Search Results (421)

Introduction: Aquatic contaminants can alter fish behavior before overt toxicity becomes evident, making neurobehavioral endpoints relevant for ecosystem protection and for hazard prioritization within a One Health framework. We recently developed a high-throughput visual-acoustic zebrafish larval thigmotaxis assay in which edge preference is interpreted as an anxiety-like behavioral endpoint, thereby adding spatial phenotyping beyond conventional locomotion metrics. Objective: To evaluate assay performance in a multisubstance screening challenge and determine whether it can discriminate distinct behavioral fingerprints without prior knowledge of chemical identity. Methodology: Zebrafish larvae were exposed for 1 h at 120 hpf. For each substance, 24 larvae were tested per condition, with six concentrations per substance, plus positive and negative controls. Larvae were challenged using alternating light/dark and tapping/quiet paradigms. The primary endpoint was the percentage of time spent at the edge as a proxy for anxiety-like behavior, while total distance and mean total velocity when moving were used as contextual locomotor metrics; edge distance and edge velocity were used as supportive spatial metrics. Data from 37 substances were analyzed through a standardized automated workflow. Results: Controls performed as expected and supported assay stability across runs. The chemical screening revealed heterogeneous but reproducible behavioral fingerprints. Seven substances produced weak/minimal acute responses, ten showed predominantly suppressive profiles, three predominantly activating profiles, nine showed prominent thigmotaxis-specific anxiety-like signals not explained by locomotion alone, and eight displayed mixed or stimulus-dependent patterns, including non-monotonic responses. Several substances altered edge preference while distance and velocity changed less, differently, or in the opposite direction, indicating behavioral reorganization rather than simple hypo- or hyperactivity. The multi-stimulus design was critical because some effects were evident only under specific sensory contexts. Conclusions: The multisubstance challenge supports the discriminatory capacity, robustness, and added value of the assay for high-throughput neurobehavioral screening. By capturing anxiety-like behavior through thigmotaxis and complementing it with locomotor context, the method improves phenotypic resolution for aquatic pollution assessment and offers a sensitive fish-based NAM to prioritize chemicals of concern for both environmental and human health-oriented testing strategies. Full article

The study presents the results of research aimed at developing digital models for determining the operating parameters of railway power supply systems equipped with distributed generation plants based on renewable energy sources (RESs). RESs can be used in railway transport to increase the reliability of power supply to facilities located in areas with insufficiently developed power grids. This primarily applies to consumers, for whom a power failure can lead to significant damage, accidents, and a threat to human life. RES can serve as independent power sources for special-group consumers and can increase energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, large-scale implementation of renewable energy sources can significantly reduce energy supply costs and improve power quality. The study employs phase-coordinate modeling, which is characterized by the following features: a systems approach, which implies determining operating conditions while considering the properties and characteristics of complex traction and supply networks; versatility, which enables modeling of power supply systems of various structures and designs; and comprehensiveness, which involves calculating normal, emergency, and special operating parameters—crucial for scenarios such as ice melting on catenary wires. The modeling results obtained using the Fazonord AC-DC software (ver. 5.3.5.2) show that RES-based distributed generation plants provide a variety of beneficial effects: reduction in electricity consumption from power system networks; decrease in voltage unbalance and harmonic distortion on the busbars of regional windings of traction substations; and stabilization of voltage levels on current collectors of electric locomotives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various tumours, but its use is often limited by an acute and chronic pain syndrome that is poorly managed. Naringin and its aglycone, naringenin, exhibit antioxidant, antitumour, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects, making them potential alternative treatments. However, their low water solubility limits their oral bioavailability in humans. Micronisation in a supercritical medium reduces particle size and enhances the dissolution of compounds, offering a possible solution. In this study, we investigated whether micronising naringin and naringenin via supercritical technology could improve their dissolution and oral efficacy against paclitaxel-induced pain syndrome. Methods: Micronisation was performed using supercritical CO₂. Molecular docking was used to analyse the binding of naringin and naringenin to TRPV1, a key target for pain relief. Swiss mice were used in capsaicin (TRPV1 agonist)-induced nociception and paclitaxel-caused acute and chronic pain models. We assessed mechanical, cold, and heat sensitivity, potential adverse effects, and TRPV1 mRNA expression. Results: Micronisation improved the apparent dissolution profile of molecules. Docking results showed that naringin and naringenin bind to TRPV1. Both micronised compounds reduced capsaicin-induced nociception without affecting locomotion or body temperature. Micronised naringin and naringenin alleviated mechanical and cold allodynia, as well as thermal hyperalgesia in both acute and chronic paclitaxel-induced pain, outperforming their conventional forms. They also downregulated TRPV1 mRNA expression in the mice’s sciatic nerve. Conclusions: Taken together, these results show that supercritical micronisation improved the apparent dissolution and oral antinociceptive efficacy of naringin and naringenin, emphasising their potential as promising alternatives for managing paclitaxel-induced pain, with TRPV1 being a probable contributor to the observed antinociceptive effects. Full article

Sarcopenia is defined as the age-related loss of skeletal muscle strength, power, and size. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms whereby sarcopenia occurs is an area of research that has received much attention due to the aging population. Skeletal muscle tissue is used for locomotion and acts as a major site aiding the regulation of metabolism. Myokines are cytokines released from skeletal muscle tissue that act in an autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manner. Myokines have been termed the ‘exercise factor’ or ‘work factor’ that scientists have long thought communicate between skeletal muscle and various physiological systems, including muscle-to-muscle cross-talk. One area of research that has been underexplored is the effect that myokines may have in an autocrine manner on skeletal muscle tissue itself. Although the myokine role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy has been somewhat elucidated in rodent models, relatively little research has been performed in human models to understand the role myokines have on anabolic and catabolic metabolism in an autocrine manner. This review will provide an overview of myokine function within a biological context, some molecular pathways involved in skeletal muscle anabolism, a mechanistic understanding of myokine autocrine action, key evidence in relation to skeletal muscle satellite cell interaction with myokines, how myokines may be involved in skeletal muscle regeneration, and an outline of some key myokines that have the potential to act in an anabolic fashion within skeletal muscle. The review will then emphasize some important areas of research that are needed to understand the role of myokines in maintaining or improving skeletal muscle mass within an aging context. Full article

Respiratory rate is one of the most important vital signs. It affects ventilation which relates to oxygen inhalation and carbon dioxide elimination. Currently, only a handful of prototypes are available for estimating the respiratory rate under the condition that users remain completely still. This research focuses on the development of a respiratory rate monitoring system that can detect human respiratory signals using force sensitive resistors (FSRs). The FSR sensors measure the forces from respiratory motion and then signal processing techniques are employed to minimize background noise and artifacts. Respiratory data are processed by a microcontroller and transmitted via Bluetooth to a mobile device for further processing and visualization. The system performance was evaluated in three stages. Firstly, for the proof by simulation, a mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) of 0.26, 0.37 breaths per minute (bpm), and 0.9998 are achieved, respectively, even when the noise level is very high, i.e., power signal-to-noise ratio is 0.25 or −6.02 decibel. Secondly, for the test on a robot, the MAEs are 0.25, 0.53, and 0.75 bpm; the RMSEs are 0.28, 0.64, and 0.92 bpm; the PCCs are approximately 1, 0.9993, and 0.9986, respectively, under sitting, walking, and jogging conditions. The system is further deployed on 14 human subjects yielding MAEs of 0.51, 1.24, and 1.92 bpm; RMSEs of 0.65, 1.63, and 2.22 bpm; and PCCs of 0.9893, 0.9831, and 0.9655, for human sitting, walking, and jogging, respectively. In the future, this respiratory rate monitoring system could be applied to patients, elderly individuals, or the general population who experience movement or locomotion during monitoring. Full article

Protected horticulture moves fragile pots, plug trays, seedlings, harvested products, and carriers through narrow, humid, and crowded spaces. Transport robots must therefore integrate locomotion, perception, localization, handling, placement, scheduling, and human–robot interaction rather than operate as simple carts. This structured narrative review reorganizes evidence from seedling transplanting, nursery operations, harvest support, manipulation, perception, and autonomous navigation around the complete transport chain: target recognition, pickup, loading, loaded navigation, docking, unloading or placement, payload protection, and workflow feedback. The synthesis covers mobile platforms, payload support, perception and localization, motion control, gentle handling, digital support, and fleet coordination. Three barriers remain: short laboratory tests rarely provide season-long evidence; many prototypes are too specialized for variable workflows; and benchmarks seldom combine motion accuracy, handling reliability, payload quality, and resilience. Progress will require modular platforms, robust sensing, payload-safe control, standardized interfaces, and closer co-design between robotics and horticultural operations. Full article

Background: Human locomotion requires coordinated torque production across multiple joints, yet conventional gait analysis typically evaluates joint behavior independently, limiting insight into inter-joint coordination. This study aimed to quantify task-dependent reorganization of ankle–knee mechanical coordination using a moment–moment phase space framework. Methods: A normative dataset of healthy adults (N = 50) performing natural-speed walking, toe walking, heel walking, stair ascent, and stair descent was analyzed. Sagittal-plane external ankle and knee moments were extracted from time-normalized stride cycles and z-score normalized within each stride to emphasize coordination topology. Ankle–knee trajectories were represented in moment–moment space and characterized using three geometric metrics: loop magnitude (|Area|), principal axis orientation, and anisotropy. Metrics were aggregated within subject and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with planned contrasts against walking. Results: Loop magnitude differed significantly across tasks (p < 0.001), with the largest increases observed during toe walking (+3.45 relative to walking) and stair descent (+2.41). Principal axis orientation also showed a significant task effect (p = 0.026), with stair descent producing the largest rotation of the coordination axis (−29.8°). Anisotropy varied significantly across tasks (p < 0.001), indicating systematic changes in the dimensionality and strength of inter-joint torque coupling. Conclusions: Locomotor tasks induce structured, task-dependent reorganization of ankle–knee coordination topology. Moment–moment phase space analysis provides a compact and interpretable framework for quantifying inter-joint torque coupling, with potential applications in biomechanics research and the development of activity-aware assistive technologies. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants formed during the incomplete combustion of organic material. Their persistence, bioaccumulation, and metabolic activation contribute to mutagenic and cytotoxic outcomes. Among these are benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), the most studied PAH and a benchmark compound for PAH carcinogenicity, and pyrene, a PAH whose urinary metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene is widely used as a biomarker of PAH exposure. B[a]P undergoes CYP1A1-mediated oxidation to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via epoxide and quinone redox cycling, whereas pyrene produces ROS primarily through pyrene-quinone redox cycling. We investigated cobinamide, a vitamin B₁₂/cobalamin analog with potent antioxidant properties, for mitigating benzo[a]pyrene- and pyrene-induced injury. In H9C2 rat embryonic cardiomyoblasts and A549 human lung epithelial cells exposed to B[a]P (10 μM) or pyrene (10–100 μM), cobinamide (5–10 μM) attenuated PAH-induced reductions in cell number in both models, while in H9C2 cells, it also attenuated decreases in metabolic activity and reduced apoptosis. Cobinamide also returned JNK/p38 phosphorylation to near baseline levels, decreased DNA and protein oxidation and DNA strand breaks. Transcriptionally, cobinamide suppressed inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and oxidative stress genes (HMOX1 and NOX4), while enhancing oxidative response (SOD2) and xenobiotic metabolism (CYP1A1). In Drosophila melanogaster exposed to 5 mM B[a]P/pyrene, 2 mM cobinamide improved survival and fully restored locomotion, outperforming cobalamin (minimal benefit) and N-acetylcysteine (partial rescue). Spectroscopic analyses showed no direct cobinamide-PAH binding. These findings demonstrate that cobinamide efficiently limits ROS-mediated PAH injury through redox modulation while preserving xenobiotic metabolism, suggesting its potential therapeutic use to mitigate PAH-induced toxicity. Full article

Fighting against gravity is a common challenge for all terrestrial animals, including most mammals. It means, in particular, avoiding falls to the ground while performing daily tasks, such as standing up, locomotion, or foraging for food. This means that balance control in humans involves a wide variety of contexts and balance paradigms, such as upright standing, hand standing, tightrope walking, ice-skater spinning, bicycling, whole-body gesturing, and fingertip stick balancing, among others. From the cybernetic point of view, the underlying control problem is to keep the CoP (Center of Pressure) and the CoM (Center of Mass) aligned dynamically on the common vertical axis, and this means that the variety of balance strategies can be reduced to two basic paradigms: the CoP strategy (the CoP is the control variable and the CoM is the controlled variable) and the CoM strategy (the CoM is simultaneously the control and the controlled variable). It is suggested that the two balance strategies are implemented by combining four basic control paradigms, as a function of the task and environmental conditions: • Opportunistic control: exploitation of a physical phenomenon as the gyroscopic effect. • Stiffness control: exploitation of the elastic properties of skeletal muscles. • Feedback control: measuring an incipient fall index and closing the loop in real time. In particular, it is shown that a phase-space-based formulation of intermittent feedback control can compensate for the destabilization effect of conventional continuous control due to the large feedback delay. • Feedforward control: exploitation of an internal body model to generate stable whole-body synergies in an anticipatory manner. Such control paradigms are illustrated by summarizing the results of experimental and simulated data. Full article

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory disease traditionally defined and assessed by sinonasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, facial pressure, and olfactory dysfunction. However, the burden of CRS extends beyond the sinonasal compartment, including a range of systemic and functional complaints that are not routinely addressed in standard rhinologic practice. Among these, vestibular symptoms, including dizziness, imbalance, and nonspecific disequilibrium, are frequently reported by patients with CRS, yet remain underrecognized and poorly integrated into current diagnostic frameworks and clinical guidelines, despite being captured as a single, psychometrically limited item within the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Clinical observations and limited published data, mostly small observational studies and case reports, suggest that vestibular symptoms may fluctuate in parallel with CRS disease activity and may improve following effective medical or surgical control of sinonasal inflammation. Proposed mechanisms include Eustachian tube dysfunction, immune-mediated and neurogenic pathways, trigemino-vestibular interactions, and altered multisensory integration, although current evidence does not establish a causal relationship between CRS disease activity and measurable peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Comparative observations in allergic rhinitis and post-viral upper-airway inflammation situate CRS within a broader inflammatory upper-airway–vestibular interface. This Commentary highlights vestibular dysfunction as an underappreciated extra-sinonasal dimension of CRS with potential clinical and functional relevance. By drawing attention to this clinical blind spot, we aim to encourage more systematic symptom inquiry, interdisciplinary dialogue, and prospective research into the functional consequences of chronic upper-airway inflammation. Full article

To address the high physical demands faced by personnel engaged in power maintenance operations, this study develops a hip assistive exoskeleton capable of state recognition between level-ground walking and transmission tower climbing. The mechanical structure of the exoskeleton is designed based on motion data analysis of human level-ground walking and tower climbing activities. A dynamic model of the human lower limb is conducted to support state-based torque control of the actuators. To accommodate different locomotion scenarios, a control strategy based on a hierarchical finite state machine (HFSM) is proposed to achieve adaptive state recognition and enable the exoskeleton to provide state-specific torque output. State recognition and transition experiments, alongside laboratory and field transmission tower climbing experiments, are conducted. The results show that the exoskeleton can reliably recognize transitions between walking and climbing, providing effective assistance during transmission tower climbing operations. Furthermore, laboratory and field transmission tower climbing experiments show that exoskeleton assistance reduces integrated EMG (IEMG), root mean square (RMS) and maximum absolute value (MAXABS) values of the biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM), demonstrating the effectiveness of the exoskeleton. Full article

Background. Walking is a fundamental human activity, vital for daily living, social connection, employment, etc. Methods. In the current study, we present a mathematical model of it, based on the planar double pendulum system influenced by gravity. For parameters of the pendulum, i.e., the characteristic of the limbs (thigh + shank), we use realistic mass–inertial parameters. The model incorporates anthropometric and inertial data specific to the average Bulgarian, Russian, German, and American male, including segment masses, centres of mass, as well as densities of the segments taken from experimental studies. Results. We derive the corresponding nonlinear differential equations governing the model. We solve them analytically, when possible, and, in the general case, numerically. For moderate initial angles (from the frontal plane) and angular velocities of the thigh and shank, the pendulum exhibits motion closely resembling natural human gait. The results for all nationalities considered are very close to each other. For comparatively slow walking speeds, the model provides realistic results. Conclusions. Our approach highlights how a relatively simple biomechanical model can capture essential features of human locomotion and provides a foundation for further refinement and comparison with more complex gait modelling techniques. Such modifications are outlined. Full article

This 2 × 2 factorial study examined the welfare and performance of finishing pigs at two group sizes (9 or 18 pigs) over 12 weeks. For each set of groups of either 9 or 18 pigs, half of the pigs in each group size were fed ad libitum, while the others received a mildly restricted ration. Treatments were assigned to 16 partially slatted floor pens in a randomized block design, with a floor space of 1.15 m²/pig. Except in Week 1, there were proportionally fewer pigs with ear (p = 0.020) and tail (p < 0.0001) bite marks in groups of 18 than in groups of 9. Ear bite marks declined over time in both group sizes (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant interaction between group size and week regarding severe bite marks on the ears (p < 0.0002). Tail bite mark prevalence increased over time in the smaller groups but decreased in the larger groups (interaction: p < 0.001). A higher proportion of pigs in smaller groups sought human contact in Weeks 1 and 6, but this measurement equalized by Week 10 (interaction: p = 0.008). There were proportionally more pigs with tucked tails in the smaller groups in Week 1 but not in later weeks (interaction: p < 0.0001). Group size did not influence pig cleanliness or locomotion disorders. Ad libitum (vs. restricted) feeding increased average daily gain (p < 0.001), feed intake (p = 0.002), and slaughter weight (p = 0.030). Results suggest better welfare in the larger than in the smaller groups. Full article

Nonlinear analysis provides a framework for understanding the complexity and stability of human locomotion by capturing dynamic patterns beyond linear methods. This study examined the effect of data length on seven nonlinear measures: Sample Entropy (SpEn), Approximate Entropy (ApEn), Lyapunov Exponents using Wolf’s (LyE_W) and Rosenstein’s (LyE_R) algorithms, Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA), Correlation Dimension (CD), and the Hurst–Kolmogorov process (HK). A 3500-frame kinematic dataset from a healthy adult performing motor-assisted elliptical training and treadmill walking was segmented from 100 to 3500 frames in 10-frame increments. Data from treadmill and elliptical conditions were analyzed and presented in a combined manner to highlight general stabilization trends across locomotor tasks. Results revealed that increasing data length significantly affected all nonlinear metrics (p ≤ 0.0005). Stabilization occurred at varying minimum lengths: SpEn at ~4.5–8.8 s (540–1060 frames), ApEn at ~5.4–7.7 s (650–920 frames), LyE_W at ~19.1–29.2 s (2290–3500 frames), LyE_R at ~1.3–1.5 s (150–180 frames), DFA at ~29.2 s (3500 frames), CD at ~1.7–15.9 s (200–1910 frames), and HK at ~9.1–9.8 s (1090–1180 frames). Notably, HK achieved stable estimates in approximately one-third of the time required for DFA and substantially less than LyE_W, supporting its suitability for time-constrained or clinical settings. These findings suggest the need to tailor data collection to each nonlinear metric and to report data length explicitly to improve accuracy, reproducibility, and methodological rigor in gait variability research. However, these findings should be interpreted within the limitations of a single-participant, exploratory design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traditional biomechanical models describe human locomotion as an articulated chain of rigid segments with constrained degrees of freedom, primarily focusing on kinematic descriptions of movement. While this approach facilitates modelling and teaching, it may limit the representation of internal force transmission and dynamic interactions, particularly during transitional phases such as gait initiation. The objective of this article is to propose a conceptual framework, Unconstrained Segmental Biomechanics (USB), to reinterpret locomotor mechanics beyond rigid joint assumptions. Methods: An exploratory analysis of recent PubMed-indexed publications (2024) and commonly adopted educational references in sport science institutions was conducted to examine how locomotion is conceptually represented and to identify possible models analogous to the framework. The aim was to situate the framework within current modelling approaches rather than to provide a systematic literature evaluation. Results: The exploratory analysis provided an exploratory contextual impression that kinematic representations were more readily identifiable than conceptually analogous models explicitly addressing dynamic intersegmental force transmission. USB is presented as a conceptual framework generating testable biomechanical hypotheses concerning the temporal organisation of intersegmental force transmission during locomotor transitions, including the expectation that during gait initiation gluteus maximus activation precedes observable segmental displacement, that early CoP/GRF changes precede the visible step, and that trunk activation actively contributes to intersegmental force regulation during the transition. Conclusions: USB offers a conceptual framework that enriches the interpretation of gait initiation and locomotor transitions. Future empirical investigations will be necessary to test the biomechanical hypotheses generated by this framework and to evaluate its potential contribution to biomechanics research, education, and applied movement sciences. Full article