[Seven-week trial introduction of green slow-mobility services in a new town].

Objectives　The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is promoting the introduction of green slow mobility (GSM) vehicles (can drive up to 20 km/h on public roads) for mobility assistance and potential long-term care prevention. We identified four key factors to pinpoint the challenges and enhance opportunities for introducing GSM; GSM's operational achievements, a comparison of the characteristics of GSM users and non-users, purpose for using GSM, and observation of GSM's contribution to long-term care prevention among older adults.Methods　A pilot GSM study was conducted in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, from October to December 2022. The service included three routes, operating six times daily on a fixed schedule, and was provided by 10 volunteer drivers. Passengers signaled for boarding, and service details were provided through leaflets. A self-administered mail survey was conducted before and after the demonstration test with 674 respondents to the post-questionnaire, and 502 respondents were asked at both time points about issues related to the service, user characteristics, and care prevention. To assess care prevention, we examined the percentage of favorable changes triggered by GSM based on "opportunities to go out," "personal and behavioral aspects," "social relations," and "psychological aspects." Additionally, we examined whether the health indices in the post-hoc survey were better among GSM users than non-users.Results　Of the 223 scheduled GSM services, 214 (96.0%) were operated by 10 volunteers driving an average of 3.1 (SD 2.4) times weekly (0-11 times), indicating an uneven distribution of driving responsibilities. Among the users, 65 (9.6%) were more engaged in community activities and emotional support than non-users. The main purposes for using GSM services were shopping and medical visits, with approximately 70% of users finding it easier to go out owing to these services. The percentage of favorable changes were noted in 3.1-26.2% and 0.2-1.5% of users and non-users, respectively. In the post-test survey, users showed higher independence on the instrumental self-maintenance subscale than non-users.Conclusion　GSM facilitates outings among older adults and may reduce the need for potential long-term care. However, a system is required to ensure that the service burden does not decrease even for a few driving volunteers. Additionally, GSM users are often socially active. Thus, strategies to increase service awareness among less active individuals should be developed.

Smart speakers and skill use: what do we know?

Personal smart technologies are becoming increasingly interwoven into everyday life, yet the usability and usefulness for some of these off-the-shelf technologies for persons with disabilities has yet to be determined. Smart speakers with both their native and downloadable functionalities (skills) have great potential to support individuals with disabilities through communication functionalities, smart home integrations, and more. However, the potential for usefulness does not always translate to how something is actually perceived or used in the real-world. Therefore, the objective of this qualitative study was to gather insight from individuals with disabilities on their experiences with smart speakers and smart speaker skills. Participant feedback highlighted several primary themes: (1) external factors that might influence extent of, and advancement in smart speaker use, (2) Smart speaker use barriers, (3) Smart speaker use facilitators, and (4) Smart speaker uses specific to individuals with disabilities. Continued research and development is needed to help ensure that commercially available technologies are designed with universal design principles that will ensure accessibility for all potential users.

Smart speaker skills are being used for smart home management by persons with disabilities, but these functionalities are not without barriers.Persons with various disabilities should be involved in the development and translation of smart speaker functions that are intended to, or that could, support the needs of this population.

Discrimination of Common E. coli Strains in Urine by Liquid Chromatography-Ion Mobility-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Machine Learning.

Accurate identification of bacterial strains in clinical samples is essential to provide an appropriate antibiotherapy to the patient and reduce the prescription of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, leading to antibiotic resistance. In this study, we utilized the combination of a multidimensional analytical technique, liquid chromatography-ion mobility-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS/MS), and machine learning to accurately identify and distinguish 11 Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains in artificially contaminated urine samples. Machine learning was utilized on the LC-IM-MS/MS data of the inoculated urine samples to reveal lipid, metabolite, and peptide isomeric biomarkers for the identification of the bacteria strains. Tandem MS and LC separation proved effective in discriminating diagnostic isomers in the negative ion mode, while IM separation was more effective in resolving conformational biomarkers in the positive ion mode. Using hierarchical clustering, the strains are clustered accurately according to their group highlighting the uniqueness of the discriminating biomarkers to the class of each E. coli strain. These results show the great potential of using LC-IM-MS/MS and machine learning for targeted omics applications to diagnose infectious diseases in various environmental and clinical samples accurately.

Understanding the relationship between intergenerational mobility and community violence.

Violence is a key mechanism in the reproduction of community disadvantage. The existing evidence indicates that violence in a community impacts the intergenerational mobility of its residents. The current study explores the possibility of a reverse relationship. This study provisionally tests the hypothesis that depressed intergenerational mobility in a community may also spark subsequent community violence. We deploy a county measure of intergenerational mobility captured during early adulthood for a cohort of youth born between 1980 and 1986 and raised in low-income families [R. Chetty, N. Hendren, Quart. J. Econom. 133, 1163-1228 (2018)]. We model the relationship between county mobility scores and two county-level outcomes: violent crime and homicide. We find that a county's level of intergenerational mobility as measured by the Chetty-Hendren data is a major predictor of its rate of violent crime and homicide in 2008, when the youth in Chetty's mobility cohort were young adults (the same age the mobility measure was captured). In fact, mobility is a significantly stronger and more consistent predictor of community violent crime and homicide rates than more commonly used factors like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and law enforcement presence.

Giant Enhancement of Hole Mobility for 4H-Silicon Carbide through Suppressing Interband Electron-Phonon Scattering.

4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) possesses a high Baliga figure of merit, making it a promising material for power electronics. However, its applications are limited by low hole mobility. Herein, we found that the hole mobility of 4H-SiC is mainly limited by the strong interband electron-phonon scattering using mode-level first-principles calculations. Our research indicates that applying compressive strain can reverse the sign of crystal-field splitting and change the ordering of electron bands close to the valence band maximum. Therefore, the interband electron-phonon scattering is severely suppressed and the electron group velocity is significantly increased. The out-of-plane hole mobility of 4H-SiC can be greatly enhanced by ∼200% with 2% uniaxial compressive strain applied. This work provides new insights into the electron transport mechanisms in semiconductors and suggests a strategy to improve hole mobility that could be applied to other semiconductors with hexagonal crystalline geometries.

Non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility among people with advanced cancer: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To synthesise evidence evaluating non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility among people with advanced cancer, considering the type, efficacy and contextual factors that may influence outcome. METHODS: Systematic review of studies of non-pharmacological interventions in adults (≥ 18 years) with advanced (stage III-IV) cancer, and assessing mobility using clinical or patient-reported outcome measures. Searches were conducted across three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) up to June 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools and contextual factors were evaluated through the Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions framework. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to clinical heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: 38 studies encompassing 2,464 participants were included. The most frequent mobility outcome measure was the 6-min walk test (26/38 studies). Exercise was the most common intervention, (33 studies: 27 aerobic and resistance, 5 aerobic, 1 resistance versus aerobic training) and improvements in mobility were found in 21/33 outcomes. Electrotherapy interventions led to significant improvements in mobility in 3/5 studies. Geographical factors (e.g. distance, transport, parking requirements) potentially limited participation in 18/38 studies. A lack of ethnic diversity among populations was evident and language proficiency was an inclusion criterion in 12 studies. CONCLUSION: Exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation appear to improve mobility outcomes in advanced cancer. The evaluation of other non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility should consider access and inclusivity, and be adaptable to the needs of this population.

Markerless Motion Capture to Quantify Functional Performance in Neurodegeneration: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Markerless motion capture (MMC) uses video cameras or depth sensors for full body tracking and presents a promising approach for objectively and unobtrusively monitoring functional performance within community settings, to aid clinical decision-making in neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate the application of MMC using full-body tracking, to quantify functional performance in people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and Parkinson disease. METHODS: A systematic search of the Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases was conducted between November 2022 and February 2023, which yielded a total of 1595 results. The inclusion criteria were MMC and full-body tracking. A total of 157 studies were included for full-text screening, out of which 26 eligible studies that met the selection criteria were included in the review. . RESULTS: Primarily, the selected studies focused on gait analysis (n=24), while other functional tasks, such as sit to stand (n=5) and stepping in place (n=1), were also explored. However, activities of daily living were not evaluated in any of the included studies. MMC models varied across the studies, encompassing depth cameras (n=18) versus standard video cameras (n=5) or mobile phone cameras (n=2) with postprocessing using deep learning models. However, only 6 studies conducted rigorous comparisons with established gold-standard motion capture models. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its potential as an effective tool for analyzing movement and posture in individuals with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and Parkinson disease, further research is required to establish the clinical usefulness of MMC in quantifying mobility and functional performance in the real world.

Seasonal differences in mobility and activity space in later life: a case study of older adults in the Northern Netherlands.

Mobility is crucial for maintaining well-being in later life. Previous research has shown that older adults' mobility fluctuates throughout the day, with a particular focus on afternoon outdoor movement. This paper takes a broader approach and explores the seasonal differences and similarities in mobility and activity space in later life, using older adults in the Northern Netherlands as a case study. Seventeen older adults participated in the study, for which we used a mixed-methods approach combining GPS-, activity diaries, and in-depth interview data analysed through grounded visualisation. We have collected data from each participant for a week, once during fall/winter and once during summer. The findings of this paper defy common expectations around older adult mobility; for instance, the participants walked less in summer and had a larger activity space in winter. Equally, we demonstrate that it is crucial to distinguish between daily and incidental activity spaces, particularly when factoring in seasonal variations. Yet our mixed-methods approach revealed discrepancies between perceived and measured mobility and activity space. We argue that the intricate interplay of seasonal influences, weather conditions, and personal factors significantly shapes mobility practices in later life, underscoring the need for holistic planning of age-inclusive environments.

Unraveling stroke gait deviations with movement analytics, more than meets the eye: a case control study.

Background: This study aimed to identify and quantify the kinematic and kinetic gait deviations in post-stroke hemiplegic patients with matched healthy controls using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). Methods: Fifteen chronic stroke patients [4 females, 11 males; age 53.7 (standard deviation 12.2) years; body mass 65.4 (10.4) kg; standing height 168.5 (9.6) cm] and 15 matched healthy controls [4 females, 11 males; age 52.9 (11.7) years; body weight 66.5 (10.7) years; standing height 168.3 (8.8) cm] were recruited. In a 10-m walking task, joint angles, ground reaction forces (GRF), and joint moments were collected, analyzed, and compared using SPM for an entire gait cycle. Results: Generally, when comparing the stroke patients' affected (hemiplegic) and less-affected (contralateral) limbs with the control group, SPM identified significant differences in the late stance phase and early swing phase in the joint angles and moments in bilateral limbs (all p < 0.005). In addition, the vertical and anteroposterior components of GRF were significantly different in various periods of the stance phase (all p < 0.005), while the mediolateral component showed no differences between the two groups. Conclusion: SPM was able to detect abnormal gait patterns in both the affected and less-affected limbs of stroke patients with significant differences when compared with matched controls. The findings draw attention to significant quantifiable gait deviations in the less-affected post-stroke limb with the potential impact to inform gait retraining strategies for clinicians and physiotherapists.

Mobility and growth in confined spaces are important mechanisms for the establishment of Bacillus subtilis in the rhizosphere.

The rhizosphere hosts complex and abundant microbiomes whose structure and composition are now well described by metagenomic studies. However, the dynamic mechanisms that enable micro-organisms to establish along a growing plant root are poorly characterized. Here, we studied how a motile bacterium utilizes the microhabitats created by soil pore space to establish in the proximity of plant roots. We have established a model system consisting of Bacillus subtilis and lettuce seedlings co-inoculated in transparent soil microcosms. We carried out live imaging experiments and developed image analysis pipelines to quantify the abundance of the bacterium as a function of time and position in the pore space. Results showed that the establishment of the bacterium in the rhizosphere follows a precise sequence of events where small islands of mobile bacteria were first seen forming near the root tip within the first 12-24 h of inoculation. Biofilm was then seen forming on the root epidermis at distances of about 700-1000 µm from the tip. Bacteria accumulated predominantly in confined pore spaces within 200 µm from the root or the surface of a particle. Using probabilistic models, we could map the complete sequence of events and propose a conceptual model of bacterial establishment in the pore space. This study therefore advances our understanding of the respective role of growth and mobility in the efficient colonization of bacteria in the rhizosphere.

Predictability of human mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Human mobility is fundamental to a range of applications including epidemic control, urban planning, and traffic engineering. While laws governing individual movement trajectories and population flows across locations have been extensively studied, the predictability of population-level mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic driven by specific activities such as work, shopping, and recreation remains elusive. Here we analyze mobility data for six place categories at the US county level from 2020 February 15 to 2021 November 23 and measure how the predictability of these mobility metrics changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We quantify the time-varying predictability in each place category using an information-theoretic metric, permutation entropy. We find disparate predictability patterns across place categories over the course of the pandemic, suggesting differential behavioral changes in human activities perturbed by disease outbreaks. Notably, predictability change in foot traffic to residential locations is mostly in the opposite direction to other mobility categories. Specifically, visits to residences had the highest predictability during stay-at-home orders in March 2020, while visits to other location types had low predictability during this period. This pattern flipped after the lifting of restrictions during summer 2020. We identify four key factors, including weather conditions, population size, COVID-19 case growth, and government policies, and estimate their nonlinear effects on mobility predictability. Our findings provide insights on how people change their behaviors during public health emergencies and may inform improved interventions in future epidemics.

Phosphorus attenuation and mobilization in sand filters treating onsite wastewater.

The effectiveness of phosphorus (P) removal by sand filters is limited during septic tank effluent (STE) treatment. The elevated effluent P concentrations pose threats to drinking water quality and contribute to eutrophication. The concern of P leaching from sand filters is further exacerbated by the increased frequency of flooding and natural precipitation due to climate change. This study aimed to understand P attenuation and leaching dynamics, as well as the removal mechanisms in sand filters treating STE, offering insights into the design and implementation of P removal/recovery modules to onsite wastewater treatment systems. P attenuation and leaching during STE treatment and rainfall were studied in bench-scale columns (new vs. aged sand). At standard STE loading (1.2 gallon d-1 ft-2), 24-32% removal of total phosphorus (TP) was achieved, while increased P removal efficiency (35-53%) was observed at low loading (0.6 gallon d-1 ft-2) with influent containing 10.3-20.0 mg P L-1. Complete breakthrough was observed in both aged (12-70 days) and new columns (27-73 days) at test hydraulic loadings. The maximum TP attenuation level was 20.6-45.3 mg P kg-1 and 25.3-33.0 mg P kg-1, in aged and new sand columns, respectively. When simulated rain was applied (15-60 mm h-1), 80-97% of the attenuated P leached out and the leaching dynamics were impacted by rainfall duration rather than the intensity. The highest concentrations of TP (15.6-15.9 mg L-1) were leached out from both columns within the first 2-6 hours. Orthophosphate was the dominant P species in treated effluent (83-84%) and leachate (69-88%), demonstrating its significance as the major P form in the discharge. In addition, aged sand (>5 years) accumulated higher levels of Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe, thus enhancing the P attenuation level during STE treatment. Collectively, this study underscored the importance of frequent field monitoring for reliable long-term P removal estimates.

Feasibility of Telerehabilitation-Monitored Functional Electrical Stimulation on Walking and Quality of Life in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Foot drop in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly leads to decreased mobility and quality of life (QOL). Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the peroneal nerve can improve the gait of people with foot drop, yet various barriers restrict widespread use. The purpose of this case series was to examine the feasibility of a telerehabilitation-monitored FES device and report changes in functional mobility and QOL in people with moderate MS-related disability. METHODS: FES use was progressed over 8 weeks via 3 telerehabilitation sessions. Feasibility of telerehabilitation was assessed by percentage of telerehabilitation visits completed and participant-reported satisfaction. At baseline and study completion, functional mobility with and without FES were assessed by the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). Fatigue was assessed via the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Eleven participants (mean age = 50.4 years [SD 10.8]; 2 males) completed the study. All (33/33) telerehabilitation visits were completed and participants attained high levels of satisfaction with no adverse events. At 8 weeks, compared to baseline, there were clinically meaningful improvements on the T25FW, 2MWT, and TUG for 45%, 55%, and 82% of participants, respectively. Clinically meaningful improvements on the MSIS-29 and MSWS-12 were also recorded for 64% and 36% of participants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Telerehabilitation was safe and feasible for FES intervention, and improvements in functional mobility and QOL were observed. Telerehabilitation to monitor FES may improve access and reduce patient burden; therefore, studying its efficacy is warranted.

Mobility and sexually transmitted infections: Exploring intersectional axes of alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior among Indian men.

OBJECTIVE: Studies in India and other low-income countries find an inconsistent association between mobility/migration and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men. This study comprehensively examined the association between mobility and STIs among men in India. It also assessed heterogeneous associations of mobility, alcohol consumption, and risky sexual behavior with STIs using interaction analysis. METHODS: We utilized a sample of 71,128 sexually active men aged 15-54 years from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey-5. Binary logistic regression models were employed to study the associations. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 16% were mobile and away from home for a month or more in the last 12 months. Around 29% of men reported alcohol consumption and 6% had risky sexual behavior (sexual intercourse with a non-marital/non-cohabitating partner). Regression results suggest that mobility (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.29-1.55 [short-duration]; AOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.77-2.13 [long-duration]) and alcohol consumption (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.24-1.40) were significantly associated with an increased risk of STIs, even after controlling for socio-demographic covariates. Interaction analysis further reveals that mobile men who consumed alcohol and engaged in risky sexual behavior had a significantly higher likelihood of contracting an STI-twice as high in cases of short-duration mobility and three times higher in cases of long-duration mobility. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that both short and long-duration mobility are significantly associated with an increased risk of STIs among men. Alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior further exacerbate the risk of STIs in mobile men. Initiatives for STI/HIV prevention among men must pay particular attention to temporary mobile men for both short and long durations.

Cortical activation among young adults during mobility in an indoor real-world environment: a mobile EEG approach.

Human mobility requires neurocognitive inputs to safely navigate the environment. Previous research has examined neural processes that underly walking using mobile neuroimaging technologies, yet few studies have incorporated true real-world methods without a specific task imposed on participants (e.g., dual-task, motor demands). The present study included 40 young adults (M = 22.60, SD = 2.63, 24 female) and utilized mobile electroencephalography (EEG) to examine and compare theta, alpha, and beta frequency band power (µV2) during sitting and walking in laboratory and real-world environments. EEG data was recorded using the Muse S brain sensing headband, a portable system equipped with four electrodes (two frontal, two temporal) and one reference sensor. Qualitative data detailing the thoughts of each participant were collected after each condition. For the quantitative data, a 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA with within subject factors of environment and mobility was conducted with full participant datasets (n = 17, M = 22.59, SD = 2.97, 10 female). Thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data (n = 40). Our findings support that mobility and environment may modulate neural activity, as we observed increased brain activation for walking compared to sitting, and for real-world walking compared to laboratory walking. We identified five qualitative themes across the four conditions 1) physical sensations and bodily awareness, 2) responsibilities and planning, 3) environmental awareness, 4) mobility, and 5) spotlight effect. Our study highlights the importance and potential for real-world methods to supplement standard research practices to increase the ecological validity of studies conducted in the fields of neuroscience and kinesiology.

Outcomes of Dual Mobility Versus Fixed Bearing Components in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: Dual mobility (DM) implants have received increasing interest in revision surgery due to their increased stability. The aim of this systematic review was to compare outcomes of DM versus conventional fixed bearing (FB) implants in revision Total Hip Arthroplasty (r-THA). METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases between January 2000 and 2023. Outcome measures included re-revision due to dislocation, re-revision for other causes, all-cause re-revision, total complication rate, and functional outcome measures. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) assessment tool was used to evaluate methodological quality and the risk of bias. A pooled meta-analysis was conducted, with an assessment of heterogeneity using the Chi-square and Higgins I2 tests. A further sub-group analysis was performed between DM implants and larger femoral head (> 36 mm) FB implants. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies met the final inclusion criteria, with an overall number of 5,004 r-THA hips included (2,108 DM and 2,896 FB). The DM implants had significantly lower odds of re-revision due to dislocation (OR [odds ratio] 0.38, P < 0.001), aseptic loosening (OR 0.54, P = 0.004), and all-cause re-revision (OR 0.55, P < 0.001) compared to FB implants. No significant difference was seen in the odds of re-revision due to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (OR 0.99, P = 0.94) or periprosthetic fracture (OR 0.59, P = 0.13) between the two groups. The total number of complications showed an odds benefit in favor of DM implants (OR 0.43, P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference in the odds of re-revision due to dislocation (OR 0.69, P = 0.11) between DM and larger femoral head FB implants. CONCLUSION: Based upon current literature, it appears DM implants are an effective modality for reducing dislocation following r-THA with lower complication rates compared to FB implants. However, further prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with longer term follow up are required.

SIRT2 regulates high mobility group protein B1 nucleoplasmic shuttle and degradation via deacetylation in microglia.

High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) acts as a pathogenic inflammatory response to mediate ranges of conditions such as epilepsy, septic shock, ischemia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and mass spectrometry. HMGB1 promotes inflammation during sterile and infectious damage and plays a crucial role in disease development. Mobilization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is the first important step in the release of HMGB1 from activated immune cells. Here, we demonstrated that Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) physically interacts with and deacetylates HMGB1 at 43 lysine residue at nuclear localization signal locations, strengthening its interaction with HMGB1 and causing HMGB1 to be localized in the cytoplasm. These discoveries are the first to shed light on the SIRT2 nucleoplasmic shuttle, which influences HMGB1 and its degradation, hence revealing novel therapeutic targets and avenues for neuroinflammation treatment.

Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Wearable Robots as Assistive Devices: Qualitative Study With Older Adults and Physiotherapists.

Background: Light wearable robots have the potential to assist older adults with mobility impairments in daily life by compensating for age-related decline in lower extremity strength. Physiotherapists may be the first point of contact for older adults with these devices. Objective: The aims of this study were to explore views of older adults and physiotherapists on wearable robots as assistive devices for daily living and to identify the barriers and facilitators to their use. Methods: Six older adults (aged 72-88 years) tested a wearable robot (Myosuit) and participated in semistructured interviews. A focus group with 6 physiotherapists who had a minimum of 5 years of professional experience and specialized in geriatrics was conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative text analysis. Results: Older adults perceived benefits and had positive use experiences, yet many saw no need to use the technology for themselves. Main barriers and facilitators to its use were the perception of usefulness, attitudes toward technology, ease of use, and environmental factors such as the support received. Physiotherapists named costs, reimbursement schemes, and complexity of the technology as limiting factors. Conclusions: A light wearable robot-the Myosuit-was found to be acceptable to study participants as an assistive device. Although characteristics of the technology are important, the use and acceptance by older adults heavily depend on perceived usefulness and need.

Local Dipole Modulation Toward High Fill Factor in Organic Solar Cells.

Dipole moment arrangement in organic semiconductors plays a critical role in affecting the intermolecular packing, determining optoelectronic properties and device performance. Here, to get the desired fill factor (FF) values in organic solar cells (OSCs), the local dipole of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) is modulated by changing the molecular asymmetries. Two NFAs, AA-1 and AA-2 are designed and synthesized, which have different substitutions of alkyl and alkoxyl groups. The unidirectional asymmetry in AA-2 creates distinct local dipoles, while the bidirectional asymmetry in AA-1 mitigates dipole variation. Despite the minimal impact on monomolecular properties, the local dipole moment significantly influences terminal group packing modes in the film state. This, in turn, enhances the relative dielectric constant, prolongs exciton lifetime, and reduces sub-bandgap defect states. Consequently, PBDB-TF:AA-2-based OSCs achieve an exceptional FF of 0.830 and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.3%, with a ternary device reaching a PCE of 19.3%. This work highlights the potential of dipole modulation in material design to get ideal FF values for high-performance OSCs.

Perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and life-space mobility in older adults.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical health of older adults around the world, causing day-to-day disruptions in routines and changes to usual patterns of mobility. Despite the passing of 2 years since vaccinations, older adults continue to experience detriments, including social isolation and reduced mobility. This study aims to understand how views of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with life-space mobility-moving about the community. We hypothesize that endorsing stronger perspectives about the persistence of COVID-19 is correlated with reduced life-space mobility. METHODS: Survey data were collected via online questionnaire in October and November of 2022. Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between five perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., agreeing that "I wish people would take COVID-19 more seriously") and life-space mobility, measured using a modified version of the life space assessment, in older adults (n = 510). Analyses were adjusted for demographic factors and mental and physical health indicators, including depressive symptoms and number of chronic conditions. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, the study found that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across any of the five perspectives was associated with significantly lower life-space mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with reduced life-space mobility, which underscores the importance of designing public health strategies that carefully balance the safety concerns of older adults with opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.