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Background: Acupuncture has been clinically recommended as a method of pain relief by the World Health Organization and is widely used by medical doctors. Fibromyalgia (FM) pain has a complex physiological and psychological origin and can be pharmacologically treated with duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin. However, these drugs produce undesirable side effects, such as headaches, nausea and diarrhoea. Acupuncture may serve as an effective alternative treatment for pain relief with few side effects. Aims: We hypothesised that acupuncture would reduce FM pain by influencing transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and the downstream phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pERK), which are located in the central thalamus, amygdala and cortex. Methods: A FM mouse model was established by injecting two doses of acid saline into 32 female C57/B6 mice. The mice were then assigned to different subgroups (n=8 each) and treated with electroacupuncture (EA) or EA sham control. TRPV1 and pERK expression levels were measured using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: Our results demonstrated that the expression of TRPV1 and pERK in the thalamus, amygdala and somatosensory cortex was normal in the control mice, but significantly increased in FM mice; these FM-induced changes in expression were attenuated by EA. Conclusion: Our data suggest that EA can reverse the central sensitisation of the TRPV1-ERK signalling pathway in the mouse brain. Thus, our findings provide mechanistic evidence supporting the potential therapeutic efficacy of EA for treating FM pain.

This paper evaluates the use of plasma etching for preparing TEM specimens to analyze high aspect ratio 3D NAND integrated circuits. By controlling plasma etching parameters, a relatively high material removal rate could be obtained. Moreover, through the control of etch time, the top region of the test specimens could be completely removed down through the expected number of layers, making it possible to resolve details throughout the entire sample, particularly in the middle region of the 3D NAND, using TEM cross-section analysis.

This work demonstrates the first example of interfacial manipulation in a hybrid photocatalyst based on poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) nanoparticle and graphene oxide (GO) bulk heterojunctions to efficiently reduce CO2 into selective industrial hydrocarbons under gas-phase reaction and visible-light illumination. High selectivity of chemical products (methanol and acetaldehyde) was observed. Moreover, the hybrid photocatalyst’s solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency was 13.5 times higher than that of pure GO. The increased production yield stems from the co-catalytic and sensitizing role of P3HT in the hybrid system due to its ability to extend light absorption to the visible range and improve interfacial charge transfer to GO. The hybrid P3HT-GO formed a type II heterojunction, and its static and dynamic exciton behaviors were examined using fluorescence spectroscopy and exciton lifetime mapping. A reduced fluorescence decay time was observed by interfacial manipulation for improved dispersion, indicating a more efficient charge transfer from the excited P3HT to GO. Thus, the conducting polymer nanoparticles, 2D nanocarbon, have demonstrated superior performance as a metal-free, non-toxic, low-cost, and scalable heterogeneous photocatalyst for CO2 reduction to solar fuel, a solid–gas system.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome involving chronic pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, morning stiffness and muscle cramping lasting longer than 3 months. The epidemiological prevalence is approximately 3–5% in women and increases with age. Antagonism of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) reportedly attenuates acid saline-induced FM pain in mice. Aims: Whether pre-treatment with electroacupuncture (EA) or APETx2 can attenuate mechanical hyperalgesia in this murine model remains unknown. Methods: Accordingly, we examined the analgesic effect of EA in a murine model of FM pain induced by dual injections of acid saline and investigated whether EA or APETx2 can attenuate FM pain via the ASIC3 channel. Results: EA significantly reduced mechanical hyperalgesia in this model. ASIC3 antagonism, induced by injecting APETx2, also significantly reduced mechanical hyperalgesia. The expression of ASIC3 in the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord and thalamus was increased after FM model induction. Over-expression of these nociceptive channels was attenuated by pre-treatment with EA or an ASIC3 antagonist. Conclusion: Our data reveal that both EA and ASIC3 blockade significantly reduce FM pain in mice via the ASIC3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 signalling pathways. Moreover, our findings support the potential clinical use of EA for the treatment of FM pain.

Protection layers on double ex situ lift-out TEM specimens were investigate in this paper and two protection layer approaches for double INLO or double EXLO were introduced. The improved protection methods greatly decreased the damage layer on the top surface from 90 nm to 5 nm (or lower) during FIB milling. According to the property of different sample and its preliminary treatment in the FIB, we have the satisfactory approaches to be applied. Using this improved protection method, we demonstrate the structures within the TEM lamella can be observed without ion beam damage/implantation during FIB

This study presents the performance of a carbon-black-supported pyrolyzed vitamin B9 (folic acid)-treated cathode catalyst (py-Fe-FA/C) in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Electrochemical ORR measurements revealed that using py-Fe-FA/C resulted in excellent ORR activity through the direct four-electron reduction pathway. The H2–O2 PEMFC with py-Fe-FA/C in the cathodic side produces a maximum power density of 330 mW cm–2 with the 80 °C operation temperature and the 1 atm back pressure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ X-ray adsorption spectroscopy proved that the enhanced ORR activity was caused by the network structure of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, quaternary-type (graphitic) nitrogen, and the coordination structure of the py-Fe-FA/C, as confirmed by the ORR mechanism study using detailed XPS and in situ X-ray adsorption spectroscopy. Particularly, in situ X-ray adsorption spectroscopy elucidated the ORR mechanism of the py-Fe-FA/C.

Background: Inflammatory pain occurs when local tissue injury activates macrophages and neutrophils, hence increasing pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) antagonism reportedly suppresses neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Aims: In the present study, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on TLR2 and related signalling molecules in a complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced mouse model of inflammatory pain to determine whether EA can attenuate inflammatory pain via the TLR2 signalling pathway. Methods: EA significantly reduced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in the animal model. A similar effect was produced by TLR2 antagonism induced by CU-CPT22 injection. Results: TLR2 expression in the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord and thalamus increased following induction of inflammation. Expression levels of downstream molecules such as pPI3K, pAkt and pmTOR also increased, as did those of MAPK subfamily members such as pERK, pp38 and pJNK. Transcription factors (pCREB and pNFκB) and nociceptive ion channels (Nav1.7 and Nav1.8) were also involved. Conclusion: Increased expression of the above molecules was attenuated by both EA and TLR2 antagonism. Our results show that EA attenuates inflammatory pain via TLR2 signalling.

Background There are no published studies regarding the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture. Therefore, we conducted this nationwide, population-based cohort study to investigate the probable effect of TCM to decrease the fracture rate. Methods We identified cases with osteoporosis and selected a comparison group that was frequency-matched according to sex, age (per 5 years), diagnosis year of osteoporosis, and index year. The difference between the two groups in the development of fracture was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. Results After inserting age, gender, urbanization level, and comorbidities into the Cox’s proportional hazard model, patients who used TCM had a lower hazard ratio (HR) of fracture (adjusted HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.37–0.59) compared to the non-TCM user group. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that osteoporosis patients who used TCM had a lower incidence of fracture events than those who did not (p

Waste coffee grounds were activated by KOH at various pyrolysis temperatures, changing the ratio of the area of the mesoporous structure to that of the microporous structure, the surface area, the amount of oxygen and nitrogen functional groups in the grounds, and their chemical structure. At a pyrolysis temperature of 700 °C, the KOH-activated waste coffee grounds had a specific capacitance of 175 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 and 475 F g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 from the discharge profiles. Assembling the KOH-activated waste coffee grounds in a coin cell yielded an energy density and power density of 11 W h kg −1 and 7500 W kg −1 , respectively, with an operating potential of 1.5 V, making waste coffee grounds a viable feedstock for manufacturing energy materials.

A recently developed technique known as Electron Beam Induced Resistance Change (EBIRCH) equipped with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) utilizes a constant electron beam (e-beam) voltage across or current through the defect of interest and amplifies its resistance variation. In this study, EBIRCH is applied for a 3D NAND structure device fault isolation but suffered from nearby dielectric film deformation. The characterization of such dielectric deformation and the possible mechanisms of e-beam induced damage are discussed. As well, a threshold condition to avoid from triggering the occurrence of dielectric damage is presented for shallow defect analysis in EBIRCH application.

Nitrogen-doped CNTs, directly grown on a carbon cloth (CNT/CC) hybrid with polybenzimidazole (PBI), are utilized as hybrid electrodes in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). The use of a rotation holder for pulse electrodepositing Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on a CNT electrode is developed herein. The electrochemical surface area of the Pt NPs/PBI-CNTs is approximately 161 cm2 mg−1 and the grain size is around 8–9 nm. A comparative study of 0.09 mg cm−2 Pt NPs on a PBI–CNT (Pt/PBI–CNT) electrode and 0.8 mg cm−2 Pt NPs on PBI–carbon black (Pt/PBI–CB) for reducing oxygen at the cathode was carried out. In H2/O2 HT-PEMFC single cell tests, a low Pt-loaded (0.09 mg cm−2) Pt/PBI–CNT/CC electrode outperformed a high Pt-loaded (0.8 mg cm−2) Pt/PBI–CB/CC electrode with maximum power densities of 620 mW cm−2 and 468 mW cm−2, respectively, at 160 °C. The enhanced performance is attributed to the well-controlled grain size and Pt loading of Pt NPs on the PBI-CNT in the cathode, which provide the highly active catalyst and the good electrical conductivity carbon support.

This study investigates the use of graphene oxides (GOs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded in polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers (GO–CNT/CNF) as electrodes for the supercapacitor. GO–CNT/CNF was prepared by electrospinning, and was subsequently stabilized and activated. The specific capacitance of GO–CNT/CNF is 120.5 F g−1 in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte, which is higher than or comparable to the specific capacitances of carbon-based materials in neutral aqueous electrolyte, as prepared in this study. GO–CNT/CNF also exhibits a superior cycling stability, and 109% of the initial specific capacitance after 5000 cycles. The high capacitance of GO–CNT/CNF could be attributed to the edge planes and the functional groups of GO, the highly electrical conductivity of CNT, and the network structure of the electrode.

Background/Aims: Acupuncture involves inserting a fine needle into a specific point, often called an acupoint, thereby initiating a therapeutic effect accompanied by phenomena such as soreness, heaviness, fullness, and numbness. Acupoints are characterized as points located in deep tissues with abundant sensory nerve terminals, which suggests that there is a strong relationship between acupoints and peripheral sensory afferents. In this study, we determined whether manual acupuncture (MA) or different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) share similar mechanisms for activating excitatory neurotransmission. Methods: We performed MA or EA at acupoint ST36 and we also used western blot and immunostaining techniques to determine neural changes at the peripheral dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord (SC), and somatosensory cortex (SSC) levels. Results: Our results show that either MA or EA at the ST36 acupoint significantly increased components of the TRPV1-related signaling pathway, such as pPKA, pPI3K, pPKC-pERK, and pAKT (but not pp38 or pJNK) at the peripheral DRG and central SC-SSC levels. Furthermore, excitatory phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (pNMDA) and pCaMKIIα (but not pNR2B, pCaMKIIδ, or pCaMKIIγ) also increased. These molecules could not increase in the DRG and SC-SSC of TRPV1–/–mice. Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that both MA and EA can activate excitatory signals in either peripheral or central levels. We also define that TRPV1 is crucial for an acupuncture effect and then initiate excitatory pNR1-pCaMKII pathway, at peripheral DRG and central SC-SSC level. We suggest that the TRPV1 signaling pathway is highly correlated to Acupuncture effect that implies the real clinical significance.

An in situ air gaps fill-in approach was investigated by conducting a convenient way in dual-beam FIB. We employed a well-controlled deposition to precisely fill carbon into air gaps. It greatly reduced formation of the artifacts and avoided the profiles of air gaps by reducing striations and damages during FIB milling. Generally, the effect of air gaps between wordlines or between metal lines, as well as some unexpected defect voids can be eliminated in most cases if this ideal method is applied.

Many scientists are seeking better therapies for treating fibromyalgia (FM) pain. We used a mouse model of FM to determine if ASIC3 and its relevant signaling pathway participated in FM pain. We demonstrated that FM-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was attenuated by electroacupuncture (EA). The decrease in fatigue-induced lower motor function in FM mice was also reversed by EA. These EA-based effects were abolished by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone and the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist rolofylline. Administration of opioid receptor agonist endomorphin (EM) or adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) has similar results to EA. Similar results were also observed in ASIC3−/− or ASIC3 antagonist (APETx2) injected mice. Using western blotting, we determined that pPKA, pPI3K, and pERK were increased during a dual acidic injection priming period. Nociceptive receptors, such as ASIC3, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8, were upregulated in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord (SC) of FM mice. Furthermore, pPKA, pPI3K, and pERK were increased in the central thalamus. These aforementioned mechanisms were completely abolished in ASIC3 knockout mice. Electrophysiological results also indicated that acid potentiated Nav currents through ASIC3 and ERK pathway. Our results highlight the crucial role of ASIC3-mediated mechanisms in the treatment of FM-induced mechanical hyperalgesia.

Carbon-supported Pt, Pd, Pd-Pt core-shell (Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C) and Ir-decorated Pd-Pt core-shell (Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C) catalysts were synthesized, and their physical properties, electrochemical behaviors, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) characteristics and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performances were investigated herein. From the XRD patterns and TEM images, Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C has been confirmed that Pt was deposited on the Pd nanoparticle which had the core-shell structure. Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C has more positive OH reduction peak than Pt/C, which is beneficial to weaken the binding energy of Pt-OH during the ORR. Thus, Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C has higher ORR activity than Pt/C. The maximum power density of H2-O2 PEMFC using Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C is 792.2 mW cm(-2) at 70°C, which is 24% higher than that using Pt/C. The single-cell accelerated degradation test of PEMFC using Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C shows good durability by the potential cycling of 40,000 cycles. This study concludes that Ir-decorated Pt(shell)-Pd(core)/C has the low Pt content, but it can facilitate the low-cost and high-efficient PEMFC.

•The ASC uses petal-shaped MnO2 and a network of CNT-CNF as the electrodes.•The ASC shows a high specific capacitance in an aqueous neutral electrolyte.•The ASC shows a high power density by operating at a cell voltage of 2.0 V.•The ASC is attributed to the synergistic effects of the two superior electrodes.

Nitrogen-doped CNTs directly grown on a carbon cloth (CNT/CC) hybrid with polybenzimidazole (PBI) are utilized as hybrid electrodes for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). Pt nanoparticles (NPs) of typically 2.5 nm diameter have been deposited uniformly on the electrode composed of either CNT/CC or carbon black on carbon cloth (CB/CC). Comparative study of 0.1 mg cm−2 Pt NPs on a PBI–CNT (Pt/PBI–CNT) electrode and 0.8 mg cm−2 Pt NPs on PBI–carbon black (Pt/PBI–CB) for oxygen reduction in the cathode has been performed. In H2/O2 HT-PEMFC single cell tests, the low Pt-loaded (0.1 mg cm−2) Pt/PBI–CNT/CC electrode outperforms the high Pt-loaded (0.8 mg cm−2) Pt/PBI–CB/CC electrode with maximum power densities of 643 mW cm−2 and 468 mW cm−2, respectively, at 160 °C. Notably, the Pt-loading of a Pt/PBI–CNT/CC cell is one eighth of that of the Pt/PBI–CB/CC cell, while the former outperforms the latter by approximately 38%. The enhancement is attributed to good interfacial continuity between the PBI membrane and the carbon cloth and the uniform dispersion of the catalyst on the PBI–CNT surface, leading to the formation of three-phase contacts, which is essential for the activity of the catalyst.

The effects of the structures of various pyrolyzed cobalt-based macrocyclic compounds, which are pyrolyzed cobalt-corrin compounds (py-Co-Corrin/C), pyrolyzed cobalt-corrole compounds (py-Co-Corrole/C) and pyrolyzed cobalt-porphyrin compounds (py-Co-Porphyrin/C), on their activities in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are studied. Following the pyrolysis, py-Co-Corrin/C has a higher ORR activity than py-Co-Corrole/C and py-Co-Porphyrin/C, which their electron-transfer numbers are 3.90, 3.87 and 3.37 at 0.3 V, respectively. According to the analysis of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure in N K-edge, only py-Co-Corrin/C has the Co–N4 chelate and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons when pyrolyzed at high temperature. The X-ray absorption spectra reveal the oxidation states of central cobalt in cobalt-based macrocyclic compounds which are changed from high to low. Also, the atomic distances of cobalt to its neighbors vary among all of the samples. The experimental results suggest that the structure and the coordination of cobalt-based macrocyclic compounds strongly affect their ORR activities.

This work demonstrates two-step growth of graphene nanosheets (GNS), in which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are grown directly on a carbon cloth. GNS are subsequently constructed on the CNT surface, revealing the stand-up structure of the GNS–CNT hybrid nanostructure. The GNS–CNT hybrid nanostructure shows Nernstian and fast electron-transfer kinetics for electrochemical reactions of Fe(CN)63−/4−. A 0.1 mg cm−2 Pt/GNS–CNT is used in the cathode of a proton membrane exchange fuel cell, in which the maximum power density is 1072 mW cm−2 at 80 °C under H2/O2. In addition to a low-resistance electron-transfer pathway, the GNS–CNT hybrid nanostructure also provides numerous edge planes with strong electrochemical activity, ultimately enhancing electrochemical activity and fuel cell performance.

An advanced 3D sample preparation technique is utilized to prepare TEM lamellas for tracing the partial dislocation site by plan view and observing the details and failure types by further cross-section milling. Primary twins which twin with Σ = 3, (11 1} are the major structural defects in STI structure. These instructions give you basic guidelines for preparing your manuscript for IPFA 2013 proceedings.

In this study, the effect of non-precious metal catalysts in the form of pyrolyzed Vitamin B12 that is supported by carbon black on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is examined. Pyrolysis was carried out at temperatures of 300 °C (py-B12/C-300), 500 °C (py-B12/C-500), 700 °C (py-B12/C-700) and 900 °C (py-B12/C-900) in an N 2 -atmosphere. The ring-rotating disk electrode technique revealed that the electron-transfer numbers of py-B12/C-300, py-B12/C-500, py-B12/C-700 and py-B12/C-900 are 3.02, 3.42, 3.90 and 3.57, respectively: py-B12/C-700 exhibits near four-electron transfer. The X-ray absorption spectra demonstrate that during the pyrolysis, as the Co oxidation state of py-B12-700 is changed from Co(III) to Co(II), the Co coordination number changes from 6 to 4, suggesting that the structure is a square-planar Co–N 4 chelate. However, the Co–N 4 chelate is decomposed as the pyrolysis temperature increases to 900 °C, resulting in a loss of ORR activity. The H 2 –O 2 PEMFC that uses py-B12/C-700 provides excellent performance, substantially outperforming py-CoTMPP/C.

Bamboo-shaped CNTs in which oxygen was incorporated were directly grown on carbon cloth (O-BCNT-CC) by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Mixed precursors CH 4 /H 2 /N 2 /O 2 were introduced during the growth process. For comparison, bamboo-shaped CNTs without incorporated oxygen were prepared herein (BCNT-CC). Then, platinum catalysts were prepared on the as-grown O-BCNT-CC (Pt/O-BCNT-CC) and the as-grown BCNT-CC (Pt/BCNT-CC). According to TEM-EELS oxygen mapping, O atoms were uniformly distributed on the O-BCNT surface. Methanol oxidation was performed using Pt/O-BCNT-CC and Pt/BCNT-CC in 1 M methanol and 1 M sulfuric acid by cyclic voltammetry. In the initial cycle, the peak current density of Pt/O-BCNT-CC was almost equal to that of Pt/BCNT, indicating that both had nearly equal activities in the beginning. After 300 cycles, the peak current of Pt/BCNT-CC was reduced to half of the initial peak current owing to platinum-poisoning; however, the peak current of Pt/O-BCNT-CC decayed less. In Pt/O-BCNT-CC, the oxygen-containing functional groups affect the orientation index of crystalline Pt, providing a means of oxidizing methanol and stabilizing Pt catalysts for the long-term.

Non-precious metal catalysts of the oxygen reduction reaction are highly favored for use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) because of their relatively low cost. Here, a new carbon-black-supported pyrolyzed Co-corrole (py-Co-corrole/C) catalyst of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a PEFC cathode is demonstrated to have high catalytic performance. The py-Co-corrole/C at 700 °C exhibits optimized ORR activity and participates in a direct four-electron reduction pathway for the reduction of O2 to H2O. The H2-O2 PEFC test of py-Co-corrole/C in the cathode reveals a maximum power density of 275 mW cm−2, which yields a higher performance and a lower Co loading than previous studies of Co-based catalysts for PEFCs. The enhancement of the ORR activity of py-Co-corrole/C is attributable to the four-coordinated Co-corrole structure and the oxidation state of the central cobalt.

This work demonstrates the directly grown graphene-like carbon nanowall (GNW)–carbon nanotube (CNT)–polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber (CF) paper structure for use as a highly efficient supercapacitor. The CF was prepared by electrospinning, and was then treated by carbonization. The CNTs were directly grown on the CF paper by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using CH4/H2 precursors at 800 °C. The GNW was further reconstructed onto the CNT surface by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using CH4/H2 precursors at 1500 °C (GNW–CNT/CF). Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the capacitance of the GNW–CNT/CF electrode is around 176 F g− 1 at a charging/discharging current density of 0.5 mA/cm2. The stand-up structure of GNW–CNT/CF has a high capacitance, attributable to its large surface area, high electrical conductivity and direct growth with low energy-loss. This novel stand-up structure of GNW–CNT/CF with a high surface area and low electron-transfer resistance has great potential for developing a revolutionary new class of nanostructured electrodes in supercapacitors or other energy-conversion applications.

The limited natural abundance and high cost of Pt has been a major barrier in its applications for hydrogen or methanol fuel cells. In this work, based on the pyrolyzed corrin structure of vitamin B12 (py-B12/C), it is reported to produce superior catalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with an electron transfer number of 3.90, which is very close to the ideal case of 4. The H2–O2fuel cell using py-B12/C provides a maximum power density of 370 mW cm−2 and a current density of 0.720 A cm−2 at 0.5 V at 70 °C. Calculations based on density functional theory suggests that the corrin complex with a low-symmetric structure offers a much preferable path for the ORR, which is not applicable to the porphyrin with a high-symmetric structure. The long-term stability and high ORR activity of py-B12/C make it a viable candidate as a Pt-substitute in the ORR.

Auricular therapy includes acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupressure, lasering, cauterization, moxibustion, and bloodletting in the auricle. For 2500 years, people have employed auricular therapy for treating diseases, but the methods have been limited to bloodletting and cauterization. Only after 1957, the international scientific community became aware that the map of the ear resembles an inverted fetus, its introduction has led to auricular acupuncture (AA) becoming a more systemic approach, and, following the identification and standardization of more precise points, AA has been employed in clinical applications. The mechanisms of AA are considered to have a close relationship with the autonomic nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, neuroimmunological factors, neuroinflammation, and neural reflex, as well as antioxidation. Auricular therapy has been applied, for example, for pain relief, for the treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, and obesity, and for improving sleep quality. However, the mechanisms and evidence for auricular therapy warrant further study.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of platinum-free catalysts, which exhibit not only a high activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) but also a high tolerance of methanol. A cobalt (II) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP) precursor was dispersed in N,N-dimethylmethanamide (DMF), which was ultrasonically stirred for 30 min to yield a homogeneous solution, and then filtered to remove the solvent. The CoTMPP precipitate was pyrolyzed at temperatures of 300, 500, 700 and 900 °C in N 2 atmosphere. Raman spectra include strong peaks at 1330 and 1550 cm − 1 , which are associated with the D- and G-peaks of pyrolyzed CoTMPP above 500 °C, revealing that the original porphyrin structure of CoTMPP yields a network structure of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons upon the pyrolysis. Pyrolyzed CoTMPP loaded on carbon blacks (CoTMPP/C) at 700 °C exhibits a higher ORR activity than other various pyrolysis temperatures. In a methanol-containing solution, pyrolyzed CoTMPP/C preferentially undergoes the ORR rather than the methanol oxidation reaction, and so exhibits a high tolerance of methanol. Pyrolyzed CoTMPP has the pyrrolic nitrogen, and part of the cobalt-containing nitrogen chelate is cleaved and bound to other atoms, forming Co―N x ―C y (x + y = 4), which are responsible for the ORR activity and the high tolerance of methanol.

Protonated polyaniline (PANI) is directly polymerized on Nafion 117 (N117), forming a composite membrane, to act as a methanol-blocking layer to reduce the methanol crossover in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which is beneficial for the DMFC operating at high methanol concentration. The PANI layer grown on the N117 with a thickness of 100 nm has an electrical conductivity of 13.2 S cm −1 . The methanol permeability of the PANI/N117 membrane is reduced to 59% of that of the N117 alone, suggesting that the PANI/N117 can effectively reduce the methanol crossover in the DMFC. Comparison of membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEA) using the conventional N117 and the newly developed PANI/N117 composite shows that the PANI/N117-based MEA outputs higher power at high methanol concentration, while the output power of the N117-based MEA is reduced at high methanol concentration due to the methanol crossover. The maximum power density of the PANI/N117-based MEA at 60 °C is 70 mW cm −2 at 6 M methanol solution, which is double the N117-based MEA at the same methanol concentration. The resistance of PANI/N117 composite membrane is reduced at elevated methanol concentration, due to the hydrogen bonding between methanol and PANI pushes the polymer chains apart. It is concluded that the PANI/N117-based MEA performs well at elevated methanol concentration, which is suitable for the long-term operation of the DMFC.

The production of renewable solar fuel through CO2 photoreduction, namely artificial photosynthesis, has gained tremendous attention in recent times due to the limited availability of fossil-fuel resources and global climate change caused by rising anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) decorated with copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs), hereafter referred to as Cu/GO, has been used to enhance photocatalytic CO2 reduction under visible-light. A rapid one-pot microwave process was used to prepare the Cu/GO hybrids with various Cu contents. The attributes of metallic copper nanoparticles (∼4-5 nm in size) in the GO hybrid are shown to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of GO, primarily through the suppression of electron-hole pair recombination, further reduction of GO's bandgap, and modification of its work function. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy studies indicate a charge transfer from GO to Cu. A strong interaction is observed between the metal content of the Cu/GO hybrids and the rates of formation and selectivity of the products. A factor of greater than 60 times enhancement in CO2 to fuel catalytic efficiency has been demonstrated using Cu/GO-2 (10 wt % Cu) compared with that using pristine GO.

Our previous study showed that mossy fiber sprouting can occur in the hippocampus region in rats 6 wk after kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure, and this mossy fiber sprouting can facilitate epileptogenesis. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), which is similar to cervical VNS, can reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizure in intractable epilepsy patients. Greater parasympathetic nerve activity can be caused by 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA). Therefore, we investigated the effect of 2 Hz EA at ST-36-ST37 and at the ear on mossy fiber sprouting in kainic-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that applying 2 Hz EA at ST36-ST37 and at the ear for 3 d per week over 6 consecutive weeks can ameliorate mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus region of rats. These results indicated that applying 2 Hz EA at ST36-ST37 and at the ear might be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of epilepsy in humans.

Seizures cause inflammation of the central nervous system. The extent of the inflammation is related to the severity and recurrence of the seizures. Cell surface receptors are stimulated by stimulators such as kainic acid (KA), which causes intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway transmission to coordinate a response. It is known thatUncaria rhynchophylla(UR) andrhynchophylline(RP) have anticonvulsive effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a novel strategy for treating epilepsy by investigating how UR and RP initiate their anticonvulsive mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered KA (12 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce seizure before being sacrificed. The brain was removed 3 h after KA administration. The results indicate that pretreatment with UR (1.0 g/kg), RP (0.25 mg/kg), and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg) for 3 d could reduce epileptic seizures and could also reduce the expression of c-Jun aminoterminal kinase phosphorylation (JNKp) of MAPK signal pathways in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus brain tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-αremain unchanged, indicating that the anticonvulsive effect of UR and RP is initially involved in the JNKp MAPK signal pathway during the KA-induced acute seizure period.

Photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) to hydrocarbons such as methanol makes possible simultaneous solar energy harvesting and CO(2) reduction, two birds with one stone for the energy and environmental issues. This work describes a high photocatalytic conversion of CO(2) to methanol using graphene oxides (GOs) as a promising photocatalyst. The modified Hummer's method has been applied to synthesize the GO based photocatalyst for the enhanced catalytic activity. The photocatalytic CO(2) to methanol conversion rate on modified graphene oxide (GO-3) is 0.172 μmol g cat(-1) h(-1) under visible light, which is six-fold higher than the pure TiO(2).

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This work demonstrates the performance of carbon black-supported pyrolyzed Fe–corrole (py-Fe–corrole/C) as a cathode catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEMFCs. The ORR measurements reveal that the py-Fe–corrole/C exhibits good ORR activity, via the direct four-electron reduction pathway, in the reduction of O2 to H2O. The H2–O2 PEMFC produces high activity and good stability. The enhanced ORR activity is attributable to the network structure of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, the quaternary (graphitic)-type nitrogen and the coordination structure of the py-Fe–corrole/C. Square wave voltammetry has been applied to the py-Fe–corrole/C to perform a redox reaction of Fe(II)/Fe(III) at 0.6 V. Finally, detailed in situ X-ray adsorption spectroscopy has been applied to determine the ORR mechanism of py-Fe–corrole/C.

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A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) uses a solid polymer electrolyte, viz. Nafion�, sandwiched between the two electrodes. Nafion� not only plays the role as an electronic insulator and gas barrier but also allows rapid proton transport and supports high current densities. In order to maintain the high proton conductivity of Nafion�, humidified H 2 and O2 are passed through the two electrodes. However, water gets easily condensed in the electrodes. This process, called water-flooding, degrades the performance of PEMFC. Hence, a hydrophobic agent, viz. polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is normally incorporated into the electrodes to prevent this phenomenon. Since it is electrically insulating, the incorporation of PTFE increases the internal resistance of the fuel cell. In this study, we successfully demonstrate a PEMFC with catalyst layer comprising of low loading of platinum nanoparticles (0.05 mg cm-2) supported by a directly grown micro-porous carbon nanotube (CNT) layer without incorporation of PTFE, (Pt/MPL-CNT). This cell performs well without exhibiting water-flooding. A commercial electrode, the catalyst layer of which was supported by a conventional micro-porous layer of carbon black mixed with 30 w.t.% PTFE, was used as a reference (Pt/PTFE-MPL-CB). In the single cell tests, PEMFCs with 0.05 mg cm-2 Pt/MPL-CNT and 0.25 mg cm-2 Pt/PTFE-MPL-CB were used at the cathodes. These cells yielded maximum power densities of 902 mW cm-2 and 824 mW cm-2, respectively, at 70�C when operated with H2/O2. Notably, the Pt-loading of Pt/MPL-CNT cell is one-fifth of that of Pt/PTFE-MPL-CB, but the former still outperforms the latter. It is shown that the directly grown micro-porous CNT layer has low electronic resistance and is intrinsically hydrophobic, which are the properties responsible for the high performance obtained here. � 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

High oxygen reduction activity of methanol-tolerant catalysts was successfully reported using platinum nanoparticles embedded in cobalt-based nitrogen-containing complexes supported on carbon blacks (Pt–N-complex/C). The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the Pt–N-complex/C was attributed to four-electron transfer pathway in which oxygen was directly reduced to water, yielding four electrons. In a methanol-containing solution, the platinum intrinsically favors the methanol oxidation reaction over the ORR, which is a major drawback for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In comparison, when the Pt–N-complex/C is introduced in a methanol-containing solution, not only is the methanol oxidation suppressed but also the four-electron-transfer in the ORR is maintained up to the diffusion-limiting region. Physicochemical characterization of the Pt–N-complex/C indicates that pyrrolic N-type poly-aromatic hydrocarbons were formed in a network structure around the catalysts and prevented them from the methanol oxidation reaction. In a DMFC test at elevated methanol concentrations, the one with the Pt–N-complex/C cathode showed superior stability over the one with the Pt-based cathode, which may offer a solution to the methanol crossover problem in DMFCs.