Search Results (2,768)

This study investigates left-turn safety at urban intersections using surrogate safety measures derived from field video observations. Time-to-Collision (TTC) among motorized traffic and Post-Encroachment Time (PET) among pedestrian and motorized traffic were extracted for left-turn conflicts across five intersection types in Thessaloniki, Greece, and linked to geometric attributes, signal operations, and traffic conditions. Count-based models (Poisson, Negative Binomial) were estimated alongside machine-learning approaches (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting with Poisson loss). For PET events, the Poisson model had the best balance of parsimony and predictive accuracy, whereas the Negative Binomial model provided a superior fit for TTC events. Results indicate that PET-defined conflicts increased with pedestrian volume and the presence of shared and protected left-turn lanes, and decreased with higher opposing flow, greater average acceleration, and wider end-approach lanes. By contrast, TTC events were associated with lower average speeds, the presence of protected signal phasing for left turns, and the number of passenger cars. Machine-learning models underperformed relative to classical count models, reflecting limited sample size and the discrete event structure. The analysis indicates that the determinants of TTC and PET differ, with certain variables such as pedestrian activity and lane configuration having contrasting effects on the two surrogate safety measures. The analysis reveals that pedestrian demand and shared lane configurations significantly increase PET occurrences, whereas TTC events are more strongly associated with vehicle volumes, speeds, and signal phasing. This distinction underscores the importance of tailoring safety assessment and intervention strategies to the type of interaction being evaluated. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are chronic metabolic disorders associated with cognitive impairment and neuronal damage. The hippocampus, a region sensitive to nutrient excess, is critical for integrating sensory and metabolic signals. This study aimed to determine the early onset of cognitive and motor deficits induced by obesity and/or hyperglycemia and to characterize associated hippocampal alterations in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats. Methods: Male ZDF rats (13 weeks old) were categorized into three groups: lean control, obese normoglycemic (ZDF-NG), and obese hyperglycemic (ZDF-HG). Assessments included zoometric parameters (weight and adiposity), biochemical assays (glucose tolerance, insulin response, and lipid profile), and behavioral tests (Open Field and Novel Object Recognition). Hippocampal health was evaluated through stereological neuronal density analysis and redox balance markers. Results: Both obese groups exhibited significant visceral adiposity and hyperlipidemia. The ZDF-HG group was further characterized by glucose intolerance, hepatic insulin resistance, and reduced β-cell function. Behavioral results showed that while obesity decreased motor activity, hyperglycemia significantly exacerbated the loss of both short- and long-term recognition memory. Histologically, obesity was associated with decreased neuronal density in the hippocampal DG and CA1 regions. Furthermore, hippocampal ROS was significantly elevated in the ZDF-HG group, and glutathione reductase activity was reduced in both obese phenotypes. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that obesity initiates hippocampal neurodegeneration and motor decline, and that hyperglycemia severely impairs recognition memory. These results emphasize the critical interplay between metabolic dysfunction and cognitive decline, highlighting the necessity of managing both obesity and T2D to prevent early neurodegenerative changes. Full article

Intracellular transport is essential for cellular organization and function. This process is driven by molecular motors that ferry cargo along microtubules, but is characterized by intermittent motility, where cargoes switch between directed runs and prolonged pauses. The fundamental nature of these pauses has remained a mystery, specifically whether they are periods of motor detachment and passive drifting or states of active motor engagement. By combining single-particle tracking with large-scale motion analysis, we discovered that pauses are not passive. Instead, they are active, motor-driven states. We uncovered a unifying quantitative law: the diffusivity of a vesicle during a pause scales with the square of its velocity during a run. This parabolic relationship, D_eff ∝ v², holds true for both kinesin and dynein motors, different cargo types, and a variety of cellular perturbations. We show that this coupling arises because the number of engaged motors governs motility in both states. When we reduce motor engagement, vesicles move more slowly and become trapped in longer, less mobile pauses, collectively causing them to fail to reach their destination. Our work redefines transport pauses as an essential, motor-driven part of microtubule-based cargo delivery, revealing a quantitative principle that contributes to robust cargo transport through the crowded cellular environment. Full article

This study focuses on the design and control system of a rotating nozzle for 3D construction printers. The development of a rotating nozzle is motivated by the need to enhance control over extrusion direction and material alignment, thereby improving the mechanical performance of printed structures by the use of non-circular nozzles. The typical 3D construction printer is equipped only with a stationary circular nozzle, which prevents the use of a non-circular nozzle due to the printer’s lack of a rotational mechanical system. This, in turn, limits the opportunity to enhance mechanical properties such as tensile and compressive strengths effectively. The proposed design is developed through computer-aided design (CAD) software, and the printer’s configuration is adjusted for integration of the rotational mechanism’s control system. This design includes a full description of the rotational mechanism and integration steps for the 3D printer. Besides the main motor of the 3D printer, an additional motor is installed next to the nozzle and controlled by a new axis (parameter), which is added into the G-code. A new axis, called “U”, is responsible for the rotation of the nozzle itself. For the development of this axis design, the cosine law is applied. The calculation is based on the three consecutive points in the G-code to obtain an accurate degree of rotation for the nozzle. The effectiveness of the system was confirmed by evaluating the compressive strength depending on printhead type. Based on testing results, one trowel printhead had the highest flexural strength of 5 MPa, and a trapezoidal printhead with teeth had the highest compressive strength of 8 MPa, compared to a circular default nozzle head with 6 MPa and 2 MPa for compressive and flexural strengths, respectively. The new optimized nozzle design is implemented in existing 3D printers, which allows it not only to develop its capability in the printing process but also to make sustainable contributions in the 3D construction industry. Full article

Drooling and dysphagia are frequent and disabling complications in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and often coexist, with drooling mainly resulting from impaired saliva clearance due to reduced oral motor control and potentially worsening swallowing function. This study aimed to evaluate whether botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) injections into the major salivary glands, beyond controlling drooling, could also improve swallowing performance using clinical and neurophysiological measures. Twenty PD patients with severe drooling and dysphagia underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided BoNT/A injections into the parotid and submandibular glands. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 1, 8, and 12 weeks post-injection. Dysphagia severity was evaluated using the Penetration–Aspiration Scale and the Dysphagia Severity Rating Scale. Neurophysiological assessment included electromyographic recordings from suprahyoid/submental and cricopharyngeal muscles, together with mechanomyography analysis of laryngeal movement during swallowing. Following BoNT/A treatment, a consistent reduction in drooling was observed, accompanied by significant improvements in clinical dysphagia scores and neurophysiological swallowing parameters across all follow-up time points. These findings suggest that incobotulinumtoxinA injections into salivary glands not only reduce drooling but also enhance swallowing function in PD patients, possibly by facilitating oral floor and oropharyngeal motor coordination secondary to improved saliva management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Haemophilia-related bleedings primarily affect the musculoskeletal system, and functional tests are used in clinical management. Yet, fine motor skills of the upper extremities have not been evaluated in adult persons with haemophilia (PwH). The Moberg Pick-Up Test (MPUT) assesses fine motor skills but has only been psychometrically evaluated in other cohorts. This study aims to examine its psychometric properties in PwH. Methods: A total of 40 moderate or severe PwH A or B were included. The MPUT, consisting of three trials, was conducted twice by rater A and once by rater B. The best performance per hand of each MPUT was used. Subjective hand function (Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) and numeric rating scale (NRS)), elbow joint status (Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS)), pain (NRS), and wrist range of motion (ROM) were utilised for convergent validity evaluation. Inter-rater and test–retest reliability were determined through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for raw and log10-transformed data. Results: Inter-rater and test–retest reliability demonstrated moderate-to-excellent ICCs for both data types (ICC range: 0.624–0.918). The DHI correlated moderately with the average MPUT score of both hands (r = 0.410; p = 0.016). Left-hand MPUT scores did not correlate with left elbow HJHS scores, whereas right-hand MPUT scores correlated with right elbow HJHS scores (r = 0.396, p = 0.018). Subjective left-hand function (NRS) correlated with the results of the MPUT (r = 0.433; p = 0.009). Conclusions: The MPUT is a reliable and partially valid tool and can be useful to assess fine motor skills in PwH. Full article

Single-phase induction motors account for a significant share of energy consumption in residential, commercial, and rural applications. However, unlike three-phase motors, they still lack specific regulation in Brazil. This paper aims to identify the main construction types of these motors and their performance characteristics, to map international regulations based on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and to assess the actual efficiency of motors available on the Brazilian market. The adopted methodology combined an extensive literature review with laboratory tests conducted in accordance with IEC Standard 60034-2-1, using a sample of 48 motors from various manufacturers. The results confirmed that split-phase, capacitor-start, permanent-split capacitor, and two-capacitor motors exhibit distinct performance characteristics that determine their suitability for different applications. The analysis of international regulation revealed that the European Union, the United States, and several other countries have already established normative criteria for single-phase motors, ranging from labelling requirements to the reach of MEPS. Finally, the analysis of the test results revealed that most single-phase motors available on the Brazilian market fail to meet the minimum efficiency levels established by the standards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Motor imagery (MI) is the mental practice of motor actions with temporal dynamics and neural features in common with motor execution (ME). Although MI can improve motor performance, it remains unclear how closely performance-related signatures of MI resemble those of ME during learning, particularly in tasks with intrinsic variability. This study investigated similarities and differences between MI and ME during a probabilistic sequence-learning task. Methods: Participants performed a finger-tapping serial reaction time task in either a motor execution (ME; n = 10) or motor imagery (MI; n = 10) condition. The task consisted of 750 auditory stimuli mapped to right-hand finger movements and generated by a probabilistic sequence with deterministic and variable events. Reaction times were analyzed using ANOVA designs to assess the effects of Group, Block, Event Type, and the Last Variable event. Results: The MI group showed a significant reduction in reaction times across blocks (p < 0.001), indicating learning-related performance improvement, whereas no block-wise improvement was observed in the ME group. Both groups were sensitive to the probabilistic structure of the sequence, with reaction times differing across event types. A significant Group × Event interaction (p < 0.01) indicated distinct performance signatures for MI and ME. In both groups, reaction times were modulated by the last variable event. Conclusions: Motor imagery supported learning in a probabilistic sequence task but was influenced by factors distinct from those governing motor execution, suggesting partially different underlying mechanisms. Full article

Conservative management of rotator cuff disorders remains challenging, with no comprehensive, evidence-based framework integrating diagnosis, prognosis, rehabilitation, and biological therapies. Existing recommendations usually address isolated components of care, leading to inconsistent treatment strategies. This article proposes a global, pragmatic protocol for the non-surgical management of rotator cuff lesions, from initial assessment to long-term follow-up. Drawing on clinical expertise supported by recent literature, we outline a stepwise approach that begins with a comprehensive diagnostic process that combines history, clinical examination, and targeted imaging. Based on lesion type, associated shoulder or neurogenic conditions, and patient profile, rotator cuff disorders are stratified into three prognostic categories under conservative care: good, borderline, and poor prognosis, highlighting factors that require treatment adaptation or early surgical consideration. Rehabilitation objectives are structured around four domains: (1) inflammation and pain control, (2) mobility and scapular kinematics, (3) strengthening and motor control with tendon-sparing strategies, and (4) preservation or restoration of anatomy. For each prognostic category, we define a monitoring plan integrating clinical reassessment, ultrasound follow-up, and functional milestones, including return-to-play criteria for athletes. This comprehensive narrative review demonstrates that precise diagnosis and individualized rehabilitation can optimize medical follow-up, active strengthening, and complementary or regenerative therapies. Aligning therapeutic decisions with prognostic and functional goals allows clinicians to optimize patient satisfaction and recovery, providing a clear, evidence-informed roadmap for conservative management of rotator cuff disorders. Full article

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by loss of the SMN1 gene, reduced levels of SMN protein, and motor neuron degeneration. However, increasing evidence shows that SMA is a multisystemic disease with immune system involvement. We investigated how SMN deficiency affects lymphoid organ development and function using a severe SMA mouse model (SMNΔ7) and postmortem human fetal and postnatal tissues lacking SMN1 and carrying one or two SMN2 copies, consistent with type 0–I SMA. Histology, immunostaining, and flow cytometry were used to examine tissue architecture and immune cell composition. SMNΔ7 mice displayed thymus, spleen, and bone marrow abnormalities, including mislocalization of T- and B-cells and expansion of resident macrophages. Bone marrow analysis revealed impaired B-cell development, suggesting intrinsic hematopoietic defects rather than apoptosis. Early treatment with a nusinersen-like antisense oligonucleotide, administered intracerebroventricularly or subcutaneously, restored SMN2 splicing, improved survival, motor function, and prevented lymphoid pathology. Human SMA samples exhibited similar, though milder, splenic alterations compared to SMNΔ7 mice, while thymic organization remained largely preserved. These findings demonstrate that SMN deficiency disrupts lymphoid organ development through defective bone marrow output and impaired immune cell maturation. Early SMN restoration prevents these abnormalities, highlighting immune dysfunction as a key component of SMA pathology. Full article

Cervical dystonia (CD), blepharospasm (BSP), and idiopathic hemifacial spasm (HFS) are focal hyperkinetic movement disorders with distinct underlying mechanisms. While CD and BSP involve central network dysfunctions within the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical and cerebellar circuits, HFS primarily results from peripheral facial nerve hyperexcitability. Still, people living with all three conditions often struggle with mood issues like depression and anxiety, which can originate from both the burden of illness and changes in brain biology. We studied 61 patients (CD, n = 30; BSP, n = 9; HFS, n = 22) and assessed depression and anxiety before and three weeks after botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) therapy, considering injection site and dose. BoNT-A significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms across all groups, regardless of disease type, dose, or glabellar injection. These psychiatric improvements were not associated with the degree of motor symptom reduction, suggesting a partially independent mechanism of mood modulation. Our findings indicate that BoNT-A’s mood benefits may extend beyond local motor effects, possibly involving broader sensorimotor-limbic interactions. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of BoNT-A for addressing non-motor symptoms in both dystonic and non-dystonic hyperkinetic disorders. Future studies employing imaging and neurophysiological methods are necessary to explain the neural pathways underlying these effects. Full article

Decarbonisation of the aviation sector is essential for achieving global-climate targets, with hydrogen propulsion emerging as a viable alternative to battery–electric systems for vertical flight. Unlike previous studies focusing on clean-sheet eVTOL concepts or fixed-wing platforms, this work provides a comprehensive retrofit evaluation of a two-seat light helicopter (Cabri G2/Robinson R22 class) to a hydrogen–electric hybrid powertrain built around a Toyota TFCM2-B PEM fuel cell (85 kW net), a 30 kg lithium-ion buffer battery, and 700 bar Type-IV hydrogen storage totalling 5 kg, aligned with the Vertical Flight Society (VFS) mission profile. The mass breakdown, mission energy equations, and segment-wise hydrogen use for a 100 km sortie are documented using a single main rotor with a radius of R = 3.39 m, with power-by-segment calculations taken from the team’s final proposal. Screening-level simulations are used solely for architectural assessment; no experimental validation is performed. Mission analysis indicates a 100 km operational range with only 3.06 kg of hydrogen consumption (39% fuel reserve). The main contribution is a quantified demonstration of a practical retrofit pathway for light rotorcraft, showing approximately 1.8–2.2 times greater range (100 km vs. 45–55 km battery-only baseline, including respective safety reserves). The Hawk demonstrates a 28% reduction in total propulsion system mass (199 kg including PEMFC stack and balance-of-plant 109 kg, H₂ storage 20 kg, battery 30 kg, and motor with gearbox 40 kg) compared to a battery-only configuration (254.5 kg battery pack, plus equivalent 40 kg motor and gearbox), representing approximately 32% system-level mass savings when thermal-management subsystems (15 kg) are included for both configurations. Full article

2-acetylfuran is a product of the Maillard reaction and is widely found, especially in heat-processed foods such as grain products, baked goods, and dairy products. Although 2-acetylfuran contributes to flavor, high concentrations may be toxic. Its target organs and dose–response relationships remain poorly characterized. In this study, transgenic zebrafish with fluorescently labeled immune and neural systems were used to assess the effects of 2-acetylfuran on immune and neural development. Wild-type zebrafish were employed to assess the toxicity of 2-acetylfuran on locomotor ability, gastrointestinal development, and liver function. The maximum non-lethal concentration (MNLC) and the 10% lethal concentration (LC₁₀) for zebrafish embryos were 0.844 and 0.889 μL/mL, respectively. Regarding immunotoxicity, at concentrations of 0.281, 0.844, and 0.889 μL/mL, 2-acetylfuran significantly reduced the numbers of neutrophils, T cells, and macrophages. Regarding locomotor and neurotoxicity, motor speed and total locomotor distance were significantly reduced at 0.844 and 0.889 μL/mL. These findings were consistent with neurodevelopmental assessments, in which 0.844 μL/mL 2-acetylfuran resulted in a significant increase in apoptotic cells in the central nervous system and markedly shortened peripheral motor nerve lengths. Regarding gastrointestinal toxicity, 0.844 and 0.889 μL/mL 2-acetylfuran significantly reduced the gastrointestinal area, while neutrophil counts showed no significant changes, suggesting a relatively mild effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Regarding hepatic toxicity, all tested concentrations of 2-acetylfuran primarily increased the delayed yolk sac absorption area. Furthermore, at 0.844 μL/mL, histological examination revealed hepatic pathological changes characterized by hepatocyte nuclear swelling, vacuolar degeneration, and hepatocyte necrosis. In summary, this study reveals the multi-organ toxicity profile of 2-acetylfuran in the zebrafish model, with particularly high sensitivity in the immune system and liver. This research provides theoretical support for risk assessment and process control of 2-acetylfuran in foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. While gait improvements are often observed during childhood, it remains unclear whether these gains are sustained into adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term evolution of gait outcomes from childhood to adulthood in individuals with CP who received orthopedic care early in life. Methods: This retrospective study included 83 adults with cerebral palsy (44 unilateral/uCP, 39 bilateral/bCP; GMFCS I–III) who underwent clinical gait analysis in childhood and again as adults (minimum 4 years between visits, n = 249 CGA). Gait was assessed using the modified Gait Profile Score (mGPS) and normalized walking speed (NWS). The effects of life stage (childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and adulthood) were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis tests with post hoc comparisons. Individual clinical transitions were quantified from early adulthood to adulthood, with a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) change in mGPS (1.6°) and NWS (0.20 s⁻¹) for improvement or decline. Results: Longitudinal analysis revealed that while group-average mGPS improved from childhood to adulthood, NWS declined significantly for all patients (p < 0.01). However, individual trajectories from early adulthood to adulthood diverged by CP type. Those with bCP GMFCS II and III had a more frequent clinical decline in mGPS (4/14, 29%), with minimal potential for improvement (1/14, 17%). In contrast, individuals with uCP had less frequent decline (1/17, 6%) and a greater improvement (3/17, 18%). Conclusions: While significant improvements in gait quality are achieved by early adulthood, substantial clinical decline occurs during adulthood in bCP (GMFCS II–III) patients. These findings highlight the need for lifelong monitoring, with re-evaluation regarding the need for surgical interventions from early adulthood to adulthood in bCP patients with greater motor impairments. Full article

This paper presents experimental testing results which describe the response of modern residential loads and electric vehicle (EV) chargers to various voltage magnitude, frequency, and phase angle disturbances. The purpose of these tests is to replicate real life network conditions and assist Network Service Providers and the Australian Energy Market Operator in identifying and predicting potential power variation and system stability issues caused by load behaviour during power system transient phenomena. By examining the behaviour of typical loads connected to distribution networks, a deeper understanding of their response can be achieved, enabling the refinement of composite load models that are compatible with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council dynamic composite load model (CMPLDW) structure presently used for dynamic studies. The performance of a wide range of common appliances found in residential settings, such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, air conditioners, direct-on-line motor-based appliances, and EV chargers, has been evaluated. The results obtained from these tests offer valuable insights into the behaviour of different load types and illustrate differing performances from established model parameters, identifying the need to refine existing CMPLDW models. The results also support the reclassification of several appliances within the composite load model, motivate the introduction of a dedicated EV charger component, and empower network operators to improve the modelling of modern power network responses. Full article