Search Results (817)

Landing biomechanics are strongly influenced by task complexity, yet the combine effects of different landing demands and taping on stability, kinetics, and kinematics remain unclear. Nineteen female athletes performed 40 cm drop landings (DL), drop jump landings (DJL), and countermovement jumps (CMJ) under four knee taping conditions: no tape (NT), rigid tape (RT), dynamic tape (DT), and kinesio tape (KT). Stability indices were compared across tasks and taping conditions. Continuous landing-phase biomechanics were analysed using SPM1d repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). SPM1d revealed significant GRF differences between landing tasks (0–3%, p = 0.026; 15–25%, p < 0.001), with DT (p = 0.02) and KT (p = 0.03) reducing peak landing forces in the DJL compared to DL. The DL showed greater biomechanical stability overall, with better dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) across all taping conditions. However, TTS was significantly shorter in the DJL than the DL in RT (p = 0.005), DT and KT (p = 0.037). Significant joint kinematic differences were found between tasks and taping, particularly at the ankle, knee, and hip. Landing complexity influences joint loading and stability. Knee taping may attenuate impact forces and improve stabilisation during complex tasks, suggesting a potential role in enhancing movement efficiency and supporting injury-prevention. Full article

The research aims to derive the positive and negative values and strange habits included in Ibn Battuta’s journey called “Tuhfat An-Nuzzar fi Ghara’ibal-Amsar wa-‘Aja’ib Al-Asfar” by Shams al-Din bin Abdullah al-Lawati, the Moroccan al-Tanji, known as Ibn Battuta (d. 1377 AD), presented and investigated by Ali al-Muntasir al-Katani (D.T), which was included in Ibn Battuta’s trip, to the peoples of the countries he visited on the African and Asian continents. A total of 440 respondents participated in the study: 195 teachers in the supplementary track and 245 fourth-year regular track students at an Arab College of Education from all disciplines: early childhood, Arabic language, science, mathematics and computer science, English language, and special education. The respondents were asked to select an enrichment text or a story of one or more pages from Ibn Battuta’s travels, with the aim of eliciting the positive and negative values and strange customs of the peoples and countries Ibn Battuta visited in Africa and Asia. The study results indicated that Ibn Battuta’s travelogue, “Tuhfat An-Nuzzar fi Ghara’ibal-Amsar wa-‘Aja’ib Al-Asfar,” is considered an important literary reference, rich with texts and stories from which we can deduce the values and customs of the people of the countries Ibn Battuta visited in Africa and Asia. Teachers can use this information for discussion and constructive dialogue with their students in schools, in various educational subjects such as social studies, religion, literature, Arabic language, history, and geography. Most of the study participants support the idea of integrating Ibn Battuta’s travelogue into various lessons. The study recommends the importance of integrating and expanding it to include other subjects in schools, colleges, and universities. This integration should be systematically built around various activities that achieve “meaningful learning,” ensure active student participation, and enhance value for the learner and society. In conclusion, I recommend conducting detailed studies and research on the educational values derived from travel literature. Full article

Dural tear (DT) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, though uncommon complications, represent a potentially serious risk of anterior cervical spine surgery, particularly in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). While the incidence in routine anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or corpectomy (ACCF) is typically below 0.5%, it rises sharply to 4–32% in OPLL cases. Furthermore, it exceeds 60% when dural ossification (DO) is present. Adhesion and ossification obliterate the normal epidural plane, creating a fragile osteofibrotic interface that is highly susceptible to tearing during decompression. This review synthesizes current evidence on the pathophysiology of DT and CSF leakage in anterior cervical spine surgery, provides a framework for risk stratification, and outlines evolving techniques for successful repair and management. Intraoperative management has shifted from direct resection toward dura-preserving floating decompression and biologically reinforced multilayer repair using fascia, collagen matrix, fibrin adhesives, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel sealants. Postoperative care emphasizes controlled CSF pressure regulation, sterile wound management, and early ambulation. Most DTs achieve successful closure with timely recognition and standardized treatment. However, persistent leakage may require escalation to composite reconstruction, epidural blood patch, or vascularized flap reinforcement. Emerging technologies such as bioactive hydrogels, 3D-printed dural scaffolds, and artificial intelligence–assisted imaging offer potential future improvements, although clinical adoption remains limited. This review summarizes current evidence on the mechanisms, risk factors, diagnostic predictors, repair strategies, and postoperative management of DT and CSF leakage, with specific attention to OPLL-related DO. A more apparent distinction between established clinical practice and emerging investigational technologies is provided to guide evidence-based decision-making. Full article

In Brazil, public health programs have relied predominantly on chemical insecticides to control Aedes aegypti, Anopheles spp., Culex quinquefasciatus, triatomines, and phlebotomines. Rising vector-borne disease incidence and insecticide resistance (IR) call for a critical appraisal of historical and current control practices. This literature review compiles secondary data produced from 1901 to 2024 obtained from Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, and governmental notes and reports. Brazil’s vector control progressed from organochlorines (e.g., DDT) to organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, insect growth regulators, microbial larvicides (Bti and Lsp), spinosad, and recently formulations with dual active-ingredient. Ae. aegypti showed widespread resistance to temephos and pyrethroids, decreased susceptibility to pyriproxyfen, and no documented Bti resistance. Anopheles spp. exhibited low to moderate resistance to pyrethroids. Cx. quinquefasciatus resistance is likely influenced by collateral exposure from Aedes control and domestic use. Regarding triatomines and phlebotomines, there was a predominant reliance on pyrethroids; most studies indicate their susceptibility to these compounds. In short, Brazil’s century-long, insecticide-centric strategy has delivered episodic gains but fostered Aedes aegypti resistance. For other species, for which there is no dedicated program for a long period, data on resistance are scarce or nonexistent. Sustainable progress requires strengthened, nationwide IR surveillance and entomological mapping to coordinate cross-program actions. Full article

Reproducing the fluid dynamics of rivers is a challenging task that involves considering various factors such as water level and flow velocity. Although numerical modeling research has been performed in this field, the intricacy of establishing these models can vary considerably based on the numerical techniques applied. Hence, this study aims to validate the effectiveness of fluid flow reproduction technology based on game engines, highlighting its real-time performance. In particular, a prototype of the digital twin (DT) of the River Experiment Center, a full-scale hydraulic experimental facility, was constructed using the Unreal Engine 5 game engine, emphasizing visibility and real-time reproduction. Fluid Flux, based on shallow-water equations and 2D height fields, was utilized to reproduce flow results, and a comparative validation was conducted using the experimental data obtained from full-scale empirical tests. The findings validated the practicality of replicating real flow patterns, even with a simplified fluid simulation aimed at reproducibility and real-time efficiency. However, specific factors must be considered for public usage such as managing rivers and urban floods. The results indicate that graphics-based flow reproduction technology can more easily integrate with other fields. Moreover, the ability to reproduce events in real time and employ visual effects is essential for efficient disaster response. Full article

In the transition toward a more digital and data-driven construction industry, understanding how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) are integrated is key to planning, delivering, and operating projects effectively. This review examines recent studies to identify usage patterns of AI and BIM. Searches were conducted on the Web of Science Core Collection from 2022 to 2025. After running a reproducible review protocol aligned with PRISMA 2020, which began with 1212 articles, and after a funneling process, 12 studies met the predefined eligibility criteria. In the present study, the synthesis was non-meta-analytic; instead, the information was analyzed by using standardized tabulation with a consistent format and compared using a two-level weighting scheme. The methodological approach combines full-text reading and descriptive coding with a reproducible weighting scheme that accounts for mentions per study and integrates them at the corpus level using open-source tools. The results show a strong focus on Deep Learning (DL), with a greater presence in Digital Twins (DT) and BIM Modeling (BIMM); Multidimensional BIM (4D/5D) appears as a secondary line, while the Common Data Environment (CDE) and Clash detection (CD) are sporadic. The coupling of DL-DT and DL-BIMM predominates. Simultaneously, Machine Learning (ML) provides explainable analysis on structured data, and Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) and Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) with Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) act as enablers for data generation/adaptation and deployment with traceability. It is concluded that advancing metrics and shared datasets, especially for CDE and CD, along with developing reproducible workflows oriented toward MLOps, are key to scaling AI in real-world environments. Full article

A manganese dioxide-modified carboxylated graphene oxide (MnO₂@CGO) nanocomposite was fabricated and utilized as a solid nanosorbent for extracting six organochlorine pesticides from environmental water samples. The target compounds, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), Heptachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, and o,p-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p-DDT), were determined by micro-solid phase extraction (µ-SPE) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selective ion monitoring mode. Key experimental factors influencing the extraction performance, such as sample pH, sorbent dosage, type and volume of eluting solvent, and time for desorption, were systematically optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed good linearity (R² = 0.998–1.000) within the concentration range of 0.1–5 ng L⁻¹. The developed procedure was successfully applied to Nile River, agricultural wastewater, and groundwater samples, achieving recoveries between 87.1% and 101.2% with RSDs below 4.0%. The detection limits were 0.005–0.010 mg L⁻¹ at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.0. Overall, the MnO₂@CGO-based µ-SPE method offers a sensitive, reliable, and straightforward approach for monitoring trace levels of organochlorine pesticides in environmental waters. Full article

Groundwater contaminated with organic chemicals can be treated by raising the subsurface temperature, thereby enhancing the rate of microbial degradation. This process requires careful monitoring through space and time to ensure that heat is being delivered to the most contaminated regions of the groundwater system. Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system as a high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring strategy. The DTS sensing system required the installation of fiber optic cable in the subsurface. Boreholes were drilled with hollow casings, a fiber optic cable was inserted into the casings, and then, the casings were withdrawn to allow the formation to collapse around the fiber. The fiber was then fusion-spliced into a single continuous fiber that could be interrogated by a Raman-based DTS unit. Temperature measurements were collected at 30 min intervals over a 575 m span with 0.25 m spatial sampling, resulting in over 110,000 temperature data points per day. With this high resolution monitoring the development of thermal plumes emanating from solar-heated borehole heat exchangers could be closely monitored. The pseudo-3D monitoring network showed the lateral and upward migration of the induced thermal plumes over time. This information was valuable for assuring the heated groundwater was contacting the intended treatment zone. Full article

Introduction: Evaluating cardiovascular function is crucial in the care of critically ill patients. Recent advancements in continuous cardiac output (CO) monitoring have led to the emergence of several arterial pulse contour devices. To effectively compare the accuracy of these devices, a comprehensive assessment is necessary. However, no experimental studies were found that have evaluated these devices in a controlled setting. Methods: In this innovative bench study, we used a Donovan mock circulatory system in conjunction with a total artificial heart (TAH-t) to simultaneously generate several comparable arterial waveforms and compared CO estimates from three different pulse contour devices: FloTrac™ (Vigileo™, v1.8 4th generation, Edwards LifeSciences, Irvine, CA, USA), proAQT™ (PulsioFlex™, Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany), and LiDCO™ Plus (LiDCO™, LidCO Ltd., Cambridge, UK). These devices underwent several hemodynamic challenges (HCs), including decreased preload, decreased afterload, and increased heart rate. To evaluate the degree of agreement between the devices, we performed a Bland–Altman analysis for the paired devices. The interclass comparison, error percentage, and variation coefficient for each device were also assessed. Results: The present study first tested the comparability between the three additional arterial line waveforms, and the arterial control line was simultaneously generated with the hemodynamic simulation bench. Comparing the reference values of the dP/dt and sAUC pulse pressure, we found no clinically significant difference between the simultaneously generated arterial waveforms. The different pulse contour devices were then each connected to the arterial lines, with the performance of HCs. HC1 with a decreased preload revealed that CO estimates significantly decreased compared to the baseline values: 3.2 ± 0.06 L.min⁻¹, 4.7 ± 0.05, 4.3 ± 0.07, and 4.0 ± 0.05 for reference methods FloTrac™, PulsioFlex™, and LiDCO™, respectively. HC2 with an increased heart rate revealed CO estimates with FloTrac™, PulsioFlex™, and LiDCO™—6.0 ± 0.03, 6.6 ± 0.06, and 6.0 ± 0.05 L.min⁻¹, respectively—when the CO estimate was 5.6 ± 0.2. HC3 with a decreased afterload that significantly increased CO estimates compared to the baseline with FloTrac™, PulsioFlex™, and LiDCO™—7.0 ± 0.18, 6.6 ± 0.15, and 7.1 ± 0.30 L.min⁻¹, respectively—when the CO estimate with the reference method did not change significantly (from 5.90 ± 0.13 to 5.94 ± 0.11 p = 0.26). The devices’ degree of agreement was estimated with Bland–Altman analysis. Conclusions: The Donovan Mock Circulatory System with SynCardia TAH-t can be used as an innovative experimental hemodynamic simulation bench. It was proven to be stable, accurate, and reliable in generating several controlled pulse pressure waveforms, while many parameters could be changed, such as the preload, heart rate, or afterload. This enables a simultaneous evaluation of different pulse contour devices submitted to several HCs. This is of interest for clinicians to better understand the underlying principles and realistically compare the performance and potentially inherent limitations of pulse contour devices experimentally in a controlled simulated environment. Full article

Implantable technologies targeting the cerebral cortex and deeper brain structures are increasingly utilised in human–machine interfacing, advanced neuroprosthetics, and clinical interventions for neurological conditions. These systems require highly efficient and low-power methods for exchanging information between the implant and external electronics. Traditional approaches often rely on inductively coupled data transfer (ic-DT), where the same coils used for wireless power are modulated for communication. Other designs use high-frequency antenna-based radio systems, typically operating in the 401–406 MHz MedRadio band or the 2.4 GHz ISM band. A promising alternative is intrabody communication (IBC), which leverages the bioelectrical characteristics of body tissue to enable signal propagation. This work presents a theoretical investigation into two schemes—inductive coupling and galvanically coupled IBC (gc-IBC)—as applied to cortical data links, considering frequencies from 1 to 10 MHz and implant depths of up to 7 cm. We propose a hybrid solution where gc-IBC supports data transmission and inductive coupling facilitates wireless power delivery. Our findings indicate that gc-IBC can accommodate wider bandwidths than ic-DT and offers significantly reduced path loss, approximately 20 dB lower than those of conventional RF-based antenna systems. Full article

Digital Twins (DTs) are transforming construction and energy management sectors by integrating 3D surveying, monitoring, Building Performance Simulation (BPS), and Building Energy Simulation (BES) from the earliest design or retrofit stages. Moreover, dynamic thermal simulations further support energy performance assessments by modeling indoor conditions to meet comfort and efficiency targets. However, their reliability depends on accurate, standards-compliant 3D building models, which are costly to create. This research introduces a complete framework for automatically generating energy-focused Digital Twins (EDTs) directly from unstructured point clouds. Combining Deep Learning-based instance detection, Scan-to-BIM techniques, and computational geometry, the method produces simulation-ready models without manual intervention. The resulting EDTs streamline early-stage performance evaluation, enable scenario testing, and enhance decision making for energy-efficient retrofits, advancing smart-building design through predictive simulation. Full article

Occupational exposure to soil-borne pesticides remains a critical safety and process-management challenge in industrial and agro-industrial settings. This work proposes a process-integrated analytical workflow that couples comparative instrumental identification of soil xenobiotics with an occupational risk assessment framework. We comparatively evaluate GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry), HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry), and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) against matrix complexity, sensitivity, cost, and throughput, and implement the Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method-based sample preparation followed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS to demonstrate applicability on representative soil and food-chain samples. Complementary risk tools (toxicity–probability matrices, exposure pathway diagrams) and an integrated monitoring scheme that combines environmental data with biomonitoring are used to link concentrations to exposure potential and control priorities. In a soil case sample, low-level organochlorines were detected with total DDT at 0.010 mg/kg and total HCH at 0.003 mg/kg, illustrating how analytical outputs feed decision matrices for prioritizing interventions. Case analyses from agricultural and industrial contexts indicate that targeted substitution, optimized application, ventilation and dust control, PPE (personal protective equipment) adherence, and worker training can measurably reduce symptoms and biomarkers of exposure. Overall, a complementary, process-analytical approach—integrating sensitive multi-technique detection with exposure assessment and continuous monitoring—supports proactive risk management and aligns with process systems and monitoring themes. Recommendations include standardizing workflows, coupling routine environmental monitoring with biomonitoring where feasible, and embedding preventive policies and training into industrial management systems. Full article

Birds have played a crucial role as environmental monitors throughout history, ranging from the use of canaries to detect methane and carbon monoxide in mines to the decline of raptors and seabirds during the DDT era due to widespread organochlorine pesticide contamination. Owing to their high diversity and capacity for bioaccumulation, birds are widely recognized as effective indicators of environmental change and pollutant exposure. Cytogenetic techniques have been increasingly applied over the past two decades to assess micronuclei formation resulting from interactions with clastogenic and aneugenic chemical compounds. The main goals of this study were (a) to evaluate a subset of the bird community in the southeastern Brazilian Cerrado as potential environmental indicators of pesticide exposure using the erythrocyte micronucleus test and (b) to investigate possible associations between bird morphometric traits and micronuclei frequency. Birds were sampled from three groups of coffee farms in the Brazilian Cerrado. Blood samples were collected from 152 individuals (122 on farms and 30 at the reference site) via the metatarsal vein, followed by slide preparation for micronucleus analysis. Two slides were prepared per bird; each slide was scored for 10,000 erythrocytes, and MN frequency was reported as the mean across slides. The species Leptotila rufaxilla, Volatinia jacarina, Galbula ruficauda, Gnorimopsar chopi, Molothrus bonariensis, Passer domesticus, Turdus leucomelas, and Turdus rufiventris exhibited six or more micronuclei per 10,000 erythrocytes, indicating the highest potential as bioindicators of environmental contamination. Micronuclei frequency in erythrocytes was positively correlated with the use of mixed pesticides, with variation depending on the size of the coffee farms. Although a slight negative biological trend was observed between micronuclei frequency and certain morphometric traits, particularly bill length, no statistically significant correlations were found. Similarly, birds from large farms exhibited a slight reduction in certain morphometric features, though these differences were also not statistically significant. These results highlight the utility of selected bird species as early-warning bioindicators for pesticide exposure in tropical agroecosystems. Full article

Physical therapy is a critical component of medical rehabilitation, aiding recovery from conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders. Effective rehabilitation requires precise monitoring of patient performance to ensure exercises are executed correctly and progress is accurately assessed. This paper presents a novel automated system for controlling the rehabilitation process and evaluating physical therapy exercise quality using computer vision and a customized Human Skeleton-based Balanced Time Warping algorithm. The proposed method quantitatively assesses the similarity between a physiotherapist and patient performance by analyzing skeletal motion data extracted from RGB-D video sequences without requiring pre-alignment or sensor-specific calibration. A motion-dependent, weighted Euclidean distance between 3D skeletal models is used to compute pose dissimilarity, while a modified DTW approach aligns temporal sequences and evaluates dynamic consistency. The total dissimilarity measure is a balanced combination of posture (DP) and dynamics (DT) components. Evaluated on a custom dataset of 136 video recordings from 23 participants performing exercises in sitting and standing positions under varying performance accuracy levels (“good,” “intermediate,” and “bad”), the system demonstrates the strong clustering of accuracy levels. Proposed dissimilarity, together with a fixed reference element (physiotherapist), induces a natural non-strict order on the set of distances between patients and physiotherapists. A high value of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between computed dissimilarity and execution accuracy (0.977) indicates that this method is suitable for assessing exercise performance accuracy and for adequately evaluating the patient’s rehabilitation progress. The method enables objective, real-time feedback, reduces therapist workload, and supports remote monitoring, offering a scalable solution for personalized rehabilitation. Future work will involve clinical validation with post-stroke and cardiac patients. Full article

This study evaluated the molecular resistance profile to insecticides and the genetic diversity of Anopheles albimanus populations from malaria endemic comarcas in Panama, a country in Mesoamerica aiming to eliminate local malaria transmission. Molecular screening was performed in 891 An. albimanus, distributed in 162 pools, and collected between 2011 and 2023. Pools were molecularly examined to detect natural infection with Plasmodium and sequenced to assess mutations in genes (vgsc, ace-1 and rdl) associated with resistance to commonly used insecticides. A high molecular infection rate by Plasmodium vivax was detected in all comarcas throughout the study period, and P. falciparum infections were detected in the last two years (2022–2023) in the east region. Mutations associated with pyrethroids/DDT resistance (H973Y and L1014F/C) and to organophosphorus/carbamate resistance (G119S) were detected at high frequencies (50.8% and 70%, respectively) in eastern comarcas but were absent from comarcas located west of the Panama Canal. Mutations in the rdl gene, associated with resistance to cyclodienes and neonicotinoids, were also frequently present. Anopheles populations from the western side were highly homogenous, suggesting a clonal expansion, contrasting with eastern samples, which exhibited a high genetic diversity. Our study provides a valuable baseline for planning future molecular vector surveillance studies in the region. It also provides valuable information to the vector control program in Panama to guide insecticide selection for IRS. Full article