High-Sensitivity PtSe2 Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Metal-Si-Metal Waveguide Structure

PtSe2 as a novel TMDCs material is used to modify the traditional SPR biosensors to improve the performance. On this basis, this research proposes a metal-Si-metal waveguide structure to further improve the performance of the biosensor. In this study, we not only studied the effects of waveguide structures containing different metals on the performance of biosensor, but also discussed the performance change of the biosensor with the change of PtSe2 thickness. After the final optimization, a BK7-Au-Si-Au-PtSe2 (2 nm) biosensor structure achieved the highest sensitivity of 193.8°/RIU. This work provides a new development idea for the study of SPR biosensors with waveguide structures in the future.

Appendicular Lean Mass Loss Does Not Impact Physical Performance Change During Caloric Restriction in Older Adults

Data from 11 six-month randomized controlled trials were pooled, with 902 participants randomized to caloric restriction (CR; n=762) or Non-CR (n=140) to determine if CR-induced appendicular lean mass (ALM) loss was associated with change in physical performance among older adults. After adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, exercise assignment and baseline value of the outcome, CR had significant ALM loss [-0.77 kg (95% CI: -0.89, -0.65)], while Non-CR had ALM gain [+0.28 kg (0.08, 0.49)]; p<0.001. Both groups experienced similar improvements in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score [CR: +0.45 (0.35, 0.55) vs Non-CR: +0.50 (0.30, 0.69); p=0.63] and sit-to-stand time [CR: -1.42 s (-1.81, -1.03) vs Non-CR: -1.85 s (-2.49, -1.21); p=0.19]. Change in SPPB score and sit-to-stand time was not associated with change in ALM (both p>0.15). In spite of significant ALM loss, CR resulted in overall improvements in physical performance in older adults.

A Performance Prediction Method Based on Sliding Window Grey Neural Network for Inertial Platform

An inertial platform is the key component of a remote sensing system. During service, the performance of the inertial platform appears in degradation and accuracy reduction. For better maintenance, the inertial platform system is checked and maintained regularly. The performance change of an inertial platform can be evaluated by detection data. Due to limitations of detection conditions, inertial platform detection data belongs to small sample data. In this paper, in order to predict the performance of an inertial platform, a prediction model for an inertial platform is designed combining a sliding window, grey theory and neural network (SGMNN). The experiments results show that the SGMNN model performs best in predicting the inertial platform drift rate compared with other prediction models.

Influence of Recycled Concrete Powder (RCP) and Recycled Brick Powder (RBP) on the Physical/Mechanical Properties and Durability of Raw Soil

The influence of recycled concrete powder (RCP) and recycled brick powder (RBP) on the dry density, optimal water content, and compressive strength of raw soil materials was investigated in this study. Moreover, the following resistance of freeze–thaw cycles was also considered. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were selected to detect its mineral composition and observe the microstructure, further revealing the mechanism of performance change. The mass ratios of recycled concrete powder and recycled brick powder were 2% ~ 14%. Results showed that the dry density decreased and the optimal water content increased with the increasing dosage of recycled concrete powder and recycled brick powder. When the dosage of RCP or RBP was lower than 14%, raw soil with RCP showed higher optimal water content and lower dry density. However, when the dosage was higher than 14%, the result was the opposite. The addition of recycled concrete powder and recycled brick powder was able to decrease the compressive strength of raw soil, except for 10% of recycled brick powder. Raw soil with recycled brick powder presented higher compressive strength than that of raw soil with recycled concrete powder. RBP could improve the freeze–thaw cycles’ resistance of specimens; however, RCP led to decreasing the resistance of freeze–thaw cycles. These research findings can provide reference to the recycling of construction waste.

Trajectories of performance change indicate multiple dissociable links between working memory and fluid intelligence

Many areas of psychology assume that performance on tasks of interest is stable through time. Here, using time-sensitive modeling of working memory task performance, we show not only was this assumption incorrect, but that certain components of the performance trajectory (e.g., final task performance; rate of change) were independently predictive of fluid intelligence. This fact has clear implications for theoretical frameworks linking working memory and fluid intelligence, and beyond.

Tubular Daylighting Devices and People: A comparison of the human responses to Tubular Daylighting Devices and fluorescent lighting

<p>Tubular Daylighting Devices are used to bring daylight into deep-plan spaces, and meet sustainability goals. However, they are expensive, and justification for their use lies in hypothesised benefits they can provide in areas such as well-being and productivity. Yet, there is very little research into the effects of Tubular Daylighting Devices. The broader daylighting literature suggests that benefits to satisfaction, mood, and performance are possible — though research into the benefits of daylight is still not conclusive. Therefore, a before and after study was carried out in a windowless computer room in the university to compare how the students responded under TDDs versus typical electric lighting. Their cognitive performance, change in mood, average sleepiness, and perceptions of the room and lighting were measured. TDDs significantly increased ratings of room attractiveness and brightness, and had no more perceived glare than the electric lighting. Ratings of lighting quality were on a par with both typical electric lighting and good modern lighting. They were also just as effective on overcast days as sunny. No effects were found on performance or sleepiness, and mood results were inconclusive. Overall, it is suggested that TDDs can be considered to be on a par with good modern lighting, and superior to typical existing lighting. Note, however, that it is possible that effects in rooms with windows could differ from those found here. Further research should use longer exposures and larger sample sizes if they wish to find performance effects.</p>

Tubular Daylighting Devices and People: A comparison of the human responses to Tubular Daylighting Devices and fluorescent lighting

<p>Tubular Daylighting Devices are used to bring daylight into deep-plan spaces, and meet sustainability goals. However, they are expensive, and justification for their use lies in hypothesised benefits they can provide in areas such as well-being and productivity. Yet, there is very little research into the effects of Tubular Daylighting Devices. The broader daylighting literature suggests that benefits to satisfaction, mood, and performance are possible — though research into the benefits of daylight is still not conclusive. Therefore, a before and after study was carried out in a windowless computer room in the university to compare how the students responded under TDDs versus typical electric lighting. Their cognitive performance, change in mood, average sleepiness, and perceptions of the room and lighting were measured. TDDs significantly increased ratings of room attractiveness and brightness, and had no more perceived glare than the electric lighting. Ratings of lighting quality were on a par with both typical electric lighting and good modern lighting. They were also just as effective on overcast days as sunny. No effects were found on performance or sleepiness, and mood results were inconclusive. Overall, it is suggested that TDDs can be considered to be on a par with good modern lighting, and superior to typical existing lighting. Note, however, that it is possible that effects in rooms with windows could differ from those found here. Further research should use longer exposures and larger sample sizes if they wish to find performance effects.</p>

Tubular Daylighting Devices and People: A comparison of the human responses to Tubular Daylighting Devices and fluorescent lighting

<p>Tubular Daylighting Devices are used to bring daylight into deep-plan spaces, and meet sustainability goals. However, they are expensive, and justification for their use lies in hypothesised benefits they can provide in areas such as well-being and productivity. Yet, there is very little research into the effects of Tubular Daylighting Devices. The broader daylighting literature suggests that benefits to satisfaction, mood, and performance are possible — though research into the benefits of daylight is still not conclusive. Therefore, a before and after study was carried out in a windowless computer room in the university to compare how the students responded under TDDs versus typical electric lighting. Their cognitive performance, change in mood, average sleepiness, and perceptions of the room and lighting were measured. TDDs significantly increased ratings of room attractiveness and brightness, and had no more perceived glare than the electric lighting. Ratings of lighting quality were on a par with both typical electric lighting and good modern lighting. They were also just as effective on overcast days as sunny. No effects were found on performance or sleepiness, and mood results were inconclusive. Overall, it is suggested that TDDs can be considered to be on a par with good modern lighting, and superior to typical existing lighting. Note, however, that it is possible that effects in rooms with windows could differ from those found here. Further research should use longer exposures and larger sample sizes if they wish to find performance effects.</p>

Tubular Daylighting Devices and People: A comparison of the human responses to Tubular Daylighting Devices and fluorescent lighting

<p>Tubular Daylighting Devices are used to bring daylight into deep-plan spaces, and meet sustainability goals. However, they are expensive, and justification for their use lies in hypothesised benefits they can provide in areas such as well-being and productivity. Yet, there is very little research into the effects of Tubular Daylighting Devices. The broader daylighting literature suggests that benefits to satisfaction, mood, and performance are possible — though research into the benefits of daylight is still not conclusive. Therefore, a before and after study was carried out in a windowless computer room in the university to compare how the students responded under TDDs versus typical electric lighting. Their cognitive performance, change in mood, average sleepiness, and perceptions of the room and lighting were measured. TDDs significantly increased ratings of room attractiveness and brightness, and had no more perceived glare than the electric lighting. Ratings of lighting quality were on a par with both typical electric lighting and good modern lighting. They were also just as effective on overcast days as sunny. No effects were found on performance or sleepiness, and mood results were inconclusive. Overall, it is suggested that TDDs can be considered to be on a par with good modern lighting, and superior to typical existing lighting. Note, however, that it is possible that effects in rooms with windows could differ from those found here. Further research should use longer exposures and larger sample sizes if they wish to find performance effects.</p>