Electronic structures of hexagonal RMnO3 (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho) thin films

We investigated the electronic structure of multiferroic hexagonal RMnO3 (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho) thin films using both optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. Using artificially stabilized hexagonal RMnO3, we extended the optical spectroscopic studies on the hexagonal multiferroic manganite system. We observed two optical transitions located near 1.7 eV and 2.3 eV, in addition to the predominant absorption above 5 eV. With the help of first-principles calculations, we attribute the low-lying optical absorption peaks to inter-site transitions from the oxygen states hybridized strongly with different Mn orbital symmetries to the Mn 3d3z2-r2 state. As the ionic radius of the rare earth ion increased, the lowest peak showed a systematic increase in its peak position. We explained this systematic change in terms of a flattening of the MnO5 triangular bipyramid

Evaluation of Caloric Expenditure Metrics of Garmin Instinct Wearable Technology Devices During Pickleball

While tennis and badminton may present a moderate learning curve for beginners, pickleball, a similar racquet sport that has become increasingly popular in recent years, offers a notably simpler play-style that can be more easily adapted for new players. This sport has emerged during a time when wearable technology devices, such as the Garmin Instinct, have become commonly used to estimate physiological measures among individuals engaging in physical activity. Yet, there is little research that examines the validity and reliability of this technology during pickleball. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of caloric expenditure estimates generated by Garmin Instinct devices during pickleball. METHODS: Eleven participants (2 females, 8 males, and 1 prefer not to disclose) with an average age of 28.1 ± 9.2 years, average height of 176 ± 8.0 cm, and average mass of 73 ± 13.4 kg consented and were selected for this study through convenience sampling. Participants were equipped with two Garmin Instinct devices on their right wrists. A COSMED K5 wearable metabolic system was secured to their backs and provided the criterion measure. Participants played pickleball for a total of 10 minutes and switched hands after 5 minutes of play. The starting hand was counterbalanced. Total Kcals were measured during each trial. Data were analyzed for validity (Lin\u27s Concordance [CCC] and Mean Absolute Percent Error [MAPE]) and reliability (Coefficient of Variation [CV]). Predetermined thresholds were: MAPE0.90, CVRESULTS: The Garmin Instinct did not meet the threshold for either validity test (CCC=0.375, MAPE=31.08%). The Garmin Instinct did not meet the threshold for the reliability test (CV=12.90%).CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the Garmin Instinct is not valid nor reliable for measuring caloric expenditure during pickleball. Caloric metrics were statistically different between the two devices and between the devices and the K5. Players cannot be confident that the Garmin Instinct provides an accurate measure of caloric expenditure during pickleball

Does Handedness Impact Pulmonary Measures during Pickleball?

Pickleball is a racquet sport that originated in the 1960s. Due to its beginner-friendly nature, it attracts players of all ages and fitness levels. Despite becoming the most quickly growing sport in the nation, it is still underresearched. The sport’s physiological demands based on pulmonary measures, and whether the demands differ by handedness, are not fully understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and assess whether differences were evident in performance and physiological responses in players when using the dominant (DH) and nondominant hand (NDH) during pickleball. METHODS: Participants were selected through convenience sampling and consisted of 11 (2 female, 8 male, 1 prefer not to disclose; age = 28.1 ± 9.2 years; height = 176 ± 8.0 cm; mass = 73 ± 13.4 kg). Participants were all equipped with a COSMED K5 wearable metabolic system attached through a harness securely worn on their back. Outcome measures included Ventilation (VE [L/min]), Ventilatory Equivalent for Oxygen (VE/VO2), Ventilatory Equivalent for Carbon Dioxide (VE/VCO2), Tidal Volume (VT), and Respiratory Frequency (Rf). Alternating intervals of five minutes of play followed by five minutes of rest were consistent throughout. The order of using the DH or NDH was counterbalanced. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test with significance accepted at p £ 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for VT (DH = 1.4 ± 0.3 vs. NDH = 1.3 ± 0.2, p = 0.05) and VE/VCO2 (DH = 30.9 ± 2.5 vs. NDH = 32 ± 2.9, p = 0.04). However, there were no significant differences found for VE in L/min (DH = 57.5 ± 9.7 ; NDH = 52.5 ± 11.6, p = 0.08), VE/VO2 (DH = 25.9 ± 2.1 vs. NDH = 26 ± 2.9, p = 0.43), or Rf (DH = 40.9 ± 4.1 vs. NDH = 41.3 ± 5.4, p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: The greater mean VE/VCO2 during NDH play compared to DH play suggests that the use of the NDH presents more difficulty performing pickleball-related tasks. Switching to the NDH is reflected in expiring more CO₂, indicating that players exert more effort when using their NDH. Although the respiration measures were similar in terms of exhalation, the use of DH caused a greater mean VT than NDH

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome without typical thunderclap headache: highresolution magnetic resonance imaging features

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by sudden onset severe headache with or without focal neurologic deficits and is accompanied by segmental or multifocal intracranial arterial vasospasms that resolve within 3 months. The typical RCVS has thunderclap headache but patients with RCVS without this type of headache have been reported. Herein we introduce an unusual case of RCVS without thunderclap headache, together with typical high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) features of RCVS showing the possible mechanisms of this condition. The present case suggests that HR-MRI features like dynamic negative remodeling but no enhancement may be a suspicious sign for RCVS, especially in cases with atypical presentation. HR-MRI can be helpful in direct visualization of the vasoconstriction of RCVS and differential diagnosis of other diseases, possibly even without serial examinations. Further research should be performed to test the diagnostic accuracy of HR-MRI in patients with RCVS

Prospects for terahertz imaging the human skin cancer with the help of gold-nanoparticles-based terahertz-to-infrared converter

The design is suggested, and possible operation parameters are discussed, of an instrument to inspect a skin cancer tumour in the terahertz (THz) range, transferring the image into the infrared (IR) and making it visible with the help of standard IR camera. The central element of the device is the THz-to-IR converter, a Teflon or silicon film matrix with embedded 8.5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles. The use of external THz source for irradiating the biological tissue sample is presumed. The converter's temporal characteristics enable its performance in a real-time scale. The details of design suited for the operation in transmission mode (in vitro) or on the human skin in reflection mode {in vivo) are specified.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the FANEM2018 workshop - Minsk, 3-5 June 201

Ab-initio structural, elastic, and vibrational properties of carbon nanotubes

A study based on ab initio calculations is presented on the estructural, elastic, and vibrational properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes with different radii and chiralities. We use SIESTA, an implementation of pseudopotential-density-functional theory which allows calculations on systems with a large number of atoms per cell. Different quantities like bond distances, Young moduli, Poisson ratio and the frequencies of different phonon branches are monitored versus tube radius. The validity of expectations based on graphite is explored down to small radii, where some deviations appear related to the curvature effects. For the phonon spectra, the results are compared with the predictions of the simple zone-folding approximation. Except for the known defficiencies of this approximation in the low-frequency vibrational regions, it offers quite accurate results, even for relatively small radii.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B (11 Nov. 98

Extraction of Electron Self-Energy and Gap Function in the Superconducting State of Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 Superconductor via Laser-Based Angle-Resolved Photoemission

Super-high resolution laser-based angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been performed on a high temperature superconductor Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8. The band back-bending characteristic of the Bogoliubov-like quasiparticle dispersion is clearly revealed at low temperature in the superconducting state. This makes it possible for the first time to experimentally extract the complex electron self-energy and the complex gap function in the superconducting state. The resultant electron self-energy and gap function exhibit features at ~54 meV and ~40 meV, in addition to the superconducting gap-induced structure at lower binding energy and a broad featureless structure at higher binding energy. These information will provide key insight and constraints on the origin of electron pairing in high temperature superconductors.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Nanocomposite ZnO–SnO2 Nanofibers Synthesized by Electrospinning Method

We report the characterization of mixed oxides nanocomposite nanofibers of (1 − x) ZnO-(x)SnO2 (x ≤ 0.45) synthesized by electrospinning technique. The diameter of calcined nanofibers depends on Sn content. Other phases like SnO, ZnSnO3, and Zn2SnO4 were absent. Photoluminescence studies show that there is a change in the blue/violet luminescence confirming the presence of Sn in Zn-rich composition. Present study shows that the crystalline nanocomposite nanofibers with stoichiometry of (1 − x)ZnO-(x)SnO2 (x ≤ 0.45) stabilize after the calcination and possess some morphological and optical properties that strongly depend on Sn content

Rare Copy Number Variants in \u3cem\u3eNRXN1\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3eCNTN6\u3c/em\u3e Increase Risk for Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a model neuropsychiatric disorder thought to arise from abnormal development and/or maintenance of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits. TS is highly heritable, but its underlying genetic causes are still elusive, and no genome-wide significant loci have been discovered to date. We analyzed a European ancestry sample of 2,434 TS cases and 4,093 ancestry-matched controls for rare (\u3c 1% frequency) copy-number variants (CNVs) using SNP microarray data. We observed an enrichment of global CNV burden that was prominent for large (\u3e 1 Mb), singleton events (OR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.39–3.79], p = 1.2 × 10−3) and known, pathogenic CNVs (OR = 3.03 [1.85–5.07], p = 1.5 × 10−5). We also identified two individual, genome-wide significant loci, each conferring a substantial increase in TS risk (NRXN1 deletions, OR = 20.3, 95% CI [2.6–156.2]; CNTN6 duplications, OR = 10.1, 95% CI [2.3–45.4]). Approximately 1% of TS cases carry one of these CNVs, indicating that rare structural variation contributes significantly to the genetic architecture of TS