Search Results (2,026)

Capacitive sensing offers a low-power, non-optical route for automated insect monitoring, but architecture-level benchmarking under shared geometry remains limited. Rather than presenting a general framework, this study proposed a configuration-specific laboratory benchmark comparing four sigma-delta and charge-transfers in a 6 mm dual-arc conduit at 25 °C, targeting six adult terrestrial arthropod species spanning a 25-fold range of the body cross-sectional area. Static measurements showed a strong linear relationship between ΔC_static and body cross-sectional area (17.96 fF/mm², r = 0.995), supporting first-pass conduit sizing and detectability screening. In contrast, transit amplitudes were not monotonic with body size because posture, motion, and gap occupancy affected waveform shape. Under chamber conditions, static sensitivity degraded by less than 3.2% across all architectures from RH 40% to 80%. However, under the deployment-oriented noise model, SNR_FR degradation was substantially higher for charge-transfer devices (64.8–66.8%) than for Σ–Δ devices (≤35.5%), because the composite noise floor amplifies the effect of humidity-induced baseline drift. These results generated a conduit-specific reference dataset for preliminary capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) selection within the tested 6 mm dual-arc geometry. In addition, the experimental validation focused on laboratory baseline noise characterization, long-term drift, and trap-integrated testing in temperature-controlled environments and natural-locomotion trials, providing critical information on configuration-specific architectures and body-size-scaling reference. This study serves as an initial step toward real-world capacitive insect sensing. Future studies will investigate additional conduit geometries and insect species to improve the robustness of the proposed framework. Full article

Lower-limb amputation remains a significant clinical and socio-economic challenge, while the high cost of microprocessor-controlled prostheses (MPKs) limits their widespread accessibility. This paper presents the design and preliminary laboratory-scale evaluation of a low-cost microprocessor-controlled ankle prosthesis intended as a feasibility-oriented alternative platform for future active prosthetic system development. Building upon the previously developed V1 mechanical architecture, an updated CAD model was created in the SolidWorks 2024 environment, and the kinematic configuration was refined using a ball-screw transmission (SFU1204-300) driven by a NEMA 17 stepper motor. The electronic control system integrates an ESP32 microcontroller, an MPU9250 inertial measurement unit (IMU), a limit switch for initial-position detection, and a WiFi-based REST API interface for communication and control. Laboratory no-load experiments demonstrated controlled positional behavior, repeatable angular response, and successful operation of the homing procedure within a motion range of 0–4200 motor steps. The prototype actively generated dorsiflexion–plantar flexion motion in the sagittal plane, while a passive inversion–eversion mechanism was incorporated and intended to improve structural adaptability. IMU-based measurements enabled preliminary monitoring of angular displacement and positional behavior during the experiments. The presented prototype represents an initial engineering feasibility study of a low-cost active ankle actuation architecture and provides a foundation for future investigations involving load-bearing experiments, biomechanical gait analysis, and closed-loop control implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer survivors differ from non-cancer populations in that cancer treatment commonly induces declines in physical fitness (PF) that are relevant to treatment tolerance, recovery, and survivorship outcomes. However, PF assessment methods vary widely across interventional studies. This scoping review aimed to map and characterize objective PF assessments used in interventional research among breast cancer survivors. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, KoreaMed, KCI, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched through November 2024. Interventional studies enrolling adult female breast cancer survivors and reporting at least one objectively measured PF outcome were included. Results: Of 9697 records identified, 316 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions were exercise-based (83.2%) and conducted in the post-treatment phase (56.4%). Across the 316 studies, 557 PF domain records were identified because a single study could report more than one PF domain. Muscular strength accounted for the largest proportion of PF domain records (n = 222, 39.9%), followed by cardiorespiratory fitness (n = 190, 34.1%), flexibility (n = 100, 18.0%) and physical function (n = 45, 8.0%). Assessment method records showed that field-based walking test, strength test, shoulder range of motion test and balance tests were commonly used within their respective domain. Substantial heterogeneity in protocols, timing, and reporting limited comparability across studies. Conclusions: PF assessments are widely used in interventional breast cancer survivorship research but remain unevenly distributed across domains and treatment phases. More standardized and clearly reported PF assessment methods are needed to improve comparability and support future survivorship research. Full article

Background: The widespread prevalence of neck pain (NP) is a serious healthcare and social problem, and the question of which components of physiotherapy are most effective is still valid. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the type of electrotherapy applied on the outcomes of complex physiotherapy administered to individuals with NP. Methods: In line with the study protocol, 100 individuals with NP were enrolled and randomly divided into four groups. All groups received kinesiotherapy and phototherapy. Additionally, each group also received electrotherapy treatment, which was a differentiating factor. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and after six months. The examination involved evaluation of pain using VAS and measurement of the cervical range of motion (ROM). Overall, seven parameters were assessed during each examination. Results: Pain intensity decreased in all individuals across the three study periods. A large effect size and changes exceeding the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) were observed only in the electrotherapy groups. The improvement in cervical spine ROM was comparable in the HF and LF TENS groups in the short- and long-term perspectives; however, a greater number of effects (p < 0.05) was observed in the HF TENS group. TC resulted only in large and moderate short-term effects reflected by improvements in cervical spine ROM. In the PLACEBO group, moderate long-term effects were observed. Conclusions: Low-frequency currents appear to improve the analgesic effectiveness of complex physiotherapy implemented in individuals with NP. TC may provide better short-term effects compared to long-term effects reflected by improvements in cervical spinal ROM. The effects in the PLACEBO group may suggest that phototherapy and kinesiotherapy are more effective due to the continuation of exercise and the education in ergonomics of work. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neurological impairments in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) often lead to altered muscle architecture and function, resulting in calf muscle contractures. Orthotic immobilization aims to promote muscle–tendon unit lengthening through sustained stretch but may also induce disuse atrophy. This study investigated whether combining immobilization with daily activity yields different effects on muscle strength and gait function compared with immobilization alone. Methods: Fourteen ambulant children with spastic CP and equinus deformity (8 unilateral, 6 bilateral; mean age 9.93 ± 3.0 years; GMFCS I: 10, GMFCS II: 4) participated in a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to either continuous immobilization (23 h/day) using a dynamic ankle–foot orthosis or a combined protocol consisting of 14 h/day immobilization and 10 h/day of activity involving ankle mobility and calf muscle activation. Outcomes included isometric muscle strength, joint range of motion, gait parameters, and functional measures (Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL) and the Paediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI)). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models with Bonferroni correction. Results: Significant time effects were observed for the knee angle at initial contact (IC), the ankle angle at IC, maximum dorsiflexion, and maximum dorsiflexion during swing. A significant group × time interaction was found only for hindfoot-tibia angle at IC. Within-group improvements were noted in activities of daily living, body image and self-esteem, and basic mobility. No significant changes were found for muscle strength or for most questionnaire subscales. Conclusions: The findings indicate time-related improvements in gait, with no consistent advantage of the combined intervention. Further studies with larger samples are needed to evaluate potential long-term effects. Full article

Background: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the concurrent validity and practical applicability of the MetricVBT smartphone application compared with the Vitruve linear position transducer (VitruveLPT) for measuring mean velocity (MV) and peak velocity (PV) at one-repetition maximum (1-RM) during the Smith machine bench press (SMBP). A secondary aim is to assess the range of motion (ROM). Methods: Eighteen resistance-trained men completed a single 1-RM SMBP exercise test, with barbell kinematics simultaneously recorded using VitruveLPT and MetricVBT. Between-device differences were assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired-sample t-tests with Bonferroni correction (α ≤ 0.05). Associations were examined using Spearman’s (ρ) and Pearson’s (r) correlations, and absolute agreement was evaluated via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses. Results: Significant differences were observed for MV (p = 0.026), but not for PV (p = 0.143) or ROM (p = 0.130). PV showed a very high correlation (r = 0.91, p < 0.001), whereas MV (ρ = 0.65, p = 0.002) and ROM (ρ = 0.55, p = 0.018) demonstrated moderate correlations. Agreement was good for PV (ICC = 0.888), moderate for MV (ICC = 0.612), and poor for ROM (ICC = 0.236). Mean bias was small for MV (−0.02 m·s⁻¹) and PV (0.02 m·s⁻¹), whereas ROM showed a larger bias (1.64 cm) and wide limits-of-agreement (LoA) for all variables (MV: −0.07 to 0.04 m·s⁻¹; PV: −0.08 to 0.11 m·s⁻¹; ROM: −13.82 to 17.10 cm). Conclusions: Although no statistically significant differences were observed, MetricVBT did not meet the reliability criteria for velocity monitoring. Despite small mean bias, the wide LoA for MV, PV, and ROM indicates that MetricVBT and VitruveLPT are not interchangeable for assessing performance parameters. Full article

Overhead sports place high demands on the shoulder complex, making warm-up specificity relevant for acute readiness. This randomized controlled pilot trial compared the immediate effects of a shoulder-specific warm-up with a habitual routine in 24 youth competitive overhead athletes (14–20 years), allocated to an experimental group (EG = 12) and a habitual warm-up group (SWG = 12). The warm-up protocol was administered bilaterally to both shoulders, whereas outcome measurements were collected unilaterally, with each shoulder tested separately. Assessments were performed before and immediately after the warm-up protocol. Outcome measures included shoulder flexion range of motion (ROM), handgrip strength, Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability (CKCUES) performance, and post-warm-up Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE; Borg CR-10). A significant group-by-time interaction was found for right shoulder flexion ROM (p = 0.003, η²p = 0.346), with a significant increase in the EG from baseline to post-test (p = 0.008). No significant effects were observed for left shoulder flexion ROM, handgrip strength, or CKCUES performance. Post-warm-up RPE was statistically significant in the EG compared to the SWG (p = 0.041). These preliminary findings may suggest the potential practical value of more targeted warm-up strategies in overhead sports, while larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm their broader functional relevance. Full article

Background/Objectives: In our previous study, we reported that postoperative flexion ≥ 120° is associated with better knee function after TKA, whereas flexion gain is associated with higher patient satisfaction. However, preoperative determinants of achieving these clinically relevant targets remain unclear. This study investigated preoperative factors predicting (1) postoperative flexion ≥ 120° and (2) clinically meaningful flexion gain after TKA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from 221 primary TKAs (171 patients) performed between 2014 and 2020. Passive knee range of motion (ROM) was measured preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative variables included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Knee Society Score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Patients were categorized as the good-flexion group (postoperative flexion ≥ 120°) or poor-flexion group (<120°), and as the improvement group (flexion gain ≥ 5°) or no-improvement group (<5°). Variables differing between groups were entered into multivariable logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (Youden index) identified optimal cutoffs. Results: Postoperative flexion was ≥120° in 63.3% of knees, and flexion gain ≥ 5° occurred in 48.4%. In multivariable models, preoperative flexion angle was the only independent preoperative predictor of achieving postoperative flexion ≥ 120° (p < 0.001) and flexion gain ≥ 5° (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that a preoperative flexion cutoff of 120° best discriminated both outcomes (AUC 0.78 for postoperative flexion ≥ 120°; AUC 0.80 for flexion gain ≥ 5°). Conclusions: A 120° preoperative knee flexion threshold provides a simple, clinically actionable marker for predicting postoperative flexion ≥ 120° and meaningful flexion gain after TKA. Incorporating preoperative flexion into shared decision-making may improve counseling by setting realistic expectations for postoperative knee function and satisfaction. Full article

Background: The hallux interphalangeal ossicle (HIO) is commonly considered as an incidental anatomical variant; however, its biomechanical role remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of HIO on hallux joint biomechanics. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted, including 419 feet (218 individuals). The presence of HIO was assessed using ultrasound imaging. Range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) and interphalangeal joint (IPJ) were evaluated under both open kinetic chain and dynamic conditions. Statistical comparisons between HIO and non-HIO groups were made, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the discriminative capacity of IPJ ROM. Results: HIO was present in 48% of cases and was bilateral in all participants. Individuals with HIO exhibited significantly greater IPJ extension under both open kinetic chain and dynamic conditions (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in MTPJ ROM between groups. A positive, albeit variable, relationship was found between ossicle size and IPJ extension. ROC analysis demonstrated moderate discriminative ability of IPJ ROM for detecting HIO (sensitivity 63.2%, specificity 54.6%). Conclusions: The presence of HIO is associated with increased IPJ extension, suggesting a measurable influence on hallux biomechanics. These findings support the notion that the HIO is a biomechanically relevant structure rather than purely incidental an asymptomatic anatomical variant. Increased IPJ extension may represent an early functional adaptation with potential clinical implications. Full article

Bubble bursting at liquid surfaces was investigated experimentally using high-speed imaging at 25,000 fps and micro-particle image velocimetry (µ-PIV) at up to 4000 flow fields per second. Three fluids with distinct rheological properties were studied: a viscous Newtonian fluid (Emkarox, η₀ = 0.072 Pa·s) and two non-Newtonian fluids (highly viscous Carboxymethyl Cellulose, HV CMC, η₀ = 0.53 Pa·s, and viscoelastic Polyacrylamide, PAAm, η₀ = 57.17 Pa·s). Bubble radii ranged from 1.2 to 4.0 mm, with corresponding lifetimes spanning from O(10⁻²) to O(10¹) s depending on fluid properties. The relationship between bubble size and lifetime at the air–liquid interface was quantified for the non-Newtonian fluids, using the Newtonian fluid as a reference. µ-PIV measurements further captured the rapid dynamics of bubble bursting beneath the interface in the liquids. These findings provide new insight into the complex interfacial mechanisms governing bubble rupture and fluid motion. Full article

Monitoring center-of-mass is crucial for assessing postural control, but field measurements are often impractical or cost-prohibitive. This study investigates the feasibility of predicting center-of-mass kinematics from the motion of an unstable base—the Sensopro Luna—using deep learning, eliminating the need for wearable sensors. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 64 participants were recorded performing three coordination exercises (Single-Leg Stance, Stepping, and Waves). Marker-based motion capture and auxiliary inertial sensors were used to record reference and tape kinematics. The model inputs consisted of IMU- and motion-capture-derived tape segment orientations, IMU accelerations and angular velocities, and algorithmic estimates of the lowest tape positions. Nine axis-specific exercise models were developed using a hybrid Encoder–LSTM–Decoder architecture and compared against linear regression baselines. Our results indicate that the deep learning models successfully predicted horizontal center-of-mass displacements (DNN Mean Absolute Errors of 16.1–23.7 mm for X-axis and 4.4–31.3 mm for Y-axis) and exhibited descriptively lower errors than linear models in mean absolute error and signal morphology. However, vertical predictions were less reliable, likely due to the physical constraints inherent to the kinematics of the unstable base. Error analysis revealed that prediction accuracy was highest within common postural ranges, but decreased for extreme displacements. These findings provide a proof-of-concept for wearable-free postural monitoring, particularly for movement along the mediolateral and sagittal axes. Such a system could facilitate automated, cost-effective postural feedback and performance tracking in rehabilitation and fitness environments, supporting autonomous coordination training without the practical constraints of traditional measurement systems. Full article

The available literature provides limited and inadequate data regarding the association between intraoperative knee kinematics, long-term clinical outcomes and survivorship after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to examine the potential relationship between specific intraoperative kinematics laxity assessment, acquired with a computer navigation system, and the long-term clinical outcomes and survivorship in patients undergoing TKA. This study consists of a retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive TKA procedures, in which a surgical navigation system was utilized to intra-operatively assess bone resections, implant positioning and gap balancing. The intraoperative kinematic parameters included varus-valgus laxity at 0° (VV 0) and 30° of flexion (VV 30), anterior–posterior displacement at 90° of flexion (AP 90), and passive range of motion (ROM). Different prosthesis designs were used, with a predominance of the posterior stabilized (PS)-type implant. The Knee Injury and Osteo-arthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used to investigate patients’ clinical and functional status. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan–Meier method. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test. A univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with clinical failure. Of 165 eligible patients, 120 were included in the final analysis, with a mean follow-up of 7.7 ± 2.8 years. Revision surgery was required in seven cases, representing surgical failure and an overall survival rate of 94.2%, with survival probabilities of 98.8%, 97.4%, and 93.6% at 6, 8, and 10 years, respectively. Clinical failure (KOOS < 70 in three domains) occurred in 23 patients. No intra-operative surgical parameters, including Hip-Knee-Ankle angle, Preoperative KL grade, prostheses design, VV 0, VV 30, AP 90 and ROM, or demographic variables, were found to be statistically correlated with clinical failure at follow-up. Although, in this navigated TKA cohort, survivorship was acceptable and consistent with previously reported benchmarks, it was not possible to reliably predict survival probability based solely on the intra-operative laxity parameters measured. Nevertheless, the use of surgical navigation can help surgeons accurately assess bone resections and the balance of prosthetic components. Full article

Top Submerged Lance (TSL) technology is widely used in non-ferrous smelting, yet in-situ bath dynamics remain challenging to quantify because the process operates in a closed, high-temperature, highly turbulent and optically inaccessible environment. The absence of direct diagnostics limits the ability to relate operating conditions to bubble dynamics, gas penetration and bath agitation and constrains validation of multiphase CFD models under realistic conditions. This study introduces a multimodal sensing framework that combines spectral acoustic analysis with lance-mounted inertial motion sensing to characterize dynamic bath behavior across cold-model, laboratory-scale and pilot-scale systems. Water-glycerin experiments establish repeatable acoustic signatures of individual bubble-collapse events, with dominant emission bands in the 300–900 Hz range and higher-frequency components extending into the kilohertz domain. High-temperature laboratory trials using fayalitic slag reproduce these frequency regions while exhibiting depth-dependent attenuation and clear spectral separation between submerged and non-submerged lance operation. Power Spectral Density (PSD) and cumulative spectral power analyses resolve the influence of gas flow rate and lance submersion depth on acoustic spectral power distribution, while inertial measurements capture corresponding increases in vertical lance acceleration associated with back-pressure fluctuations. Pilot-scale trials at 120 Nm³/h air and 13 L/h diesel confirm that shallow lance submersion substantially increases measured acoustic spectral power below 3 kHz, whereas deeper penetration enhances periodic vertical acceleration response measured by the inertial sensor. The combined acoustic-inertial methodology provides a physically interpretable and cross-scale framework for assessing bubble collapse activity, plume interaction and bath agitation under high-temperature TSL conditions. The approach enables frequency-based diagnostics that can be systematically compared with CFD predictions of plume oscillation and collapse-related dynamics. Once baseline frequency ranges are established for a given slag system, the method can support process monitoring and may provide indirect indicators related to changes in surface agitation or foaming tendency, enabling structured data-driven analysis. The framework thus provides a practical bridge between cold-model experiments, high-temperature measurements, multiphase modeling and industrial TSL operation. Full article

To address tracking accuracy degradation caused by noise in sensor observations, a maneuvering target tracking algorithm based on an improved Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) ranging model is proposed for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The traditional deterministic ranging model is replaced by a backpropagation neural network optimized via the Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA-BP), which directly maps noisy RSSI measurements to precise physical distances. Filtering and tracking are executed using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) combined with a uniform circular motion model, demonstrating the robustness of the observation model across dynamic predictions. Simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed framework. In the distance estimation phase, the OOA-BP model reduces the average ranging error to 0.04 m. During dynamic tracking, the integrated OOA-BP-EKF architecture demonstrates superior tracking performance compared to standard frameworks, reducing the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) by 15.33% and 59.89% compared to GA-BP and standard BP algorithms, respectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gartland Type III supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHFs) represent the most surgically challenging pediatric elbow injuries, yet controversy persists regarding whether the timing of surgery, specifically after-hours versus working-hours operations, influences clinical and radiological outcomes. This study aimed to compare the functional, cosmetic, and radiological outcomes of Gartland Type III SCHFs managed during working hours versus after hours, with a secondary analysis incorporating the surgical approach (open vs. closed reduction). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 91 pediatric patients who underwent surgical treatment for Gartland Type III SCHFs between January 2020 and June 2025. Patients were stratified into working-hours (n = 48) and after-hours (n = 43) groups. Outcomes were assessed using Flynn’s criteria, radiological parameters, range-of-motion measurements, and complication rates. A secondary subgroup analysis was performed across four groups formed by combining surgical timing and approach. Results: The mean patient age was 70.36 ± 32.97 months with a mean follow-up of 28.07 ± 14.66 months. The time to surgery was significantly shorter in the working-hours group (median 16.0 h; IQR 13.5–20.0) compared with the after-hours group (median 20.0 h; IQR 17.0–27.0) (p = 0.009). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to functional outcomes, cosmetic outcomes, radiological parameters, or overall complication rates (all p > 0.05). However, four-group subgroup analysis revealed a significant difference in Flynn’s functional outcomes (p = 0.019), with the after-hours open reduction subgroup demonstrating a lower rate of excellent results (76.92%) compared with the remaining subgroups (96.88–100%). Conclusions: Working-hours versus after-hours surgical timing alone does not significantly alter clinical or radiological outcomes in Gartland Type III SCHFs. However, the combination of after-hours surgery with open reduction appears to be associated with inferior functional outcomes and a trend toward higher complication rates, suggesting that open reduction for complex fractures should preferably be performed during working hours when optimal theatre conditions and experienced senior surgical teams are readily available. Full article