Linking Public Health and Public Safety Data on Co-occurring Disorders Among Adults in Hawaii's Criminal Justice System.

To better understand the behavioral health treatment needs of adults involved in the criminal justice system and to improve the continuum of services provided to this vulnerable population, Hawaii initiated a data linkage project that connects substance use and mental health data from the state Department of Public Safety with behavioral health treatment data from the state Department of Health for the State of Hawaii. Specifically, this linkage project begins to examine behavioral health treatment levels recommended by the criminal justice system and Hawaii State Hospital inpatient psychiatric admissions. We provide a preliminary summary on individuals who were both involved in the criminal justice system and received court-ordered inpatient psychiatric treatment and outline data governance procedures, future directions, and practice recommendations.

Mulberry-Inspired Nickel-Niobium Phosphide on Plasma-Defect-Engineered Carbon Support for High-Performance Hydrogen Evolution.

Bimetallic phosphate electrocatalysts on carbon-cloth support are among the most promising industry-relevant solutions for electrocatalytic hydrogen production. To address the persistent issue of hetero-phase interfacing on carbon support while ensuring high activity and stability, a low-cost, high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst is developed. Bi-phase Ni12 P5 -Ni4 Nb5 P4 nanocrystals with rich heterointerfaces and phase edges are successfully fabricated on carbon cloth (CC), which is enabled by intentional defect creation by atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma (PCC). The obtained Ni12 P5 -Ni4 Nb5 P4 /PCC electrocatalyst exhibits excellent HER performance, heralded by the low overpotentials of 81 and 287 mV for delivering current densities of 10 (j10 ) and 500 (j500 ) mA cm-2 , respectively. Meanwhile, the Ni12 P5 -Ni4 Nb5 P4 /PCC maintains spectacular catalytic activity at high current density region (>j615 ), which outperformed the industry-relevant benchmark Pt/C/PCC catalyst. The catalyst grown on the plasma-treated support shows remarkably longer operation and ultra-stable electrocatalytic characteristics over 100 h continuous operation. Ab initio numerical simulations reveal that Ni atoms exposed in the heterointerfaces act as the main catalytically active centers for HER.

Mirror Therapy Using Gesture Recognition for Upper Limb Function, Neck Discomfort, and Quality of Life After Chronic Stroke: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Mirror therapy for stroke patients was reported to be effective in improving upper-extremity motor function and daily life activity performance. In addition, game-based virtual reality can be realized using a gesture recognition (GR) device, and various tasks can be presented. Therefore, this study investigated changes in upper-extremity motor function, quality of life, and neck discomfort when using a GR device for mirror therapy to observe the upper extremities reflected in the mirror. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 36 subjects with chronic stroke were randomly divided into 3 groups: GR mirror therapy (n=12), conventional mirror therapy (n=12), and control (n=12) groups. The GR therapy group performed 3D motion input device-based mirror therapy, the conventional mirror therapy group underwent general mirror therapy, and the control group underwent sham therapy. Each group underwent 15 (30 min/d) intervention sessions (3 d/wk for 5 weeks). All subjects were assessed by manual function test, neck discomfort score, and Short-Form 8 in pre- and post-test. RESULTS Upper-extremity function, depression, and quality of life in the GR mirror therapy group were significantly better than in the control group. The changes of neck discomfort in the conventional mirror therapy and control groups were significantly greater than in the GR mirror therapy group. CONCLUSIONS We found that GR device-based mirror therapy is an intervention that improves upper-extremity function, neck discomfort, and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.

Au-Coated Honeycomb Structure as an Efficient TCO-Free Counter-Electrode for Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells.

This study reports the fabrication of a Petri dish patterned with cylindrical micro-cavities that are produced using a one-step solvent-immersion phase-separation process. The developed 3D honeycomb Petri dish is coated with a Au film through a sputtering method to be an efficient Au-coated FTO-free electrode for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. Due to the high specific active surface area of the electrode with the Au-coated honeycomb structure, the energy conversion efficiency of devices that use this electrode is 5.2 % compared to 4.4 and 4.7 % by devices using an Au-coated flat Petri dish and an Au-coated FTO electrode, respectively. This design strategy offers excellent potential for the fabrication of highly efficient counter electrodes with FTO-free substrates of flexible photovoltaic devices.

Static balance according to hip joint angle of unsupported leg during one-leg standing.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine static balance according to hip joint angle of the unsupported leg during one-leg standing. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects included 45 healthy adult males and females in their 20s. During one-leg standing on the non-dominant leg, the position of the unsupported leg was classified according to hip joint angles of point angle was class. Static balance was then measured using a force plate with eyes open and closed. The total length, sway velocity, maximum deviation, and velocity on the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes of center of pressure were measured. [Results] In balance assessment with eyes open, there were significant differences between groups according to hip joint angle, except for maximum deviation on the anteroposterior axis. In balance assessment with eyes closed, there were significant differences between total length measurements at 0° and 30°, 60° and between 30° and 90°. There were significant differences between sway velocity measurements at 0° and 30° and between 30° and 90°. [Conclusion] Thus, there were differences in static balance according to hip joint angle. It is necessary to clearly identify the hip joint angle during one-leg standing testing.

Postural control systems in two different functional movements: a comparison of subjects with and without chronic ankle instability.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate postural control during two different movements of the Functional Movement Screen in patients with chronic ankle instability compared with healthy subjects. [Subjects] This study was a cross-sectional survey of 50 participants comprised of 25 chronic ankle instability patients and 25 healthy subjects. [Methods] All subjects were subjected to measurement of the Foot and Ankle Disability Index and center of pressure and Functional Movement Screen testing. The deep squat and hurdle step were performed for the lower extremities in Functional Movement Screen testing. Then, the center of pressure was measured with balance assessment software using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board. The center of pressure path length, velocity, and area of the 95% confidence ellipse and Functional Movement Screen scores were evaluated for all subjects. [Results] The results showed significant differences in center of pressure path length, velocity, and area of the 95% confidence ellipse between the groups for the hurdle step with the non-affected limb. However, there were no significant differences between groups for the deep squat and hurdle step with the affected limb. [Conclusion] The results of this study showed that there was a difference in the hurdle step with the non-affected limb in chronic ankle instability patients compared with normal subjects.

Validity of the lower extremity functional movement screen in patients with chronic ankle instability.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of construct validity for the lower extremity functional movement screen (LE-FMS) based on hypothesis testing in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy subjects and 20 patients with CAI who had a history of ankle sprain with pain for more than 1 day. [Methods] All participants were measured using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and evaluated with the LE-FMS. The screen included the deep squat, the hurdle step (HS) and the in-line lunge (ILL). The symmetry ratios (RS) were accurately measured during the deep squat trial. [Results] Between the two groups, there were significant differences in scores on the LE-FMS, HS, ILL, RS, FADI, and FADI-sport. The FADI was strongly correlated with both LE-FMS score (r=0.807) and ILL score (r=0.896). There was a strong relationship (r=0.818) between LE-FMS score and FADI-sport. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the LE-FMS may be used to detect deficits related to CAI. Additionally, this instrument is reliable in detecting functional limitations in patients with CAI.

Effects of neuromuscular training on knee joint stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of neuromuscular training on knee joint stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 16 adults who underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate reconstruction and neuromuscular training. The Lysholm scale was used to assess functional disorders on the affected knee joint. A KT-2000 arthrometer was used to measure anterior displacement of the tibia against the femur. Surface electromyography was used to detect the muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus before and after neuromuscular training. [Results] There was significant relaxation in tibial anterior displacement of the affected and sound sides in the supine position before neuromuscular training. Furthermore, the difference in the tibial anterior displacement of the affected knee joints in the standing position was reduced after neuromuscular training. Moreover, the variation of the muscle activation evoked higher muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus. [Conclusion] Neuromuscular training may improve functional joint stability in patients with orthopedic musculoskeletal injuries in the postoperative period.

Comparison of the effect of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions on knee position sense in patients with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the knee joint proprioception in weight-bearing (WB) and non-weight-bearing (NWB) positions and to study the difference between the methods in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 15 stroke patients who were randomly scheduled to perform both positions by a physical therapist not involved in the study. The subjects performed the positions (WB and NWB) based on a randomized controlled cross-sectional design. WB subjects were positioned in one-leg standing to assess the knee joint position sense. NWB subjects were instructed to sit comfortably in a chair and maintain the knees at 90° of flexion with the leg out of the plinth. [Results] The results revealed that the WB position showed a significant difference in knee position sense. The proprioception sense in the WB position was a higher than that in the NWB position. [Conclusion] The knee proprioception of chronic stroke patients differs between the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions.

Data on a high electrocatalytic activity of metal-WO3 nanocomposite electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction.

The data given in this article are related to the research article entitled "High electrocatalytic activity of Rh-WO3 electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction under the acidic, alkaline, and alkaline seawater electrolytes (N.-A. Nguyen et al., 2023) [1]. In this work, metal-WO3 nanocomposites were synthesized and used as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. The morphology and chemical properties of the prepared metal-WO3 nanocomposites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques.

Data on a two-dimensional Pd-cellulose with optimized morphology for the effective solar to steam generation.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Two-dimensional Pd-cellulose with optimized morphology for the effective solar to steam generation (Omelianovych et al., Desalination, 535, 115820 (2023)). We provide complementary analysis of the plasma synthesis parameters, such as plasma power optimization, which were omitted in the original research. The SEM images, XRD micrographs, XPS spectra, and evaporation performance of various plasma-synthesized Pd-cellulose absorbers are presented.

Dual-Functional Solar-to-Steam Generation and SERS Detection Substrate Based on Plasmonic Nanostructure.

Solar-to-steam (STS) generation based on plasmonic materials has attracted significant attention as a green method for producing fresh water. Herein, a simple in situ method is introduced to fabricate Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on cellulose filter papers as dual-functional substrates for STS generation and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing. The substrates exhibit 90% of broadband solar absorption between 350 and 1800 nm and achieve an evaporation rate of 0.96 kg·m-2·h-1 under 1-sun illumination, room temperature of 20 °C, and relative humidity of 40%. The STS generation of the substrate is stable during 30 h continuous operation. Enriched SERS hotspots between AuNPs endow the substrates with the ability to detect chemical contamination in water with ppb limits of detection for rhodamine 6G dye and melamine. To demonstrate dual-functional properties, the contaminated water was analyzed with SERS and purified by STS. The purified water was then analyzed with SERS to confirm its purity. The developed substrate can be an improved and suitable candidate for fresh water production and qualification.

Application of digital practice to improve head movement, visual perception and activities of daily living for subacute stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect: Preliminary results of a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) based digital practice is an attractive way to provide a patient engagement, motivation and adaptable environment for stroke rehabilitation. However, clinical evidence of efficacy with VR-based digital practice is very limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of VR-based digital practice program on unilateral spatial neglect (USN) rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: Twenty-four subacute stroke patients with USN were enrolled and randomly assigned to digital practice group (n = 12) and control group (n = 12). Patients in digital practice group received training programs with VR-based applications with leap motion environment. Control group received conventional USN specific training programs. All patients were underwent 4 week practice program (3 sessions/week, a half-hour/session). We analyzed training effects before and after training by assessing the line bisection test, Catherine Bergego Scale, modified Barthel index, Motor-Free Visual Perception Test Vertical Version (MVPT-V), and horizontal head movements (rotation degree and velocity during the VR-based applications), and compared the results between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to control group, digital practice group showed significantly greater improvements in the line bisection test (P = .020), and visual perceptual tasks (MVPT-V, responded more on left visual task, P = .024; correctly respond more on both left and right visual tasks, P = .024 and P = .014, respectively; and faster response time, P = .014). Additionally, horizontal head movement of rotation degree and velocity during the VR based practice in the digital practice group were significantly increased more than control group (P = .007 and P = .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: VR-based digital practice program might be an affordable approach for visual perception and head movement recovery for subacute stroke patients with USN.

Energy band alignment at the heterointerface between a nanostructured TiO2 layer and Au22(SG)18 clusters: relevance to metal-cluster-sensitized solar cells.

This study is the first to quantify energy band alignments at a nanostructured TiO2/Au22(SG)18 cluster interface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The d-band of Au clusters shows band-like character and occupied states at the Fermi level are not detected. The results provide evidence of the existence of a finite optical energy gap in Au22(SG)18 clusters and the molecular-like nature of these clusters. The pinning position of the Fermi energy level at the interface was determined to be 2.8 and 1.3 eV higher than the top of the TiO2 valence band and the highest occupied molecular orbit level of the Au clusters, respectively. A diffuse reflectance and absorption analysis quantified a 3.2 eV bandgap of the TiO2 layer and a 2.2 eV energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit (LUMO) levels of the Au clusters. Thus, a cliff-like offset of 0.5 eV between the LUMO level and the TiO2 conduction band was determined. The cliff-like offset of 0.5 eV provides room for improving the efficiency of metal-cluster-sensitized solar cells (MCSSC) further by lowering the LUMO level through a change in the cluster size. The offset of 0.5 eV between the HOMO level and the 3I-/I-3 redox level yields a remarkable loss-in-potential, which implies the possibility of increasing the open-circuit voltage further by properly replacing the redox couple in the MCSSCs.

Multilayered PVDF-HFP Porous Separator via Phase Separation and Selective Solvent Etching for High Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The development of highly porous and thin separator is a great challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the inevitable safety issues always caused by poor mechanical integrity and internal short circuits of the thin separator must be addressed before this type of separator can be applied to lithium-ion batteries. Here, we developed a novel multilayer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) membrane with a highly porous and lamellar structure, through a combination of evaporation-induced phase separation and selective solvent etching methods. The developed membrane is capable of a greater amount of electrolyte uptake and excellent electrolyte retention resulting from its superior electrolyte wettability and highly porous structure, thereby offering better electrochemical performance compared to that of a commercial polyolefin separator (Celgard). Moreover, benefiting from the layered configuration, the tensile strength of the membrane can reach 13.5 MPa, which is close to the mechanical strength of the Celgard type along the transversal direction. The elaborate design of the multilayered structure allows the fabrication of a new class of thin separators with significant improvements in the mechanical and electrochemical performance. Given safer operation, the developed multilayer membrane may become a preferable separator required for high-power and high-energy storage devices.

Au@ZIF-8 SERS paper for food spoilage detection.

Putrescine and cadaverine are important volatile indicators for the evaluation of food spoilage. In this study, a metal-organic framework (MOF)-coated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) paper platform for the detection of putrescine and cadaverine is developed. Au@ zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) SERS paper is fabricated by the coating of ZIF-8 layer on a Au nanoparticle-impregnated paper that is prepared by dry plasma reduction. The Au@ZIF-8 SERS paper is characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N2 sorption isotherm. The ZIF-8 layer enables the accumulation of gaseous molecules and also provides enhancement of SERS signals. The fluorescence, SERS, and simulation results prove the improved detection ability of the Au@ZIF-8 platform for the volatile molecules. For the selective detection of putrescine and cadaverine, the Au@ZIF-8 SERS paper is functionalized with 4-mercatobenzaldehyde (4-MBA). The 4-MBA molecule acts as a Raman reporter and also a specific receptor for the volatile amine molecules. Using the intensity ratiometric detection of 4-MBA-functionalized Au@ZIF-8 SERS paper, putrescine and cadaverine are quantitatively detected with detection limits of 76.99 and 115.88 parts per billion, respectively. Furthermore, the detection of volatile amine molecules released from spoiled salmon, chicken, beef, and pork samples is demonstrated. It is anticipated that the MOF-coated SERS paper platforms will be applicable not only in food safety but other applications including disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring.

Data on a highly stable electrocatalyst of NiCoPt/Graphene-dot nanosponge for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "NiCoPt/Graphene-dot Nanosponge as a Highly Stable Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Electrolyte (N.-A. Nguyen et al., 2020) [1]. This article reports a simple method to synthesize NiCoPt/Graphene-dot as an electrocatalyst with low Pt loading but high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. The morphology of NiCoPt/Graphene-dot was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. The structural and chemical properties of NiCoPt/Graphene-dot were investigated by using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques.

In Situ Engineering of Pd Nanosponge Armored with Graphene Dots Using Br- toward High-Performance and Stable Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

In this study, we report a facile synthetic pathway to three-dimensional (3D) Pd nanosponge-shaped networks wrapped by graphene dots (Pd@G-NSs), which show superior electrocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and exhibited excellent long-term stability in acidic media. Pd@G-NSs were synthesized by simply mixing Pd precursors, reducing agent, carbon dots (Cdots), and Br- ion at 30 °C. Experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the Br- ions played an essential role in accelerating the exfoliation of Cdot, supplying graphene layers, which could wrap the nanosponge-shaped Pd and finally form Pd@G-NS. In the absence of the Br- ions, only aggregated Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were formed and randomly mixed with Cdots. The resultant Pd@G-NS exhibited a high electrochemically active surface area and accelerated charge transport characteristics, leading to its superior electrocatalytic activity toward the HER in acidic media. The HER overpotential of Pd@G-NS was 32 mV at 10 mA cm-2, and the Tafel slope was 33 mV dec-1. Furthermore, the unique Pd@G-NS catalyst showed long-term stability for over 3000 cycles in acidic media as well, owing to the protection of Pd nanosponges by graphene dot wrapping. The overall HER performance of the Pd@G-NS catalyst exceeded that of commercial Pt/C.

Effect of Ni/Rh ratios on characteristics of NixRhy nanosponges towards high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "NiRh Nanosponges with Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Performance for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (N.-A. Nguyen et al., 2019) [1]. This article reports a facile method to prepare various NixRhy nanosponges while using NaBH4 as a reducing agent without using any surfactant. The structural and chemical properties of the obtained NixRhy nanosponges are investigated.

Conducting polymer films fabricated by oxidative graft copolymerization of aniline on poly(acrylic acid) grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) surfaces.

A conductive polyaniline/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PANI/PET) composite film was fabricated via the oxidative graft copolymerization of aniline (ANI) onto the plasma-induced poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) grafted PET surface. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed that PANI was successfully grafted onto the surface of the PAAc-g-PET films. The effects of the experimental conditions on the percentage of PANI grafted onto the PAAc-g-PET films were extensively investigated. A very high grafting percentage of ANI can be obtained through the acid-base reaction between the aniline monomer and PAAc on the PAAc-g-PET surface at high temperature. As a result, the grafting percentage of PANI can be increased to as high as 12.18 wt %, which causes the surface resistance of the PANI-g-PAAc-g-PET film to be reduced to about 1000 Omega/sq. We predicted that this is because of the high flexibility of the PAAc molecular chains and high solubility of aniline, both of which facilitate the binding of aniline to PAAc during this high temperature acid-base reaction. It was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) that the PANI-modified PET surface exhibits higher size irregularity and surface roughness, which further indicated that a much greater number of aniline molecules can be reactively bonded to and distributed along the grafted AAc chains and that the PANI-g-PAAc-g-PET surface resulting from the sequential oxidative graft copolymerization can possess higher electrical conductivity.