This paper discusses the theoretical approximation and attempted measurement of the quantum <br/>force produced by material interactions though the use of a tuning fork-based atomic force microscopy <br/>device. This device was built and orientated specifically for the measurement of the Casimir force as a <br/>function of separation distance using a piezo actuator for approaching and a micro tuning fork for the <br/>force measurement. This project proceeds with an experimental measurement of the ambient Casmir force <br/>through the use of a tuning fork-based AFM to determine its viability in measuring the magnitude of the <br/>force interaction between an interface material and the tuning fork probe. The ambient measurements <br/>taken during the device’s development displayed results consistent with theoretical approximations, while<br/>demonstrating the capability to perform high-precision force measurements. The experimental results<br/>concluded in a successful development of a device which has the potential to measure forces of <br/>magnitude 10−6 to 10−9 at nanometric gaps. To conclude, a path to material analysis using an approach <br/>stage, alternative methods of testing, and potential future experiments are speculated upon.
Tunable Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Exceeding Blackbody Limit with Vanadium Dioxide Thin Film
This paper investigates near-field thermal radiation as the primary source of heat transfer between two parallel surfaces. This radiation takes place extremely close to the heated surfaces in study so the experimental set-up to be used will be done at the nanometer scale. The primary theory being investigated is that near-field radiation generates greater heat flux that conventional radiation governed by Planck’s law with maximum for blackbodies. Working with a phase shift material such as VO2 enables a switch-like effect to occur where the total amount of heat flux fluctuates as VO2 transitions from a metal to an insulator. In this paper, the theoretical heat flux and near-field radiation effect are modeled for a set-up of VO2 and SiO2 layers separated by different vacuum gaps. In addition, a physical experimental set-up is validated for future near-field radiation experiments.
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of three widely used wearable sensors in research settings for 24 h monitoring of sleep, sedentary, and active behaviors in middle-aged women.
Methods
Participants were 21 inactive, overweight (M Body Mass Index (BMI) = 29.27 ± 7.43) women, 30 to 64 years (M = 45.31 ± 9.67). Women were instructed to wear each sensor on the non-dominant hip (ActiGraph GT3X+), wrist (GENEActiv), or upper arm (BodyMedia SenseWear Mini) for 24 h/day and record daily wake and bed times for one week over the course of three consecutive weeks. Women received feedback about their daily physical activity and sleep behaviors. Feasibility (i.e., acceptability and demand) was measured using surveys, interviews, and wear time.
Results
Women felt the GENEActiv (94.7 %) and SenseWear Mini (90.0 %) were easier to wear and preferred the placement (68.4, 80 % respectively) as compared to the ActiGraph (42.9, 47.6 % respectively). Mean wear time on valid days was similar across sensors (ActiGraph: M = 918.8 ± 115.0 min; GENEActiv: M = 949.3 ± 86.6; SenseWear: M = 928.0 ± 101.8) and well above other studies using wake time only protocols. Informational feedback was the biggest motivator, while appearance, comfort, and inconvenience were the biggest barriers to wearing sensors. Wear time was valid on 93.9 % (ActiGraph), 100 % (GENEActiv), and 95.2 % (SenseWear) of eligible days. 61.9, 95.2, and 71.4 % of participants had seven valid days of data for the ActiGraph, GENEActiv, and SenseWear, respectively.
Conclusion
Twenty-four hour monitoring over seven consecutive days is a feasible approach in middle-aged women. Researchers should consider participant acceptability and demand, in addition to validity and reliability, when choosing a wearable sensor. More research is needed across populations and study designs.
The membrane proximal region (MPR, residues 649–683) and transmembrane domain (TMD, residues 684–705) of the gp41 subunit of HIV-1’s envelope protein are highly conserved and are important in viral mucosal transmission, virus attachment and membrane fusion with target cells. Several structures of the trimeric membrane proximal external region (residues 662–683) of MPR have been reported at the atomic level; however, the atomic structure of the TMD still remains unknown. To elucidate the structure of both MPR and TMD, we expressed the region spanning both domains, MPR-TM (residues 649–705), in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with maltose binding protein (MBP). MPR-TM was initially fused to the C-terminus of MBP via a 42 aa-long linker containing a TEV protease recognition site (MBP-linker-MPR-TM).
Biophysical characterization indicated that the purified MBP-linker-MPR-TM protein was a monodisperse and stable candidate for crystallization. However, crystals of the MBP-linker-MPR-TM protein could not be obtained in extensive crystallization screens. It is possible that the 42 residue-long linker between MBP and MPR-TM was interfering with crystal formation. To test this hypothesis, the 42 residue-long linker was replaced with three alanine residues. The fusion protein, MBP-AAA-MPR-TM, was similarly purified and characterized. Significantly, both the MBP-linker-MPR-TM and MBP-AAA-MPR-TM proteins strongly interacted with broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 4E10. With epitopes accessible to the broadly neutralizing antibodies, these MBP/MPR-TM recombinant proteins may be in immunologically relevant conformations that mimic a pre-hairpin intermediate of gp41.
The positive impacts of yoga on stress, pain, and chronic disease has recently led to the integration of yoga as part of physical therapy (PT) treatment. Due to the lack of training for PTs related to yoga, there is currently a need to provide knowledge and education about how to safely and easily implement therapeutic yoga (TY) as a complementary treatment approach.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of PTs (those who do not currently prescribe TY to patients) to integrate TY into treatment, and secondly, the feasibility (i.e., acceptability, demand, and practicality) of a 5-week online TY training to improve the readiness of PT’s to utilize TY in their practice.
Methods:
Licensed Physical Therapist’s (n=103) were recruited nationally through social media and email. Eligible and consented participants were asked to register in a 5-week online TY training course, Readiness for Integrating Yoga Therapeutics into Rehabilitation for PTs (intervention). PTs perceptions of TY and the role of safety and confidence in prescribing TY to patients were measured at baseline and post-intervention using a customized survey. Feasibility outcomes were measured after completion of the 5-week online training course with a survey. Feasibility was measured with acceptability, demand, and practicality. Our benchmarks included: (1) at least 70% of PTs would find the course acceptable, (2) at least 60% would finish the course (i.e., demand) and (3) there would be significant improvements in PTs perceptions of TY.
Results:
A total of 95 licensed PTs registered in the 5-week online TY training course, with 60 PTs (63%) completing the intervention and surveys. Of the PTs who completed the 5-week online training course, most PTs felt they were not ready (n=19/60, 31.7%) or somewhat ready (n=25/60, 41.7%) to integrate TY prior to taking the online training. Over half of PTs thought the online training was acceptable (n= 50/60, 83.3%) and finished the course (n=60/95, 63%). There were significant improvements in personal readiness to prescribe TY, safety prescribing TY, confidence to prescribe TY, current understanding/knowledge of TY and feeling adequately trained and educated to use some form of TY techniques with patients.
Conclusion:
Findings suggest a 5-week online TY training course is feasible in improving PTs readiness to prescribe TY, safety prescribing TY, confidence to prescribe TY, current understanding/knowledge of TY and feeling adequately trained and educated to use some form of TY techniques with patients. Future studies are proposed to test the effectiveness of TY training and education opportunities with PTs to further advance the adoption of TY into PT practice.