Steady-State Free Precession (SSFP) NMR Spectroscopy for Sensitivity Enhancement in Complex Environmental and Biological Samples Using Both High-Field and Low-Field NMR.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a valuable and complementary tool in environmental research, but it is underutilized due to the cost, size, and maintenance requirements of standard "high-field" NMR spectrometers. "Low-field" NMR spectrometers are a financially and physically accessible alternative, but their lower sensitivity and increased spectral overlap limit the analysis of heterogeneous environmental/biological media, especially with fast-relaxing samples that produce broad, low-intensity spectra. This study therefore investigates the potential of the steady-state free precession (SSFP) experiment to enhance signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of fast-relaxing, complex samples at both high- and low-field.

Absolute electron impact ionization cross-sections for CF4: Three dimensional recoil-ion imaging combined with the relative flow technique.

Here we present measurements of dissociative and non-dissociative cross-sections for the electron impact of the CF4 molecule. The present experiments are based on a Recoil Ion Momentum Spectrometer (RIMS), a standard gas mixing setup for CF4, and a reference gas. The measurements were carried out at several electron energies up to 1 keV, covering the energy range of previous experiments.

Examining the alignment between subjective effort and objective force production.

Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) are frequently used to prescribe exercise intensity. A central assumption of using RPE scales is that the subjective perception of effort maps onto objective performance in a consistent way. However, the degree and shape of how RPE aligns with objective performance is not fully understood.

Exploration of Materials for Three-Dimensional NMR Microcoil Production via CNC Micromilling and Laser Etching.

The excellent versatility of 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) micromilling has led to its application for prototyping NMR microcoils tailored to mass-limited samples (reducing development time and cost). However, vibrations during 5-axis milling can hinder the creation of complex 3D volume microcoils (i.e.

Development of a Simple Cost Effective Oxygenation System for In Vivo Solution State NMR in 10 mm NMR Tubes.

In vivo NMR is evolving into an important tool to understand biological processes and environmental responses. Current approaches use flow systems to sustain the organisms with oxygenated water and food (e.g.

Time in suspense: investigating boredom and related states in a virtual waiting room.

We studied the role of time in the experience of boredom and its relationship with various psychological states using virtual reality. Sixty-six participants visited nine virtual waiting rooms and evaluated their perception of time and psychological experiences, including boredom, exhaustion, restlessness, amotivation, frustration, anger, unhappiness, spontaneous and deliberate mind-wandering, fantasy, and absorption. Results confirmed the relationship between boredom and time perception, showing that the higher the levels of boredom, the slower time seems to pass.

The relationship between prescribed ratings of perceived exertion and force production in repeated isometric contractions.

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) are frequently used to monitor and prescribe exercise intensity. However, studies examining the shape and robustness of how feelings of effort map onto objective outputs are limited and report inconsistent results. To address this, we investigated whether (1) producing isometric forces according to RPE levels reliably leads to differences in force output, (2) if feelings of effort map linearly or non-linearly onto force output, and (3) if this mapping is robust when visual feedback and social facilitation are present.

A simple H (C/C) filtered experiment to quantify and trace isotope enrichment in complex environmental and biological samples.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based C tracing has broad applications across medical and environmental research. As many biological and environmental samples are heterogeneous, they experience considerable spectral overlap and relatively low signal. Here a 1D H-C/C is introduced that uses "in-phase/opposite-phase" encoding to simultaneously detect and discriminate both protons attached to C and C at full H sensitivity in every scan.

The influence of chair recline and head and neck position on upper trapezius activity and stiffness during seated computer work.

Increasing chair recline during seated computer work may reduce the load placed on the upper trapezius (UT), a common location of pain for those with idiopathic chronic neck pain. This study determined the effect of increasing chair recline on UT stiffness and muscle activity during computer work in people with and without idiopathic chronic neck pain. Surface electromyography and ultrasound shear wave elastography were collected from three subdivisions of the UT in 15 individuals with idiopathic chronic neck pain and 15 sex-matched healthy controls.

Identifying placental metabolic biomarkers of preterm birth using nuclear magnetic resonance of intact tissue samples.

Introduction: Our understanding of the etiology of preterm birth (PTB) is incomplete; however, recent evidence has found a strong association between placental dysfunction and PTB. Altered placental metabolism may precede placental dysfunction and therefore the study of placental metabolic profiles could identify early biomarkers of PTB. In this study, we evaluated the placental metabolome in PTB in intact tissue samples using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and spectral editing.

Mind-over-body beliefs in sport and exercise: A driving force for training volume and performance, but with risks for exercise addiction.

We assume that athletic success is associated with certain beliefs that on the one hand promote performance-enhancing behavior (training volume), but on the other hand can also be detrimental to health (sports addiction). These beliefs are succinctly characterized by the title of the 9-item "Mind-over-Body" scale presented here. They are the three beliefs that 1) athletic performance requires a high level of effort, 2) that willpower plays an important role in athletic success, and 3) that athletic success requires pain tolerance.

Exploring the Potential of Broadband Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Micro-Coil Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Environmental Research.

With sensitivity being the Achilles' heel of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the superior mass sensitivity offered by micro-coils can be an excellent choice for tiny, mass limited samples such as eggs and small organisms. Recently, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based micro-coil transceivers have been reported and demonstrate excellent mass sensitivity. However, the ability of broadband CMOS micro-coils to study heteronuclei has yet to be investigated, and here their potential is explored within the lens of environmental research.

Low Energy Isomers and Infrared Spectra Simulations of CHN, CHN, and CHN and Related Ions.

The relative stability of pyrrole derivatives were investigated by applying a global minimum (GM) search for the low-lying energy structures of CHN ( = 3-5) clusters at neutral, anionic, and cationic states. Several low-energy structures, previously not reported, were identified. The present results reveal a preference for cyclic and conjugated systems for the CHN and CHN compounds.

Boredom is the root of all evil-or is it? A psychometric network approach to individual differences in behavioural responses to boredom.

Functional accounts of boredom propose that boredom serves as an impartial signal to change something about the current situation, which should give rise to adaptive and maladaptive behaviour alike. This seemingly contrasts with research on boredom proneness, which has overwhelmingly shown associations with maladaptive behaviour. To shed light on this discrepancy, we disentangled boredom proneness from individual differences in (i) the and (ii) by developing corresponding trait scales.

The influence of idiopathic chronic neck pain on upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity and elasticity during functional reaching: A cross-sectional study.

It remains unclear whether idiopathic chronic neck pain is associated with changes in muscle stiffness alongside alterations in neuromuscular control. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of idiopathic chronic neck pain on the muscle stiffness and muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles during the maintenance of unilateral and bilateral functional reaching tasks. Surface electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound shear wave elastography were collected from the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles in 18 individuals with idiopathic chronic neck pain and 18 matched healthy controls.

Tracking Self-Control - Task Performance and Pupil Size in a Go/No-Go Inhibition Task.

There is an ongoing debate about how to test and operationalize self-control. This limited understanding is in large part due to a variety of different tests and measures used to assess self-control, as well as the lack of empirical studies examining the temporal dynamics during the exertion of self-control. In order to track changes that occur over the course of exposure to a self-control task, we investigate and compare behavioral, subjective, and physiological indicators during the exertion of self-control.

Getting trapped in a dead end? Trait self-control and boredom are linked to goal adjustment.

Disengaging from unattainable goals and reengaging in alternative goals is essential for effective goal pursuit; yet, surprisingly little is known about associated personality factors. Here, we focused on individual differences in self-control (domain-general self-control, if-then planning) and boredom (boredom proneness, boredom avoidance and escape tendencies). Concerning goal adjustment in everyday life (Study 1;  = 323 crowdworkers), if-then planning was associated with worse disengagement and better reengagement.

24 Hours on the Run-Does Boredom Matter for Ultra-Endurance Athletes' Crises?

Sport and exercise can be boring. In the general population, thinking of sports as boring has been linked to exercising less. However, less is known about the role of boredom in people who participate in ultra-endurance competitions: Do these athletes also associate their sports with boredom, and does boredom pose a self-regulatory challenge that predicts if they encounter a crisis during an ultra-endurance competition? Here, we investigate these questions with a sample of = 113 ( = 34 female) competitors of a 24 h hour running competition, aged = 37.

Boredom Proneness Predicts Self-Assessed Decision Errors in Sports but Is Unrelated to Risk Taking in General.

: Boredom proneness is linked to poor self-regulation, leading to poor decision making and/or increased risk taking. These links have not yet been investigated in the domain of sports and exercise. However, poor decisions or excessive risk behavior would be highly detrimental to sporting performance and, in some cases, even cause physical harm.

NEXAFS and MS-AES spectroscopy of the C 1s and Cl 2p excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene: Production of dicationic species.

We report on single- and double-charge photofragment formation by synchrotron radiation, following C 1s core excitation and ionization and Cl 2p inner excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene, CHCl. From a comparison of experimental near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra and theoretical calculations, the nature of various core and inner shell transitions of the molecule and pure atomic features were identified. To shed light on the normal Auger processes following excitation or ionization of the molecule at the Cl 2p or C 1s sites, we addressed the induced ionic species formation.

Struggles and strategies in anaerobic and aerobic cycling tests: A mixed-method approach with a focus on tailored self-regulation strategies.

Endurance sports pose a plethora of mental demands that exercisers have to deal with. Unfortunately, investigations of exercise-specific demands and strategies to deal with them are insufficiently researched, leading to a gap in knowledge about athletic requirements and strategies used to deal with them. Here, we investigated which obstacles exercisers experience during an anaerobic (Wingate test) and an aerobic cycling test (incremental exercise test), as well as the strategies they considered helpful for dealing with these obstacles (qualitative analysis).