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Next-generation stretchable optoelectronics require functional electric conductors with mechanical stretchability and optical transparency. We present a new class of highly stretchable and transparent conductors based on silver nanowire (AgNW) percolation microgrids embedded in an elastomeric substrate. These are prepared by simple spray-coating and subsequent adhesive-tape-assisted contact-removal of the AgNWs. The synergetic combination of the percolated NWs and regular micro-grid geometry in an integrated form makes it possible to achieve uniform, reproducible, and predictable performance of the resulting AgNW microgrids and ensure good stretchability. The fabricated device shows superior optoelectronic performance with a sheet resistance of 26.1 Ω/sq and an optical transmittance of 85.8 %. In addition, the device can reversibly accommodate various mechanical deformations, such as stretching, bending, and twisting. Graphical AbstractA new class of highly stretchable and transparent conductor based on silver nanowire (AgNW) percolation micro-grids prepared by spray-coating and subsequent adhesive-tape-assisted contact removal of AgNWs is presented.

We describe a simple, precise and scalable micropatterning approach of conductive nanomaterials (CNs) based on a synergetic combination of lift-off process and wet coating of CNs.

IntroductionHypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The majority of patients, however, cannot easily maintain a healthy blood pressure. Therefore, lifestyle modifications are important and may include getting enough sleep. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sleep duration and hypertension, as defined by the Joint National Committee (JNC) 7 and JNC 8 guidelines.MethodsWe used the data from 6,365 individuals aged ≥ 18 years based on national data from a representative sample of the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-3 in 2012. The participants were divided into three categories: JNC 7, JNC 8, and newly excluded only. The duration of sleep was classified as less than 5, 6, 7, 8, or more than 9 hours.ResultsCompared with the appropriate sleep duration of 7 hours, with a sleep duration of less than 5 hours, the recommended pharmacological treatment of hypertension rate increased 1.908-fold (95% CI = 1.483-2.456) according to the JNC 8 guidelines and 1.864-fold (95% CI = 1.446-2.403) according to the JNC 7 guidelines. However, there was no statistical difference with the other sleep categories.DiscussionThe recommended hypertension treatment rate increased significantly in the less than 5 hours sleep group according to the JNC 8 guidelines. To manage hypertension effectively, it may be useful to maintain a lifestyle of sleeping more than 6 hours.

Blood pressure (BP) measurement is the most common investigation performed in primary care.

Background and purpose: This study evaluated the changes in blood flow velocity in the anterior and posterior intracranial circulations according to the progression of moyamoya disease in adult patients.Methods: We evaluated Suzuki's angiographic stage and mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) changes in intracranial vessels from both sides in 19 adult moyamoya patients. We then analyzed the linearity of MBFV changes from early to late moyamoya stages in each intracranial vessel using piecewise linear regression models.Results: The MBFV in the middle cerebral artery, terminal internal carotid artery, and anterior cerebral artery increased non linearly until stage III, and then decreased progressively up to stage VI. The ophthalmic artery also showed nonlinear velocity changes, with an increase in MBFV up to stage IV, followed by a decrease in MBFV up to stage VI. The MBFV of the basilar artery increased linearly from a normal velocity at an early moyamoya stage to a stenotic velocity at a late stage. There was no statistically significant regression model for the relationship between the MBFV in the posterior cerebral artery and moyamoya stage.Conclusions: The nonlinear and/or linear MBFV changes associated with variable intracranial vessels might be useful in initial and follow-up evaluations of different stages of moyamoya disease.

Elastomer-infiltrated vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests are good candidates for use as stretchable conductors that can retain the electrical properties under relatively large stretching. The electrical performance can be further enhanced in terms of high stretchability and small change in the electrical resistance by using a wavy configuration. In this work, we present a wavy-structured high-performance stretchable conductor prepared by a simple prestraining approach based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-infiltrated VACNT films. Prior to the infiltration process, the VACNT forests can also be easily micropatterned by a PDMS stamp-assisted contact transfer printing technique. The conductive VACNT forest patterns are fully infiltrated with highly elastic PDMS, and the PDMS/VACNT film is conformally and strongly bonded to the prestrained PDMS substrate with the help of an intermediate thin PDMS layer, resulting in mechanical robustness of the whole device. The fabricated wavy VACNT conductor shows a small resistance change ratio of less than 6% with a tensile strain of up to 100% (prestrained level) and a high reversibility under multiple stretching/releasing cycles with a maximum strain of 100%.

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