Printed Thick Film Resistance Temperature Detector for Real-Time Tube Furnace Temperature Monitoring.

Accurately acquiring crucial data on tube furnaces and real-time temperature monitoring of different temperature zones is vital for material synthesis technology in production. However, it is difficult to achieve real-time monitoring of the temperature field of tube furnaces with existing technology. Here, we proposed a method to fabricate silver (Ag) resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) based on a blade-coating process directly on the surface of a quartz ring, which enables precise positioning and real-time temperature monitoring of tube furnaces within 100-600 °C range. The Ag RTDs exhibited outstanding electrical properties, featuring a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of 2854 ppm/°C, an accuracy of 1.8% FS (full scale), and a resistance drift rate of 0.05%/h over 6 h at 600 °C. These features ensured accurate and stable temperature measurement at high temperatures. For demonstration purposes, an array comprising four Ag RTDs was installed in a tube furnace. The measured average temperature gradient in the central region of the tube furnace was 5.7 °C/mm. Furthermore, successful real-time monitoring of temperature during the alloy sintering process revealed approximately a 20-fold difference in resistivity for silver-palladium alloys sintered at various positions within the tubular furnace. The proposed strategy offers a promising approach for real-time temperature monitoring of tube furnaces.

The Effect of Judo Training on Set-Shifting in School Children.

Improving executive functions (EFs) is desirable as they are considered to be critical for academic attainment and mental wellness in children. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Judo training on the set-shifting function using a spatial task-switching paradigm. Protocol 1 compared the set-shifting ability of Judo players with age-matched healthy individuals. Protocol 2 compared the difference in EFs between children who underwent Judo training (intervention) and age-matched controls. EFs were assessed by a spatial task-switching test. Error rates and response times were analysed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Protocol 1. The group effect on error rates was significant. The trial type × group effect was significant in the Judo group. Error rates in the Judo group were lower in the switch trials than the control group (p = 0.001). No significant group difference was seen in the repeat trials (p = 0.764). Protocol 2. The time × trial type × group effect was significant. Post hoc analysis showed significantly lower error rates by the intervention group on switch trials compared to the control group (p = 0.006). Regular Judo training may potentially be an option for improving EFs in schoolchildren or in populations with executive dysfunction.