Workplace Violence Experienced by Personal Care Workers in a District in Seoul, Republic of Korea: A Comparison Study with Office and Service Workers.

This study compared the level of workplace violence experienced by personal healthcare workers in a district in Seoul, Republic of Korea, with those experienced by workers in office or service jobs. We matched 150 personal care workers with 150 office workers and 150 service workers using a propensity score. Workplace violence was categorized into psychological violence and physical violence.

Highly Stable Potassium-Ion Battery Enabled by Nanoengineering of an Sb Anode.

We present the nanoengineering of Sb particles assisted by a conductive and stress-relieving network of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in the proper design of anode materials with high specific capacity and excellent stability for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs). The nanosized Sb particles are prepared by the CQDs as functional tuners in the morphology and surface, which tune the size to nanolevel and provide fast ionic channels and a soft matrix to relieve the volume changes. As the additional conductive and stress-relieving network layer, PEDOT:PSS offers enhanced electron/ion pathways and maintains the integrity of the Sb@CQD composite electrode.

Binder-Free and High-Loading Cathode Realized by Hierarchical Structure for Potassium-Sulfur Batteries.

Potassium-sulfur batteries have attracted significant research attention owing to the naturally abundant resources of potassium and sulfur, and have promising applications in large-scale energy storage systems. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics of K , low reaction activity of sulfur species, shuttling effect of polysulfides, and large volume change impede the development of these batteries. Moreover, the conventional electrode fabrication method with binders and current collectors renders it difficult to improve the areal sulfur loading and energy density.

Recycling respirator masks to a high-value product: From COVID-19 prevention to highly efficient battery separator.

COVID-19 is a pandemic that has caused serious disruption in almost every day-to-day life around the world, and wearing a mask is essential for human safety from this virus. However, masks are non-recyclable materials, and the accumulation of masks used every day causes serious environmental issues. In this study, we investigate the recycling of mask materials for addressing the environmental problems and transforming as a high value-added material through chemical modification of masks.

Strongly Anchoring Polysulfides by Hierarchical FeO/CN Nanostructures for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Li-S batteries have attracted considerable interest as next-generation energy storage devices owing to high energy density and the natural abundance of sulfur. However, the practical applications of Li-S batteries are hampered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LPS), which results in low cycle stability. Herein, a functional interlayer has been developed to efficiently regulate the LPS and enhance the sulfur utilization using hierarchical nanostructure of CN (t-CN) embedded with FeO nanospheres.

Point-of-Care Platform for Early Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.

We created a cost-benefit analysis and swift point-of-care (PoC) testing for early stage Parkinson's disease (PD) that delivers the possibility of providing sensitive, rapid, and user-friendly analysis in home diagnostics applications. α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is considered a meaningful biomarker for the diagnosis of early stage PD. The PoC platform for diagnosis of PD is simply constructed with a conductive polymer and an aptamer receptor on a screen-printed electrode and exhibits a remarkable low detection limit of 1 × 10 fM.

Fast-Charging Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Enabled via Lean Binder Content.

Next-generation energy storage devices such as lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) face several challenges including fast charging and high-power delivery. Thus, it is necessary to improve the stability of the electrodes with efficient electrochemical system. In this work, a durable sulfur cathode even at high rates is enabled via lean binder content.

Ultrasensitive Detection of Amyloid-β Using Cellular Prion Protein on the Highly Conductive Au Nanoparticles-Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-Poly(thiophene-3-acetic acid) Composite Electrode.

A highly sensitive electrochemical impedance sensor for amyloid beta oligomer (AβO) was fabricated using a cellular prion protein (PrP) bioreceptor linked with poly(thiophene-3-acetic acid) transducer. An additional thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) embedded with gold nanoparticles was employed to provide high electrical conductivity and a large surface area. The sensing performace was investigated in terms of sensitivity and detection range.

Ferrocene-Encapsulated Zn Zeolitic Imidazole Framework (ZIF-8) for Optical and Electrochemical Sensing of Amyloid-β Oligomers and for the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

In this work, the ferrocene-encapsulated Zn zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-8) was prepared by the self-assembly of Zn ions and 2-methylimidazole and used for the dual detection of amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO), which is the main neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Ferrocene is an optically and electrochemically active signal which was successfully encapsulated inside of the ZIF-8 and released by the competitive coordination between Zn ions and AβO after being treated with AβO. The released ferrocene content was monitored by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry.

The effects of a balloon-blowing exercise in a 90/90 bridge position using a ball on the pulmonary function of females in their twenties.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate pulmonary function before and after the performance of a balloon-blowing exercise in a 90/90 bridge position using a ball among female university students in their twenties. [Participants and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to the control group, which performed the bridge position using hip and knee flexion on a ball with a diaphragm respiratory exercise, or the experimental group, which performed a 90/90 bridge using a ball with a balloon exercise. The exercise programs were conducted 30 minutes a day, five times a week for four weeks.

Monitoring of early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using the cellular prion protein and poly(pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid) modified electrode.

Amyloid-beta oligomers (AβΟ) are considered to be reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer' disease (AD), and the cellular prion protein (PrP) is identified as a receptor for AβO. We demonstrated a label and antibody-free electrochemical biosensor for the selective detection of AβO using an electrically conductive poly(pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid) (PPyCOOH) linking agent and PrP receptor. In the fabrication of the biosensor, each step was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.

Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Chitosan Network Binder for Silicon Anode in Lithium-Ion Battery.

Polymeric binder is extremely important for Si-based anode in lithium-ion batteries due to large volume variation during charging/discharging process. Here, natural rubber-incorporated chitosan networks were designed as a binder material to obtain both adhesion and elasticity. Chitosan could strongly anchor Si particles through hydrogen bonding, while the natural rubber could stretch reversibly during the volume variation of Si particles, resulting in high cyclic performance.

The effects of place running exercises on the pulmonary function of normal adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine whether place running exercises increase the pulmonary function of normal adults. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty normal adults in their 20s were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). Over the course of four weeks, the experimental group participated in place running exercise for 30 minutes five times per week.

The effects of dynamic exercise using the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern on posture in healthy adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of dynamic exercise utilizing the proprioceptor neuromuscular facilitation pattern accompanied by abdominal drawing-in exercises on posture in healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] The total number of subjects were 32; 16 were randomly placed in the training group, and the remaining 16 made up the control group. The subjects in the training group conducted 5 sets of dynamic exercises utilizing the proprioceptor neuromuscular facilitation patterns each day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks.

An analysis of pulmonary function in different lying positions in the 20's normal adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to study the changes in pulmonary functions in relation to lying positions of experimental participants. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty participants participated in this experiment. Measurements were taken in the supine position, the left side-lying position, the right side-lying position, and the prone position.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Assisted Process for Well-Dispersed Silicon/Graphene Composite as a Li ion Battery Anode.

The silicon (Si)/graphene composite has been touted as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries. However, the optimal fabrication method for this composite remains a challenge. Here, we developed a novel method using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) to intercalate Si nanoparticles into graphene nanosheets.

Solvent-assisted morphology confinement of a nickel sulfide nanostructure and its application for non-enzymatic glucose sensor.

Morphology-controlled synthesis of nickel sulfide (Ni3S2) was performed directly on Ni foam using thioacetamide as a sulfur ion source. Various morphologies of nickel sulfide were fabricated using a hydrothermal process by adjusting the solvent composition of ethanol and water. In the water-dominant condition, a dendrite structure was obtained; otherwise, a flaky structure was achieved.

Effects of pelvic adjustment on pelvic posture and angles of the lower limb joints during walking in female university students.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of pelvic adjustment on pelvic posture and lower limb joint angles during walking in female university students. [Subjects] Thirty healthy female university students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (pelvic adjustment group, n = 15) and a control group (stretching group, n = 15). [Methods] Pelvic adjustment was performed three times on the experimental group.

Cross-Linked Chitosan as an Efficient Binder for Si Anode of Li-ion Batteries.

We investigate the use of chitosan (CS) as a new cross-linkable and water-soluble binder for the Si anode of Li-ion batteries. In contrast to the traditional binder utilizing a hydrogen bond and/or van der Waals force-linked anode electrodes, CS can easily form a 3D network to limit the movement of Si particles through the cross-linking between the amino groups of CS and the dialdehyde of glutaraldehyde (GA). Chemical, mechanical, and morphological analyses are conducted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, and scanning electron microscopy.

Analysis of the pulmonary functions of normal adults according to pillow height.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine changes in pulmonary functions in relation to the sleeping positions of the experimental subjects. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects for this study were twenty randomly selected males and females from K University. Measurements were taken in the supine position at three different pillow heights: 0 cm, 5 cm, and 10 cm.

Synthesis of hierarchical NiCo2O4 hollow nanorods via sacrificial-template accelerate hydrolysis for electrochemical glucose oxidation.

Hierarchical NiCo2O4 hollow nanorods (HR) were directly grown on stainless steel via a sacrificial template accelerated hydrolysis and post calcination using ZnO nanorod as a template. The composition of the NiCo2O4 HR electrode was determined using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of the NiCo2O4 HR is comprised of nanoflakes that were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Correlations among pelvic positions and differences in lower extremity joint angles during walking in female university students.

[Purpose] This study aimed to identify correlations among pelvic positions and differences in lower extremity joint angles during walking in female university students. [Subjects] Thirty female university students were enrolled and their pelvic positions and differences in lower extremity joint angles were measured. [Methods] Pelvic position, pelvic torsion, and pelvic rotation were assessed using the BackMapper.

Effects of running in place accompanied by abdominal drawing-in on the posture of healthy adults.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effect of running in place accompanied by abdominal drawing-in on the posture of healthy adults. [Subjects] A total of 30 subjects were divided into a training group and a control group, each containing 15 subjects. [Methods] The training group performed running in place accompanied by abdominal drawing-in for 30 min daily, three times a week for six weeks.

Geometry-controllable graphene layers and their application for supercapacitors.

A facile and ultrafast method for geometry controllable and vertically transformative 3D graphene architectures is demonstrated. The 2D stacked graphene layers produced by exfoliation of graphite were transformed, e.g.

The effects of bridge exercise with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on an unstable surface on the abdominal muscle thickness of healthy adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a bridge exercise with an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) performed with different surface conditions on abdominal muscle thickness. [Subjects] Thirty subjects were randomly divided into an unstable bridge exercise group (UBE group, n=15) and a stable bridge exercise group (SBE group, n=15). [Methods] After 6 weeks of performing bridge exercises accompanied by ADIM, the change in the muscle thicknesses of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique abdominis (IOA) muscles was assessed using ultrasonography.