Neural responses to binocular in-phase and anti-phase stimuli.

The structural behaviour of homoleptic xenon difluoride (XeF2) complexes [M(XeF2)6][SbF6]2 (M= Cu, Zn) under varying temperature and pressure has been investigated, aiming to resolve the disordered Jahn-Teller distortions in the copper complex (CuSb). At 200 K, both CuSb and its zinc analogue (ZnSb) crystallize in a layered CdCl2-type structure with the space group R3. Upon cooling below 170 (CuSb) and 160 K (ZnSb), both systems transition to isostructural phases in P1, with CuSb assuming an ordered Jahn-Teller distortion. The transformation is driven by the shortening and optimization of the Xe...F intermolecular contacts, forming stronger and more directional interactions, rather than by Jahn-Teller effects alone. This is supported by the observation of similar transitions in the Jahn-Teller-inactive Zn system. High-pressure experiments up to ∼2.8 GPa at room temperature show the structural stability of the high-symmetry phases, implicating kinetic barriers to further transformation. Additionally, the synthesis and structural characterization of a novel arsenic analogue, [Zn(XeF2)6][AsF6]2 (ZnAs), reveal similar layered motifs but distinct phase behaviour. Symmetry-mode analyses relate all observed phases through distortions of a common CdCl2 aristotype.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses significant challenges for coronary CT angiography (CCTA) due to R-R interval variability, often necessitating high radiation dose protocols. Absolute phase gating, which uses fixed millisecond delays rather than percentage-based cardiac cycle timing, may optimize image quality while reducing radiation exposure. To evaluate whether absolute phase gating reduces radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic accuracy and image quality compared to conventional relative phase gating in patients with AF undergoing CCTA. This retrospective matched cohort study included 280 consecutive patients with AF (140 per group) who underwent CCTA between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients were matched by heart rate, BMI, and calcium score. The absolute phase gating group used fixed 300-millisecond post-R-wave triggering; the relative phase gating group used conventional 75% R-R interval triggering. Primary endpoints were diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) for ≥50% stenosis and assessable segment ratio. Secondary endpoints included radiation dose parameters and image quality scores. Invasive coronary angiography served as reference standard in 118 patients (42.14%). Radiation dose was 64.28% lower with absolute phase gating (median DLP: 187.50 vs. 524.80 mGy·cm, p < 0.001; median effective dose: 2.63 vs. 7.35 mSv, p < 0.001). Diagnostic accuracy remained comparable (sensitivity: 96.61% vs. 94.74%, p= 0.524; specificity: 89.47% vs. 86.67%, p= 0.612). Assessable segment ratio significantly improved (99.05% vs. 95.71%, p < 0.001). Mean image quality scores were higher with absolute gating (3.21± 0.58 vs. 2.84± 0.71, p < 0.001). In patients with AF undergoing CCTA, absolute phase gating can potentially reduce radiation dose while maintaining or improving diagnostic performance relative to the conventional relative phase gating protocol used at our institution. Because the magnitude of any dose reduction depends in part on the acquisition window and dose-modulation settings of the compared protocols, the benefit should be interpreted in the context of the specific comparator. These findings are consistent with the Image Wisely initiative for responsible patient radiation dose management.

A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) provides an effective interferometric readout approach for enhancing the performance of Rydberg-atom-based microwave electric-field sensing. The phase tuning based on a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) relies on mechanical path length modulation, which can limit phase precision, modulation frequency, and the level of system integration. Here, we demonstrate a fiber-integrated MZI architecture in which the interferometric phase is controlled electronically by a pair of double-pass acousto-optic modulators (AOMs). The additional propagation phase accumulated by the frequency-shifted light in an optical fiber enables continuous tuning of the relative phase between the two interferometer arms over a fixed optical path, without using moving components. A frequency adjustment Δf = 9.463MHz produces a full 2π phase shift, confirming the reproducibility and continuous tunability of the method, with an experimentally measured phase stability at the milliradian level. Based on this interferometric readout, we implement a Rydberg-atom-based microwave electric-field measurement scheme in a room-temperature cesium vapor cell. At the optimized absorption-dominated operating point of Δϕ = π, corresponding to an AOM driving frequency of 93.9MHz, the interferometric readout improves the measured signal-to-noise ratio by about 4dB compared with the non-interferometric case. The directly measured electric-field sensitivity at the position of the cesium vapor cell is 4.2×10-6V/m/Hz. Compared with PZT-based schemes, this approach improves interferometric stability and tuning precision, and provides better compatibility with compact and integrated implementations.

Simultaneously improving redox reactions in Li2MnO3-based Li-rich materials controlled by the relative phase stability at high temperature

The relationship between lower-limb coordination and fall risk during single- and dual-task walking in patients with stroke: a prospective study.

A neuromechanical framework for the development of interlimb coordination.

The Peking Opera hat-wing technique is an intangible cultural heritage. This study adopted a single-subject case study design to characterize the movements of this technique, facilitating its intergenerational preservation and transmission. Biomechanical analysis was conducted to investigate the left-wing toss movement in the hat-wing technique, aiming to reveal the intrinsic biomechanical mechanism of the movement and provide a basis for its inheritance and training. An infrared motion capture system was used to collect kinematic parameters of the markers, and a three-dimensional force platform was employed to gather force data from the actor's left and right feet. Three sets of data-including Center of Pressure (COP) position, head movement parameters, and knee joint angles-were analyzed to elucidate the operating mechanism of the left-wing toss movement. Based on the results, the left-wing toss movement was theoretically segmented, and the initiation principle of the movement was determined. Additionally, factors influencing the sustained movement of the left-wing toss and those required to achieve a relatively static state at the end of the movement were identified. The primary hypothesis was that the phase relationship between the L3 Z-axis displacement-time (L3 Z-T) curve and the head tilt angle-time (α-T) curve can effectively distinguish the initiation, maintenance, and termination stages of the left-wing toss movement. Quantitative analysis of five repeated trials showed high movement repeatability, with a coefficient of variation (CV) < 15% for all key kinematic metrics. Among them, the phase difference (CV = 6.0%) and peak angular velocity (CV = 10.6%) exhibited excellent repeatability (CV < 11%), and other indicators also met the repeatability requirements for single-subject case studies (CV < 15%). During the initiation stage, the peak head tilt angle reached 6° ± 0.8°, and the peak angular velocity was 29.3°/s ± 3.1°/s. Throughout the movement, the COP excursion in the anterior-posterior direction was 4.2 ± 0.5cm, and the medial-lateral excursion was 2.1 ± 0.3cm. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the standardized training and intergenerational preservation of the Peking Opera hat-wing technique, highlighting the value of biomechanical analysis in traditional performing arts heritage.

Adaptive insect locomotion depends on interactions between the nervous system and body dynamics, yet how these components contribute to inter-leg coordination remains unclear. We investigated the role of direct neural coupling by unilaterally transecting the posterior intermediate connective linking the mesothoracic and metathoracic ganglia in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. We analyzed kinematic changes and compared them with predictions from a purely neural phase oscillator network model featuring hierarchical asymmetric coupling. The experiments showed a clear dissociation: transection disrupted anti-phase coordination between the contralateral hind legs (from 188°to 104°, Cohen's d > 1.5) while frequency synchronization across all six legs persisted despite a substantial overall frequency reduction (from 4.8 Hz to 2.0 Hz). Amplitude and mean angle also changed in legs ipsilateral to the transection. The neural model reproduced the phase shift quantitatively (98.25°, 5.5% error) but selectively departed from the biological data in three respects-the overall frequency reduction, the maintenance of synchronization among decoupled legs, and local amplitude and mean angle changes. Each departure points to a distinct role of embodied dynamics beyond neural connectivity alone. These results demonstrate a functional two-layer architecture: neural coupling determines phase relationships (timing coordination), whereas embodiment and sensory feedback regulate frequency and amplitude (tempo and magnitude control). By experimentally isolating neural connectivity and comparing biological responses with a neural-only model, this study disentangles the distinct contributions of central circuits and physical dynamics. The findings provide biological evidence for a hybrid control strategy in which fixed neural patterning establishes coordination templates continuously adapted by mechanical interactions, offering bio-inspired design principles for resilient legged robots.

The Foundational Role of Perception-Action Couplings for Expert Performance in Jump Rope.

This study implemented established signal processing techniques to introduce novel ice skating performance metrics using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) in forward ice sprint tests. We hypothesized that the proposed metrics would differentiate skaters of different caliber and skating type and provide additional biomechanical information beyond traditional metrics. Nineteen ice skaters, including high- and low-caliber hockey and figure skaters, performed maximal speed sprints, while six IMUs recorded their ice skating. Primary performance metrics included stride length, velocity, and time. Secondary metrics were calculated to assess skating complexity (multiscale entropy), inter-limb coordination (continuous relative phase), and segment kinematics (joint orientations). Additionally, relationships between the proposed on-ice metrics and off-ice countermovement jump (CMJ) height were studied. Significant differences were observed between high- and low-caliber skaters in stride velocity and length (P = 0.02), and between figure and hockey skaters in stride velocity (P = 0.01). Figure skaters exhibited less complex hip angles (0.01 ≤ P ≤ 0.05) and greater coordination (0.01 ≤ P ≤ 0.05) compared to hockey skaters. Correlation analyses showed that only a few IMU-derived metrics were moderately related to CMJ height, while most exhibited weak or negligible associations. The IMU-derived metrics could differentiate between skaters of varying calibers and types, offering a quantitative characterization and extended view of skating biomechanics. The proposed metrics have the potential to extend conventional performance assessment and provide a framework for developing off-ice tests that more accurately inform the development of off-ice tests related to on-ice performance.

Optical bistability and related phase transitions in an electron–hole system

PurposeOptoretinography (ORG) detects stimulus-evoked, nanometer-scale changes in the optical path length of photoreceptors, hypothesized to reflect osmotic water shifts into and out of the outer segments (OS), as well as electrostatic effects of opsin photoisomerization. The aim of this study was to measure parallel changes in the subretinal space (SRS), which may reflect changes in the SRS volume. The results of these experiments could affect interpretations of the photoreceptor ORG, which make testable hypotheses about the SRS volume. Moreover, because water movement in the outer retina is impeded in a number of diseases of the outer retina, this method could represent a novel biomarker of outer retinal health.MethodsA custom swept-source optical coherence tomography system (100 kHz, 1060 nm) was used to image the eyes of four healthy subjects. After dilation and dark adaptation, serial B-scans were acquired over 125 ms at 400 Hz, with a stimulus flash delivered after 40 ms. From the resulting series, relative phase velocities between layers were calculated for three compartments: OS, supracone space (SCS), and ciliary zone (CZ).ResultsLight stimulation produced rapid, layer-specific responses. Following stimulation, the OS contracted briefly and then elongated, the SCS elongated and subsequently contracted, and the CZ exhibited a response similar to the OS but with lower amplitude. These responses were temporally coordinated across layers, suggesting coupled structural and fluid dynamics within the outer retina.ConclusionsVisible light induces rapid, reversible structural changes across multiple outer retinal layers, including the spaces surrounding the photoreceptor outer segments. Noninvasive measurement of these responses may improve understanding of the biophysical sources of the ORG signal and provide a probe of outer retinal functional integrity.

ABSTRACT This article examines the renewed centrality of employment, wages, and industrial relations in Italy in 2024–2025. It argues that this shift is not merely cyclical, but reflects deeper structural transformations: population ageing, the contraction of younger cohorts, growing labour shortages, technological change, and persistent wage stagnation. The CGIL referendum and Law No. 76/2025 on worker participation are interpreted as different responses to the same underlying problem: the need to redefine relations between capital, labour, and the state. The article shows how demographic decline may alter workers’ bargaining power, especially where firms face difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled labour. Drawing on Hirschman’s framework of exit, voice, and loyalty, it analyses how younger workers’ expectations regarding autonomy, participation, and work-life balance are reshaping workplace relations. The article concludes that Italy may be entering a new, still unsettled, phase of industrial relations.

Prefrontal gamma oscillations engage dynamic cell-type-specific configurations to support flexible behavior.

Flapping-wing flight offers a promising solution for aerial mobility in low-density environments such as the Martian atmosphere, where conventional rotorcraft faces significant performance constraints. However, the coupled aerodynamic and structural mechanisms governing lift generation at low Reynolds numbers remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the aeroelastic and unsteady aerodynamic behaviour of a bio-inspired flapping wing using an integrated experimental-numerical framework. High-speed imaging is employed to extract representative wing kinematics, including flapping frequency, stroke amplitude, and rotational motion. A geometrically scaled wing model is developed based on Reynolds number similitude and analysed using finite element methods to characterise its dynamic response. Aeroelastic behaviour is evaluated through modal transient simulations, while aerodynamic performance is assessed using both vortex-lattice modelling and computational fluid dynamics. The results show strong coupling between bending and torsional modes, with the structural response highly dependent on excitation frequency relative to the natural modes. Near-resonant conditions lead to amplified deformation and distinct phase relationships, while aerodynamic simulations reveal vortex-dominated lift generation. These findings provide a physics-based framework for the design and analysis of flapping-wing systems operating in low-Reynolds-number and low-density flight regimes.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of skill level and tempo on coordination variability during consecutive ballet jumps (i.e., temps levé sauté) using continuous relative phase analysis. Eight skilled and eight less-skilled dancers performed the temps levé sauté jumps in first position (a fundamental foot position in ballet, one of the five basic positions in which the heels are together and the toes point outward) at three different tempos: 80 bpm, 100 bpm, and 120 bpm. Hip-knee and knee-ankle coordination was evaluated across three movement sub-phases: propulsion, flight, and landing. Phase deviations were used to quantify inter-joint variability, with larger deviation values indicating greater variability in the relationship between the two joints. The results showed that, during the landing phase, a significant interaction effect between skill level and tempo was observed in hip-knee coordination. Skilled dancers exhibited significantly lower variability in hip-knee coordination during the landing phase. Additionally, both groups showed increased variability at the slowest tempo (i.e., 80 bpm) when compared to the other tempos during the propulsion and landing phases. In the flight phase, however, coordination variability increased with faster tempo. These findings highlight the importance of tailored training strategies based on skill level to enhance ballet jump performance, with more emphasis on developing phase-specific coordination control and adaptability across various tempo conditions.

We present a perturbation-based framework that captures buoyancy effects on modal instabilities in stratified boundary-layer flows within the fully compressible, non-Oberbeck–Boussinesq formulation. Treating the Richardson number as a small parameter and recasting the stability problem into an adjoint-residual form, we derive a first-order correction for the eigenvalues using only the neutrally buoyant eigenvalue problem. The framework applies to both ideal-gas and non-ideal fluid boundary layers and eliminates the need to re-solve the eigenvalue problem at each stratification level at minimal computational cost. For ideal-gas boundary layers, the framework accurately predicts how stable and unstable stratification modifies Tollmien–Schlichting waves, from growth rates and eigenfunctions to $N$ -factors, across a wide range of Prandtl numbers, temperature ratios and Mach numbers. Notably, the buoyancy sensitivity varies strongly with Prandtl number, revealing that for a given Richardson number, buoyancy can switch from destabilising to stabilising depending on the fluid. Beyond ideal-gas conditions, we apply the first-order buoyancy correction to strongly stratified boundary layers with supercritical fluids, where the phase relationship between density and velocity perturbations determines whether buoyancy stabilises or destabilises the underlying instability. The resulting $N$ -factors demonstrate, for the first time, that buoyancy significantly affects transition predictions under pseudo-boiling conditions.

Upper body kinematics during walking and their relationship to fall risk after stroke.

Achiral plasmonic resonators are expected to emit helicity-symmetric radiation under reciprocal excitation. Here, a localized free-electron source is shown to deterministically open a chiral radiation channel in an achiral nanocrescent by activating a tensorial electric quadrupole resonance. Angle-resolved cathodoluminescence reveals switchable circular polarization with |CD| > 0.5 and a concomitant reversal of the emission direction when the electron beam is shifted between opposite tips. Moreover, a current-based multipolar analysis and far-field reconstruction framework identify a quadrupole-dominated band whose leading tensor elements split into diagonal and shear subspaces with near-quadrature phase relations, providing the phase resource for helicity, while directionality is set by electric dipole/electric quadrupole interference. These results establish free-electron excitation as a compact route to engineer chiral radiation without geometrically chiral architectures while also providing a transferable framework for analyzing and designing helicity-selective far-field emission in more general nanophotonic systems.