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Abstract The electrically‐directed, isothermal response of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) to an applied electric field is a compelling approach to realize spatially tailorable, sequence‐controllable, and high‐frequency deformation. The electromechanical response is facilitated by coating aligned LCEs with compliant electrodes. Upon application of an electric field, the electrodes attract and generate Maxwell stress. The directional difference in moduli for aligned LCEs produces directional deformation of the material and does not require mechanical bias or framing. Here, LCEs prepared from a newly reported thiol‐ene reaction are explored as DEAs with improved mechanical and dielectric properties. This report details that incorporating a difunctional liquid crystalline monomer composed of allyl ether functional groups reduces Young's modulus, increases the dielectric constant, and improves cyclic recovery compared to an analogous LCE prepared by thiol‐ene polymerization. Electrically‐induced, isothermal deformation of as much as 30% strain is reported. The facile chemistry and enhanced electromechanical response reported here may enable the functional integration of LCEs in applications such as robotics. 

Abstract Background To compare the performance (as determined by lower extremity kinematics) of knee exercises in healthy middle-aged and older individuals immediately after instruction and one week later. Methods This is a cross-sectional study in a laboratory setting. Nineteen healthy volunteers (age [y] 63.1 ± 8.6, mass [kg] 76.3 ± 14.7, height [m] 1.7 ± 0.1) participated in this study. High speed video and reflective markers were used to track motion during four exercises. The exercises were knee flexion, straight leg raise, and “V “in supine position, and hip abduction in side lying position. All participants received verbal and tactile cues during the training phase and the therapist observed and, if necessary, corrected the exercises. Upon return a week later the participants performed the same exercises without any further instructions. Knee and hip sagittal and rotational angles were extracted from the motion capture. A repeated measures t-test was used to compare the motions between two visits. Results Participants demonstrated more knee flexion during straight leg raise and “V in” exercises at the 2nd visit compared to the 1st visit (both p  <  0.05). During the “V out” exercise, they performed more external rotation ( p  <  0.05) while they showed more internal rotation during the “V in” exercise at the 2nd visit compared to the 1st visit. Conclusions Exercise performance declined significantly in healthy middle-aged and older individuals one week after instruction. This decline occurred despite an instructional exercise sheet being given to every participant. Other approaches designed to help individuals retain the ability to perform rehabilitative exercises correctly need to be explored. 

SAR on NRF2 inhibitor MSU38225 has led to a compound that inhibits expression of NRF2 target genes, reduces proliferation of lung cancer cells through G2/M arrest, and lowers cell migration.