Policy and health system changes have encouraged a shift towards home deaths at End-of-Life (EOL), with important implications for informal caregiving. We provide updated estimates of EOL informal caregiving with a focus on home deaths. We conducted secondary data analysis of 11 waves (2002-2022) of Health and Retirement Study (HRS) proxy exit interviews of decedents aged ≥65 (N = 8,298). We employed two-part models and quantile regression methods to examine how home deaths affect informal caregiving. Multivariate logistic regression examined associations between informal caregiving and symptom management. Decedents dying at home received more hours of informal caregiving per day than those dying in institutions with stronger associations post 2010. Quantile regression showed differential association of home deaths across different quantiles of informal caregiving. There was no association between informal caregiving intensity and symptom management. Findings suggest increasing dependence on under-resourced informal caregiving in the context of shifting EOL care patterns.
Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting soybean growth and yield, yet accurately identifying genotypes that sustain yield under rainfed conditions remains a major bottleneck in soybean breeding. Canopy wilting scores are widely used as a proxy for evaluating plant responses to drought stress. However, most assessments rely on leaf-level visual observations that are inherently subjective and typically based on single time-point scores, providing only a snapshot of stress expression and failing to capture their relationship with yield retention under rainfed conditions. To address these limitations, this study used Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based high-throughput phenotyping at a single growth stage (R4/R5) as a more quantitative and objective alternative to visual scoring, with closer relevance to yield performance under drought conditions. From 2023 to 2025, a total of 85 soybean genotypes developed by soybean breeding programs in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina, along with commercial checks, were evaluated under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Visual canopy wilting scores were recorded at R4/R5, along with vegetation indices captured using UAV-based multispectral imagery. UAV-derived indices showed significant correlations with yield (r = 0.22 to 0.45, p<0.05) under rainfed conditions. In contrast, visual canopy wilting scores displayed weak and inconsistent associations with yield (r = -0.28 to 0.35, p<0.05), suggesting limited ability to capture yield retention under rainfed conditions. Unsupervised k-means clustering (n = 2) of UAV-derived vegetation indices separated genotypes into two distinct canopy response groups that were consistent across 2023 to 2025 rainfed seasons. Significant differences were observed among clusters for several vegetation indices (ARI, CIG, CIRE, GSAVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, OSAVI, NDVI), indicating contrasting canopy stress responses. Under rainfed conditions, these UAV-defined clusters also differed for grain yield (2023: 1,925.6 vs 1,703.1 kg/ha; 2024: 1,849.9 vs 1,229.2 kg/ha; 2025: 2,056.7 vs 1,773.8 kg/ha), whereas visual wilting scores failed to distinguish yield-retaining genotypes. Overall, UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping offers a robust and yield-relevant alternative to visual wilting scores, supporting the development of drought-tolerant soybean germplasm and cultivars.
Spices and herbs are vital flavoring agents in food. However, they are particularly vulnerable to microbial contamination primarily due to their open production environments and low water activity, which enhances microbial resistance to conventional pasteurization. In addition, traditional decontamination methods often struggle to balance microbial safety and product quality. This review aims to deliver valuable insights into innovative technologies designed for improving microbial safety and overall quality of spices and herbs while fostering advancements in the industry. This review comprehensively summarizes the principles, applications, and influencing factors of emerging thermal technologies (e.g., radio frequency heating, superheated steam, and vacuum steam) and non-thermal technologies (e.g., ethylene oxide, chlorine dioxide, cold plasma, and ionizing irradiation). Furthermore, it critically discusses the current limitations of these technologies and proposes strategies for future advancements. Novel decontamination technologies show promise in improving microbial safety and preserving the quality of spice and herb products. In particular, radio frequency and chlorine dioxide technologies emerge as promising options for spice decontamination due to their better ability to balance microbial control efficiency and quality retention. Further research should focus on optimizing parameters through models, developing combination technologies, and promoting pilot test verification to facilitate industrial application.
Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli is a major global clinical threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, the full genomic landscape, including the relative contributions of chromosomal mutations, plasmid-mediated resistance, and the role of high-risk clones, remains poorly characterized in this setting. This study aimed to define the genomic mechanisms, clonal distribution, and genotype-phenotype relationships of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical E. coli isolates from Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 107 clinical E. coli isolates was conducted. Phenotypic susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid was determined using VITEK 2 and broth microdilution. Whole-genome sequencing was performed, and analysis included detection of quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) mutations (gyrA, parC, parE) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and phylogenetic analysis. Statistical associations were evaluated using chi-squared tests or Fisher's exact tests. Ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility was high at 86.0%. Resistance was primarily driven by a conserved chromosomal mutation profile; the combination of gyrA S83L, gyrA D87N, and parC S80I was present in 85 isolates and was associated with ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility in all affected isolates in this cohort. Isolates with only gyrA mutations were resistant to nalidixic acid but susceptible to ciprofloxacin, consistent with a stepwise resistance pathway. In this cohort, the triple QRDR signature (gyrA S83L + gyrA D87N/Y + parC S80I) was a perfect positive predictor of ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility (85/85; 100%). The ST131 lineage dominated, accounting for 21.5% of isolates and universally carrying the complete triple QRDR profile; notably, no ST131 isolate carried a PMQR determinant. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes were detected in 15.0% of isolates but were not independently associated with ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility in this cohort in the absence of concomitant QRDR mutations. Efflux pump genes were ubiquitous and non-predictive. Notably, six isolates, all from urine, were non-susceptible (R/I) despite lacking all known QRDR and PMQR determinants, pointing to uncharacterized mechanisms. In a multivariable logistic regression model that included ST131 status, PMQR carriage, and parE mutation status, ST131 was associated with ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility (adjusted OR 5.96, 95% CI 1.21-29.4, p = 0.028), whereas PMQR carriage was not (adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.18-4.85, p = 0.94). The triple QRDR signature was not included in this model because it perfectly predicted ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility in this cohort. Resistance patterns varied by clinical source, with the highest burden in bloodstream and wound infections. This stepwise hierarchy from first-step gyrA mutations to the classic triple QRDR profile is summarised in the graphical abstract, Fig. 1. Fluoroquinolone resistance in Nigerian clinical E. coli is predominantly driven by chromosomal QRDR mutations within successful clones like ST131. PMQR genes and efflux pumps appeared to play a supplementary role rather than being independent drivers of ciprofloxacin resistance in this cohort. These data support prioritising key QRDR mutations in genomic reporting and local stewardship decisions, while the QRDR-negative resistant urine isolates require further investigation.
In patients requiring respiratory support, clinicians rely on physical exam, radiologic, laboratory, and ventilator-derived measures for the provision of sufficient support while minimizing ventilator and "work of breathing" induced lung injury. Point of care lung ultrasound (LUS) is a widely available tool in hospital and clinic environments. To date, LUS has not been used to evaluate lung strain. We collected LUS images in four anesthetized, neuromuscularly blocked, and mechanically ventilated pigs being used for another experiment. A feature tracking tool was developed which tracked echo-bright lung structures in 8-10 s clips obtained in triplicate of the right and left, upper and lower lung fields using tidal volumes of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mL/kg. Pleural lines were manually drawn and a program for quantifying lung strain developed with assistance from Anthropic Claude Artificial Intelligence tool. Structures were identified in inspiratory and expiratory frames and tracked bidirectionally with median strain per clip used for calculations. Triplicate measures of lung ultrasound images in four pigs had a median coefficients of variation of 35% (23-47% IQR) and linear modeling of strain with tidal volumes of 4-12 mL/kg showed positive correlation with R2 value ranging from 0.89 to 0.97. Strain measurements were similar after bronchial administration of 1.5 M hydrochloric acid. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying regional lung strain using LUS and support its further development as a tool for respiratory support management.
Aroma is a primary determinant of rice quality and market value, yet its evaluation in breeding programs remains constrained by labor-intensive milling, cooked-grain sensory methods, binary screening assays, and the limited seed availability of early generation selection. Moreover, aromatic rice breeding has historically focused narrowly on 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline-mediated popcorn aroma, potentially overlooking valuable alternative aromatic profiles. In this study, we developed a rapid sensory phenotyping approach for paddy rice that enables quantitative assessment of the aroma intensity and qualitative aroma characterization without milling or cooking. A diverse panel of 126 rice genotypes was evaluated using 1 g of ground paddy rice heated under controlled conditions coupled with sensory analysis and targeted HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS quantification of 164 volatile compounds. The method discriminated the aroma intensity and enabled characterization of aroma quality. Hierarchical clustering integrating sensory and chemical data resolved five distinct aroma classes, including popcorn-dominant, fruity-floral, nutty-grainy, woody-floral, and oxidation-driven phenotypes. While 2AP showed the strongest association with popcorn aroma and overall intensity (r = 0.50), several high-intensity genotypes exhibited minimal 2AP, yet strong aroma perception driven by esters, alcohols, indole, and ketones. Interestingly, two genotypes (R125 and R126) showed strong popcorn perception despite much lower 2AP than typical aromatic rice, indicating the contribution of non-2AP popcorn-like aroma drivers. Conversely, genotypes with elevated lipid oxidation aldehydes exhibited high volatile abundance but poor aroma quality characterized by rancid, phenolic, and musty notes. These results demonstrate that superior rice aroma is a multivariate trait and is not related to only 2AP. The rapid phenotyping framework presented here provides breeding programs with an employable, information-rich tool for early generation screening, accelerating the identification of aromatic rice cultivars with expanded sensory diversity.
On-farm non-adapted Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) control in poultry requires vaccines that elicit rapid local immune responses maturing into long-lasting systemic and mucosal protective immunity. To assess the responses to primary and secondary intradermal (i.d.) immunization with CD40-agonistic DNA aptamer-based S. Enteritidis-inactivated vaccine (CD40-AP), thirty chicks were randomly assigned to six treatment groups (n = 5 per group) at hatch. Groups g1 - g3 received only a primary i.d. immunization on day 32, while groups g4 - g6 received a subcutaneous primary immunization on day 14 and an i.d. booster immunization on day 32. Vaccine treatment groups were: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control (g1, g4), mannosylated chitosan-based vaccine (MCA) (g2, g5), or CD40-AP (g3, g6). Blood and cloacal swabs were collected before immunization and 7 days after each immunization to determine relative levels of S. Enteritidis-specific plasma IgY and mucosal IgA. Growing feather (GF)-pulps were collected before (0 h) and at 0.25 (6 h), 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days after i.d. primary and booster immunization to assess the dynamics of the local leukocyte response. Both MCA and CD40-AP-inactivated vaccines induced macrophage and heterophil infiltration after primary and booster immunization (P < 0.05), while the secondary CD40-AP immunization promoted higher and prolonged presence of T cells, including both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, and B cells compared to MCA (P < 0.05). The CD40-AP primary immunization induced higher levels of S. Enteritidis-specific mucosal IgA on day 7 compared to MCA (P < 0.05); whereas the MCA primary and booster immunization induced higher plasma levels of S. Enteritidis IgY than CD40-AP (P < 0.05). The more pronounced local T and B cell- and S. Enteritidis-specific mucosal-immune responses with CD40-AP, support the potential of the CD40-agonistic DNA aptamer-based vaccine platform to promote cell-mediated and mucosal immune responses while preserving the safety of inactivated vaccines in chickens.
The rice stink bug (Oebalus pugnax; RSB) is a major agricultural pest that poses significant threats to rice production throughout the United States. Yet, despite its economic significance, almost nothing is known about genome structure, function, and evolution in this species. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the first high-quality reference genome for RSB and conducted comparative analyses with related hemipteran genomes to understand its historical evolutionary context. The assembly spans 826.62 Mb across 211 contigs, with an N50 of 17.25 Mb, the largest contig of 67.15 Mb, and a BUSCO representation of 99.30% completeness. Hi-C-based scaffolding supported six putative chromosome-scale scaffolds. Genome-wide repeats comprised 47.55% of the genome, consisting largely of interspersed elements, including DNA transposons, LINEs, and LTRs, with evidence of recent expansions. Our annotation identified 13,175 putative genes, with predicted functions for 97.87% of them. We further uncovered candidate genes and enzyme families involved in detoxification and insecticide resistance, including cytochrome P450s, UDP-glycosyltransferases, and glycoside hydrolases. Comparative analyses revealed rapid expansion and contraction of gene families associated with feeding, host specialization, and insecticide resistance. Together, these resources provide a new framework for future investigations into genome structure, function, and evolution in this ecologically and economically important insect clade.
Exposure to poorly maintained sanitation infrastructure, such as sewage pits, presents significant and often underappreciated toxicologic risks beyond microbial contamination. This case report details a Syrian national in his twenties who, following an accidental fall into a sewage pit, rapidly developed altered consciousness, emesis, and seizure activity, necessitating emergency medical stabilization and intubation by a U.S. medical team at a Role 2 facility. We explore the potential pathophysiology and toxicology underlying this acute event, focusing on common sewage-derived gases such as methane (CH4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and cyanide (CN-). Furthermore, this report discusses the broader operational repercussions of such environmental hazards in austere or underdeveloped settings, underscoring the critical importance of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) training for personnel operating in these environments.
Previous research on multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) using frequentist estimation showed that approximate fit indices in SEM failed to detect between-level model misspecification. Bayesian estimation is a promising alternative to MSEM because of its high convergence rates and improved parameter estimates with weakly informative priors (Depaoli & Clifton, 2015). However, no previous research has examined the sensitivity of Bayesian fit measures in detecting model misspecification at different levels. This paper used a simulation study to investigate the performance of Bayesian fit measures in detecting model misspecification in MSEM. The results indicated that all Bayesian fit indices were sensitive to within-level model misspecification, but their performance in detecting between-level model misspecification varied. Overall, the deviance information criterion (DIC), widely applicable information criterion (WAIC), and leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO) exhibited higher sensitivity to between-level model misspecification than the other fit indices. The influence of prior specification varied across Bayesian fit measures. Implications for empirical researchers and future research directions are discussed.
Grazing ruminants consuming CP- and phosphorus (P)-deficient pastures experience reduced voluntary feed intake and liveweight gain, indicating systemic metabolic changes. Because mitochondrial abundance reflects oxidative capacity and metabolic investment, altered mitochondrial content may provide insight into how sheep adapt to nutrient-deficiency-induced reduction of feed intake. This study aimed to determine whether reduced intake caused by CP and P deficiency, or by restriction of an otherwise adequate diet, alters tissue mitochondrial content in young sheep. Forty Merino wethers (7 months old, 23.7 ± 1.4 kg liveweight) underwent a 63-day feeding trial where they were fed one of five nutritional treatments (n = 8/treatment). Four treatment diets were fed ad libitum, with combinations of either high or low CP (110 and 55 g/kg DM) with high or low P (2.5 and 0.7 g/kg DM). Another treatment (Restricted) restricted intake of the High CP, High P diet to model hunger. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) was quantified from rumen, duodenum, liver, heart, M. semitendinosus and M. soleus samples using a newly developed quantitative PCR test for sheep, as a high-throughput proxy for tissue mitochondrial content. This assay was validated against transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mtDNA-CN correlated with TEM-derived mitochondrial content (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.01). Duodenum and rumen mtDNA-CN were also positively correlated (ρ = 0.41, P = 0.01), indicating functional metabolic relationships among these tissues. Liver mtDNA-CN was significantly higher in the wethers fed the High CP, High P diet than those fed nutrient-deficient and restricted diets (P < 0.02), with as much as a two-fold difference between this group and those fed the dual-deficient diet (High CP, High P v. Low CP, Low P). Wethers fed the High CP, High P diet also had 45% greater mitochondrial content in the M. semitendinosus compared to wethers fed the High CP, Low P and Low CP, High P diets (P < 0.03). Across individuals, liver mtDNA-CN was positively associated with liveweight gain after accounting for DM intake and diet (β = 34.7 ± 12.2 g/day, P < 0.01; ΔR2 = 0.017). These results show that hepatic mitochondrial content declines under both feed restriction and nutrient-deficiency-induced intake reduction, and that higher liver mitochondrial content is positively associated with growth. Together, the findings support the liver as a metabolically responsive tissue under nutritional constraint and suggest that reduced mitochondrial abundance may form part of the adaptive response to chronic energy deficit.
The Dendropsophus ruschii species group currently comprises two species with disjunct distributions between the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon. Based on an integrative approach combining morphological, acoustic, and molecular data (mtDNA barcoding), we describe a new species from the Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dendropsophus liliae sp. nov. is diagnosed by its small size, rounded digital discs, presence of a calcar appendage, dark red iris, and a distinct white stripe from the snout to the upper eyelid. This discovery expands the known diversity of the group and represents its most inland record within the Atlantic Forest.
In many Western cultures, trying to make others feel better is considered critical for psychological health and social relationships. However, given that people think about emotions and relationships differently across cultures, the desirability, means, and benefits of making others feel better may also vary by culture. In two multicountry survey studies (Study 1: N = 3,154, 13 countries; Study 2: N = 3,503, 17 countries) and in a daily dairy study (Study 3: N = 243, 2 countries), we assessed motivation and strategies used for influencing others' and one's own emotions. To test whether potential cross-cultural differences in motivation and strategies in emotion regulation are unique to social interactions, we compared cultural differences in making others feel better to making oneself feel better. Across studies, cultural differences in influencing others' emotions were greater than those in influencing one's own emotions. Members of more individualist (vs. collectivist) cultures were more motivated to make others (but not themselves) feel better, were more likely to express care and less likely to encourage others to suppress their emotions or to ruminate. These patterns, in turn, were linked to an index of relationship closeness in an individualist (but not a collectivist) culture. These findings suggest that helping others feel better may not be equally desirable across cultures.
Ammonia emissions from animal feeding operations are a major source of nitrogen loss and environmental pollution. Nitrifying bacteria used within ammonia scrubbers offers a promising strategy to recover nitrogen for fertilizer; however, the acidic environment within air scrubbers generally inhibits nitrification and sustained nitrification at low pH remains poorly understood. Here, we present a genome-resolved analysis of an acid-tolerant nitrifying community (ATNC) enriched from a laboratory bioreactor operating at pH values between 4 and 4.6 that was previously shown to support nitrification. Long-read metagenomic sequencing yielded 12 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes accounting for 94.7% of community abundance, including four phylogenetically distinct Nitrospira representing both comammox and canonical nitrite-oxidizing lineages, alongside heterotrophic species of Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and a filamentous Ktedonobacterales strain. Genomic reconstruction suggested niche partitioning in nitrogen cycling, with comammox Nitrospira encoding the capacity for complete nitrification and Rhodanobacteraceae harboring genes associated with denitrification. Acid tolerance and biofilm persistence were associated with diverse ion-transport systems, alternative respiratory complexes, extracellular polymeric substance biosynthesis, and expanded repertoires of secreted proteases and carbohydrate-active enzymes that facilitate matrix turnover and carbon scavenging. Within the biofilm, Chloroflexi likely contribute structural scaffolding, while heterotrophs appear to be adapted for extracellular organic matter turnover and to act as metabolic partners. Together, these findings suggest that metabolic cooperation, functional redundancy, and biofilm-mediated resource sharing may support nitrification under acidic conditions. This work provides genome-resolved insight into the microbial processes potentially underpinning nitrification-enhanced ammonia capture and identifies candidate genomic features relevant to optimizing nitrogen recovery while minimizing denitrification-driven losses in engineered systems.
We comment on the recent retrospective cohort by Moreira and colleagues evaluating intracranial-compliance-guided mean arterial pressure management. The adjusted multivariable logistic regression in the published analysis includes ten estimated coefficients against 22 ICU deaths, producing an adjusted odds ratio reported with a confidence interval spanning more than two orders of magnitude. We outline why these features are consistent with model instability rather than a precise causal estimate, identify a corroborating signal within the same model, and raise two secondary questions about control selection and the headline cost figure. We support the authors' call for prospective evaluation while suggesting that the inferential claims of the present analysis warrant more cautious presentation.
Germanium-tin (GeSn) alloys are emerging as promising materials for mid-infrared optoelectronics and silicon-compatible photonic devices, owing to their tunable direct bandgap. However, the growth of high-quality GeSn films with high Sn content remains challenging due to strain-induced defect formation. In this study, we investigate the role of film thickness on strain-induced relaxation, defect density, and Sn segregation. A series of five samples with varying thicknesses and ∼15% Sn-containing GeSn layers were grown, ranging from the critical thickness for strain relaxation to the onset of Sn segregation. All GeSn samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping (XRD-RSM) to explore the evolution of strain-induced relaxation as a function of thickness. Photoluminescence measurements reveal that increasing the GeSn thickness enhances strain relaxation while reducing defect-related emission, indicating a decrease in effective defect density prior to reaching the threshold thickness of GeSn layer. At a thickness of ∼150 nm, the GeSn layer shows the onset of Sn segregation, evident in the XRD-RSM spectrum, marking the threshold thickness for Sn segregation. This work defines an effective growth window in terms of thickness (35 to 150 nm) for fabricating relaxed, defect-suppressed GeSn layers with 15% Sn content. These findings emphasize the crucial role of thickness control in balancing strain relaxation and defect suppression, advancing the fabrication of high-quality, high Sn-content relaxed GeSn using molecular beam epitaxy.
Evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) is an approach to co-develop implementation strategies with implementation partners. This study describes an EBQI approach for co-developing implementation strategies to support the adoption of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) falls prevention initiative in outpatient physical therapy. A multidisciplinary panel (n = 10), representing key partner groups including physical therapists, clinic managers, a referring physician, an older adult with prior physical therapy experience, and a caregiver, collaborated with a research team across 5 outpatient physical therapy clinics within a U.S. health system. Eight virtual EBQI panel sessions conducted over 9 months included meetings, barriers/facilitator ranking, strategy identification/rating, concept mapping, consensus building, and group discussion. Strategies were evaluated on feasibility and importance using Likert-scale surveys and iteratively refined. The main outcome measures were partner-rated rankings of barriers and facilitators to address implementation challenges, rankings of strategy feasibility and importance, and a finalized package of tailored implementation strategies. Twenty barriers and 20 facilitators were prioritized and ranked by each partner group. Prioritized barriers were matched with prioritized facilitators and/or implementation strategies to address barriers. Of the 78 implementation strategies considered, 39 unique specifications from 22 strategies were identified. Key strategies included clinician education, workflow and electronic health record integration, clinician and older adult-facing materials, clinic champions, and communication templates. EBQI effectively engaged implementation partners in identifying and prioritizing barriers, facilitators, and co-developing tailored, actionable implementation strategies to support STEADI adoption in outpatient physical therapy.
Directly switching the type of electron transfer from Type-II to S-scheme at the heterojunction interfaces of a two-component photocatalyst is crucial for improving charge separation efficiency in semiconductor-based photocatalysis technology. A major challenge lies in the effective control of the interfacial band-edge position or electronic properties of a two-component photocatalyst. Here, we constructed a "directional valve" in a ZnxCd2-xS2-crystalline carbon nitride (ZnxCd2-xS2-CN) heterojunction through Fermi level modulation to selectively switch Type-II to S-scheme charge transfer. Experimental validation using advanced scanning probe microscopy and in situ photoemission directly observed the switched electron transfer dynamics. The metal probe-assisted in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) directly demonstrates the electron transition from Type-II to S-scheme pathways at the interface, corroborated by illumination-induced surface potential shifts. Furthermore, the S-scheme charge transfer in ZnxCd2-xS2-CN heterojunction contributed to a four times higher CO2 photoreduction activity than the Type-II one. This study provides a new paradigm for rationally controlling interfacial charge dynamics through band engineering.
Older adults modify their gait during dual-task (DT) walking while completing a cognitive task, but the underlying gait mechanics remain unclear. Many studies use unrealistic concurrent DTs involving sensory interference or discrete (non-continuous) cognitive demands. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of realistic DT demands on center of pressure (CoP) dynamics using continuous extemporaneous speech that mimics real-world cognitive demands in older adults. 15 older adults completed three conditions: seated speech (speaking continuously on a randomly assigned topic), walking only, and DT (walking while speaking continuously on a randomly assigned topic). Speech performance was analyzed by comparing seated speech and DT conditions, while spatiotemporal gait parameters, propulsion, and CoP displacement and velocity were analyzed by comparing walking-only and DT conditions. Walking trials were performed at a comfortable pace along a 10-meter pathway. Linear mixed-effects regression analysis revealed no changes to speech during DT compared with seated speech (all p > .17). In contrast, gait was significantly altered during DT compared with walking only, supporting the notion that realistic attentional demands interfere with gait in older adults, resulting in slower walking speed, shorter step length, and prolonged stance times (all p < .001). Participants reduced both anterior-posterior CoP displacement and velocity, along with decreased propulsive force (all p < .001), suggesting a compensatory gait strategy that prioritized extemporaneous speech while controlling forward progression. The absence of changes in both medial-lateral CoP displacement, velocity, and step width (all p > .22) indicates that lateral CoP dynamics were unchanged with DT demands, potentially through effective hip control or ankle strategies.
Persistent quadriceps weakness remains a major concern following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and graft harvest site may influence postoperative strength recovery. The purpose of this study was to compare quadriceps strength recovery at 12 months following ACLR using rectus femoris (RF), quadriceps tendon (QT), or hamstring (HS) autografts. We hypothesised that RF reconstruction would demonstrate quadriceps recovery that is non-inferior to QT and HS autografts. A prospective comparative cohort study was conducted, including 90 patients undergoing primary ACLR (30 RF, 30 QT and 30 HS). Isokinetic assessment was performed at 12 months. The primary outcome was quadriceps peak torque limb symmetry index (LSI) at 60°/s. A non-inferiority margin of 10% points was predefined. Outcomes were analysed using analysis of covariance adjusted for age, body mass index and sex. Estimated marginal means (EMMs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Adjusted EMMs for quadriceps peak torque LSI at 60°/s were 81.4% (95% CI 73.2-89.6) for RF, 73.4% (95% CI 65.2-81.6) for QT and 71.5% (95% CI 63.2-79.7) for HS. No differences between groups were detected (p = 0.204). Pairwise adjusted differences were 7.9% for RF versus QT (95% CI -6.3 to 22.2; p = 0.529) and 9.9% for RF versus HS (95% CI -4.3 to 24.1; p = 0.280). Under the predefined non-inferiority margin, RF was non-inferior to both QT and HS autografts. No significant differences were observed for secondary isokinetic parameters or hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios. At 12 months following ACL reconstruction, quadriceps strength recovery after RF autograft was similar to that observed after QT or HS grafts. When evaluated within a clinically relevant non-inferiority framework and adjusted for biological covariates, ACLR with RF autograft does not appear to yield worse extensor performance at mid-term follow-up relative to other common graft types. Level II.