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Boosting hydrogen evolution reaction performance via island effect-driven interfacial charge tuning and bubble kinetics optimization on Co/Ni(OH)2 array electrode
Jiang, Runlai; Wang, Zheng; Ma, Xianguo; Wang, Xuyun; Song, Hongbing; Wang, Hui; Li, Zihao; Ren, Jianwei; Wang, Rongfang (Elsevier, 2026-01)
Please read abstract in the article.
Bodyguard interactions : a beneficial endophyte triggers emission of methyl salicylate in infested tomato plant mediating attraction of a parasitoid wasp
Akutse, Komivi S.; Agbessenou, Ayaovi; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed; Khamis, Fathiya Mbarak (Springer, 2026-03-13)
The endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris is a potential candidate biocontrol agent of Phthorimaea absoluta. We previously reported that the endophyte Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 triggers the systemic release of key phytohormones in tomato affecting the behavior and herbivory of P. absoluta. As D. gelechiidivoris uses odor cues to locate P. absoluta, we therefore investigated the chemical basis of interactions between D. gelechiidivoris, the tomato plant with and without endophyte and P. absoluta through bioassay-guided chemical analysis. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays showed that the parasitoid was significantly attracted to P. absoluta-infested tomato plants but did not show preference to colonized and colonized-infested plants. Coupled GC–MS analyses revealed both qualitative and quantitative differences in volatile emission between non-colonized, colonized, non-colonized infested and colonized-infested plants, where volatile emission rate increased with increasing infestation level. Methyl salicylate (MeSA) emission was significantly higher in colonized-infested than in colonized and non-colonized infested plants. Subsequent bioassays revealed attraction of the parasitoid to synthetic MeSA emitted at its natural release rate from endophytically-colonized infested plants. Our findings highlight the significant role played by MeSA, which mediates the attraction of D. gelechiidivoris thereby indirectly assisting tomato plants in combatting P. absoluta.
Self-perception changes in adults post-hearing aid adoption
Ferreira, Sulette; Poonasamy, Kaylan; Warren, McKayla; Young, Tamaryn-Ann (University of Pretoria, 2025-10)
Background: Despite their proven benefits for communication, hearing aids continue to show low adoption and use among individuals with hearing loss who require intervention. Various audiological factors contribute to these outcomes; however, limited research has explored the psychosocial aspects that influence hearing aid adoption and use, which could have important implications for rehabilitation strategies. Objective: This study aimed to explore changes in self-perception experienced by adults following hearing aid adoption. Method: A qualitative design was followed to thematically analyse retrospective interview responses from 42 adult participants. Participants were recruited using the Hearing Tracker and Lexie Hearing databases in the United States. Results: Participant ages ranged from 40 to 84 years (mean=70.2 years; 8.2 SD). The majority of participants were male (n=20; 66.7%), and most participants were unilateral hearing aid users (n=27; 90%). Five main themes emerged: self-awareness, overall communication, social engagement, improved quality of life, and work performance. Within these main themes, 13 sub-themes emerged, where participants described a range of positive experiences, such as greater acceptance of hearing loss, heightened confidence, and increased participation. At the same time, some negative experiences were also reported, including perceptions of no noticeable change, as well as persistent communication and hearing difficulties. Conclusion: Hearing aid adoption may support improvements in self-awareness, hearing ability, and participation in everyday life, contributing to predominantly positive changes in self-perception in adults. Although hearing aids play an important role in enhancing psychosocial outcomes, challenges still remain due to unmet expectations or limited benefits in some situations. These findings emphasise the importance and the need for holistic hearing rehabilitation and counselling to communicate both the benefits and limitations of hearing aid use in clinical settings.
The effect of self-reported handedness on auditory binaural integration and separation
Da Silva, Angelina; De Lange, Emma; Jones, Cheryl; Marais, Tyler (University of Pretoria, 2025-10)
This study examined the influence of self-reported handedness on auditory binaural integration and separation performance using the Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) in normal-hearing young adults. Dichotic listening tasks provide insight into hemispheric lateralization and auditory processing, yet the specific contribution of handedness to auditory laterality remains unclear. A quantitative, cross-sectional comparative design was employed, including twenty-eight participants aged 19-24 years (16 right-handed, 12 left-handed). Although the sample size was modest, determined by feasibility constraints rather than power sufficiency, the results provide preliminary evidence that handedness modulates auditory performance. Participants completed the DDT under three conditions: binaural integration, directed attention separation, and undirected attention separation. Laterality indices were calculated, and t-tests compared ear advantage within and between groups. No significant ear advantage was observed within groups (p > 0.05); however, between-group analyses revealed significant effects, with right-handed participants demonstrating a right-ear advantage during undirected attention (p = 0.02) and integration (p = 0.005), while left-handed participants showed a left-ear advantage during integration (p = 0.04). These findings suggest that handedness influences auditory lateralization, particularly under higher cognitive or attentional demand. Findings may inform the clinical interpretation of dichotic listening assessments, highlighting the importance of considering handedness in evaluating auditory processing and hemispheric asymmetry.
Beyond handy : continued intention towards using same-day delivery shopping apps
Cunningham, Nicole; Petzer, Daniël Johannes (Emerald, 2026-12)
PURPOSE : The use of same-day delivery service grocery shopping apps has the potential to greatly impact the patronage and subsequent profitability of grocery retailers. Aided by the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework, this study investigates possible drivers of continued intention to use these shopping apps amongst customers. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Through purposive sampling, self-administered paper-based questionnaires were distributed to respondents. A total of 462 useable responses were collected and analysed utilising Mplus version 7.4. FINDINGS : This study highlights the importance of enjoyment and price value, in addition to ease of use and usefulness, in driving consumers' continued intention to use same-day delivery service grocery shopping apps. Conditional effects show a tempering effect as perceived innovativeness and facilitating conditions (individual factors) increase. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : The study is confined to customers of three popular same-day delivery service grocery shopping apps within South Africa. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Valuable insights are provided into how grocery retailers can secure continued intention through enjoyment and price value, going beyond ease of use and usefulness, to encourage customers to use their shopping apps. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The paper examines the drivers of continued intention to use same-day delivery service grocery shopping apps, applying the stimulus-organism-response framework, and considers the moderation effects of individual factors on the proposed relationships.