Physical Experience Research Articles

Combined effects of physical activity and life events on depression and PTSD in Chinese students aged 16-24 years.

Life events are important risk factors for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity is a beneficial behavior to physiological and psychological health. While it has not been reported at present the combined effect of physical activity and life events on individual depression and PTSD, and whether it can alleviate the psychological risks induced by life events. To comprehensively investigate the current status of life events experiences in Chinese students aged 16-24 years and analyze the combined effects of physical activity and life events on their depression and PTSD. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on physical activity levels, life events experiences, depression and PTSD of 1,552 Chinese students aged 16-24 using short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-S), adolescent self-rating life events checklist (ASLEC), PTSD Check List-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale. Then, logistic regression equation and stratified analysis were used to explore the combined effects of physical activity and life events on depression and PTSD. Regression analysis showed that, except for female, <8 h of sleep, smoking, single parent/reorganized families and poor family economic status, experiencing medium-intensity and high-intensity life events were both risk factors for depression. Compared with those who experienced low-intensity life events, those who experienced medium- and high-intensity life events had a 27 and 131% increased risk of depression, respectively. In contrast, medium- and high-level physical activity could reduce the risk of depression by 49 and 53%, respectively. Similar results were obtained with PTSD as a dependent variable. Combined correlation analysis showed that, compared with those with high-level physical activity and low-intensity life events, those with low-level physical activity and high-intensity life events had a 209 and 121% increased risk of depression and PTSD, respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the threshold for life events induced depression and PTSD rose with the increase in the level of physical activity. Lack of physical activity and experience of high-intensity life events are independent risk factors for depression and PTSD, and strengthening physical activity can compensate for the harm of depression and PTSD caused by life events to some extent.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Adults Living With Dementia and Their Carers

People living with dementia have the same right to well-being as anyone else, including physical activity. Yet, physical activity levels among people with dementia are lower than in the general population, and while the physical activity health benefits are well established, little is known about how people living with dementia experience physical activity. To explore these physical activity experiences, we visited six community settings in one English county and conducted informal interviews with 18 people who were either living with dementia and community dwelling (n = 4), caring for or who had cared for someone with dementia (n = 10), or providing a support service for people living with dementia and their carers (n = 4). Findings highlight both the challenges and facilitators presented by organized groups, service provider skills and qualities, and environmental factors. Additionally, these factors were influential in shaping the physical activity experience of people living with dementia. The findings may be relevant for people providing or planning support services, commissioners, policymakers, and researchers.

Experience of Physical Rehabilitation in Empowering Individuals Living with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study Protocol

ntroduction: Life expectancy is good, patients live with certain problems (tremors, difficulty in activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, lack of balance etc). Although mainstay treatment requires pharmacological treatment and regular physiotherapy. So, the first-hand experience of physiotherapy matters in these individuals. Need of the study: The present protocol will explore the experience of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). It will help in exploring the patients’ physical and emotional experiences as they return to the community, their barriers, facilitators and also gaps they experience in their rehabilitation journey. Aim: To explore the experience of physical rehabilitation in empowering individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Materials and Methods: An open-ended interview guide was formed and validated by multidisciplinary experts. Both male and female above the age of 40 years, undergoing rehabilitation for atleast 6 months and having mild and moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III). No depression and anxiety is assessed on Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS); HADS-depression score=9, HAD-anxiety=8 will be recruited. It will have 17 open ended questions regarding the experiences after Physical Rehabilitation, Cognitive impairment’s, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Freezing, Balance, Facilitators, Barriers. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted and transcribed verbatim into English language, then entered into Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) miner software for analysis. The interview guide is validated by the experts and obtained an Itemlevel Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of all items/questions of 0.84-1 while Scale-level Content Validity Index (S-CVI) by Average method and Universal agreement is 0.914 and 0.647, respectively. Results will be depicted in form of word clouds and code tree.

Research on Ecological Innovation and Modern Informatization Inheritance Path of Tantou Woodblock Printing

Abstract Tantou woodblock prints are traditional Chinese woodblock prints with a long history. Adding modern information technology elements to the excellent traditional culture can better combine regional contemporary woodblock prints and realize the cultural heritage. In this paper, from the perspective of modern informatization inheritance, we propose a way of displaying Tantou woodblock prints with AR enhancement technology, which breaks the limitation of physical experience with the help of virtual technology and improves the immersive experience of Tantou woodblock prints by combining with visual SLAM spatial localization technology. Based on the KANO model, the inheritance effect of Tantou woodblock prints was empirically analyzed. The data of Q, A, I, R, M, and O of the satisfaction results of the experience effect of Tantou woodblock prints were 1.132, 3.034, 2.828, 1.422, 1.237, and 0.978, which belonged to the excitatory type of demand. The inheritance satisfaction could be improved by enhancing the natural experience effect. The percentage of experiencers’ satisfaction with the information acquisition rate of Tantou Wooden Plank New Year’s Paintings that reaches excellent and above is 82.35%, and this paper effectively captures the user’s experience point in the visual, which contributes to the inheritance of Tantou Wooden Plank New Year’s Paintings.

Protect and Provide: Perceptions of Manhood and Masculinities Among Disabled Violently Injured Black Men in a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program.

Exploring the post-injury lives of those who have survived gunshot wounds is essential to understanding the entire scope of firearm violence. The lives of Black male firearm violence survivors are transformed in various ways due to their injuries both visible and invisible. This study explored how Black men who suffer from disabilities via a firearm negotiated their masculine identities. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 violently injured Black men participating in a hospital-based violence intervention program. Survivors expressed their thoughts on how their injuries impacted their manhood and masculinities. Three themes emerged: (1) perceptions of manhood, (2) loss of independence and burden on others, and (3) and mobility. These themes highlighted and described how their lives were impacted post-injury and characterized their psychological and physical experience of recovery. The research findings suggest the need for more qualitative studies to further explore the relationship between firearm injury, Black masculinity, and perceptions of manhood. While Black men are understudied in health research and invisible in disability research, they continue to be hyper-invisible when discussing violently acquired disabilities.

Emotional activation in a cognitive behavioral setting: extending the tradition with embodiment.

The neuroscience-based concept of "embodied cognition" or "embodiment" highlights that body and psyche are closely intertwined, i.e., effects of body and psyche are bidirectional and reciprocal. This represents the view that cognitive processes are not possible without the direct participation of the body. Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses emotional processes on a conceptual level (dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, attributions, etc.). However recent findings suggest that these processes already start at the level of bodily sensations. This opens up a way of working in therapy that includes the level of bodily sensations, where the development of emotional meaning is supported by bottom-up processes. Bidirectionality of embodiment can be effectively exploited by using body postures and movements associated with certain emotions, which we refer to as embodiment techniques, to deepen the physical experience of poorly felt emotions and support the valid construction of emotional meaning. This embodied approach offers several advantages: Prelinguistic or hard-to-grasp aspects can be identified more easily before being processed verbally. It is also easier to work with clients who have limited access to their emotions. Thus, in this paper we describe a new embodied CBT approach to working on the dysfunctional schema, which is based on three modules: body focus, emotional field, and interaction focus. In addition, using specific zones in the space of the therapy-room allows the embodiment of problematic interactions, as well as of power and powerlessness, closeness and distance, etc. Directly experiencing these processes on one's own body in the protected space of therapy allows faster and deeper insights than would be possible with conversations alone. Finally, the vitalizing power of emotions is used to create coherent action plans and successful interactions. This working method is illustrated by means of a case from practice.

Nostalgia assuages spatial anxiety

According to the regulatory model of nostalgia, the emotion is triggered by adverse psychological and physical experiences. Nostalgia, in turn, serves to counter those negative states. We extend this model to encompass spatial anxiety, that is, apprehension and disorientation during environmental navigation. In Experiment 1, we induced spatial anxiety by training participants to navigate a route in a virtual maze and then surreptitiously changing part of the previously learned route (spatial-anxiety condition) or leaving the route unchanged (neutral condition). Consistent with the regulatory model, spatial anxiety (compared to the neutral condition) triggered nostalgia. In Experiments 2–3, we displayed nostalgic (nostalgia condition) or matched control (control condition) pictures on the walls of a virtual maze. Participants navigated the maze passively (video clip, Experiment 2) or actively (computer-based task, Experiment 3) and then reported their spatial anxiety. Supporting the regulatory model, nostalgia (compared to control) reduced spatial anxiety (Experiments 2–3) and this, in turn, predicted higher goal setting (Experiment 3). Nostalgia assuages spatial anxiety during environmental navigation.

Positive Psychosocial Experiences of a Physical Theater Class Among College Students

Based on the 2023 Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, 50% of young adults (18-24 years old) experience anxiety and depression, compared to about 32% of all adults. The rising mental health problems among young adults may link to lingering covid-19 pandemic issues, such as social isolation and lockdowns, excessive screen use, decreased academic progress and opportunities, economic instability, poor lifestyle choices like decreased physical activity, disease, disability, and the death epidemic in the USA. Given the importance of physical activity, it is imperative to identify meaningful and enjoyable physical activity programs among young adults. Based on the philosophical underpinnings of phronesis (practical wisdom/moral reasoning), the purpose of this interdisciplinary, phronetic, qualitative, and temporal study was to examine the psychosocial experiences of a semester-long physical theater class among eight college students (4 males and 4 females). The class met twice per week, 1.5 hours/time and its content included physically demanding, playful, embodied, individual and group-based exercises, such as dance and aerial dance, calisthenics, stage combat with swords, activities to improve body posture and awareness, and bodily expression. Students created etudes and performed formally during midterm and finals weeks and informally before their classmates and class instructors. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted twice (in the beginning of the semester and towards the end of the class) to qualitatively collect the study’s data. Interview questions were about prior experience with physical theater, exercise levels, mental health and physical health, individual and social aspects in performativity, life priorities, and class goals. Based on hermeneutics/phronetic phenomenology, two themes emerged from the qualitative data analysis. In the first theme, psychological experiences, study participants mentioned that their mental health improved (e.g., decreased depression, anxiety, and body tension). Two students occasionally felt frustrated about their performance, especially the one without any previous physical theater experience. Based on the second theme, positive social experiences, study participants discussed how they effectively worked together (e.g., coordinate actions and share stories and emotions) to learn from each other and enjoy the experience. Only during the first set of the interviews (beginning of the semester), did some participants express occasional feelings of self-consciousness and nervousness when performing before others. However, they shared ways to overcome those feelings, such as being open to freely express themselves like others in the profession, separating themselves from their character, exercising the actor’s reset, and blocking everything out (e.g., audience). Practitioners in Kinesiology and performing arts (e.g., dance and physical theater) should emphasize physically demanding, safe, bodily, creative, playful, and group-based exercises among college students. Corporeal and creative expression within a supportive community-based movement program can increase mental health, positive social relations, and thus well-being.

An Integrated Stroke Transitional Care Intervention Improves Physical Functioning, Self-Management and Patient Experience in Older Adults with Stroke and Multimorbidity: A Multisite Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The hospital-to-home transition for older adults with stroke is often fragmented, resulting in hospital readmissions and reduced quality of life, patient satisfaction and safety. There is limited evidence for strategies to improve transitions in care for older adults with stroke and multimorbidity. This study aimed to test, in real-world clinical practice, the effectiveness of the Transitional Care Stroke Intervention (TCSI) versus usual care on health outcomes, patient experience, and health and social service use costs in older adults (&gt; 55 years) with stroke and multimorbidity (&gt; 2 chronic conditions).&#x0D; Methods: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted among older adults with a stroke and multimorbidity discharged from the hospital to the community using outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in two communities in Ontario, Canada. Participants were randomized 1:1 to usual care (control group) or usual care plus the 6-month TCSI (intervention group). The TCSI was delivered virtually by an interprofessional team from hospital-based outpatient stroke rehabilitation clinics (Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Registered Nurse, and Social Worker). The TCSI is a complex, integrated intervention which includes care coordination/system navigation support, phone/video visits, monthly interprofessional case conferences, and an online resource to support system navigation. Data analysis was performed by intention to treat. The primary outcome was risk of hospital readmission (all-cause) after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were mental and physical functioning, depressive symptoms, stroke self-management, patient experience, number of hospital days and readmissions, number of ED visits, survival rates to first hospital and ED visit, risk of ED visits, and health and social service use costs. Older adults with stroke were engaged as co-investigators and informed the research design, implementation, and evaluation through participation in the Patient Partner Advisory and the TCSI Steering Committees.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: Ninety participants were enrolled (44 intervention, 46 control); 11 (12%) participants were lost to follow-up, leaving 79 (39 intervention, 40 control). Most participants were men (60%), with an average of 7 comorbid conditions, and 78% had experienced their first-ever stroke. No significant group differences were seen for the baseline to six-month risk of hospital readmission (all-cause). However, stroke survivors in the intervention group reported higher levels of physical functioning (SF-12 Physical Component Summary Score mean difference: 5.10; 95% CI: 1.58-8.62, p=0.005), stroke self-management (Southampton Stroke Self-Management Questionnaire mean difference: 6.00; 95% CI: 0.51—11.50, p=0.03), and patient experience (Person-Centred Coordinated Care Experiences Questionnaire mean difference: 2.64, 95% CI: 0.81, 4.47, p=0.005) compared with the usual care group. No significant group differences were seen for the other secondary outcomes.&#x0D; Discussion: The TCSI improved physical functioning, stroke self-management and patient experience in older adults with stroke and multimorbidity without increasing total healthcare costs compared to usual care.&#x0D; Conclusion:The results provide evidence for the effectiveness of an integrated intervention to optimize transitional care outcomes for older adults with stroke and multimorbidity receiving outpatient stroke rehabilitation services.&#x0D; Suggestions for future research: Future research is needed to further evaluate this intervention in diverse settings and populations, with a larger sample size and a full economic evaluation. &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Accessibility of Virtual Museum Spaces in the 21st Century in Turkey

Museums, which are the embodiment of art, exhibition, culture, and science, have started to offer virtual space experiences as well as traditional physical space experiences in recent years. In addition to the development of technology, the pandemic, which started in 2019 and affected the whole world, has also been effective in accelerating the transformation of museums from physical space to virtual space. The increasing use of virtual museums directly concerns different user groups in terms of accessibility. In a physical museum experience, solutions that appeal to different types of users are generally produced. Thanks to these solutions, an individual with any disability can be included in the space with all senses such as sight, touch, smell, and hearing during a museum visit, while the lack of inclusion of all senses in the virtual space experience causes the experience to be more limited. This study discusses this limitation in terms of accessibility. How can the virtual space experience be more accessible for different types of users? Can different solutions be offered to all user groups for a better understanding of the space and the art product? These questions constitute the research questions of this study. In this context, this study aims to examine how accessible virtual museums are. The study has conducted this inquiry through 59 virtual museums in Turkey. As a method, virtual museums were classified and tabulated in terms of their accessibility levels in line with their characteristics. It was concluded that there are deficiencies in the experience of different types of users and various suggestions were made in terms of virtual accessibility.

Enhancing the college and university physical education teaching and learning experience using virtual reality and particle swarm optimization

Enhancing the college and university physical education teaching and learning experience using virtual reality and particle swarm optimization

Social competence of single‐parent children with child abuse in China: Mediation model of resilience

AbstractChildren from single‐parent families typically face severe developmental risks, especially those with prior experience in child abuse. This study aimed to investigate the child abuse experience and social competence of children from single‐parent families and discuss the possible mediation effect of resilience in Mainland China. This study analysed 431 single‐parent children samples collected in China (50% females, Mage = 13.10). Group comparison analyses were conducted to illustrate group differences in social competence between single‐parent children with and without child abuse experience. In addition, path analyses were conducted to examine the mediation effect of resilience between child abuse and social competence. This study findings indicated that single‐parent children with physical and emotional abuse experience did not perform significantly worse in social competence, but those with emotional neglect were found to do worse. Resilience fully mediated the effect of physical abuse and partially mediated the effect of emotional neglect on single‐parent children's social competence, while it did not mediate the impact of emotional abuse. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms between child abuse, social competence and resilience of children from single‐parent families in Mainland China. The findings have implications for social services for single‐parent children who are abused.

Potential Integration of Metaverse, Non-Fungible Tokens and Sentiment Analysis in Quantitative Tourism Economic Analysis

With the emergence of the metaverse, countries’ digital efforts to create tourism opportunities have given rise to the possibility of capitalising on digital content which, along with physical tourism experiences, can generate further income and enhance a country’s reputation. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a unique application of blockchain technology, offer an enabling technology in several sectors, including tourism. Therefore, this study aims to explore the official tourism websites of Croatia and Slovenia and analyse current NFT applications in tourism economics. The methodology focuses explicitly on sentiment analysis, blockchain and machine learning. The paper introduces various applications currently in place, including Slovenia’s “I Feel Nft” project. The research shows that the main benefits of using NFT and sentiment analysis in the tourism economy are the promotion and presentation of major tourist destinations, exhibitions, works of art, and companies’ products in tokens, digital content and souvenirs. The adoption of sentiment analysis and NFTs in the tourism economy is still open to proposals for implementing public quantitative data metrics. Therefore, the scientific contribution of this research is essential in terms of operational recommendations and defining metrics for measuring the effectiveness of those methodologies and their applications in the tourism economy. On top of that, the practical contribution lies in monitoring the influx of tourists, and highlighting their increase over time and the significance of new technology in time series tourism research.

“PEOPLE MATTER. FREEDOM MATTERS. PEACE MATTERS”: CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR ANALYSIS OF VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY’S SPEECHES

This article draws upon the investigation of distinctive features in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speeches delivered during the period of the Russian invasion that started on 24 February 2022 and one month after it. The focus of the article is on the application of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) developed by Lakoff &amp; Johnson, and Conceptual Blending invented by Fauconnier &amp; Turner. These two leading approaches have taken a crucial position in cognitive studies and are the central methods used in conducting research in this particular domain. Consequently, in the framework of this article, these theories are regarded as essential resources for scrutinising the peculiarities of the speeches “The war of Russia is not only the war against Ukraine” dated 1 March 2022, and “Ukraine needs heavy weapons” dated 13 April 2022 delivered by the Ukrainian President. Similarly, the data for the study is analysed and processed by means of a corpus-based method and the UAM Corpus Tool, a software program that provides the necessary built-in or self-created layers to implement all-embracing and grounded manual annotation of any type of text corpora. To examine the effective conveyance of meaning in public discourse, this research primarily centers on linguistic and auditory modes, specifically analyzing the speeches of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and their corresponding transcripts. It is worth noting that while this study does not currently encompass visual, gestural, and spatial modes, they hold the potential for inclusion in future investigations of motivational speeches, which could potentially augment the research outcomes. In conclusion, the investigation of these data has revealed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy tends to utilise a vast range of conceptual metaphors, specifically structural, ontological, and building. With this in mind, ontological metaphors are the most frequent since they depict the “physical experience” of the speaker. Finally, by applying Conceptual Blending, we can examine how the President makes reference to Russia by overlapping the mental space of COUNTRY with the mental space of TERRORISM, and AGGRESSION. Additionally, in the case of Ukraine, he merges the mental space of COUNTRY with the mental space of FREEDOM, and LIFE.

AN INTEGRATED TRANSITIONAL CARE INTERVENTION IMPROVES PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES IN OLDER ADULTS WITH STROKE

Abstract The transition between hospital and home is associated with significant challenges resulting in hospital readmissions and poor health outcomes. This study aimed to test, in real-world clinical practice, the effectiveness of a Transitional Care Stroke Intervention (TCSI) compared to usual care on patient-reported outcomes and health and social service use costs in older adults (&amp;gt; 55 years) with stroke and multimorbidity (&amp;gt; 2 chronic conditions). The TCSI was delivered virtually by an interprofessional (IP) team, and included care coordination/system navigation support, phone/video visits, monthly IP team conferences, and an online resource co-designed with patient partners to support self-management and system navigation. The primary outcome was risk of hospital readmission after six-months. Secondary outcomes included physical and mental functioning, stroke self-management, patient experience, and health and social service costs. Ninety participants were enrolled (44 intervention, 46 control); 11 (12%) participants were lost to follow-up, leaving 79 (39 intervention, 40 control). Differences favoring the intervention group were seen in physical functioning (SF-12 PCS mean difference: 5.10; 95% CI: 1.58-8.62, p=0.005), self-management (Southampton Stroke Self-Management Questionnaire mean difference: 6.00; 95% CI: 0.51—11.50, p=0.03), and patient experience (Person-Centred Coordinated Care Experiences Questionnaire mean difference: 2.64, 95% CI: 0.81, 4.47, p=0.005). No significant between-group differences were seen for baseline to six-month risk of hospital readmission or total health and social service costs. The TCSI produced greater gains in patient-reported physical health, self-management and experience compared with usual stroke care. These improvements were achieved without increasing total healthcare costs.

LISTENING TO THE PATIENTS’ VOICE: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF HIP FRACTURE PATIENTS’ WALKING EXPERIENCE

Abstract Walking is crucial for an active and healthy ageing, but it changes with age and in the presence of diverse health conditions, including hip fracture and frailty. So far, conceptual frameworks of walking have not included the impact of these conditions and individuals’ lived experiences on their walking. Thus, we aimed to identify and synthesize evidence describing the walking experience from the perspective of individuals recovering from a hip fracture, as well as from the perspective of individuals living with highly prevalent walking-impairing conditions of diverse etiology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-ethnography, following appropriate guidance. Out of 2,552 unique records, 117 (8.5% hip fracture) were deemed eligible for the meta-ethnography. We identified seven themes that explain the experience of walking: (1) becoming aware of the walking experience, (2) the walking experience as a link between individuals’ activities and sense of self, (3) the physical walking experience, (4) the mental and emotional walking experience, (5) the social walking experience, (6) the context of the walking experience, and (7) behavioral and attitudinal adaptations resulting from the walking experience. We proposed a framework that describes the interplay between these themes, providing a conceptualization of walking that is grounded in the experiences of individuals recovering from a hip fracture or living with other walking-impairing health conditions, and that may be used to set priorities and improve patient centricity in clinical practice, research and public health initiatives.

PENGALAMAN IBU USIA REMAJA DALAM PEMBERIAN ASI EKSKLUSIF

Decision to give breastfeeding in teenage mothers is a dilemma, the mother must meet the developmental task of adolescence and need to perform the role as parents. This study aim to more identify the experience of teenage mother in providing the exclusive briestfeeding. This study has used qualitative method to get more information by deep interview. Participants in this study were teenage mothers aged 19 years old and had 6 babies aged 0 to 24 months old. The results of this research showed that teenage mothers decided to continue breastfeeding because they realized the good benefits, namely, making the baby's growth and development faster, healthier and stronger. Breastfeeding is more practical and increases the mother's appetite and saves the economy. Teenage mothers experience painful physical experiences such as pain, swelling, tenderness, sores on the breasts and weight loss. Feelings of pleasure arise in teenage mothers because of breastfeeding a baby. The teenage mother who have stopped breastfeeding because the baby has been fed and one of the others is because of breastfeeding problems. Teenage mother receive support from both their families and cadres in the form of support to continue breastfeeding, motivation and counselling

Thinking Gestures. On How the Philosophical Conceptualization of Ordinary Life Can Be Shaped by Art Practices

Abstract As a speculative and abstract discipline, philosophy is traditionally considered to be in dialectical tension with physical experience and daily practice. In contrast to this conventional and idealistic perspective, and in line with aesthetics as embodied knowledge, this article attempts to show that not only do we constantly think via gestures, movements, and physical experiences but also that there is no need to disconnect a concept from practice. Passing from Wittgenstein’s idea of “form of life” to the pragmatist aesthetics initiated by Dewey’s idea of “art as experience,” I propose an analysis of the philosophical framework of postmodern dance (Yvonne Rainer) and of Happenings (Allan Kaprow), in order to underline the theoretical and conceptual research that is already at work in the field of contemporary art practice, the latter being understood as a sensorial dimension intrinsically linked to ordinary life. My general argument is that gestures, which are an inescapable and vital part of everyday life, can be foregrounded by certain artistic practices without corrupting or theatricalizing their ordinariness.

Estimates of persistent inward currents in lower limb muscles are not different between inactive, resistance-trained, and endurance-trained young males.

Persistent inward currents (PICs) increase the intrinsic excitability of α-motoneurons. The main objective of this study was to compare estimates of α-motoneuronal PICs between inactive, chronic resistance-trained, and chronic endurance-trained young individuals. We also aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship in the estimates of α-motoneuronal PIC magnitude between muscles. Estimates of PIC magnitude were obtained in three groups of young individuals: resistance-trained (n = 12), endurance-trained (n = 12), and inactive (n = 13). We recorded high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) signals from tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), soleus (SOL), vastus medialis (VM), and vastus lateralis (VL). Then, signals were decomposed with convolutive blind source separation to identify motor unit (MU) spike trains. Participants performed triangular isometric contractions to a peak of 20% of their maximum voluntary contraction. A paired-motor-unit analysis was used to calculate ΔF, which is assumed to be proportional to PIC magnitude. Despite the substantial differences in physical training experience between groups, we found no differences in ΔF, regardless of the muscle. Significant correlations of estimates of PIC magnitude were found between muscles of the same group (VL-VM, SOL-GM). Only two correlations (out of 8) between muscles of different groups were found (TA-GM and VL-GM). Overall, our findings suggest that estimates of PIC magnitude from lower-threshold MUs at low contraction intensities in the lower limb muscles are not influenced by physical training experience in healthy young individuals. They also suggest muscle-specific and muscle group-specific regulations of the estimates of PIC magnitude.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic resistance and endurance training can lead to specific adaptations in motor unit activity. The contribution of α-motoneuronal persistent inward currents (PICs) to these adaptations is currently unknown in healthy young individuals. Therefore, we studied whether estimates of α-motoneuronal PIC magnitude are higher in chronically trained endurance- and resistance-trained individuals. We also studied whether there is a relationship between the estimates of α-motoneuronal PIC magnitude of different lower limb muscles.

Achieving Functional Meta‐Devices by Generalized Meta‐Atom Model for Metasurfaces and Genetic Algorithm

AbstractBuilt by machine‐learning, the surrogate model of metasurfaces reduces the need for a huge number of simulations in the design process, enhancing the efficiency and performance of the designed meta‐devices. However, the surrogate model of metasurfaces is often constructed‐based on specific physical perspectives or experiences, which limits its versatility. In this study, a generalized surrogate meta‐atom model for metasurfaces is introduced. This model can simulate arbitrary meta‐atoms and their corresponding electromagnetic responses at any polarization within the full space of pixelated unit cells. Utilizing a genetic algorithm, the model is employed to design various types of meta‐devices, automatically generating configurations of meta‐atoms with optimal performance for specific application scenarios. Three typical meta‐devices, including the reflective linear‐circular polarization converter, the metasurface‐based absorber, and the asymmetrical transmission meta‐slab, are designed and validated through full‐wave simulations and/or experiments. This work presents an efficient and flexible approach to model arbitrary metasurfaces, opening new possibilities for metasurface design and applications.