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25 pages, 3450 KiB  
Article
Shamans and “Dark Agencies”: War, Magical Parasitism, and Re-Enchanted Spirits in Siberia
by Konstantinos Zorbas
Religions 2024, 15(10), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15101150 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Alleged practices of magical assault and vampirism are a recurrent feature of popular explanations of misfortune in Tuva, South Siberia. Based on a field study of healing practices in an “Association of Shamans”, this article analyses rituals of redressing curse afflictions in the [...] Read more.
Alleged practices of magical assault and vampirism are a recurrent feature of popular explanations of misfortune in Tuva, South Siberia. Based on a field study of healing practices in an “Association of Shamans”, this article analyses rituals of redressing curse afflictions in the context of Russian political domination. A central purpose of this discussion is to foreground the centrality of kinds of parasitical worship and occult threat to structures of political power in—and beyond—the territory of Tuva. Focusing on a “cursescape”, which develops from the combative practices of shamans, occult specialists, and office-holders, the article probes a repertoire of shamanic healing symbols. It is argued that healing efficacy is constructed in the process of engaging with hunting symbols and animal spirits, which appear in Indigenous Siberian cosmologies. The analysis shows that ideas of ritual risk underpin the process of symbolic resolution. Whereas shamanic practices provide refuge to spirits evicted from their natural landscapes, Tibetan Buddhism—the unifying religion of Tuva—offers an alternative path of healing the effects of the shamans’ propagation of spirits. The article highlights indigenous perceptions of a “cursed” landscape as a space where the agencies of “darkness” and their political sponsors are confronted with an emancipating religious modality emerging from local Buddhist rituals. The analysis displays the unsolved drama of itinerant spirits and shamanic ancestral souls, whose agency is revealed through successive—yet inauspicious—forms of reincarnation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Ritual, and Healing)
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10 pages, 1651 KiB  
Article
Virus-Specific Nanobody-Chimeras Degrade the Human Cytomegalovirus US28 Protein in CD34+ Cells
by Emma Poole, Janika Schmitt, Stephen C. Graham, Bernard T. Kelly and John Sinclair
Pathogens 2024, 13(10), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100821 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
After primary infection, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes lifelong persistence, underpinned by latent carriage of the virus with spontaneous reactivation events. In the immune-competent, primary infection or reactivation from latency rarely causes disease. However, HCMV can cause significant disease in immune-compromised individuals such as [...] Read more.
After primary infection, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes lifelong persistence, underpinned by latent carriage of the virus with spontaneous reactivation events. In the immune-competent, primary infection or reactivation from latency rarely causes disease. However, HCMV can cause significant disease in immune-compromised individuals such as immune-suppressed transplant patients. Latency, where the viral genome is carried in the absence of the production of infectious virions, can be established in undifferentiated cells of the myeloid lineage. A number of stimuli can cause virus reactivation from latency to occur, beginning with the induction of viral immediate-early (IE) lytic gene expression. The suppression of viral IE gene expression to establish and maintain latent infection is known to result from a balance of viral and cellular factors. One key viral factor involved in this is the G protein-coupled receptor US28. Recently, we have shown that US28 is targeted for degradation by a modified nanobody (PCTD-Vun100bv) based on the novel PACTAC (PCSK9-antibody clearance-targeting chimeras) approach for targeted protein degradation. Furthermore, we have shown that this PCTD-Vun100bv-induced degradation of US28 results in IE gene expression in experimentally latently infected CD14+ monocytes. However, HCMV also establishes latency in CD34+ bone marrow cells, the progenitors of CD14+ cells. Here, we show that PCTD-Vun100bv also causes US28 degradation in these CD34+ primary cells, again resulting in the induction of viral IE gene expression. Additionally, we show that PCTD-Vun100bv can target US28 in naturally latently infected CD14+ monocytes from an HCMV-seropositive donor, allowing these latently infected cells to be killed by HCMV-specific cytotoxic T cells from that same donor. These observations support the view that targeting US28 for degradation during natural latency could be a tractable ‘shock-and-kill’ strategy to target the latent HCMV reservoir in myeloid cells. Full article
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17 pages, 5801 KiB  
Article
Structural Reliability Analysis Using Stochastic Finite Element Method Based on Krylov Subspace
by Jianyun Huang, Qiuwei Yang, Hongfei Cao and Jiwei Ma
Algorithms 2024, 17(10), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/a17100424 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
The stochastic finite element method is an important tool for structural reliability analysis. In order to improve the calculation efficiency, a stochastic finite element method based on the Krylov subspace is proposed for the static reliability analysis of structures. The first step of [...] Read more.
The stochastic finite element method is an important tool for structural reliability analysis. In order to improve the calculation efficiency, a stochastic finite element method based on the Krylov subspace is proposed for the static reliability analysis of structures. The first step of the proposed method is to preprocess the static response equation considering randomness to reduce the condition number of the coefficient matrix. The second step of the proposed method is to construct a Krylov subspace based on the preprocessed static response equation. Then, the static displacement of random sampling is expressed as a linear combination of subspace basis vectors to achieve the purpose of a fast solution. Finally, statistics and failure probability are calculated according to the static response obtained from thousands of random samples. Three numerical examples are given to compare the proposed method with the stochastic finite element method based on the Neumann series. The results show that the stochastic finite element method based on the Krylov subspace is more accurate and efficient than the stochastic finite element method based on the Neumann series. Full article
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14 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Postharvest Quality of Arugula (Eruca sativa) Microgreens Determined by Microbiological, Physico-Chemical, and Sensory Parameters
by Marina R. Komeroski, Thais Beninca, Keyla A. Portal, Patrícia S. Malheiros, Tâmmila V. Klug, Simone H. Flores and Alessandro O. Rios
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3020; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13193020 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: Cultivating microgreens is emerging as an excellent market opportunity. Their easy, short, and sustainable production methods are the main reasons they are approved by growers. However, a feature that still prevents its further spread is the microbiological risk and their rapid [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Cultivating microgreens is emerging as an excellent market opportunity. Their easy, short, and sustainable production methods are the main reasons they are approved by growers. However, a feature that still prevents its further spread is the microbiological risk and their rapid senescence. The present study was conducted to evaluate the post-harvest storage and shelf life of arugula microgreens in different packaging through microbiological, physico-chemical, and sensory parameters; (2) Methods: Plants were stored at 5 °C in open air, vacuum sealed, and under modified atmosphere bags and tested at 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days; (3) Results: Microgreens stored in all packaging were safe for consumption within ten days. Regarding physical and chemical parameters, open packaging proved to be promising, with less weight loss and slower chlorophyll degradation. The sensory analysis demonstrated that the microgreens stored in the vacuum-sealed packaging showed a decrease in quality from the fifth day onwards for all attributes. However, the MAP presented good scores with a better visual quality, similar to the fresh microgreens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Storage and Shelf-Life Assessment of Food Products)
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8 pages, 714 KiB  
Article
Monitoring the Response of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors with Mean Corpuscular Volume
by Bediz Kurt İnci, Pınar Kubilay Tolunay, Şura Öztekin, Ergin Aydemir, İrem Öner, Öztürk Ateş and Cengiz Karaçin
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(10), 5722-5729; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31100424 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Background: Currently, the combination of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors and endocrine therapy is a first-line treatment for hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. This study aimed to assess the impact of changes in Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) on predicting responses to treatment [...] Read more.
Background: Currently, the combination of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors and endocrine therapy is a first-line treatment for hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. This study aimed to assess the impact of changes in Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) on predicting responses to treatment and survival in patients with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy. Methods: Retrospectively, data on hemoglobin levels, MCV, B12, folate levels, and survival times were collected from 275 patients. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the degree of MCV change (delta MCV ≤ 10 vs. >10). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The average age of the patients was 56.1 ± 12.1 years. In total, 72.7% received CDK4/6 inhibitors as first-line treatment, while 27.3% received them as second-line treatment. Before CDK4/6 inhibitor use, the median MCV level was 87.7 fL (IQR: 83–91), which increased to 98 fL (IQR: 92–103) after treatment (p < 0.001). ECOG performance score, CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment line, type of endocrine therapy, and MCV change were identified as independent predictors of progression-free survival in the Cox regression model. The median progression-free survival for the entire group was 28 months. Patients with MCV delta > 10 had a median progression-free survival of 33 months, compared to 23 months for those with MCV delta ≤ 10 (p = 0.029). There was no significant difference in median overall survival times between the two groups (p = 0.158). Conclusion: This study highlights that patients with MCV delta > 10 had longer median progression-free survival compared to those with MCV delta ≤ 10. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Breast Cancer)
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15 pages, 1022 KiB  
Article
The Genetic Diversity of 69 Widely Used Chinese Sorghum Hybrids Released between the 1970s and 2010s
by Haisheng Yan, Na Lv, Feng Yin, Yubin Wang, Hao Niu, Xin Lv, Jianqiang Chu, Fangfang Fan, Lan Ju, Jizhen Yu, Fuyao Zhang and Junai Ping
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2180; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102180 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Sorghum has a long history of cultivation in China. In this study, we aimed to clarify the genetic relationships and genetic variation trends in widely used Chinese sorghum hybrids which were released from the 1970s to 2010s and attempted to analyze the changes [...] Read more.
Sorghum has a long history of cultivation in China. In this study, we aimed to clarify the genetic relationships and genetic variation trends in widely used Chinese sorghum hybrids which were released from the 1970s to 2010s and attempted to analyze the changes in sorghum breeding. A total of 257 alleles were detected by 51 polymorphic SSR markers among 69 widely used hybrids; an average of 5.04 alleles were detected by each marker. The average Shannon’s index and polymorphism information content (PIC) of markers were 1.39 and 0.70, respectively. Nei’s genetic diversity index continuously increased in four different breeding development stages (1973–1982, 1983–1992, 1993–2002, and 2003–2014). Genetic diversity gradually increased among the sorghum hybrids. Genetic similarity coefficients in the four breeding development stages first showed an increasing trend, and then a decreasing trend, finally stabilizing with an average value of 0.65. The genetic similarity changes in hybrids in early and late maturing areas were consistent at different breeding development stages. The genetic similarity coefficients in late maturing areas were constantly higher than those in the early maturing areas. This is related to China’s creative utilization of A2 cytoplasmic male sterile materials in the 1990s. A cluster analysis determined that 69 hybrids were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A could be further subdivided into four subgroups. These findings could provide a reference for parental selection and hybrid breeding in sorghum improvement programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Breeding and Genetics)
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11 pages, 267 KiB  
Article
Effects of Organic Acid Coagulants on the Textural and Physical–Chemical Properties of Tofu
by Carolina Paz-Yépez, Mariana Gavilanes-Tomalá, Julio Palmay-Paredes, Grace Medina-Galarza, Sebastián Guerrero-Luzuriaga and Borja Velázquez Martí
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8580; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198580 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Tofu is obtained by heating soymilk, to which a coagulant, such as calcium sulfate or magnesium chloride, is added to make it curdle. This study aimed to parameterize the effects of the following three alternative organic coagulant types: apple, rice, and white vinegars, [...] Read more.
Tofu is obtained by heating soymilk, to which a coagulant, such as calcium sulfate or magnesium chloride, is added to make it curdle. This study aimed to parameterize the effects of the following three alternative organic coagulant types: apple, rice, and white vinegars, used in different proportions. Six treatments were established with three concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%), evaluating the coagulation time and curd yield. The treatments with the lowest coagulation time were analyzed for texture by TPA, color through the CIEL*a*b scale, protein content, and moisture. The results showed that the rice vinegar + 3% white vinegar (T6C3) treatment showed the lowest coagulation time (0.78 min). The 5% apple vinegar (T1C5) treatment provided the highest curd yield, averaging 23.73%. This treatment’s protein and moisture contents were 3.93% protein and 69.73% moisture, confirming that better texture characteristics are recorded in tofu at lower pH values. The TPA results showed that using apple and rice vinegars as coagulants provided a challenging, less cohesive, more adhesive, and less elastic tofu. White vinegar provided a soft, more cohesive, less adhesive, and more elastic tofu. In the color analysis, it was observed that tofu coagulated with apple vinegar showed a tendency toward a yellow color, and tofu coagulated with rice and white vinegars showed a tendency toward a white color. These findings parameterize the effects of using each type of vinegar as a coagulant. These organic coagulants provide faster coagulation times and desirable texture characteristics, thus offering a practical alternative to traditional coagulants in tofu manufacturing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Food Processing Technologies and Approaches)
22 pages, 11161 KiB  
Article
Integrated Intelligent Control of Redundant Degrees-of-Freedom Manipulators via the Fusion of Deep Reinforcement Learning and Forward Kinematics Models
by Yushuo Chen, Shijie Su, Kai Ni and Cunjun Li
Machines 2024, 12(10), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12100667 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Redundant degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulators offer increased flexibility and are better suited for obstacle avoidance, yet precise control of these systems remains a significant challenge. This paper addresses the issues of slow training convergence and suboptimal stability that plague current deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based [...] Read more.
Redundant degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulators offer increased flexibility and are better suited for obstacle avoidance, yet precise control of these systems remains a significant challenge. This paper addresses the issues of slow training convergence and suboptimal stability that plague current deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based control strategies for redundant DOF manipulators. We propose a novel DRL-based intelligent control strategy, FK-DRL, which integrates the manipulator’s forward kinematics (FK) model into the control framework. Initially, we conceptualize the control task as a Markov decision process (MDP) and construct the FK model for the manipulator. Subsequently, we expound on the integration principles and training procedures for amalgamating the FK model with existing DRL algorithms. Our experimental analysis, applied to 7-DOF and 4-DOF manipulators in simulated and real-world environments, evaluates the FK-DRL strategy’s performance. The results indicate that compared to classical DRL algorithms, the FK-DDPG, FK-TD3, and FK-SAC algorithms improved the success rates of intelligent control tasks for the 7-DOF manipulator by 21%, 87%, and 64%, respectively, and the training convergence speeds increased by 21%, 18%, and 68%, respectively. These outcomes validate the proposed algorithm’s effectiveness and advantages in redundant manipulator control using DRL and FK models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Automation and Control Systems)
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28 pages, 4102 KiB  
Review
Research Advancement in Forest Property Rights: A Thematic Review over Half a Decade Using Natural Language Processing
by Olegas Beriozovas, Dalia Perkumienė, Mindaugas Škėma, Abdellah Saoualih, Larbi Safaa and Marius Aleinikovas
Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198280 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
This paper proposes a thematic literature review of advances in the literature on forest property rights over the first half of this decade. From a methodological point of view, we exploited a corpus of scientific articles published between 2019 and 2023, extracted from [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a thematic literature review of advances in the literature on forest property rights over the first half of this decade. From a methodological point of view, we exploited a corpus of scientific articles published between 2019 and 2023, extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. We then performed a co-word analysis using the Louvain algorithm to reveal thematic clusters. This approach enabled us to identify seven distinct trends over the past half-decade, each highlighting specific aspects and geographical diversity of forest property rights, which were then evaluated using a thematic map. The main findings revealed that (policies, livelihoods and agroforestry) and (institutions, sustainability and non-timber forest products) stand out as central and influential themes, which have a significant impact and present notable advances that have shaped recent discussions and practices. Furthermore, themes (forest policy and resource management) and (conservation and the rights of indigenous communities) are well developed, which have a solid research base, offering an in-depth understanding of the relevant research questions. Conversely, themes (institutional change and forest conservation) and (deforestation, indigenous rights and community management) represent emerging themes, which are receiving increasing attention and are likely to become major of focus. In contrast, (forest governance, community management and land conflict resolution) which indicates a waning influence in terms of miscellaneous implications. The findings of this thematic literature review will help guide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners based on recent developments in international forest property rights, during a half-decade marked by a break with previous trends, leading to legislative changes and strategic adaptations essential for the sustainable management of forest resources, bolstered by technological advancements and environmental efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sustainability)
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10 pages, 187 KiB  
Article
A New Defence against the Problem of Evil
by Daniel Molto
Religions 2024, 15(10), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15101149 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
In this paper, I propose a defence against the problem of evil. This defence does not involve either free will or soul-making, but, rather, is intended as a replacement for the traditional theodicies. The defence will have two components: firstly, a proposal for [...] Read more.
In this paper, I propose a defence against the problem of evil. This defence does not involve either free will or soul-making, but, rather, is intended as a replacement for the traditional theodicies. The defence will have two components: firstly, a proposal for why a good God would not intervene to eliminate the evil (natural or moral) in the world; and second, a proposal for why a good God would need to allow evil to exist in the world in the first place. I identify four desiderata for defences against the problem of evil and I argue that this new defence achieves all of these at least as well as traditional defences involving free will and/or soul-making. Full article
17 pages, 1334 KiB  
Article
A Detailed Analysis and Gain Derivation of Reconfigurable Voltage Rectifier-Based LLC Converter
by Fahad Alaql, Walied Alfraidi, Abdullah Alhatlani, Abdullrahman A. Al-Shamma’a, Hassan M. Hussein Farh and Ahmed Allehyani
Electronics 2024, 13(19), 3788; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193788 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
In this paper, a complete analysis of an LLC resonant converter with a customized rectifier structure is presented. The converter is intended for wide, low-input, high-output voltage DC bus applications. The performance of the converter is assessed using comprehensive time-domain and fundamental harmonic [...] Read more.
In this paper, a complete analysis of an LLC resonant converter with a customized rectifier structure is presented. The converter is intended for wide, low-input, high-output voltage DC bus applications. The performance of the converter is assessed using comprehensive time-domain and fundamental harmonic approximation (FHA), which demonstrates its capacity to operate across an ample range of voltages by precisely adjusting the rectifier structure. The converter’s capability is illustrated by deriving and discussing detailed mode operation, steady-state analysis, and DC gain equations. In order to verify the theoretical analysis, a prototype with a power output of 250 watts is constructed and subjected to testing. The results of the testing demonstrate that the converter is both feasible and effective. The experimental findings illustrate its capacity to manage vast voltage ranges while upholding high efficiency. In addition, the converter utilizes a frequency switching modulation (FSM) to connect with a photovoltaic (PV) panel and control the high output voltage. This demonstrates its adaptability in renewable energy applications. The validation is in accordance with theoretical predictions, demonstrating the converter’s high-efficiency performance and versatility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics and Renewable Energy System)
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21 pages, 3944 KiB  
Article
Adolescent Suicides in the Western Pacific Region Have Become a More Serious Public Health Problem than in Other Regions
by Ruri Okubo, Ryusuke Matsumoto, Eishi Motomura and Motohiro Okada
Psychiatry Int. 2024, 5(4), 564-584; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5040041 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Globally, suicide mortality rates have decreased in this century; however, it has been reported that the decreasing trends of some subgroups were attenuated in the late 2010s. These tendencies are pronounced among adolescents. In this study, the temporal fluctuations of the age-standardized death [...] Read more.
Globally, suicide mortality rates have decreased in this century; however, it has been reported that the decreasing trends of some subgroups were attenuated in the late 2010s. These tendencies are pronounced among adolescents. In this study, the temporal fluctuations of the age-standardized death rate of suicide (ASDR-suicide), crude mortality rate of suicide (CMR-suicide), and percentage of suicides per total deaths (PTD-suicide) among adolescents (10–24 years) in the global high-income and middle-income countries and in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) from 1990 to 2019, as well as the fixed effects of communication factors (penetration of cellular telephones and the Internet) on the ASDR-suicide/CMR-suicide/PTD-suicide of adolescents, were analyzed using the WHO Mortality Database. The male ASDR-suicide in global middle-income countries decreased, and those of males in global high-income countries and females in middle-income countries were unchanged, while the rate of other groups (males in the WPR and females in high-income countries and the WPR) increased. The ASDR-suicide of adolescent males in the WPR was almost equivalent to that of males in global high-income and middle-income countries in the 1990s but was higher than the rate in the 2010s. The ASDR-suicide of adolescent females in the WPR was consistently higher than that of females in global high-income and middle-income countries from 1990 to 2019, but the differences widened over time. The PTD-suicide of both males and females in middle-income countries was unchanged, whereas the PTD-suicide in global high-income countries and the WPR increased over time. The PTD-suicide in the WPR markedly increased by >40% in the late 2010s. The fixed effects of cellular telephone and Internet penetrations were negatively and positively related to adolescent suicide in the WPR, respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that, in this century, suicide prevention in adolescent health activities has been increasing in importance in the WPR compared with other regions. Full article
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26 pages, 7939 KiB  
Article
Role of Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Forces through Four-Dimensional-Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging (4D-Flow MRI) in Evaluating Mitral Regurgitation with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Seeking Novel Biomarkers
by Monisha Ghosh Srabanti, Corey Adams, Lyes Kadem and Julio Garcia
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8577; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198577 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the systolic retrograde flow from the left ventricle (LV) to the left atrium. Despite the recognized importance of hemodynamic force (HDF) in cardiology, its exploration in MR has been limited. Therefore, we aimed to explore non-invasively assessed HDF as [...] Read more.
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the systolic retrograde flow from the left ventricle (LV) to the left atrium. Despite the recognized importance of hemodynamic force (HDF) in cardiology, its exploration in MR has been limited. Therefore, we aimed to explore non-invasively assessed HDF as a novel biomarker for evaluating MR utilizing 4D-flow MRI. The study cohort comprised 15 healthy controls (19–61 years, 53% men) and 26 MR patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF) (33–75 years, trivial–severe, 54% men). The HDF analysis involved the semi-automatic calculation of systolic–diastolic root mean square (RMS), average, and transverse/longitudinal ratio across three directions (S-L: septal–lateral, I-A: inferior–anterior, and B-A: basal–apical) using Segment, v2.2 R6410 (Lund, Sweden, Medviso). A noticeable trend shift emerged in HDF as the MR severity increased (p-value < 0.05). The MR severity demonstrated a noteworthy correlation with systolic RMS B-A, average B-A, diastolic average B-A, systolic average S-L, B-A, and systolic–diastolic ratio (rho = 0.621, 0.457, 0.317, 0.318, 0.555, −0.543, −0.35, respectively; p-value < 0.05). HDF significantly correlated with LV function (end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, EF, and mass; p-value < 0.05). Systolic RMS B-A and diastolic RMS S-L emerged as significant predictors of MR (Beta, 95% CI [3.253, 1.204–5.301], [5.413, 0.227–10.6], p-value < 0.05). This study emphasizes HDF as a potential hemodynamic biomarker for evaluating MR. Full article
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17 pages, 319 KiB  
Article
Descriptive Study of the Influence of Foot Type on Physical Characteristics, Laxity, Strength and Baropodometry in Children Aged 5 to 10 Years
by Cristina Molina-García, Francisco Álvarez-Salvago, Clara Pujol-Fuentes, Andrés López-del-Amo-Lorente, Laura Ramos-Petersen, Carlos Martínez-Sebastián, Antonio Martínez-Amat, José Daniel Jiménez-García and Manuel De Diego-Moreno
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8578; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198578 (registering DOI) - 24 Sep 2024
Abstract
Background: Foot morphology in children is a crucial factor influencing multiple aspects of their physical development. Between the ages of 5 and 10 years, the critical period of child development is when the movement and stability patterns are consolidated that can affect their [...] Read more.
Background: Foot morphology in children is a crucial factor influencing multiple aspects of their physical development. Between the ages of 5 and 10 years, the critical period of child development is when the movement and stability patterns are consolidated that can affect their long-term physical performance and quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze how the type of foot influences different physical characteristics, laxity, strength, motor tests, and baropodometric variables in children aged 5 to 10 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 196 children was conducted. Different physical characteristics, laxity, strength, motor tests, and baropodometric variables of the sample were analyzed for age and Foot Posture Index (FPI). Results: Differences in all variables were examined by age and FPI. Statistical analysis showed a moderate to high correlation (r > 0.6, p < 0.01) between FPI and the relaxed calcaneal stance position (RCSP) test. Some significant differences were also found in variables related to foot pronation and supination. These results provide valuable information for understanding differences in motor and functional development during childhood and pre-adolescence. Conclusions: The findings highlight the variability in physical and functional development between age and foot type groups, highlighting the importance of considering these differences in the assessment and management of foot-related conditions and biomechanics in childhood. Foot type significantly influences children’s growth and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control on Human Movement Analysis)
22 pages, 3401 KiB  
Article
Trajectory Planning of a Mother Ship Considering Seakeeping Indices to Enhance Launch and Recovery Operations of Autonomous Drones
by Salvatore Rosario Bassolillo, Egidio D’Amato, Salvatore Iacono, Silvia Pennino and Antonio Scamardella
Oceans 2024, 5(3), 720-741; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans5030041 (registering DOI) - 23 Sep 2024
Abstract
This research focuses on integrating seakeeping indices into the trajectory planning of a mother ship in order to minimize risks during UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) takeoff and landing in challenging sea conditions. By considering vessel dynamics and environmental factors, the proposed trajectory planning [...] Read more.
This research focuses on integrating seakeeping indices into the trajectory planning of a mother ship in order to minimize risks during UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) takeoff and landing in challenging sea conditions. By considering vessel dynamics and environmental factors, the proposed trajectory planning algorithm computes optimal paths that prioritize the stability and safety of the ship, mitigating the impact of adverse weather on UAV operations. Specifically, the new adaptive weather routing model presented is based on a genetic algorithm. The model uses the previously evaluated response amplitude operators (RAOs) for the reference ship at different velocities and encounter angles, along with weather forecast data provided by the global wave model (GWAM). Preliminary evaluations confirm the effectiveness of the presented model in significantly improving the reliability of autonomous UAV operations from a mother ship across all encountered sea state conditions, particularly when compared with a graph-based solution. The current results clearly demonstrate that it is possible to achieve appreciable improvements in ship seakeeping performance, thereby making UAV-related operations safer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Oceans 2024)
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