Optimized virtual reality-based memorization techniques through increased immersion and effective memory palace designs: a feasibility study.

For most, an improvement in memory would always be desirable, whether from the point of view of an aging individual with declining memory, or from the perspective of someone seeking to memorize large amounts of information in the shortest period of time. One way for people to improve upon their memory performance is by using the (MoL), a famously complex, ancient memorization technique for non-spatial information recall. With the use of virtual reality technology, this technique can finally be easily taught to individuals for use in their daily lives.

Near-infrared (NIR) surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of novel functional phenothiazines for potential use in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC).

Phenothiazines are of potential use as dye sensitizers in Grätzel-type dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Plasmonic nanoparticles like gold nanoparticles can enhance the power conversion efficiency of these solar cells. In this work near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NIR-SERS) is used to investigate the interaction between six novel phenothiazine-merocyanine dyes containing the three different functional groups rhodanine, 1,3-indanedione and cyanoacylic acid with plasmonic nanomaterials, to decide if the incorporation of plasmonic nanoparticles could enhance the efficiency of a Grätzel-type solar cell.

The Low Toxicity of Graphene Quantum Dots is Reflected by Marginal Gene Expression Changes of Primary Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are a promising next generation nanomaterial with manifold biomedical applications. For real world applications, comprehensive studies on their influence on the functionality of primary human cells are mandatory. Here, we report the effects of GQDs on the transcriptome of CD34 hematopoietic stem cells after an incubation time of 36 hours.

Acetylenedicarboxylate and In Situ Generated Chlorofumarate-Based Hafnium(IV)-Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis, Structure, and Sorption Properties.

New acetylenedicarboxylate (ADC) and chlorofumarate (Fum-Cl) based hafnium-metal-organic frameworks have been synthesized by alternatively reacting acetylenedicarboxylic acid in DMF or water with appropriate hafnium salt, in the presence of acetic acid modulator. The two materials of respective ideal formulas [HfO(OH)(ADC)] (Hf-HHU-1) and [HfO(OH)(Fum-Cl)] (Hf-HHU-2) have been structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction to be UiO-66 isostructural, consisting of octahedral [HfO(OH)] secondary building units each connected to other units by 12 ADC or Fum-Cl linkers into a microporous network with topology. This structure was confirmed by Rietveld refinement.

Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Electron-Rich Aryl Iodides with Tertiary Alkyl Halides.

This work illustrates the reductive coupling of electron-rich aryl halides with tertiary alkyl halides under Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling conditions, which offers an efficient protocol for the construction of all carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. The mild and easy-to-operate reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups. The utility of this method is manifested by the preparation of cyclotryptamine derivatives, wherein successful incorporation of 7-indolyl moieties is of particular interest as numerous naturally occurring products are composed of these key scaffolds.

Realizing the Potential of Acetylenedicarboxylate by Functionalization to Halofumarate in Zr Metal-Organic Frameworks.

A strategy was developed to obtain from acetylenedicarboxylic acid either an acetylenedicarboxylate-based Zr metal-organic framework (MOF) with fcu topology or a halo-functionalized-MOF-801 through in situ ligand hydrohalogenation. The new materials feature exceptionally high hydrophilicity and CO /H adsorption energetics. The acetylenedicarboxylate linker and its functionalizable triple-bond discloses its potential in the engineering of microporous materials with targeted properties.

Economic development, flow of funds, and the equilibrium interaction of financial frictions.

We use a variety of different datasets from Thailand to study not only the extremes of micro and macro variables but also within-country flow of funds and labor migration. We develop a general equilibrium model that encompasses regional variation in the type of financial friction and calibrate it to measured variation in regional aggregates. The model predicts substantial capital and labor flows from rural to urban areas even though these differ only in the underlying financial regime.

[Differences between adolescents with pathological Internet use in inpatient and outpatient treatment].

Objective: In epidemiological studies high prevalence estimates for pathological Internet use in adolescence were reported. There are only few studies published, reporting data of adolescents seeking treatment concerning their pathological Internet use. Currently, a comparison of patients in inpatient versus outpatient treatment is not available.

Partial differential equation models in macroeconomics.

The purpose of this article is to get mathematicians interested in studying a number of partial differential equations (PDEs) that naturally arise in macroeconomics. These PDEs come from models designed to study some of the most important questions in economics. At the same time, they are highly interesting for mathematicians because their structure is often quite difficult.

[Pilot study on the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural group programme for adolescents with pathological internet use].

Excessive Internet use and its severe form, pathological internet use, are currently increasing in many industrial nations in Asia, North America and Europe. According to recent epidemiological studies pathological internet use occurs more frequently in youth than in adults. In Germany between 4 and 6% of the adolescents use the internet in a pathological way.

Bendamustine and prednisone in combination with bortezomib (BPV) in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and light chain-induced renal failure.

Introduction: Serious renal failure represents a severe complication of multiple myeloma (MM), with an estimated 25-50 % of patients being affected. Both bortezomib and bendamustine have been identified as quickly acting, effective and well-tolerated drugs and might therefore constitute an adequate combination regimen for patients presenting with light chain-induced renal failure.

Methods: Between March 2005 and March 2013, 36 patients with relapsed/refractory MM and light chain-induced renal failure (creatinine clearance <60 ml/min) were treated with bendamustine 60 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.

Combined bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Introduction: Bortezomib (Velcade) is a proteasome inhibitor that has shown important clinical efficacy either as a single agent or in combination with other cytostatic agents in multiple myeloma (MM). In the present protocol, bortezomib was combined with other active substances like bendamustine and prednisone (BPV), in order to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.

Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2011, 78 patients with relapsed or refractory MM were treated with bendamustine 60 (-120) mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.

Why we haven't died out yet: changes in women's mimic reactions to visual erotic stimuli during their menstrual cycles.

From an evolutionary point of view, female sexual desire contributes greatly to the success of reproduction by coordinating sexual behavior. It is known that female sexual desire fluctuates with the menstrual cycle. However, little is known about the role of basic emotions during menstrual cycle.

Effects of the premenstrual syndrome on facial expressions of sadness.

Unlabelled: This study examined the relationship between PMS and emotion-related electromyographic facial activity at different phases of the menstrual cycle. Twenty-four women of reproductive age (12 with PMS, 12 controls) participated in two EMG sessions (T1 and T2) in which they were shown photographic images that can elicit various emotions (IAPS stimuli). T1 took place in the follicular phase, T2 in the luteal phase.

Minimal immunoreactive plasma beta-endorphin and decrease of cortisol at standard analgesia or different acupuncture techniques.

Background And Objective: Acupuncture has been claimed to be associated with activation of the endogenous antinociceptive system. The analgesic effects of acupuncture have been ascribed to beta-endorphin interacting with opioid receptors. However, firstly, the release of beta-endorphin into the blood has been proven to be induced by stress, i.

Acute effects of 1,1,1-trichloroethane on human olfactory functioning.

Background: Animal experiments indicate that 1,1,1-trichloroethane can cause degeneration of the olfactory epithelium. The effects of 1,1,1-trichloroethane on human odor perception still have not been investigated. The goal of this study was to learn more about acute effects of 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

[Do blind persons have a better sense of smell than normal sighted people?].

Functional disorders of sense organs may intensify the remaining senses. It is presumed that blind persons do not only hear better and have an intensified tactile sense but also have a stronger sense of smell. Better hearing ability was demonstrated by auditory evoked potentials.

Olfactory function in patients with olfactory groove meningioma.

Objectives: Olfactory meningiomas are rare benign tumours and represent about 12% of all basal meningiomas. Anosmia is thought to be among the first symptoms, even though patients often present with headaches or visual problems. However, so far no detailed psychophysical tests of olfactory function have been performed in a large number of those patients.

[Anosmia caused by inhaled hazardous substances. Significance for expert assessment general practice].

Background: Both environmental and occupational pollutants can affect the functional integrity of the olfactory epithelium or even destroy olfactory tissue. However, occupational hyposmia and anosmia have not been included into the list of occupational diseases. Therefore, compensation of occupationally induced smell disorders is difficult.

Comparison of olfactory function in patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Hyposmia is a common symptom in allergic rhinitis. However, little is known about differences in the olfactory function of patients with seasonal or perennial allergy. A prospective controlled study was performed on 28 patients with allergic rhinitis to grass pollen and on 47 patients with allergic rhinitis to mites.

Lateralized and bilateral olfactory function in patients with chronic sinusitis compared with healthy control subjects.

Results of this study demonstrated that a new olfactory test, the "Sniffin' Sticks," can be used to distinguish hyposmic patients with chronic sinusitis (n = 63) from control subjects. Dirhinic testing yielded improved olfactory sensitivity compared with monorhinic testing. However, dirhinic results were not significantly different from results obtained for the best nostril.

Olfactory function after microscopic endonasal surgery in patients with nasal polyps.

A controlled prospective study on 31 patients with nasal polyps was performed to evaluate the time course of olfactory function after endonasal surgery. A modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory function test was used to measure olfactory threshold, odor identification ability, and odor discrimination ability. The test was performed in all patients 1-3 days before surgery (V1), 7-10 days after surgery (V2), and after 1 (V3), 2 (V4), 3 (V5), and 6 (V6) months.