Lateral Movement Research Articles

The Effect of a Single Temporomandibular Joint Soft Tissue Therapy on Cervical Spine Mobility, Temporomandibular Joint Mobility, Foot Load Distribution, and Body Balance in Women with Myofascial Pain in the Temporomandibular Joint Area—A Randomized Controlled Trial

In contemporary times, a significant portion of the population experiences symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single-session TMJ soft tissue therapy on the TMJ and cervical spine mobility as well as on body balance and the foot load distribution. This study was a parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Fifty women aged 20–30 years diagnosed with myofascial pain in the TMJ area were included in the study and divided into two groups. The experimental group received TMJ soft tissue therapy. The following research tools were used: a Hogetex electronic caliper, a CROM Deluxe, and a FreeMed Base pedobarographic platform. In the experimental group, an increase in mobility within all assessed jaw and cervical spine movements was observed. This change was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for lateral movement to the left, abduction, and protrusion of the jaw (an increase of 10.32%, 7.07%, and 20.92%, respectively) and for extension, lateral bending to the right and left, and rotation to the right and left, of the cervical spine (an increase of 7.05%, 7.89%, 10.44%, 4.65%, and 6.55%, respectively). In the control group, no significant differences were observed. No significant changes were observed in the load distribution and body balance assessment. A single session of TMJ soft tissue therapy increases jaw and cervical spine mobility but does not impact body balance or foot load distribution in static conditions in women diagnosed with myofascial pain in the TMJ area.

Investigation of column axial load effect for bolted-end-plate type steel connections

Steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) experience not only lateral movements but also vertical ones during a seismic event. Particularly, the vertical deflections in the members of the structural system cause an increase in the possibility of high column axial compressive loads (CACLs) and correspondingly the bending moment value in the beam-to-column joints. Thus, the beam-to-column joint fails in an unanticipated form. Unfortunately, the available literature about this problem is limited and inconclusive. To help bridge the gap, this study examines the effects of the CACL on the structural behavior of bolted end-plate beam-to-column connections. In this context, this study has three purposes: verifying the experimental tests by the numerical models and evaluating the CACL effect both purely and depending on the variation of fundamental parameter values governing the joint components on the verified numerical models. The numerical analyses of the reference test specimens which are borrowed from the experimental tests in the literature are conducted utilizing a finite element (FE) model including material, geometry, and contact nonlinearities. It is concluded that a possible increase in CACL causes a deterioration in the structural behavior of the beam-to-column connection depending on the moment level transferred from the connection to the column and the shear stiffness of the panel zone.

Intelligent Vehicle Trajectory Tracking Based on Horizontal and Vertical Integrated Control

To address the common issues of accuracy and stability in trajectory tracking tasks for autonomous vehicles, this study proposes an innovative composite control strategy that skillfully integrates lateral and longitudinal dynamic control. For lateral control, model predictive control (MPC) theory is introduced to compute the front wheel steering angle that ensures optimal trajectory following. On the longitudinal control level, the vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration logic are finely tuned to ensure precise adherence to the preset speed trajectory. More importantly, by deeply integrating these two control methods, the comprehensive coordination of the vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal movements is achieved. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, simulations were conducted using the CarSim and MATLAB/Simulink platforms. The analysis of the simulation results confirms that the proposed method effectively improves speed tracking stability and significantly enhances path tracking accuracy and overall driving stability.

Theoretical investigation of the resistance effect of embedded isolation piles on tunneling-induced lateral ground movements

This paper presents an isolation pile–soil lateral interaction model that considers not only the relative linear sliding at the pile-soil interface but also the pile group–soil interaction. The model allows for the calculation of the pile–soil interaction force using the elastic continuum method combined with the displacement compatibility relationship at the pile–soil interface, thus enabling the total lateral ground displacement to be obtained. The proposed method is validated by comparisons with the elastic foundation method (EFM) and the boundary element method (BEM). The advantages of the proposed method in calculating the lateral ground deformation resisted by isolation piles are demonstrated. The mechanical mechanism of the isolation pile’s lateral resistance effect on ground deformation can be summarized as follows: the combination of positive and negative resistance effects drives the lateral ground displacements along the depth direction from the original inhomogeneity caused by the tunnel excavation to a relatively homogeneous state. The soil parameters including Poisson’s ratio, internal friction angle and ground volume loss; the isolation pile parameters including the distance of the tunnel axis from the pile axis, the pile length, the buried depth of the pile top and the relative pile bending stiffness; and isolation pile–soil interface parameters including relative pile shaft–soil stiffness and relative pile tip–soil stiffness all exert a significant influence on the lateral resistance effect of the isolation pile. In light of that the resistance effects at different depths below the surface are not uniform, it is of the utmost importance to assess the resistance performance of the isolation pile in accordance with the location and lateral deformation requirements of the protected structure in actual engineering.

Development of a Load‐Bearing, Terrain‐Adaptive Hexapod Robot With Chebyshev‐Linkage Legs

ABSTRACTThis study introduces an exploratory design for a hexapod load‐carrying robot, aiming to address challenges commonly associated with quadruped robots, including limited load capacity and high control complexity. By leveraging a Chebyshev linkage‐based overconstrained leg‐foot architecture that combines high rigidity and low friction, along with a multi‐drive system for lateral movement, we propose a robot with improved adaptability to diverse terrains, such as snow, sand, puddles, ice, and deserts. This versatility suggests potential applications in areas such as factory inspection, field reconnaissance and transport, and desert exploration. Using static and dynamic analyses, we evaluated the leg structure's stress distribution and motion requirements, employing simulations in Workbench and Adams to cross‐validate our theoretical calculations. The development of a prototype and its subsequent testing under various environmental conditions aimed to demonstrate the design's practicality and the robot's operational capabilities in real‐world settings. Although the findings indicate progress toward enhancing load‐bearing capabilities and terrain adaptability with reduced control complexity, further research and development are necessary to fully realize the potential of such robotic systems in practical applications.

Assessing the detection of lateral movement through unsupervised learning techniques

Lateral movement (LM) is an umbrella term for techniques through which attackers spread from an entry point to the rest of the network. Typically, LM involves both pivoting through multiple systems and privilege escalation. As LM techniques proliferate and evolve, there is a need for advanced security controls able to detect and possibly nip such attacks in the bud. Based on the published literature, we argue that although LM-focused intrusion detection systems have received considerable attention, a prominent issue remains largely unaddressed. This concerns the detection of LM through unsupervised machine learning (ML) techniques. This work contributes to this field by capitalizing on the LMD-2023 dataset containing traces of 15 diverse LM attack techniques as they were logged by the system monitor (Sysmon) service of the MS Windows platform. We provide a panorama of this sub-field and associated methodologies, exploring the potential of standard ML-based detection. In further detail, in addition to analyzing feature selection and preprocessing, we detail and evaluate a plethora of unsupervised ML techniques, both shallow and deep. The derived scores for the best performer in terms of the AUC and F1 metrics are quite promising, around 94.7%/93% and 95.2%/93.8%, for the best shallow and deep neural network model, respectively. On top of that, in an effort to further improve on those metrics, we devise and evaluate a two-stage ML model, surpassing the previous best score by approximately 3.5%. Overall, to our knowledge, this work provides the first full-blown study on LM detection via unsupervised learning techniques, therefore it is anticipated to serve as a groundwork for anyone working in this timely field.

Correlations Between Mandibular Kinematics and Electromyography During the Masticatory Cycle: An Observational Study by Digital Analysis

The analysis of the masticatory cycle plays a fundamental role in studying the functions of the stomatognathic system and evaluating temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD). The primary objective of this study is to investigate the complex interplay between mandibular kinematics and surface electromyography (sEMG) activity during the masticatory cycle using advanced 4D dentistry technology in 22 healthy subjects (without TMD). By employing electromyography, it becomes feasible to capture the electrical activity of the masticatory muscles throughout the chewing process. The BTS TMJOINT (© 2023 BTS Bioengineering, Garbagnate Milanese, MI, Italy) electromyograph was utilized in this study. Mandibular tracking, on the other hand, allows for recording the movements of the mandible during chewing and condylar slopes. This latest technology (ModJaw®, Tech in motion™, Villeurbanne, France) utilizes motion sensors placed on the jaw to accurately track three-dimensional movements, including jaw opening, closing, and lateral movements. Nowadays, in clinical gnathology, it is common practice to examine masticatory function by analyzing mandibular kinematics and muscle contraction as distinct entities. Similarly, the results obtained from these analyses are typically assessed independently. The investigation of a correlation between electromyography data and mandibular kinematics during the masticatory cycle could provide several advantages for clinicians in diagnosis and lead to a combined analysis of muscle activities and intraarticular dynamics. In conclusion, it can be inferred from the results obtained in the present study that the chewing cycle with a greater vertical movement results in increased masseter muscular activity, and condylar slopes are positively correlated to an increase in temporalis muscle activation. This comprehensive approach can provide valuable insights into the relationship between muscle activity and mandibular movement, enabling clinicians to gain a deeper understanding of the functional dynamics of the stomatognathic system.

Investigation on the impact of the spatial arrangement of individuals in a standing-type in-vivo monitoring system

An automated standing type Quick Scan Whole Body Monitor (QS-WBM) has been developed for the measurement of internal radioactive contamination due to high energy photon (HEP) emitters (Eϒ >200keV). Individuals are monitored while standing on a platform inside QS-WBM at specified reference position. Instances may occur where individuals deviate from their monitoring position, potentially leading to errors in the measurement of the body content. Positional inaccuracies are estimated in three potential scenarios: lateral displacement of the individual, movement perpendicular to the detector face, and forward bending of the torso. The Monte Carlo particle transport code FLUKA is used for estimation of efficiencies for selected radionuclides across various geometrical positions for adult male radiation workers. Approximately, 8% variation in calibration factors (CFs) is noted for lateral movements up to 15 cm from the centerline regardless of the energy, while perpendicular movements from reference position exhibit variations ranging from 14 to 60 %. This study helps in quantifying uncertainties in the estimation of body content and dose, arising from deviations in position of individuals in QS-WBM enclosure during monitoring.

Hover Flight Improvement of a Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Using PID Controllers with an Integral Effect Based on the Riemann–Liouville Fractional-Order Operator: A Deterministic Approach

The hovering flight of a quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) refers to maintaining the aircraft in a fixed position in the air, without lateral, vertical, or rotational movements, using only the vehicle’s control systems to maintain proper balance in all spatial dimensions. Algorithms and control systems have been developed to continuously adjust motor speeds to counteract deviations from the desired position and achieve effective hovering flight. This paper proposes a set of PID controllers with an integral effect based on the Riemann–Liouville fractional-order approach to improve the hovering flight of a quadrotor UAV. This research innovates by introducing a set of fractional-order PID controllers for UAV hover stability, which offer better adaptability to non-linear dynamics and robustness than traditional PID controllers. Also presented is the development of new performance metrics (MSE, BQC-LR), which allow for more comprehensive control system evaluations. A thorough comparative analysis with conventional control methods demonstrates the superior performance of fractional-order control in real-world simulations. The numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed Fractional Integral Action PID Controller in the control of UAV hovering flight, while comparative analyses against a classical controller emphasize the benefits of the fractional-order approach in terms of control accuracy.

Enhancing melt foam stability, form-filling process, and pore structure evolution of shaped aluminum foam

This study explores the stability of Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc melt foams and investigates the melt foam filling process and the dynamic evolution of pore structures in the fabrication of foam aluminum profiles using the melt transfer foaming technique. The results show that Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc melt foam maintains high porosity and a stable pore structure even after 30 min of foaming, without any signs of boundary rupture or destabilization. This stability is attributed to the increased viscosity from finely dispersed second-phase particles, which hinder the growth, coalescence, and drainage of the melt foam. Regarding melt foam filling, enhanced filling capability is achieved by elevating the foaming temperature, extending the foaming time, and increasing the TiH2 addition. The melt foam exhibits a smooth flow from the lower part of the mold to the corners, completing the filling process with well-defined edges in the profile. During lateral movement for filling, a gradual increase in porosity, a decrease in pore number, and a slow enlargement of pore size and standard deviation along the lateral (x-axis) are observed. This is due to the slower liquid phase flow compared to the gas phase, resulting in bubble coalescence. After filling is complete, this phenomenon improves, contributing to a slow and stable evolution of the pore structure.Under optimized conditions of 1.4 wt% TiH2 addition at 600°Cfor 9 min of foaming with Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc alloy melting, we successfully fabricated foam aluminum profiles with complete filling, a porosity of 81.5%, an average pore size of 2–3 mm, and a uniform pore structure.

Post-Hatching Development of Posture and Behavior in the Barn Owl (Tyto alba): From a General Behavioral Pattern of Vertebrates to the Typical Owl Behavior.

Hatching captive barn owl chicks underwent four developmental phases. In the first 10 days (phase 1), behavior consisted of lateral movements that gradually changed to forward progression and peaked a few days before and after eye-opening. This behavior resembled a general developmental pattern that characterizes other vertebrates. Chicks also underwent a postural change, from head bent underneath the ventrum to resting on the rear end of the trunk with the head lifted in the air. Then, once their eyes were opened, chicks became more stationary and preoccupied with visual exploration, manifested in lateral head movements and peering episodes (phase 2, until day 20). The latter behavior, which is also typical of mature owls when not on the wing, characterized the chicks' behavior after post-hatching day 20 (phase 3), when their flight and contour feathers grew, along with shedding the down plumage and standing tall. Development culminated in active flight, first observed by days 50-60 (phase 4). Altogether, during post-hatching development, barn owl chicks gradually shifted from egg posture to the adult upright body posture. At the same time, their behavior consisted of speciation from the general developmental pattern to the typical stationary barn owl behavior, and, finally, flight was incorporated.

GINGIVAL MARGIN, CORRECTION IN ORTHOPEDIC DENTISTRY

A big problem for obtaining aesthetic and functional results of dental treatment is the condition of the gingival papillae. The effectiveness of orthopedic interventions without high-quality correction of the marginal edge of the gums can lead to an unsatisfactory result and the occurrence of numerous complications Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Medline databases for the period 2000-2024, for which the following keywords were used: correction of soft gingival tissues, fixed dentures, effectiveness, front group of teeth. A general search revealed 112 sources regarding gingival margin correction in fixed dentures. The primary exclusion referred to literary sources in which the correction of the gingival margin applied to all types of prosthetics. Literary sources that contained only reference information were included in the secondary exclusion. As a result, only relevant full-text articles in professional journals remained (n=25). The purpose of the research is to analyze the methods of gingival margin correction in orthopedic dentistry at the current stage, to formulate relevant tasks for further research. Research results. Methods of restoration of the aesthetics of the marginal part of the gums during orthopedic treatment are divided into the following groups: plastic of soft and bone tissues; laboratory and technical procedures; use of materials for artificial gums. It has been established that the plastic-surgical method is used for the loss of the gingival papilla, defects of the ridge of the alveolar process, asymmetric contour of the gums, and their unaesthetic shape. Correction of the gums allows to achieve satisfactory aesthetic results both at the final stage of orthopedic treatment (prosthetics with fixed orthopedic prostheses) and at the intermediate stage of temporary prosthetics with plastic fixed prostheses. It was found that the most common methods of gingival margin correction are flap operations on the gums using the technique of lateral movement of the muco-osseous flap. These include the following types of interventions: endothelial modification from the tooth-alveolar ridge; oblique displaced flap; periosteally stimulated flap; partial or complete split flap. The positive effect of hyaluronic acid on the healing of the gingival margin and tissue regeneration has been proven. Several researches have shown the positive effects of hyaluronic acid on gingival margin healing and tissue regeneration due to its properties to stimulate cell adhesion, migration and proliferation, mediate cell signaling. The authors indicate a better effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in relation to periodontal parameters during the correction of the marginal gingival margin. The use of a laser scalpel is characterized by less pronounced traumatization of tissues, lower temporary costs for intervention, reduced blood loss, less pronounced signs of inflammation in the postoperative period, relative simplicity and cost-effectiveness of use. Conclusions. To date, only a combination of various orthopedic and surgical manipulations allows to achieve an optimal aesthetic result during prosthetics with fixed dentures of the front group of teeth.

Experimental Study on the Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Derailment Containment Provisions under Quasi-Static Loads

Derailments pose a significant threat to high-speed rail safety. The development of effective derailment containment provisions (DCPs) that can be installed within a track gauge and withstand impact loads of derailed wheels while controlling the lateral movement of derailed trains is essential. This paper presents an experimental study on the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) DCP systems under quasi-static loading. Three steel anchors were assessed for their performance and load-bearing capacity in a single-anchor test. Four full-scale DCP system tests were carried out to examine the effects of scenarios of impact load positions at the anchor and mid-span of the DCPs. The crack pattern, failure mechanism, load–displacement relationship, initial stiffness, and absorber energy capacity of the DCP specimens were acquired. The findings reveal that the failure mode of the DCP specimens was predominantly affected by the tension failure of the steel anchors. The load-carrying capacity and performance equivalent of the DCP system under the applied load scenarios significantly exceeded the design load, ranging from 125% to 168%. Also, the initial stiffness of the DCP system remains largely unaffected by the applied load positions, whereas the absorption energy capacity exhibits a contrasting trend.

An investigation of machine learning algorithms for prediction of temporomandibular disorders by using clinical parameters.

This study aimed to predict temporomandibular disorder (TMD) using machine learning (ML) approaches based on measurement parameters that are practically acquired in clinical settings. 125 patients with TMD and 103 individuals without TMD were included in the study. Pain intensity (with visual analog scale), maximum mouth opening (MMO) and lateral excursion movements (with millimeter ruler), cervical range of motion (with goniometer), pressure pain threshold (PPT; with algometer), oral parafunctional behaviors (with Oral Behaviors Checklist), psychological status (with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and quality of life (with Oral Health Impact Profile) were evaluated. The measurements were analyzed via over 20 ML algorithms, taking into account an extensive parameter tuning and cross-validation process. Results of variable importance were also provided. Bagging algorithm using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) algorithm (accuracy = 0.8966, area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.9387, F1-score = 0.9032) was the best performing model regarding the performance criteria. According to this model, the 5 most important variables for predicting TMD were pain intensity, MMO, lateral excursion and PPT values of masseter and temporalis anterior muscles, respectively. The Bagging algorithm using the MARS algorithm is a robust model that, in combination with clinical parameters, assists in the detection of patients with TMD in settings with limited capabilities. The clinical parameters and ML algorithm proposed in this study may assist clinicians inexperienced in TMD to make a preliminary detection of TMD in clinics where diagnostic imaging tools are limited.

Retrospective analysis of 62 cases who received clinical application of artificial temporomandibular joint

Objective: To conduct a retrospective study on the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent artificial temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery and to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial TMJ treatment. Methods: This study selected 62 patients who received standard Biomet artificial TMJ treatment at Department of Orthognathic and TMJ Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from May 2010 to September 2023 as the study subjects. Among them, there were 15 male patients and 47 female patients. The average age was 33.5 years old(ranging from 18 to 67 years). This study statistically analyzed postoperative indicators, including maximum mouth opening, forward jaw movement, lateral movement, postoperative pain scores, and patient satisfaction. Results: This study included a total of 62 patients with 99 TMJ joints. No infections occurred postoperatively. The average follow-up period was 33.7 months (ranging from 7 to 170 months). At 6 months postoperatively, the mean mouth opening was (36.1±6.2) mm, lateral movement was (2.1±0.9) mm, and forward jaw movement was (1.0±0.9) mm. The pain visual analog scale score at 6 months postoperatively was (2.8±0.6), and patient satisfaction with the surgery was (8.8±1.1). Spiral CT scans conducted after surgery showed no joint dislocation or migration, and the artificial joint remained stable during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Artificial TMJ replacement is a valuable method for effectively restoring TMJ structure and essential functions related to mouth opening and chewing. It is worthy of promotion as a reconstructive approach for the temporomandibular joint.

Recent evaluation and analysis of the clinical effect of two closed treatment methods in children with intracapsular condyle fracture

Objective: To summarize and analyze clinical characteristics of pediatric mandibular condylar fractures and the long-term therapeutic effects of closed treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for pediatric condylar fracture in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from October 2015 to October 2019, including 33 males (67.3%) and 16 females (32.7%), with an average age of (8.3±2.1) years old. According to the treatment methods, the children were divided into two groups: group A was a removable occlusal splint accompanied with functional exercise, group B was a pure functional exercise. Forty-nine cases (76 sides) children with intracapsular condylar fracture were included in this study. Twenty-three cases in group A and 26 cases in group B. The maximum month opening increased from (20.0±6.2) mm to (46.0±5.3) mm 6 months after closed treatment. Subjective evaluation, special examination, qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis of imaging were used to evaluate the condylar remodeling and functional recovery of temporomandibular joint in two groups of children after closed treatment of intracapsular condyle fracture. Results: There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation, maximum opening examination, mouth open-type, mandibular protrusion, lateral movement and qualitative analysis of imaging at the six-month follow-up after injury. Quantitative imaging measurements showed that the condylar anteroposterior diameter and condylar height in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A after 1 year of injury. Conclusions: Closed treatment for pediatric condylar fractures can achieve satisfactory results. After 6 months of injury, the children in the two groups could recover the temporomandibular joint function and promote the condylar adaptative remodeling.

Multi-objective calibration and evaluation of the ORCHIDEE land surface model over France at high resolution

Abstract. Here we present a strategy to obtain a reliable hydrological simulation over France with the ORCHIDEE land surface model. The model is forced by the SAFRAN atmospheric reanalysis at 8 km resolution and hourly time steps from 1959 to 2020 and by a high-resolution DEM (around 1.3 km in France). Each SAFRAN grid cell is decomposed into a graph of hydrological transfer units (HTUs) based on the higher-resolution DEM to better describe lateral water movements. In particular, it is possible to accurately locate 3507 stations among the 4081 stations collected from the national hydrometric network HydroPortail (filtered to drain an upstream area larger than 64 km2). A simple trial-and-error calibration is conducted by modifying selected parameters of ORCHIDEE to reduce the biases of the simulated water budget compared to the evapotranspiration products (the GLEAM and FLUXCOM datasets) and the HydroPortail observations of river discharge. The simulation that is eventually preferred is extensively assessed with classic goodness-of-fit indicators complemented by trend analysis at 1785 stations (filtered to have records for at least 8 entire years) across France. For example, the median bias of evapotranspiration is −0.5 % against GLEAM (−4.3 % against FLUXCOM), the median bias of river discharge is 6.3 %, and the median Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) of square-rooted river discharge is 0.59. These indicators, however, exhibit a large spatial variability, with poor performance in the Alps and the Seine sedimentary basin. The spatial contrasts and temporal trends of river discharge across France are well represented with an accuracy of 76.4 % for the trend sign and an accuracy of 62.7 % for the trend significance. Although it does not yet integrate human impacts on river basins, the selected parameterization of ORCHIDEE offers a reliable historical overview of water resources and a robust configuration for climate change impact analysis at the nationwide scale of France.

A Non‐Iterative Wheel‐Rail Contact Geometry Determination Algorithm and Its Application

AbstractTo ensure a more accurate simulation of the wheel‐rail contact state in vehicle‐track interaction, a non‐iterative contact geometry determination algorithm is proposed. This algorithm decouples lateral movement and roll, independently calculates the minimum wheel‐rail gap on both sides, and overcomes the limitation of simultaneous wheel‐rail contact on both sides. It can be applied to single‐side and two‐side wheel‐rail separation problems. Additionally, by converting track irregularity and rail deformation into the reverse displacement of the wheel, it avoids real‐time calculation of the wheel‐rail spatial position, thereby improving calculation efficiency. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified through Universal Mechanism software and field measurements. Subsequently, the influence of the measured wheel‐rail profile, rail cant, and rail gauge on the wheel‐rail contact characteristics is analyzed. Finally, vehicle shaking caused by track irregularity and wheel‐rail contact is examined from the perspective of wheel‐rail matching. The study demonstrates that the non‐iterative algorithm is suitable for online simulation by pre‐processing the contact geometry parameters. When the track gauge and rail cant increase, the distribution of wheel‐rail contact points becomes more concentrated. Furthermore, when the excitation frequency of wheel‐rail matching is close to the track irregularity excitation frequency, it causes vibration amplification, resulting in lateral vehicle shaking.

Unsupervised Learning for Lateral-Movement-Based Threat Mitigation in Active Directory Attack Graphs

Cybersecurity threats, particularly those involving lateral movement within networks, pose significant risks to critical infrastructures such as Microsoft Active Directory. This study addresses the need for effective defense mechanisms that minimize network disruption while preventing attackers from reaching key assets. Modeling Active Directory networks as a graph in which the nodes represent the network components and the edges represent the logical interactions between them, we use centrality metrics to derive the impact of hardening nodes in terms of constraining the progression of attacks. We propose using Unsupervised Learning techniques, specifically density-based clustering algorithms, to identify those nodes given the information provided by their metrics. Our approach includes simulating attack paths using a snowball model, enabling us to analytically evaluate the impact of hardening on delaying Domain Administration compromise. We tested our methodology on both real and synthetic Active Directory graphs, demonstrating that it can significantly slow down the propagation of threats from reaching the Domain Administration across the studied scenarios. Additionally, we explore the potential of these techniques to enable flexible selection of the number of nodes to secure. Our findings suggest that the proposed methods significantly enhance the resilience of Active Directory environments against targeted cyber-attacks.

Physiological, physical and anthropometric parameters in padel: A systematic review

This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of existing research on physiological, physical and anthropometric parameters in padel. After searching through PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, 33 articles were analyzed, covering physiological, physical, and anthropometric parameters. Physiologically, heart rate varies by sex and play level; men amateurs show a lower maximum heart rate compared to semi-professionals and professionals (154.75 vs 169.72 vs 188.6 beats per minute). Women players maintain consistent maximum heart rate across levels (∼178 beats per minute). Lactate levels during competition indicate effort within the aerobic transition zone, peaking at 2.40 millimole per liter in women and 3.38 millimole per liter in men. Regarding maximal oxygen consumption, padel players exhibit levels around 76.3%, increasing to 95.1% during peak exertion. Biochemical and hematological parameters vary by sex, with men players typically having higher basal levels, while competition reduces certain elements like copper and zinc. Physically, men players exhibit superior jump height, strength, and maximum speeds around 2.09 kilometers per hour, with significant lateral movements. The average distance covered per match is 3000 meters, with higher-level players traveling less. Anthropometrically, men players are taller with a mesomorphic-endomorphic profile, while women players have an endomorphic-mesomorphic somatotype. The study highlights the need for tailored training based on specific player characteristics and calls for further research to better individualize physical preparation in padel.