Search Results (529)

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of fermentable dietary fiber derived from high-amylose wheat (HAW) flour on the intestinal environment using an in vitro fecal fermentation assay and a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. Methods: Digested HAW flour was fractionated into total dietary fiber (TDF), resistant starch (RS), and non-RS dietary fiber (DF-RS) fractions. Fecal culture tests were used to quantify short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and microbiota composition after cultivation. In the randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, 76 healthy adults consumed HAW-containing food (dietary fiber: 5.5 g/day, RS: 2.9 g/day) or control food (dietary fiber: 0.7 g/day, RS: n.d.) for 2 weeks. Results: Both RS and DF-RS increased SCFA production, with TDF having even stronger effects, suggesting enhanced fermentability in the presence of multiple types of fermentable dietary fibers. In the human trial, HAW-containing food intake did not significantly alter bowel movement frequency compared with the control. However, HAW-containing food consumption significantly reduced the levels of p-cresol, a representative gut-derived proteolytic metabolite linked to intestinal dysbiosis. No significant differences were observed in other secondary endpoints. Conclusions: Intake of HAW-derived foods appears to promote SCFA production and improve the intestinal environment by reducing p-cresol accumulation. Overall, these results highlight HAW flour as a practical prebiotic ingredient that helps support gut health. Full article

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of pain, mobility limitation, and increased fall risk among older adults. Gait dysfunction, characterized by spatiotemporal and kinematic alterations, is a key functional consequence of KOA. While sagittal-plane gait deviations are well-established, multiplanar kinematic changes—particularly in the frontal and transverse planes—remain less clearly understood. This study aimed to compare three-dimensional gait characteristics between older adults with and without KOA. Methods: Ninety older adults (45 with KOA and 45 controls) completed gait assessments using a VICON™ motion capture system. Participants walked at a self-selected speed along a straight walkway without turning movements during data collection. Spatiotemporal parameters and lower-limb joint kinematics (hip, knee, and ankle) were recorded during key gait phases: initial contact, mid-stance, toe-off, and mid-swing. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Compared with controls, participants with KOA demonstrated significantly slower gait velocity (p = 0.001), reduced cadence (p = 0.020), shorter stride length (p = 0.011), increased step time (p = 0.006), prolonged double support time (p = 0.009), and reduced single support time (p = 0.012). Kinematic analysis revealed greater knee adduction at initial contact (p = 0.001), reduced hip adduction (p = 0.002) and greater knee adduction (p = 0.003) during mid-stance, and increased ankle plantarflexion at toe-off (p = 0.004) in the KOA group. No significant between-group differences were observed during the mid-swing phase. Conclusions: Older adults with KOA exhibit distinct spatiotemporal and multiplanar kinematic gait alterations, particularly during weight-bearing phases. These changes may reflect adaptive gait patterns associated with joint dysfunction rather than definitive compensatory mechanisms. Three-dimensional gait analysis may provide valuable biomechanical insights to support early identification of mobility impairments and inform targeted rehabilitation planning in individuals with KOA. Full article

To address the issues of high impurity rates and grain loss during the wheat cleaning process, a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) approach was employed to investigate the internal airflow field and the fluid–solid coupling process of the wheat cleaning device. The numerical simulation of the three-dimensional internal flow field is carried out in the high-Reynolds-number turbulent region, and the transient double precision solver based on the pressure–velocity coupling algorithm is used. The effects of the air inlet velocity and angle on the airflow field distribution and air separation efficiency were analyzed through CFD simulation. Based on this, the structure of the cleaning device was optimized, and the movement characteristics of materials under various wind forces were compared through CFD-DEM coupling simulation. The results showed that the optimal air separation parameters were an air inlet velocity of 10 m/s and an air inlet angle of 20 degrees. Under these conditions, the airflow distribution in the air separation box was uniform, and the impurity separation efficiency reached the highest level. After optimizing the equipment by installing a high-pressure fan, the number of impurities in the wheat collection box under windy conditions was 265, a reduction of 53.8% compared to 573 under windless conditions. Finally, through repeated experiments on the entire machine, it was verified that the impurity rate of the optimized device was 1.722% and the loss rate was 0.622%, which were 0.23% and 0.12% lower than those of the existing equipment, respectively, consistent with the simulation results. This study provides theoretical basis and technical support for the optimization design of wheat cleaning equipment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Distal biceps tendon rupture (DBTR) significantly impairs upper-limb function, particularly in movements requiring elbow flexion and forearm supination. This condition continues to attract clinical interest due to its complex biomechanics, evolving surgical strategies, and the growing emphasis on comprehensive rehabilitation. Contemporary evidence highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates precise surgical repair with structured, progressive physiotherapy to optimize outcomes effectively. Methods: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, and a narrative review format was adopted to synthesize the available evidence. Results: Studies comparing single-incision and double-incision techniques show that both achieve excellent outcomes, although the decision should be tailored to patient-specific factors, surgeon expertise, and the reported complication risk, which may vary between 5% and 63%. Regardless of technique, restoring tendon integrity is essential for regaining normal strength and supination capability. Rehabilitation following DBTR repair relies on a phased and carefully monitored program. Early physiotherapy focuses on a controlled range of motion and the prevention of stiffness while protecting the repair. As healing progresses, strengthening exercises targeting the biceps, triceps, and brachialis are introduced, alongside endurance training to enhance overall functional capacity. Evidence strongly supports early mobilization protocols, where active motion and graded resistance are initiated within the first postoperative week, resulting in faster and more complete functional recovery compared to prolonged immobilization. Conclusions: Long-term outcomes after DBTR repair are consistently favorable. Most patients return to full activity or sport at an average of 5.4 months, although timelines vary with rehabilitation intensity and baseline fitness. Notably, 93–100% recover their pre-injury activity level, including participation in competitive sports. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of short-term broccoli powder supplementation on metabolically demanding exercise performance, muscle power, and blood lactate recovery. It also investigated broccoli powder-derived sulforaphane bioavailability and its effects in attenuating exercise-induced oxidative stress. Methods: Seventeen healthy males (age 23.8 ± 4.9 years, height 182.3 ± 6.1 cm, weight 80.0 ± 12.8 kg), in a double-blind crossover design, three weeks apart, consumed ten standard doses of either broccoli powder or spinach powder as a placebo over a period of 2 weeks. They then performed a maximal progressive cycling task with concomitant analysis of expired gas composition. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured before and 60 min after the completion of the task, and blood lactate and muscle power (counter-movement vertical jump (CMJ) performance) were measured before and up to 60 min after exercise. Results: The main findings were that despite urine sulforaphane output being markedly higher following broccoli supplementation (p < 0.05), which confirms effective absorption and systemic availability of the compound, this did not influence exercise-induced changes in plasma MDA concentration, blood lactate dynamics, exercise test performance, or functional recovery measured as muscle power via CMJ performance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, broccoli powder supplementation, despite efficient delivery of sulforaphane, does not seem to either acutely affect performance or modify oxidative stress and recovery from metabolically demanding exercise. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a foodborne pathogen whose virulence depends on the coordinated action of multiple virulence factors. Although deletion of either LIPI-4 or inlB reduces the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes, it remains unknown whether these two factors are functionally or regulatory connected. Therefore, we constructed an inlB deletion mutant and its complemented strain in the Lm928 and ΔLIPI-4 backgrounds. We assessed bacterial growth, biofilm formation, motility, host cell interactions (adhesion, invasion, intracellular proliferation), plaque formation, mouse organ colonization. Growth curve analysis showed no significant differences among strains. qPCR revealed that LIPI-4 modulates inlB expression in a cell-type-specific manner: inlB was downregulated in ΔLIPI-4 under culture and HTR-8 infection, but upregulated during hCMEC/D3 infection—yet functional defects persisted in all cases. Biofilm assays showed that ΔLIPI-4 and the double mutant exhibited enhanced biofilm formation, with the double mutant exceeding ΔLIPI-4, demonstrating synergistic enhancement. Motility assays indicated that LIPI-4 dominates bacterial movement, with ΔLIPI-4 and the double mutant showing identical severe defects. Plaque formation analysis showed that LIPI-4 is essential for cell-to-cell spread, while inlB deletion unexpectedly enhanced plaque formation—an effect completely abolished in the absence of LIPI-4. Host cell assays across Caco-2, HTR-8, and hCMEC/D3 models revealed that LIPI-4 is the core determinant of adhesion, invasion, and intracellular proliferation, whereas inlB contributes in the context of LIPI-4 and its effects vary with the specific cellular process examined. In mice, LIPI-4 was essential for systemic colonization of the liver and spleen, with inlB acting as a co-factor, whereas inlB unexpectedly promoted higher bacterial burdens in the brain, suggesting that inlB modulates LIPI-4-mediated neuroinvasion. Overall, our results establish LIPI-4 as the central determinant of Lm virulence, with inlB acting as a context-dependent co-factor that modulates LIPI-4-mediated pathogenesis in a cell type- and tissue-specific manner. Full article

Background and Objectives: Throughout the return-to-play process after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), clearance criteria and limb symmetry indices (LSI) play an important role in clinical decision-making by helping evaluate patient readiness and informing safe activity progressions, with the goal of reducing re-injury risk. How clearance criteria are implemented in research studies to evaluate patient readiness, specifically in force plate jumping studies, is currently unknown. This scoping review was a focused examination of clearance criteria and limb symmetry indices in studies performing force plate-based jumping assessments with ACLR patients. The research questions guiding this scoping review were as follows: (1) What clearance criteria are reported in studies involving primary ACLR patients who participate in jumping assessments on force plates? (2) What LSI are reported in force plate studies, and what level of symmetry is deemed acceptable to allow for safe participation of ACLR patients who participate in jumping assessments of force plates? Materials and Methods: Nine databases were searched on 7 or 8 September 2024 for three concepts: ACLR, force plates, and movement properties. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) primary ACLR patients at least 6 months post-surgery; (b) performing a countermovement or drop jump; (c) collecting at least one kinetic parameter using a force plate. Clearance criteria was operationally defined as a time from surgery boundary, functional or performance-based testing criteria, medical evaluation, or completion/participation in a rehabilitation program. Results: Thirty-five studies were included. Time from surgery was the most frequently reported clearance criteria (26/35; 74.3%), followed by medical evaluation (18/35; 51.4%), and completion of rehabilitation (10/35; 28.6%). Use of LSI as clearance criteria was limited (5/35; 14.3%). Minimum required LSI ranged from 85 to 90% in quadriceps strength and hop testing. Conclusions: Clearance criteria varied by jump type and post-surgical time frame when the participant was tested. Standardized rehabilitation was common prior to 2 years post-surgery, whereas medical clearance was common after 2 years post-surgery. Single leg jumps typically required 2–3 clearance criteria, whereas double leg jumps required 1–2 clearance criteria. Limb symmetry indices were used in combination with two other clearance criteria in studies with single-leg countermovement or drop jumps. Improvements in clearance criteria and adverse event reporting may help improve patient safety and interpretation of findings across studies. Full article

Background: Sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation can enhance performance in short, high-intensity movements. However, its effectiveness in team sports such as rugby remains insufficiently explored. Methods: In this double-blind, parallel, controlled trial, 17 male professional rugby players ingested SB (0.3 g/kg) or a placebo 90 min before a high-intensity, rugby-specific training session monitored via GPS. The training session was conducted under real-world conditions to enhance ecological validity. Physical performance (countermovement jump, CMJ), fatigue markers (capillary lactate and ratings of perceived exertion, RPE), and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were assessed pre- and post-exercise. Results: No significant pre–post changes were observed in CMJ performance in either group. Lactate concentrations increased from pre- to post-exercise in both groups (both p < 0.001). The SB group showed higher GI symptom severity before, during and after exercise versus placebo, with several symptoms increasing over time solely in the SB group (p < 0.05). RPE increased similarly in both groups (SB: p = 0.012; PLA: p = 0.008). Due to the small sample size, only moderate-to-large within-group effects and very large between-group differences could be detected; therefore, the study was powered to detect moderate-to-large within-group effects but underpowered for detecting between-group differences. Conclusions: Acute SB ingestion at 0.3 g/kg did not result in detectable improvements in performance or fatigue markers during rugby-specific high-intensity training and was associated with a greater incidence of GI discomfort; however, the study was underpowered to detect small between-group differences. This study was registered on 23 May 2025 on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07017582). Full article

Studying the slumping disintegration, movement speed, impact intensity, accumulation characteristics, and energy conversion laws of tower-column unstable rock masses (TCURM) is crucial for high-altitude rockfall hazard risk evaluation. Existing PFC-based rockfall simulations rarely target the unique “top-hard-bottom-weak” structural characteristics of TCURM and lack in-depth integration of on-site monitoring videos to verify dynamic evolution processes. Taking the large-scale collapse of W12^# unstable rock mass at Zengziyan, Jinfo Mountain in Chongqing as an example, a combination method of orthogonal test and PFC^3D discrete element simulation is used. Mesoscopic parameters are calibrated via comparison with on-site video and investigation data, accurately reproducing the entire slumping disintegration process and revealing its dynamic characteristics. Results confirm the simulation is basically consistent with field data, verifying the model and parameter rationality. The total duration from instability to stagnation is 121 s (15 s to impact the secondary steep cliff base, 106 s for debris accumulation). Movement speed time-histories of deteriorated and non-deteriorated zones are generally consistent, both exhibiting a “double-peak” feature. Rockfall impact force first increases, stabilizes in the middle, and declines to stability afterward, with a maximum of 2.1 × 10⁹ N. The kinetic energy curve also shows a “double-peak” distribution, closely related to the on-site two-level steep cliff morphology. The findings provide important references for analyzing the dynamic evolution of such rockfalls and designing disaster prevention/mitigation engineering. Full article

To address the critical demand for real-time dynamic tracking of personnel in complex buildings during emergency rescue, a novel system was proposed integrating Back Propagation (BP) neural networks with Double-Sided Two-Way Ranging (DS-TWR) technology to achieve precise indoor localization and motionless detection. Comprising hardware (positioning base stations, tags, POE switches, routers, and a computer) and software (developed on LabVIEW), the system leverages the symmetric signal transmission of DS-TWR and the adaptive learning capability of BP neural networks to effectively mitigate multipath interference, enhancing positioning consistency and accuracy. Thresholds of time period and movement distance were set to determine whether the occupant was trapped. When tested in several common building structures, it demonstrated good stability and high accuracy—the average RMSE of the positioning system was within 0.012–0.018 m (static state) and 0.048–0.065 m (dynamic state). Furthermore, the system could real-time monitor and display the movement trajectory of each person, and automatically alarm when anyone was trapped in a fire scene. Hence, rescue measures can be taken timely according to the alarm information provided by the system, effectively ensuring the safety of personnel and improving the efficiency of fire rescue work. The proposed approach provides a symmetry-driven framework for intelligent building safety. Full article

The article presents the results of research on the steering effort involved in performing two different maneuvers. One of them was a turning maneuver and the other was a double lane change maneuver. These are typical road maneuvers that result from various traffic situations. During the experiment, the torque acting on the steering wheel, the vehicle speed, and the lateral acceleration values generated during movement were recorded. The object of the study was a light bus equipped with a hydraulic power steering system. Road tests were conducted for three vehicle speeds and four different tire pressures, and the shock absorption properties of the wheels were determined based on performance charts. The tests carried out (cornering maneuver and double lane change) and the values recorded during their implementation, such as vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, steering angle, and steering torque, made it possible to determine the relationship between steering effort and the energy (elasticdamping) properties of the wheels of the tested car. Full article

The hydraulically driven piston compressor is a state-of-the-art solution for compressing hydrogen to pressure levels up to 100 MPa and even beyond, especially for use in hydrogen refueling stations. Based on the technical data of a few commercial hydraulically driven piston systems for hydrogen compression, thermodynamic calculations are developed in this paper, and a preliminary indicator, the compression-to-electric power ratio (CEPR), is assessed. In order to justify calculated CEPR values no greater than 0.42 for the analyzed compression units, attention is paid to the hydrogen compression duty, and the instantaneous power is drawn based on a simple but effective procedure. In detail, the instantaneous power profile has a peak value approximately double that of the average power, and this peak is maintained for almost half of the working period. According to this result, the electric motor must be sized correctly. Thus, it might seem over-configured if compared to the average compression power, hence the relatively low CEPR values. Finally, in order to support the current assessment of the instantaneous power, considerations about the control system for piston movement inversion are reported. Full article

To reduce mold costs in composite forming, multi-point tooling technology has been integrated into the hot diaphragm forming process. However, this approach still faces several challenges, including time-consuming prepreg layup, high energy consumption, and poor surface quality. This study proposes a heating pad-assisted multi-point thermoforming process: the prepreg is embedded in the thermal functional layers, placed on the lower mold, and formed via the downward movement of the upper mold to accomplish mold closure. Instead of the conventional rectangular array, this study adopted multi-point tooling with a hexagonal pin arrangement. Compared to traditional configurations, this hexagonal layout increases the punch support area by 9.8%, while its dense punch arrangement improves the accuracy of the molded curved surface. Taking a saddle-shaped surface as the target, a prototype part was fabricated. Subsequent analysis of the part’s surface quality identified three defects: dimples, fiber distortion, and ridge protrusions. The surface dimples were eliminated by adjusting the distance between the upper and lower molds. Notably, ridge protrusion is a defect unique to the hexagonal pin arrangement. We conducted a detailed analysis of its causes and solutions, finding that this defect arises from the combined effect of the pin arrangement and the saddle-shaped surface. Through a series of height compensation experiments, the maximum deviation at the ridges was reduced from 0.46 mm to approximately 0.35 mm, which is consistent with the deviation of defect-free areas. This work demonstrates that the multi-point hot-pressing process provides a potential, efficient, and low-cost method for manufacturing double-curvature composite components, whose effectiveness has been verified through the saddle-shaped case study. Full article

The increasing deployment of humanoid robots in indoor environments such as smart factories, laboratories, offices, and hospitals poses new challenges to millimeter-wave wireless communication systems. Existing human body obstruction models, while effective at characterizing pedestrian-induced signal attenuation, are not designed to directly capture the structural geometry, material composition, and controlled mobility of humanoid robotic platforms. In this work, we first reproduce a well-established human-body-based propagation model under comparable indoor conditions and subsequently extend this hybrid framework to controlled humanoid-based scenarios by combining double knife-edge diffraction (DKED) with a modified street-canyon reflection model operating at 28 GHz. Compared to existing human-based studies, the proposed approach explicitly incorporates the material properties of the humanoid robot’s envelope through a calibrated correction factor and accounts for its controlled lateral movements. An indoor measurement campaign using three programmable humanoid robots was conducted to evaluate the model. Experimental results show that humanoid robots can reproduce attenuation trends and obstruction dynamics consistent with those reported in prior human-body blockage studies, while offering improved repeatability and greater experimental control. The proposed framework provides a practical and reproducible tool for modeling indoor millimeter-wave channels under controlled humanoid-based experimental conditions, in environments involving mobile robotic agents. Full article

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an effective exogenous neuromuscular activation method widely used in sports training and rehabilitation. However, existing research primarily focuses on land-based sports or single-joint movements, with limited in-depth exploration of its intervention effects and underlying neuromuscular control mechanisms for complex, multi-joint coordinated aquatic activities like breaststroke swimming. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NMES combined with traditional resistance training on neuromuscular function during sport-specific technical movements in breaststroke athletes. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 national-level or above breaststroke athletes assigned to either an experimental group (NMES combined with traditional squat resistance training) or a control group (traditional squat resistance training only) for an 8-week intervention. A specialized fully waterproof wireless electromyography (EMG) sensor system (Mini Wave Infinity Waterproof) was used to synchronously collect surface EMG signals from 10 lower limb and trunk muscles during actual swimming, combined with high-speed video for movement phase segmentation. Changes in lower limb explosive power were assessed using a force plate. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) muscle synergy analysis was employed to compare changes in muscle activation levels (iEMG, RMS) and synergy patterns (spatial structure, temporal activation coefficients) across different phases of the breaststroke kick before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in single-leg jump height (Δ = 0.06 m vs. 0.03 m) and double-leg jump height (Δ = 0.07 m vs. 0.03 m). Time-domain EMG analysis revealed that the experimental group showed more significant increases in iEMG values for the adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gastrocnemius lateralis during the leg-retraction and leg-flipping phases (p < 0.05). During the pedal-clamp phase, the experimental group exhibited significantly reduced activation of the tibialis anterior alongside enhanced activation of the gastrocnemius. Muscle synergy analysis indicated that post-intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in the weighting of the vastus medialis and biceps femoris within synergy module 4 (SYN4, related to propulsion and posture) (p < 0.05), a significant increase in rectus abdominis weighting within synergy module 3 (SYN3, p = 0.033), and a significant shortening of the activation duration of synergy module 2 (SYN2, p = 0.007). Conclusions: NMES combined with traditional resistance training significantly enhances land-based explosive power in breaststroke athletes and specifically optimizes neuromuscular control strategies during the underwater breaststroke kick. This optimization is characterized by improved activation efficiency of key muscle groups, more economical coordination of antagonist muscles, and adaptive remodeling of inter-muscle synergy patterns in specific movement phases. This study provides novel evidence supporting the application of NMES in swimming-specific strength training, spanning from macroscopic performance to microscopic neural control. Full article