The synthesis of Cr2O3 nanocrystal has been done by chemical precipitation method using ammonia as a precipitating agent. The hexagonal crystal structure and single crystalline nature of Cr2O3 powder were verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Debye-Scherrer formula was utilized to ascertain the average size of crystallites. The structure, shape, size, and composition of Cr2O3 nanoparticles were probed by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry). Optical band gap energy was estimated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The various functional groups in Cr2O3 nanoparticles were reckoned by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) findings. Inductance, Capacitance, and Resistance (LCR) meter was used to ascertain the electrical behavior of Cr2O3 nanoparticles. These finding suggests that the synthesized nanocrystal may be used in development of the electrical and optoelectronic devices.
Perovskite solar cells (PSC), with their high efficiency, low production costs, and diverse uses, have emerged as a viable technology for sustainable energy generation. The present study examines perovskite solar cells' benefic aspects and associated constraints, emphasizing their potential for futuristic advancement. Furthermore, the remarkable applications of perovskites in energy generation encouraged us to investigate the Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells compared with other solar energy technologies. Lastly, to resolve issues and promote their equitable adoption, the study presented recommendations for subsequent investigation and advancement.
Myotonic dystrophy (Dystrophia Myotonica; DM) is the most common adult-onset muscular dystrophy and its brain symptoms seriously affect patients’ quality of life. It is caused by extended (CTG)n expansions at 3′-UTR of DMPK gene (DM type 1, DM1) or (CCTG)n repeats in the intron 1 of CNBP gene (DM type 2, DM2) and the sequestration of Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family proteins by transcribed (CUG)n RNA hairpin is the main pathogenic mechanism for DM. The MBNL proteins are splicing factors regulating posttranscriptional RNA during development. Previously, Mbnl knockout (KO) mouse lines showed molecular and phenotypic evidence that recapitulate DM brains, however, detailed morphological study has not yet been accomplished. In our studies, control (Mbnl1+/+; Mbnl2cond/cond; Nestin-Cre−/−), Mbnl2 conditional KO (2KO, Mbnl1+/+; Mbnl2cond/cond; Nestin-Cre+/−) and Mbnl1/2 double KO (DKO, Mbnl1ΔE3/ΔE3; Mbnl2cond/cond; Nestin-Cre+/−) mice were generated by crossing three individual lines. Immunohistochemistry for evaluating density and distribution of cortical neurons; Golgi staining for depicting the dendrites/dendritic spines; and electron microscopy for analyzing postsynaptic ultrastructure were performed. We found distributional defects in cortical neurons, reduction in dendritic complexity, immature dendritic spines and alterations of postsynaptic densities (PSDs) in the mutants. In conclusion, loss of function of Mbnl1/2 caused fundamental defects affecting neuronal distribution, dendritic morphology and postsynaptic architectures that are reminiscent of predominantly immature and fetal phenotypes in DM patients.
This study focuses on the permeability of saturated Maryland clay, a natural expansive soil that can be found close to the University of Newcastle, Australia. Previous studies on this material cond...
Abstract The thermal performances of a radially rotating pulsating heat pipe (RPHP) formulated by the interconnected 1 × 4 mm2 channels in the thin pad were investigated. With the 50% filling ratio of water and the specific geometric configurations, the selected parameters controlling the thermal-fluid phenomena by the present study were boiling number (Bn), dimensionless centrifugal acceleration (Ω) and thermal resistance of condenser (Rth,cond). The vapor-liquid flow images, heat transfer rates and thermal resistances of the pad-type RPHP were detected at the rotor speeds of 0, 100, 300 and 500 rev/min. The matrix of test conditions was formulated by four Bn, four Rth,cond and four Ω for both sets of flow visualization and heat transfer tests. As Ω increased from 0 to 27.8, the intermittent vapor slugs gradually deformed toward the tiny bubbles to incur the respective Nusselt number reductions and elevations over the evaporator and condenser of the RPHP. As the dominance of condenser heat transfer rate in constructing the overall thermal resistance (Rth) took precedence to its evaporator counterpart, the increases of Ω led to the Rth reductions for the present RPHP. The empirical correlations using Bn, Ω and Rth,con as the controlling parameters were devised to evaluate Rth and the regionally averaged Nusselt numbers over the evaporator and condenser of the present RPHP for relevant applications.
P. Comfort, Thomas Dos’Santos, Christopher Thomas
et al.
Abstract Comfort, P, Dos'Santos, T, Thomas, C, McMahon, JJ, and Suchomel, TJ. An investigation into the effects of excluding the catch phase of the power clean on force-time characteristics during isometric and dynamic tasks: an intervention study. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2116–2129, 2018—The aims of this study were to compare the effects of the exclusion or inclusion of the catch phase during power clean (PC) derivatives on force-time characteristics during isometric and dynamic tasks, after two 4-week mesocycles of resistance training. Two strength matched groups completed the twice-weekly training sessions either including the catch phase of the PC derivatives (Catch group: n = 16; age 19.3 ± 2.1 years; height 1.79 ± 0.08 m; body mass 71.14 ± 11.79 kg; PC 1 repetition maximum [1RM] 0.93 ± 0.15 kg·kg−1) or excluding the catch phase (Pull group: n = 18; age 19.8 ± 2.5 years; height 1.73 ± 0.10 m; body mass 66.43 ± 10.13 kg; PC 1RM 0.91 ± 0.18 kg·kg−1). The Catch and Pull groups both demonstrated significant (p ⩽ 0.007, power ≥0.834) and meaningful improvements in countermovement jump height (10.8 ± 12.3%, 5.2 ± 9.2%), isometric mid-thigh pull performance (force [F]100: 14.9 ± 17.2%, 15.5 ± 16.0%, F150: 16.0 ± 17.6%, 16.2 ± 18.4%, F200: 15.8 ± 17.6%, 17.9 ± 18.3%, F250: 10.0 ± 16.1%,10.9 ± 14.4%, peak force: 13.7 ± 18.7%, 9.7 ± 16.3%), and PC 1RM (9.5 ± 6.2%, 8.4 ± 6.1%), before and after intervention, respectively. In contrast to the hypotheses, there were no meaningful or significant differences in the percentage change for any variables between groups. This study clearly demonstrates that neither the inclusion nor exclusion of the catch phase of the PC derivatives results in any preferential adaptations over two 4-week, in-season strength and power, mesocycles.
Rossano Diniz, F. D. Del Vecchio, G. Z. Schaun
et al.
Diniz, R, Del Vecchio, FB, Schaun, GZ, Oliveira, HB, Portella, EG, da Silva, ES, Formalioni, A, Campelo, PCC, Peyré-Tartaruga, LA, and Pinto, SS. Kinematic comparison of the roundhouse kick between taekwondo, karate, and muaythai. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The roundhouse kick (RHK) is frequently executed in taekwondo, karate, and muaythai because of its high technical effectiveness during combat. The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic characteristics during RHK performance between taekwondo, karate, and muaythai athletes. Forty-seven male athletes (25.5 ± 4.7 years, 1.75 ± 0.1 m, and 75.8 ± 11.5 kg) volunteered to participate (taekwondo: 17; karate: 15; and muaythai: 15). Self-selected distance from target, mean and peak fifth metatarsus linear velocity (LV5mean; LV5peak), mean and peak hip (HAVmean; HAVpeak) and knee (KAVmean; KAVpeak) angular velocities, as well as target linear acceleration (TLA) were analyzed with a 3D video motion analysis system. Comparisons between modalities were performed with 1-way analysis of variances and Bonferroni's post hoc test (α = 0.05). Self-selected distance was lower in muaythai compared with taekwondo and karate (p < 0.001). Also, karate had greater LV5mean compared with muaythai (p = 0.001), and muaythai showed higher HAVmean than karate (p = 0.011). In addition, HAVpeak was greater in muaythai than in taekwondo and karate (p < 0.001). No differences were found for KAVmean, KAVpeak, and TLA. Although it is similarly described between modalities, RHK showed distinct kinematic characteristics between taekwondo, karate, and muaythai. Based on these results, coaches and athletes can improve their RHK technique according to the specificities of each combat sport. Specifically, it is suggested that combat strategies should aim to increase the distance from the opponent during combat for muaythai athletes, whereas taekwondo and karate athletes should focus on decreasing it.