Search Results (1,240)

Periapical radiographs remain the first-line imaging modality in endodontics due to accessibility and low radiation dose, whereas cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is reserved for inconclusive cases or suspected anatomical complexity. We propose a physics- and geometry-aware preprocessing pipeline coupled with sliding-window Viterbi tracking to enhance canal visibility and recover plausible root canal trajectories directly from routine periapical images. The pipeline standardizes row-wise brightness, compensates for the cone-like tooth density profile (Tukey window), and suppresses noise prior to dynamic-programming inference, requiring only minimal operator input (two-point orientation and region of interest). In a retrospective evaluation against micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)/CBCT reference anatomy, the approach accurately localized canals on periapicals under study conditions, suggesting potential as a rapid, chairside aid when 3D imaging is unavailable or deferred. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Physitrack^® on jump performance in handball players through performance, kinematic, and kinetic variables. Material and Methods: A pilot, randomized clinical trial was conducted with male handball players (n = 28). Participants were allocated to either an intervention group (IG), which completed a specific jump-training program, or a control group (CG), which followed a general strengthening program. Both programs were delivered via Physitrack^® over an 8-week period. Vertical jump variables were assessed using force platforms (Hawkin Dynamics^®), along with adherence questionnaires, the Telemedicine Satisfaction and Usefulness Questionnaire (TSUQ), and the System Usability Scale (SUS). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in jump height, flight time, and peak velocity (p < 0.05), without differences between groups. The IG, additionally, demonstrated improvements not statistically significant in the modified Reactive Strength Index (mRSI), Rate of Force Development (RFD), and power. Mean adherence was moderate, slightly higher in the IG (52.13% vs. 48.98%), with no significant differences between groups (p = 0.74). Physitrack^® received an excellent usability rating (SUS: 83.3/100) and good satisfaction (TSUQ: 3.68/5). These findings should be interpreted with caution given the pilot nature of the study and the limited sample size, which restrict statistical power and the generalizability of results. Conclusions: Physitrack^® is a feasible tool for prescribing home-based exercises and is well rated by users. It does not directly improve adherence but facilitates the implementation of effective programs although the content of the program has a greater influence on performance improvements than the platform itself. Full article

Background/Objectives: Exercise supports physical and cognitive health through neurotrophin-mediated pathways, with irisin playing a key role in neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity. As adolescence represents a period of heightened neuroplasticity and metabolic adaptation, determining how different exercise modalities influence neurotrophic and cognitive responses is critical for health promotion in youth. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of low-intensity continuous training (LICT), short-interval high-intensity interval training (SI-HIIT), and long-interval HIIT (LI-HIIT) on circulating irisin levels and executive function in healthy late adolescent males. Methods: Eleven participants completed all conditions in a randomized crossover design with a 7-day washout. Venous blood samples and the Trail-Making Test, Parts A and B (TMT-A, TMT-B) were assessed pre- and postexercise, with continuous heart rate monitoring. Results: Post-exercise irisin levels were significantly greater in both HIIT protocols (SI-HIIT, p < 0.001; LI-HIIT, p < 0.038) than in the LICT protocol. Only the SI-HIIT group presented significantly shorter TMT-A (vs. LICT, p < 0.001; vs. LI-HIIT, p = 0.016) and TMT-B (vs. LICT, p < 0.001; vs. LI-HIIT, p < 0.001) completion times post-exercise. Conclusions: A single HIIT session elicited greater increases in circulating irisin and executive function compared with LICT. These findings highlight exercise intensity and interval structure as key factors for enhancing neurocognitive health, offering valuable insight for developing early-life training strategies to promote brain health. Full article

Recent advances in bioinspired robotics highlight the growing demand for dexterous, adaptive control strategies that allow robots to interact naturally, safely, and efficiently with dynamic, contact-rich environments. Yet, achieving robust adaptability and reflex-like responsiveness to unpredictable disturbances remains a fundamental challenge. This paper presents a bioinspired imitation learning framework that models human adaptive dynamics to jointly acquire and generalize motion and force skills, enabling compliant and resilient robot behavior. The proposed framework integrates hybrid force–motion learning with dynamic response mechanisms, achieving broad skill generalization without reliance on external sensing modalities. A momentum-based force observer is combined with dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) to enable accurate force estimation and smooth motion coordination, while a broad learning system (BLS) refines the DMP forcing function through style modulation, feature augmentation, and adaptive weight tuning. In addition, an adaptive radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) controller dynamically adjusts control parameters to ensure precise, low-latency skill reproduction, and safe physical interaction. Simulations and real-world experiments confirm that the proposed framework achieves human-like adaptability, robustness, and scalability, attaining a competitive learning time of 5.56 s and a rapid generation time of 0.036 s, thereby demonstrating its efficiency and practicality for real-time applications and offering a lightweight yet powerful solution for bioinspired intelligent control in complex and unstructured environments. Full article

Composite structures are generally more susceptible to impact damage than non-composite structures, and early identification of damage is the primary goal of structural health monitoring (SHM). If such damage remains undetected or reaches a critical size, it can lead to sudden collapse and catastrophic failure. Modern SHM methods aim to preserve the integrity of composite structures through continuous inspection, monitoring, and damage assessment, including detection, localization, quantification, classification, and prognosis. These methods use sensor-based technologies to assess vibration, extension, and acoustic and thermal emission. This paper provides a review of various computational methods including physics-based methods (signal processing techniques, modal analysis, and finite element model updating) and optimization methods (inverse problems, particle swarm optimization, topology optimization, genetic algorithms, time series analysis, and hybrid techniques), alongside machine learning methodologies employing neural networks as well as deep learning for damage identification in composite structures. These computational and learning-based techniques are widely applied in the development of algorithms, optimization strategies, and hybrid frameworks for SHM. The review further summarizes the applications, advantages, and limitations of each method according to structure type and damage characteristics. The key emphasis of this review is on integrating computational approaches, as well as machine learning, to enhance the efficiency of damage identification. The conclusion is drawn based on an overview of the literature, focusing on the contributions of different computational methods and machine learning for damage identification in composites. Full article

High-voltage direct-current (HVDC) systems are essential for large-scale renewable integration and asynchronous interconnection, yet their complex topologies and multi-type faults expose the limits of threshold- and signal-based diagnostics. These methods degrade under noisy, heterogeneous measurements acquired under dynamic operating conditions, resulting in poor adaptability, reduced accuracy, and high latency. To overcome these shortcomings, the synergistic use of knowledge graphs (KGs) and pre-trained models (PTMs) is emerging as a next-generation paradigm. KGs encode equipment parameters, protection logic, and fault propagation paths in an explicit, human-readable structure, while PTMs provide transferable representations that remain effective under label scarcity and data diversity. Coupled within a perception–cognition–decision loop, PTMs first extract latent fault signatures from multi-modal records; KGs then enable interpretable causal inference, yielding both precise localization and transparent explanations. This work systematically reviews the theoretical foundations, fusion strategies, and implementation pipelines of KG-PTM frameworks tailored to HVDC systems, benchmarking them against traditional diagnostic schemes. The paradigm demonstrates superior noise robustness, few-shot generalization, and decision explainability. However, open challenges remain, such as automated, conflict-free knowledge updating; principled integration of electro-magnetic physical constraints; real-time, resource-constrained deployment; and quantifiable trustworthiness. Future research should therefore advance autonomous knowledge engineering, physics-informed pre-training, lightweight model compression, and standardized evaluation platforms to translate KG-PTM prototypes into dependable industrial tools for intelligent HVDC operation and maintenance. Full article

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (OrNe) and healthy orthorexia (HeOr) are two distinct but related dimensions of interest in eating behavior research. Evidence regarding their associations with sociodemographic, dietary, and sport-related variables in physically active young adults remains limited. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 190 physically active young adults (53.2% women; mean age = 23.16 ± 5.13 years). Participants practiced a variety of sports including fitness (25.3%), soccer (13.7%), handball (10.5%), athletics, martial arts, cycling, and other individual or team sports. Although all participants belonged to organized sports teams or structured training groups, 38.9% were not actively competing at the time of data collection. Participants completed validated instruments assessing OrNe, HeOr, and eating-related cognitions, alongside questionnaires on sociodemographic data, dietary habits, sport discipline, training frequency, and supplement use. Hierarchical and K-means clustering were applied using the standardized scores of HeOr, OrNe, and the EHQ total score. Group differences were assessed using t-tests and ANOVA with effect sizes (η²p) reported. Results: Age correlated positively with OrNe, HeOr, and eating-related cognitions, indicating greater consolidation of rigid eating patterns in young adulthood. BMI was associated with OrNe only among men. Vegetarian participants showed higher nutritional knowledge but lower overall orthorexia scores. Supplement users in fitness-related sports reported higher OrNe, whereas participants in collective sports reported lower scores. Three distinct orthorexia profiles were identified, characterized by lower, slightly above-average, and higher scores on orthorexia-related variables. Participants in the higher-scoring profile showed significantly higher EHQ total, OrNe, and HeOr scores compared with the other groups (η²p range = 0.11–0.19). Correlations among orthorexia dimensions were positive and moderate to large. Differences between clusters in sport modality, training frequency, and supplement use underscored the influence of the sporting context. Conclusions: Orthorexia in young physically active adults reflects heterogeneous patterns shaped by the interplay of individual (age, sex, BMI), dietary, and sport-related factors. The identification of differentiated profiles reinforces the multidimensional nature of orthorexia and underscores the relevance of considering specific sport environments when interpreting orthorexic tendencies. Longitudinal research is warranted to examine the stability or variability of these patterns over time and to enable the use of more robust multivariate approaches that further clarify the characterization of orthorexia. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk and poor cognition in children and their parents. Family-based physical activity offers an opportunity for children and their parents to engage in physical activity concurrently. The present study examined the effect of an acute bout of family-based tag rugby on risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognition in families. Additionally, this study qualitatively explored families’ perceptions of enjoyment and factors affecting implementation with considerations for socioeconomic status. Methods: Sixteen families (27 children, 20 parents) participated in an exercise (45 min family-based tag rugby) and resting control trial (45 min seated rest), separated by seven days. Postprandial gylcaemia, insulinaemia, lipaemia and cognitive function were measured following exercise/rest. Families also participated in whole-family focus groups and separate parent and child interviews. Results: In parents, postprandial plasma insulin concentrations were lower on the exercise trial than the rested control trial at 30 min (p = 0.004) and 120 min following the consumption of a standardised lunch (p = 0.011). In children, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency scores on the Sternberg paradigm (three-item) was exhibited (p = 0.016). In parents, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency score on the Stroop congruent test was exhibited (trial*time interaction; p = 0.012), whereby inverse efficiency scores improved immediately post-exercise, compared with the rested control trial (p = 0.016). Qualitatively, families from all socioeconomic backgrounds agreed that tag rugby is an inclusive, enjoyable mode of physical activity that families want to participate in together, which can be adapted to overcome the barriers associated with the cost of and access to local facilities. Conclusions: An acute bout of tag rugby improved postprandial insulin concentrations in parents and cognitive function in children and their parents. Tag rugby was deemed an appropriate exercise modality for families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Full article

This article interrogates the theoretical articulations of the body–space nexus through the formulation of an alternative methodological framework. It advances the premise that body and space cannot be reduced to physical parameters or representational models; rather, they are continually reconstituted through experience, perception, cultural contexts, and relational processes. Against the backdrop of fragmented spatial, phenomenological, and socio-political readings of space, Joseph Kosuth’s “One and Three Chairs” [1965] is posited as a conceptual compass, while semiotic instruments are mobilized as analytical devices. Within this constellation, the body–space relation is examined through a trialectical configuration that couples three relational modalities—distance, togetherness, and plurality—with three representational dimensions: object, image, and definition. The analysis shows how each modality delineates a distinct regime of bodily–spatial interaction and exposes the ways in which these regimes become manifest within architectural experience, social production, and conceptual potential. Within this framework, the notion of the flesh of space is advanced to describe space as a relational field in which bodies, materials, images, and definitions become mutually entangled. The principal contribution of this study lies in advancing a methodological orientation that transcends normative metrics and reductionist representational paradigms, thereby enabling body–space relations to be apprehended through relational dynamics and multilayered processes of signification. In doing so, this article provides a critical ground for rethinking architectural epistemology from a more flexible, experiential, and plural perspective, and proposes a transferable analytical scaffold for future case-based and design-oriented research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive, permanent syndrome of childhood, with approximately 80% of patients exhibiting spasticity. Untreated spasticity can cause pain, structural changes in bones, muscles, and nerves negatively impacting quality of life and functionality. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has demonstrated biological effects such as tissue regeneration, muscle relaxation, inflammation reduction, and pain relief. The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the action of PBM on the spasticity of the medial and lateral right gastrocnemius muscles of children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial evaluated PBM’s effect on gastrocnemius spasticity in children and adolescents with CP. The study presents pilot preliminary results from twelve children and adolescents (7–16 years) with spastic CP who were randomized into two groups: active PBM (850 nm, 100 mW, 1.5 J/point, 2 points, weekly for 8 weeks) or placebo (same protocol, device off). Both groups received standard rehabilitation exercises. Outcomes were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and ankle range of motion before and after the intervention (8 weeks). Results: MAS and all outcomes improved significantly over time in both groups. No significant differences were found between groups for all outcomes. The PBM effect size on MAS improvement (ANOVA, Analysis of Vari, η² = 0.171) suggests modest but positive benefits. PBM did not worsen spasticity, and no adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: This study represents a pioneering effort in evaluating a safe PBM protocol for the spastics gastrocnemius in children and adolescents with CP. This protocol, used as an adjunct to physiotherapy, demonstrated no short-term adverse effects and no participant dropouts. Future studies should explore this PBM protocol in patients with less severe GMFCS levels, those with minimally preserved functionality, or those with contraindications to physiotherapeutic exercises. Full article

The Industry 5.0 paradigm places humans and the environment at the center. New communication methods based on virtual reality (VR) and brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can improve system–operator interaction in multimedia communications, providing immersive environments where operators can more intuitively manage complex systems. The study was conducted through a systematic literature review combined with bibliometric and thematic analyses to map the current landscape of VR-BCI communication frameworks in IIoT environments. The methodology employed included structured resource selection, comparative assessment of interaction modalities, and cross-domain synthesis to identify patterns, gaps, and emerging technology trends. Key challenges identified include reliable signal processing, real-time integration of neural data with immersive interfaces, and the scalability of VR-BCI solutions in industrial applications. The study concludes by outlining future research directions focused on hybrid multimodal interfaces, adaptive cognition-based automation, and standardized protocols for evaluating human–cyber-physical system communication. VR interfaces enable operators to visualize and interact with network data in 3D, improving their monitoring and troubleshooting in real time. By integrating BCI technology, operators can control systems using neural signals, reducing the need for physical input devices and streamlining operation (including touchless technology). BCI-based protocols enable touchless control, which can be particularly useful in situations where operators must multitask, bypassing traditional input methods such as keyboards or mice. VR environments can simulate network conditions, allowing operators to practice and refine their responses to potential problems in a controlled, safe environment. Combining VR with BCI allows for the creation of adaptive interfaces that respond to the operator’s cognitive load, adjusting the complexity of the displayed information based on real-time neural feedback. This integration can lead to more personalized and effective training programs for operators, enhancing their skills and decision-making. VR and BCI-based solutions also have the potential to reduce operator fatigue by enabling more natural and intuitive interaction with complex systems. The use of these advanced technologies in multimedia telecommunications can translate into more efficient, precise, and user-friendly system management, ultimately improving service quality. Full article

As the core observation instrument of the China Space Station Telescope (CSST), the Survey Camera (SC) generates microvibrations that significantly degrade the telescope’s imaging quality. Consequently, evaluating the microvibration response of the SC is of critical importance. However, for large-inertia, high-stiffness payloads like the SC with discrete interfaces, structural coupling between the payload and the test system leads to distortions in microvibration test results. Since the vibration transmission under structural coupling is not a simple series superposition, and the transfer functions of each link in the transmission path as well as the coupling correction matrices are difficult to obtain, this paper proposes a semi-physical simulation method for microvibration decoupling. The method first establishes a coupled finite element model of the SC and the test system. The model is iteratively modified based on the results of modal tests and transmissibility tests to ensure consistency with the dynamic characteristics of the actual coupled system. The model is validated through microvibration response tests, and the results show good agreement between the model and the actual system (the RMS deviation of force/torque is less than 5%). After stripping the test system from the modified coupled model, the intrinsic microvibration responses of the SC can be extracted, achieving the dynamic decoupling analysis of the complex coupled system. Full article

Controllability metrics based on system Gramians have been widely adopted to provide quantitative measures of the degree of controllability (DoC) and the disturbance rejection capability (DoDR) of dynamical systems. While steady-state Gramian formulations offer closed-form tractability, they are not applicable when rigid-body modes are present, as the associated poles at the origin cause the conventional Gramians to diverge. This paper presents a novel steady-state DoDR metric for linear time-invariant systems with a rigid-body mode. By block-diagonalizing the dynamics through a similarity transformation and analyzing the asymptotic behavior of the Gramian matrices, we derive an exact closed-form expression for the steady-state DoDR. The resulting formulation is numerically stable and enables systematic evaluation of disturbance-rejection capability even in the presence of a rigid-body mode. The proposed metric is validated using a mass–spring–damper chain model, where its effectiveness is demonstrated in actuator placement problems. The results show that the metric not only remains computationally well-posed but also provides physically meaningful interpretations consistent with modal characteristics. This study establishes a foundation for extending disturbance-rejection metrics to systems with multiple rigid-body modes, thereby broadening the applicability of Gramian-based controllability analysis. Full article

Focal chondral defects of the knee and ankle remain a challenging clinical condition, particularly in young and active patients, as they often cause pain, mechanical symptoms, and functional limitation without necessarily progressing to osteoarthritis (OA). This narrative review summarises current evidence on non-operative strategies for managing focal chondral lesions in non-arthritic joints, emphasising the role of rehabilitation as the central component of care. A thematic literature search was conducted across major databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025, selecting articles based on clinical relevance. Structured rehabilitation programmes based on load optimisation, neuromuscular retraining, and progressive strengthening represent the foundation of conservative management. Pharmacological agents and intra-articular injectables may provide temporary relief, although the evidence supporting their efficacy remains heterogeneous and primarily short-term. Nutraceuticals and physical modalities show encouraging but inconsistent results, limited by methodological variability and undefined dosing. Overall, conservative treatment should be tailored to the individual patient’s biomechanical and biological profile, integrating rehabilitation with selected adjuncts when appropriate. Future research should focus on developing standardised rehabilitation protocols, identifying predictors of recovery, and clarifying the biological mechanisms that sustain symptom improvement in focal cartilage pathology. Full article

In recent years, switched reluctance motors have emerged as a promising option for various applications due to their low manufacturing cost, rare-earth-free construction, and mechanical robustness. However, their widespread adoption is often limited by high torque ripple and acoustic noise. To address these challenges, this paper presents a comparative study of the acoustic noise performance of an 18/12 switched reluctance motor under various current control techniques. This comparison offers valuable insight into the motor’s vibroacoustic characteristics, which is essential for optimizing SRM performance, particularly in applications where noise reduction is critical. Dynamic simulations of an SRM are carried out in MATLAB/Simulink, and multi-physics analyses are performed in ANSYS Workbench. The multi-physics modeling includes electromagnetic, modal, and harmonic response analyses for four current control techniques evaluated across different operating speeds under light-load conditions. The simulation results are validated experimentally using an actual motor mounted on a dynamometer setup. The corresponding acoustic signatures for each control technique are presented as 2D plots of equivalent radiated power from simulations and sound power level from experimental tests. In addition, experimental waterfall diagrams are provided for each control technique. Full article