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Equations of a heavy rotating body with one fixed point can be deduced starting from a variational problem with holonomic constraints. When applying this formalism to the particular case of a Lagrange top, in the formulation with a diagonal inertia tensor the potential energy has a more complicated form as compared with that assumed in the literature on dynamics of a rigid body. This implies the corresponding improvements in equations of motion. Therefore, we revised this case, presenting several examples of analytical solutions to the improved equations. The case of precession without nutation has a surprisingly rich relationship between the rotation and precession rates, which is discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Secondary problems in BPBI occur due to decreased muscle strength in the upper extremities. Comprehensive assessment methods are necessary to understand structural problems and to plan appropriate interventions in children with BPBI. We investigated the relationship between distal muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), and functionality by comparing distal muscle strength on the affected and unaffected sides in patients with BPBI who underwent shoulder tendon transfer. Methods: A total of 25 children with BPBI, 13 (52%) girls and 12 (48%) boys, aged 4–7 years (mean age: 5.98 ± 1.27 years), who had undergone shoulder tendon transfer surgery at least one year prior to the study were included. The muscle strength of the elbow, forearm, and wrist were assessed using the MicroFET®2 Digital Hand Dynamometer. The ROM of the elbow, forearm, and wrist were measured using the universal goniometer. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used for functionality assessment. Results: The strength of the elbow flexor–extensor, forearm pronator–supinator, and wrist extensor muscles on the affected side was greater than on the unaffected side in all children (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between muscle strength, ROM, and functionality in the affected extremity (p > 0.005). Conclusions: Although children with BPBI have good shoulder function after shoulder tendon transfer, structural problems in the distal joints may affect their functionality during daily life. Distal joint strengthening and ROM exercises, as well as bimanual functional activities, should be included in the rehabilitation programs of children with BPBI after shoulder tendon transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain atlas, which provides information about the distribution of genes, proteins, neurons, or anatomical regions, plays a crucial role in contemporary neuroscience research. To analyze the spatial distribution of those substances based on images from different brain samples, we often need to warp and register individual brain images to a standard brain template. However, the process of warping and registration may lead to spatial errors, thereby severely reducing the accuracy of the analysis. To address this issue, we develop an automated method for segmenting neuropils in the Drosophila brain for fluorescence images from the FlyCircuit database. This technique allows future brain atlas studies to be conducted accurately at the individual level without warping and aligning to a standard brain template. Our method, LYNSU (Locating by YOLO and Segmenting by U-Net), consists of two stages. In the first stage, we use the YOLOv7 model to quickly locate neuropils and rapidly extract smallscale 3D images as input for the second stage model. This stage achieves a 99.4% accuracy rate in neuropil localization. In the second stage, we employ the 3D U-Net model to segment neuropils. LYNSU can achieve high accuracy in segmentation using a small training set consisting of images from merely 16 brains. We demonstrate LYNSU on six distinct neuropils or structures, achieving a high segmentation accuracy comparable to professional manual annotations with a 3D Intersection-over-Union (IoU) reaching up to 0.869. Our method takes only about 7 s to segment a neuropil while achieving a similar level of performance as the human annotators. To demonstrate a use case of LYNSU, we applied it to all female Drosophila brains from the FlyCircuit database to investigate the asymmetry of the mushroom bodies (MBs), the learning center of fruit flies. We used LYNSU to segment bilateral MBs and compare the volumes between left and right for each individual. Notably, of 8,703 valid brain samples, 10.14% showed bilateral volume differences that exceeded 10%. The study demonstrated the potential of the proposed method in high-throughput anatomical analysis and connectomics construction of the Drosophila brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hip osteoarthritis and total hip arthroplasty imply damaged articular and periarticular structures responsible for proprioception, and this damage may impair the accurate perception of body-weight distribution. In this study, we investigated proprioceptive abilities and accuracy perceiving body-weight distribution in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and we assessed the associations between these abilities and body perception accuracy with functional mobility testing in 20 patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty and 20 age-matched healthy participants. We assessed (a) absolute error in hip joint position sense (AE-JPS), (b) absolute error in body-weight distribution (AE-BWD) during standing and sit-to-stand tasks with open and closed eyes, and (c) functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). We assessed patients undergoing hip arthroplasty before (T0) and five days after their surgery (T1), while control participants underwent a single evaluation. Relative to controls, participants undergoing surgery showed higher AE-JPS at 15° of hip flexion at T0 (p =.003) and at T1 (p =.007), greater AE-BWD during sit-to-stand with open eyes at T1 (p =.014) and with closed eyes at both T0 (p =.014) and at T1 (p <.001), and worse TUG at both T0 (p =.009) and T1 (p <.001). AE-BWD during sit-to-stand with closed eyes positively correlated with TUG at T0 (r = 0.55, p =.011) and at T1 (r = 0.51, p =.027). These findings suggested that impairments in body-weight distribution perception were evident both before and immediately after total hip arthroplasty, suggesting that these impairments may regularly mark these patients' functional mobility problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postural disorders are increasingly prevalent in today's society, often resulting from sedentary lifestyles, improper ergonomics, or muscle imbalances. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing these disorders by employing a range of treatment modalities aimed at restoring optimal posture and alleviating associated pain and dysfunction. Common techniques include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and neuromuscular re-education, which help strengthen the musculature supporting the spine and improve flexibility. Furthermore, physiotherapists utilize modalities like electrical stimulation and ultrasound to enhance tissue healing and reduce inflammation, promoting better posture and overall musculoskeletal health. In addition to physical interventions, physiotherapy for postural disorders emphasizes education and self-management strategies. Patients are taught proper ergonomic practices in their daily activities, including workspace setup, lifting techniques, and posture awareness during sedentary tasks. Incorporating mindfulness and body awareness techniques, such as Alexander Technique or Feldenkrais Method, can also be beneficial. A multidisciplinary approach, often involving collaboration with occupational therapists, chiropractors, and nutritionists, enhances the effectiveness of treatment. As research evolves, physiotherapists continuously refine their strategies, integrating evidence-based practices to provide comprehensive care tailored to the individual needs of patients suffering from postural disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brillouin sphere is defined as the smallest sphere, centered at the origin of the geocentric coordinate system, that incorporates all the condensed matter composing the planet. The Brillouin sphere touches the Earth at a single point, and the radial line that begins at the origin and passes through that point is called the singular radial line. For about 60 years there has been a persistent anxiety about whether or not a spherical harmonic (SH) expansion of the external gravitational potential, V, will converge beneath the Brillouin sphere. Recently, it was proven that the probability of such convergence is zero. One of these proofs provided an asymptotic relation, called Costin's formula, for the upper bound, EN, on the absolute value of the prediction error, eN, of a SH series model, V N (θ , λ , r) , truncated at some maximum degree, N = n max . When the SH series is restricted to (or projected onto) a particular radial line, it reduces to a Taylor series (TS) in 1 / r . Costin's formula is E N ≃ B N − b (R / r) N , where R is the radius of the Brillouin sphere. This formula depends on two positive parameters: b, which controls the decay of error amplitude as a function of N when r is fixed, and a scale factor B. We show here that Costin's formula derives from a similar asymptotic relation for the upper bound, An on the absolute value of the TS coefficients, an, for the same radial line. This formula, A n ≃ K n − k , depends on degree, n, and two positive parameters, k and K, that are analogous to b and B. We use synthetic planets, for which we can compute the potential, V, and also the radial component of gravitational acceleration, g r = ∂ V / ∂ r , to hundreds of significant digits, to validate both of these asymptotic formulas. Let superscript V refer to asymptotic parameters associated with the coefficients and prediction errors for gravitational potential, and superscript g to the coefficients and predictions errors associated with gr. For polyhedral planets of uniform density we show that b V = k V = 7 / 2 and b g = k g = 5 / 2 almost everywhere. We show that the frequency of oscillation (around zero) of the TS coefficients and the series prediction errors, for a given radial line, is controlled by the geocentric angle, α, between that radial line and the singular radial line. We also derive useful identities connecting K V , B V , K g , and Bg. These identities are expressed in terms of quotients of the various scale factors. The only other quantities involved in these identities are α and R. The phenomenology of 'series divergence' and prediction error (when r < R) can be described as a function of the truncation degree, N, or the depth, d, beneath the Brillouin sphere. For a fixed r ⩽ R , as N increases from very low values, the upper error bound EN shrinks until it reaches its minimum (best) value when N reaches some particular or optimum value, N opt . When N > N opt , prediction error grows as N continues to increase. Eventually, when N ≫ N opt , prediction errors increase exponentially with rising N. If we fix the value of N and allow R / r to vary, then we find that prediction error in free space beneath the Brillouin sphere increases exponentially with depth, d, beneath the Brillouin sphere. Because b g = b V − 1 everywhere, divergence driven prediction error intensifies more rapidly for gr than for V, both in terms of its dependence on N and d. If we fix both N and d, and focus on the 'lateral' variations in prediction error, we observe that divergence and prediction error tend to increase (as does B) as we approach high-amplitude topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euler–Poisson equations of a charged symmetrical body in external constant and homogeneous electric and magnetic fields are deduced starting from the variational problem, where the body is considered as a system of charged point particles subject to holonomic constraints. The final equations are written for the center-of-mass coordinate, rotation matrix and angular velocity. A general solution to the equations of motion is obtained for the case of a charged ball. For the case of a symmetrical charged body (solenoid), the task of obtaining the general solution is reduced to the problem of a one-dimensional cubic pseudo-oscillator. In addition, we present a one-parametric family of solutions to the problem in elementary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the development of pottery technology in the Trieste Karst region (North-East Italy) from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). It also seeks to identify cultural links with other areas by examining potentially imported vessels. Archaeometric analyses (X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy) reveal significant differences between Neolithic ceramics (Danilo–Vlaška Group) and the majority of Late Copper Age (LCA)/Early Bronze Age (EBA) pottery (primarily associated with the Ljubljana Culture and a few with the Cetina Culture). Neolithic pottery displays consistent characteristics across all vessel types, including coarse grain, prevalent sparry calcite temper, and the absence of grog. In contrast, most LCA and EBA vessels exhibit distinct features such as very fine-grained paste, no sparry calcite, notable use of grog temper, higher quartz, muscovite, and flint content. Notably, from a technological perspective, the analyzed Cetina vessels bear a strong resemblance to the majority of LCA ceramics. The differences between Neolithic and LCA/EBA vessels clearly suggest the use of new raw materials, recipes, and techniques, likely reflecting changes in cultural and social contexts and potential connections with the core area of the Ljubljana Culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left-right (LR) asymmetry of the brain is fundamental to its higher-order functions. The Drosophila brain's asymmetrical body (AB) consists of a structural pair arborized from AB neurons and is larger on the right side than the left. We find that the AB initially forms LR symmetrically and then develops LR asymmetrically by neurite remodeling that is specific to the left AB and is dynamin dependent. Additionally, neuronal ecdysone signaling inhibition randomizes AB laterality, suggesting that ecdysone signaling determines AB's LR polarity. Given that AB's LR asymmetry relates to memory formation, our research establishes AB as a valuable model for studying LR asymmetry and higher-order brain function relationships. [Display omitted] • The AB is first formed as a bilateral structure in the Drosophila brain • Neurite pruning occurs in the left, but not right, AB during AB's lateralization • Lateralization of the AB depends on dynamin in neurons • Neuronal ecdysone signaling polarizes left-right asymmetry of the AB The asymmetrical body (AB) is a left-right (LR)-asymmetric structure in the Drosophila brain. Sakamura et al. show that the AB is initially formed LR symmetrically and lateralized though neurite remodeling during the pupal stage. This remodeling depends on dynamin activity in neurons. Ecdysone signaling defines LR polarity of the AB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation on the forced small three dimensional vibrations of an asymmetrical body hanging of three mutually perpendicular coil springs is presented in the current paper. The forced vibrations are caused by harmonic changing excitation force. The three dimensional behavior of the coil springs are taken into consideration. Dissipation from internal friction in all elastic elements is reduced by corresponding coefficients of hydraulic friction. All analytical equations in the study are presented in a matrix form. Amplitude frequency and phase frequency characteristics for all generalized coordinates are defined. The numerical solution is done by a special program in the MatLab environment. The study is intended for specialists in the field of vibrations and protection from vibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction of maternofetal inflammation for two wk at 0.7 gestation was previously shown to cause fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in sheep. However, the impact of sustained maternofetal inflammation during peak placental development and growth at mid-gestation has not been explored. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effects of sustained maternofetal inflammation during this period on subsequent fetal growth. Pregnant ewes were injected every 3rd day from the 50th to 65th d of gestation (dGA; term=150 dGA) with saline (control; n=10) or bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin to induce maternofetal inflammation and IUGR (MI-IUGR; n=12). Fetuses were surgically catheterized on dGA 118 to collect daily blood samples and necropsied on dGA 125 to assess growth metrics. From dGA 120 to 125, blood O2, CO2, and HCO3 content was less (P < 0.05) for MI-IUGR fetuses than controls, but blood glucose, lactate, and pH did not differ. Circulating granulocytes and platelets were greater (P < 0.05) and red blood cells were less (P < 0.05) for MI-IUGR fetuses than controls, but circulating monocytes, lymphocytes, and total leukocytes did not differ. At necropsy, MI-IUGR fetuses were 23% lighter (P < 0.05), hindlimbs were 25% smaller (P < 0.05), and cannon bones were 6% shorter (P < 0.05) compared to controls. MI-IUGR fetuses also had reduced (P < 0.05) semitendinosus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and longissimus dorsi masses compared to controls. Heart, liver, and brain masses did not differ between control and MI-IUGR fetuses, but brain/bodyweight and heart/bodyweight were greater (P < 0.05) for MI-IUGR fetuses. We conclude that sustained maternofetal inflammation during peak placental development at mid-gestation led to fetal hypoxemia (but not hypoglycemia), which impaired muscle growth and caused asymmetrical body composition near term. This reflects the growth phenotype in other models of IUGR and indicates at least partial placental insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Commencing with sperm–egg fusion, the early stages of metazoan development include the cleavage and formation of blastula and gastrula. These early embryonic events play a crucial role in ontogeny and are accompanied by a dramatic remodeling of the gene network, particularly encompassing the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Nonetheless, the gene expression dynamics governing early embryogenesis remain unclear in most metazoan lineages. We conducted transcriptomic profiling on two types of gametes (oocytes and sperms) and early embryos (ranging from the four-cell to the gastrula stage) of an economically valuable flatfish–the Chinese tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae). Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that large-scale zygotic genome activation (ZGA) occurs in the blastula stage, aligning with previous findings in zebrafish. Through the comparison of the most abundant transcripts identified in each sample and the functional analysis of co-expression modules, we unveiled distinct functional enrichments across different gametes/developmental stages: actin- and immune-related functions in sperms; mitosis, transcription inhibition, and mitochondrial function in oocytes and in pre-ZGA embryos (four- to 1000-cell stage); and organ development in post-ZGA embryos (blastula and gastrula). These results provide insights into the intricate transcriptional regulation of early embryonic development in Cynoglossidae fish and expand our knowledge of developmental constraints in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cripistemologies are ways of knowing that emerge from the embodied experiences of disabled bodyminds, while multi-sensory methods value knowledge produced through haptic, visual, auditory and other sensory forms. Drawing on these approaches, this article proposes a crip methodology for fashion studies by exploring the value of combining research methods to honour the knowledge of disabled people and their sensory engagement in the world. We reflect on the four phases of our project, 'Cripping Masculinity', and its entangled methodologies and methods. The project engaged 50 disabled, D/deaf and neurodivergent men and masculine people – who we refer to as collaborators – to examine how they produced masculinity and disability through their engagement with fashion and dress. Collaborators took part in wardrobe studies where they shared their experiences with their clothing; fashion hacking where they worked with design students to deconstruct and remake one of their existing garments to better support their bodyminds, and a fashion exhibition and fashion show where they co-produced events to disseminate their dress experiences and hacked clothing. Our analysis demonstrates that combining multi-sensory methods in one project recognizes the different ways that people inhabit the world as sources for generating and disseminating knowledge about the relationship between disability and fashion. While a crip methodology poses challenges for producing research in legible scholarly forms, it also urges fashion studies scholars to intervene into academic ableism through inclusive and expansive research methodologies and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is currently one of the most serious complications that most affect the quality of life of women undergoing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to explore in-depth the experience of women who suffer from lymphoedema after breast cancer and how does this condition affect corporeality, with no judgements. For this purpose, a qualitative methodology was followed. In-depth interviews, interviewer's field notes and participants' letters were used for data collection. The participants were twenty Spanish women with lymphoedema after overcome a breast cancer in the past. Healthcare specialists with experience in the topic were also included. Results showed 2 main categories: "From cancer to lymphedema, another disease another disease" and "Potential for transition and transformation towards a new way of life". As a conclusion, the difficulty in accessing adequate treatment, the need for greater awareness of lymphedema and the importance of the emotional and psychological dimension of this chronic disease. Highlighting the attitudes that these women develop for self-care and the concept of new corporeality. After breast cancer, women with lymphedema experience a drastic change that affects all areas of their lives. The adaptation process, and the search for resources and aid, play a fundamental role in overcoming this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroscience research in Drosophila is benefiting from large-scale connectomics efforts using electron microscopy (EM) to reveal all the neurons in a brain and their connections. To exploit this knowledge base, researchers relate a connectome's structure to neuronal function, often by studying individual neuron cell types. Vast libraries of fly driver lines expressing fluorescent reporter genes in sets of neurons have been created and imaged using confocal light microscopy (LM), enabling the targeting of neurons for experimentation. However, creating a fly line for driving gene expression within a single neuron found in an EM connectome remains a challenge, as it typically requires identifying a pair of driver lines where only the neuron of interest is expressed in both. This task and other emerging scientific workflows require finding similar neurons across large data sets imaged using different modalities. Results: Here, we present NeuronBridge, a web application for easily and rapidly finding putative morphological matches between large data sets of neurons imaged using different modalities. We describe the functionality and construction of the NeuronBridge service, including its user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), extensible data model, serverless cloud architecture, and massively parallel image search engine. Conclusions: NeuronBridge fills a critical gap in the Drosophila research workflow and is used by hundreds of neuroscience researchers around the world. We offer our software code, open APIs, and processed data sets for integration and reuse, and provide the application as a service at http://neuronbridge.janelia.org. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational rhinology is a specialized branch of biomechanics leveraging engineering techniques for mathematical modelling and simulation to complement the medical field of rhinology. Computational rhinology has already contributed significantly to advancing our understanding of the nasal function, including airflow patterns, mucosal cooling, particle deposition, and drug delivery, and is foreseen as a crucial element in, e.g., the development of virtual surgery as a clinical, patient-specific decision support tool. The current paper delves into the field of computational rhinology from a nasal airflow perspective, highlighting the use of computational fluid dynamics to enhance diagnostics and treatment of breathing disorders. This paper consists of three distinct parts—an introduction to and review of the field of computational rhinology, a review of the published literature on in vitro and in silico studies of nasal airflow, and the presentation and analysis of previously unpublished high-fidelity CFD simulation data of in silico rhinomanometry. While the two first parts of this paper summarize the current status and challenges in the application of computational tools in rhinology, the last part addresses the gross disagreement commonly observed when comparing in silico and in vivo rhinomanometry results. It is concluded that this discrepancy cannot readily be explained by CFD model deficiencies caused by poor choice of turbulence model, insufficient spatial or temporal resolution, or neglecting transient effects. Hence, alternative explanations such as nasal cavity compliance or drag effects due to nasal hair should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal signals that are relevant for spatial navigation have been described in many species1–10. However, a circuit-level understanding of how such signals interact to guide navigational behaviour is lacking. Here we characterize a neuronal circuit in the Drosophila central complex that compares internally generated estimates of the heading and goal angles of the fly—both of which are encoded in world-centred (allocentric) coordinates—to generate a body-centred (egocentric) steering signal. Past work has suggested that the activity of EPG neurons represents the fly’s moment-to-moment angular orientation, or heading angle, during navigation2,11. An animal’s moment-to-moment heading angle, however, is not always aligned with its goal angle—that is, the allocentric direction in which it wishes to progress forward. We describe FC2 cells12, a second set of neurons in the Drosophila brain with activity that correlates with the fly’s goal angle. Focal optogenetic activation of FC2 neurons induces flies to orient along experimenter-defined directions as they walk forward. EPG and FC2 neurons connect monosynaptically to a third neuronal class, PFL3 cells12,13. We found that individual PFL3 cells show conjunctive, spike-rate tuning to both the heading angle and the goal angle during goal-directed navigation. Informed by the anatomy and physiology of these three cell classes, we develop a model that explains how this circuit compares allocentric heading and goal angles to build an egocentric steering signal in the PFL3 output terminals. Quantitative analyses and optogenetic manipulations of PFL3 activity support the model. Finally, using a new navigational memory task, we show that flies expressing disruptors of synaptic transmission in subsets of PFL3 cells have a reduced ability to orient along arbitrary goal directions, with an effect size in quantitative accordance with the prediction of our model. The biological circuit described here reveals how two population-level allocentric signals are compared in the brain to produce an egocentric output signal that is appropriate for motor control.In Drosophila, FC2 neurons signal a navigational goal, which is compared with the fly’s heading by PFL3 neurons to guide moment-to-moment steering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional micromanipulation systems have garnered significant attention due to the growing interest in biological and medical research involving model organisms like zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, we report a novel acoustofluidic rotational micromanipulation system that offers rapid trapping, high-speed rotation, multi-angle imaging, and 3D model reconstruction of zebrafish larvae. An ultrasound-activated oscillatory glass capillary is used to trap and rotate a zebrafish larva. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that both the vibrating mode and geometric placement of the capillary contribute to the developed polarized vortices along the long axis of the capillary. Given its capacities for easy-to-operate, stable rotation, avoiding overheating, and high-throughput manipulation, our system poses the potential to accelerate zebrafish-directed biomedical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of Insulin Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) controls the rate of embryonal and postnatal growth. The IGF2 and adjacent H19 are the imprinted genes of the telomeric cluster in the 11p15 chromosomal region regulated by differentially methylated regions (DMRs) or imprinting centers (ICs): H19/IGF2:IG-DMR (IC1). Dysregulation due to IC1 Loss-of-Methylation (LoM) or Gain-of-Methyaltion (GoM) causes Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) disorders associated with growth retardation or overgrowth, respectively. Specific features define each of the two syndromes, but isolated asymmetry is a common cardinal feature, which is considered sufficient for a diagnosis in the BWS spectrum. Here, we report the case of a girl with right body asymmetry, which suggested BWS spectrum. Later, BWS/SRS molecular analysis identified IC1_LoM revealing the discrepant diagnosis of SRS. A clinical re-evaluation identified a relative macrocephaly and previously unidentified growth rate at lower limits of normal at birth, feeding difficulties, and asymmetry. Interestingly, and never previously described in IC1_LoMSRS patients, since the age of 16, she has developed hand-writer's cramps, depression, and bipolar disorder. Trio-WES identified a VPS16 heterozygous variant [NM_022575.4:c.2185C>G:p.Leu729Val] inherited from her healthy mother. VPS16 is involved in the endolysosomal system, and its dysregulation is linked to autosomal dominant dystonia with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. IGF2 involvement in the lysosomal pathway led us to speculate that the neurological phenotype of the proband might be triggered by the concurrent IGF2 deficit and VPS16 alteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unanswered question in neurobiology is how are diverse neuron cell types generated from a small number of neural stem cells? In the Drosophila larval central brain, there are eight bilateral Type 2 neuroblast (T2NB) lineages that express a suite of early temporal factors followed by a different set of late temporal factors and generate the majority of the central complex (CX) neurons. The early-to-late switch is triggered by the orphan nuclear hormone receptor Seven-up (Svp), yet little is known about how this Svp-dependent switch is involved in specifying CX neuron identities. Here, we: (1) birth date the CXneurons P-ENand P-FN (early and late, respectively); (2) show that Svp is transiently expressed in all early T2NBs; and (3) show that loss of Svp expands the population of early born P-EN neurons at the expense of late born P-FN neurons. Furthermore, in the absence of Svp, T2NBs fail decommissioning and abnormally extend their lineage into week-old adults. We conclude that Svp is required to specify CX neuron identity, as well as to initiate T2NB decommissioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of asymmetrical body posture alone, i.e., the effects seen in children with mild scoliosis, vs. the effects of body posture control impairment, i.e., those seen in children with unilateral cerebral palsy on gait patterns. Three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis (3DGA) was conducted in 45 children with hemiplegia and 51 children with mild scoliosis. All the children were able to walk without assistance devices. A set of 35 selected spatiotemporal gait and kinematics parameters were evaluated when subjects walked on a treadmill. A cluster analysis revealed 3 different gait patterns: a scoliotic gait pattern and 2 different hemiplegic gait patterns. The results showed that the discrepancy in gait patterns was not simply a lower limb kinematic deviation in the sagittal plane, as expected. Additional altered kinematics, such as pelvic misorientation in the coronal plane in both the stance and swing phases and inadequate stance phase hip ad/abduction, which resulted from postural pattern features, were distinguished between the 3 gait patterns. Our study provides evidence for a strong correlation between postural and gait patterns in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Information on differences in gait patterns may be used to improve the guidelines for early therapy for children with hemiplegia before abnormal gait patterns are fully established. The gait pathology characteristic of scoliotic children is a potential new direction for treating scoliosis that complements the standard posture and walking control therapy exercises with the use of biofeedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of foot position and foot orientation on asymmetrical body weight loading and the inter- and intra-foot coordination dynamics of standing postures. The participants were instructed to stand with the feet side-by-side and in staggered and tandem positions with the right foot oriented at different angles (30, 60 and 90°). The results showed that the participants naturally loaded more on their left foot when positioned with their right foot forward. As the orientation of the right foot was changed from 90 to 30°, they loaded a significantly large proportion of their body weight on their left foot and the degree of coordination of the 4 COP time series increased. Foot position, constrains both the area of the base of support and the loading of the feet, played an important role differentiating the contribution of each COP to the postural control system. In particular, when postural stance was challenged by the limitation of the base of support, the COPs in the unstable plane (inter-foot coordination) showed larger factor weightings. In contrast, when standing posture was not challenged by the base of support boundary, the COPs of the more loaded foot (intra-foot coordination) dominated foot coordination in postural control. These findings show that the mechanical constraints of foot position and orientation interact to channel different patterns of inter- and intra-foot coordination dynamics of standing postures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. For individuals with lateral postural imbalance after stroke, the decision to adopt a cane for walking often is not based on objective findings. Objective. The authors investigated the explanatory value of 2 posturographic criteria for lateral postural imbalance on the walking abilities of poststroke subjects. Methods. Indices of postural asymmetry (percentage of body weight on the less loaded lower limb) and instability (mediolateral variance of center-of-pressure displacements) were measured in 40 healthy individuals and 52 patients (mean 94.2 days after first hemispheric stroke), who stood still on a double force platform. Cut-off values (mean ± 2 standard deviations) were calculated and compared. The predictive value of both postural indices on walking abilities with or without a cane was analyzed. Results. Of the patients, 34.6% were unstable along the mediolateral axis (variance >7 mm2), and 44.2% were asymmetrical (body weight <40%); 30% needed a technical aid and 35% walked without a cane. The probability of being able to walk without a cane was less than 5% if the paretic lower limb was not loaded more than 40%. The postural instability index was less informative. Conclusions. This study suggests that patients who do not load more than 40% of their body weight on their paretic lower limb may benefit from the prescription of a cane. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs of 20-25 nucleotides that play a key role in diverse biological processes. Japanese flounder undergo dramatic metamorphosis in their early development. The metamorphosis is characterized by morphological transformation from a bilaterally symmetrical to an asymmetrical body shape concomitant with extensive morphological and physiological remodeling of organs. So far, only a few miRNAs have been identified in fish and there are very few reports about the Japanese flounder miRNA. Methodology/Principal Findings: Solexa sequencing technology was used to perform high throughput sequencing of the small RNA library from the metamorphic period of Japanese flounder. Subsequently, aligning these sequencing data with metazoan known miRNAs, we characterized 140 conserved miRNAs and 57 miRNA: miRNA* pairs from the small RNA library. Among these 57 miRNA: miRNA* pairs, twenty flounder miRNA precursors were amplified from genomic DNA. We also demonstrated evolutionary conservation of Japanese flounder miRNAs and miRNA* in the animal evolution process. Using miRNA microarrays, we identified 66 differentially expressed miRNAs at two metamorphic stages (17 and 29 days post hatching) of Japanese flounder. The results show that miRNAs might play a key role in regulating gene expression during Japanese flounder metamorphosis. Conclusions/Significance: We identified a large number of miRNAs during flounder metamorphosis, some of which are differentially expressed at two different metamorphic stages. The study provides an opportunity for further understanding of miRNA function in the regulation of flounder metamorphosis and gives us clues for further studies of the mechanisms of metamorphosis in Japanese flounder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the four major groups of a group of bottom-dwelling marine deuterostomes called carpoids. Ctenocystoids comprise a flattened elongate body and an anterior grill-like feeding apparatus. Cinctans have flattened body and a single posterior appendage, used to improve their stability on the sea floor. Solutes have an asymmetrical body which served to attach the animal to the substrate. Stylophorans have plates comprising their body very variable in size and shape.

Purpose. The aim of this controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a combined sensorimotor skill and strength training program on postural steadiness in junior females performing rhythmic sports gymnastics. Basic procedures. Twenty-six rhythmic sports athletes, aged 9 to 12 years, were randomized into one of two groups; a 6-week experimental group or to a control group, (during the 2004- 2005 training period). In the experimental group, a sensorimotor and back-muscle-strengthening regime was added to the everyday training, while the control group continued with their ordinary training. Before and after the intervention, and at a 12-month follow, bipedal-stance center of foot pressure (CoP) sway area was examined with a statokinesigram indicating amplitude of vertical pressure fluctuations after stimulation of the vestibular system, and the distribution of body weight between legs. Main findings. At the 6- week follow-up, the experimental group had a larger decrement in CoP sway area (-59%, p = 0.004) and in asymmetrical body weight distribution (-58%, p < 0.001) compared to the control group (-0.1% and 2.3%, respectively), but not at the 12-month followup. Conclusions. The present sensorimotor skill and strength training program indicated short-term improved postural steadiness in rhythmic sports athletes. Exercises that specifically emphasize somatosensory and back strength aspects of training for postural steadiness may advantageously be integrated into their training routines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A. H. Baker (1989) and A. H. Baker and A. I. Ledner (1990) reported that asymmetrical visual stimulation affects conjugate lateral eye movement (CLEM). In the present article, the authors explored whether asymmetrical body position similarly affects CLEM. The authors assessed CLEMs twice in a counterbalanced design. In the control (symmetric) condition, each participant sat in a completely symmetrical position facing a wall devoid of any asymmetrical features. In the experimental (asymmetrical) condition, half the participants rotated their heads 68° clockwise relative to their bodies to face the experimenter, and the other half rotated their heads 68° counterclockwise, also to face the experimenter. CLEM was predominantly toward the body's position in the asymmetrical condition rather than toward the body's position in the symmetrical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on personal accounts of women's thoughts and feelings following mastectomy. The analysis of the material obtained in multiple, focused interviews has revealed two major themes in these accounts: on the one hand, the loss of bodily symmetry (one of the basic cultural criteria of physical beauty) was deeply felt; and on the other, peace of mind (a characteristic of psychological beauty) was permanently disturbed by the fear of the recurrence of cancer and the possibility of death. While the asymmetrical body is a potentially (socially) visible problem of presentation and representation, the fear of recurrence is a fear of the workings of the body that are not visible and not knowable. A woman who has had a breast removed will concern herself, usually in isolation, with her secret unpredictable interior. This fear will be her very own preoccupation, not only because in our society death and disease are deemed threatening and ugly - but also because the uncertainty of the health-status of a woman following mastectomy is socially (as well as medically) veiled by discourse which assumes that she is 'well'. Though a woman may feel well, she fears that her body may not be well; yet her fear is necessarily silenced through both social denial and incongruity with experience. The article explores in some detail the nature of the stress that inevitably results in this ill-understood, complex situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal shaft-hole axes were an important status tool for the Balkan Bronze Age societies. These axes are spread over a wide geographical area and are divided into many different subclasses. One of these subclasses is the Veselinovo group. Several bronze axes were donated to the Edirne Museum in 2020, five of which were of Veselinovo I type. It was recorded that these axes were found in a field near the Uzunköprü district of Edirne province. The geographical area where this type of axe is most frequently found is northern Greece, Thrace, the Carpathians, the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Ukraine, the Caucasus and Anatolia. These artefacts provide important information about the distribution routes of similar axes that spread in these regions in the Bronze Age. Two axes with similar form have been recorded in Anatolia. One comes from northeastern Anatolia, close to the Caucasus Region, and the other is from inner western Anatolia. It is known that western Anatolia was in contact with the cultures of the Thracian region during the Bronze Age. The bronze axes in the Edirne Museum shed new light on this communication network. There is a very strong possibility that the Vesselinovo I type axes from central western Anatolia were brought to the region from Thrace. It is noteworthy that the Uzunköprü-Keşan valley line in Eastern Thrace was decisive in the transport of this axe type from Thrace to Anatolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a list of references and sources related to the topic of technology and education. It includes articles, books, and studies that discuss various aspects of technology's impact on education, such as value education, ergonomics, ethics, and the effects of technology on children's development and health. The sources cover a range of perspectives and provide valuable information for researchers interested in exploring the relationship between technology and education. [Extracted from the article]

Amphibious robots, which are expected to move agilely in both land and water environments with huge differences in medium density, have always been a hot spot in the field of robotics. However, limited by the simple structure and drive system, the existing mini‐robots have a relatively single‐movement mode, which limits their ability to move in complex environments. This article fuses two different biomimetic morphological features to create an amphibious mini‐robot: mimicking the body shape and gait of a terrestrial inchworm, and mimicking the superhydrophobic leg shape and gait of an aquatic water strider. The light‐driven approach also brings the advantage of remote wireless manipulation. The mass of the robot is only 8 mg, and it has fast land movement speed (≈0.05 times body length s−1), water surface movement speed (≈0.5 times body length s−1), and some obstacle‐crossing ability (over obstacles of ≈64% of the robot's height). Moreover, the robot can quickly switch from land to water locomotion, which is expected to facilitate emerging applications in various industrial and biomedical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A branching body pattern with one head and many "tails", unique for recent Bilateria, was found in three species of endosymbiotic polychaetes of the family Syllidae (McIntosh, 1879; Glasby et al., 2012; Aguado et al., 2015, 2022). Among recent echinoderms, many species of crinoids, brittle stars, and holothurians have dendriform branching bodies with many distal, posterior ends of their arms, rays, and tentacles, which include the typical axial ambulacral complex. Multiple bifurcations of the posterior (distal) parts create fractal branching of the body pattern, representing a macroevolutionary transformation of the ancestral body plan in Bilateria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim of Study: The aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis is still an unsolved problem. It is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that comprehensively impacts the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems. The aim of this pilot study was to find out how adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can be treated by means of the Acral Coactivation Therapy (ACT) method. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on a 16-year-old student who had a body weight of 56 kg and a body height of 166 cm and was in his second year of high school. The student was diagnosed with AIS. We acquired data by means of standard medical-therapeutic methods and procedures applied in patients with AIS. Radiographic parametres, such as the Cobb angle as well as the Anterior and Posterior Trunk Symmetry Indexes (ATSI/POTSI), including the SCODIAC programme, were used to monitor the student's progress. Results: In 2022, the student underwent a five-month exercise programme based on the ACT method, which was evaluated using clinical case study methods. The results showed a positive effect of the ACT method on the student's spine curvature and body posture. There was an improvement of 21° in the thoracic curve and 20° in the curvature of his lumbar spine. In addition, the ATSI/POTSI improved from 36 to 7 (with a difference (r) of 29). Conclusions: The acquired qualitative data show a positive effect of the ACT method when it comes to correction of the curvature in a student diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The stated finding also points to the importance of regular physical activity in the student's movement regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is devoted to a systematic exposition of the dynamics of a rigid body, considered as a system with kinematic constraints. Having accepted the variational problem in accordance with this, we no longer need any additional postulates or assumptions about the behavior of the rigid body. All the basic quantities and characteristics of a rigid body, as well as the equations of motion and integrals of motion, are obtained from the variational problem by direct and unequivocal calculations within the framework of standard methods of classical mechanics. Several equivalent forms for the equations of motion of rotational degrees of freedom are deduced and discussed on this basis. Using the resulting formulation, we revise some cases of integrability, and discuss a number of peculiar properties, that are not always taken into account when formulating the laws of motion of a rigid body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dance, music, or sports, reproducibility and consistency as well as bilateral dexterity/coordination of movement are crucial for motor control. Research into the biomechanics of movement consistency and variability is important for motor learning to achieve proficiency and maximize outcome reproduction and stability as well as to reduce the risk of injury. Thirty-six participants were instructed to perform a repetitive circular, ipsilateral motion of arms and legs at three different tempi, while being recorded with optical motion capture. Two velocity-based consistency measures were developed an overall measure of consistency and a laterality difference measure. Maintaining velocity consistency was more challenging at slower than at faster tempi, suggesting that slow movement could require more attentional focus and thus become more variable. Music experience resulted in higher consistency, especially on the subdominant body side, possibly due to extensive bilateral training. Outcomes could have potential implications for music instrument, dance, and sports practice and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects have evolved remarkable abilities to navigate over short distances and during long‐range seasonal migrations. The central complex (CX) is a navigation center in the insect brain that controls spatial orientation and directed locomotion. It is composed of the protocerebral bridge (PB), the upper (CBU) and lower (CBL) division of the central body, and a pair of noduli. While most of its functional organization and involvement in head‐direction coding has been obtained from work on flies, bees, and locusts that largely rely on vision for navigation, little contribution has been provided by work on nocturnal species. To close this gap, we have investigated the columnar organization of the CX in the cockroach Rhyparobia maderae. Rhyparobia maderae is a highly agile nocturnal insect that relies largely but not exclusively on antennal information for navigation. A particular feature of the cockroach CX is an organization of the CBU and CBL into interleaved series of eight and nine columns. Single‐cell tracer injections combined with imaging and 3D analysis revealed five systems of pontine neurons connecting columns along the vertical and horizontal axis and 18 systems of columnar neurons with topographically organized projection patterns. Among these are six types of neurons with no correspondence in other species. Many neurons send processes into the anterior lip, a brain area highly reduced in bees and unknown in flies. While sharing many features with the CX in other species, the cockroach CX shows some unique attributes that may be related to the ecological niche of this insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of brain asymmetry in Drosophila are diverse, encompassing the regulation of behavior, the creation of memory, neurodevelopment, and evolution. A comprehensive examination of the Drosophila brain has the potential to enhance our understanding of the functional significance of brain asymmetry in cognitive and behavioral processes, as well as its role in evolutionary perspectives. This study explores the influence of brain asymmetry on interval timing behaviors in Drosophila, with a specific focus on the asymmetric body (AB) structure. Despite being bilaterally symmetric, the AB exhibits functional asymmetry and is located within the central complex of the fly brain. Interval timing behaviors, such as rival-induced prolonged mating duration: longer mating duration behavior (LMD) and sexual experience-mediated shorter mating duration behavior (SMD), are essential for Drosophila. We utilize genetic manipulations to selectively activate or inhibit AB neurons and evaluates their impact on LMD and SMD behaviors. The results indicate that specific populations of AB neurons play unique roles in orchestrating these interval timing behaviors. Notably, inhibiting GAL4 R38D01 -labeled AB neurons disrupts both LMD and SMD, while GAL4 R42C09 neuron inhibition affects only LMD. Moreover, hyperexcitation of GAL4 R72A10 -labeled AB neurons perturbs SMD. Our study identifies NetrinB (NetB) and Abdominal-B (Abd-B) are important genes for AB neurons in LMD and highlights the role of 5-HT1B neurons in generating LMD through peptidergic Pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) signaling. In summary, this study underscores the importance of AB neuron asymmetry in mediating interval timing behaviors and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of memory formation and function in Drosophila., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The larval endostyle consists of two ridges of secretory cells, which correspond to the two paired muciparous bands in the endostyles of the adult Branchiostoma, most tunicates, and the lamprey ammocoete. The peculiar shape of the larval endostyle is an effective adaption for food-trapping in the asymmetrical body of the larva. Contrary to general belief, the internal opening of the club-shaped gland is the site of the secretory release, while the exernal opening is an inlet for sea water. The water is mixed with the mucous substance, probably containing neutral glycoproteins, which is produced in the gland tube. This material is released through the internal pore dorsally in the buccal cavity at a position where it is carried with the endostylar secretion towards the intestine. The club-shaped gland is not part of the food-trapping mechanism, but it is apparently an important larval gland which produces substances which may act in the processing of the food or in some other way may direct larval life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy young subjects were instructed to modify their weight-bearing asymmetry when standing on a double-seesaw device. The results indicated decreased and unchanged amplitudes in the center-of-pressure movements under the unloaded and loaded legs, respectively. In addition, a concomitant increased contribution of the more loaded leg and a decreased contribution of the pressure distribution mechanism along the mediolateral axis were observed in the production of the resultant center of pressure, its amplitude remaining constant. Thus, contrary to what was previously reported for stance control on solid ground, one of the main characteristics of a double-seesaw device, by preventing increased amplitudes on the loaded side during weight-bearing asymmetry, would be to facilitate a greater independency of the feet in the stance control process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Computer vision is a powerful tool for healthcare applications since it can provide objective diagnosis and assessment of pathologies, not depending on clinicians' skills and experiences. It can also help speed-up population screening, reducing health care costs and improving the quality of service. Several works summarise applications and systems in medical imaging, whereas less work is devoted to surveying approaches for healthcare goals using ambient intelligence, i.e., observing individuals in natural settings. Even more, there is a lack of papers providing a survey of works exhaustively covering computer vision applications for children's health, which is a particularly challenging research area considering that most existing computer vision technologies have been trained and tested only on adults. The aim of this paper is then to survey, for the first time in the literature, the papers covering children's health-related issues by ambient intelligence methods and systems relying on computer vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]