A Hierarchical Approach for Creating Electrically Conductive Network Structure in Polyurethane Nanocomposites using a Hybrid of Graphene Nanoplatelets, Carbon Black and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Hierarchical organization of carbon nanomaterials is the best strategy to combine desirable factors and synergistically impart mechanical and electrical properties to polymers. Here, we investigate the relaxation behavior of carbon nanofillers filled polyurethane (PU) with special reference to particle size and aspect ratio, filler morphology, filler loading to understand the conductive network formation of fillers in the PU matrix. Typically, an addition of 2 wt% hybrid fillers of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), conductive carbon black (CB) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in PU at 1:1:2 mass ratio (GCM112-PU2) showed lowest surface resistivity ~106.8 ohm/sq along with highest improved mechanical properties. Our results demonstrate how hierarchical compositions may function in polymer configurations that are useful for thermal and electrical systems

Relationship between labour productivity and design characteristics in high-rise buildings / Ha Duy Khanh, Young Dai Lee and Soo Yong Kim

Formwork installation, rebar fabrication/installation, and concrete casting are often repetitive in high-rise building projects. Previous studies have shown that labor productivity is significantly affected by many reasons. This study aims to consider the relationship between average labor productivity and design characteristics in typical floors of high-rise building projects. Data were collected through questionnaire which was distributed to experts and experienced people in construction projects. A neural network model was developed to estimate labor productivity. The main result is the comparison between predicted and actual labor productivity for typical floors. The Mean Absolute Percentage Errors (MAPE) are less than 3.5%, and R-squared indices are greater than 85% for all three activities mentioned above. These results showed that the model developed in this study is very appropriate when predicting labor productivity in high-rise building projects

Retrieval of NO2 Column Amounts from Ground-Based Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor Measurements

Total column amounts of NO2 (TCN) were estimated from ground-based hyperspectral imaging sensor (HIS) measurements in a polluted urban area (Seoul, Korea) by applying the radiance ratio fitting method with five wavelength pairs from 400 to 460 nm. We quantified the uncertainty of the retrieved TCN based on several factors. The estimated TCN uncertainty was up to 0.09 Dobson unit (DU), equivalent to 2.687 ?? 1020 molecules m???2) given a 1?? error for the observation geometries, including the solar zenith angle, viewing zenith angle, and relative azimuth angle. About 0.1 DU (6.8%) was estimated for an aerosol optical depth (AOD) uncertainty of 0.01. In addition, the uncertainty due to the NO2 vertical profile was 14% to 22%. Compared with the co-located Pandora spectrophotometer measurements, the HIS captured the temporal variation of the TCN during the intensive observation period. The correlation between the TCN from the HIS and Pandora also showed good agreement, with a slight positive bias (bias: 0.6 DU, root mean square error: 0.7 DU)

Resting-state EEG activity related to impulsivity in gambling disorder

Background and aims Impulsivity is a core feature of gambling disorder (GD) and is related to the treatment response. Thus, it is of interest to determine objective neurobiological markers associated with impulsivity in GD. We explored resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in patients with GD according to the degree of impulsivity. Methods In total, 109 GD subjects were divided into three groups according to Barratt impulsiveness scale-11 (BIS-11) scores: high (HI; 25th percentile of BIS-11 scores, n = 29), middle (MI; 26th–74th percentile, n = 57), and low-impulsivity (LI) groups (75th percentile, n = 23). We used generalized estimating equations to analyze differences in EEG absolute power considering group (HI, MI, and LI), brain region (frontal, central, and posterior), and hemisphere (left, midline, and right) for each frequency band (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma). Results The results indicated that GD patients in the HI group showed decreased theta absolute power, and decreased alpha and beta absolute power in the left, right, particularly midline frontocentral regions. Discussion and conclusions This study is a novel attempt to reveal impulsive features in GD by neurophysiological methods. The results suggest different EEG patterns among GD patients according to the degree of impulsivity, raising the possibility of neurophysiological objective features in GD and helping clinicians in treating GD patients with impulsive features

A Case of Suspected Isotretinoin-Induced Malformation in a Baby of a Mother Who Became Pregnant One Month after Discontinuation of the Drug

Isotretinoin is a known human teratogen that can cause multiple malformations. At present, women who conceive one cycle after discontinuing isotretinoin are told that their teratogenic risk is not higher than baseline. We present a case of both ear malformation in a newborn whose mother had taken isotretinoin for 2 years until one month prior to the time when she became pregnant. We suggest that further studies of pharmacokinetics and malformation of isotreinoin are needed

The OAuth 2.0 Web Authorization Protocol for the Internet Addiction Bioinformatics (IABio) Database

Internet addiction (IA) has become a widespread and problematic phenomenon as smart devices pervade society. Moreover, internet gaming disorder leads to increases in social expenditures for both individuals and nations alike. Although the prevention and treatment of IA are getting more important, the diagnosis of IA remains problematic. Understanding the neurobiological mechanism of behavioral addictions is essential for the development of specific and effective treatments. Although there are many databases related to other addictions, a database for IA has not been developed yet. In addition, bioinformatics databases, especially genetic databases, require a high level of security and should be designed based on medical information standards. In this respect, our study proposes the OAuth standard protocol for database access authorization. The proposed IA Bioinformatics (IABio) database system is based on internet user authentication, which is a guideline for medical information standards, and uses OAuth 2.0 for access control technology. This study designed and developed the system requirements and configuration. The OAuth 2.0 protocol is expected to establish the security of personal medical information and be applied to genomic research on IA

Antiallodynic Effects of Acupuncture in Neuropathic Rats

Peripheral nerve injury often results in abnormal neuropathic pain such as allodynia or hyperalgesia. Acupuncture, a traditional Oriental medicine, has been used to relieve pain and related symptoms. However, the efficiency of acupuncture in relieving neuropathic pain is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-allodynic effects of acupuncture through behavioral and electrophysiological examinations. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to neuropathic surgery consisting of a tight ligation and transection of the left tibial and sural nerves, under pentobarbital anesthesia. The acupuncture experiment consisted of four different groups, one treated at each of three different acupoints (Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and a sham-acupoint) and a control group. Behavioral tests for mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia were performed for up to two weeks postoperatively. Extracellular electrophysiological recordings were made from the dorsal roots using platinum wire electrodes. Mechanical and cold allodynia were significantly reduced after acupuncture treatment at the Zusanli and Yinlingquan acupoints, respectively. Electrophysiological neural responses to von Frey and acetone tests were also reduced after acupuncture at the same two acupoints. These results suggest that acupuncture may be beneficial in relieving neuropathic pain