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Synergistic Long-Term Protection of Inorganic and Polymer Hybrid Coatings for Free-Dendrite Zinc Anodes
No full textConstructing an artificial solid electrolyte interface protective layer on the surface of the zinc anode is an effective strategy for addressing dendrite growth, passivation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This study introduces a robust interlayer composed of a polyvinyl butyral matrix decorated with SiO2 particles (PS). Adsorption of water by Si-OH on the surface of SiO2 leads to excellent hydrophilicity and accelerates the desolvation of ions. A highly stable and hydrophilic PS coating enhances ion migration and possesses ultralong protection ability, ensuring uniform ion deposition and a lower nucleation barrier. Anodes protected by the PS coating achieve long-term cycling stability of \u3e4000 h at 2 mA/cm2 in symmetric cells. The assembled PS-Zn//NH4V4010 full cells exhibit superior electrochemical performance, demonstrating their potential for practical applications in rechargeable zinc batteries
4D Printing of Biocompatible Scaffolds via In Situ Photo-crosslinking from Shape Memory Co-polyesters.
No full textThe complexity of surgical treatments for large-area soft tissue injuries makes placing large implants into injury sites challenging. Aliphatic polyesters are often used for scaffold preparation in tissue engineering owing to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Scaffolds with shape-memory effect (SME) can also avoid large-volume trauma during the implantation. However, the complexity and diversity of diseases require more adaptable and precise processing methods. Four-dimensional (4D) printing, a booming smart material additive manufacturing technology, provides a new opportunity for developing shape memory scaffolds. With the aim of personalized or patient-adaptable soft tissues such as blood vessels, we developed a feasible strategy for fabricating scaffolds with fine architectures using 4D printing crosslink able shape memory linear copolyesters using fused deposition modeling (FDM). To overcome the weak bonding strength of each printed layer during FDM, a catalyst-free photo-cross-linkable functional group derived from biocompatible cinnamic acid was embedded into the linear copolyesters as in situ crosslinking points during FDM printing. Under ultraviolet-assisted irradiation, the resulting 4D scaffold models demonstrated excellent SME, desirable mechanical performance, and good stability in a water environment owing to the chemical bonding between each layer. Moreover, the excellent biocompatibility of the scaffold was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The developed composite scaffolds could be used for minimally invasive soft tissue repai
How Light Pollution Affects Four Aspects of Early Scarlet Globe Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
No full textLight pollution is excess light at night, typically from urban areas, that is spilled into the sky and can not only impact the ability of people to view stars but influence human and ecological behaviors. This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of blue LED light pollution on the average leaf length, plant height, stem thickness, and the discoloration of the radish leaves. This is because the agricultural effects of high levels of light pollution are understudied. This research was conducted by creating a dark environment with curtains under a grated table in a greenhouse and dividing the underside into four sections, each having two gardening buckets with six seeds. The experiment was carried out over a 40 day period post germination, with measurements taken every third day. Data for the plant height, stem width, and leaf pigmentation were not statistically significant, though leaf pigmentation data had a p-value slightly above 0.05 (p=0.07878). Leaf length data were statistically significant (p=0.00001), with the group set at 40 lux blue light pollution having the longest leaves, which indicates that higher intensities of blue light pollution can negatively impact the growth of plants and have economic significance in the field of agriculture with lower quality plants
The Effect of Grain-Free vs Grain-Inclusive Dry Dog Food on Triiodothyronine Levels in Mice
No full textGrain-Free foods are becoming an issue in veterinary science today (Bentley, personal communication, Sep. 6, 2024). Grain-free dog foods have been known to cause conditions such as hyperthyroidism (a disorder characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormones and glands) and dilated cardiomyopathy (a disease of the cardiac muscle that is the leading cause of heart failure in dogs) in dogs to worsen (Weintraub, 2024; Quest, 2022; Webster, 2020). Thyroid hormones are known for maintaining vital bodily functions such as metabolism and growth (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). This novel experiment, utilizing BALB/c mice as model organisms, tested to see if these Grain-free foods have any effect on the specific thyroid hormone, Triiodothyronine (T3) which is specifically in control of an animal’s metabolism. The hypothesis of this project was that if the mice are fed a diet composed of 100% Grain-Free dry dog food, then their levels of Triiodothyronine will decrease. An ANOVA test was run to analyze the results of the ELISA kits that were used to test the concentration of the T3 hormone. Because the p-value of the results of this ANOVA test was over 0.05, it meant that the data was not statistically significant, supporting the null hypothesis of this study
Escherichia coli Serotype O157:H7 Colonization Quantification With Varying Rates of Microplastic Particles In The Spring River Watershed Groundwater
No full textMicroplastics are a rising concern within the scientific community, polluting oceans and waterways around the world. This experiment was conducted to assess if microplastic particles can be causally linked to increased growth of Escherichia coli in the wild. To assess this, four sample groups were created with increasing amounts of microplastic particles per group. To quantify bacterial growth, absorbance readings were taken and Trial 1 samples were plated on Tryptic soy agar (TSA). In order to give this project real-world applications, groundwater from the Spring River Watershed was used. The hypothesis was, if E. coli was grown in constant conditions with increasing proportions of microplastics then sample groups with greater microplastic counts would reflect greater colony counts. A test trial was conducted to determine constants for the experiment such as total volume (mL) of groundwater, total volume (mL) of Tryptic soy broth (TSB), and incubation temperature and time. The experimentation period was broken down into two 72-hour trials. The data from this experiment suggests that a causal relationship between microplastics and increased bacterial growth does exist. Statistical analysis from the E. coli growth on TSA plates calculated a p-value of 4.09483E-108 which is statistically significant
Integrated Baseball in Kansas during the Sport\u27s Era of Segregation, 1865-1945, second edition
No full textBlack athletes were barred from playing baseball in the major and minor leagues prior to 1946 with few exceptions. Less studied is integrated baseball among independent town teams, and this research has focused on particular players or circumstances rather than an entire state or region across a long span of baseball history. Most newspapers published in Kansas prior to 1923 and several published after that year have been digitized, providing a substantial amount of information that makes the state well suited to serve as a case study of the broader history of integrated baseball from 1865 to 1945. This book begins with biographies of more than 80 Black baseballists who played in or umpired games with white or predominantly white town teams and minor league clubs. With the foundation provided by these experiences, the questions of why, when, and where these integrated teams took the field are examined and placed within the context of segregation and exclusion across the broader community. The second edition of the book has been updated with new information about the players in Kansas and across the continent
THE INFLUENCE OF PERIOPERATIVE EDUCATION ON POSTOPERATIVE DIGESTIVE RESTORATION
Get PDFThe human body often needs encouragement to return to its natural state of functioning following intraoperative and postoperative drug therapy. Anesthesia can sedate the gastrointestinal tract and frequently requires medical and physical interventions to allow the body to return to full functionality. There are several methods thought to be beneficial in overcoming of this condition, and some have proven their significance more so than other methods. This project seeks to measure the power-of-knowledge methodology via a chart review of individuals specifically educated on what they can expect in the postoperative phase of care compared to those that receive routine education. Understanding the benefit of perioperative teaching may unlock knowledge that proves essential to pioneering future studies on the surgical population
Fe/Co/Ni-DOPED MOS2 AN ELECTROCATALYST FOR OVERALL WATER SPLITTING
Get PDFElectrochemical water splitting is a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production, addressing global energy challenges. However, its practical application is limited by the need for efficient and durable electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, MoS₂ was doped with Co, Ni, and Fe at varying concentrations (5:0.5, 5:1, and 5:1.5) using a hydrothermal synthesis method to evaluate their potential as electrocatalysts for water splitting. Characterization revealed that metal doping significantly altered the electronic and morphological properties of MoS₂, enhancing its catalytic performance. Electrochemical evaluations in alkaline media demonstrated that Co-doped MoS₂ at a 5:1 ratio exhibited an overpotential of 162 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm² for HER, attributed to improved hydrogen adsorption and increased active sites. Conversely, Fe-doped MoS₂ at the same ratio showed an overpotential of 327 mV for OER, indicating efficient oxygen evolution facilitation. Ni-doped MoS₂ displayed moderate performance, with overpotentials of 249 mV for HER and 345 mV for OER at a 5:1 doping concentration. Stability tests indicated that both Co-doped and Fe-doped MoS₂ maintained consistent performance over 24 hours, suggesting their suitability for long-term water-splitting applications. These findings highlight the critical role of metal doping in enhancing the catalytic properties of MoS₂. Specifically, Co-doped MoS₂ is highly effective for HER, while Fe-doped MoS₂ excels in OER, making them promising candidates for overall water splitting. This study provides valuable insights into designing advanced materials for green hydrogen production and deepens our understanding of the mechanisms governing catalytic performance. This abstract maintains brevity while emphasizing the impact of different doping concentrations on the catalytic performance of MoS₂-based electrocatalysts. By focusing on key findings and their implications, it effectively communicates the essence of your research
Vocal Stereotypy Interventions Using Response Interruption and Redirection
Get PDFVocal stereotypy is the repetitive, nonfunctional, and/or noncontextual vocalizations that are specifically maintained through internal reinforcement (Shawler, et al., 2020). Vocal stereotypy is commonly displayed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it may also occur in individuals with or without disabilities. When individuals engage in vocal stereotypy, they may lose learning opportunities, struggle to engage in daily tasks, and may even become stigmatized by their peers. One intervention used to reduce the frequency of vocal stereotypy in individuals with ASD is Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD). RIRD was first evaluated for effectiveness in 2007 by Ahearn and colleagues. This study sought to contribute to the literature by comparing two types of RIRD (traditional RIRD [TRIRD] and modified RIRD [MRIRD]) on the occurrence of vocal stereotypy in young children with ASD. Following functional analyses to determine the function of vocal stereotypy in participants, the present study used a multielement design to rapidly alternate and compare a control condition to TRIRD and MRIRD, and the resultant impacts on the display of vocal stereotypy. Results from the study indicated a substantial reduction in vocal stereotypy percentages from the use of both TRIRD and MRIRD in young children with ASD
Enhancing Web and Language Accessibility in Electronic Informed Consent Documentation (eICDs) for Web-Based Human Subjects Research
No full textInformed consent is a cornerstone of ethical and legal principles that uphold research participants\u27 voluntary involvement in applied and clinical studies. In the United States, informed consent documentation (ICD) is most commonly required in medical, research, legal, educational, and digital contexts, ensuring individuals understand and voluntarily agree to participation. Regulatory bodies, institutional review boards (IRBs), and clinical trial sponsors have yet to establish uniform guidelines to ensure readability and comprehension of ICDs. Electronic informed consent (eICDs) have been found to be hindered by habituation (Karegar, et al., 2020), design (Mclnnis, et al., 2024), and comprehension challenges (Foe & Larson, 2016). To understand informed consent practices in the Communication discipline a comprehensive web and language accessibility analysis was conducted using both manual and computer automated analysis techniques. Research studies included in this analysis were sampled through COMMNotes, a public forum hosted by the National Communication Association (NCA). Findings, interpretation, and limitations are reported