Free-standing electrodes of CuO nanorods in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are developed by synthesizing porous CuO nanorods throughout CNT webs. The electrochemical performance of the free-standing electrodes is evaluated for their use in flexible lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The electrodes comprising CuO@CNT nanocomposites (NCs) were characterized by charge-discharge testing, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance measurement. These structures are capable of accommodating a high number of lithium ions as well as increasing stability; thus, an increase of capacity in long-term cycling and a good rate capability is achieved. We demonstrate a simple process of fabricating free-standing electrodes of CuO@ CNT NCs that can be utilized in flexible LIBs with high performance in terms of capacity and cycling stability.

This study was aimed to evaluate the dose-response the effects of nano-encapsulated conjugated linoleic acids(CLAs) on in vitro ruminal fermentation profiles. A fistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Nano-encapsulated CLAs(LF, 5% of nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA; HF, 10% of nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA; LT, 5% of nano-encapsulated CLA-TG; HT, 10% of nano-encapsulated CLA-TG) were added to the in vitro ruminal fermentation experiment. In the in vitro ruminal incubation test, the total gas production on incubation with nano-encapsulated CLAs was increased significantly according to the incubation time, compared with the control(p<0.05). The tVFA concentrations on addition of LF and HT were significantly higher than that of the control(p<0.05). Thus, nano-encapsulated CLAs might improve the ruminal fermentation characteristics without adverse effects on the incubation process. In addition, the population of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens which is closely related to ruminal biohydrogenation was increased by adding HT, while decreased by adding LF at 12 h incubation. These results showed that nano-encapsulated CLA-FFA could be applied to enhance CLA levels in ruminants by maintaining the stability of CLA without causing adverse effects on ruminal fermentation profiles considering the optimal dosage.

This review presents current progress in the preparation methods of liquid crystalline nanocarbon materials and the liquid crystalline spinning method for producing nano-carbon fibers. In particular, we focus on the fabrication of liquid crystalline carbon nanotubes by spinning from superacids, and the continuous production of macroscopic fiber from liquid crystalline graphene oxide.

This study purposed to provide a scientific base for understanding the effect of therapeutic intervention using motivation on chronic stroke patients’balance and determining whether it is applicable as a new therapeutic intervention. For this study, we sampled 38 chronic stroke patients, and divided them randomly into a motivation training group(n=20) and a control group(n=18). To the control group was applied neurological physiotherapy 5 times a week, and 30 minutes each time, and to the motivation training group was applied neurological physiotherapy and then, additionally, a Nintendo Wii-Fit program 3 times a week, and 30 minutes each time. Before and after the experiment, the subjects’dynamic balance was measured with functional reach test(FRT), timed up & go test(TUG), and 10m gait test, and their static balance was measured with the Romberger Test. When dynamic balance ability was compared between before and after the experiment and between the motivation training group and the control group, significant difference was observed in the results of FRT, TUG, and 10m walking test between before and after the intervention(p<.05). As to static balance, in addition, body balance movement distance was not significantly different. Therapeutic intervention using dynamic motivation was found to be more effective than the control group in improving dynamic balance.