Search Results (1,938)

Background: Exercise plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. During self-motion, optic flow provides visual information about heading direction and influences postural control. This study investigated postural responses and muscle activation in individuals with type 2 diabetes exposed to optic flow stimuli simulating self-motion, and examined whether these responses varied according to habitual physical activity over 12 months. Methods: Surface electromyographic (EMG) and stabilometric data were collected from 23 individuals during quiet standing under different visual motion conditions. Participants were classified as physically active or inactive based on standardized criteria. EMG activity was recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Center of pressure (COP) displacement was measured using two force platforms. Results: Stabilometric analysis revealed a significant effect of visual stimulus on COP displacement in both antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions, as well as on COP speed, indicating that optic flow modulates postural control. COP speed changes over time differed by sex, while medio-lateral sway showed time-dependent variations across sides and physical activity groups. EMG analysis showed a significant effect of visual stimulus on soleus activation, with no consistent effects for tibialis anterior. Conclusions: Optic flow significantly modulated postural control and lower-limb muscle activation in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Preliminary differences in response profiles associated with habitual physical activity level were observed, though these should be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory nature of the study. Larger, adequately powered studies are warranted to further investigate these associations. Full article

This study investigates the effect of repeated exposure to optic flow in virtual reality (VR) on postural control in upright standing in older adults. Eighteen participants (>60 years) completed pre/post assessments consisting of quiet standing in a real environment (eyes open/closed), postural responses to simulated forward and backward self-motion in VR, and proprioceptive perturbations induced by bilateral Achilles and tibialis anterior tendon vibration. Intra- (within similar sensory modality) and inter-modal correlations (within different sensory modalities inducing similar directional postural response) were also investigated to provide insight into sensory integration strategies. The intervention consisted of six 100-s VR bouts alternating simulated forward and backward self-motion. Postural outcomes were quantified from force platform recordings as center of pressure (CoP) velocity and excursion. Repeated VR exposure reduced CoP velocity during simulated forward and backward self-motion (p < 0.05). After the intervention, CoP velocity decreased when standing with eyes closed (p < 0.05) but not when eyes were open. Postural response to tendon vibration was not modified by the intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, intra-modal correlation for postural responses to optic flow appeared, whereas a pre-existing inter-modal association between Achilles vibration and forward optic flow disappeared. These results indicate that the postural control system remains adaptable in older adults and highlight the potential of VR environments to improve balance in older adults. Full article

Practice-oriented or practice-based research is growing in popularity in the social, built environment and health fields for its important role in driving transformative changes at policy, programme/service and practice levels. As planning is a practice with performative characteristics occurring in a socio-political-legal context, practice-oriented research has been utilised to inform and help shape change. However, to be truly effective, practice-oriented research must be connected to day-to-day practices. In this article, we present our experience of using a Community of Practice (CoP)—that brings together people with shared interests and professions—to exchange learning and experiences and to help create knowledge to advance professional practice. In our case, we established a Community of Practice of Planners (CoPP) to help translate stage one findings into tailored knowledge resources to open up a dialogue and raise awareness on Planning for Disability Equity and Inclusion. In this article, we describe the method of CoP, how it works, including our reflections and learnings. We suggest that CoP are an underutilised method in planning practice and research. We argue that the CoP approach should be in a researcher and planner’s toolbox for more transformative progress in equity and inclusion in planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Falls among older adults are a major public health concern. Although instrumented posturography provides objective balance and fall-risk assessment, its cost and limited portability restrict widespread use. This study aimed to examine the construct and concurrent validity of center of pressure (COP) path length measured using a Wii Balance Board (WBB) in relation to a clinically established posturographic fall-risk construct in community-dwelling older adults and to explore its discriminatory performance across multiple sensory postural conditions. Methods: Sixty adults aged ≥ 65 years participated in this cross-sectional study. COP path length was measured using a WBB under eight postural conditions and compared with the Fall Index derived from a conventional posturography system (Tetrax^Ⓡ). Functional performance was assessed using the Four Square Step Test and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test. Pearson correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and exploratory regression analyses were performed. Results: COP path length showed significant positive correlations with the Tetrax^Ⓡ Fall Index across all conditions (r = 0.349–0.561, p < 0.01) and with functional performance tests under most postural conditions (p < 0.05), except for the Normal stability, Open eyes (NO) condition. ROC analysis demonstrated acceptable-to-good discriminatory performance for classifying Tetrax^Ⓡ Fall Index-based risk status (AUC = 0.783–0.865), with the NO condition showing the highest discriminatory capability (AUC = 0.865). Exploratory regression models based on selected postural conditions explained 12.1–40.7% of the variance in the reference Fall Index. Conclusions: COP path length measured using a WBB demonstrated construct validity and acceptable discriminatory capacity in relation to a conventional posturographic fall-risk construct in community-dwelling older adults. These findings support the exploratory feasibility of simplified WBB-based balance assessment approaches for community and clinical screening contexts. Further longitudinal studies incorporating prospective fall outcomes are required to establish predictive validity and broader clinical applicability. Full article

The decarbonisation of the building sector represents a key challenge for the European energy transition, particularly in the heating segment, which is still largely dependent on fossil fuels. In this context, data centres (DCs) offer a promising opportunity as local sources of recoverable waste heat. This study investigates the use of data centre waste heat for building heating through a comparative annual energy analysis applied to two building typologies in a Mediterranean climate (Italy): a residential building and a school. Three scenarios are considered: non-integrated scenario S0 (data centre with its own cooling system and buildings with gas-fired boilers), non-integrated scenario S1 (data centre with its own cooling system and buildings with air-to-water heat pumps), and integrated scenario S2 (data centre cooling system coupled with the buildings through waste heat recovery and heat pump technology). A theoretical 300 kW data centre was considered as the waste heat source. The integrated scenario significantly improves system performance. In the residential case, the seasonal COP increases from 2.15 to 4.50, reducing electricity consumption from 289.5 MWh to 128.9 MWh. In the school case, the COP increases from 2.51 to 8.00, with electricity consumption decreasing from 161.3 MWh to 49.1 MWh. These improvements lead to reductions in non-renewable primary energy demand of up to 63% and 79% for the residential and school buildings, respectively, compared to the baseline scenario. The results demonstrate that data centres can act as decentralised thermal sources, supporting the transition towards low-carbon and Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings. Full article

In the practical operation of air-source heat pump heating systems coupled with phase-change energy storage tanks, wide fluctuations in outdoor temperatures often cause issues such as excessive heating, frequent unit start–stops, and low operational efficiency. Traditional start–stop control strategies struggle to balance heating quality with system energy savings. To enhance the system’s energy efficiency across all operating conditions and improve the stability of indoor temperatures, this study introduces a straightforward and easy-to-implement return water temperature zone control strategy. Using physical reference points, a three-zone control approach for return water temperature was created, which integrates outdoor temperature feedback along with combined indoor temperature adjustments. The proposed strategy’s effectiveness was confirmed through comparative experiments that split the heating season into two parts: one employing traditional control and the other using the zone control method. The results show that, compared to empirical start–stop control, the segmented control strategy increased the system’s average coefficient of performance (COP) from 3.06 to 3.11, representing a 1.63% improvement; reduced indoor temperature deviation from 1.4 °C to 1.2 °C, a 14.2% decrease; and narrowed the amplitude of extreme temperature deviations from 7.9 °C to 3.9 °C, a 50.6% reduction. Total electricity consumption for the entire heating season was approximately 4191 kWh. These findings indicate that the proposed control strategy effectively improves system energy efficiency and indoor temperature stability while meeting heating demands. It significantly suppresses excessive heating during transitional seasons and enhances heating reliability under extreme low-temperature conditions. This study involves low retrofitting costs and balances both energy-saving and comfort objectives, providing a practical, engineering-ready solution for the intelligent control of air-source heat pump heating systems. Full article

The present work proposes a phase change material-based defrosting system (PCM-DS) for vapor compression refrigeration systems (VCRSs). The primary objective is to determine the optimal PCM mass and refrigerant mass flow rate required to melt 1 kg of accumulated evaporator ice. A steady-state macroscopic thermodynamic model, governed by global energy balances and driven by experimental boundary conditions, evaluates the VCRS in both cooling and defrosting operating modes. The PCM-DS is not installed on the experimental setup. The latter is used to obtain experimental data to be used as inputs in the steady-state model. Among the three candidates investigated (OM42, OM46, OM48), OM42 was selected for minimizing system mass and volume constraints. Results demonstrate that integrating the PCM-DS induces only a 3% reduction in the theoretical coefficient of performance (COP) compared with a 5.6% reduction in the case of using the electric heater defrosting (EHD). The core innovation of this work involves proposing and evaluating three distinct energy storage management strategies: unique superheating, unique bypass, and intermittent bypass. The results show that the highest COP is obtained for unique superheating (2.93), followed by unique bypass (2.82) and intermittent bypass (2.81). The work conducted proves the theoretical feasibility of such PCM-DS. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations of morphological variables, maximal isometric handgrip strength (MIHS), and static postural balance with self-esteem, motivational climate, school climate, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in early adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 235 Chilean adolescents, in whom morphological variables, MIHS, and static postural balance were assessed using center-of-pressure (CoP) parameters under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Psychosocial variables, including self-esteem, motivational climate, school climate, and HRQoL, were evaluated via validated questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine associations between physical and psychosocial variables. Results: Reduced CoP sway area and lower CoP velocity under eyes-closed conditions were significantly associated with higher self-esteem (R² = 0.168; p < 0.001). Greater non-dominant MIHS and younger age were associated with more favorable perceptions of a task-involving motivational climate (R² = 0.438; p < 0.001). Higher HRQoL scores were associated with male sex and better postural balance performance. Conclusions: Better static postural balance and greater muscle strength were associated with more favorable psychosocial outcomes, particularly self-esteem and HRQoL. However, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal relationships due to the cross-sectional design. Full article

This study presents a novel investigation into the coupled effects of ambient temperature and compressor frequency on frosting behavior and thermal performance of inverter-driven air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) under low-temperature, high-humidity conditions. Unlike previous studies that focused on single environmental parameters, this work systematically explores temperature–frequency coupling. Experiments were conducted on a 3-HP DC inverter low-ambient-temperature ASHP unit using a multi-climate simulated enthalpy difference test bench. Single-factor analysis shows that frosting is most severe at 0 °C, where the frost growth rate peaks. Regarding compressor frequency, the coefficient of performance (COP) initially increases and then decreases with frequency. The maximum COP occurs near 45 Hz, representing the optimal energy efficiency balance in this experimental system. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that relative humidity contributes less than 5% to performance degradation at the critical 10% COP reduction point. Thus, ambient temperature and compressor frequency are the core determinants of defrosting timing. A dual-factor prediction model for the critical defrosting air-to-coil temperature difference (∆T) is developed using temperature (t) and frequency (f) as independent variables. Validation confirms that the model maintains prediction error within 10% under both single-factor and multi-factor coupling conditions. Collectively, this research quantifies the coupled effects of ambient temperature and compressor frequency on frosting performance and provides a novel theoretical framework for precise defrosting control in inverter ASHPs based on performance attenuation. Full article

Traditional cryogenic air separation units are unsuitable for distributed, small-scale liquid oxygen production. Cryocooler-based liquefaction technology offers an alternative solution, featuring a large cooling capacity, high efficiency, a compact structure, and rapid start–stop capability. In this paper, an oxygen liquefaction system based on a high-capacity Stirling cryocooler was developed. Because the heat transfer performance of cryocoolers varies significantly across different temperature ranges, heat exchanger designs must be tailored to specific operating conditions. However, research on cold-end heat exchangers for large-capacity cryocoolers used in liquefaction systems remains limited. In the liquid oxygen temperature range, factors such as liquid film formation and incomplete condensation severely affect heat transfer performance and must be considered. In this paper, numerical simulations were performed to analyze the condensation behavior of oxygen, with particular attention paid to the matching between the heat exchange structure and the cooling capacity. Subsequently, a small-scale experimental system was constructed and tested. The successful operation of the experimental system validated the feasibility of the proposed heat exchanger design. Under the conditions of 300 K and an oxygen inlet gauge pressure of 0.45 MPa, the system achieved a liquefaction capacity of 7.4 L/h, corresponding to a cooling capacity of 787 W. The specific power consumption was 0.89 kW·h/kg, with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.116. This performance is competitive among small-scale cryocooler-based oxygen liquefaction systems. This study provides both theoretical and experimental support for further performance optimization and engineering application of such cryocoolers in liquid oxygen production. Full article

Combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) are challenging for conventional computers because their solution spaces grow exponentially. To reduce exhaustive-search burden, hardware approaches have explored stochastic traversal of energy landscapes, including quantum annealers, CMOS Ising solvers, and probabilistic computing systems. However, quantum annealers require cryogenic operation, while CMOS Ising solvers typically rely on pseudorandom bitstreams or shared random pulses. A CMOS-compatible probabilistic bit with a physical random source is attractive for scalable optimization hardware. We present a CMOS p-bit that generates stochastic states from transistor device noise. The p-bit combines a transistor-noise random source, a correlated double sampling circuit, a calibrated comparator, and a 5-bit probability controller to convert local-field inputs into digitally tunable output probabilities. Because the random source is local to each p-bit and does not require PRNG state or seed assignment, the local random-source circuit in each p-bit does not need to grow larger as the number of p-bits increases, while system-level scaling is still governed by the p-bit count, weighted-sum logic, and interconnects. Prototype p-bit chips fabricated in a 180 nm CMOS process show 32-level output-probability control, pass the NIST Statistical Test Suite, and achieve 50 MHz updates with 6.95 pJ/bit at 50% output probability under a 1.8 V supply. Interfaced with FPGA-based weighted-sum logic, the prototype probabilistic circuit demonstrates invertible Boolean operation using a clamped gate network and performs integer factorization. Full article

Climate change represents one of the defining global health challenges of the 21st century, with far-reaching implications for population health, health systems, and health equity. The acceleration of environmental change, evidenced by record-breaking global temperatures, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation, poses a direct threat to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. This manuscript presents a narrative review and policy analysis of the intersection of climate change and global public health in light of the outcomes of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, major institutional reports, and relevant policy documents, we explore how climate change exacerbates communicable and non-communicable diseases, undermines health system resilience, and disproportionately affects vulnerable populations worldwide. Particular attention is given to heat-related morbidity, infectious disease expansion, air pollution, food and water insecurity, displacement, gender inequities, antimicrobial resistance, and mental health impacts. The paper highlights the significance of the Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP), which is treated here as a COP30-associated action framework that places health more centrally within climate policy discussions. However, major challenges remain, including its voluntary orientation, the absence of dedicated financing mechanisms within the framework itself, and limited clarity on accountability arrangements, as identified through our synthesis of the available policy and evidence base. We argue that achieving SDG 3 is no longer feasible without integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into health systems and policies, and that progress will depend on translating global commitments into context-specific country strategies, governance arrangements, and implementation pathways. Full article

It has been observed in prior research that high thermal impact—resulting from a large temperature difference between hot water vapor and cold liquid water—can enhance the thermal performance of cavitation-induced low-energy nuclear reactions (LENRs) in water, with an estimated increase in the coefficient of performance (COP) of approximately 50% for every 100 °C temperature rise. The temperature of the hot water vapor is primarily determined by the boiler output, which typically represents the highest temperature source and plays a dominant role in reactor performance. In this study, a flow oscillator was designed as an thermal conditioning component for these potential LENR reactor systems using linear flow network analysis (LFNA) to generate flow resonance that elevates the hot vapor temperature, thereby increasing thermal impact and improving LENR performance. LFNA is based on the linearization of the fluid flow equations governing mass and momentum transport and utilizes a fluid-electric circuit analogy. For a fluid flow system, various components can be modeled using analogs of electrical resistance, capacitance, and inductance (R, C, and L), allowing the system behavior to be analyzed similarly to an RLC circuit. Through this analogy, flow resonance phenomena can be predicted, potentially enabling the generation of high-temperature and high-pressure responses that are beneficial to LENR processes. The analytical model was experimentally validated and subsequently applied in the LENR reactor design. The analytical result shows that an output temperature difference exceeding 350 °C can be achieved using a 0.5 m pulse tube at a 46 Hz triggering frequency with 20 kPa perturbation, which indicates a potential COP enhancement of 175% based on prior studies. The result provides a potential mechanism to significantly enhance the thermal impact conditions and promote LENR performance in water-based reactor systems. Full article

Cyathula officinalis Kuan, a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine, remains underexplored as a source of structurally defined wound-repair polysaccharides. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction, CoPS, was isolated from C. officinalis roots and structurally characterized using methylation analysis and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. Purified CoPS had a total carbohydrate content of 94.8%, a weight-average molecular weight (M_w) of 7.491 kDa, and a narrow dispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.04). Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that CoPS was mainly composed of fructose and glucose at a molar ratio of 95.60:4.40. Structural analyses identified CoPS as a branched levan-type fructan with a β-(2→6)-linked fructofuranosyl backbone and β-(2→1)-linked branching motifs. CoPS was incorporated into a Carbomer/alginate topical formulation, termed CoPS-CPG, and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. CoPS-CPG showed good cytocompatibility and promoted HaCaT keratinocyte migration, reducing the residual scratch area to 48.10% at 12 h compared with 70.13% in the control group and 65.18% in the vehicle (Blank-CPG) group. In a murine full-thickness excisional wound model, CoPS-CPG reduced the residual wound area to 8.70 ± 1.20% on day 14, compared with 24.83 ± 1.51% in the control group and 14.20 ± 0.72% in the vehicle group. Histological and immunological analyses further indicated improved tissue reconstruction, a reduced inflammatory burden, enhanced CD206-associated macrophage signals, increased CD31-associated vascular structures, improved α-SMA-associated perivascular coverage, and lower late-stage HIF-1α expression. These findings identify CoPS as a structurally defined plant-derived levan-type fructan that supports cutaneous wound repair. Full article

Background/Objectives: The suboccipital muscles (SOMs) are rich in muscle spindles and play a critical role in proprioceptive input and postural control. However, the relationship between SOM tone, head posture, and balance performance remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between SOM tone and postural balance, including the craniovertebral angle (CVA), static balance, and dynamic balance, in healthy adults. Methods: A total of 112 healthy adults participated in this study. SOM, cervical extensor muscle (CEM), and upper trapezius muscle (UTM) tones were assessed. Head posture was evaluated by measuring the CVA. Static balance was assessed through the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP), whereas dynamic balance was evaluated using gait parameters. Results: Participants with a higher SOM tone exhibited a significantly smaller CVA, increased COP path length and velocity, and narrower step width during walking than did those with a lower tone. The regression analysis showed that SOM tone was significantly associated with CVA (β = −0.219, p = 0.020), COP path length (β = 0.308, p = 0.001) and velocity (β = 0.296, p = 0.002), and step width (β = −0.242, p = 0.014), whereas CEM and UTM tone were not significantly associated with these variables. Conclusions: These findings suggest that SOM tone may be associated with postural control characteristics among healthy adults. Full article