Temperature is one of the most important variables in brain monitoring, since changes of focal brain temperature are closely coupled to cerebral physiology and pathophysiological phenomena in injured brain. In this work, a highly accurate temperature sensor with polysilicon thermistors has been developed on flexible polyimide for monitoring brain temperature with high spatial resolution. The temperature sensors have a response time of 1.5 s and sensitivity of  −0.0031 °C−1. Thermal hysteresis of the sensor in the physiological temperature range of 30–45 °C was found to be less than 0.1 °C. With silicon nitride as the passivation layer, the temperature sensor exhibits drift of less than 0.3 °C for 3 d in water. In vivo tests of the sensor show a low noise level of 0.025  ±  0.03 °C, and the expected transient increases in cortical temperature associated with cortical spreading depolarization. The temperature sensor developed in this work is suitable for monitoring brain temperature with the desired high sensitivity and resolution.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of human health problems such as liver, heart and blood vessel diseases. In the present study, the concept of intoxicating degree (ID) is proposed as an index to demonstrate the degree of intoxicating activity for consuming liquor products. A mice model was designed for the evaluation of liquor product IDs. The intoxicating effects of liquor products were investigated by blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) and behaviour abilities of mice including righting reflex, running and forced-swim abilities. A linear regression model between comprehensive drunkenness degree (CD), calculated by integrating BAC and the behaviour abilities, and alcohol-feeding dosages (), was established (with > 0.9) with a slope factor of . The ratio of the values of liquor products to that of purified alcohol could be used to express the ID. For ID values less than 1, the liquor product would have a lower intoxicating effect when the same amount of alcohol content was consumed and .

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two forage sources supplemented either from Day 3 or Day 15 of age on growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, intestinal enzymes and incidence of diarrhoea in Holstein bull calves. Forty neonatal male Holstein calves (40.6 ± 5.8 kg BW) were randomly assigned to five treatments, with eight replicates each, including calves fed starter feed without any forage provision (Control; CON), and the same starter plus either chopped alfalfa hay started fed from Day 3 (AE) or Day 15 of age (AL) or chopped oat hay fed from Day 3 (OE) or Day 15 of age (OL). The study finished when all calves were weaned at 56 days of age. During the experimental period average daily gain, starter intake and total dry matter intake were similar among calves fed either of five dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Empty rumen weight (proportional to bodyweight) was greater in CON calves than in OL calves (P < 0.05). The AL calves had a lighter small intestine compared with CON, OL and AE calves, but similar to OE. Frequency of diarrhoea was not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.05). Rumen concentration of total volatile fatty acids and pH were similar among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Control calves had a lower molar proportion of acetate compared with OL calves, but similar to the other calves (P < 0.05). Forage-fed calves had similar molar proportion of butyrate to CON calves. Acetate to propionate ratio was higher in OL-fed calves than in those fed CON and AE diets (P < 0.05). Rumen concentration of NH3-N tended to be higher (P = 0.059) in CON calves than in forage-fed calves. During experimental period, serum concentrations of globulin, total protein, glucose and total cholesterol were similar among dietary treatments. Calves fed OE had lower serum concentration of albumin than those fed other diets (P < 0.01). Serum concentration of triglycerides (P < 0.05) was greater in calves fed AE followed by those fed AL and then those fed CON, OL and OE. The AL-fed calves had a higher serum lactate dehydrogenase compared with AE and OE fed calves, but similar to calves fed OL and CON. Duodenum amylase concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in AE-fed calves compared with CON-fed calves, but similar to calves fed AL, OL and OE. Calves fed OL had greater (P < 0.05) ileum lipase concentration than those fed OE, but similar to calves fed AL, AE and CON. In conclusion, provision of chopped alfalfa or oat hay to calves either from Day 3 or Day 15 of age resulted in similar starter intake and total dry matter intake and feed efficiency and physical development of the reticulorumen compared with calves fed the CON diet, which justifies the supply of forage to young calves, even at an early age, as forages are generally cheaper than starter concentrates.

Based on the minority-carrier exclusion theory, an analytical model is developed to explain the operating principle of temperature sensors fabricated on thin silicon film. The model also takes into account the effects of temperature and carrier concentrations on carrier mobilities. Device simulation is used to verify the proposed model in terms of the carrier-concentration distribution in the minority-exclusion region, exclusion length, and the temperature dependence of the sensor resistance. Results show that the model is applicable for a sensor operating over a wide temperature range, provided that its bias current is not too high.