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Much recent work on ostracism has used the online game Cyberball paired with an un-validated 12-item scale that purportedly measures four needs. Thus, the present paper examined convergent and discriminant validity for the needs threat scale compared to the Sheldon Needs Scale, a more established measure of ten psychological needs. Two samples, containing 192 participants, completed inclusion or exclusion manipulations via Cyberball. Convergent validity correlations were higher than divergent correlations, but within-scale correlations were higher still, suggesting the sub-scales are not perfectly distinct. This was further supported by the poor fit to a four-factor model in confirmatory factor analysis and the existence of a two-factor structure in exploratory factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Azithromycin loaded microspheres with blends of poly-l-lactide and ploy-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide as matrices were prepared by the atmosphere-solvent evaporation (ASE) and reduced pressure-solvent evaporation (RSE) method. Both the X-ray diffraction spectra and DSC thermographs demonstrated that poly-l-lactide existed in a crystalline form in the ASE microspheres, while an amorphous form was present in the RSE formulations. Besides, solvent removal at atmosphere gave microspheres of porous and rough surfaces, but smooth surfaces appeared in the RSE microspheres. The incorporation efficiency as well as the burst release (cumulative release in the first 24h) in the ASE formulations was 39.94±1.18% and 23.96±2.01% respectively, yet the encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres fabricated under 385mmHg was high up to 57.19±3.81% and the burst release was 4.12±0.15%. The in vitro drug release studies indicated that the ASE microspheres presented a zero-order profile; while the RSE formulations followed first-order kinetics. Other factors including solidification time, temperature, drug to polymer ratio and pH value of the continuous phase could also influence the physicochemical characteristics and release profiles of microspheres. In conclusion, the overall improvement of microspheres in appearance, encapsulation efficiency and controlled drug release through the RSE method could be easily fulfilled under optimal preparation conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aims of this study were to develop a transdermal gel formulation for ibuprofen using experimental design techniques and to evaluate its pharmacokinetic properties. The three factors chosen for factorial design were the concentrations of drug, polyoxyethylene(5)cetyl/oleyl ether and ethanol and the levels of each factor were low, medium and high. Skin permeation rates and lag times of ibuprofen were evaluated using the Franz-type diffusion cell in order to optimize the gel formulation. The permeation rate of ibuprofen significantly increased in proportion to the drug concentration, but significantly decreased in proportion to POE(5)cetyl/oleyl ether concentration. Ethanol concentration was inversely proportional to the lag time. The pharmacokinetic properties of the optimized formulation were compared with those of two marketed products in rats. The relative bioavailability of ibuprofen gel compared to the two marketed products was 228.8% and 181.0%. In conclusion, a transdermal ibuprofen gel was formulated successfully using the technique of experimental design and these results helped in finding the optimum formulation for transdermal drug release. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Smart floor is an indispensable component of future smart buildings, it is urgent to develop a low-cost, self-powered, and high reliability smart floor. Herein, we propose a disposable cups inspired self-powered smart floor (DCIS-floor) for trajectory recognition and human-interactive sensing. The conical surface of the cup-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is greater than the projected area, resulting in an increased working area of functional materials on a limited floor. This enables more power generation units to be arranged on the limited floor while ensuring that each unit can generate sufficient electricity. Both pressure and shear force are applied as two conical surfaces contact, increasing the degree of contact between functional materials while avoiding excessive frictional force and wear during working process. Compared to cylindrical structures, conical structures offer greater flexibility in contact-separation without intricate machining and assembly, which is ideal for efficient large-area manufacturing. In the experiments, DCIS-floor achieves object motion trajectory recognition, visual recognition based trajectory wireless sensing, and pressure distribution sensing functions. Utilizing a convolutional neural network for data analysis, DCIS-floor realizes personnel identification. This work provides an effective method for smart floors in the safety monitoring, intelligent identification, and emergency rescue of future smart buildings. [Display omitted] • A disposable cups inspired self-powered smart floor is proposed. • The conical surfaces increase the contact degree between functional materials. • The conical structures offer greater flexibility in contact-separation motion. • The trajectory printing and human-interactive sensing system is realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A WC-bronze-based matrix and an impregnated diamond composite (IDC) reinforced by nano-NbC were fabricated through powder metallurgy to improve the lifespan of drilling bits. The density, hardness, bending strength, and wear resistance of the matrix and IDC were studied. The microscopic features were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that when the nano-NbC content was 5 wt%, the hardness and bending strength of matrix were 43 HRC and 1085 MPa, increased by 26% and 28%, respectively. The IDC exhibited higher bending strength and the highest wear resistance, and the grinding ratio was 1150, which was approximately 2.4 times higher than that of IDC without the addition of nano-NbC. The indoor drilling tests showed that the drilling bit life expectancy was 78 m, improved by 70%. The enhanced compactness characteristics, grain refinement, and dispersion strengthening were the main reasons behind the enhanced properties. [Display omitted] • Nano-NbC reinforced WC-bronze-based impregnated diamond composites were fabricated. • The composites reinforced by nano-NbC exhibited better mechanical properties. • The life expectancy of drilling bits improved obviously via nano-NbC addition. • The microstructures and phase composition of composites were analysed in detail. • The strengthening mechanisms of nano-NbC were clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hydrogen-reduction behavior of W-oxides in ball-milled powder mixtures of W- and Cu-oxides was investigated by microstructural analysis and humidity change measurement in the reduction process. The refinement and homogeneous mixing of powders by the ball-milling process induced a decrease in hydrogen-reduction temperature of W-oxides and the resultant refinement of W particle size. In addition, it is suggested that the surface of previously hydrogen-reduced Cu particles acted as a nucleation site to be W particles by reduction including chemical vapor transport process of WO2 in hydrogen atmosphere. Decrease in reduction temperature of W-oxides in powder mixture was explained by the attribution of Cu particles in the hydrogen-reduction of WO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is crucial to clarify the physiological responses of wheat (T. aestivum) plants to source-sink manipulation and assimilation transportation under drought stress during domestication of dryland wheat. In this research, a two-year field experiment was conducted using nine wheat cultivars in a semiarid site of northwest China. The source-sink manipulation treatments including defoliation of flag leaves and 50% removal of ears were applied at the anthesis stage under two levels of drought stress conditions i.e. progressive water supply (PWS) and rainfed drought treatment (RDT). Our results indicated that drought stress reduced the dry weight of leaves, sheaths and stems, as well as caused a significant yield reduction. High ploidy wheat exhibits a greater capacity to sustain higher grain yields when subjected to drought stress, primarily due to its stronger buffer capacity between source supply and sink demand. All wheat species with different ploidy levels had a certain degree of source limitation and sink restriction. During the domestication of wheat, the type of source and sink might be ploidy-dependent with progressive water deficit, but similar interactive relationships. The source-sink ratio of tetraploid species was the largest, while that of hexaploid species was the lowest. • Progressive water supply (PWS) mediated source-sink relation in wheat. • High ploidy wheat had higher grain yield than low one under drought stress. • It was due to stronger buffer capacity between source supplies and sink demand. • Source-sink ratio was the highest in tetraploid, and the lowest in hexaploid. • All ploidy wheat showed certain degree of source limitation and sink restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]