An external focus promotes motor learning of an aiming task in individuals with hearing impairments.

Research has shown that external relative to internal focus (IF) instructions may improve motor performance as well as cognitive function (e.g., attentional stability and task-focus). The aim of the study was to examine the influence of attentional focus instructions on skill acquisition and learning of an aiming task in individuals with hearing impairments. The participants (N = 39, Mage = 17.87 ± 1.88 years) performed a bowling task with their dominant hand to knock down as many pins as possible. On day 1, they were randomly divided into three attentional focus groups; IF (focus on your throwing hand), external focus (EF) (focus on the pins), and control (no-focus) instructions. Each participant performed 36 trials, divided into 3 blocks of 12 trials. Attentional focus instructions were given before each block, with a brief reminder provided after each 3 trials. On day 2, retention and transfer (further distance) tests were performed. Results showed that while there were no significant differences between groups in the pre-test, the EF group outperformed both IF and control groups in retention and transfer tests. No significant difference was found between the control and IF. The findings suggest that the advantages of the external relative to the IF and no-focus instructions may generalize to individuals with hearing impairments.

Facile green synthesis of zero-valent iron nanoparticles using barberry leaf extract (GnZVI@BLE) for photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium.

In this study, zero-valent iron (GnZVI) was synthesized using barberry leaf extract (GnZVI@BLE). The physicochemical properties of the final products were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and EDS techniques. The results of TEM analysis showed that the obtained iron zero-valent nanoparticles with a diameter between 20 and 40 nm and shell-core structures were successfully synthesized. The results of FT-IR confirmed the presence of various functional groups. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated by reduction of hexavalent chromium. Laboratory data showed that the presence of GnZVI@BLE as a nanocatalyst in the photocatalytic process could be reduction the hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)). Photocatalytic data revealed that, when the dosage of nanoparticles was 0.675 g/L, the reduction efficiency of hexavalent chromium was 100%. The kinetics of the reaction follows a pseudo-second-order equation. The constant of reaction rate was 0.4 at pH 2 and 0.5 g/L concentration of GnZVI@BLE.

Data on the optimization of the synthesis of green iron nanoparticles using plants indigenous to South Khorasan.

Green synthesis is a novel method for nanoparticle preparation, which is known as an environmentally friendly technique (Wang et al., 2017a, 2017b) [1], [2]. This research was carried out to investigate the use and efficacy of Barberry leaf, Elaeagnus angustifolia leaf, Saffron sepal, and Ziziphus jujube leaf extracts as agents for the synthesis of green iron nanoparticles (GINPs). The studied plants are among the native plants abundantly found in South Khorasan, Iran. The data also show the effect and role of important variables in green synthesis process including Fe to extract ratio, extract heating time, and length of time when Fe-extract solution was mixed under ultrasonic waves. The effects of the mentioned variables were measured by weighing the produced nanoparticle and determining the yield of the prepared nanoparticles. Based on the data, with decreasing Fe to extract ratio, the amount of produced GINPs was increased but the yield of the process decreased. Additionally, extract heating time and ultrasonic mixing time had a significant effect on GINPs yield. Based on the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) test, the size of GINPs in all of the plant extracts was about 40 nm and smaller.