Preparation and performance of graphene oxide/self-healing microcapsule composite mortar

To meet the unique requirements for concrete durability and resistance in power transmission projects in Northwest China. Microcapsules were created physically using sodium silicate and bentonite as the capsule core and ethyl cellulose as the capsule wall. By using graphene oxide as a conductive medium, standard specimens of cement-based materials were created. Indoor experiments and micro technology were used to determine the optimal ratio of graphene-microcapsules, study the effects of graphene content, microcapsule content, and curing age on compressive strength, resistance, and self-repairing effect of the composite material. The average microcapsule size was 1.25 mm, according to the findings. The microcapsule was a relatively regular sphere with a rough surface and dense structure. The recommended content was 2% microcapsules and 0.1% graphene oxide. The compressive strength first increased and then decreased as the number of microcapsules and graphene oxide increased, and the resistance gradually increased. The repairing rate of compressive strength was 57% after the cracks were repaired, and the recovery rate was 81%.

From Nanosystems to a Biosensing Prototype for an Efficient Diagnostic: A Special Issue in Honor of Professor Bansi D. Malhotra

It has been proven that rapid bioinformatics analysis according to patient health profiles, in addition to biomarker detection at a low level, is emerging as essential to design an analytical diagnostics system to manage health intelligently in a personalized manner. Such objectives need an optimized combination of a nano-enabled sensing prototype, artificial intelligence (AI)-supported predictive analysis, and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)-based bioinformatics analysis. Such a developed system began with a prototype demonstration of efficient diseases diagnostics performance is the future diseases management approach. To explore these aspects, the Special Issue planned for the nano-and micro-technology section of MDPI’s Biosensors journal will honor and acknowledge the contributions of Prof. B.D. Malhotra, Ph.D., FNA, FNASc has made in the field of biosensors.

Constructivism-Based Teaching and Learning in Indonesian Education

In recent years, constructivism has emerged as the dominant paradigm in education and has made a major intellectual impact on pedagogical development in Indonesia, rooted in Piaget’s cognitive development, and in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Applying constructivism in the classroom is basically rooted from Vygotsky’s psychological theory in which knowledge is not transferred from teachers to students but is constructed in the students’ minds. In this case, the focus of knowledge does not come from teacher to students but from how the students can construct by their own selves. Constructivism has also had a positive impact on the development of science in general in Indonesia. The application of global micro-technology and linguistic research to literacy and the development of constructivist learning narratives has been developed as a substantial approach to teaching in Indonesia. Constructivism is the foundation of teachers because this method represents a shift from behaviorism-based education to cognitive theory-based education. In addition, in recent years, language pedagogy has integrated a variety of instructional approaches that underline the centrality and diversity of learners and their active involvement in authentic and meaningful pursuits as individuals and in the community of learners. This study aimed to reveal the roles of constructivism-based teaching and learning in Indonesian education. In this research, Dewey’s theory of constructivism is the main theory used, in which Dewey states that constructivism can build individual and social knowledge. This study applies a case study approach to ensure the validity of the results of the research conducted as proposed by Kothari (2004). The results showed that constructivism is a promising method and has a positive impact on the progress of education in Indonesia because it can improve students’ abilities. This method also builds students’ knowledge to be creative, and is designed according to their needs. Keywords: constructivism, teaching and learning, Indonesian education, Vygotsky’s psychological theory

Nanotechnology Intervention- Sugarcane Waste to Wealth: A Review

Nanotechnology is nothing but anything smaller than micro technology. Nanoparticles have been widely used because of their incredible properties such as high heat resistance and chemical inertness. They are synthesized using different metals and metalloids such as calcium, titanium, silicon, etc. In the recent years there has been increased interest on synthesis of nanoparticles using organic waste. Sugarcane bagasse is one of the green ways for synthesis of nanoparticles. Various methods can be used to obtained nano-cellulose, such as acid hydrolysis, ultrasonic technique and enzymatic hydrolysis etc. This review focuses on the how best we could use sugarcane waste material for production of nanoparticles.

Difference in Internal and External Workloads between Non-Injured and Injured Groups in Collegiate Female Soccer Players

Background: Effects of internal and external workloads (IL, EL) on lower limb soft-tissue injuries (LLSTI) risk in male soccer players has been described, the relationships remain unclear in collegiate female (soccer players. Objective: The purpose was to examine the mean difference in IL and EL in LLSTI between non-injured and injured groups (N-IG and IG). Method: 20 collegiate female soccer players (age: 19.2±1.2years; height: 168.2±7.3cm; body mass: 41.0±17.9kg) were included for 14 week competitive season. IL included average heart rate (Avg-HR) and high heart rate zone. EL included total distance, average speed (Avg-Spd), and high-speed running distance. Injuries were counted if (a) they were LLSTI and muscular/ligamentous strains or tears and tendon problems, and (b) the players missed more than one match or training session. Acute (7-day simple average) and chronic (21-day simple average) IL and EL were calculated in the IG while the mean of acute (7-day) and chronic (21-day) IL and EL were computed in the NIG. Acute Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR) was calculated as the ratio of acute and chronic IL and EL. Results: Seven LLSTI occurred over 14 weeks. The acute Avg-HR and ACWR of Avg-Spd were significantly higher in the IG than the N-IG (p=0.001 and 0.024). IL and EL in the IG were placed below or above the mean of the N-IG. Conclusion: LLSTI might occur at high and low workloads in collegiate female soccer players. This may support the use of micro-technology to monitor workload based on individual player’s threshold to reduce LLSTI.

Training and Competition Load in Female Basketball: A Systematic Review

The scientific literature on women’s basketball is still limited, mainly in performance parameters. The purpose of this study was to analyse the state of art on the internal and external loads supported by female basketball players during sports practice. The design of this research is theoretical. The most relevant databases were searched for pertinent published studies according to the following keywords: “basketball”, “female” or “woman”, “training” or “competition”, “load” or “demand”. Of the 644 studies initially identified, 26 were selected for a complete review. These investigations were characterised by having as an objective an individualization of training for this type of population. Of the selected studies, it was evaluated: (i) goal (training, competition or both); (ii) category (stages: U14, U16, U18 and senior; level: state, national or international); (iii) type of load (Internal, External or both); (iv) instruments used and (v) variables analysed. The most studied goal was competition, mainly in senior national level, carrying out an analysis of the external and internal load together. Depending on the instruments and the variables used, the subjective load analysis was recurrent and important in the publication of articles in this topic. The quality of the studies was good, but for a better description of women’s basketball, there is a need to jointly investigate sports training and competition, to study the training categories and to use micro technology that guarantees obtaining objective and reliable data.

Peak Match Demands in Young Basketball Players: Approach and Applications

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the peak match demands and compare them with average demands in basketball players, from an external load point of view, using different time windows. Another objective is to determine whether there are differences between positions and to provide an approach for practical applications. Methods: During this observational study, each player wore a micro technology device. We collected data from 12 male basketball players (mean ± SD: age 17.56 ± 0.67 years, height 196.17 ± 6.71 cm, body mass 90.83 ± 11.16 kg) during eight games. We analyzed intervals for different time windows using rolling averages (ROLL) to determine the peak match demands for Player Load. A separate one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify statistically significant differences between playing positions across different intense periods. Results: Separate one-way ANOVAs revealed statistically significant differences between 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, and full game periods for Player Load, F (3,168) = 231.80, ηp2 = 0.76, large, p < 0.001. It is worth noting that guards produced a statistically significantly higher Player Load in 5 min (p < 0.01, ηp2 = −0.69, moderate), 10 min (p < 0.001, ηp2 = −0.90, moderate), and full game (p < 0.001, ηp2 = −0.96, moderate) periods than forwards. Conclusions: The main finding is that there are significant differences between the most intense moments of a game and the average demands. This means that understanding game demands using averages drastically underestimates the peak demands of the game. This approach helps coaches and fitness coaches to prepare athletes for the most demanding periods of the game and present potential practical applications that could be implemented during training and rehabilitation sessions.

Zein Beta-Cyclodextrin Micropowders for Iron Bisglycinate Delivery

Given the limited number of materials available to design delivery platforms for nutrients, the rational combination of raw materials already approved as food ingredients and their processing through nano-micro technology can offer a unique tool for innovation. Here, we propose a nano-in-micro strategy to produce powders based on the hydrophobic protein zein, useful for the oral delivery of a hydrophilic iron source (iron bisglycinate) in anaemic patients. Iron-loaded powders were prepared through a two-step strategy consisting in the formation of a zein pseudolatex followed by a spray-drying step. To extend the manipulation space for zein and entrap iron bisglycinate, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) was selected as helping excipient. Addition of βCD allowed iron loading in the pseudolatex and greatly increased product yields after the drying process as compared to zein alone. Iron-loaded micro-sized powders were characterised by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to elucidate the role of βCD as a compatibilizer for the zein–iron system. Remarkably, micropowders released only 20% of FeBIS in a simulated gastric fluid, whereas release in a simulated intestinal fluid was almost completed in 7 h. In summary, βCD association to zein is a novel strategy to expand applications in the oral delivery of iron bisglycinate and, prospectively, to micronutrient chelates.