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Association of hand grip strength with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the Korean population: A large-scale cross-sectional study
Background Low hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but no studies have simultaneously examined the associations of OA/RA with HGS indices. The objective was to examine the associations between absolute/relative HGS and the risk of OA, RA, and combined OA and RA (OR-arthritis). Methods This large-scale cross-sectional study was based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A complex survey sample design was applied to the entire Korean population. Associations of OA, RA, and OR-arthritis with HGS and anthropometric indices were examined by binary logistic regression in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Results The prevalence of OA and RA was 8.2% and 1.1%, respectively, in men and 26.9% and 2.2%, respectively, in women. The prevalence of OR-arthritis was 1.4% in women. In men, OA was strongly associated with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and HGS in both hands divided by the WHtR. RA had the strongest association with HGS in the dominant hand divided by waist circumference (WC) and with HGS in the dominant hand divided by WHtR. In women, OA showed a strong association with body mass index. RA was strongly associated with HGS in both hands and HGS in the dominant hand divided by height. Finally, OR-arthritis was strongly related to HGS in both hands divided by WC and HGS in both hands divided by weight. Discussion The prevalence of OA was much greater than that of RA in both sexes. We found that the best index among anthropometric, absolute HGS, and relative HGS indices differed according to OA, RA, and OR-arthritis status and sex. The clinical implication of this study is that the association between RA and HGS was greater than that between OA and HGS in both sexes.
Leveraging Diamines to Unlock the Mn‐MACHO Catalyst in the Reduction of CO <sub>2</sub> to Methanol
Abstract The conversion of CO 2 into energy‐dense liquid fuels, such as methanol, represents a cornerstone of sustainable chemistry; however, most homogeneous catalytic systems still rely on noble metals or Lewis acid additives. Here, we report the first protocol for amine‐assisted CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol using a Mn–MACHO catalyst without any Lewis acid co‐catalyst, achieving turnover numbers up to 45.2, the highest reported for Mn systems. A combined computational, microkinetic, and experimental study reveals that diamines dramatically enhance activity compared to monoamines by promoting a highly exergonic double amidation step. This thermodynamic driving force shifts the equilibrium away from formate resting states toward the active catalyst, thereby accelerating methanol formation. The correlation established between amidation free energies (Δ G amidation ) and methanol productivity provides a rational design principle for tailoring amine promoters across Ru‐ and Mn‐based MACHO catalysts. These insights advance the development of sustainable, base‐metal‐catalyzed CO 2 conversion strategies and open opportunities for integrated carbon capture and utilization.
Detecting the body’s reproductive hormonal brake against tissue overgrowth: Micrin/SgII-70
A new humoral factor has been detected, within a project aiming to disclose the body’s reproductive hormonal brake against tissue overgrowth, micrin (‘my-crin’). Factor purification involved fractionation of ovine and bovine ovarian follicular fluid and blood plasma and serum, with evaluation via rat bioassays in vivo and in vitro. Analysis averse, the molecular effector provided a chemical conundrum. Evidence from mass spectrometry (MS) is problematic, with spectra from MALDI-TOF, the only productive MS modality, confused by a target polypeptide exhibiting artefacts during processing, storage and MALDI set-up in terms of C-terminal truncation and water losses, along with dimerization (C-terminally truncated fragments doubled up). Evidence from chemical sequencing of amino acid (aa) residues is likewise confusing, but consistent with a spiralised depolymerisation within the Edman reaction chamber of a unitary polypeptide. Data decryption has overcome molecular intractability, supported by the results of tryptic digestion and epitope mapping using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The detected inhibitory factor relates to secretogranin II (SgII), the neurosecretory prohormone, in the form of a secreted acidic 70-aa polypeptide derivative called here SgII-70 (‘sig two seventy’). The product of peptide splicing, micrin/SgII-70 is a twisted amphipathic molecule, with ends entwined (via salt bridging), the complex knotted structure confounding Edman and MALDI analyses, as well as computational molecular modelling, whilst conferring protease and heat resistance. Hexapeptide mimetics simulating both ends of the hormone together have been demonstrated in different species and settings in antiorganotrophism (tissue reduction via fewer, smaller cells) and reproductive modulation (more offspring). There are potential clinical applications for agonists in tissue overgrowth conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, BPH and cancer, and for micrin antagonists in infertility.
Sulfone–Isoquinoline Dopants Activated Phosphorescence Beyond Room Temperature
ABSTRACT Purely organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials are of growing interest for bioimaging, anti‐counterfeiting, and optoelectronic applications. However, impurity‐induced RTP has challenged the reliability of many reported single‐component systems. Herein, we systematically investigated a series of sulfone‐based RTP materials and observed that their phosphorescence vanished upon rigorous purification, highlighting the critical role of trace impurities. Notably, the introduction of only 0.01 wt% of a rationally designed sulfone–isoquinoline dopant (SO2PzQ7) into the pure SF2Pz system effectively activated intense yellow afterglow with a lifetime of 273 ms under ambient conditions. The doped system exhibited exceptional thermal stability, maintaining a visible afterglow up to 413 K. Notably, the phosphorescence signal almost completely recovered upon cooling after heating, and the on–off switching process was repeatable for more than six cycles, demonstrating excellent reversibility. This strategy was further extended to sulfone derivatives containing carbazole and phenothiazine units, which were RTP‐inactive alone but became RTP‐active upon doping with rationally designed sulfone–isoquinoline dopants. Theoretical calculations support a host–guest energy transfer mechanism that facilitates efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and triplet‐state stabilization. Our findings highlight the crucial role of impurity traps in RTP and propose a generalizable, scalable approach to construct reproducible and thermally stable organic RTP systems.
Enhanced soil attributes, yield and fruit quality of Medjool date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in response to filter mud/cake for drylands sustainability
Soils of drylands in arid and semiarid conditions need developing approaches to improve the holding capacity of water and nutrients to avoid desertification. In this study, we examine the characteristics of filter mud/cake under the intended conditions and verify the additional value of employing it as a byproduct of the sugarcane industry, avoiding its negative impacts on the environment. This was accomplished in two prosperous seasons in 2022 and 2023 by using uniform Medjool date palms ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) that were ancient, vigorous, fruiting, and healthy at a private farm in Dakhla Oasis, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. The application of filter mud as a soil amendment significantly led to better results in all parameters under investigation, i.e., soil attributes, yield parameters, and fruit quality, compared to the additive of animal and poultry manure used separately. However, the results suggested applying filter mud mixed to poultry manure (T6), that showed better results compared to other treatments, i.e., water content at field capacity (WFC) were 12.58 and 12.59%, whereas NPK content in soil were 35.23 and 35.25 mg/kg N, 5.33 and 5.37 mg/kg P, 61.21 and 61.18 mg/kg K in both seasons 2022 and 2023, respectively. Moreover, T6 treatment showed the best results of yield per date palm tree, i.e., 65 and 66 Kg with the highest fruit quality indicators, i.e., 8 and 8.1 cm fruit length, 2.7 and 2.8 cm fruit diameter in both seasons as respectively. The study presented filter mud as promising application for soil amendment in arid and semiarid conditions with direct contribution to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Subsequently, enhancing soil health and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), fostering green innovation in by-product valorization (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and promoting the sustainable management and reduction of industrial waste (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).
Building Molecules by a Self‐Replicator That Catalyzes Acyl Hydrazone Formation
Abstract Catalysis of bond‐forming reactions is key to the development of life‐like chemical systems as it allows to build up new material, increasing molecular complexity and diversity. Integrating catalysis with other characteristic properties of life, like self‐replication, represents an important advance in the transition from chemistry to life. We have previously shown that catalysis can emerge in synthetic self‐replicators that form through supramolecular assembly. However, the organocatalyzed reactions were solely bond‐breaking so far. We now report the successful expansion of the catalytic promiscuity of these systems to bond‐forming reactions. We show that a self‐replicator efficiently catalyzes acyl hydrazone formation between different hydrazides and aldehydes. This marks an important step towards the further development of evolvable systems that combine metabolic activity with self‐replication.
Glucose dysregulation in hospitalized non-critically ill patients with a suspected infection: A prospective study using continuous glucose monitoring
Introduction Dysglycaemia, defined as hypo- or hyperglycaemia, can occur during infection and is associated with worse outcomes during hospitalization. Previous studies on dysglycaemia in non-critically ill patients on general wards used point-of-care (POC) capillary measurements, possibly underestimating the problem. We assessed the prevalence and course of dysglycaemia in this population using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Methods In this prospective, observational study at the University Medical Center Groningen, adults admitted to the Emergency Department with suspected infections were enrolled via the Acutelines data and biobank. Participants wore blinded CGM sensors (FreeStyle Libre Pro iQ) while continuing usual care. Episodes of dysglycaemia were defined as ≥15 minutes of glucose <3.9 mmol/L or >10 mmol/L. Primary outcome was the number of dysglycaemic episodes; secondary outcomes included duration, glucose levels, and associations with clinical outcomes. Results CGM data from 90 participants (27% with a history of diabetes and 73% without) over a median of 3.4 days revealed 181 hyperglycaemia and 303 hypoglycaemia episodes. In patients with a history of diabetes, 75% experienced hyperglycaemia (median of 6.5 events/patient). In contrast, 33% of individuals without prior diabetes experienced hyperglycaemia (median 1.5 events/ patient). Median Time in Range (glucose 3.9–10.0 mmol/L) was 59% for patients with and 86% for patients without known diabetes. Exploratory analyses showed no significant association between dysglycaemia and ICU admission or 30-day mortality. Conclusions This observational study provides relevant insight into dysglycaemia among non-critically ill patients admitted to the hospital. Significant hyperglycaemia was observed in both participants with and without known diabetes. Therefore, CGM may enable earlier detection of dysglycaemia and thereby inform future interventional research and in-hospital strategies.
Molecular‐Scale Tuning of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Gelators Controls Supramolecular Assembly and Directs Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth
Abstract We report the synthesis and characterization of a simple alcohol‐functionalized low‐molecular‐weight gelator (LMWG) based on a 1,3:2,4‐dibenzylidenesorbitol scaffold (DBS‐CH 2 OH) and explore its self‐assembly in comparison to acylhydrazide‐functionalized DBS‐CONHNH 2 . DBS‐CH 2 OH forms a stiffer, highly organized, less‐soluble self‐assembled hydrogel, with a different assembly mode and much higher entropy/enthalpy of dissociation. On mixing, the LMWGs co‐assemble into gel nanofibers with similar thermodynamics to DBS‐CONHNH 2 . DBS‐CH 2 OH is an excellent scaffold for the growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which exhibit extended spread‐shaped morphologies on the gel surface. In contrast, for DBS‐CONHNH 2 , hMSCs have a rounded morphology and penetrate into the softer gel. A simple functional group change on the LMWG, therefore, leads to a remarkable change in cell growth outcomes. When hMSCs are grown on the co‐assembled gel, they have the rounded morphology characteristic of DBS‐CONHNH 2 but remain on the gel surface, like DBS‐CH 2 OH. The multi‐component gel thus shares characteristics of the individual LMWGs, with hMSC growth being controlled by factors like structure, stiffness, and dynamics. This work demonstrates how chemical manipulation of gels based on deceptively simple LMWGs can have profound impacts in biomaterials engineering.
Protocol for a qualitative study exploring older adults’ experience of mental health and wellbeing in work-related later life transitions in the UK
Later life transitions occur in the later years of life and can cause significant disruption to a person’s usual daily routine and lifestyle. Transitions that are specifically related to work, such as retirement, can cause sudden changes to an individual’s financial, social and psychological environment and for some, may negatively impact on mental health and wellbeing. This protocol outlines a qualitative study to explore the experiences of adults in the UK, who have experienced a negative impact on their mental health or wellbeing due to a work-related transition in later life. Semi-structed interviews will be completed with people aged 50 and over to gain a deeper understanding of 1) the mental health and wellbeing of people undertaking later life transitions; 2) the context surrounding the transitions (such as due to ill-health or redundancy); and 3) the types of support they received or may have benefitted from. Research in this area is scarce and this study will help us to better understand the experience of those who have encountered such difficulties to help develop appropriate interventions and support in this area.
Carbonyl Functionalized Azaphosphinine‐Based Multiple‐Resonance Emitters via Regulated p/n/σ–π Hybrid Conjugation
Abstract Doping heteroatoms with non‐typical electronic couplings offered the great opportunity to fine‐tune chemical structures and optoelectronic properties of organic π‐conjugated molecules (OCMs). Herein, we reported the first example of hybrid COPN multiple‐resonance (MR) thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters via the modular protocols. Compared with the classical BN/CON MR‐emitters having p–π conjugation, new COPN MR‐emitters maintained the various n/σ/σ*–π* hyperconjugation via the P‐center. Collaboratively with CO group, the P‐regulated (lp, O, S, and Me + ) hyperconjugation maintained the strong impacts on the TADF properties, such as FWHM, ISC/RISC, and PLQY. The dominating short‐range (SR) N➞CO charge‐transfer (CT) character suggested the CON‐type MR structure in the PO‐derivative. The strong long‐range (LR) P➞CO CT character suggested the COP‐type MR structure in the P(III)‐derivative. Leveraging on the self‐amplified PO‐hyperconjugation, the double‐PO derivative exhibited the dominating PON‐type MR‐TADF involving the SR N➞PO CT. The increased PLQYs (54%) and narrowed emission (FWHM: 13 nm) are among the best CON‐type MR‐emitters in the literature. As a proof of concept, the 1 st generation hybrid MR‐emitters were applied as the light‐emitting materials in organic lighting‐emitting diodes that showed the narrow‐band blue (FWHM: 26 nm) and cyan emission (FWHM: 17 nm) with EQE as high as 7.3% and 22.8%, respectively. The current study revealed that installing the new hybrid conjugation, namely p/n/σ–π coupling into OCMs holds a great promise for designing new types of MR‐emitters with excellent TADF characters.
Exploring the association between indoor air pollution (IAP) and anaemia among pregnant women in India
Background Anaemia during pregnancy in India persists despite policy attention and nutritional interventions. While its primary determinants are well-recognized, the association between indoor air pollution (IAP) and anaemia among pregnant women in India remains conspicuously under-explored. Methods This study examines the relationship between exposure to IAP and anaemia among pregnant women, using the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), with an analytical sample of 25,579 respondents. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association between IAP exposure and anaemia, while accounting for socio-demographic, health, and behavioural characteristics. Results IAP was significantly associated with higher odds of anaemia (COR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.36–1.51). Pregnant women who were younger, had lower levels of education, resided in rural areas, belonged to scheduled tribe communities, and poor wealth index household were more likely to be anaemic. Conclusion These findings suggest the need to integrate household energy transitions and indoor air quality improvements into maternal anaemia reduction strategies.
Temperature‐Responsive Near‐Infrared Emission Enabled by Reversible π‐Umpolung with an Alkenyl‐Strapped Diarylboryl Unit
Abstract Coordination of a Lewis base to a tricoordinate boryl group generates a tetracoordinate species, thereby inverting the electronic character of the boryl substituents from electron‐accepting to electron‐donating. Utilizing this π‐umpolung strategy, we report temperature‐responsive fluorophores that emit in the near‐infrared (NIR) region. To achieve reversible π‐umpolung, we designed a diarylboryl unit in which two aryl rings are tethered by an alkenyl linker. This alkenyl‐strapped scaffold engages in a weak olefin–borane interaction and undergoes frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)‐type addition even with bulky neutral Lewis bases such as tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy 3 ). When boryl groups are installed at both termini of 4,7‐di(2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole, coordination of PCy 3 induces pronounced red‐shifts in the emission spectra. In polar acetonitrile, the emission maximum reaches 732 nm, entering the NIR region. This red shift arises from the strong σ‐donating character of the resulting tetracoordinate boron centers, which enhance intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character in the excited state. Unlike conventional dimesitylborane–fluoride complexes, the FLP‐type adducts exhibit reversible, temperature‐dependent shifts in the dissociation/association equilibrium. Although the solvent polarity influences the equilibrium, modulation of phosphine Lewis basicity enables reversible dissociation even in polar media, allowing this system to display large emission changes spanning the visible to NIR region.
Mountain moves: Spatial interaction modelling of Bulgaria’s internal migration (1934-1992)
Bulgaria experienced dramatic rural decline alongside rapid urban growth during the 20th century, shaped by both demographic pressures and socioeconomic change. Today, it remains one of Europe’s fastest-declining populations, underlining the importance of understanding long-term migration dynamics. Understanding these migration dynamics is essential for interpreting the country’s broader population shifts. This study provides a spatial analysis of internal migration in Bulgaria from 1934 to 1992. We construct a harmonised geocoded census settlement dataset, combining historical population records with geospatial settlement boundaries, road network data, and terrain ruggedness measures. Distances between settlements are calculated using both Euclidean and road-network measures, and terrain effects are quantified through terrain ruggedness indices. Migration flows are estimated using spatial interaction models (SIMs), parameterised by population scaling and distance decay functions. Model outputs are validated against historical benchmarks and aggregated regional flows, as well as on the settlement level, by intercensal period variability, ensuring robustness between the intercensal periods. Our analysis investigates the role of challenging topography in shaping migration flows, showing how mountainous landscapes constrained movement while facilitating concentrated urban growth. By integrating historical census records with spatial modelling and geospatial analysis, we uncover local migration dynamics that remain invisible at larger scales. Although our study does not offer direct policy advice, it provides a quantified geospatial perspective on historical context for contemporary policy debates and urban planning initiatives in a country that has experienced both significant rural decline and rapid urbanisation. The findings shed new light on Bulgaria’s population history and provide a framework for understanding the interplay between landscape features and migration dynamics.
Where Enantioselection is Set: A Mechanistic Framework for Asymmetric Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer
Abstract Hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) lies at the heart of radical chemistry, yet asymmetric HAT has been difficult because the high reactivity of radicals often forces H‐transfer to proceed through early, weakly organized transition states, yielding small ΔΔG ‡ and allowing rapid racemic background pathways to compete. Recent advances across small‐molecule, metalloradical, cooperative, peptide, and enzymatic catalysis show that high enantioselectivity is attainable when the catalyst is engineered to exert stereocontrol precisely at the H‐transfer step that sets configuration. In this minireview, we organize asymmetric HAT into five regimes—donation‐controlled termination, radical‐centered control, abstraction‐controlled HAT, cooperative bimetallic catalysis, and enzyme‐mediated HAT—each specified by where chiral information is introduced during H‐transfer. Through representative cases, we illustrate how catalysts achieve enantioselection by defining radical geometry, guiding H‐delivery, enforcing selective hydrogen abstraction, or confining donor–acceptor pairs within organized chiral environments. This mechanistic framework provides a unified lens spanning synthetic and biocatalytic systems, clarifies the distinct stereochemical logics in each regime, and highlights emerging opportunities for expanding asymmetric radical chemistry through precisely orchestrated H‐atom transfer.
A framework for subjective motion production: A construal approach with Mandarin evidence
This study develops and validates an experimental framework for investigating the production of subjective motion sentences (e.g., The road winds through the valley ), a phenomenon that has been examined mainly from comprehension perspectives. Using Mandarin as a case study, we first conducted corpus-based analyses to develop the framework, which incorporates: (1) an analysis of four key construal operations (selection, perspective, prominence, and imagination) together with aspectual construals, (2) a classification for subjective motion sentence types based on aspectual marking and subject traversability, and (3) three experiential motivations (perceiving, scanning, and imaging) used to characterize recurrent construal tendencies in production. Guided by the framework, we designed picture-elicitation tasks and conducted production experiments with native Mandarin speakers to test its validity. The findings demonstrate that the framework effectively elicits diverse subjective motion types, capturing language-specific regularities while pointing to cross-linguistically applicable principles of motion construal. By linking corpus evidence to experimental validation, the study provides a systematic and replicable approach that can be extended to future cross-linguistic research on motion and language.
Core‐Shell: Resolving the Dilemma of Hard Carbon Anodes by Sealing Nanoporous Particles With Semi‐Permeable Coatings
Abstract A core‐shell strategy is introduced to overcome the dilemma of common non‐graphitic hard carbon anodes, linking high reversible storage capacity to practically unacceptable irreversible losses in the first cycle(s). Just as graphite homogeneously combines effective lithium storage with an electrolyte solvent‐sieving function, we show that both of these functions could be strategically integrated into non‐graphitic carbons in a heterogeneous structure. Highly porous activated carbons are sealed by kinetically tuned gas‐phase deposition of non‐graphitic carbon to form a functional core‐shell structure. Gas sorption porosimetry on core, shell, core–shell, and cracked core‐shell particles confirms preserved core porosity and a semi‐permeable shell. Diethyl carbonate sorption analysis is introduced as a more suitable probe than N 2 or CO 2 sorption, linking first‐cycle losses to the liquid–solid interface of carbon anodes. The functional core‐shell particles with much reduced diethyl carbonate uptake allow for high storage capacity and reduced first cycle losses. Delivering 400 ± 24 mAh g − 1 with 82 ± 2% first‐cycle reversibility, it is shown that three‐stage Na storage in designed core‐shell anodes can compensate for the larger size of sodium compared to lithium stored in graphite anodes (372 mAh g −1 ). The designed core‐shell anodes show state‐of‐the‐art performance with commercial promise.
Constitutive activation of TGF-β receptor type I promotes cortical and cancellous bone formation in adult mice
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pluripotent cytokine that plays a pivotal role in regulating bone remodeling. In this study, we investigated the skeletal phenotype of 24-week-old transgenic female mice expressing a constitutively active TGF-β receptor type I ( T β RI ) under the control of inducible Mx1-Cre promoter. Poly(I:C) injection was used to induce expression of T β RI to generate Mx1;T β RI CA mice. In Mx1;T β RI CA mice, serum calcium levels were increased, while parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were decreased. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) analysis revealed a significant increase in cancellous and cortical bone volume in femurs and mandibles of Mx1;T β RI CA mice compared to wild type mice. Histomorphometric analysis confirmed that this enhanced bone volume was associated with an increased number of osteoblasts and a reduced number of osteoclasts. Constitutive T β RI activation resulted in increased alkaline phosphatase and mineralization in primary cultures, while osteoclast cultures from Mx1;T β RI CA mice formed decreased TRAP positive osteoclasts compared to wild-type mice. Furthermore, qPCR analysis demonstrated upregulation of osteoblast differentiation markers, including Runx2 , Sp7 , Alpl , Col1a1, and Ptch2 , while osteoclast-related genes such as Ctsk and Acp5 were downregulated in both femoral and mandibular bone in vivo . Similarly, osteoblast-related genes were increased in Mx1;T β RI CA osteoblasts, whereas osteoclast-related genes were decreased in Mx1;T β RI CA osteoclasts in vitro . Mx1;T β RI CA mice had increased microindentation. These results suggest that constitutive activation of TGF-β signaling promotes bone formation by stimulating osteoblast number while suppressing osteoclast number. This study highlights the important role of TGF-β in bone remodeling and homeostasis and may provide potential therapeutic targets for T β RI -associated bone diseases.
Visual perturbation training to reduce visual dependency in Parkinson’s disease: A randomized controlled trial
Introduction Decreased gait automaticity and increased visual dependency are important contributors to falls in people with Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this study was to assess if visual perturbation training during treadmill walking decreases visual dependency in people with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and methods For this randomized controlled trial 25 early-to-mid-stage people with Parkinson’s disease (age 50-67y) without regular freezing of gait were randomly assigned to a visual perturbation group or treadmill training-only control group. Both groups trained 2 times per week for 6 weeks. Visual perturbation training consisted of self-paced treadmill walking with perturbations applied as rotations around the sagittal axis and medio-lateral translations of the virtual reality environment. The primary outcome was visual dependency. Secondary outcomes included steady-state spatiotemporal gait parameters (gait speed, step time/length/width/frequency, and cadence), as well as self-reported (near) falls. Results Group x time interaction effects revealed that visual perturbation training significantly decreased visual dependency (p < 0.001) and improved temporal gait characteristics such as step time (p = 0.012), stride time (p = 0.021) and cadence (p = 0.018) compared to treadmill-only controls. However, no significant effects were found for step width, step length, gait speed, and (near) falls. Improvements in visual dependency were negatively correlated to disease progression (p = 0.004). Discussion: Visual perturbation training decreases visual dependency and improves temporal gait parameters in people with Parkinson’s disease. Participants in earlier disease stages appear to benefit most from visual perturbation training but additional research is needed. Clinical trial registration This study was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05690308) on 09/01/2023.
Resistivity method-based rock core orientation experimental protocol
Restoring core orientation is critical for subsurface characterization but remains challenging as over 99% of cores are obtained through conventional drilling. We propose a novel, non-destructive method based on discrete radial resistivity measurements of full-diameter cylindrical cores. Unlike image-matching techniques, our approach directly correlates azimuthal resistivity values with downhole electrical imaging logs, eliminating the need for specialized software. This method reduces measurement time to less than 8 hours per sample and increases throughput to ~150 samples per operator annually, representing a 3–3.75-fold efficiency gain. Applied to Well ST12, it achieved an orientation accuracy of ±15° in anisotropic reservoirs. Measurement accuracy can also be improved as needed. The technique offers a cost-effective, scalable, and widely applicable solution for orienting conventionally acquired cores, enabling enhanced geological and geomechanical analysis.