Effectively using digital human models (DHM) for proactive ergonomics requires estimating how workers interact with objects. One example is guessing when a worker might use one hand rather than two when transferring a box. A better understanding of the determinants for performing one-handed transfers will inform DHM users on when human-object interactions should be modeled with one hand versus two. This work aimed to determine the maximum acceptable box width and mass that would permit a one-handed box transfer from three shelf heights. Participants completed a series of box transfers from three shelf heights to a table with their dominant hand. Participants were instructed to grasp the box from the top or front, then adjust the box width (experiment one) or box mass when the box was set at their maximum acceptable grip span (experiment two) until participants reached their maximum acceptable span or mass, respectively, to transfer the box comfortably and safely. Within-subject repeated measure ANOVAs, with an alpha value of 0.05, were used to detect if shelf height or grip orientation affected the maximum acceptable box width and mass, respectively, for a one-handed transfer. The perceived maximum acceptable box width ranged from 13.3 cm to 13.8 cm. The perceived maximum acceptable box mass ranged from 2.05 to 2.51 kg. The maximum acceptable width and mass for one-handed transfers were lowest when grasping a box from a shoulder-height shelf at the front of the box. When the box width was less than 70% hand length, and required less than 36.7% wrist strength, participants were more likely to use one hand for box transfers. Findings provide insight into the one-handed lifting capacity of standard cardboard boxes with no handles and help inform DHM users on when to model one-handed or two-handed box transfers. Proactive ergonomics requires designers to predict human-object interactions, making guesses about whether a worker might transfer a box with one hand versus two. If a transfer task is modeled as two-handed but performed one-handed, the widths and weights that were acceptable from a strength capacity perspective in the design phase may not be acceptable in reality. Findings from our psychophysical study provide evidence to inform designers on when to model transfers as one versus two-handed. If the box width is less than 124 mm and requires less than 36.7% wrist strength, participants are likely to adopt a one-handed box transfer regardless of grip orientation or shelf height. These data help reduce ambiguity in designer decision-making when simulating lifting behaviors to inform proactive ergonomics assessments.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin contaminant that poses a significant threat to human health. It is a common naturally occurring contaminant toxin that is widely found in agricultural and food products worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for simpler and more sensitive analytical methods to detect OTA in food. In this study, a co-reactant-free annihilation electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor was developed for the ultrasensitive detection of OTA. The emitter, Ru-Cu NCs@MOFs, was constructed by anchoring copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) onto amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (NH2-MOFs), followed by coordination with Ru(H2dcbpy)32+. Density functional theory (DFT) and Tauc plot analysis revealed that the structure exhibited a narrowed bandgap, which promoted interfacial photoelectron transfer and facilitated the generation of excited Ru∗-Cu NCs@MOFs species. This is the first reported instance of Cu-to-Ru electron transfer in ECL systems, effectively mitigating ACQ and significantly enhancing luminescence efficiency. To further improve sensitivity, a cyclic DNA amplification mechanism was integrated into the biosensing interface, thereby amplifying the ECL response. The resulting biosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 1 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL and an ultralow detection limit of 0.47 pg/mL. The OTA concentrations detected in actual samples using the ECL biosensor were consistent with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results, confirming the effectiveness of the designed ECL biosensor in detecting OTA in actual samples. This work presents a highly sensitive ECL sensing strategy, offering strong potential for trace-level OTA monitoring in food safety analysis.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide redox couple (NAD+/NADH) plays important roles in vivo as a redox cofactor, making NADH regeneration systems valuable to the biochemical industry. Among various methods, electrochemical NADH regeneration employing direct electron transfer (DET)-type bioelectrocatalysis offers low overpotentials and high specificity without the need for mediators. A recombinant β subunit (diaphorase subunit) of formate dehydrogenase 1 (FoDH1B) from Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 has reportedly shown DET-type activity in NAD+/NADH interconversion. In this study, a heterologous expression system for FoDH1B in Escherichia coli (EcFoDH1B) was constructed to improve protein expression efficiency, and its electrochemical properties were elucidated, exhibiting 10-fold higher DET-type activity than that expressed in M. extorquens AM1. In addition, appropriate conditions for the DET-type reaction were investigated. Furthermore, a bioelectrochemical NADH regeneration flow reactor was constructed using an EcFoDH1B-modified carbon felt electrode, achieving a turnover frequency of 10,000 h-1 and a Faradaic efficiency over 90% at a low overpotential (0.10 V).
The development of spintronic memory and logic devices depends on an understanding of current-driven domain wall dynamics in realistic nanostructures. Using micromagnetic simulations, we investigate transverse head-to-head domain wall motion in CoFeB nanostrips under deterministic (0 K) and thermally activated (300 K) circumstances, considering both smooth and structurally disordered geometries. The domain wall velocity in smooth nanostrips increases almost linearly with current density at 0 K, indicating effective spin-transfer-torque-driven propagation. However, thermal fluctuations cause domain-wall deformation and a tendency toward velocity saturation at 300 K, especially in thicker nanostrips. To simulate realistic polycrystalline microstructures, structural disorder is introduced using Voronoi tessellation with 10% variations in saturation magnetization and exchange stiffness. Domain wall motion in rough nanostrips exhibits creep-like dynamics, characterized by intermittent propagation and thermally aided depinning from pinning sites induced by disorder. Additionally, as the nanostrip thickness increases, domain wall mobility decreases, accompanied by increased wall deformation and roughness. These findings show that current-driven domain wall dynamics are collectively governed by thermal fluctuations, structural disorder, and geometrical confinement, offering guidance for the design of thermally robust CoFeB-based spintronic devices.
The development of organic narrowband emitters faces long-standing challenges in expanding structural diversity, improving synthetic efficiency, elucidating narrowband emission mechanisms, and enhancing overall electroluminescence (EL) performance. Herein, we report a new class of narrowband emitters based on 1,2-BN-heteroarenes, enabled by a systematic design strategy that integrates planar locking, peripheral rotation, and BN-unit extension to tailor vibronic progression in alignment with the principles governing narrowband emission. They are readily synthesized using a borenium species-promoted, amine-directed one-pot borylation in yields over 80%, and exhibit tunable emission colors arising from interplay among locally excited (LE), long-range charge-transfer (CT), and short-range CT states. Representative emitters [B-N]2 and [B-N]2-DPA exhibit peak emissions at 460 and 482 nm with ultranarrow full widths at half-maximums (FWHMs) of 16 and 18 nm, respectively, and near-unity photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields. Furthermore, by employing a "hot-exciton layer" design to facilitate exciton dynamics, the corresponding narrowband organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) deliver a high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 29.6%, an exceptionally low efficiency roll-off of 5.7% at 1000 cd m-2, and superior operational stability compared with the control 1,4-BN-heteroarene. These findings offer new insights into the design of narrowband emitters with diverse structures and high EL performance.
To improve the control and precision in polymer synthesis, the development of polymerization with logical control by multiple stimuli has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Herein, we describe the introduction of a dual regulation by light and pH to organocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP), which features mild pH conditions, visible light irradiation, transition metal-free products, and excellent on/off control by both pH and light. 1,1-Binaphthol (BINOL) was successfully identified as a class of pH-responsive photoredox catalysts for O-ATRP, and show readily tunable photophysical properties and highly reversible chromic shift of maximum absorption (up to 60 nm) by very mild pH-mediation (pH 5/7). Moreover, the unique pH-responsive feature of BINOL also inspires the discovery of simple phenols like naphthol and pyrenol that could also drive the radical polymerization under light and afford higher catalytic efficiency and better control upon basic mediation. Given the widespread presence of phenols in natural compounds, we anticipate this work could also draw greater attention to their potential pH-responsive photophysical properties or other roles in catalysis or life systems.
Parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) achieves efficient hyperpolarisation of nuclear spins with the transfer of the singlet order of parahydrogen to target molecules through catalytic hydrogenation reactions and subsequent coherent control of the spin dynamics. However, in realistic conditions B0/B1 inhomogeneities lead to significant reduction in the polarisation transfer efficiency. Moreover, in high-concentration samples, dipolar fields arising from the magnetisation of the sample can degrade polarisation transfer efficiency significantly. In this work, we present a theoretical framework and a comprehensive analysis of both pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) control sequences designed to mitigate the detrimental effects of dipolar fields and B0/B1 inhomogeneities. By combining tools from average Hamiltonian theory with detailed numerical simulations, we introduce and characterise a wide range of transfer sequences, including dipolar-field adjusted and dipolar-field suppressing protocols. We identify conditions under which dipolar interactions either hinder or, perhaps surprisingly, stabilise polarisation transfer, depending on the sequence structure. Our results offer practical guidance for the selection and design of PHIP transfer sequences under realistic experimental constraints and open pathways towards robust hyperpolarisation in concentrated liquid-state NMR samples.
Verbal communication transmits information across diverse linguistic levels, with neural synchronization (NS) between speakers and listeners emerging as a putative mechanism underlying successful speech exchange. However, the specific speech features that drive this synchronization, and how language-specific versus universal characteristics facilitate information transfer, remain poorly understood. We developed a novel feature-based interbrain encoding modeling approach to disentangle the contributions of acoustic and linguistic features to speaker-listener NS during Mandarin storytelling and listening, as measured via magnetoencephalography (MEG). A female speaker and 22 listeners (12 females and 10 males) were recruited and analyzed. We observed strong NS across frontotemporal-parietal networks, with systematic time lags between the speaker and listeners. Crucially, suprasegmental lexical tone features (i.e., tone categories, pitch height, and pitch change), which are essential for lexical meaning in Mandarin, contributed more significantly to NS than either acoustic elements or universal segmental units (i.e., consonants and vowels). These tonal features produced unique spatiotemporal NS patterns, forming language-specific interbrain neural connections that enabled effective transmission of representations between the speaker and listeners. The strength and patterns of NS, driven by these speech features, further predicted listeners' understanding of the speaker's storytelling. These findings demonstrate the interbrain neural mechanisms underlying shared representations during verbal exchange and highlight how language-specific speech features shape neural alignment between speakers and listeners, supporting information transfer.Significance Statement Human communication depends on shared neural representations between speakers and listeners, but the specific features that promote this alignment remain unclear. Using MEG and a feature-based interbrain analysis approach, we show that speaker-listener neural synchronization is driven more by linguistic content than by acoustics alone. Language-specific lexical tones and pitch cues have a stronger influence than segmental features and can predict how effectively listeners comprehend the speaker's stories. These findings highlight the importance of language-specific tonal information in driving interbrain alignment and introduce a new method to distinguish the roles of different speech features. The study provides insights into how production and perception systems are coordinated across brains in space and time, depending on linguistic features during the transfer of verbal information.
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate/magnesium oxide (PEDOT: PSS/MgO) nanohybrids infused with zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. Structural and morphological analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed successful incorporation of dopants and formation of the composite structure. Zn-, and Cd- doped PEDOT: PSS/MgO showed a specific capacitance of 146 Fg⁻¹ and 204 Fg⁻¹ at 10 mVs⁻¹, while galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements showed 15.2 and 27.5 Fg-1 at 0.25 Ag-1 indicating diffusion limitations at higher current densities. The charge transfer resistance of Zn-, and Cd- doped PEDOT: PSS/MgO showed 12.8 Ω and 10.5 Ω showing that Cd- doped PEDOT: PSS/MgO exhibits a lower value suggesting lower charge transfer resistance and faster electron transport at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The Cd-doped electrode produced an open-circuit voltage of 1.33 V and effectively powered a red LED, indicating practical applicability. Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations further validated that Cd doping reduces the HOMO-LUMO energy gap (2.64 eV) and facilitates charge transfer by reinforcing Cd-O and Cd-Mg interactions. The integration of experimental and theoretical investigations confirms that Cd-doped PEDOT: PSS/MgO is a durable electrode material, providing enhanced charge transport, elevated energy density, and prolonged electrochemical stability for next-generation supercapacitors.
Light-gated anion channelrhodopsins are widely used as optogenetic silencers, yet the molecular events underlying gate opening and closing remain unclear. Here we show that gate closure in Guillardia theta anion channelrhodopsin 1 (GtACR1) is tightly coupled to coordinated proton-transfer reactions. Time-resolved spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses reveal that formation of the M-intermediate, which governs gate closure, involves not only deprotonation of the retinal Schiff base but also proton release from Asp234 to the extracellular side. We further demonstrate that residues Tyr207 and Cys237 participate in a hydrogen-bond network that modulates retinal Schiff base deprotonation, with Cys237 undergoing deprotonation during M-intermediate formation. In addition, analyses of the dark state provide new experimental evidence regarding the protonation states of functionally important residues in GtACR1, while characterization of the L-intermediate reveals hydrogen-bond rearrangements associated with channel activation. Together, these findings support a mechanistic model in which proton transfer reactions involving Asp234, Tyr207, and Cys237 coordinate retinal Schiff base deprotonation, thereby driving gate closure in GtACR1.
The exceptional persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) rooted in inert C-F bonds demands remediation strategies beyond energy-intensive treatments. Here, we report a bithiophene-fluorene-pyridine (BT-Fl-Py) linear polymer that achieves quantitative defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) under visible-light irradiation. Upon photoexcitation, the polymer undergoes configurational torsional relaxation of the fluorene π-bridge, forming a stable twisted intramolecular charge-transfer state (TICT1) that stabilizes photogenerated electrons in a long-lived reducing state. Concurrently, the hydrophobic polymer backbone enriches PFOA, activating C-F bonds and facilitating efficient interfacial electron transfer. The cooperation between conformationally regulated charge separation and interfacial substrate enrichment enables complete PFOA defluorination under mild conditions, establishing a sustainable route for degrading ultrastable PFAS and providing a molecular design principle for developing reducing polymer photocatalysts.
In this research work a single stage Power Factor Correction (PFC) based battery charger using 1Φ AC-DC Non-Ideal Bridgeless Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (BLSEPIC) has been designed. Small signal Modelling of BLSEPIC converter is done by considering the parasitic elements of the inductors, capacitors, switches and diodes. Transfer function of seventh order BLSEPIC converter is derived using state space averaging technique. To reduce the complexity of the controllers, the BLSEPIC converter model has been reduced using Hankel Matrix Approximation Technique. The Dual loop control strategy employing outer Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) tuned PI controller and inner Third order Sliding Mode controller(TOSMC) ensures output regulation and input current shaping. The sliding surface co-efficients are calculated using control to input transfer function. The proposed control strategy for BLSEPIC converter is simulated for a linear load (resistive) and non-linear load (Battery) using MATLAB/Simulink software tool and results are illustrated for steady-state and dynamic conditions such as line, load and set-point variations. To summarise, a single phase 200W BLSEPIC converter controlled using GOA tuned outer PI and inner TOSMC feeding a resistive and battery load is simulated and the prototype model has been designed and developed to substantiate with the simulation results. The proposed system achieves nearby UPF operation with a source current THD of 2.9118% (Resistive Load) and 4.989% (Battery Load).
Copper-catalyzed radical-relay reactions provide a powerful tool for selective C-H functionalization, yet their implementation with peroxide-based oxidants is typically constrained by the requirement for excess C-H substrate. Herein, we present a photochemical approach to circumvent this limitation with a Cu/bipyridine catalyst, enabling benzylic C-H phosphatation with a limiting amount of the C-H substrate. Mechanistic analysis reveals that blue-light irradiation facilitates phosphate-to-copper charge transfer. This process reduces resting-state Cu(II) to Cu(I), which subsequently activates the peroxide to form an alkoxyl radical for hydrogen-atom transfer. This "photochemical redox buffering" effect establishes a unique method to maintain catalytic Cu activity in radical-relay manifolds.
Plastic contamination is increasingly recognized as a critical issue in estuarine ecosystems, posing potential threats to aquatic organisms. Although estuaries represent key transition zones for plastics moving from continental sources to the ocean, their ecological fate and effects in these environments remain insufficiently studied. In particular, the trophic transfer of micro- and nanoplastics (NPs) through trophic chains and the associated health risks are still poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the ecotoxicological consequences of trophic exposure to different types of nanoplastics in the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana. The marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica was exposed for 48 h to environmentally relevant NP concentrations (0.008, 10, and 100 µg.L-1). Two categories of NPs were investigated: environmentally derived nanoplastics produced from field-collected macroplastics (ENV NPs) and commercial polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs). Following algal exposure, S. plana individuals were fed with NP-contaminated algae, and biological responses were evaluated at both the individual and biochemical levels. RESULTS: revealed that trophic exposure to NPs primarily induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased catalase (CAT) activity, with no statistically detectable alterations in condition index, clearance rate, or immune response. Finally, outcomes from this trophic transfer experiment were compared to those obtained in a previous study involving direct NP exposure under laboratory conditions.
To address the challenges of regional collaboration in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, we conducted a prospective clinical study of a healthcare communication platform (Dr2GO®) designed to ensure seamless continuity of care by streamlining inter-hospital transfer coordination. By the end of 2024, nineteen patients were enrolled across the four participating institutions. The most frequently used clinical pathway was vaccination after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (7 cases). The median time from the referral request by the hub hospital to confirmation by the community institution was 15 hours. Among the cases requested during regular working hours, 83% were confirmed within 30 minutes. The median duration of pathway continuation was 9.5 months, with a continuation rate of 78.9%. In a survey, 75% of respondents reported faster medical coordination. During the study period, 26 chat entries were recorded, with a median of one entry per patient. These findings suggest that the Dr2GO®-based electronic clinical pathway both facilitates rapid transfer coordination and efficient information sharing, while potentially reducing physician workload and promoting task shifting.
The size effect has a significant impact on the catalytic performance of metal nanostructures, where smaller sizes often correspond to higher specific surface area and specific activity. This study investigates the pyrolysis-temperature-dependent evolution of Cu-MOFs and reveals an anomalous size effect of Cu nanoparticles in glucose electrooxidation. Although low-temperature pyrolysis produces small Cu nanoparticles, the high-temperature pyrolysis product demonstrates exceptional performance despite the larger size of its Cu nanoparticles. The sensor based on larger Cu nanoparticles exhibits 24-fold higher sensitivity‌ compared to small Cu nanoparticles. In-depth study reveals that high-temperature pyrolysis not only produces large-sized Cu nanoparticles but also induces and promotes the formation of oxygen-coordinated Cu single atoms. The coexistence of oxygen-coordinated Cu single atoms electronically modulates adjacent Cu nanoparticles via charge transfer, which accelerates the electron transfer rate and promots the generation of highly active sites at lower operating potentials, thereby overriding conventional size-activity constraints. This study not only highlights the non-negligible role of oxygen-coordinated metal single atoms during high-temperature pyrolysis and provides a new perspective to explain the anomalous size effect, but also redefines sensing materials design principles through single atom-nanoparticle interactions.
Fipronil (FPN), a phenylpyrazole pesticide widely used in agriculture and households, acts as a noncompetitive antagonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels. Although originally considered relatively safe for mammals at low doses, FPN is metabolized into fipronil sulfone (FPNS), a more toxic and persistent metabolite. Both FPN and FPNS have been detected in human biological samples, raising concerns about chronic exposure during critical developmental windows. In this study, pregnant mice were administered FPN orally at 0.43 mg/kg/day from gestational day 1.5 through weaning. In Experiment 1, which was designed to evaluate fetal transfer, FPN and FPNS were detected in all fetal samples, with FPNS concentrations exceeding those of FPN and the levels of both compounds being higher in fetuses than in dams, suggesting placental transfer and fetal accumulation. In Experiment 2, behavioral and endocrine effects were assessed in male offspring at 3 and 10 weeks of age. Behavioral tests included the open field, elevated plus maze, and novel object recognition test. FPN-exposed offspring exhibited increased locomotor activity, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and impaired short-term memory and object recognition. Blood analyses revealed the presence of FPN and FPNS in exposed offspring, with FPNS levels peaking at 3 weeks. Histamine and progesterone levels were elevated at 3 weeks, while progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were decreased at 10 weeks. These findings suggest that fetal and neonatal exposure to FPN can disrupt neurobehavioral and endocrine development in mice.
This study investigates the bearing behavior of a pile-bucket composite foundation in marine soft clay under combined vertical, horizontal, and moment (V-H-M) loading, with direct application to offshore photovoltaic systems deployed in shallow-water regions. Centrifuge tests and validated 3D finite element analyses employing the Nanshui constitutive model were conducted. The results indicate that the pile-bucket foundation exhibits a hybrid deformation mode, effectively integrating the deep rotational restraint of the pile with the shallow translational constraint of the bucket. Under combined V-H-M loading, the composite foundation demonstrates a significantly expanded failure envelope. Notably, the vertical load enhances the lateral capacity to a greater extent in the composite system compared to monopile or suction caisson foundations. Plastic strain analysis reveals a synergistic interaction, where the pile extends the plastic zone deeper while the bucket mobilizes a broader near-surface soil mass, leading to a more distributed and efficient load-transfer mechanism. The findings provide critical insights for the optimized design of innovative pile-bucket hybrid foundations in soft clay for offshore photovoltaic arrays.
The parasite Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of life-threatening diarrhoeal disease, and effective treatment is not available. Clofazimine, an antimicrobial used for treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis, was found to have potent anti-Cryptosporidium activity but it failed in a human trial. This was attributed to poor bioavailability. Here we observed differential clofazimine susceptibility among C. parvum parasite isolates, which we exploit to identify a single genomic locus encoding the type II NADH dehydrogenase (NDH2) in an unbiased genetic cross. Targeted genetic ablation of ndh2 resulted in high-level clofazimine resistance and biochemical studies demonstrated NDH2-mediated electron transfer to clofazimine. Through genomic analyses, we uncovered heterogeneity at the ndh2 locus for C. parvum and C. hominis, and widespread carriage of a conserved attenuated allele across multiple continents. This heterogeneity allows parasites genomically linked through frequent sexual recombination to adjust to changing NDH2 requirements and predisposes Cryptosporidium to evade clofazimine treatment.
Cultural heritage sites are increasingly exposed to flood hazards, yet existing assessments often overlook heritage-specific vulnerability and rely on static spatial units. To address these limitations, this study develops a Comprehensive Heritage Flood Risk Index (CHFRI) framework that integrates hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and response capacity dimensions, with explicitly incorporation of heritage attributes into the assessment. A combined AHP-entropy weighting approach was employed to balance expert judgement with objective data, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of spatial risk identification across different weight combinations. This framework was then applied to 2,194 heritage sites in Shandong Province over the period 2000 to 2020. Results indicated that: (1) the spatial pattern remained consistent: high-risk sites concentrated in eastern coastal (Rizhao, Weihai) and western inland cities (Dezhou, Liaocheng), while a low-risk belt extended across the central region; (2) the overall risk structure improved significantly: high-risk sites decreased from 39.88% to 27.62%, while Intermediate-risk sites increased from 37.32% to 48.63%. Among the 30 Highest-risk sites in 2000, 26 were downgraded, yet 18 new sites escalated to the Highest-risk category by 2020, including 4 national-level and 14 provincial-level sites; (3) heritage typologies showed divergent trajectories: ancient buildings and modern buildings exhibited substantial risk reduction, whereas grotto temples and stone carvings remained persistently vulnerable. The CHFRI framework provides a transferable model for climate-resilient heritage conservation and recommends future integration of AI-enhanced predictive tools.