Search Results (104)

Background: Motor competence (MC) is defined as the ability to perform a wide range of motor skills with proficiency and control. The present quasi-experimental study design examines the impact of two structured intervention programs on MC in children who practiced athletics at the same club, aged 6 to 10 years, implemented over 12 weeks. Methods: The sample consisted of 64 children, assigned to two intervention groups: Intervention Group A (IG_A) composed of 15 male and 17 female children (9.57 ± 0.86 years) and Intervention Group B (IG_B), of 14 male and 18 female children (9.08 ± 1.33 years). IG_A received athletics-based training exclusively, three times per week, while IG_B undertook two weekly athletics sessions and one complementary activity session, such as handball, gymnastics, swimming, and motor games. MC was assessed using the modified Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK3+). The KTK3+ consists of three original KTK tasks, [Backward Balance (BB), Sideways Moving (MS), and Jumping Sideways (JS)] and an additional Eye–Hand Coordination (EHC) task. For statistical analysis, ANOVA repeated measures 2 × 2 was used. Results: In relation to JS, the performance on this test did not change with the intervention programs in either of the two groups. For BB and MS, both groups improved their performances in a similar way through the program implementation. Differently, for EHC, results showed that only IG_B improved its performance significantly (p < 0.001) with the program’s intervention, with a large Cohen’s d effect size (0.84). Finally, as a general analysis, the KTK3+ raw results (RS) and results translated to Global Motor Quotient (GQM), revealed significant differences between IG_A and IG_B post-intervention, with p < 0.001 for both variables’ comparison and with large Cohen’s d effect sizes for both (1.581 for RS and 1.595 for GQM), favoring IG_B. Conclusions: Both programs led to improvements in the various KTK3+ battery tasks. However, only the program that combined athletics training with multiactivity training led to significant improvements in the EHC test and in the overall KTK3+ results of the children involved. Full article

Background: Jute, recognized as the ‘golden fiber’ of Bangladesh, produces a substantial amount of stick left over (waste), a byproduct of the fiber. Usually, unused jute sticks (JS) are thrown away or burned, since they are treated as landfill or unusable waste. Noteworthy research gaps exist in the farming process, infrastructure, [supply chains], unfavorable policies, government interference, and insufficient farmers’ knowledge of the export market. This research examines the potential of jute stick charcoal (JSC) as a sustainable and value-added product within the circular economy framework. Methods: This study employs a system dynamics (SD) modeling approach to examine how various factors, including agricultural output, supply chain process efficiency, trade flows, and relevant variables, influence JSC supply chain performance. Considering technologies, logistics, and policy variables, this study constructed a simulation model with three scenarios: current, worst-case, and improved, using Vensim DSS to identify system behavior under changing conditions. Results: The simulation indicates that optimizing idle jute resources, enhancing supply chain processes, and expanding markets can increase economic returns, reduce waste, and create more rural jobs, particularly for women. Conclusions: Enhanced coordination, technologies, and logistics can reduce carbon emissions, benefit farmers, support rural industries, and contribute to SDGs 8, 12, and 13. Full article

Although public service motivation (PSM) has been extensively studied for decades, its theoretical pathways to job satisfaction (JS)—a central determinant of public institution performance—remain insufficiently articulated. This study fills this theoretical gap by proposing a dual-path mediation model wherein person–organization fit (PO-fit) and perceived accountability jointly elucidate how PSM enhances JS. Drawing on survey data from 1098 employees of the Taiwan Railways Administration, a public utility undergoing institutional reform, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test our model. The results indicate that three dimensions of PSM—attraction to public service, commitment to public values, and compassion—positively affect JS through both direct and indirect pathways. PO-fit fosters value congruence between employees and organizations, while perceived accountability strengthens moral responsibility and intrinsic fulfillment. Theoretically, the study advances PSM research by integrating value alignment and accountability mechanisms into a unified motivational framework. Practically, it offers guidance for human resource strategies that cultivate a motivated, satisfied, and accountable workforce—an essential condition for achieving SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Full article

This paper addresses the need for accessible and interoperable supervision solutions within the Industry 4.0 paradigm, particularly for small-scale or resource-constrained environments. The proposed system integrates a web-based architecture using opensource technologies to enable real-time industrial monitoring and data acquisition. A hybrid setup was developed, combining a virtual glass manufacturing process in Factory IO with a physical three-phase induction motor controlled by a Modicon M580 PLC. The system architecture includes a local HMI developed in Control Expert and a remote interface built with React and Node.js, both synchronized through a MySQL 8.0 database populated via Python 3.13 using the Modbus TCP/IP protocol. Experimental results demonstrate consistent data synchronization, reliable multi-platform integration, and an average end-to-end latency of 156 ms, validating the feasibility of the approach for IIoTbased applications. The solution demonstrates how general-purpose web technologies can be effectively repurposed for industrial use, offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional SCADA systems. The proposed architecture is easily replicable, adaptable to various process configurations, and suitable for academic, prototyping, and SME environments. Full article

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing (EC) play an essential role in today’s communication systems, supporting diverse applications in industry, healthcare, and environmental monitoring; however, these technologies face a major challenge in accurately determining the geographic origin of sensed data, as such data are meaningful only when their source location is known. The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) is often impractical or inefficient in many environments due to limited satellite coverage, high energy consumption, and environmental interference. This paper recruits the Distance Vector-Hop (DV-Hop), Jellyfish Search (JS), and Artificial Rabbits Optimization (ARO) algorithms and presents an innovative GPS-free positioning framework for three-dimensional (3D) EC environments. In the proposed framework, the basic DV-Hop and multi-angulation algorithms are generalized for three-dimensional environments. Next, both algorithms are structurally modified and integrated in a complementary manner to balance exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, a Lévy flight-based perturbation phase and a local search mechanism are incorporated to enhance convergence speed and solution precision. To evaluate performance, sixteen 3D IoT environments with different configurations were simulated, and the results were compared with nine state-of-the-art localization algorithms using MSE, NLE, ALE, and LEV metrics. The quantitative relative improvement ratio test demonstrates that the proposed method is, on average, 39% more accurate than its competitors. Full article

In this study, we used the hydrophobic-polar (HP) two-dimensional square and three-dimensional cubic lattice models for the problem of protein structure prediction (PSP). This kind of lattice reduces computational time and calculations, the conformational space from $9^n$ to $3^{n-2}$ for the 2D square lattice and $5^{n-2}$ for the 3D cubic lattice. Even within this context, it remains challenging for genetic algorithms or other metaheuristics to identify the optimal solutions. The contributions of the paper consist of: (1) implementation of a high-performing novel genetic algorithm (GA); instead of considering only the self-avoiding walk (SAW) conformations approached in other work, we decided to allow any conformation to appear in the population at all stages of the proposed all conformations biomimetic genetic algorithm (ACGA). This increases the probability of achieving good conformations (self avoiding walk ones), with the lowest energy. In addition to classical crossover and mutation operators, (2) we introduced specific translation operators for these two operations. We have proposed and implemented an HP Protein Visualizer tool which offers interpretability, a hybrid approach in that the visualizer gives some insight to the algorithm, that analyse and optimise protein structures HP model. The program resulted based on performed research, provides a molecular modeling tool for studying protein folding using technologies such as Node.js, Express and p5js for 3D rendering, and includes optimization algorithms to simulate protein folding. Full article

This study explored how top-dressed biogas slurry at winter wheat’s (Triticum aestivum L.) jointing stage (JS) and grain-filling period (GP) affects soil enzyme–microbe interactions, aiming to address nutrient supply–crop demand mismatches. A field experiment with five treatments (water [CK], chemical fertilizer [CF], and three biogas slurry topdressing regimes [S1–S3]) was conducted. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected at JS, flowering stage (FS), GP, and reaping period (RP) to analyze soil properties (total nitrogen [TN], available phosphorus [AP], available potassium [AK], soil organic matter [SOM], ammonium nitrogen [AN], pH), enzyme activities (urease [UE], neutral phosphatase [NP], sucrase [SC], catalase [CAT]), and microbial community abundance (via Illumina NovaSeq sequencing). Results showed biogas slurry altered enzyme activities, microbial structure (e.g., Actinomycetota, Ascomycota), and their interactions by regulating soil properties. JS application boosted Pseudomonadota and UE activity, GP application increased Ascomycota and CAT activity, and S3 had the most complex enzyme–microbe network, enhancing nutrient cycling. The analysis indicated that UE activity was strongly and positively correlated with several bacterial phyla (e.g., Planctomycetota, Verrucomicrobiota) (p < 0.01) and fungal phyla (e.g., Ascomycota) (p < 0.01). Full article

Structural variation (SV) serves as a fundamental driver of phenotypic diversity and environmental adaptation in plants and animals, significantly influencing key agronomic traits in crops. Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an allohexaploid species, harbors extensive chromosomal SVs and distant hybridization-induced recombination events that provide critical resources for genetic improvement. This study utilizes non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) and oligonucleotide multiplex probe-based FISH (ONPM-FISH) to analyze the karyotypes of 153 BC₁F₄–BC₁F₆ lines derived from the hybrid line Xiaoyan 7430 and common wheat Yannong 1212. The results revealed that Xiaoyan 7430 carries 8 alien chromosome pairs and 20 wheat chromosome pairs (lacking 6B), and Yannong 1212 contains 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes. The parental lines exhibited presence/absence variations (PAVs) on chromosomes 2A, 6A, 5B, 1D, and 2D. Chromosomal variations, including numerical chromosomal variation (NCV), structural chromosomal variation (SCV), and complex chromosomal variation (CCV), were detected in the progeny lines through ONPM-FISH analysis. The tracking of alien chromosomes over three consecutive generations revealed a significant decrease in transmission frequency, declining from 61.82% in BC₁F₄ to 26.83% in BC₁F₆. Telosomes were also lost during transmission, declining from 21.82% in BC₁F₄ to 9.76% in BC₁F₆. Alien chromosome 1J^S, 4J, and 6J exhibited the highest transmission stability and were detected across all three generations. Association analysis showed that YN-PAV.2A significantly affected the length/width ratio (LWR) and grain diameter (GD); YN-PAV.6A, XY-PAV.6A, and PAV.5B increased six grain traits (+2.25%~15.36%); YN-PAV.1D negatively affected grain length (GL) and grain circumference (GC); and XY-PAV.2D exerted positive effects on thousand-grain weight (TGW). Alien chromosomes differentially modulated grain characteristics: 1J^S and 6J both reduced grain length and grain circumference; 1J^S increased LWR; and 4J negatively impacted TGW, grain width (GW), GD, and grain area (GA). Meanwhile, increasing alien chromosome numbers correlated with progressively stronger negative effects on grain traits. These findings elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying wheat chromosomal variations induced by distant hybridization and their impact on wheat grain traits, and provide critical intermediate materials for genome design breeding and marker-assisted selection in wheat improvement. Full article

Existing building management systems face critical limitations in real-time data integration, primarily relying on static models that lack dynamic updates from IoT sensors. To address this gap, this study proposes a novel system integrating MQTT over WebSocket with Three.js visualization, enabling real-time sensor-data binding to Building Information Models (BIM). The architecture leverages MQTT’s lightweight publish-subscribe protocol for efficient communication and employs a TCP-based retransmission mechanism to ensure 99.5% data reliability in unstable networks. A dynamic topic-matching algorithm is introduced to automate sensor-BIM associations, reducing manual configuration time by 60%. The system’s frontend, powered by Three.js, achieves browser-based 3D visualization with sub-second updates (280–550 ms latency), while the backend utilizes SpringBoot for scalable service orchestration. Experimental evaluations across diverse environments—including high-rise offices, industrial plants, and residential complexes—demonstrate the system’s robustness: Real-time monitoring: Fire alarms triggered within 2.1 s (22% faster than legacy systems). Network resilience: 98.2% availability under 30% packet loss. User efficiency: 4.6/5 satisfaction score from facility managers. This work advances intelligent building management by bridging IoT data with interactive 3D models, offering a scalable solution for emergency response, energy optimization, and predictive maintenance in smart cities. Full article

Consuming a high-fat diet (HFD) has been linked to gene expression alterations and negative behavior changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a HFD on behavior and gene expression in the hippocampi of male and female mice from different strains to evaluate sex and genetic differences. C57BL/6J (B6J) and DBA/2J (D2J) mice were randomly assigned to either a control diet containing 10% kcal fat or a HFD containing 60% kcal fat for 16 weeks. Behavior was measured using the open field test for anxiety, nestlet shredding for general welfare, and novel object recognition for memory. Alpha synuclein (αSYN), amyloid precursor protein (APP), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression was assessed. The HFD led to reduced nestlet shredding for male B6J mice exclusively. There was a significant main effect of sex for fecal boli within the B6J strain and higher levels of fecal boli only for HFD male B6Js. No difference in memory was found in either strain. Significant three-way interactions between diet, sex, and strain for mRNA expression of aSYN and APP were found. However, the simple main effect of diet was only significant in the male B6J strain, revealing a 7-fold upregulation of hippocampal αSYN expression and 10-fold upregulation of APP in the HFD group compared to the control diet group. Although there was a significant strain by sex interaction effect for BDNF expression, there was no effect of diet on either strain. Overall, the HFD treatment impacted male B6J mice the greatest. This study demonstrates that biological sex and genetic factors should be considered when examining the impact of diet on behavior and the brain. Full article

Hemp stalk, a widely available agricultural waste, is an ideal eco-friendly raw material for biochar production. Carbonization experiments were conducted as a novel approach for the scalable and value-added utilization of hemp stalk under oxygen-exclusion conditions. The effects of feedstock types—Hibiscus cannabinus (KS), Corchorus spp. (JS), and Boehmeria spp. (RS)—and pyrolysis temperatures on biochar properties were analyzed through the measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of biochars increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Notably, EC was significantly higher for RS (940–2278 μS/cm) than for KS (517–879 μS/cm) and JS (583–863 μS/cm). The C content in these three biochars increased as the temperature increased, whereas the H/C atomic ratio decreased, most notably in JS (by 0.33%). According to FTIR and XRD data, with the pyrolysis temperature increasing, the acidic oxygen-containing groups on biochar surfaces reduced. KS700, with superior aromatic structure and stability, may be able to effectively adsorb heavy metal ions. RS700, with relatively high pH and EC, was suitable for alleviating soil acidification and nutrient deficiency. The feedstock and pyrolysis temperature significantly affected the element content, pore structure, and stability of biochars derived from hemp stalk. Full article

The Oymaağaç Höyük Project (2005–today) investigates a 6,500-year-oldmulti-period settlement in the district of Vezirköprü at the southern edge of the Black Sea province of Samsun in northern Türkiye. According to cuneiform texts, the site can be associated with the Hittite cult city of Nerik (17th–12th century BC). Automatic multi-image photogrammetry, also known as Structure from Motion (SfM), has proven to be a powerful and flexible means for the three-dimensional documentation of objects and finds of different shapes and sizes. Data products were created in the form of 3D point clouds, textured surface models, orthophotos, sections, and 3D prints (physical 3D models). Visualization of 3D data was realized via an internet browser (Potree Viewer, Babylon.js) and virtual reality (VR) techniques. Photogrammetry is very flexible in its application because the accuracy depends essentially on the scale of the images. On the other hand, the constantly growing volume of data as a result of the evolving technical possibilities requires sustainable data management, which is difficult to realize in practice due to limited financial resources. The article provides an overview of the use of photogrammetry in the project. Full article

This study investigates the sustainable production of NdFeB permanent magnets using powder extrusion molding (PEM) with in situ magnetic alignment, utilizing recycled powder from an end-of-life (Eol) wind turbine magnet obtained via hydrogen processing of magnetic scrap (HPMS). Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations were conducted to design and optimize alignment tool geometries and magnetic field parameters. A key challenge in the PEM process is achieving effective particle alignment while the continuous strand moves through the magnetic field during extrusion. To address this, extrusion experiments were performed using three different alignment tool geometries and varying magnetic field strengths to determine the optimal configuration for particle alignment. The experimental results demonstrate a high degree of alignment (B_r/J_s = 0.95), exceeding the values obtained with PEM without an external magnetic field (0.78). The study confirms that optimizing the alignment tool geometry and applying sufficiently strong magnetic fields during extrusion enable the production of anisotropic NdFeB permanent magnets without post-machining, providing a scalable route for permanent magnet recycling and manufacturing. Moreover, PEM with in situ magnetic particle alignment allows for the continuous fabrication of near-net-shape strands with customizable cross-sections, making it a scalable approach for permanent magnet recycling and industrial manufacturing. Full article

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by trigger points (TrPs): hypersensitive spots in taut muscle bands that impair function and cause pain. Dry needling (DN) is a common treatment in humans, but evidence in horses is limited. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of DN in reducing TrP-related pain in the brachiocephalic muscle of horses. Of the 98 horses enrolled, 66 were allocated to a treatment group receiving weekly DN sessions for three weeks, while 32 were assigned to a control group with no intervention. Pain and function were assessed using pressure algometry, a numerical rating scale (NRS), a functional total test score (FTTS), and behavioral indicators including jump sign (JS), equine pain face (EPF), and local twitch responses (LTRs). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 0, 4, 24, and 72 h post-intervention. Results indicate a significant increase in pressure pain thresholds (p < 0.001), especially after the second and third sessions. Both NRS and FTTS improved significantly over time (p < 0.001), and LTRs progressively decreased. EPF and JS showed minimal variation. These results support the use of DN to reduce local muscle pain and improve function in horses with TrPs. Further robust studies are warranted to refine protocols and investigate long-term effects. Full article

In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity, physicochemical properties, and sensory characteristics of Yanggaeng made with grapes. Freeze-dried powders and juices were prepared from three grape varieties (Campbell Early, Kyoho, and Shine Muscat). Yanggaeng was then prepared at concentrations of 2, 4, and 8%. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring total polyphenols and DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities. The physicochemical properties measured included solid content, Brix, pH, total acidity, moisture content, color, and texture profile analysis (TPA). The results showed that the total polyphenol content increased as the number of grapes increased, with the 8% Shine Muscat juice (JS 8%) sample having the highest polyphenol content and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. The highest moisture content was observed in the control treatment. The L* value decreased, whereas the a* and b* values increased as the grape concentration increased. The 8% Campbell Early (JG 8%) sample exhibited extremely high a* and b* values. When freeze-dried powder was used, the pH decreased and the total acidity increased compared to that using the juice samples. Full article