Transition to the work environment

Autonomous wheeled-legged robots have the potential to transform logistics systems, improving operational efficiency and adaptability in urban environments. Navigating urban environments, however, poses unique challenges for robots, necessitating innovative solutions for locomotion and navigation. These challenges include the need for adaptive locomotion across varied terrains and the ability to navigate efficiently around complex dynamic obstacles. This work introduces a fully integrated system comprising adaptive locomotion control, mobility-aware local navigation planning, and large-scale path planning within the city...

PURPOSE: Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene delivery has undergone substantial growth in recent years with promising results in both preclinical and clinical studies, as well as emerging regulatory approval. However, the inability to quantify the efficacy of gene therapy from cellular delivery of gene-editing technology to specific functional outcomes is an obstacle for efficient development of gene therapy treatments. Building on prior works that used the CEST reporter gene lysine rich protein, we hypothesized that AAV viral capsids may generate endogenous CEST contrast from an abundance of surface lysine residues...

In the context of the increasing global use of ethanol biofuel, this work investigates the concentrations of ethanol, methanol, and acetaldehyde, in both the gaseous phase and rainwater, across six diverse urban regions and biomes in Brazil, a country where ethanol accounts for nearly half the light-duty vehicular fuel consumption. Atmospheric ethanol median concentrations in São Paulo (SP) (12.3 ± 12.1 ppbv) and Ribeirão Preto (RP) (12.1 ± 10.9 ppbv) were remarkably close, despite the SP vehicular fleet being ~13 times larger...

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide-based memtransistors provide simulation, sensing, and storage capabilities for applications in a remotely operated aerospace environment. Swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation technology is a common method to simulate the influences of radiation ions on electronic devices in space environments. Here, SHI irradiation technology under different conditions was utilized to produce complex defects in WSe2 -based memtransistors. Low-resistance state to low-resistance state (LRS-LRS) switching behaviors under light illumination were achieved and photocurrent responses with different spike trains were observed in SHI-irradiated memtransistors, which facilitated the design of devices with enriched analog functions...

AIM: To determine the influence of ergonomics on individual work performance of nurse educators working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop a model of the moderating effect of home environment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, predictive-correlational design. METHODS: Utilizing interaction moderation and structural equation modeling, 214 consecutively-selected educators from nursing schools in the Greater Manila Area, Philippines completed a four-part online survey...

Co(aPPy) is one of the most stable and active molecular first-row transition-metal catalysts for proton reduction reported to date. Understanding the origin of its high performance via mechanistic studies could aid in developing even better catalysts. In this work, the catalytic mechanism of Co(aPPy) was electrochemically probed, in both organic solvents and water. We found that different mechanisms can occur depending on the solvent and the acidity of the medium. In organic solvent with a strong acid as the proton source, catalysis initiates directly after a single-electron reduction of CoII to CoI , whereas in the presence of a weaker acid, the cobalt center needs to be reduced twice before catalysis occurs...

Chlorophyll proteins (CPs) are the workhorses of biological photosynthesis, working together to absorb solar energy, transfer it to chemically active reaction centers, and control the charge-separation process that drives its storage as chemical energy. Yet predicting CP optical and electronic properties remains a serious challenge, driven by the computational difficulty of treating large, electronically coupled molecular pigments embedded in a dynamically structured protein environment. To address this challenge, we introduce here an analysis tool called PigmentHunter, which automates the process of preparing CP structures for molecular dynamics (MD), running short MD simulations on the nanoHUB...

Rhenium (Re) shows the richest valence states from +2 to +7 in compounds, but its mixed-valence states are still missing thus far. In this work, we have explored the Re-O phase diagram with a wide range of stoichiometric compositions under high pressure through first-principles structural search calculations. Besides identifying two novel high-pressure phases of ReO2 and ReO3 , we reveal two hitherto unknown Re-rich Re3 O2 and O-rich ReO4 compounds. Re atoms in Re3 O2 show mixed-valence states due to their inequivalent coordination environments, the first example in Re-based compounds...

Cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons (CCKIs) are hypothesized to shape pyramidal cell-firing patterns and regulate network oscillations and related network state transitions. To directly probe their role in the CA1 region, we silenced their activity using optogenetic and chemogenetic tools in mice. Opto-tagged CCKIs revealed a heterogeneous population, and their optogenetic silencing triggered wide disinhibitory network changes affecting both pyramidal cells and other interneurons. CCKI silencing enhanced pyramidal cell burst firing and altered the temporal coding of place cells: theta phase precession was disrupted, whereas sequence reactivation was enhanced...

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors are emerging as strong contenders for electronic devices that can be used in highly radioactive environments such as outer space where conventional silicon-based devices exhibit nonideal characteristics for such applications. To address the radiation-induced interface effects of TMDC-based electronic devices, we studied high-energy proton beam irradiation effects on the electrical properties of field-effect transistors (FETs) made with tungsten diselenide (WSe2) channels and hexagonal boron-nitride (hBN)/SiO2 gate dielectrics...

BACKGROUND: Cultural-based literature focusing on Asian autistic immigrants living in Western countries is very limited. AIMS: The present study is a quality improvement exercise aiming to fill the gap by investigating the employment needs of and barriers for Chinese autistic youth and young adults in Ontario, Canada. METHODS & PROCEDURES: 71 individuals diagnosed with autism and 24 diagnosed with other mental illnesses, aged 12-29, participated in an online survey regarding their work readiness, work skills, interests, health and cultural concerns...

During the ultraintense laser interaction with solids (overdense plasmas), the competition between two possible quantum electrodynamics (QED) mechanisms responsible for e^{±} pair production, i.e., linear and nonlinear Breit-Wheeler (BW) processes, remains to be studied. Here, we have implemented the linear BW process via a Monte Carlo algorithm into the QED particle-in-cell (PIC) code yunic, enabling us to self-consistently investigate both pair production mechanisms in the plasma environment. By a series of two-dimensional QED-PIC simulations, the transition from the linear to the nonlinear BW process is observed with the increase of laser intensities in the typical configuration of a linearly polarized laser interaction with solid targets...

Part of the farmers have chosen to raise pigs with outdoor access. However, providing outdoor access to pigs is not a simple matter, and many farmers are hesitating or feel powerless to engage in this transition. A better understanding of their needs and challenges could facilitate the development of innovations that generate commitment. This survey aimed to identify the French pig farmers' barriers to and drivers for providing outdoor access to pigs. A total of 36 farmers, aged 25-60, who worked in all types of pig farming systems (from full indoor to free-range) participated in a semi-structured interview that lasted 1...

Fluorinated arylborane-based Lewis acid catalysts have shown remarkable activity and serve as ideal examples of transition metal-free catalysts for diverse organic transformations. However, their homogeneous nature poses challenges in terms of recyclability and separation from reaction mixtures. This work presents an efficient technique for the heterogenization of boron Lewis acid catalysts by anchoring Piers' borane to allyl-functionalized iron oxide. This catalyst demonstrates excellent activity in the hydrosilylation of imines and the reductive amination of carbonyls using various silanes as reducing agents under mild reaction conditions...

Design of hardware based on biological principles of neuronal computation and plasticity in the brain is a leading approach to realizing energy- and sample-efficient AI and learning machines. An important factor in selection of the hardware building blocks is the identification of candidate materials with physical properties suitable to emulate the large dynamic ranges and varied timescales of neuronal signaling. Previous work has shown that the all-or-none spiking behavior of neurons can be mimicked by threshold switches utilizing material phase transitions...

Agriculture has played a significant role in the national economy, contributing to food security, driving economic growth, and safeguarding the dietary habits of the population. Korean agriculture has been compelled to focus on intensive farming due to its limited cultivation area, excessive input costs, and the limitations of agricultural mechanization. In the Republic of Korea (R.O.K), the concept of environmentally friendly animal agriculture began to be introduced in the early 2000s. This concept ultimately aims to cultivate sustainable animal agriculture (SAA) through environmentally friendly production practices, ensuring the healthy rearing of animals to supply safe animal products...

OBJECTIVE: This article addresses the persistent challenge of Delayed Hospital Discharge (DHD) and aims to provide a comprehensive overview, synthesis, and actionable, sustainable plan based on the synthesis of the systematic review articles spanning the past 24 years. Our research aims to comprehensively examine DHD, identifying its primary causes and emphasizing the significance of effective communication and management in healthcare settings. METHODS: We conducted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) method for synthesizing findings from 23 review papers published over the last two decades, encompassing over 700 studies...

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a family-based therapy for adopted children aiming to achieve secure attachment between the child and parent. Due to restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery of DDP transitioned from face-to-face to online methods. This study aimed to explore families experience of online DDP compared to face-to-face DDP, looking at the advantages and disadvantages of remote delivery methods and the implications this has on future service delivery for clinicians. Semi-structured interviews with 6 families were conducted online...

A core component of the avian pallial cognitive network is the multimodal nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) that is considered to be analogous to the mammalian prefrontal cortex (PFC). The NCL plays a key role in a multitude of executive tasks such as working memory, decision-making during navigation, and extinction learning in complex learning environments. Like the PFC, the NCL is positioned at the transition from ascending sensory to descending motor systems. For the latter, it sends descending premotor projections to the intermediate arcopallium (AI) and the medial striatum (MSt)...

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are highly dense in energy and considered as promising anode materials for a new generation of alkaline ion batteries. However, their electrode structure is disrupted due to significant volume changes during charging and discharging, resulting in the short cycle life of batteries. In this paper, the hierarchical Ni3V2O8@N-doped carbon (Ni3V2O8@NC) hollow double-shell microspheres were prepared and used as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The utilization efficiency and ion transfer rate of Ni3V2O8 were improved by the hollow microsphere structure formed through nanoparticle self-assembly...