To describe a pedicle-probing technique for determining safe implant corridors at the seventh lumbar vertebra (L7)-first sacral vertebra (S1) in cats and evaluate the feasibility, safety, positioning, and trajectory of drill tracts created with this technique. CT of lumbosacral spine was performed in 13 feline cadavers to determine safe pedicle corridors. Using the pedicle-probing technique, drill tracts were created in the pedicles of L7 and S1 with a blunt probe followed by a drill bit. Postoperative grading of pedicle drill tracts for canal breach was performed on CT using a 4-point classification. Drill tract positioning, trajectory, and proximity to ventral S1 foramina were also evaluated. At L7, 20 of 26 drill tracts (76.9%) were fully contained within the pedicle, 3 (11.5%) had > 50% of their diameter within the pedicle, 1 (3.8%) had < 50% of its diameter within the pedicle, and 2 (7.7%) were fully within the vertebral canal. At S1, 24 drill tracts (92.3%) were fully contained within the pedicle, and 2 (7.7%) had > 50% of their diameter within the pedicle. The pedicle-probing technique was associated with a high rate of vertebral canal breach at L7, whereas a greater proportion of drill tracts at S1 were fully contained within the pedicles. The pedicle-probing technique can facilitate safe implant corridors at L7-S1 in cats; however, a high rate of breaches at L7 and variations in drill tract positioning and trajectory emphasize technical difficulty.

The most common surgical cause of abdominal pain is appendicitis, and its diagnosis is affected by anatomical variations of the vermiform appendix. The appendix may be in different positions, but the base of the appendix is attached to the cecum. Based on positional variations, the appendix is classified as retrocecal, pelvic, anterior, or subhepatic. This study aims to evaluate the effect of anatomical variations in appendix position on laparoscopic surgical outcomes. This study uses a systematic review method following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were conducted through the Scopus and Google Scholar databases for the 2016–2026 period using the PICOS framework. The selection process identified two articles that met the inclusion criteria. Both articles reported similar findings regarding anatomical variations of the appendix and surgical outcomes. The most common finding associated with each anatomical variation of the appendix during surgery was appendiceal rupture, with a higher risk observed in the subhepatic appendix position. In addition, the subhepatic appendix position requires a longer operative time compared to other appendix positions. Meanwhile, the pelvic appendix position has a higher rate of postoperative intestinal obstruction compared to other appendix positions. In conclusion, variations in the anatomical position of the appendix have differing levels of impact on surgical and postoperative outcomes, particularly in the subhepatic and pelvic positions. This is reflected in the most common complications, such as appendiceal rupture, prolonged operative time, and an increased risk of postoperative intestinal obstruction.

ABSTRACT The method for conducting heating tests on test specimens in a vertical orientation using a cone calorimeter is recommended in ISO 5660 Annex E. Although this standard defines the ignitor position, no experimental basis has been found. A previous study suggests that the specified position may not necessarily be optimal. Furthermore, the spark orientation is not specified in ISO 5660 Annex E, and no studies investigating the effect of ignitor spark have been found. Therefore, this study conducted cone calorimeter tests by varying the position and orientation of the ignitor spark to investigate their effects on experimental results. Three experimental series, (1) experiments with detailed variations in the ignitor position using flexible polyurethane foam as the test specimen, (2) experiments altering the ignitor orientation at representative ignitor positions using plywood as the test specimen, and (3) experiments using various materials for the test specimen at representative ignitor positions were conducted. In experimental series (3), two types of wooden materials, polyvinyl chloride board, and gypsum board with wallpaper were selected as test specimens. The experimental results were compared such as time to ignition, peak heat release rate, cumulative heat release, and surface temperature at ignition. The results indicated that the ignitor position recommended in ISO 5660 Annex E and a horizontal ignitor orientation (perpendicular to the airflow) are suitable for burning test materials and obtaining stable test results.

The developmental trajectory of young elite soccer players is influenced by maturation and physiological parameters. This study examined age-based differences in maturation, physical performance, and positional variations among young elite male soccer players using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT) among 113 elite male players aged 11-17. Assessments included peak height velocity (PHV), maturity offset, maximum running speed from the 30-15 IFT (MRS30-15IFT), and maximal oxygen uptake (VO<inf>2</inf>max). Age-related and positional differences were analyzed to identify significant variations across categories. Significant age-related differences were observed in maturation and performance parameters. U16 and U17 players differed in PHV (P=0.009), while maturity offset varied significantly across most categories except between U16 and U17. Aerobic performance, measured via MRS30-15IFT and VO<inf>2</inf>max, improved progressively with age; U12 players showed lower values than older groups (P<0.05). Strong correlations emerged between VO<inf>2</inf>max and maturity offset (r=0.73, P<0.001) and between MRS30-15IFT and maturity offset (r=0.73, P<0.001). Positional analysis revealed that central backs had lower PHV than midfielders and wingers in U12-U14 (P<0.015), while wingers showed higher VO<inf>2</inf>max than strikers in U15-U17 (P=0.042). Maturation and physiological performance parameters vary significantly across age categories in elite young soccer players. Position-specific differences in growth and aerobic capacity emphasize the importance of individualized training approaches to optimize development and performance.

Simulation-based analysis of rigid alignment bias in PCA of weight-bearing foot shapes.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive technique for early gastrointestinal neoplasms, yet remains technically challenging with procedure-related risks. A computational modeling framework is developed to numerically investigate ESD traction–force requirements and associated magnetic field characteristics. Based on derived force–distance constraints, an external magnet geometry is designed and evaluated using finite element simulations. The numerical results indicate that the proposed magnet configuration produces a smoother traction force–distance relationship over the prescribed working range, with reduced sensitivity to positional variation. These findings suggest that magnet-geometry optimization may provide a numerical pathway toward more predictable traction–force regulation in ESD.

Mangrove pneumatophores provide unique habitats for algal assemblages, but previous research has mainly focused on macroalgae rather than microalgae. The variations among plant species and substrates on pneumatophores have also seldom been studied. The present study aimed to compare epiphytic microalgal communities on two substrates (adhered soil and pneumatophore itself) and two vertical segments (upper and lower) of pneumatophores in three mangrove species. Epiphytic microalgae varied between substrates and segments, with higher abundances in adhered soil than on pneumatophore itself and higher species richness on the lower than on the upper segment along a pneumatophore. The distribution of microalgal species differed between segments, with Ankistrodesmus spiralis exclusively observed on the upper segment of pneumatophore itself, although Oscillatoria was generally the most abundant genus in all microhabitats. On both substrates and segments, the diversity of microalgae in Sonneratia caseolaris was higher than that in Avicennia marina and S. apetala, with enriched Nitzschia sigma in S. caseolaris but Hydrosera sp. in A. marina. Water content and salinity were the most critical physicochemical factors affecting the overall microalgal community in adhered soil and on pneumatophore itself, respectively. An increase in salinity in adhered soil enhanced microalgal diversity and favored the growth of Nitzschia in both substrates. These results reveal that pneumatophores provide diverse microhabitats for epiphytic microalgae to colonize, with significant variations in compositions between substrates, vertical positions, and mangrove plant species, whereas the key environmental factors shaping the microalgal community were substrate specific.

BACKGROUND Acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) is a debilitating injury that significantly impacts elite athletes, particularly those in the national football league (NFL). While return to play (RTP) and performance outcomes are critical to career longevity, these outcomes may be influenced by factors such as injury timing, player position, and unreported rehabilitation variation. Prior literature lacks a comprehensive synthesis of these outcomes in NFL athletes. AIM To systematically evaluate return-to-play rates, performance outcomes, and career longevity following AATR among NFL athletes, while considering the methodological quality of available evidence. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in May 2024 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies reporting outcomes following AATR in NFL players were included. Data were extracted on demographics, timing of injury, RTP, games played, and performance metrics. Pooled rates and weighted means were calculated based on sample size. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tool. No meta-analysis or statistical heterogeneity testing (e.g. , I ²) was performed due to the descriptive nature of the analysis. RESULTS Twelve studies including 676 NFL athletes met inclusion criteria. The weighted mean age at injury was 27.3 ± 1.4 years, with a mean of 5.2 ± 1.2 years in the NFL prior to injury. Linebackers (19.0%), wide receivers (11.9%), and running backs (9.0%) were most affected. AATRs occurred most often during the preseason (50.4%). The overall RTP rate was 66.2%, with a weighted mean time of 10.9 ± 1.3 months. Post-injury, players averaged 12.9 games/season and played for 2.2 ± 0.8 additional seasons. Performance significantly declined regardless of position. Most studies lacked data on rehabilitation protocols and exhibited moderate to critical risk of bias. CONCLUSION NFL athletes experience a relatively low return-to-play rate and substantial decline in performance following AATR. These outcomes are further influenced by high heterogeneity in study quality and the unreported variability in post-operative rehabilitation. These findings underscore the need for prospective, standardized research and may inform team physicians and athletic trainers in developing evidence-based RTP strategies.

ABSTRACT Non-collinear wave mixing has emerged as a powerful technique for characterising material nonlinearity, offering enhanced sensitivity to localised microstructural damage by effectively isolating the mix frequency harmonics. This study develops a numerical model to investigate non-collinear shear wave mixing in near-isotropic materials and validates it through immersion ultrasonic experiments on aluminium and mild steel samples. The primary objective is to quantify the sensitivity of the sum-harmonic wave’s scattering directivity to experimental uncertainties. A systematic sensitivity analysis quantifies the effects of variations in material velocity, transmitter positioning, and transmission angles. Results show that a 1.0% perturbation in the transmission angle induces an 11.7% deviation in the scattering directivity, identifying it as the most influential parameter. This analysis provides a quantitative foundation for designing robust, high-repeatability immersion-based scanning setups.

With the considerable number of low-dose CT examinations performed in lung cancer screening, variations in participant positioning, scan direction, or localiser angle are likely to occur in practice. These variations are known to affect automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) operation, yet organ-specific dose implications across CT models remain unknown. Therefore, this simulation study systematically characterised the effect of the aforementioned variations. Using the Alderson RANDO phantom, ATCM profiles were established on CT scanners from four major vendors (GE, Siemens, Canon, Philips) after introducing vertical and lateral mispositioning, craniocaudal and caudocranial scan directions, and varying localiser projection angles. Additionally, off-centre positioning and scan direction changes preceded by either a single posteroanterior (PA) or dual (PA+lateral) localiser were evaluated. Doses to the lungs, heart, thyroid, liver, and breasts were calculated from Monte Carlo simulations of each setup for 32 patient-specific voxel models. The results demonstrate statistically significant and scanner-dependent dose variations. PA localisers generally produced the highest organ doses. However, on the Philips system, organ dose increases of at least 50% were observed after the lateral projection angle. GE and Siemens scanners showed pronounced dose increases following downward mispositioning with a single PA localiser (18-50% and 5-25%, respectively), an effect largely mitigated by adding a lateral localiser. Canon and Philips scanners exhibited generally stable ATCM behaviour after vertical off-centring, although Canon showed notable dose increases upon lateral mispositioning, with dose increases up to 37.5% and 34% after a single PA or dual localiser, respectively. Variations in scan direction displayed highly model- and organ-dependent effects. Dose deviations were largely mitigated after dual localisers for the GE, Canon, and Philips scanner types. Here, organ dose differences were within an absolute range of 10%, indicating that a change in scan direction preceded by a dual localiser can reduce extreme dose deviations. Remarkably, no significant difference was observed solely for the Siemens scanner when combined with a dual localiser, as lung, heart, breast, and liver doses remained significantly (between 20 and 35%) lower when scanning craniocaudally, whereas the thyroid dose in this setup remained considerably higher (up to 20% mean increase). Ultimately, findings indicate that seemingly minor protocol deviations can lead to significant underestimation of anticipated organ-specific doses associated with lung cancer screening. Scanner-specific optimisation, supported by medical physics expertise, is therefore essential.

In this work, we report on possible isomerization and cyclization pathways in 3-styrylpyridine (3-STPY) and 4-styrylpyridine (4-STPY) isomers. A thorough comparative analysis based on the computational results obtained using the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) and algebraic diagrammatic construction to the second-order (ADC(2)) methodologies is presented. The positional variation of the nitrogen atom in the pyridine ring relative to the styryl group alters electronic distribution in the system and influences molecular conformational diversity. While there are two distinct rotamers for each of the trans, cis, and cyclized conformers in 3-STPY, symmetry in 4-STPY limits conformational flexibility, yielding only a single isomer per configuration. To elucidate the non-radiative decay channels operative upon photoexcitation, minimum energy conical intersection structures (MECIs) between the ground and first excited states were calculated using the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method. We analyzed cis and trans isomerization as well as cyclization mechanisms along image-dependent pair potential (IDPP) pathways. Our results reveal that isomerization through twisted-pyramidalized MECIs originating from the cis side involves lower energy barriers than from the trans side, with 3-C2 → 3-CI1 and 4-C1 → 4-CI1 identified as the most favorable pathways for 3-STPY and 4-STPY, respectively. Additionally, relaxation toward the cyclized MECIs proceeds with little to no energy barriers in both systems. The findings offer mechanistic insight into the excited-state processes in styrylpyridine derivatives and suggest isomer-specific pathways for photoinduced isomerization and cyclization of the two molecules.

Mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI) using EEG and motion capture allows us to study brain activity during natural tasks. While MoBI research has focused on gait and walking, we introduce three-ball cascade juggling as a new paradigm to explore sensorimotor brain dynamics. Successful juggling depends on tracking ball trajectories to guide motor planning. Since jugglers emphasize the apex position during learning, we hypothesized that trial-to-trial variations in apex position relate to brain activity, particularly in superior parietal regions involved in spatial attention. Our findings support this: variations in apex position correlated with 10-15 Hz alpha and low beta power in sources compatible with superior parietal cortex. The precise frequency band and timing varied across the three spatial directions. Additionally, lateral apex variations were encoded in a mirror-symmetric manner relative to the body midline. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using MoBI to investigate brain dynamics in complex motor tasks and provides insight into how the brain represents the critical ball apex position, laying the foundation for future research on its role in motor control and catch timing.

Liliequist’s membrane anatomical variations impact the probability of successful endoscopic third ventriculostomy: discussion of surgical techniques with novel illustrations and 3D animation

Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis of the Vinten 671 ionization chamber activity calibration coefficients.

Transcranial ultrasound applications require accurate simulations to predict intracranial acoustic pressure fields. The current gold standard typically consists of calculating a longitudinal ultrasound wave propagation using a fluid skull model, which is based on full head CT images for retrieving the skull's geometry and elastic constants. Although this approach has extensively been validated for deep brain targets and routinely used in transcranial ultrasound ablation procedures, its accuracy in shallow cortical regions remains unexplored. In this study, we explore the shear wave effects associated with transcranial focused ultrasound propagation, both numerically and experimentally. The intracranial acoustic pressure was measured at different incidence angles at the parietal and frontal regions in an ex vivo human skull. The fluid-like skull model was then compared to the solid model comprising both longitudinal and shear waves. The results consistently show a larger error and variability for both models when considering an oblique incidence, reaching a maximum of 170% mean deviation of the focal area when employing the fluid skull model. Statistical assessments further revealed that ignoring shear waves results in an average ∼40% overestimation of the intracranial acoustic pressure and inability to obtain an accurate intracranial acoustic pressure distribution. Moreover, the solid model has a more stable performance, even when small variations in the skull-transducer relative position are introduced. Our results could contribute to the refinement of the transcranial ultrasound propagation modeling methods thus help improving the safety and outcome of transcranial ultrasound therapy in the cortical brain areas.

Abstract Detecting defects on critical surface products is essential in manufacturing for ensuring high-quality standards. However, defect detection faces challenges due to the random variation in defect location and content, as well as inconsistent annotation quality. To address these issues, we propose the CCW-Net for defect detection on critical surface products. To manage positional variation, positional information is embedded within channel attention, emphasizing defect location features through coordinate attention (CA). For handling content variation, a content-aware reassembly of features (CARAFE) aggregates contextual information across a broad receptive field, enabling the capture of comprehensive defect size and shape characteristics. For the uneven annotation quality, the regression loss with dynamic focusing mechanism (Wise-IOU) module is introduced to dynamically allocate gradient gain, which enhances the model’s generalization ability. Experiments conducted on public datasets—NEU-DET (83.9% mAP) and Magnetic-Tile (94.6% mAP)—demonstrate the efficacy, real-time performance, and practical feasibility of the proposed approach.

Accurate estimation of discharge through submerged spillways is critical for reservoir operation and structural maintenance. Traditional methods using empirical formulas or intrusive measurements fail to characterize high-speed pressurized flow hydrodynamics. We introduce a novel Eulerian monocular photogrammetry (EMP) method that non-intrusively quantifies discharge by integrating pixel-level jet surface geometry into a theoretical velocimetry framework. This framework further combines image-derived streamlines and cross-sectional flow analysis to establish a robust relationship between jet images and flow discharge. The methodology was validated through controlled laboratory experiments and a field application at Xiluodu dam. In laboratory tests, EMP-derived discharge estimates showed excellent agreement with direct measurements and demonstrated robustness against variations in camera positioning. Field application matched theoretical/numerical results with minor underestimation, consistent with similar projects. Bridging visual observation and quantitative analysis, EMP enhances spillway discharge estimation reliability and efficiency for modern hydraulic engineering.

Objective This scoping review aimed to systematically map and categorise action-quality rating systems used to evaluate individual skill execution in indoor volleyball, with practical relevance for performance analysts supporting elite-level athletes such as the New Zealand VolleyFerns. Methods Following the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Eligible studies included those that developed, applied, or evaluated rating systems for technical skill execution in indoor volleyball from 2000 to 2024. Forty-four studies were included after structured screening and data extraction using CADIMA. Rating systems were classified by typology, analytical approach, application context, and positional specificity. Results Three typological categories emerged: ordinal-descriptive systems (64%), interval-probabilistic models (9%), and hybrid-emergent frameworks (27%). Analytical approaches ranged from basic descriptive statistics to probabilistic modelling, social network analysis, and machine learning. Most studies focused on elite-level female athletes and emphasised terminal actions (e.g., serve, attack), with growing attention to contextual and positional variation. Setter and libero actions were increasingly analysed through system-sensitive models reflecting match phase and tactical role. Conclusion Volleyball action-quality rating systems have evolved from static ordinal scales to complex, context-sensitive frameworks that better capture the dynamic relationship between skill execution and match context. However, challenges such as methodological heterogeneity, inconsistent terminology, and limited validation persist. This review provides foundational insights for developing robust, role-specific, and analytically sound rating systems to inform coaching and talent identification in elite volleyball.

ABSTRACT Skyrmion systems have been regarded as potential candidates for versatile energy‐efficient information processing due to the intrinsic topological properties. In emerging skyrmion‐based reservoir computing concepts, history‐dependent spin state evolution constitutes a key physical ingredient, highlighting the importance of controllable collective dynamics in response to external stimuli. Antiskyrmions, as antiparticles of skyrmions, are expected to offer additional configurational degrees of freedom and enhanced thermal stability. However, experimental visualization of their field‐dependent collective evolution remains scarce. Here we report a continuous, field‐history‐dependent antiskyrmion transition from a triangular to square lattice, accompanied by a sequence of intricate intermediate states in Mn 1.4 PtSn chiral magnet. Coordinated variations in antiskyrmion shape, size, and position are directly demonstrated, thereby offering experimentally multiple accessible degrees of freedom under controlled magnetic‐field inputs. Systematic micromagnetic simulations reveal that the competition among Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya, dipolar, and Zeeman interactions governs the sequential reconfiguration of local spin textures underlying the observed lattice evolution. Our results provide a controllable and history‐dependent antiskyrmion lattice platform with rich intermediate configuration states to explore multi‐level information encoding and reservoir‐computing applications.

Field hockey is an intense team sport that requires different physical demands depending on playing positions. Each position-defender, midfielder, forward-requires different aspects of physiology in terms of strength, speed, endurance, agility and flexibility for optimal performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate positional differences in key components of physical fitness among male elite field hockey players. Thirty male players (aged 18-22 years old) were divided into positional groups: defenders, midfielders, and forwards (n = 10 each). Five components of physical fitness were assessed: explosive power (standing broad jump), flexibility (sit-and-reach), agility (agility run test), sprint speed (40-yard sprint), and aerobic endurance (Cooper 12-minute run). The data were analyzed with a one-way Anova with post hoc LSD tests for differences by position. Positional differences in sprint speed and aerobic endurance were significant (p &lt; .05). Midfielders achieved higher sprint performance than defenders and forwards, which points to quick transitions. Defenders achieved higher aerobic endurance than midfielders and forwards, which is in agreement with the sustained nature of their role in defense. In explosive power, flexibility, and agility, no significant positional differences were found. The present study has established that there exist different physical fitness profiles based on playing position in field hockey with the underlying requirement for speed in midfielders and endurance in defenders. In order to achieve improvement in performance, but also reduce the risk of injuries and fulfill tactical needs, position-specific training programs are necessary. Such specific conditioning will help optimize effectiveness during a field hockey match.