Recent Advances in Graphene Adaptive Thermal Camouflage Devices.

Thermal camouflage is a highly coveted technology aimed at enhancing the survivability of military equipment against infrared (IR) detectors. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have shown low IR emissivity, widely tunable opto-electronic properties, and compatibility with stealth applications. Among these, graphene and graphene-like materials are the most appealing 2D materials for thermal camouflage applications.

Force control of pinch grip: Normative data of a holistic evaluation.

Background: Pulp pinch (PP) is a vital hand movement involving muscle strength and sensory integration. Previous research has primarily focused on Maximal Voluntary Contraction, but PP encompasses broader parameters.

Purpose: This study aims to establish normative data for a comprehensive evaluation of thumb and index force control during PP, including endurance, precision, accuracy in unilateral PP, and force coordination in bilateral PP.

Low Back Pain in People With Lower Limb Amputation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of low back pain (LBP) in people with lower limb amputation (LLA) and to analyze the association factors that can influence the genesis of LBP.

Summary Of Background Data: It is still unclear whether LBP is more prevalent in the amputated population than in its nonamputated counterpart.

The Temporal Modulation of Nocebo Hyperalgesia in a Model of Sustained Pain.

Background: The direction and the magnitude of verbal suggestions have been shown to be strong modulators of nocebo hyperalgesia, while little attention has been given to the role of their temporal content. Here, we investigate whether temporal suggestions modulate the timing of nocebo hyperalgesia in an experimental model of sustained pain.

Methods: Fifty-one healthy participants were allocated to one of three groups.

Prevalence, Characteristics, Association Factors of and Management Strategies for Low Back Pain Among Italian Amateur Cyclists: an Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a burdensome problem affecting amateur cyclists. This cross-sectional study analysed Italian amateur cycling cohort's demographic and sport-specific characteristics, the prevalence and characteristics of LBP among this population, its possible association factors, the management strategies adopted to deal with LBP and the sample's beliefs among possible LBP triggers. A web-based cross-sectional survey was created.

Flexion-extension strength of the index-thumb system in Italian population. A cross-sectional study to gather normative data.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Flexion (Palmar Pinch, PP-MVC and Tip Pinch, TP-MVC) and extension (E-MVC) maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the index-thumb system offers a quick way to estimate the level of hands' impairment in several musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions.

Purpose Of The Study: This study established normative data of PP-MVC, TP-MVC, E-MVC in the Italian population and evaluated their correlation with hand dominance, anthropometric factors, dexterity and workload level.

Effect of Plasma Treatment on the Impact Behavior of Epoxy/Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Preliminary Study.

Hydrophobic surfaces are highly desired for several applications due to their exceptional properties such as self-cleaning, anti-icing, anti-friction and others. Such surfaces can be prepared via numerous methods including plasma technology, a dry technique with low environmental impact. In this paper, the effect of a one-step sulfur hexafluoride (SF) plasma treatment upon the low velocity impact behavior of basalt/epoxy composites has been investigated by using several characterization techniques.

Long period grating in double cladding fiber coated with graphene oxide as high-performance optical platform for biosensing.

In this work, the development and testing of a novel fiber-optic based label-free biosensor is presented, whose performance were verified through the detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum. The device is based on a long period grating fabricated in a double cladding fiber with a W-shaped refractive index (RI) profile. As a result, the working point of the device was tuned to the mode transition region by chemical etching of the outer fiber cladding, obtaining a significant enhancement of the RI sensitivity and an excellent visibility of the grating resonances due to the mode transition in an all-silica structure.

A Clean Process for Obtaining High-Quality Cellulose Acetate from Cigarette Butts.

The main purpose of this study is to introduce a modified method for recovering and recycling huge number of cigarette butts (CBs) and convert them into a fashion product. CBs are non-biodegradable waste, generally, discarded improperly into the environment. CBs consist of cellulose acetate, which can be recovered through extraction and purification processes.

Photoluminescence enhancement of graphene oxide emission by infiltration in an aperiodic porous silicon multilayer.

Graphene oxide (GO) is a photoluminescent material whose application in integrated optoelectronics has been strongly limited due to poor emission intensity and handling procedures not compatible with standard microelectronic ones. In this work, a hybrid GO-porous silicon (GO-PSi) structure is realized in order to investigate the emission properties of GO infiltrated into an aperiodic porous multilayered matrix. A photoluminescence enhancement by a factor 32, compared to the same amount of GO deposited on a flat silicon surface, is demonstrated.

Evaluation of cell death after treatment with extracorporeal photopheresis.

The aim of our study is to assess the mortality of leukocytes during extracorporeal photopheresis. Sixty-three photopheresis performed on 13 patients affected by chronic GvHD were evaluated. Samples were analyzed using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer.