of the small-molecule neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine was achieved by immobilizing recently identified high-affinity nucleic-acid aptamers on individual In 2 O 3 nanoribbon devices. Limits of detection were 10 fM for serotonin and dopamine with detection ranges spanning eight orders of magnitude. Simultaneous sensing of temperature, pH, serotonin, and dopamine enabled integration of physiological and neurochemical data from individual bioelectronic devices., Competing Interests: Stem-loop receptor-based field effector sensor devices for sensing at physiological salt concentration. Co-inventors: A. M. Andrews, P. S. Weiss, N. Nakatsuka, M. N. Stojanović, and K. A. Yang, nonprovisional U.S. and foreign patents filed 2019. PCT/US2019/046891., (© 2020.)