High Sensibility Research Articles

Исследование пропускной способности оптического канала с приемником информации в виде кремниевого фотоэлектронного умножителя

The implementation of such technology of data transmission as Li-Fi requires photodetectors that are optically sensitive in the visible range of wavelengths. The photomultiplier tubes are characterized by highest sensibility in this wavelength range, but also by large size, higher power supply voltage, and frangibility. An alternative to the mentioned type of photodetectors is a silicon photomultiplier tube (Si-PMT) characterized by good sensibility in the visible range of wavelengths. In this work, the throughput of an optical communication channel with an informa-tion receiver in the form of a Si-PMT is investigated. As a result, it was found that the highest throughput value corresponded to the supply voltage value equal to the breakdown voltage of the Si-PMT, and to the optical radiation wavelengths of 470 nm. It has been established that an in-crease in temperature causes a decrease in the transmission capacity of the photodetector, and an increase in the optical pulses’ radiant exposure leads to an increase in the transmission capacity. The results obtained can be used in the development of optical communication systems.

Population wide testing pooling strategy for SARS-CoV-2 detection using saliva.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced frequent testing of populations. It is necessary to identify the most cost-effective strategies for the detection of COVID-19 outbreaks. Nasopharyngeal samples have been used for SARS-CoV-2 detection but require a healthcare professional to collect the sample and cause discomfort and pain to the individual. Saliva has been suggested as an appropriate fluid for the diagnosis of COVID-19. We have investigated the possibility of using pools of saliva samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Two hundred and seventy-nine saliva samples were analyzed through RT-PCR of Envelope, Nucleocapsid and Open Reading Frame 1ab genes. Reproducibility assays showed an almost perfect agreement as well as high sensitivity (96.6%), specificity (96.8%), positive predicted value (96.6%), and negative predicted value (96.8%). The average Cycle Threshold of the genes detected was 29.7. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected when comparing the cycle threshold average of two consecutive reactions on the same positive saliva samples. Saliva samples have a higher median viral load (32.6) than in nasopharyngeal samples (28.9), although no significant differences were detected (p > 0.05). Saliva-pool samples allowed effective SARS-CoV-2 screening, with a higher sensibility (96.9%) on 10-sample pools than in 20-sample pools (87.5%). Regardless of pools size specificity was high (99.9%) and an almost perfect agreement was observed. Our strategy was successfully applied in population wide testing of more than 2000 individuals, showing that it is possible to use pooled saliva as diagnostic fluid for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

UV-enhanced NO2 gas sensors based on In2O3/ZnO composite material modified by polypeptides

This present study reported a high-performance gas sensor, based on In2O3/ZnO composite material modified by polypeptides, with a high sensibility to NO2, where the In2O3/ZnO composite was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. A series of results through material characterization technologies showed the addition of polypeptides can effectively change the morphology and size of In2O3/ZnO crystals, and effectively improve the sensing performance of the gas sensors. Due to the single shape and small size, In2O3/ZnO composite modified by polypeptides increased the active sites on the surface. At the same time, the gas sensing properties of four different ratios of polypeptide-modified In2O3/ZnO gas sensors were tested. It was found that the In2O3/ZnO-10 material showed the highest response, excellent selectivity, and good stability at room temperature under UV light. In addition, the response of the In2O3/ZnO-10 gas sensor showed a strong linear relationship with the NO2 gas concentration. When the NO2 gas concentration was 20 ppm, the response time was as quick as 19 s, and the recovery time was 57 s. Finally, based on the obtained experimental characterization results and energy band structure analysis, a possible gas sensing mechanism is proposed.

Robust linear control of a bending molecular artificial muscle based on spin crossover molecules

Bending actuators represent a popular class of artificial muscles for which efficient closed-loop control is a remarkable challenge, due to the complexity of physico-chemical phenomena occurring during dynamic contraction. In this study, we investigate an electro-thermally actuated, bilayer bending actuator based on spin crossover molecules. While these artificial muscles can open-loop contract in several tens of seconds, we show that a simple closed-loop PID-control is able to reduce the response time to ca. 1.5 s, even with loads up to 5 times the actuator weight (i.e. a maximal load of about 343 mg). We demonstrate also satisfactory sine wave tracking performance. The relevance of this linear control approach applied to a nonlinear actuator is the consequence of the high sensibility of the actuator to the current, responsible for the Joule effect. Notably, the actuator roughly behaves like a second-order linear system, whose time “constants” decrease with current. Consequently, the natural speed improvement peculiar to the PID-controller is further amplified by this nonlinear effect, without any loss in stability of the closed-loop system.

Robust and emissive covalent organic frameworks formed via intramolecular hydrogen bond interaction

Robust and emissive COFs via intramolecular hydrogen bond interaction suggested high sensitivity, selectivity, and sensibility towards 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

Clinical application of cardiac scintigraphy with bone tracers: controversies and pitfalls in cardiac amyloidosis

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a life-threatening disease caused by extracellular deposition of amyloidogenic proteins in the heart tissue; it could be associated with a poor prognosis and remains underdiagnosed and underestimated. During the last years, bone scintigraphy has been widely used to facilitate the diagnosis of CA, avoid endomyocardial biopsy, and differentiate amyloid light-chain amyloidosis from transthyretin amyloidosis. Technetium-99m pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) is the most used tracer in the United States, but a standardized and shared acquisition protocol is still lacking; technetium-99m 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (99mTc-DPD) is widely used in Europe and can count on a more grounded data than 99mTc-PYP. Both tracers suffer from some diagnostic limitations (due to their biochemical characteristics) and pitfalls that can lead to a misdiagnosis of CA. We aim to briefly describe the main differences between 99mTc-PYP and 99mTc-DPD, analyzing the data available in the literature and highlighting the most frequent causes of misdiagnosis and pitfalls. Both 99mTc-DPD and 99mTc-PYP show good accuracy for the diagnosis of CA with high specificity and sensibility. Nevertheless, to achieve this accuracy, the correct acquisition protocols must be followed for each tracer, as suggested in the latest recommendation. Proper diagnosis of CA has a crucial role in patient management; therefore, it is important for nuclear physicians to have the most specific approaches in acquiring and interpreting bone scintigraphy for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

Telehealth Management and Risk Stratification of Older Patients With Chronic Heart Failure During COVID-19 Pandemic: Prognostic Evaluation of the TeleHFCovid19-Score.

ObjectivesTo evaluate 6-month risk stratification capacity of the newly developed TeleHFCovid19-Score for remote management of older patients with heart failure (HF) during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.DesignMonocentric observational prospective study.Setting and ParticipantsOlder HF outpatients remotely managed during the first pandemic wave.MethodsThe TeleHFCovid19-Score (0-29) was obtained by an ad hoc developed multiparametric standardized questionnaire administered during telephone visits to older HF patients (and/or caregivers) followed at our HF clinic. Questions were weighed on the basis of clinical judgment and review of current HF literature. According to the score, patients were divided in progressively increasing risk groups: green (0-3), yellow (4-8), and red (≥9).ResultsA total of 146 patients composed our study population: at baseline, 112, 21, and 13 were classified as green, yellow, and red, respectively. Mean age was 81±9 years, and women were 40%. Compared to patients of red and yellow groups, those in the green group had a lower use of high-dose loop diuretics (P < .001) or thiazide-like diuretics (P = .027) and had reported less frequently dyspnea at rest or for basic activities, new or worsening extremity edema, or weight increase (all P < .001). At 6 months, compared with red (62.2%) and yellow patients (33.3%), green patients (8.9%) presented a significantly lower rate of the composite outcome of cardiovascular death and/or HF hospitalization (P < .001). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a high sensibility and specificity of our score at 6 months (area under the curve = 0.789, 95% CI 0.682-0.896, P < .001) with a score <4.5 (very close to green group cutoff) that identified lower-risk subjects.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe TeleHFCovid19-Score was able to correctly identify patients with midterm favorable outcome. Therefore, our questionnaire might be used to identify low-risk chronic HF patients who could be temporarily managed remotely, allowing to devote more efforts to the care of higher-risk patients who need closer and on-site clinical evaluations.

Real-time high sensibility vibration detection based on phase correlation of line speckle patterns

A vibration extraction system based on laser speckle with phase correlation method is presented. The speckle pattern sequences are recorded by a linear array CMOS, which allows the system to detect high frequency signals more than 20 kHz. The line speckle patterns are fast Fourier transformed and correlated between the adjacent rows in the frequency domain. The phase angles of correlation calculations are directly used as the displacements between the respective two rows in the object space. The recovered audio signals are evaluated by segmental SNR (SegSNR), normalized sub-band envelope correlation (NSEC), and log-likelihood ratio (LLR). Compared with the centroid and quadratic fitting method, the phase correlation method obtains advantages of high stability, high sensibility, and real-time.

Plasmonic Spherical Nanoparticles Coupled with Titania Nanotube Arrays Prepared by Anodization as Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Applications: A Review.

As surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) continues developing to be a powerful analytical tool for several probes, four important aspects to make it more accessible have to be addressed: low-cost, reproducibility, high sensibility, and recyclability. Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) prepared by anodization have attracted interest in this field because they can be used as safe solid supports to deposit metal nanoparticles to build SERS substrate nanoplatforms that meet these four desired aspects. TiO2 NTs can be easily prepared and, by varying different synthesis parameters, their dimensions and specific features of their morphology can be tuned allowing them to support metal nanoparticles of different sizes that can achieve a regular dispersion on their surface promoting high enhancement factors (EF) and reproducibility. Besides, the TiO2 photocatalytic properties enable the substrate’s self-cleaning property for recyclability. In this review, we discuss the different methodological strategies that have been tested to achieve a high performance of the SERS substrates based on TiO2 NTs as solid support for the three main noble metal nanoparticles mainly studied for this purpose: Ag, Au, and Pt.

504 Comparison of cardiovascular risk scores to predict anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in early breast cancer patients

Abstract Aims Cardiovascular (CV) toxicities related to chemotherapy have been reported with increasing frequency. Thus, latest cardio-oncology guidelines focused on the importance of a baseline CV risk assessment before starting a potentially cardiotoxic regimen, in order to identify individuals at greater risk of developing CV toxicities and to prevent them. Despite these recommendations, there are still no validated systems to predict cardiotoxicity risk in oncological patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the average risk assessed by conventional CV risk scores (SCORE, QRISK2, ASCVD) and two recently developed cardiotoxicity risk scores (Baseline cardiovascular risk stratification proformas, Multivariable prediction model for major adverse cardiovascular events after early stage breast cancer) in a cohort of 41 (100% female; mean age 52.9 ± 11) early breast cancer (EBC) patients treated with epirubicin and to investigate the relationship between CV and cardiotoxicity risk and the rate of CV outcome, defined as biomarkers (high sensibility Troponin I and BNP) increase during the follow-up. Results A baseline CV risk assessment was performed in all patients before starting chemotherapy according to prespecified scores, showing a higher mean CV risk in our cohort compared to general population. Most patients were at low risk of developing cardiotoxicity according to prespecified scores. During the follow-up (mean 221 ± 75 days), the primary outcome occurred in 9.8% (n = 4). The average CV risk scores of patients developing the primary outcome were higher than the controls according to both conventional and cardiotoxicity risk scores (Figure 1). The QRISK2 achieved the best ratio cases average score/controls average score (r = 3) and the ROC curve confirmed QRISK2 as the best CV risk score to predict the outcome in our cohort, reaching the highest sensitivity and specificity (Figure 2). Conclusions In a cohort of young patients affected by EBC the mean CV risk is higher than the general young female population according to traditional CV risk scores. Moreover, patients developing the primary outcome during the Follow-up were those at higher CV risk and high risk of cardio toxicity. Surprisingly the best score to predict the incidence of outcome was the QRISK2, confirming the crucial role of baseline CV risk in cancer patients.

Construction of four Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers with flexible isomer ligands: Chemosensor for antibiotic

Four coordination polymers have been synthesized by using Zn(II)/Cd(II) salt and bis(imidazole) ligand in the presence of the different flexible phenylenediacetate isomers under hydrothermal conditions. The flexible trans -conformation pda and biyb ligands in complexes 1, 3, 4 afford the 2D (4,4)-connected layer, which are further stacked in an offset fashion with an ABAB sequence to propagate into a 3D supramolecular architecture through strong C–H···π and C–H⋯O interactions. Differently, the flexible cis -conformation pda and biyb ligands in 2 can be seen as “V” type building block, linking Zn(II) atoms to form a 3D helix network. The structural diversity of these complexes is mainly attributed to the different coordination modes and isomer conformations of the flexible phenylenediacetic acids and bis(imidazole) ligand. The fluorescence property application and mechanisms of four complexes for detecting antibiotic cefixime (CEF) have been researched. Compared with 1, 3, 4 complex 2 has higher quenching percentage, this may be because 2 is a 3D structure with a large hole (18.99 × 20.02 Å window). The detection limits of complexes 1 – 4 have been measured to be 0.23 μΜ, 0.34 μΜ, 0.37 μΜ, 0.38 μΜ, respectively. The theoretic calculation and UV–vis absorption experiments confirmed that the fluorescence quenching of complexes 1 – 4 toward cefixime (CEF) should be attributed to the electron transfer and the fluorescence inner filter effect between the fluorescent matter and the analyte. Four Zn(II) and Cd(II) based coordination polymers show structural diversity have been reported. Compared with 1, 3 and 4, complex 2 has higher quenching percentage, this may be because 2 is a 3D structure with a large hole (18.99 × 20.02 Å window). The detection limits of complexes 1-4 have been measured to be 0.23μΜ, 0.34μΜ, 0.37μΜ, 0.38μΜ, respectively. The theoretic calculation and UV−vis absorption experiments confirmed that the fluorescence quenching of complexes 1-4 toward cefoxime (CEF) should be attributed to the electron transfer and the fluorescence inner filter effect between the fluorescent matter and the analyte. • Four complexes with three flexible phenylenediacetate isomers, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. • Four complexes are excellent discriminative probe for antibiotic cefoxime(CEF), based on their sensitive fluorescence quenching. • The PET and the IFE effects together caused high sensibility and selectivity for detection of cefoxime (CEF).

Clinical Testing of Head Impulse Paradigm and Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm Using a Diagnostic Headband: Combined Clinical Sign for Improved Performance

We developed a clinical sign that improves the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the Head Impulse Paradigm (HIMP) Test by adding the Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) Test using a diagnostic headband. Prospective and descriptive study analyzing the function of 1,255 horizontal semicircular canals of subjects with differing vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains who showed-up with symptoms related to neurotology (Montevideo, Uruguay, March 2017 to March 2019). The clinical HIMP and SHIMP tests were assessed and the amplitudes of overt saccades were compared to each other. Clinical findings were contrasted against vHIT gains. The HIMP and SHIMP combined test using the H/S headband has high specificity and low sensibility. This test association can identify healthy individuals among individuals typically misdiagnosed as ill by the conventional HIT or HIMP maneuver of the HIMP test, as originally described by Halmagyi and Curthoys. Therefore, we recommend using the headband assisted HIMP/SHIMP test, instead of exclusively relying on positive HIMP results.

Development of a novel ssDNA aptamer targeting cardiac troponin I and its clinical applications.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a specific biomarker of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, cTnI detection kits prepared with antibodies have many defects. Nucleic acid aptamers are sequences of single-strand DNA or RNA that can overcome the deficiency of antibodies. Herein, sandwich ELONA methods were established based on aptamers. Two selected ssDNA aptamers (Apt3 and Apt6) showed high binding affinity and sensibility (Apt3: Kd = 1.01 ± 0.07nM, Apt6: k = 0.68 ± 0.05) and did not bind to the same domain of cTnI. Therefore, these two aptamers can be applied to the ELONA methods. The detection range of cTnI using the dual-aptamer sandwich ELONA method was 0.05-200ng/mL, and the bioanalytical method verification results can meet the national standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition). There was no difference between results of the dual-aptamer sandwich ELONA method and the diagnostic results of serum obtained from 243 people (P = 0.39, P ˃ 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the ELONA with cTnI in serum were 96.46% and 93.85%, respectively. Compared with the FICA kit, which is clinically used, the consequences of ELONA method are closer to the diagnostic results. This study suggests that the aptamers Apt3 and Apt6 have high affinity and strong specificity and that the dual-aptamer sandwich ELONA method has a wide detection range and can be used to determine cTnI in serum, with potential applications in the diagnosis of AMIs.

Construction, Characterization and Application of Recombinant Porcine Deltacoronavirus Expressing Nanoluciferase.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus, causes diarrhoea in suckling piglets and has the potential for cross-species transmission. No effective PDCoV vaccines or antiviral drugs are currently available. Here, we successfully generated an infectious clone of PDCoV strain CHN-HN-2014 using a combination of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based reverse genetics system with a one-step homologous recombination. The recued virus (rCHN-HN-2014) possesses similar growth characteristics to the parental virus in vitro. Based on the established infectious clone and CRISPR/Cas9 technology, a PDCoV reporter virus expressing nanoluciferase (Nluc) was constructed by replacing the NS6 gene. Using two drugs, lycorine and resveratrol, we found that the Nluc reporter virus exhibited high sensibility and easy quantification to rapid antiviral screening. We further used the Nluc reporter virus to test the susceptibility of different cell lines to PDCoV and found that cell lines derived from various host species, including human, swine, cattle and monkey enables PDCoV replication, broadening our understanding of the PDCoV cell tropism range. Taken together, our reporter viruses are available to high throughput screening for antiviral drugs and uncover the infectivity of PDCoV in various cells, which will accelerate our understanding of PDCoV.

Comprehensive mechanism of ferromagnetism enhancement in nitrogen-doped graphene

Realizing the strong ferromagnetism (FM) with both the Curie temperature above room temperature and high magnetization in graphene, is key for its real application in future spintronics. Nitrogen-doping has been confirmed to be one of the most promising ways for experimental realization of room temperature FM in graphene. However, the comprehensive mechanism, which needs to verify the enhancements of both the nitrogen complexes-induced magnetism and the FM coupling among them, remains to be completely explored, which impedes the experimental optimization of the FM in nitrogen-doped graphene (NG). Here, we theoretically perform a comprehensive analysis on the FM enhancement in NG. The enhancement of both the magnetic moments and FM coupling highly depends on the N concentration and relative geometric configuration of the N complexes. Especially, the magnetic moments and FM coupling are attributed to the σ–π magnetic interaction between the localized and itinerant moments, the band reconstruction originated from the proximity of N complexes, and the sublattice match/mismatch. The FM enhancement is high sensibility to the geometric configurations of the N complexes, and only the presence of graphitic-3N combined with trimerized pyridine can realize the sublattice-independent strong FM in the high N-concentration limit. Whereas the low N-concentration limit favors the substantial FM enhancement in all systems, but would unavoidably undergo both the low Curie temperature and low magnetization due to the relatively low N-concentration. We hope that the comprehensive mechanism of FM enhancement we offered can push the optimization of the FM in NG via tuning its N concentration and geometric configuration of the N complexes by the rational design of the specific experimental strategies.

Evolutive History of Leishmania Genus and Differential Diagnosis of Clinical Important Species Based on a Unique Kinetoplastida Chitinase

Introduction: Leishmaniasis, a neglected infectious disease affecting humans, domestic, and wild animals, is caused by 20 from 53 Leishmania genus species and transmitted by sandflies. Leishmania genus, belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family and Kinetoplastida order, are grouped into five subgroups according to the biogeographic and evolutive history of parasites and hosts, leading to incongruences and paraphyly. The GH18 Leishmania chitinase, which is encoded by a species-specific single-copy gene, conserved in the basal groups of trypanosomatids, and absent in the genus Trypanosoma, was evaluated as a phylogenetic marker and a diagnostic target. Methods: Primers were designed to detect Leishmania in its host biological samples and obtain the chitinase sequence of species that are unavailable in public databanks. The GH18 chitinase gene and its genomic context were evaluated phylogenetically. A protocol was developed to discriminate Leishmania subgenera by adopting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism and using in silico tools. The adopted PCR method for detecting a partial 953 bp GH18 chitinase-encoding gene represented high sensibility and specificity on DNA of isolated parasites and was used as negative controls, Trypanosoma cruzi, and DNA from Leishmania hosts. Results: Preservation of the chitinase locus in the aquatic free-living protozoan Bodo saltans disclosed a primitive common origin. Based on the comparative analysis, the amino acid sequence of GH18 trypanosomatidae chitinase demonstrated its high similarity to that of chitinase from marine prokaryotes and protozoans. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on chitinase corroborated the Supercontinent Origins Theory for Leishmania. Conclusion: The chitinase-encoding gene was effectively detected in biological samples and thus could be considered for differential molecular diagnosis among Leishmania clinical important species worldwide.

A simple electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of transgenic soybean protein CP4-EPSPS in seeds

Soybean is the most produced crop in Argentina, and 99 % corresponds to genetically modified soybean. One of the main produced varieties is Roundup Ready® soybean (RR), which was modified to express the enzyme CP4 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS), which confers resistance to glyphosate, the main herbicide worldwide used. The possible impact of genetically modified organisms (GMO) has generated public concerns, thus increasing interest in the development of GMOs detection devices. In this work, an electrochemical immunosensor for CP4 EPSPS detection in soybean seeds was obtained, by using a gold electrode modified with an anti-CP4 EPSPS polyclonal antibody produced in our laboratory. The presented immunosensor resulted in a simple, low-cost, fast, and reproducible device. Also, labeling and/or signal amplification system was not necessary, since the sensor showed high sensibility with a low detection limit (lower at 0,038 % RR soybean, 38 ng mL−1 CP4 EPSPS).

Resistencia bacteriana en flora rectal previo a biopsia prostática en población mexicana

Abstract Background: The diagnosis of prostate cancer is accomplished with the use of prostatic biopsy. Although the transperineal access has emerged and been used more commonly, the transrectal approach is still the most performed globally. Infectious complications following biopsy are the most important and serious. The use of prophylactic antibiotics is a common practice. Fluoroquinolones have been the most used antibiotics worldwide and remain the first option before prostate biopsy. However, the resistance to these antibiotics has been rising dramatically in the last decades. Resistance shows different numbers in each country and region. The choice of antibiotic will depend on the local sensibilities reported. Aim: To determine de prevalence of fluoroquinolone and othe antibiotic resistance in patients that come to our hospital for a prostate biopsy. Material and methods: We performed a rectal swab in patients in whom a prostate biopsy was performed. Culture results were obtained and a descriptive analysis of resistance and sensibilities were obtained. Results: We performed 126 rectal swabs. The main microorganism found in rectal cultures was E.coli. In our study we found a resistance to fluoroquinolones of 83%. The highest sensibility was for carbapenemics. None of our patients developed infectious complications. Conclusion: We found a resistance rate in rectal flora before prostate biopsy of 83% to fluoroquinolones. We didn´t observe infectious complications in the patients included in our study. The use of antibiotics, bowel preparation, and negative urine culture diminish the possibilities of infectious complications. Although transperineal biopsy offers a minimal risk of infection, patients show more symptoms following this procedure. To our knowledge there are no reports of antibiotic resistance in rectal flora in our population.

Bioinspired Design of Hill‐Ridge Architecture‐Based Iontronic Sensor with High Sensibility and Piecewise Linearity

AbstractIontronic sensing has experienced a rapid growth in recent years due to its ultrahigh device sensitivity, high resolution, and high spatial definition. However, most of the reported sensors usually exhibit a highly nonlinear response for the dramatic drop of sensitivity as pressure increasing. Here, a sensitive, piecewise linear flexible iontronic pressure sensor is reported. Inspired by the relationship between microstructure of fly mechanoreceptors and their associated stimuli, hill‐ridge architecture (HRA)‐based sensors with piecewise high sensitivity and linearity are designed and successfully prepared by using a simple and adjustable PDMS prestretched template. The developed sensor demonstrates a high sensitivity of 37.7 kPa–1 in the low‐pressure range (0–4 kPa) and 4.69 kPa–1 in higher load force (100–350 kPa). It is worth emphasizing that the response in both loading ranges is linear. Besides, the sensor exhibits a short dynamic response time of 23 ms together with extremely low LOD of 0.32 Pa and remarkable mechanical stability (&gt;5000 cycles). Finally, the applications of the sensor for artery pulse detection, handwriting identification, and spatial discrimination are demonstrated. Benefiting from the unique properties, the proposed sensor can be advantageous for the potential applications in fields of motion detection, healthcare monitoring, and human‐machine interfaces.

Humidity Sensor Based on PEO/PEDOT:PSS Blends for Breath Monitoring

AbstractThe discrimination of humidity in exhaled breath is of utmost importance to turn breath analysis into an efficient noninvasive tool for early diagnosis or treatment monitoring of several diseases. Herein, by assembling different ratios of the conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate with the polymer matrix polyethylene oxide (PEO), humidity chemiresistor‐based sensors are designed and investigated. The testing results display a broad relative humidity detection range (6–92%), repeatability, reproducibility, and good reversibility. Meanwhile, the sensors possess good reliability for distinct temperatures and in the presence of typical volatile organic compounds found in human exhaled air. The hygroscopic idiosyncrasy of PEO is attributed to be the main responsible for the high sensibility toward humidity. In a proof‐of‐principle for detection of respiration humidity, the outcome shows the ability of the chemiresistors to detect the humidity variation in a real case of breath exposure up to 2 s intervals. The 30 d trial of stability readings shows a standard deviation of only 2.6%. These sensing devices appear as a new array component able to distinguish moisture from biomarkers of diagnosed diseases in breath analysis.