Examining the Effect of Narrative Features and Thematic Music in an Audio-Based Exergame

Audio-based exergames are beneficial in that they allow users to exercise in an eyes-free and hands-free environment. In this study, we explored two audio-based exergame elements, narrative features and thematic music, that can impact exercise amount (step count and duration) and exercise enjoyment. We conducted a two-week long between-subjects study with 43 young adults and 43 middle-aged adults using SPORTIFY, an audio-based exergame. Our experimental results showed that (1) Using narrative features had a significant main effect on exercise amount and exercise enjoyment both for young adults and middle-aged adults. (2) Using thematic music had no significant main impact on exercise amount and exercise enjoyment both for young adults and middle-aged adults. (3) A significant interaction effect for exercise amount was observed in middle-aged adults, whereas a significant interaction effect for exercise enjoyment was observed in young adults.</p

Size Dependence of Excitation-Energy-Related Surface Trapping Dynamics in PbS Quantum Dots

Using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, we investigated the surface carrier trapping dynamics in various sized PbS quantum dots (QDs) when either a hot or cold exciton is photogenerated by different pump-energy. We observed that hot carriers exhibit distinctly different surface trapping dynamics from the cold exciton, in which their corresponding transient absorption (TA) spectral evolutions show clear differences in the long wavelength region (less than a band gap energy, <i>E</i>_g). We observed a rapid growth in the degree of surface trapping with an increase in the pump-energy. On the other hand, the degree of surface trapping in terms of the number of created excitons (⟨<i>N</i>_<i>x</i>⟩) shows negligible variation upon photoexcitation at any given wavelength. The photoinduced electron–hole separation followed by carrier trapping was characterized by ultrafast trapping rate. The surface trapping rate was solely dependent on the PbS QD size; the surface trapping rate becomes faster as the QD size increases. Furthermore, we explain the dependence of QD size on the surface trapping rate in terms of the size-dependent exciton binding energy (<i>E</i>_eb)

Effect of the Framework Flexibility on the Centricities in Centrosymmetric In₂Zn(SeO₃)₄ and Noncentrosymmetric Ga₂Zn(TeO₃)₄

The solid-state syntheses, crystal structures, and characterization of two stoichiometrically similar quaternary mixed metal selenite and tellurite, In₂Zn­(SeO₃)₄ and Ga₂Zn­(TeO₃)₄, respectively, are reported. While In₂Zn­(SeO₃)₄ crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group <i>P</i>2₁/<i>n</i> (No. 14) with <i>a</i> = 8.4331(7) Å, <i>b</i> = 4.7819(4) Å, <i>c</i> = 14.6583(13) Å, and β = 101.684(6)°, Ga₂Zn­(TeO₃)₄ crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group <i>I</i>-43<i>d</i> (No. 220) with <i>a</i> = <i>b</i> = <i>c</i> = 10.5794(8) Å. In₂Zn­(SeO₃)₄ exhibits a two-dimensional crystal structure consisting of distorted InO₆ octahedra, ZnO₆ octahedra, and SeO₃ polyhedra. Ga₂Zn­(TeO₃)₄ shows a three-dimensional framework structure that is composed of GaO₄ or ZnO₄ and TeO₃ polyhedra. An effect of the framework flexibility on the space group centricity is discussed. The SHG (second harmonic generation) efficiency of noncentrosymmetric Ga₂Zn­(TeO₃)₄, using 1064 nm radiation, is similar to that of KH₂PO₄ (KDP) and is not phase-matchable (Type 1). Complete characterizations including infrared spectroscopy and thermal analyses for the reported materials are also presented, as are dipole moment calculations

Selective Electrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid on Oxide-Derived Sn_<i>x</i>Zn Bimetallic Catalysts

The use of bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction is considered a promising strategy to enhance the catalytic activity as well as the selectivity. Here, oxide-derived (OD) Sn–Zn bimetallic electrocatalysts are developed for the exclusive conversion of CO2 to HCOOH in an aqueous media. A pure Zn catalyst promotes conversion of CO2 to CO with a high Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 80%, whereas a Sn1Zn nanoporous catalyst drives an efficient CO2-to-HCOOH pathway with a high FEHCOOH of 80% at a moderate overpotential of −1.0 VRHE. The interaction between Sn and Zn plays an essential role in tuning the selectivity and catalytic activity. Sn–Zn bimetallic catalysts effectively localize electrons to metallic Sn, facilitating the selective and stable conversion of CO2 to HCOOH. Additionally, the catalyst maintains its initial efficiency even after a long-term (18 h) CO2 reduction reaction. This study experimentally demonstrates that OD Sn–Zn bimetallic catalysts are efficient and stable for reducing the CO2 gas to HCOOH

Thermoelectric Properties of Ultralong Silver Telluride Hollow Nanofibers

Ultralong Ag_<i>x</i>Te_<i>y</i> nanofibers were synthesized for the first time by galvanically displacing electrospun Ni nanofibers. Control over the nanofiber morphology, composition, and crystal structure was obtained by tuning the Ag⁺ concentrations in the electrolytes. While Te-rich branched p-type Ag_<i>x</i>Te_<i>y</i> nanofibers were synthesized at low Ag⁺ concentrations, Ag-rich nodular Ag_<i>x</i>Te_<i>y</i> nanofibers were obtained at high Ag⁺ concentrations. The Te-rich nanofibers consist of coexisting Te and Ag₇Te₄ phases, and the Ag-rich fibers consist of coexisting Ag and Ag₂Te phases. The energy barrier height at the phase interface is found to be a key factor affecting the thermoelectric power factor of the fibers. A high barrier height increases the Seebeck coefficient, <i>S</i>, but reduces the electrical conductivity, σ, due to the energy filter effect. The Ag₇Te₄/Te system was not competitive with the Ag₂Te/Ag system due to its high barrier height where the increase in <i>S</i> could not overcome the severely diminished electrical conductivity. The highest power factor was found in the Ag₂Te/Ag-rich nanofibers with an energy barrier height of 0.054 eV

Galvanically Displaced Ultralong Pb_<i>x</i>Se_<i>y</i>Ni_<i>z</i> Hollow Nanofibers with High Thermopower

A cost-effective process that combines electrospinning and a galvanic displacement reaction was utilized to synthesize ultralong hollow Pb_<i>x</i>Se_<i>y</i>Ni_<i>z</i> nanofibers with controlled dimensions, morphology, composition, and crystal structure. Ni nanofibers were electrospun with an average diameter of 150 nm and were used as the sacrificial material for the galvanic displacement reaction. The composition and morphology of the Pb_<i>x</i>Se_<i>y</i>Ni_<i>z</i> nanofibers were controlled during the reaction by tuning the concentration of HSeO₂⁺ in the electrolytes. Hollow Pb_<i>x</i>Se_<i>y</i>Ni_<i>z</i> nanofibers with smooth surfaces were obtained from the low-concentration HSeO₂⁺ solution (i.e., 0.01 and 0.05 mM), but the hollow nanofibers synthesized from the high-concentration HSeO₂⁺ solution (i.e., 1 mM) have rough outer surfaces with nanocrystal protrusions. The Pb content of the nanofibers’ composition was varied from 3 to 42% by adjusting the HSeO₂⁺ concentration. The thermoelectric properties of the nanofiber mats were characterized, and the highest Seebeck coefficient of approximately 449 μV/K at 300 K was found for the Pb₃₇Se₅₉Ni₄ nanofiber mat

Designing Novel LiDAR-Detectable Plate-Type Materials: Synthesis, Chemistry, and Practical Application for Autonomous Working Environment

Plate-type hollow black TiO2 (HL/BT) with a high NIR reflectance was fabricated for the first time as a LiDAR-detectable black material. A TiO2 layer was formed on commercial-grade glass by using the sol–gel method to obtain a plate-type structure. The glass template was then etched with hydrofluoric acid to form a hollow structure, and blackness was further achieved through NaBH4 reduction, which altered the oxidation state of TiO2 to black TixO2x–1 or Ti4+ to Ti3+ and Ti2+. The blackness of the HL/BT material was maintained by a novel approach that involved etching prior to reduction. The thickness of the TiO2 layer was controlled to maximize the NIR reflectance when applied as paint. The HL/BT material with a thickness of 140 nm (HL/BT140) showed a blackness (L*) of 13.3 and high NIR reflectance of 23.6% at a wavelength of 905 nm. This is attributed to the effective light reflection at the interface created by the TiO2 layer and the hollow structure. Plate-type HL/BT140 provides excellent spreadability, durability, and thermal stability in practical paint applications compared with sphere-type materials due to the higher contacting area to the applied surface, making it suitable for use as a LiDAR-detectable inorganic black pigment in autonomous environments

Mitral Regurgitation Severity.

<p>P wave area in lead V1 (mean ± standard deviation) in relation to MR severity on cine-CMR (<b>3A</b>) and echo (<b>3B</b>). Note that P wave area increased stepwise in relation to MR severity as measured by both modalities, with greatest magnitude of increase at a threshold of moderate-severe MR (black bars).</p

Designing Novel LiDAR-Detectable Plate-Type Materials: Synthesis, Chemistry, and Practical Application for Autonomous Working Environment

Plate-type hollow black TiO2 (HL/BT) with a high NIR reflectance was fabricated for the first time as a LiDAR-detectable black material. A TiO2 layer was formed on commercial-grade glass by using the sol–gel method to obtain a plate-type structure. The glass template was then etched with hydrofluoric acid to form a hollow structure, and blackness was further achieved through NaBH4 reduction, which altered the oxidation state of TiO2 to black TixO2x–1 or Ti4+ to Ti3+ and Ti2+. The blackness of the HL/BT material was maintained by a novel approach that involved etching prior to reduction. The thickness of the TiO2 layer was controlled to maximize the NIR reflectance when applied as paint. The HL/BT material with a thickness of 140 nm (HL/BT140) showed a blackness (L*) of 13.3 and high NIR reflectance of 23.6% at a wavelength of 905 nm. This is attributed to the effective light reflection at the interface created by the TiO2 layer and the hollow structure. Plate-type HL/BT140 provides excellent spreadability, durability, and thermal stability in practical paint applications compared with sphere-type materials due to the higher contacting area to the applied surface, making it suitable for use as a LiDAR-detectable inorganic black pigment in autonomous environments

Multivariate Models for Prediction of Increased P wave Area in Lead V1* in Overall CMR Population.

<p>Multivariate Models for Prediction of Increased P wave Area in Lead V1* in Overall CMR Population.</p