Feasibility and effectiveness of a 6-month, home-based, resistance exercise delivered by a remote technological solution in healthy older adults.

BACKGROUND: Aging is characterized by a physiological decline in physical function, muscle mass, strength, and power. Home-based resistance training interventions have gained increasing attention from scientists and healthcare system operators, but their efficacy is yet to be fully determined. AIMS: to verify the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a home-based resistance training program delivered by innovative technological solution in healthy older adults. METHODS: 73 participants (36 females) were randomly allocated to either a control (C) or an intervention (I) group consisting of a 6-months home-based resistance training program delivered through an innovative technological solution, which included a wearable inertial sensor and a dedicated tablet. The safety and feasibility of the intervention were assessed by recording training-related adverse events and training adherence. Body composition, standing static balance, 10-meter walking, and loaded 5 sit-to-stand tests were monitored to quantify efficacy. RESULTS: No adverse events were recorded. Adherence to the training program was relatively high (61 % of participants performed the target 3 sessions) in the first trimester, significantly dropping during the second one. The intervention positively affected walking parameters (p < 0.05) and maximal force (p = 0.009) while no effect was recorded on body composition, balance, and muscle power. CONCLUSIONS: The home-based device-supported intervention was safe and feasible, positively affecting walking parameters and lower limbs' maximal force. This approach should be incentivized when barriers to participation in traditional resistance exercise programs are present.

Thiolated Cyanines Appended to Partially Pegylated Gold Nanoparticles for Fluorescence Quenching of Two-Channel Photothermal Inks.

Following a new approach, we prepared a nanoink with two separate photothermally responsive absorption bands. One is the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption of gold nanoparticles (AuNP, d =17 nm), the second is the absorption band of two cyanine (Cy) dyes, Cy7-C6 or Cy7-C11, grafted to the AuNP surface through thiolated bridges of different lengths: the close proximity to the Au surface induces full quenching of the Cy fluorescence, resulting in thermal relaxation on irradiation. Attempts to full coat AuNP with the lipophilic Cy7-C6 and Cy7-C11 lead to precipitation from aqueous solutions. We thus prepared AuNP with partial pegylation (30, 50, or 70%), using a long chain thiol-terminated PEG bearing a -COOH function. Addition until saturation of either Cy7-C6 or Cy7-C11 to the partially pegylated AuNP gave the AuNP@Cy/PEGX% hybrids (X = 30, 50, 70) that are stable in water and in the water/alcohol mixtures used to prepare the nanoinks. Further overcoating of AuNP@Cy7-C6/PEG50% with PAH (polyallylamine hydrochloride) avoids LSPR hybridization in the dry nanoink printouts, that present two separate bands. When irradiated with laser sources near their absorption maxima, the printouts of the AuNP@Cy7-C6/PEG50%@PAH nanoink respond on two channels, giving different temperature increases depending on the irradiation wavelength.

Optimizing wheelchair basketball lineups: A statistical approach to coaching strategies.

This study was designed to support the tactical decisions of wheelchair basketball (WB) coaches in identifying the best players to form winning lineups. Data related to a complete regular season of a top-level WB Championship were examined. By analyzing game-related statistics from the first round, two clusters were identified that accounted for approximately 35% of the total variance. Cluster 1 was composed of low-performing athletes, while Cluster 2 was composed of high-performing athletes. Based on data related to the second round of the Championship, we conducted a two-fold evaluation of the clusters identified in the first round with the team's net performance as the outcome variable. The results showed that teams where players belonging to Cluster 2 had played more time during the second round of the championship were also those with the better team performance (R-squared = 0.48, p = 0.035), while increasing the playing time for players from Classes III and IV does not necessarily improve team performance (r2 = -0.14, p = 0.59). These results of the present study suggest that a collaborative approach between coaches and data scientists would significantly advance this Paralympic sport.

Design of Na3MnZr(PO4)3/Carbon Nanofiber Free-Standing Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries with Enhanced Electrochemical Performances through Different Electrospinning Approaches.

The NASICON-structured Na3MnZr(PO4)3 compound is a promising high-voltage cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this study, an easy and scalable electrospinning approach was used to synthesize self-standing cathodes based on Na3MnZr(PO4)3 loaded into carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Different strategies were applied to load the active material. All the employed characterization techniques (X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy) confirmed the successful loading. Compared to an appositely prepared tape-cast electrode, Na3MnZr(PO4)3/CNF self-standing cathodes demonstrated an enhanced specific capacity, especially at high C-rates, thanks to the porous conducive carbon nanofiber matrix. Among the strategies applied to load Na3MnZr(PO4)3 into the CNFs, the electrospinning (vertical setting) of the polymeric solution containing pre-synthesized Na3MnZr(PO4)3 powders resulted effective in obtaining the quantitative loading of the active material and a homogeneous distribution through the sheet thickness. Notably, Na3MnZr(PO4)3 aggregates connected to the CNFs, covered their surface, and were also embedded, as demonstrated by TEM and EDS. Compared to the self-standing cathodes prepared with the horizontal setting or dip-drop coating methods, the vertical binder-free electrode exhibited the highest capacity values of 78.2, 55.7, 38.8, 22.2, 16.2, 12.8, 10.3, 9.0, and 8.5 mAh/g at C-rates of 0.05C, 0.1C, 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 5C, 10C, and 20C, respectively, with complete capacity retention at the end of the measurements. It also exhibited a good cycling life, compared to its tape-cast counterpart: it displayed higher capacity retention at 0.2C and 1C, and, after cycling 1000 cycles at 1C, it could be further cycled at 5C, 10C, and 20C.

Orthogonal analysis of mitochondrial function in Parkinson's disease patients.

The etiopathology of Parkinson's disease has been associated with mitochondrial defects at genetic, laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical levels. These converging lines of evidence suggest that mitochondrial defects are systemic and causative factors in the pathophysiology of PD, rather than being mere correlates. Understanding mitochondrial biology in PD at a granular level is therefore crucial from both basic science and translational perspectives. In a recent study, we investigated mitochondrial alterations in fibroblasts obtained from PD patients assessing mitochondrial function in relation to clinical measures. Our findings demonstrated that the magnitude of mitochondrial alterations parallels disease severity. In this study, we extend these investigations to blood cells and dopamine neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from PD patients. To overcome the inherent metabolic heterogeneity of blood cells, we focused our analyses on metabolically homogeneous, accessible, and expandable erythroblasts. Our results confirm the presence of mitochondrial anomalies in erythroblasts and induced dopamine neurons. Consistent with our previous findings in fibroblasts, we observed that mitochondrial alterations are reversible, as evidenced by enhanced mitochondrial respiration when PD erythroblasts were cultured in a galactose medium that restricts glycolysis. This observation indicates that suppression of mitochondrial respiration may constitute a protective, adaptive response in PD pathogenesis. Notably, this effect was not observed in induced dopamine neurons, suggesting their distinct bioenergetic behavior. In summary, we provide additional evidence for the involvement of mitochondria in the disease process by demonstrating mitochondrial abnormalities in additional cell types relevant to PD. These findings contribute to our understanding of PD pathophysiology and may have implications for the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Sex differences in neuromuscular and biological determinants of isometric maximal force.

AIM: Force expression is characterized by an interplay of biological and molecular determinants that are expected to differentiate males and females in terms of maximal performance. These include muscle characteristics (muscle size, fiber type, contractility), neuromuscular regulation (central and peripheral factors of force expression), and individual genetic factors (miRNAs and gene/protein expression). This research aims to comprehensively assess these physiological variables and their role as determinants of maximal force difference between sexes. METHODS: Experimental evaluations include neuromuscular components of isometric contraction, intrinsic muscle characteristics (proteins and fiber type), and some biomarkers associated with muscle function (circulating miRNAs and gut microbiome) in 12 young and healthy males and 12 females. RESULTS: Male strength superiority appears to stem primarily from muscle size while muscle fiber-type distribution plays a crucial role in contractile properties. Moderate-to-strong pooled correlations between these muscle parameters were established with specific circulating miRNAs, as well as muscle and plasma proteins. CONCLUSION: Muscle size is crucial in explaining the differences in maximal voluntary isometric force generation between males and females with similar fiber type distribution. Potential physiological mechanisms are seen from associations between maximal force, skeletal muscle contractile properties, and biological markers.

Ligand-Induced Chirality in ClMBA2 SnI4 2D Perovskite.

Chiral perovskites possess a huge applicative potential in several areas of optoelectronics and spintronics. The development of novel lead-free perovskites with tunable properties is a key topic of current research. Herein, we report a novel lead-free chiral perovskite, namely (R/S-)ClMBA2 SnI4 (ClMBA=1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethanamine) and the corresponding racemic system. ClMBA2 SnI4 samples exhibit a low band gap (2.12 eV) together with broad emission extending in the red region of the spectrum (∼1.7 eV). Chirality transfer from the organic ligand induces chiroptical activity in the 465-530 nm range. Density functional theory calculations show a Rashba type band splitting for the chiral samples and no band splitting for the racemic isomer. Self-trapped exciton formation is at the origin of the large Stokes shift in the emission. Careful correlation with analogous lead and lead-free 2D chiral perovskites confirms the role of the symmetry-breaking distortions in the inorganic layers associated with the ligands as the source of the observed chiroptical properties providing also preliminary structure-property correlation in 2D chiral perovskites.

Temperature and pH Stimuli-Responsive System Delivers Location-Specific Antimicrobial Activity with Natural Products.

Smart materials with controlled stimuli-responsive functions are at the forefront of technological development. In this work, we present a generic strategy that combines simple components, physicochemical responses, and easy fabrication methods to achieve a dual stimuli-responsive system capable of location-specific antimicrobial cargo delivery. The encapsulated system is fabricated by combining a biocompatible inert polymeric matrix of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and a bioactive cargo of saturated fatty acids. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach to deliver antimicrobial activity for the model bacteria Escherichia coli. The system responds to two control variables, temperature and pH, delivering two levels of antimicrobial response under distinct combinations of stimuli: one response toward the planktonic media and another response directly at the surface for sessile bacteria. Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy alongside thermal and structural material analysis reveals that the system not only exhibits ON/OFF states but can also control relocation and targeting of the active cargo toward either the surface or the liquid media, leading to different ON/OFF states for the planktonic and sessile bacteria. The approach proposed herein is technologically simple and scalable, facing low regulatory barriers within the food and healthcare sectors by using approved components and relying on fundamental chemical processes. Our results also provide a proof-of-concept platform for the design and easy fabrication of delivery systems capable of operating as Boolean logic gates, delivering different responses under different environmental conditions.

Randomised controlled trial combining vitamin E-functionalised chocolate with physical exercise to reduce the risk of protein-energy malnutrition in predementia aged people: study protocol for Choko-Age.

OBJECTIVE: Protein-energy malnutrition and the subsequent muscle wasting (sarcopenia) are common ageing complications. It is knowing to be also associated with dementia. Our programme will test the cytoprotective functions of vitamin E combined with the cortisol-lowering effect of chocolate polyphenols (PP), in combination with muscle anabolic effect of adequate dietary protein intake and physical exercise to prevent the age-dependent decline of muscle mass and its key underpinning mechanisms including mitochondrial function, and nutrient metabolism in muscle in the elderly. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In 2020, a 6-month double-blind randomised controlled trial in 75 predementia older people was launched to prevent muscle mass loss, in respond to the 'Joint Programming Initiative A healthy diet for a healthy life'. In the run-in phase, participants will be stabilised on a protein-rich diet (0.9-1.0 g protein/kg ideal body weight/day) and physical exercise programme (high-intensity interval training specifically developed for these subjects). Subsequently, they will be randomised into three groups (1:1:1). The study arms will have a similar isocaloric diet and follow a similar physical exercise programme. Control group (n=25) will maintain the baseline diet; intervention groups will consume either 30 g/day of dark chocolate containing 500 mg total PP (corresponding to 60 mg epicatechin) and 100 mg vitamin E (as RRR-alpha-tocopherol) (n=25); or the high polyphenol chocolate without additional vitamin E (n=25). Muscle mass will be the primary endpoint. Other outcomes are neurocognitive status and previously identified biomolecular indices of frailty in predementia patients. Muscle biopsies will be collected to assess myocyte contraction and mitochondrial metabolism. Blood and plasma samples will be analysed for laboratory endpoints including nutrition metabolism and omics. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All the ethical and regulatory approvals have been obtained by the ethical committees of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona with respect to scientific content and compliance with applicable research and human subjects' regulation. Given the broader interest of the society toward undernutrition in the elderly, we identify four main target audiences for our research activity: national and local health systems, both internal and external to the project; targeted population (the elderly); general public; and academia. These activities include scientific workshops, public health awareness campaigns, project dedicated website and publication is scientific peer-review journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05343611.

Personalized Physical Activity Programs for the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in Individuals with Obesity: A Patient-Centered Approach.

Physical activity (PA) plays a vital role in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management. However, engaging individuals with KOA in regular exercise is challenging, especially when they are affected by obesity. The aim of the current review is to elucidate how to increase adherence to exercise in this population. When implementing a PA program with patients with KOA and obesity, a specific multi-step approach can be adopted. In phase I (the baseline assessment), the patients' eligibility for exercise is ascertained and a physical fitness assessment, sarcopenic obesity screening and quantification of the pain experienced are undertaken. Phase II adopts a patient-centered approach in implementing a PA program that combines an active lifestyle (>6000 steps/day) with land- or water-based exercise programs performed over eight to twelve weeks, with a frequency of three to five sessions per week, each lasting 60 min. In phase III, several strategies can be used to increase the patients' adherence to higher levels of PA, including the following: (i) personalizing PA goal-setting and real-time monitoring; (ii) enhancing physical fitness and the management of sarcopenic obesity; (iii) building a sustainable environment and a supportive social network for an active lifestyle; and (iv) reducing pain, which can ameliorate the clinical severity of KOA and help with weight management in this population.

Evaluating field-goal shooting effectiveness in wheelchair basketball players across a competitive season: a preliminary study.

Background: Information about non-elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players across national competitive seasons are still missing. This study aimed at identifying which situational-related variables were associated with shooting effectiveness in non-elite WB players. Methods: All the matches played by one WB team across one national competitive season were video-recorded and analysed; 333 shooting attempts from high-point players and several situational-related variables were considered. Results: Pearson's Chi-square test showed that increased shooting effectiveness under the following conditions: playing on home ground, during won matches, while taking shots with the wheelchair in motion, and when no opposing player raised their arm in defence. Results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant influence of match location (p-value = 0.001), shot-clock remaining (p-value = 0.015) and modality of press (p-value < 0.001). The highest attack effectiveness was achieved when teams played at home (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49), while the shooting effectiveness decreased when the shot occurred during the last seconds of the action (OR = 0.36), or the opponents defended with the arm raised (OR = 0.19). These results suggest that coaches should include exercises aimed at shooting under conditions of increased pressure in their programmes in order to create specific situations during the training sessions to prepare their high-point athletes for shots under specific match constraints.

Stradivari's Varnish Revisited: Feature Improvements Using Chemical Modification.

The most widespread varnish formulations used by master violin-makers of the "Italian Golden Age", including Antonio Stradivari, were based on mixtures of siccative oils (e.g., linseed oil) and natural resins (e.g., colophony). Similar formulations are still used for the finish of contemporary instruments. Although most precious violins made by Stradivari and other Cremonese Masters are kept in museums, several instruments are still played and their finish may undergo deterioration due to contact with the players. Moreover, the decay of the traditional varnish may occur due to mechanical stress and natural aging caused by environmental agents (e.g., exposure to uncontrolled light, humidity, and temperature changes). The main aim of this research work is to investigate the possible improvement of varnish resistance to the decay induced by different aging processes. For this purpose, the traditional varnish (linseed oil/colophony 3:1 w/w) was recreated in the laboratory following an ancient recipe and then it was functionalized with a cross-linking agent (3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, GLYMO). Plain and functionalized varnishes underwent artificial aging (UV light, temperature, and humidity variations), and their properties were comparatively studied using different techniques. All the results suggest that the functionalized varnish displays improved resistance to the aging process and particularly enhanced photostability and increased hardness (resistance to scratches).

Gas Permeation through Mechanically Resistant Self-Standing Membranes of a Neat Amorphous Organic Cage.

The synthesis and characterization of a novel film-forming organic cage and of its smaller analogue are here described. While the small cage produced single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction studies, the large one was isolated as a dense film. Due to its remarkable film-forming properties, this latter cage could be solution processed into transparent thin-layer films and mechanically stable dense self-standing membranes of controllable thickness. Thanks to these peculiar features, the membranes were also successfully tested for gas permeation, reporting a behavior similar to that found with stiff glassy polymers such as polymers of intrinsic microporosity or polyimides. Given the growing interest in the development of molecular-based membranes, for example for separation technologies and functional coatings, the properties of this organic cage were investigated by thorough analysis of their structural, thermal, mechanical and gas transport properties, and by detailed atomistic simulations.

Skeletal calcification patterns of batoid, teleost, and mammalian models: Calcified cartilage versus bone matrix.

This study compares the skeletal calcification pattern of batoid Raja asterias with the endochondral ossification model of mammalians Homo sapiens and teleost Xiphias gladius. Skeletal mineralization serves to stiffen the mobile elements for locomotion. Histology, histochemistry, heat deproteination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/EDAX analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) have been applied in the study. H. sapiens and X. gladius bone specimens showed similar profiles, R. asterias calcified cartilage diverges for higher water release and more amorphous bioapatite. In endochondral ossification, fetal calcified cartilage is progressively replaced by bone matrix, while R. asterias calcified cartilage remains un-remodeled throughout the life span. Ca2+ and PO4 3- concentration in extracellular matrix is suggested to reach the critical salts precipitation point through H2 O recall from extracellular matrix into both chondroblasts or osteoblasts. Cartilage organic phase layout and incomplete mineralization allow interstitial fluids diffusion, chondrocytes survival, and growth in a calcified tissue lacking of a vascular and canalicular system. HIGHLIGHTS: Comparative physico-chemical characterization (TGA, DTG and DSC) testifies the mass loss due to water release, collagen and carbonate decomposition of the three tested matrices. R. asterias calcified cartilage water content is higher than that of H. sapiens and X. gladius, as shown by the respectively highest dehydration enthalpy values. Lower crystallinity degree of R. asterias calcified cartilage can be related to the higher amount of collagen in amorphous form than in bone matrix. These data can be discussed in terms of the mechanostat theory (Frost, 1966) or by organic/inorganic phase transformation in the course evolution from fin to limbs. Mineral analysis documented different charactersof R. asterias vs H. sapiens and X. gladius calcified matrix.

Nanoparticle-Imprinted Silica Gel for the Size-Selective Capture of Silver Ultrafine Nanoparticles from Water.

A synthetic approach has been developed to prepare silica gel monoliths that embed well separated silver or gold spherical nanoparticles (NP), with diameters of 8, 18 and 115 nm. Fe3+, O2/cysteine and HNO3 were all successfully used to oxidize and remove silver NP from silica, while aqua regia was necessary for gold NP. In all cases, NP-imprinted silica gel materials were obtained, with spherical voids of the same dimensions of the dissolved particles. By grinding the monoliths, we prepared NP-imprinted silica powders that were able to efficiently reuptake silver ultrafine NP (Ag-ufNP, d = 8 nm) from aqueous solutions. Moreover, the NP-imprinted silica powders showed a remarkable size selectivity, based on the best match between NP radius and the curvature radius of the cavities, driven by the optimization of attractive Van der Waals forces between SiO2 and NP. Ag-ufNP are increasingly used in products, goods, medical devices, disinfectants, and their consequent diffusion in the environment is of rising concern. Although limited here to a proof-of-concept level, the materials and methods described in this paper may be an efficient solution for capturing Ag-ufNP from environmental waters and to safely dispose them.

Predictors of Ball Velocity in the Sitting Volleyball Serve: A Causal Analysis.

This study explored the performance of the Sitting Volleyball serve by investigating the causal factors associated with ball velocity. Thirty-seven athletes underwent anthropometry and strength assessment and performed ten successful maximal effort serves. Ball velocity was measured using a sports radar gun. The hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist angles at the instant of ball impact as well as the height of ball impact were estimated through two-dimensional motion analysis. The causal relationships between variables were described through a linear Structural Equation Model and a Directed Acyclic Graph. Results showed that a smaller hip angle determines a greater shoulder angle, which in turn causes a greater elbow angle. A more open elbow angle together with a greater vertical reach allowed for a greater height of ball impact. Finally, increased height of ball impact along with greater abdominal strength are beneficial for higher ball velocity. These results underlined that the Sitting Volleyball serve is a multifactorial stroke involving anthropometric, technical and strength factors and suggest that athletes should improve their abdominal strength and master the technique necessary to perform the serve with the shoulder and the elbow joints fully extended in order to produce the greatest possible impact on the ball.

Prussian Blue nanoparticles: An FDA-approved substance that may quickly degrade at physiological pH.

Prussian blue (PB) is a coordination polymer based on the Fe2+…CN…Fe3+ sequence. It is an FDA-approved drug, intended for oral use at the acidic pH of the stomach and of most of the intestine track. However, based on FDA approval, a huge number of papers proposed the use of PB nanoparticles (PBnp) under "physiological conditions", meaning pH buffered at 7.4 and high saline concentration. While most of these papers report that PBnp are stable at this pH, a small number of papers describes instead PBnp degradation at the same or similar pH values, i.e. in the 7-8 range. Here we give a definitively clear picture: PBnp are intrinsically unstable at pH ≥ 7, degrading with the fast disappearance of their 700 nm absorption band, due to the formation of OH- complexes from the labile Fe3+ centers. However, we show also that the presence of a polymeric coating (PVP) can protect PBnp at pH 7.4 for over 24 h. Moreover, we demonstrate that when "physiological conditions" include serum, a protein corona is rapidly formed on PBnp, efficiently avoiding degradation. We also show that the viability of PBnp-treated EA.hy926, NCI-H1299, and A549 cells is not affected in a wide range of conditions that either prevent or promote PBnp degradation.

The Effect of Y Content on Structural and Sorption Properties of A2B7-Type Phase in the La-Y-Ni-Al-Mn System.

Metal hydrides are an interesting group of chemical compounds, able to store hydrogen in a reversible, compact and safe manner. Among them, A2B7-type intermetallic alloys based on La-Mg-Ni have attracted particular attention due to their high electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity (∼400 mAh/g) and extended cycle life. However, the presence of Mg makes their synthesis via conventional metallurgical routes challenging. Replacing Mg with Y is a viable approach. Herein, we present a systematic study for a series of compounds with a nominal composition of La2-xYxNi6.50Mn0.33Al0.17, x = 0.33, 0.67, 1.00, 1.33, 1.67, focusing on the relationship between the material structural properties and hydrogen sorption performances. The results show that while the hydrogen-induced phase amorphization occurs in the Y-poor samples (x < 1.00) already during the first hydrogen absorption, a higher Y content helps to maintain the material crystallinity during the hydrogenation cycles and increases its H-storage capacity (1.37 wt.% for x = 1.00 vs. 1.60 wt.% for x = 1.67 at 50 °C). Thermal conductivity experiments on the studied compositions indicate the importance of thermal transfer between powder individual particles and/or a measuring instrument.

ZnS-rGO/CNF Free-Standing Anodes for SIBs: Improved Electrochemical Performance at High C-Rate.

ZnS-graphene composites (ZnSGO) were synthesized by a hydrothermal process and loaded onto carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by electrospinning (ZnS-GO/CNF), to obtain self-standing anodes for SIBs. The characterization techniques (XRPD, SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy) confirm that the ZnS nanocrystals (10 nm) with sphalerite structure covered by the graphene sheets were successfully synthesized. In the ZnS-GO/CNF anodes, the active material is homogeneously dispersed in the CNFs' matrix and the ordered carbon source mainly resides in the graphene component. Two self-standing ZnS-GO/CNF anodes (active material amount: 11.3 and 24.9 wt%) were electrochemically tested and compared to a tape-casted ZnS-GO example prepared by conventional methods (active material amount: 70 wt%). The results demonstrate improved specific capacity at high C-rate for the free-standing anodes compared to the tape-casted example (69.93 and 92.59 mAh g-1 at 5 C for 11.3 and 24.9 wt% free-standing anodes, respectively, vs. 50 mAh g-1 for tape-casted). The 24.9 wt% ZnS-GO/CNF anode gives the best cycling performances: we obtained capacities of 255-400 mAh g-1 for 200 cycles and coulombic efficiencies ≥ 99% at 0.5 C, and of 80-90 mAh g-1 for additional 50 cycles at 5 C. The results suggest that self-standing electrodes with improved electrochemical performances at high C-rates can be prepared by a feasible and simple strategy: ex situ synthesis of the active material and addition to the carbon precursor for electrospinning.